Tiger Times
HAPPY HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Hey, Hey Tiger Families!
This upcoming week officially begins Hispanic Heritage Month which goes from Sunday, September 15, 2024 through Tuesday, October 15. Currently at Elmwood Park High School, 58.6% of our student population is Latinx or Hispanic. As noted last year, we had a sizable population of our students -- who are both native speakers and those who have taken classes through our Spanish program -- take the Seal of Biliteracy exam and either achieve the full seal or commended status. This year's theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together." When you walk into the building for Open House on Wednesday, you will see our hallways adorned celebrating this cultural period of time, in much the same way that we do when other cultural months come up. Of note, this Monday, September 16 is Mexican Independence Day!
NATIONAL INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS DAY
While I always try to be as up-to-date with technology as possible, I'm grateful each and every week to have an outstanding group of IT Professionals working specifically in my building and for the District. Of note, I'd like to give a big shout-out to Mr. Tom Kinane (District Director for Technology), Ms. Tammy Montefinese (District PowerSchool Data Manager) and Elias Mendoza (Technology Specialist). These individuals not only help me on a daily, but they also work very hard to ensure that our teachers and staff members have everything that they need to have a smooth and engaging classroom, as well as our students when they are having issues with their computers. Happy Informational Technology Professionals Day to these individuals on Tuesday, September 17.
OPEN HOUSE
First of all, thank you to all of you how filled out our 6-question quick survey about our communication to you. We wound up getting just over 360 responses. This data is being analyzed by my Building Leadership Team to better figure out how we can get you what you need. On the note of that, beyond just seeing communication here in the Tiger Times about our upcoming Open House event this upcoming Wed., Sept. 18 from 5-725PM, you should also be receiving a piece of mail that could win you A BIG PRIZE if you bring it with you and stay the duration of the Open House. Please be looking for that postcard in the coming days if it has not already arrived. Should you want more information on this particular night, please use the button below and/or the flyer at the close of this newsletter. Also, please be aware, beyond the postcard accessing you to a prize, there will also be various other raffles throughout the night as you attend the different sessions that we have planned.
ELECTION 2024
This past week, through our Social Studies class we had a voter registration drive. On Wednesday, Sept. 12 students who will be 18 prior to November 5th had the opportunity to be able to register to vote with a non-partisan organization. Not only did students have the opportunity to to register, but juniors and seniors also had the opportunity to sign up to be an election judge for Tues., Nov. 5. In signing up for this opportunity, these students will be able to make $250.
COLLEGE VISITS
Now that the year has started, we are already anxiously planning a robust schedule of college visits on campus for our students. Thus far we already had Dominican University here today. We are also planning to have the University of Illinois at Chicago along with many others. As these get planned, your students will be notified in two particular places.
1. They will receive an email form the counseling department and
2. Their advisory teacher should be providing them with this information as it arises.
All of this planning is much in thanks to our newly created position this year at EPHS, and that is our College & Career Counselor Specialist, Ms. Paige Kozyra. Please stay tuned for upcoming visits, along with a full on college fair in October.
ACTIVITIES & ATHLETICS CORNER
Art Club: The EPHS Art Club currently consists of 15 consistent members; however, they actively recruit throughout the year, especially when the Art Club is collaborating with other EPHS organizations. The President of the club actively works to connect and reach out to other organizations throughout EPHS in an effort to give the Art Club a timeline of things that they will do throughout the year. The Art Club meets every Tuesday from 3-4PM. During this time, students are provided with open studio time to work freely. You will see AP Art students working on their individual portfolios and getting feedback, regular art students working on their current pieces, and also students in there who unfortunately do not have an art class this year, using the time to engage in the culture of art and art making. As mentioned the Art Club works in collaboration with other organizations. Most notably they have done work with our Latinos Unidos for Dia de los Muertos and our Environmental Club. This coming year, now that we are apart of the Upstate 8, EPHS will actually be responsible for holding the conferences Art Show, which will be on March 3. This will be held, as always, at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin. Each school will provide 10 works of art and during the judging, students who are apart will be able to partake in workshops. Stay tuned on more information regarding this spring art show!
Boys Soccer: This year our boys varsity soccer team has 21 athletes, 5 of whom are seniors. Our 3 captains this year are Leo Loza (11), Damien Vojtech (11) and David Platkowski (10), all of whom are pictured below. They currently have one win and two loses on the board this early in the season and Coach Blake states that given our new conference, they will have a VERY challenging schedule this year. Boys soccer is one of our largest programs. We currently have three levels with about twently boys on each level, and have had these consistently now for the past three years. Our Freshmen Coach is Brad Daleiden-Brugman. He has been an asset from the perspective of not only does he coach our freshmen, but he also works with youth programs in the area. Our JV coach, and former EPHS alumni is, John Caushi, who also owns a local business in the area. Finally, Coach Blake is assisted by one of his former students and players, Coach Preziorka. Next week Tuesday, we will take on our biggest rival for all of our sporting teams: Ridgewood. That game will be in their territory and will be at 630PM. Also, this year EPHS will be hosting the IHSA Regionals at the close of the season. Stay tuned for those dates and times.
