It’s hard to believe we are so close to the end of the semester!
Semester grades are very important as those are reported on a student’s transcript and are part of their permanent record. Please monitor your child’s grades on Schoology either through your parent portal or by asking your student to log in and show you their grades.
We encourage students and parents to reach out to teachers to ask questions about their academic progress, how they can improve, and how we can work together to support their students whether they are struggling or thriving.
Please plan to attend parent-teacher conferences on November 25 or 26. Conferences are a great way for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us so we can build a positive relationship to support your children. If you cannot attend on those days, you’re always welcome to reach out to teachers to set up a time to talk on the phone about your child’s progress or set up an in person meeting if needed.
Thank you for all you do to support your child’s academic progress. Sometimes the job of a parent can be hard, as can the job of teacher, but if we work together we can always find a way to support our kids!
SCHEDULE YOUR PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES!
Conference times are as follows:
Monday, November 25 from 11 AM until 4 PM and 5 PM until 8 PM.
Tuesday, November 26 from 8 AM until 1 PM.
You will have from Friday, November 8 at 10 AM through Friday, November 22 at 12 PM to schedule your conferences.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Dundee-Crown High School at this website.
If you have students in other schools, their conferences will be scheduled via that school's scheduling website. For a complete list of all school’s scheduling websites, please click here.
Please note that if you are scheduling conferences for multiple schools, you will need to close the web browser between sessions when switching between different schools.
Parents will use their PowerSchool login credentials to log into their PTCWizard account. Attached are step by step directions on how to sign up. Your password will be your PowerSchool username in all lowercase letters.
If you have forgotten your login credentials, please go back to PowerSchool and refresh your credentials there. You can also call 224-484-5000 to have someone at Dundee-Crown give you your username.
To change the sign up portal's language, log in, and in the top right corner click on the American flag. Then select Spanish if you prefer Spanish.
CHECK ON YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL PROGRESS
Parents: It is very important that you check your children's grades on a REGULAR basis in Schoology. D300 does not issue quarterly progress reports. Final semester grades are issued at the end of December. The only way you can monitor a student's grades and academic progress is through Schoology. Ask your children about their grades and encourage them to seek tutoring and support if they are struggling.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, which translates to approximately 18 or more days of school over a full academic year. This can include both excused and unexcused absences and can have a profound impact on a student's learning and overall development. During the 2023-2024 School year, 39% of Dundee Crown students were considered “Chronically Absent”; this equates to over 1,000 of our students. We understand that there are legitimate reasons for absences, such as illness or family emergencies, and we encourage you to communicate with us if your child will be unable to attend school. However, we also urge you to support and encourage your child to attend school every day, barring any genuine reasons for absence. Consistent attendance is one of the most significant factors influencing academic achievement and overall success in high school. When students attend school regularly, they benefit from:
Continuity of Learning: Each school day builds upon the previous one, and regular attendance ensures that students do not miss out on critical lessons, assignments, or discussions. Development of Responsibility: Regular attendance fosters a sense of responsibility and discipline, which are essential skills for both academic and personal growth.
Enhanced Engagement: Students who are present in class are more likely to engage with the material, participate in discussions, and collaborate with their peers, leading to a deeper understanding of the subjects being taught.
Stronger Relationships: Daily attendance helps students develop meaningful relationships with their teachers and classmates, creating a supportive and positive learning environment.
Early Intervention: Regular attendance allows teachers to identify and address any learning difficulties or personal issues early, providing support and resources to help students succeed.
THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF MISSING SCHOOL
We love family vacations! They are great for bonding, creating memories, and learning about the world. But there are some downsides to missing too much school. Older students can fall behind and struggle to catch up. That’s unlikely to have too much of an impact for say, a week-long vacation. But if you are regularly missing school for vacations, it can certainly come in to play. But again, this is primarily going to impact kids missing more than a week of school.
CHECK YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL PROGRESS
Parents: It is very important that you check your student's grades on a REGULAR basis in Schoology. D300 does not issue quarterly progress reports. Final semester grades are issued at the end of December. The only way you can monitor your student's grades and academic progress is through Schoology. Ask your child about his/her grades and encourage them to seek tutoring and support if they are struggling.
DUAL CREDIT INFORMATION:
District 300 offers our high school students several opportunities to earn tuition-free college credit. D300 has Dual Credit partnerships with both Elgin Community College as well as the ABC School of Cosmetology. Students interested in Dual Credit will need to complete: a Google interest form, an application, and an agreement form. Students may also need to take placement tests. Updated information regarding Dual Credit is currently being updated and will be available to students and families on the Student Services Schoology. D300 will also be offering Dual Credit Information nights, and all students interested in learning more about Dual Credit should plan to attend. Sophomore and Junior students will also be informed of Dual Credit opportunities in their large group course selection presentations in November. If you have additional questions about Dual Credit, please reach out to your student’s counselor or to Mrs. Huber, the Dual Credit Coordinator.
ECC FULL-TIME PATHWAY
High school juniors and seniors can enroll as part-time Dual Credit students during the school day. Students can take classes at ECC, and several Dual Credit courses are taught at Dundee-Crown as well. These opportunities are available to high school juniors and seniors. Students must be current students enrolled full-time in a District 300 high school to be considered for placement.
ECC PART-TIME CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES
High school juniors and seniors can enroll as part-time students during the school day, and they can take college classes in over 20 career and technical areas. Industry-recognized certification is available in a number of high-demand areas. These opportunities are available to high school juniors and seniors. Students must be current students enrolled full-time in a District 300 high school to be considered for placement.
All ECC-required placement exams must be completed no later than February 1, 2025.
ABC SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY
Students attending the ABC School of Cosmetology work towards the required number of hours for certification in one of the following programs: Nail Technician (Seniors only) Introduction to Esthetics (Junior/Senior) Introduction to Cosmetology (Junior/Senior) Barbering (Junior/Senior).
The state requires numerous hours for Licensure (see program guides). Students will only receive 150 hours per semester through the district and will need to continue after graduation to complete the program at their own cost.
COURSE SELECTION FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
Course Selection: We are starting our course selection season! Please be aware that we will be meeting with students in large groups to explain the process and to inform students about special options and resources to assist them while making selections. Generally, juniors meet with counselors in a 1-1 meeting in December, with sophomores and freshmen meeting with counselors in January as second semester begins. The purpose of the meeting is to speak with a counselor to solidify course requests.
Financial Aid/Military/College Rep Visits:
College representatives from many colleges and universities visit D-C during lunch periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the fall to meet with Juniors and Seniors. You can see which colleges are coming and sign up on SchooLinks under EVENTS on your home page. Financial Aid (ISAC) rep visits happen every other Wednesday, and Military Reps are here on Wednesdays as well. You will find helpful resources and information in our Schoology Folder in the D-CHS Student Information: Chargers Schoology class!
FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE
Ariana Benitez is an ISACorps Representative here to help you with any college/trade school applications, finding scholarships, and financial aid questions. She will have Office Hours every other Wednesday in the counseling office during lunch periods. Sign up on SchooLinks or Drop In during your lunch. You can contact her at ariana.benitez@illinois.gov (from a personal email NOT d300 email) or at 847-738-8968.
Office Hours ALL Lunch Periods(Drop in or sign up on SchooLinks):
November: 6 & 20
December: 4 & 18
FSA ID Creation Workshops:
11/20 during lunch office hours- Counseling Office(Students only)
11/25 6-7:30 pm in Cafeteria during Parent Teacher Conferences
Application Completion Workshop:
12/9 6-8 pm in Media Center(open to parents and students-Bring Chromebook!!)
Keep checking the announcements and the D-C Student Information Schoology for more information!
COMMUNITY SERVICE
AVID students are expected to complete five hours of Community Service each semester. Being involved outside of school is important for college and career preparation. Students are responsible for submitting their Community Involvement hours on SchooLinks The guidelines for community service are that it cannot be paid and it cannot be a chore or responsibility that is expected of you. Students can find volunteer opportunities and information about entering their hours at this link: tinyurl.com/DCAVIDservice.
AVID students who are failing any classes are not permitted to attend AVID field trips. We value maintaining quality grades in your classes while also offering much support to achieve this goal. Please make sure students are focusing on doing their best in their classes and asking for help when needed! LOTS of AVID information is available here: https://linktr.ee/aviddchs.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Juniors and Seniors in District 300 are eligible to enroll in the Internship Program. The District 300 Internship Program is a partnership between the high schools and the industrial, business, professional and service communities of the Fox Valley area. The program provides students with an opportunity for hands-on career exploration allowing them to observe daily operations, dialogue with personnel, and gain an understanding about how a particular job/career functions within a total system. For more information, talk to your counselor or email Mrs. Buhrow at michelle.buhrow@d300.org.
D-CHS ELECTRICAL PROGRAM
Explore the Dundee-Crown H.S. Electrical Program web site @ www.L-Ectric.com to see what we offer the students.
IMPORTANCE OF READING FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
Discussing what you are reading with your high schooler is just as important as when they were younger. Engaging in reading texts together and discussing what you have learned can strengthen literacy skills with your child even at an older age. Click on the photograph for an article that you and your high schooler can read and discuss together. Happy reading!
DEBATE TEAM NEWS!
DEBATE TEAM: Sharpen your speaking skills. Bolster your resume. Learn how to win arguments in a friendly-competitive team environment. Create lifelong bonds with teammates. Meet people from high schools across Illinois.
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE: Act as Congress members. Debate if bills should be passed into laws. Learn how to win arguments.
REMAINING TOURNAMENTS: ICDA 3 – November 9 – Conant ICDA 4 – December 7 – Lyons Township ICDA 5/TOC – January 18 – Highland Park ICDA STATE – February 22 – Harper College
PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN: AAA Fair Charger Treat Pumpkin Carving Contest. Possibly a holiday fundraiser and a year-end banquet
This year, 93 students was recognized at the Board of Education meeting on October 22 in honor of their diverse academic achievements based on last year's Advanced Placement exams and SAT scores. Thank you all for continuing to work so hard to help your students persevere and succeed! Although some of these students have graduated, please feel free to congratulate all of the honorees. There is so much to be proud of here at Dundee-Crown!
FALL PLAY
The cast and crew of the this year's Fall Play have been working hard memorizing lines and blocking, creating set pieces, painting props, and plotting lighting and sound designs in preparation for our November 14th opening night! A special THANK YOU to the parents who have volunteered their time to help bring this show to life! We are so grateful to have your help! Tickets for "Deadline" are now on sale through Go Fan.
We are a month into rehearsal and set build! The cast and crew have been working hard memorizing lines and blocking, building set pieces, and plotting lighting and sound to create a spooky vibe for our audience to enjoy. A special THANK YOU to the parents who have volunteered their time to help bring this show to life! We are so grateful to have your help and could not do this without you. We are also excited to share that we have applied to have "Deadline" responded to by the Illinois High School Theater Fest committee for a chance to bring our show to the All-State Festival held at University of Illinois in January! Our goal is to be selected, and we are taking every step we can to reach that goal, including fundraising to help cover the cost. Be on the lookout for ways to support D-CHS Theater, and come see this amazing cast and crew November 14th, 15th and 16th!
We asked our students what is one class you think every student at Dundee-Crown should take?
- AP Psychology. If I had to do it. So do you :)
- AP Seminar. It's an engaging class that helps people work on essay writing and public speaking. The teacher is also very understanding and makes the class so much fun!!
- AP Environmental Science with Mrs. Maxa! Our world is changing due to our actions. Environmental Science really helped me understand the impact that humans (and human evolution) have had on our earth.
- Business INCubator because you can create your very own business with a group or on your own and grow that business in the ACCelerator class.
- Sociology. Super interesting!
- AVID because it helps you plan for the future!
- Intro to Business class to understand financial management
- Law and Justice to understand how to protect yourself and learn about careers
- Music. It’s a challenging but fun way to motivate yourself into learning something new especially with having the decision to choose your own instrument like: strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, or even your voice!
- Spanish to help students communicate with others they may encounter. It will help them also understand how other people live and about their culture. It can also help students to relate to Spanish-speaking individuals.
- Culinary Arts. It's super fun, and it teaches you how to cook on your own, a basic skill you should have.
- English because it helps us improve the way we speak, write, and communicate. It also opens our minds to new things so we can understand and appreciate the universal aspects of the human experience.
- Sociology because it's a really cool class that lets you know the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior.
- Precalculus because it truly makes the mind think, and you gain problem solving skills.
- AP Language because it teaches you important skills like analyzing rhetoric, analyzing documents, and other writing skills that will help you excel in any part of your life.
- Drivers Ed so they can all learn how to drive
- Art because the world needs to have a lot of beautiful things
- Math because I know that not a lot of people are good at it
- AVID because it can help you be more successful for college
- Math because you would use math in the real world
- Electricity. It's so easy if you just pay attention.
- Chorus because it is a fun place and it's good to just see how you like it.
- Fashion because you get to create so many things and you can be yourself by choosing how to make your own outfits.
- AP US History. It is both interesting and fun -- especially with Ms. Manypenny teaching it.
- PE. You have to have four years to graduate.
- Child Growth and Development because it is a very fun class
- Algebra because every student should know math
- Spanish because you need to take a language, and it helps you later in life
- History Now because it teaches great stuff about politics
- Orchestra because it's fun to play music
- AVID because it helps you to be career and college ready, and it can help you build good skills that you can use throughout your whole lifetime
- Drivers Ed because it allows you to drive which is needed for everyday life
- Culinary because you get free food
- Woods. It is a very useful life skill that everyone needs to learn for when they own a home and have to put together cabinets, furniture, and other appliances
- Any Business class since it teaches you actual stuff you're going to need in the future.
- Creative Writing. It's a class where you can express yourself comfortably and build your writing skills
- Art because we can appreciate the most tiny things in the world with colors
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FAMILY RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY
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