NTZB Parent Bulletin

Hello New Tech Families,

Happy New Year and welcome to second semester! It has been wonderful to see the students in our hallways again after returning from the holiday break. As we continue to navigate the pandemic, I want to assure our students and families that we are committed to providing high quality instruction in the most safe and secure environment. We continue to follow our Covid safety strategies and promote safe practices in an effort to keep our schools open for business. Also, to ensure safe and effective operations and a positive school climate, the district has determined it necessary to implement a more structured hat and hood policy. Students will no longer be allowed to wear hats or hoods pulled up over their heads in any district building at any time. I would ask parents to remind their students of this policy change if they see their child wearing a hat or hood to school.

Beginning with next year, New Tech will be offering many new curricular options for students and will implement several programmatic changes to enhance our students’ school experience. We have expanded our partnership with the College of Lake County to offer several new dual credit classes to our junior and senior students--meaning parents can save hundreds of dollars for future college expenses! We will implement a new schedule next year which allows a study hall period for all students three days a week with access to a math and writing lab if needed. Students will also have the opportunity to take classes to become Microsoft-certified along with many other tech certification options. Any student interested in learning more about New Tech can attend one of our New Tech Orientation nights from 6:30-7:30 on 1/12, 1/18, 1/24, and 1/27.

The start of second semester is a great time to reach out to your student’s teachers to make sure your child is on the right track to graduate. We will have virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences again this semester on February 3, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 PM. Please continue to monitor our communications for more information and the link to book an appointment. As always, I look forward to creating more great days for our students and staff as we begin this new year!

In partnership,

Bonnie Felske

Contact Information

The ZBTHS D126 administration and Zion-Benton Federation of Teachers present the '#ZBtogether Get Vaccinated - Mask Up' campaign. The goals for this campaign are to increase the acceptance of vaccines and reinforce the proper wearing of masks in our school & community. Help us keep our schools open, our cities running, and our community members safe!

Thank you to the following organizations for supporting the #ZBtogether Get Vaccinated - Mask Up campaign: ZBTHS D126, Zion-Benton Federation of Teachers, City of Zion, Zion-Benton Athletics, and the Coalition for Healthy Communities.

If you would like to join the campaign, please contact Ms. Cynthia Moreno at morenoc@zbths.org or Ms. Deborah Will at willd@zbths.org.

In December, Ms. Ruggles challenged students finished with all her coursework for Semester 1, to create something with Ms. Jackson in the Media Center. Several students opted to sew a balaclava; others discovered the limitless possibilities of a Cricut machine. Ms. Jackson said, "It was a rewarding experience teaching skills not typically offered, like sewing. Students were excited with their finished projects and several were made specifically as a gift for a parent. I'm looking forward to expanding all that we can offer students in this creative space."

Click the image above to be redirected to the district website to review the plan

published by the Superintendent's Office.

Preview our offerings in the latest NT@ZB Informational Brochure!

• Monday 1/17/22: Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday Holiday - No School
• Thursday 2/3/22: Parent Conferences - NT@ZB 6:00 - 8:00 PM
• Friday 2/4/22: Compensatory Early Release: NT@ZB 1:35 PM
• Monday 2/21/22: Presidents' Day - No School
• Friday 3/4/22: End of Quarter 3
• Monday 3/7/22: Casmir Pulaski's Birthday Holiday - No School
• Friday 3/18/22: Compensatory Early Release: NT@ZB 1:35 PM
• Monday 3/21/22 -- Friday 3/25/22: Spring Break
• Monday 3/28/22: Classes Resume

Stay up-to-date on the latest school events!

• Weekly announcements from each campus
• Official school calendar (For a downloadable full year calendar, click here.)

Only 400 students large, NT@ZB provides a highly focused educational environment within Zion-Benton Township. A part of District 126, NT@ZB is a companion campus to the larger central campus located across town. NT@ZB emphasizes 21st century learning skills in addition to its college preparatory curriculum taught in a project based learning format. Qualifying students have access to tuition-free dual credit college courses, the Lake County Tech Campus, and all students can participate in athletics as District 126 Zee-Bees!

Email: jacksond@ntzb.org
Website: ntzb.org
Location: 1634 23rd Street, Zion, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 731-9800
Facebook: facebook.com/ntzbe
Twitter: @NewTechZB