The Glenbrooks: Fall 2022 Issue

A Message from Dr. Charles Johns Board of Education

A Message from Bruce Doughty

Student Spotlight: GBN Student Dives into School History For Research Project District 225 Remains Financially Strong

Collaboration Between the District & Village is a Success Goals & Initiatives Update

Security Team Focuses on Building Relationships

Student Spotlight: GBS Student’s Design Named New Cook County Flag 75 Years of Excellence D225 By the Numbers

Total Classroom Makeover A Space Designed For Its Students’ Needs

2022 Distinguished Alumni Glenbrook High School Foundation Supports Unique Learning Opportunities

FALL 2022 ISSUE

The Glenbrooks is a community publication by the district’s communications department.

©️ 2022 Glenbrook High School District 225. Reproduction of material without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Editorial Team

Carol L. Smith

Executive Director of Communications

David Olson Communications Manager

Christina Salonikas Communications Manager

Alice Kus Executive Assistant Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns

Associate Superintendent Dr. R.J. Gravel

Glenbrook High School District

A MESSAGE FROM DR. CHARLES JOHNS

Superintendent

With a great deal of excitement, District 225 opened its doors and welcomed back more than 5,000 students and 850 staff members for its 75th year of operation. We are proud of our longevity in serving the students and families in our communities. Our rich history is full of tradition, innovation and excellence that we will build upon for many years to come. Together, with the help of the community, we will celebrate our 75th anniversary throughout the school year.

For the first time since 2019, we are distributing the latest edition of The Glenbrooks publication. This magazine is full of stories that highlight our students, staff members and facilities, and provides you with a view into our schools.. Additionally, we want to share information with you about some new initiatives and our strong financial position.

Foremost in our minds is our responsibility to keep our schools safe. This summer’s tragedy in Highland Park led us to redouble our efforts in that area. As a district, we continuously review, update and practice our safety and security protocols. The events of July 4 and other recent school tragedies precipitated new levels of collaboration with local first responders and

township school districts to ensure that our buildings provide safe and secure learning environments for our students, staff members and visitors.

Our entire school community must also recognize how challenging the last two years have been for many of our students, families and staff members. In this newsletter, you will find an overview of the district’s 2022 goals and initiatives. Within these items, you will see a goal outlining our commitment to student well-being as a cornerstone of their success. In September, students had the opportunity to complete a benchmark survey used to measure aspects of student well-being such as belonging, grit, growth mindset and selfefficacy. The results from the survey, as well as student attendance, academic performance and behavior, will be used to support students facing academic challenges.

When I met with school leaders and staff at the start of the school year, I heard stories about how excited they were to return to school under “normal” circumstances. Daily we see our students eager to learn, participate and be engaged in school. Our students continue to achieve across the spectrum of opportunities that we offer and we are pleased to share stories about those accomplishments on our website and social media, and through this twice-yearly publication. I encourage you to use these channels to stay attuned to the happenings in our district and schools.

CANNOT DO THIS IMPORTANT WORK ALONE.”

Schools cannot do this important work alone. It is only through the partnership between students, staff, families and community members that we can meet the goals and initiatives we have set out to accomplish. When students have access to highly qualified teachers who are passionate about what they do, rigorous curriculum and extracurricular activities, they benefit greatly. On behalf of the District 225 Administration, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support.

“SCHOOLS

A MESSAGE FROM BRUCE DOUGHTY Board of Education President

The Glenbrooks are off to an outstanding start in this celebratory 75th anniversary year!

Passionately student-focused, we are fostering excellence on every level. Our enriched curriculum is challenging our students across a wide range of disciplines, piquing their curiosity and deepening their critical thinking. Our redesigned classrooms are embracing new technology and promoting collaboration. Our myriad programs in athletics, activities and the arts are expanding our students’ horizons still further. We are striving, as ever, to support each student’s journey of well-rounded growth, in preparation for a rewarding life ahead.

Our district is fortunate to offer such tremendous opportunities for our students. At the same time, we are never complacent. We are constantly evaluating and exploring, looking for ways to better our students’ experiences. Our dedication to continuous improvement is at the heart of our district’s goals and initiatives, which involve strategic planning and crucial efforts in areas such as teaching, learning and student well-being. In adopting these objectives, we are honoring the tradition of Glenbrook excellence and helping ensure its continuation in generations to come.

The Board of Education greatly appreciates the teamwork that makes the Glenbrooks special. Our administrators, teachers, staff, coaches and sponsors work tirelessly for our students. Our families and communities are critical to everything we do, helping our students in countless ways and generously volunteering throughout the year. Working together, we provide a robust platform for our students’ success. The board is grateful for these many contributions and looks forward to our continuing partnership.

“WE ARE HONORING THE TRADITION OF GLENBROOK EXCELLENCE.”

DR. MARCELO SZTAINBERG

Board of Education Member

JOEL TAUB Board of Education Member

MICHELLE SEGUIN Board of Education Member

SKIP SHEIN Board of Education Member

PETER GLOWACKI Board of Education Vice President

MATTHEW O’HARA Board of Education Member

GBN STUDENT DIVES INTO SCHOOL HISTORY FOR RESEARCH PROJECT

Glenbrook North senior Elyse Malamud is using her passion for local history to uncover and celebrate Glenbrook North just ahead of its 70th anniversary.

Malamud is a student in the two-year advanced honors research program (AHRP), where she chose to look into the school’s past. Malamud thought of the idea when she was reading “How the Post Office Created America” by Winfred Gallagher. The book examines the role of the postal service in our nation’s history and development.

“When it came time to think of an idea for AHRP, I really wanted to attempt to bring a story that is close to my heart, which is local history. I wanted

to bring the history of my school, which I am involved with all the time, and deliver it to people in a delightful and enjoyable way,” Malamud said.

Since the 1980s, Glenbrook North has offered students the opportunity to participate in AHRP. The independent study allows juniors and seniors to research a topic of their choice that may have global or national interest, and find a way to also conduct local research.

Glenbrook North’s social studies instructional supervisor Scott Williams said, “It’s a program for students who really have an insatiable desire to learn. It takes place completely outside the normal curriculum and gives them opportunities that their regular rich Glenbrook curriculum can’t provide.”

Students begin researching the project during their junior year and work with two advisors who help them through the independent study. Malamud used Northbrook’s Historical Society, GBN’s library archives and interviews with residents to uncover her research. Malamud

“I REALLY WANTED TO ATTEMPT TO BRING A STORY THAT IS CLOSE TO MY HEART, WHICH IS LOCAL HISTORY.”

recognizes the challenges of researching items from many years ago. “I think the biggest challenge is that nothing is digitized,” she said.

One of Malamud’s advisors is French teacher Marie-Juliette Petrini-Poli, who has been thrilled with Malamud’s enthusiasm for this history project. “It’s been really impressive. I’ve done this other times, but Elyse got her 44-page paper finished this summer. She is extremely selfmotivated and it’s amazing,” Petrini-Poli said.

In addition to a research paper, students are required to present their findings to an audience in the spring of their senior year. Malamud has gone above and beyond by creating a display case for the GBN community to enjoy. “I kind of took some fun facts from my research and put them together in an accessible and visually pleasing way.” The display is near the student activities office and is filled with facts that Malamud found unique to the school.

“I think the most mind-blowing thing to me is the individualized learning program of the 1970s. You know it might not be as fun of a fact, but it’s really interesting because it’s a drastic difference to how the curriculum is now,” Malamud said.

Williams recognizes Malamud’s enthusiasm for the project and said she found the perfect topic that meets the needs of the AHRP requirements.

“Elyse hit upon this great project because it allowed her to dig into the school archives by getting into the vault, looking through yearbooks, interviewing Northbrook residents and visiting the Northbrook Historical Society,” Williams said.

Malamud said all the hours spent researching has been rewarding, and she is thankful she can share her findings with the community.

“I want students and staff to realize how much of a historical footprint and impact we can actually leave. We come to school and we may not think about the things we do every day like taking a test or doing our homework, but actually every class of students leaves a mark on the school,” Malamud said.

You can view the display case at GBN through the end of the 2022-23 school year.

“IT’S A DRASTIC DIFFERENCE TO HOW THE CURRICULUM IS NOW.”

DISTRICT 225 REMAINS FINANCIALLY STRONG

As a result of continued strong financial management by previous and current boards of education and the administration, District 225 has remained financially stable and is on track to become debt-free by Dec. 1, 2027.

Each year as we develop a budget and spending plan, we focus first and foremost on maintaining and improving the classroom experiences for our students. We are proud that 93% of our teachers hold graduate degrees and that our student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1 provides opportunities for individualized instruction.

For more than 60 years, our schools have been special places where students learn, grow and build a foundation for their future. Over the past several years, it became apparent it was time to modernize our aging facilities to meet the ever-changing needs of our students and staff members. The total classroom initiative completed in the summer resulted in new flooring, lighting, whiteboards, technology equipment and furniture that has benefited all students and staff members in the district. The district’s strong financial position allowed us to complete the renovations using available resources. You will find the full story about the classroom initiative in another section of this publication.

We are indebted to our community for supporting us with property tax revenue that funds approximately 94% of school operations. Through community members’ support and the implementation of a zero-based budgeting approach, District 225 has AAA ratings from both Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global and has been recognized for excellence in financial reporting by state and national organizations.

If you are interested in learning more about District 225 finances, please visit the Business Services area of the district website at glenbrook225.org to view the 2022-23 Budget in Brief.

COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE DISTRICT & VILLAGE IS A SUCCESS

There’s no doubt about it — the roads near a high school parking lot can become extremely congested at the beginning and end of the school day. This was certainly true for Glenbrook South (GBS) High School before Glenbrook High School District 225 started working with the Village of Glenview to improve the situation.

Because of the efforts of State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, the Village of Glenview received a $500,000 grant from the Illinois General Assembly to make improvements that would ease traffic congestion near the school. In just two months, the district worked with the village’s engineers, architects and traffic consultants to analyze the current traffic conditions and create a proposal that would solve the problems.

“We are fortunate to have such strong relationships with our village and the ability to have candid conversations about this issue,”

said R.J. Gravel, associate superintendent for the school district.

The project included several phases. Phase 1, which was completed during the summer of 2022, involved widening the GBS driveways to multiple lanes to create areas where cars could “stack” as they waited to enter the school. Previously, cars were stacking in the street, which was causing significant traffic backups.

In early November, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways completed Phase 2, which changed the timing of the traffic light at Pfingsten Road, E. Lake Avenue and W. Lake Avenue to allow for easier traffic flow.

“There are so many different aspects of this project,” said Jeff Brady, Glenview’s director of community development. “There are parts that are controlled by Cook County, the state of Illinois and the school district. The village has experience in coordinating with these groups, so it was natural that we would step in and take a lead role in this.”

Phase 3 is likely several years down the road and will involve reconstructing the Pfingsten/Lake intersection to make it safer for both cars and

high school students who are walking to and from school.

So far, the first two phases have been helping relieve some of the congestion outside the school. “We have been able to work through some pretty complex problems, taking our time and using data to inform our decisions,” said Gravel. “We have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly our community has adapted to the new traffic pattern. Our partnership with the village will be continuing over the next few years as we make more progress on this issue.”

Goals & Initiatives Update

In early 2022, the District 225 Board of Education and administration members worked diligently to develop goals and initiatives that provide a foundation for the next two years. The roadmap will assist the district in its continuous improvement efforts around student achievement and well-being, leadership and operational efficiencies and ensure we are good stewards of the resources provided by our communities. The significant areas of focus are as follows.

Strategic Planning broadens the goals and initiatives to include a comprehensive engagement process. This process prioritizes efforts further, allocates resources and creates opportunities for feedback.

Communication establishes the district as the trusted source of information about our schools and operations, while also increasing listening opportunities internally and externally.

Leadership & Capacity development is imperative, as the district recruits and retains a diverse workforce that serves the needs of students now and in the future.

Student Well-Being intersects belonging and achievement as the district strives to meet the educational and social-emotional needs of the whole child.

Teaching & Learning aims to enhance opportunities for all students to grow and thrive in academics, athletics, activities and arts.

Facilities & Finance allows us to provide students with access to a comprehensive high school experience, while also operating within our financial means.

Members of the District 225 administrative team update the Board of Education on progress toward the goals quarterly.

Security Team Focuses on Building Relationships

district looks for people who can respond to crises, engage with students, provide positive communication to our community and address student misconduct.

One of the district’s priorities is enhancing building safety as new technologies become available. Beginning in the summer and continuing during the school year, the district is on track to replace interior and exterior doors that improve security and accessibility. New signage around the schools makes it easier for people to navigate the hallways and provides clear markers that can be used in case of an emergency. The bright signage also welcomes visitors and provides easily identifiable paths around the schools.

Members of the District 225 security team contribute to the well-being of everyone in our schools. Safety and security manager Joel Reyes said, “We have individuals in the buildings from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for academics, activities and athletics. We want our employees to have a positive relationship with the student body.”

Security team member Michele Fuderer has been with District 225 since 2017. One of her favorite parts of the job is building relationships with the students. “Students come up to me every day to discuss issues and know I will offer a different point of view,” she said. “As a parent myself, I want to try my best to keep all students safe.”

The district employs more than 40 security staff members who come to our district from a wide range of industries and professions including private security, former first responders, specialists and certified EMTs. The team has two primary roles: providing security assistance and interacting with the student body. Reyes said when seeking security personnel, the

Fuderer makes a point to greet everyone she sees in the halls each day. “I like them to know that I’m approachable and that I really care about them and their day,” she said. “If I can make one student’s or one coworker’s day better, it is a great day.”

“IF I CAN MAKE ONE STUDENT’S OR ONE COWORKER’S DAY BETTER, IT IS A GREAT DAY.”

“WE WANT OUR EMPLOYEES TO HAVE A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STUDENT BODY.”

GBS STUDENT’S DESIGN NAMED NEW COOK COUNTY FLAG

While many people picked up new hobbies and routines during the 2020 pandemic, Glenbrook South senior Drew Duffy filled part of his time by entering a contest to redesign the Cook County flag.

Duffy was at first hesitant about entering the contest because he never imagined he would win. That mindset also reminded him that he had nothing to lose, “I thought, there is no downside to doing it, and I am very happy I did it now,” Duffy said.

The competition for high school students was hosted by Cook County, which created a hands-on learning experience for students to understand about flag design and uncover county history. In total, 297 submissions from 40 different high schools in the county were received.

Duffy’s mother was the one who initially told him about the contest in the spring of 2020. With no graphic design experience, Duffy began researching what makes a good flag. “There is a large online community of people who are really into flags, which is called vexillology. The North American vexillological association has a website, along with pamphlets and books, and so I looked up their resources and found what makes a good flag,” Duffy said. Ideas that emerged recommended not including words, seals or maps, and keeping it simple with a few colors and symbols.

Once Duffy had a good idea of the process of designing a flag, he started looking into the history of Cook County and identifying key symbols he could potentially use. The main symbol you will see on his design is a large light blue ‘Y’ that represents the north, south and main branches of the Chicago River.

“I was a little hesitant to use the ‘Y’ because I didn’t want it to just be about Chicago. I saw a picture of the very first Cook County seal carved into the side of the county building, which has

“I THOUGHT, THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE TO DOING IT, AND I AM VERY HAPPY I DID IT NOW.”

the giant ‘Y’ symbol. That made me realize it would be okay to use,” Duffy said.

The border surrounding the ‘Y’ is green to symbolize the county’s forest preserves. People will find six seven-pointed red stars on the flag. Each point on a star represents different regions in Cook County, which include: north, northwest, west, southwest, south, Chicago and the forest preserves. The color red on the star symbolizes positive social change.

Duffy’s final design evolved from what it was originally. The initial design only had one sevenpointed star and there was no green outline. “I got into the semi-finals and I added the green for the forest preserves,” he said. “Over and over my research uncovered the importance of the forest preserves in the county. I also added more stars that encompassed more historical parts of the county.

The six stars on the flag represent Cook County historical events such as the founding of the county in 1831, the founding of Cook County Health Hospitals Stroger and Provident in both 1832 and 1891, the founding of the Cook County Department of Public Health, the founding of the Forest Preserves in 1914, the founding of the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, and the importance of both townships and local governments, symbolized with the 30 stars on the old flag.

Each student was assigned a flag mentor. Martin Burciaga, a graphic designer for Cook County,

helped Duffy throughout the process. In addition, Duffy reached out to social studies teachers at GBS for their feedback.

GBS social studies teacher Nick Morley has an interest in vexillology and was excited when Duffy reached out to him. “He put a lot of hard work into this, and he really seemed to respect the importance of the symbols we portray over and throughout our government buildings,” he said. “The representation he has created for so many aspects of Cook County is a credit to the breadth and width of the people and spaces in the county.”

In June 2022 Duffy learned that his flag was chosen to replace the 1961 Cook County flag. “I had been waiting a really long time to try and see if my flag would be the one waving over Daley Plaza and it was. It was really cool to see that come to fruition,” Duffy said.

In September 2022 a ceremony was held at Daley Plaza in Chicago to celebrate the new flag.

“I wanted to represent all the 5.2 million people in the county with a design that represents different cultures, different towns, different people and really tells a story of our history,” Duffy said.

This is the second flag Cook County has ever had. You can see Duffy’s flag flown at Cook County buildings.

75 Years of Excellence

For 75 years, dedicated teachers have been touching the lives of thousands of students in the Glenview and Northbrook area. Now, countless students and faculty members are fondly remembering their years at “the Glenbrooks” and reflecting on how influential Glenbrook District 225 has been in our nation’s history.

“I am proud to say I know many alumni from both the Glenbrooks who are Broadway actors, rock stars and best-selling authors,” said Glenbrook South 1993 graduate Matt Saffar. “The Glenbrooks are special because those (extracurricular activities, clubs and sports) allow people to become who they dreamed of in high school.”

THE BEGINNING OF A LEGACY

While it grew into one of Illinois’ most influential school districts, District 225’s beginnings are more circumstantial than visionary: Voters in Northfield Township voted to establish their own school district on April 12, 1947, after District 29 in Northfield decided to remain part of New Trier High School District 203. Prior to the establishment of District 225, students in the community attended other area high schools

1952 - Groundbreaking for Glenbrook High School in Northbrook

District 225’s first Superintendent, Dr. Norman E. Watson

including Deerfield-Shields in Highland Park, New Trier in Winnetka, Niles, Maine High School, Carl Schurz and Northbrook High School.

Dr. Norman E. Watson was the first superintendent of District 225 and served in that role from 1947 to 1964. In an article published in the Northbrook News (Jan. 28, 1949) Watson said, “We do not wish, in the Northfield Township High School, to copy any of our neighbors entirely. We are surrounded by many superior high schools which constitute a challenge to our planning. At the same time, however, we do not deem it wise to copy a plan. We should be grateful for those splendid ideas developed in all of them, but we do hope on our own initiative to develop a school which will best serve the people of Northfield Township.”

Glenbrook High School, now known as Glenbrook North, opened its doors for the first time on Sept. 8, 1953. The land on which the district built the school was originally the Oldfield Farm. It was one of 16 sites a subcommittee considered throughout the township before narrowing it down to the final four on a ballot.

1962 - Glenbrook South High School opens

1959 - Approved land purchase for Glenbrook South

1953 - Glenbrook High School opens (later renamed Glenbrook North High School)

1952 - Approved land purchase for Glenbrook High School

The school began the 1953-54 school year with 652 students, a number that swelled to 1,038 by 1956. Because a population study forecasted tremendous growth in the area, district leaders opened Glenbrook South High School in 1962. In that inaugural year, Glenbrook South had 734 students while Glenbrook North’s enrollment grew to 1,668.

TOP-NOTCH STAFF

Throughout the years, the district’s staff members had an enormous impact on generations of students. One such staff member was Ms. Carolyn Glass, a famous paraprofessional who served at Glenbrook South from 1968 to 2005 and whom students affectionately called “Mama Glass.” Glass worked at Glenbrook South High School for more than three decades. Near the end of that time, the Midwest Region of the International B’nai B’rith organization recognized her and seven other Chicago women as recipients of its Women of Valor Distinguished Achievement Award.

Alumnus Matt Whipple still remembers Glass’s kindness. On his first day, he said, he was rescued by Mama Glass, who “escorted me to my first class, which was biology.” Whipple began his teaching career at Glenbrook South in 1992 and continues in that role today.

“THE CONFIDENCE TO TRY, THE RESILIENCE TO FAIL AND PICK MYSELF UP WITHOUT FEARING WHAT OTHERS THINK STARTED HERE AT GBN 40 YEARS AGO. SHE TAUGHT ME THAT STEPPING OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE COULD BE EXHILARATING AND HAVE GREAT RESULTS.”

Sometimes it takes a long time for students to fully understand the extent to which a teacher has influenced them. When Glenbrook North alum Brian Abrams spoke to the District 225 staff in August about his experience as a student in 1986, he said he always felt “invisible.” Ultimately, he said, it was a teacher who went above and beyond to give him the courage to get out of

his comfort zone. “The confidence to try, the resilience to fail and pick myself up without fearing what others think started here at GBN 40 years ago,” Abrams said. “She taught me that stepping outside my comfort zone could be exhilarating and have great results.”

NOTABLE ALUMNI

Both the school district and its alumni have enjoyed moments in the spotlight. In 1984, Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South received the “Excellence in Education” award, which gave the district the national reputation for academic excellence that it still enjoys today. There are also many alumni who have achieved national recognition in many different fields.

“The number of people from this high school who conquered the world in different fields and in different parts of the country is absolutely astonishing,” said McNally.

Glenbrook District 225 hopes to continue to produce students who make a difference in the world.

Ms. Carolyn Glass “Mama Glass”

District 225 continues to celebrate its 75th anniversary by sharing stories from alumni and faculty. If you are interested in sharing a story about how your time at the Glenbrooks impacted you, please follow the QR code, email communications@glenbrook225.org or call 847-486-4724. You can see the stories on our website and social media channels.

Glenbrook North alumnus John Hughes used his experiences growing up in the north Chicago suburbs to create dozens of iconic movies about high-schoolers, including “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

Marissa Perlman, a 2008 graduate of GBS, is a reporter for CBS 2 in Chicago. She shared insights and her love of reporting this year with GBS newspaper students. She said, “Taking pride in my work is something I learned here at GBS.”

Glenbrook North alumnus Ed McNally was appointed by President George W. Bush following the Sept. 11 attacks as the nation’s first general counsel for homeland security and counter-terrorism.

Glenbrook South Class of 2007 alumnus Molly Yeh is a cookbook author and star of the Food Network show “Girl Meets Farm.”

Total Classroom Makeover

“I am proud to teach here,” said Glenbrook North Spanish teacher Lauren Carranza when discussing the improved educational spaces created at both high schools. “The classrooms are open and welcoming and give students choices about where they want to work, whether in a group, with a partner, alone or standing at a tall table.”

The newly finished classroom spaces unveiled last summer include furniture that is accessible, functional and mobile; stationary and individual whiteboards; bright paint colors; and state-ofthe-art lighting and projection that enhances opportunities for collaboration, as well as small and large group instruction.

It had been more than 30 years since both high schools received major classroom renovations when the learning space initiative began in 2015 with three to four classrooms. The project completed during the summer resulted from a comprehensive district-wide collaborative process.

David Knudson has taught modern literature at Glenbrook South for 18 years. He appreciates the design team’s attention to detail. “Their thoughtfulness about furniture design is playing out daily,” he said. He immediately noticed the new spaces’ impact on students, “It’s hard to function when you’re not comfortable, and traditional seating often posed a challenge for students. Students can adjust the height of their

chairs, choose the distance they sit from the desk and move or stretch in the space.”

Due to an issue with his back, Glenbrook North junior Jordan Fakhoury struggled to be comfortable for long periods in the chairs that had been part of the school’s landscape for decades. Glenbrook North Assistant Principal Lauren Bonner felt that Jordan’s unique circumstances could also benefit other students with similar needs. She recruited Jordan to assist with furniture selection, asking him to visit her office and sit in all the different options. Jordan was pleased that the chairs he chose were purchased for both high schools, “The new chairs are comfortable and help students maintain good posture,” he said. “They are also on wheels so we can swivel back and forth.”

“THE NEW CHAIRS ARE COMFORTABLE AND HELP STUDENTS MAINTAIN GOOD POSTURE.”

Kathryn French, who serves as the instructional supervisor for special education at Glenbrook North, points out how the furniture enhancements make a difference. “There are now natural options within many classrooms for students with special needs,” she said, “whereas before, the need for special seating may have singled students out.”

Teachers can change the classroom design based on current needs. The partner tables and swivel chairs make it easy for teachers to present a full class lesson before students turn and talk in their “pods” to one to three other students about their learning. Full-wall whiteboards serve as vertical learning spaces where students can demonstrate their understanding in teams or with the instructor.

Glenbrook North Mandarin teacher Wanyin Chou said the whiteboards are essential tools in her classroom. “Writing characters is hard, and the best way for students to learn and remember them is to practice,” she said. “Students write characters on all the walls, which allows me to walk around the room and check their work.”

Last year and during the summer, maintenance staff members collaborated behind the scenes to sequence the project and prepared rooms for the remodel. Lauren Bonner, associate principal for administrative services at Glenbrook North High School, complimented GBN and GBS maintenance staff members who designed and installed updated functional lighting, saving the district money. “The maintenance staff members were huge contributors to this project,” she said. “They worked tirelessly over spring break to complete the renovations in rooms used for summer school at GBN. In addition, their efforts with lighting design resulted in the 30%-50% rebates from ComEd across the district.”

Glenbrook South associate manager for buildings & grounds J.L. Henriot and Glenbrook North maintenance staff member Zach Serdar and their teams used the opportunity to standardize lighting in the buildings. “We have the same lights, sensors and switches between buildings, which is new,” said Henriot. Classroom lights now dim, giving students enough light to take notes while also viewing the projection screen.

Students believe the lighting is an improvement on what was previously in the schools. Glenbrook South senior Kristina Staletovic said, “Last year, the bright lights sometimes gave me headaches. The new lights, when dimmed, make the classroom more comfortable and relaxed.”

Plans are underway for science classroom renovations beginning in the summer of 2023. Currently, one model science classroom at each school is being used by three to four teachers who will assist with the final layout and design of the new classrooms. The design incorporates the same themes driving the total classroom initiative, such as student well-being and active learning, while unifying the classroom and lab spaces. The goal is to reimagine how vertical space, storage, mobile furniture and colors blend throughout the room.

The total classroom initiative is in the design phase at Glenbrook Off-Campus (GBOC). The testing of model spaces will take place during the winter to renovate the classrooms in the summer of 2023.

Kathryn French is pleased that the schools are training teachers to use the spaces. “There is a commitment to supporting teachers as they assess the learning spaces and make adjustments,” she said. “Classroom spaces will evolve as we learn the full impact the classroom refresh has on our student population.”

Casey Wright, Glenbrook South’s associate principal for administrative services, is proud of how this transformational process was inclusive and thoughtful. “The core values of the design process have come full circle with student and staff feedback and implementation,” he said. “These updated learning spaces are welcoming, collaborative, flexible and promote active learning for all students.”

“THE NEW LIGHTS, WHEN DIMMED, MAKE THE CLASSROOM MORE COMFORTABLE AND RELAXED.”

A Space Designed For its Students’ Needs

Over the past year, Glenbrook Off-Campus (GBOC) senior Julia Piunti has felt especially fortunate that she has a destination for when she’s feeling overwhelmed.

Piunti attends GBOC, a therapeutic day school in Glenbrook High School District 225, because she struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Her go-to space for becoming centered during her day is now the new CrossFit gym at the school — a place that was created specifically with her and her classmates in mind.

“Whenever I need a break, I ask if I can go in there and I just try to work out my frustrations,” she said.

The school added the gym about a year ago as a physical education location for students who attend GBOC. Previously, those students needed to take walks or travel to other locations for their P.E. classes. “Our school district has a strong investment in making sure all students have access to quality P.E. equipment,” said Dr. Jennifer Pearson, the district’s director of special education.

“IT HELPS GET MY MIND OFF OF THINGS THAT DON’T NEED TO BE IN THERE.”

THE BENEFITS OF CROSS-FIT

Off-Campus administrators chose CrossFit for their gym because it aligns with the school’s focus on putting its students’ well-being first. CrossFit is a strength and conditioning workout that is composed of functional movement performed at varying intensity levels. It incorporates actions people perform in everyday life, such as squatting, pulling and pushing.

If you walk into the Off-Campus gym, you’ll find students using different types of weighted balls, rowing machines and other equipment that helps them mimic activities they would be doing in their day-to-day lives.

Dr. Doug Strong, the GBOC instructional supervisor, said the gym, called a “CrossFit box,” was an instant hit with the students. “They felt like someone cared about them and created this space for them that was unique and cuttingedge,” he said. “Our gym is one of just a handful of public CrossFit boxes in the world.”

And it was perfect for their physical education needs, too. A CrossFit space is scaled so that each student can work at their own pace. For

example, rather than needing to do 20 reps of an exercise that might be too difficult for them, they can do 20 reps of an exercise of their choosing — as long as it is challenging to them individually.

When the gym was first completed, two teachers underwent training so they could properly lead the students in using the equipment correctly. Most P.E. classes now take place in the facility.

A RESPITE SPACE

But many students, like Piunti, don’t limit their use of the gym to P.E. classes. They and staff members frequently stop by during the day for a short de-stressing session. That was the administrators’ intent.

“It gives them an opportunity to do five minutes of something healthy before returning to their schoolwork,” said Strong. “They use it as a regulation strategy.”

Piunti said the new space fits right into OffCampus’s philosophy of providing a learning environment for students who need extra help. “It helps get my mind off of things that don’t need to be in there,” she said.

“OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A STRONG INVESTMENT IN MAKING SURE ALL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY P.E. EQUIPMENT.”

2022

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

LAUREN COOKS-LEVITAN

Glenbrook North, class of 1983 MOLLY HELLERMAN

Lauren Cooks-Levitan is a Glenbrook North 1983 graduate who is currently the CFO of Faire, an online wholesale marketplace for small businesses and independent brands. CooksLevitan credits the challenging classes and phenomenal teachers at GBN for pushing her as a student. The school’s community enabled her to view learning as a journey and not a product, which was a key lesson that contributed to her professional success. Cooks-Levitan holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Duke University and an MBA from Stanford University.

Glenbrook South, class of 1995

Molly Hellerman is a Glenbrook South 1995 graduate and is the Global Head of Innovation Programs at Atlassian, an Australian software company that develops products for software developers, project managers and other software development teams. Molly is a former collegiate and professional athlete who played for the English Women’s Football Club Chelsea Ladies FC. In addition to serving on several non-profit boards and committees, Molly is a Fellow of both the United Nations, as part of its Alliance of Civilizations, and the British Council’s Transatlantic Network 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and Spanish from Wellesley College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

GLENBROOK HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION SUPPORTS UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

District 225 is incredibly fortunate to have community partners that promote, encourage and provide unique opportunities for our students and staff. One of those partners is the Glenbrook High School Foundation.

Since 2010, the Glenbrook High School Foundation has bestowed numerous grants to support innovative teaching projects, created access to leadership opportunities for students and annually granted scholarships based on need and faculty recommendations to students with great potential.

During both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years, the foundation awarded $10,000 in merit scholarships for students who exhibited characteristics such as school spirit, compassion, strength and dedication.

Funds raised by the foundation have purchased state-of-the-art equipment for classrooms such as a 3D printer for career and technical education (CTE) at GBN. In addition, donations have supported the Art Club, been used to create a “Make Money” invention kit for students and sponsored parent presentations on timely topics. Through its “Club Competition” program, the foundation enhances clubs and activities offerings at both schools.

Glenbrook North High School CTE teacher. Jason Berg has firsthand experience with the foundation’s generosity. In 2019, Jason applied for and received the Glenbrook Foundation innovation grant in the amount of $2,000 to install an amateur radio station to be used by students in the PLTW Principles of Engineering (POE) Honors course. Unfortunately, the effects of the pandemic delayed the installation of the station.

Fast forward to fall 2022, when the CTE department and the GBN custodial staff collaborated to install the base station radio, power supply and antenna analyzer in time for the POE unit on electricity and circuits. Jason is excited about the way this equipment can be used by students. “The ultimate goal is to get some (if not all) students certified with the FCC with a Technical Class amateur radio license,” he said. “The license is similar to a driver’s license and legally allows the individual to use specific radio frequencies for various purposes that the general population cannot.”

The purpose of the Glenbrook High School Foundation is to enhance the educational opportunities of the students of the district. The ultimate goal is to take something great and make it even better. We are grateful for the financial support provided by the Glenbrook High School Foundation.

Glenbrook High School District 225 3801 W. Lake Avenue Glenview, IL 60026

Glenbrook High School District 225 offers a public education to more than 5,100 students in Glenview, Northbrook and portions of unincorporated Northfield Township.

“The Glenbrooks” is a community publication of District 225 and is mailed by postal route. Some individuals who do not live within the Glenbrook High School District 225 boundaries may receive this mailing.

THE 2023 GLENBROOK MUSICAL

DATES: April 26, 27, 28, 29 at 7 p.m.

LOCATION:

Norman E. Watson Auditorium Glenbrook South High School 4000 W. Lake Avenue Glenview, IL 60026