Fremd HS Principal's Newsletter
October 2023
From the Principal
It’s hard to believe we are approximately a quarter of the way into the school year. Our students and staff have started Mighty, Brave, and Bold and look to continue that moving forward. Below are some reminders to help continue our continued collaboration between the school and home to support your child.
Communication: If this school year is not going as well as you would expect, please contact individual teachers or your child’s counselor. Infinite Campus gives you grade updates and email links to the teachers. The FHS website at www.fhs.d211.org is full of information for students and parents.
Student Email: All students are issued a D211 email account for school use. Teachers, coaches, sponsors, etc. will communicate with your child via the D211 email account. This email can be connected by the student to other email accounts. Ask your child if he or she is opening the D211 email. Details regarding this account can be found HERE or under STUDENTS→STUDENT RESOURCES on the Fremd website.
Grades/Attendance: Monitor your student’s academic progress and attendance by using the Campus Portal app. You can also access Infinite Campus HERE or under PARENTS→QUICK LINKS on the Fremd website.
Schoology: Fremd teachers utilize Schoology to manage their course materials and class calendars. When you sign up, you will be able to receive class/activity updates, as well as having access to your student’s progress. You can also access Schoology HERE or under FAMILIES→FAMILY RESOURCES→QUICK LINKS on the Fremd website. Contact our Technology Coordinator, Keith Sorensen (ksorensen@d211.org) for additional details or questions.
Viking Tutoring Center: The VTC is open from 7:00 until 2:45 on Monday and Friday, and 7:00 until 5:00 Tuesday through Thursday.
Thank you for all of your help and support. Go Vikes!
Sincerely,
Mark Langer
Principal
Halloween Fest
Fremd Student Council invites children ages 12 and under and their parents or guardians to attend our annual Halloween festival, to be held outside in the stadium Wednesday, October 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 pm (weather permitting). Come trick or treat around a track that has been transformed for a fun night of games, toys and candy. This festival is a great way to serve our community while having Halloween fun.
We are proud teal pumpkin supporters, so there are plenty of allergy-friendly prizes for all children. All children under the age of 12 are invited and must be accompanied by an adult. Student Council will also be trick or treating for canned goods! We would greatly appreciate canned goods and non-perishables for the Palatine Township Food Pantry. There will be collection bins when entering the stadium!
Veterans Day Assembly - Veterans, We Want You!
On Thursday, November 9th, we will welcome Veterans from the Fremd community to our building for an assembly. The purpose is to learn about the history of Veterans Day and also recognize those within our community who have served our country. Veterans interested in attending need to arrive at Fremd between 8:30 and 8:45 and stay until the conclusion of the assembly, around 10:00 am.
The assembly will include a few brief speeches and musical performances from our incredible student bands and choirs. All veterans in attendance will be seated together on the main floor and asked to stand or wave during the Salute to the Armed Forces, when their respective branch is identified.
We would love to share more information about this opportunity with the veterans connected to our school (parents, aunts/uncles, siblings, grandparents, family friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc.) but need help in identifying them. The Google Form link below can be shared with others or filled out on someone else’s behalf. CLICK HERE or copy this link: https://forms.gle/jKdpXmd4zWduMXrE8
Viking Pride Award Program
The Viking Pride Recognition Program is beginning its 24th year at Fremd High School. Approximately 20-25 students are recognized weekly (during the second half of both semesters) on the school's public address system based on nominations from our faculty. Each teacher has the opportunity to nominate two students per year for this honor.
We call this Viking Pride because P.R.I.D.E. is an acronym for Personal Responsibility In Developing Excellence. Under this broad criteria, teachers can recognize those who achieve at a high level of academic excellence; have turned a personal setback from a negative to a positive; or demonstrate respect and empathy.
When names are read, students come to the principal's office to learn the special comments a teacher has made about them, and are presented with a certificate as a remembrance of their efforts.
Student Wellness
September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. To advocate for positive mental health and provide resources to students, Fremd High School promoted an awareness campaign at the start of the month. District 211 partnered with Erika’s Lighthouse, which promotes positive mental health and access to resources when in need. In addition, Schoology posts were made throughout the month to encourage students and staff to talk about this important topic and bring awareness.
As important as this topic is, we also realize that it can be difficult for many students to talk about and can at times be upsetting. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s counselor by calling our Student Services office at 847-755-2630 or emailing the counselor directly.
For additional information, please refer to the Parent Handbook of Childhood and Teen Depression.
Student Personal Technology Guidelines Reminders
As a Viking community, it is our goal to create a learning environment that is distraction-free and supportive of your child’s opportunity to learn and grow. As technology becomes integrated into all forms of communication, we support a learning environment of shared responsibility to help foster a greater sense of digital citizenship.
Multiple studies have been conducted regarding the effects of personal technology devices and accessories on students and teens in general. Overwhelmingly, it has been found that these items are detrimental to learning. Our mission is to aid our Vikings in finding success both as high school students and throughout life.
The procedures in the classroom are meant to provide students with a clear understanding of when they are authorized to use their cell phones/accessories and when they are not authorized to use their cell phones/accessories. Violations of the guidelines will result in consequences.
Please contact your student’s administrator with any questions.
Reminders from the Attendance Office
Reporting Daily Absences – Bereavement/Funeral, Court Appearance, Doctor Appointments, Family Emergency, Illness, Mental Health Days (up to 5 days) and Religious Observations
Please call the Attendance Office (847.755.2670) by 10:00 a.m. or use the Infinite Campus Absence Request Portal to report absences when a student is too ill or unable to attend school for a valid reason. Parents are requested to notify school personnel no later than 24 hours after the absence. If parents do not call, the student’s absence will be considered truant until a parent authorizes the absence. School staff will attempt to contact parents when students are absent and a parent call has not been received. An authorized absence means the student is not present in the school, assigned classroom, or on the campus.
Reporting Extended Absences – College Visits, Extended Family Vacations/Emergencies
Please call the Attendance Office (847.755.2670) two school days prior to a college visit or vacation absence from school. All college visits need to be cleared as a pre-excused absence. Failure to do so will result in the absence being counted as a regular excused absence.
When calling the Attendance Office, please have the STUDENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER available.
Please contact your student’s administrator with any questions.
National Merit Semifinalists Named
Fremd High School is proud to announce that twenty seniors have been named 2024 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists: Pranav Aiyar, Thomas Applebaum, Thomas Border, Evan Carl, Emily Costigan, Aditya Gupta, Jillian Harvey, Joseph Jiang, Chethan Karandikar, Grace Lee, Arnav Mandal, Levyn Mathew, Jacob Myers, Liam Nance, Henry Oh, Adarsh Prathap, Pranaav Senthilkumar, Stephanie Tian, Katherine Wei, and Jack Xu.
These students scored in the top one-half of one percent of the more than one million students who entered the 2024 National Merit competition by taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test administered in October of their junior year. These students are to be congratulated for bringing such prestige and recognition to their community, school, families, and themselves.
SAT Prep
Did you know Fremd has two free SAT Prep Courses starting in January 2024?
Test prep strategies and content review
Preparation for the all new Digital SAT
Official practice tests & solutions
Connect your College Board account to Khan Academy
Registration is open now through December 22nd at https://tinyurl.com/FremdSATPrep2324Sem2 .
Viking Parent Boosters - Become a member!
Membership
Please join the Viking Parent Boosters! Your membership fees are used to fund special items and programming for Fremd High School academic, athletic, and activity programs. Choose from a variety of membership options that include athletic or a combination of athletic and activity events as well as scholarships for graduating seniors. Purchase your membership on MySchoolBucks.
Spirit Shop
The spirit shop is open on Fridays from 10-2 at FHS, but it is open 24/7 online!
Join the D211 Communications Advisory
The District 211 Communications Advisory is a group of parents, staff, alumni, business partners and community members who help advise the Communications Department on topics relating to District- and school-level communications: what information you get and how you get it.
The group will meet in the evenings three times this school year: November 7, February 6 and April 23. This will be an in-person session. Those interested should fill out this application by October 27.
Way to Go Vikes!
Click HERE to see Successes and Celebrations. Congratulations!
Dates to Remember
October 24 Student Late Start - Classes begin at 8:50 a.m.
October 24 D15/D211 Orchestra Festival - 7:00 p.m. at PHS
October 25 Halloween Festival - Stadium, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
November 5 Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 7 End of 12-week grading period
November 7 Student Late Start - Classes begin at 8:50 a.m.
November 9 Veterans Day Assembly
November 11 D211 Honor Choir Concert - 3:00 p.m. at HEHS
November 16 D15/D211 8th Grade Band Festival - Cafe, 7:00 p.m.
November 17 Orchestra Concert - Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
November 21 Student Blood Drive
November 22 Non-Attendance Day (No School)
November 23-24 Thanksgiving Break (No School)
November 30 V-Show Performance - Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
December 1 V-Show Performance - Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
December 5 Student Late Start - Classes begin at 8:50 a.m.
December 6 Incoming Freshman/Parent Night, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
For the most up to date calendar, please visit the website or click HERE.