Wood Dale Newsletter Jan Feb 2022

FENTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

RIGOR, RELEVANCE, AND RELATIONSHIPS!

Dear Fenton Families and valued community partners, We have all done an amazing job of working toward “as close to normal as possible” while bringing students back into the building and reacquainting ourselves with various routines.

Unfortunately, some aspects of “normal” involve facilities and learning spaces that are far too old and antiquated. A majority of our building was originally constructed in the 1950s and based around learning models from the 1950s.

Fenton underwent a facilities audit in 2019 and early 2020, up until COVID put a halt to our efforts.

The deficiencies and challenges highlighted in the 2019 audit were unavoidable when we brought our entire student body back to school after 18 months of no students or light student traffic in the building. Our kids deserve better.

Together, as a community, we have openly talked about these challenges and potential solutions.

Fenton is grateful to all who participated in person at our 10 Public engagement sessions as well as everyone who completed our community-wide phone survey or one of our online survey forms.

We also are very thankful to the parents, neighbors, and business leaders on our Community Engagement Committee, which helped us test and refine our presentations during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of this outreach initiative.

Fenton Community High School District 100 1000 W. Green Street Bensenville, IL 60106 630.766.2500 • www.fenton100.org Mission Statement Cultivate successful, passionate learners through rigor, relevance and relationships.

Board of Education Kit Tingpalpong, President Paul Wedemann, Vice President Leonel Figueroa, Secretary Sylvia Hayde Patty Jalowiec John Radzinski Juliet Rago Administration James Ongtengco, Superintendent Sam Bentsen, Associate Superintendent/ Principal

All of this incredible feedback lets us know what the community prefers and will support. This collaboration will ensure our final plan is fair, fiscally responsible, and reflective of the wishes of our community.

These conversations will continue as we move forward, toward safe facilities that are capable of 21st Century Learning. We ask that our community stay involved. A Phase 3 phone survey will go out in January with the latest options that have been modified based on your feedback and preferences.

GO BISON!

All are invited to review our Community Engagement webpage, which contains reports, copies of our presentations, and our informational videos. Please visit: https://www.fenton100.org/ district/community_engagement Myself, the Fenton Administrative Team, our teachers, and entire staff are all so proud to serve this community. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Fenton High School.

James Ongtegco Superintendent

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FENTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Fenton Football Players Present Proceeds from September 11 Fundraiser to Bensenville and Wood Dale First Responders The Fenton High School football team fundraised $12,200 as part of its September 11, 2001 Remembrance Program and its two captains presented checks to Bensenville and Wood Dale first responders during the November 17 Fenton Board of Education meeting.

Fenton’s memorial ceremony took place prior to the September 10, 2021 home game against East Aurora High School.

It included active and retired members of the military, including Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Yantis, who was working in the Pentagon the day of the attack. Retired and active first responders also lined the football field and participated in a bell ringing ceremony.

The fundraising efforts include but are not limited to: » A $5,000 Donation from the Chicago Bears » Proceeds from the Concessions Stand » Memorial T-Shirt Sales, and » Nike Corp.

Bison football player Zane Benayad presented a $3,050 check to City of Wood Dale Police Chief Greg Vesta and a $3,050 check to Chief James Burke and Deputy Chief Pat Johl of the Wood

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Dale Fire Protection District. While at the podium, Zane said the following:

“

20 years ago, on September 11, 2001, 2,996 lives were lost during the terrorist attacks and 415 of those lives lost were first responders. The events of 9/11 had an everlasting effect on the nation, not only for those who lived through it but for generations to come. The Class of 2022 is one of the first classes to consist of an entire student body not yet born when the attacks occurred. Despite this, it’s important to never forget the events that took place that fateful morning but also never forget the risk first responders face every day. We are truly thankful for all the work that goes into protecting our community and homes. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all each and every day.

”

Fenton football player Richard Chavez presented $3,050 checks to each the Bensenville police and fire officials.

Before the audience full of football players and first responders could disperse, Principal Sam Bentsen also chose to recognize Head Football Coach Matthew Lynch for his time and energy in organizing the memorial program.

“Honestly, you guys have no idea how much time this man put into this program,” Principal Bentsen told the school board. “Hours and hours of meticulous planning. Meetings where he told us EXACTLY how it had to be done. It was an incredible program and it was his vision from the beginning. I just want to thank him. We’re fortunate to have Matt -- as a teacher, as a coach, as a mentor. I think he deserves a standing ovation.”

FENTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Fenton Approves Strategic Plan 2.0

MISSION

The Fenton Board of Education approved a newly developed Strategic Plan 2022-2025 in October after having formally accepted results from the inaugural Strategic Plan 2018-2021 a few months prior.

Cultivate successful, passionate, empowered learners through rigor, relevance and relationships.

A Strategic Plan is important because it acts as Fenton’s roadmap for the next three years.

Fenton’s committee of 38 students, parents, educators, administrators, and school board members met four times in September and October and engaged in meaningful dialogue based around leadership principals found in the book "Great

By Choice," authored by Jim Collins. A subcommittee often met as well, to finish small tasks or streamline broad ideas proposed by the group.

This new strategic plan is affectionately dubbed “Strategic Plan 2.0” because many of the concepts are continuations, enhancements of, or related to those in the original strategic plan.

After strengthening the mission and belief statements, the committee identified six themes, or areas of focus, and then drafted meaningful goals in each theme. Fenton administrators will now work to develop action plans for each of those goals.

Thank you to everyone who dedicated countless hours to this important three-year plan that reflects the priorities of our community.

BELIEFS • • • • • • •

Successful, passionate, empowered learners thrive when: We provide a safe, caring and welcoming environment Diversity, equity and inclusion unify our community School and home collaborate as one We champion innovative teaching and engaged learning, with state-of-the-art facilities We infuse social-emotional learning into academics and culture We prepare students to fulfill their civic responsibility We immerse students in authentic life experiences

THEMES • Teaching and Learning • Communication, Collaboration and • Diversity, Equity and Community Inclusion • Social-Emotional Growth • Securing the Future • Student Life

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