Principal's Newsletter

Hello - this is a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have a student at, or have expressed an interest in, Glenbard West High School. Communication between Glenbard West and our families and community is very important to us. Don't forget to add gw_news@glenbard.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Please email any questions directly to Glenbard Staff, we are happy to respond.

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Hilltopper Community,

First, I’d like to welcome all new Glenbard West families to our monthly newsletter. While the Class of 2029 won’t officially begin their high school career until August, the enrollment process begins soon, and we want to make sure all of our families—those new and returning—are ready for an action-packed 2025.

All current West families received an email in late November with students’ course recommendations for the 25-26 school year. Families can enter their course selection preferences in PowerSchool until Monday, January 6th. Starting January 13th, students will meet with their counselor to finalize their courses. Electronic enrollment packets will be available for the families of incoming freshmen in early January. You can find additional information on enrollment and our upcoming 8th Grade Family Curriculum Night in the sections below.

On Monday, December 16th, Wold Architects and Gilbane Construction shared a capital projects update with our board of education. I invite you to watch this video summary of the new exterior and interior renderings of our planned addition. All drawings are still in draft form, with construction anticipated to begin in late fall of 2025 or early spring of 2026. If you have any questions for me or feedback on our plans, please complete this brief survey or contact me directly.

Today is the last day of final exams. I’d like to thank our staff for their commitment to our students’ success and congratulate our students on a strong finish to the semester. I hope that all of our Hilltopper families have a restful and joyful winter break and holiday season.

As always, thank you for reading. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns.

Go West!

Ben Peterselli

630-942-7473

ben_peterselli@glenbard.org

January 6th

No School - Staff Institute Day

January 7th

School Resumes

January 14th

Orchestra Ensemble Concert

7:30 - 9:00 pm

Choir, Band Rooms, Cafe, 3 Floor Bridge

January 15th

8th Grade Family Curriculum Night

Auditorium

January 16 - 18th

Black Box New Plays Performances

7:00 - 8:45 pm

Black Box

January 18th

8th Grade Enrollment

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Virtual

Pack the Place - Winter White Out

12:30 - 7:00 pm

Biester

January 23rd

8th Grade Enrollment

4:00 to 8:00 pm

Virtual

January 24

Cabaret Nite

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Cafe

January 30th - February 1st

Winter Play

7:30 - 9:30 pm

Auditorium

Congratulations to Samantha Moorhead who was selected to present her summer internship research at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) this month. The AGU is one of the largest gatherings of Earth and space scientists globally, allowing students to showcase their research to a diverse audience. Samantha's research focused on long-term moon habitation under the Discovery, Research, Exploration and Analysis on the Moon Project. Samantha was one of 150 students from around the globe selected to participate.

Student Services hosted the March Matter of Pride Ceremony on November 22, 2024. For those that are not familiar with our Matter of Pride Award, it was created over 30 years ago at West as a way to recognize students with outstanding character. This is the only award at West that focuses on a student's kindness, willingness to help others, going above and beyond for their school and/or community, and positive attitude. Basically, Matter of Pride recipients are what makes

West the Best!

Congratulations to our November Award Recipients:

Issta Bah, Caylen Berger, Kristen Choi, Scarlett Kirmis, Riley Cox,

Monserrath Figueroa, Bennett Garippo, Elizabeth Moreno, and Allisson Valenzuela.

Not Pictured: Ian Fiste and Nevaeh Kindred.

In October, the Glenbard West Choir participated in the Community Rummage Sale hosted by the First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn. After raising $1,000 from the sale, the choir donated the entire amount to Feed My Starving Children. Additionally, choir members took part in a food-packing event​ to further support the organization.

We are excited to welcome Families of the Class of 2029 to Glenbard West for our 8th Grade Family Curriculum Night on Wednesday, January 15th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. This evening is an opportunity for us to share information about our academic offerings, summer school enrichment opportunities, and the registration and enrollment process. Additional information on this event will be shared with families via email in the coming weeks.

Here is Volume Two of our AP Guide for Families in English and Spanish. You’ll find all relevant information about exam registration for second semester-only AP courses, exam order changes, and answers to frequently asked questions about exam registration. Please contact the office of the Assistant Principal for Instruction with questions: 630-942-7471. For AP-related updates, please join our Remind by texting @gbwaptest to the number 81010 or clicking here.

This month students are meeting with their counselors to select classes for next school year. The 2025-2026 Glenbard West Academic Program Guidebook can help students and parents better understand the wealth of courses offered at West, as well as which courses fulfill high school graduation requirements. We encourage families to discuss students’ educational interests and post-secondary goals during the registration process. Should you or your student have any questions, please reach out to your school counselor.

It is important to note that, beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the state of Illinois will require students to take the school-day ACT as a graduation requirement. This will necessitate some changes to the testing calendar for the class of 2026:

• Wednesday, April 9, 2025: preACT testing for freshmen and sophomores

• Thursday, April 10, 2025: School-day ACT for Juniors *Students will be automatically registered at no additional cost.

We are confident this plan will help students to both prepare for the ACT in their Junior year and understand their own strengths in the knowledge and skill targets that are central to the exam. Both the ACT and SAT are aligned with Glenbard West’s curricula.

Our Glenbard West Related Services Team is dedicated to providing interventions and support for all students. If your child is struggling from emotional barriers that are preventing them from succeeding in class, please do not hesitate to contact any of our dedicated staff members. I am excited to introduce our team!

Back row: Max Hufnagle, Nisa Gabbidon, Jaclyn Reeves, Pam Hagstrom, Deandra Bass

Front row: Lisa Cunningham, Jessica Walters, Peter Baker, Amanda Meyer, Bridget Mazzone

Left to right front row: Beatriz Ferreria, Mary Yangas, Rhiannon Sieck, Natalie Rubino, and Lissete Ochoa. Second row: Patty Fanella, Kate Culloton, Jeremiah Weincek and Matt Brodhead. Back row: Tad Keely, Mike Neberz, and Tony Bergantino.

Each year, local organizations, school-wide clubs and generous individuals provide financial support through our Local Scholarship Program, awarding more than $150,000 in scholarships to Glenbard West Seniors. All students are encouraged to apply by completing the Local Scholarship Application found in SchooLinks. The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 17, 2025. Seniors can see their school counselors with any questions.

We will begin our enrollment and course selection process for the 2025-26 school year soon. From October 21 through November 8 teachers will begin talking to students in their classes about all the course options available in their subject area for next school year. These decisions are informed by PSAT scores, current course performance, and each student’s post-secondary goals. Students will have an automatically recommended course in PowerSchool in the areas of Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. The intention is to place students in the most challenging courses within these areas so they are most prepared for the post-high school experience. All families and students will have the opportunity to review and adjust these recommendations as needed. Then students will be meeting one-on-one with their School Counselor throughout January to ensure an overall healthy balance, before finalizing course selections. Look for updates from the School Counseling office by the beginning of December.

November 25 - January 6

Families review course recommendations in PowerSchool, choose electives, and make adjustments

January 13 - February 7

Individual 1:1 follow-up meetings with School Counselors

Students and Families will review, edit, and enter their course requests online through a web browser in the student or parent portal of PowerSchool. Students who have an IEP or who receive academic support within the EL program will have access to view their course selections which will be chosen through an individualized team process. After January 6, students will meet individually with their school counselors during the weeks of January 13 - February 7.

The Course Selection Worksheet/Schedule and List of Courses (rough draft) can be reviewed and utilized as a tool to assist students/parents in selecting next year's courses.

For more detailed course descriptions please refer to the online Glenbard West Academic Program Guidebook (next year’s will be updated by December).

It is essential that every student give careful consideration to his/her course choices. We will do all we can to individualize course selection discussions with a focus on maintaining a healthy balance in every student’s overall educational experience. Any changes after February 7 must be discussed with the student's School Counselor and will only be available on a space-available basis. Parents, we value your input in this process because you best understand your own student's interests and goals. You also see how the overall academic rigor of his or her schedule affects daily functioning.

Check out the School Counseling College Application Resources for more info on scholarships, application support videos, and college research.

Seniors - We know you are feeling some relief as the bulk of the college application deadlines passed on November 1st! Don’t forget to update your decisions in SchooLinks as you get your results. We love to hear the updates! There are still applications being submitted for December and January deadlines, but we’ve currently had thousands of applications submitted! Make sure to remind your seniors to send a thank you note to all the teachers who took the extra time to write their letters of recommendation. We are excited to report we have hosted visits by 135 (and counting) college representatives, with 776 student attendees! Another reminder, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is planned to be available starting December 1 and is a graduation requirement. If you haven’t done so already, make sure you go to studentaid.gov to create your FSA ID. The FAFSA is not only for consideration of need-based financial aid but also scholarships from many colleges. Speaking of scholarships, Local Scholarship applications will become available in December on SchooLinks.

Juniors - College Night is tentatively being planned for February 20th. Stay tuned for more information! Although the bulk of our college rep visits have taken place, there will be more in the Spring! Make sure you are checking in SchooLinks to sign up for these virtual visits. Counselors will be doing follow-up visits to your English classes in February to get more in-depth with college research.

Sophomores - Make sure you’re talking to your teachers about recommendations on what you should be taking junior year. In Spring, we’ll be meeting in your English classes to guide you through a personality test on SchooLinks and begin exploring some potential careers, and college majors, and developing an activity resume.

Freshmen - Counselors are meeting in small groups with you over the next month to get to know you, talk about your sophomore year classes, get you logged in and introduced to SchooLinks, and work with you to set some postsecondary goals.

Incoming Class of 2029 - Electronic enrollment packets with detailed information will be going out in early January. Please make sure you check your emails and review the information thoroughly. If you have any questions, please contact Patty Fanella, School Counseling Administrative Assistant at patricia_fanella@glenbard.org or 630-942-7482. For Spanish please contact Bea Ferreira, Administrative Assistant School Counseling at beatriz_romerodeferreira@glenbard.org or 630-942-7483.

Did you know that students entering 12th grade must show proof of having two doses of the meningococcal vaccine?

Start making your appointments now for this needed vaccine and turn in your vaccine proof to the health office after your appointment! You can receive this vaccine when going to the doctor for your annual checkup or when getting a sports physical.

Questions about if you have already received it? Stop in the health office and we can let you know!

Senior MCV Form

Have you turned in your proof of dental examination?

If not please turn in the proof of examination form to the health office ASAP. Dental exams performed on/after 11/15/2023 will be accepted for this requirement. Exams can be sent to stephanie_brezwyn@glenbard.org or faxed to (630) 942-7559

Freshman Dental Examination Form

Glenbard uses the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages to your mobile

phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more.

You can participate in this free service by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our

school’s short code number, 67587.

You can also opt out of these messages at any time by replying to one of our messages

with “Stop”.

Glenbard West Athletics and our Boosters would like to invite everyone to our Annual Pack the Place Saturday January 18, 2025. The Hilltoppers community is excited to present an action- packed day of basketball and other entertainment to showcase the talents of our students and staff. Please review the schedule below and we look forward to seeing everyone here to pack the place on Saturday January 18th .

11:00am Frosh A Girls Basketball vs. DGN- Biester Gym

12:15pm Frosh B Girls Basketball vs. DGN- Biester Gym

2:00pm Frosh A Boys Basketball vs. DGS- Fieldhouse

2:00pm Soph Boys Basketball vs. DGS- Fieldhouse

2:00pm JV1 Girls Basketball vs. DGN- Biester Gym

3:15pm Frosh B Boys Basketball vs. DGS- Fieldhouse

3:15pm Frosh Green vs. Frosh White Boys Basketball- Fieldhouse

3:30pm Varsity Boys Basketball vs. DGS- Biester Gym

4:30pm Frosh B Girls Basketball vs. Fremd- Fieldhouse

5:30pm Varsity Girls Basketball vs. DGN- Biester Gym

*Performances throughout the afternoon/evening including:

-Performances including Cheer and Dance and others

-Boosters 50/50 Raffle/Announcement of 10K Raffle winner

-Staff participation contests/activities

GO WEST!!!

Glenbard District 87 is pleased to partner with OrganicLife as our food service provider. Information regarding OrganicLife, menu offerings, and nutrition/allergen information will be available on your high school’s website this summer.

Visit www.pushcoin.com to sign up for the prepayment option with their easy-to-use system.

Please note that for the 2024-2025 school year, free meals will be available to those who qualify. Please see the “Residency, Fees, and Financial Assistance Information” page for more information.

Glenbard West Boosters is primarily a fundraising organization with more than 350 members and 125+ Board members that plans various Booster-sponsored events and fundraising activities. The funds raised enhance academic programs, athletic programs and extra-curricular activities that enrich the student experience at Glenbard West.

West Nation proudly supports Glenbard Parent Series (GPS). Visit www.GlenbardGPS.org for information on the nationally recognized speaker series for parents, students, educators and community members. The series is free and open to the public.

Please visit www.gbwnation.com to purchase a membership, make a donation and to volunteer. We invite all students and parents to be a part of WEST NATION!

Follow us on Twitter/@GWWestNation or Facebook/GlenbardWestNation

You can keep up with Glenbard information throughout the year by signing up for Glenbard News, our district-wide enewsletter, at this link.

Each week, you will receive district-wide news about students’ achievements in school-sponsored activities; upcoming events; fund-raisers; school board information and more.

Schools across the nation are experiencing more and more students who have latex allergies. Often, students with this allergy can have severe and even life-threatening reactions if exposed to latex resins and powders. For their safety, there are certain latex products we no longer allow on campus. Latex balloons and “Silly String” pose a significant health threat to students with a latex allergy. These products are not allowed on campus at any time, including after school, evening, and weekend events. With this in mind, we request your help: Please talk with your children about this health and safety issue. Some students might not understand the reason for a “balloon ban.” At West, we want all parents to know that their children are safe on campus.

Crisis Text Line - Text REACH to: 741741

This sends information to a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to help individuals return to a healthy/stable level of functioning.

Safe2Help Illinois Call 844-472-3345 or Text 72332(SAFE2)

Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. This program is intended to get students to “Seek Help Before Harm.”

Students who wish to report a potential act of school violence at Glenbard West may also leave an anonymous message with our School Resource Officer at (630) 681-3177 or call the Bullying Hotline Call (630) 942-7406

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call/Text 988

This number has trained staff to answer calls and respond to texts from individuals at risk for suicide as well as those experiencing other mental health and substance use-related emergencies. Specialized services will be available for veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other groups.

Email: gw_news@glenbard.org
Website: glenbardwesths.org
Location: 670 Crescent Blvd.
Phone: 630-469-8600
Twitter: @GWHilltoppers