Beeline January 2016

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126

Beeline Volume XLIII No. 3

A District 126 Newsletter

January 2016

for the 2016–17 School Year Words of Welcome from Your Principals WELCOME CLASS OF 2020

We would like to take this opportunity to give a big Zee-Bee welcome to the students and parents of the Class of 2020. The process for entering District 126 began with eighth grade students taking the Explore Placement Test in December and the first two New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East Information Sessions in early December. The next New Tech information sessions for 8th grade families will be at 6:30 p.m. on January 11 and 19. Also in January, our counselors will visit the feeder schools and provide each eighth grader Course Guides and course selection materials. We ask parents and students to review the materials, particularly the introductions in the Course Guides, which explain the process for selecting courses. Please be reminded that those students who are interested in attending New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East must submit their applications by January 29, 2016.

For our current students and parents, please note that there are a few changes in the Course Guides for next year. Take some time to review these materials, which will be published online in January at www.zbths.org and www.ntzb.org.

We are looking forward to working with you to ensure a quality education for all of our students. If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate division chair, counselor, or administrator. Our telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed in our Course Guides and on our websites.

Again, welcome to the Class of 2020!

Sincerely, Chris Pawelczyk Principal for ZBTHS www.zbths.org

Dr. David Frusher Principal for NT@ZB www.ntzb.org

WELCOME CLASS OF 2020 Incoming Freshman Parent/Guardian Orientation January 20 - 6:30 p.m.

Zion-Benton Township High School Main Gym Park in the south lot and enter through the south gym lobby.

See page two for more information.

A special invitation to our “College & Career Fair” (page 5) and “Winter Tailgate Party” (page 3) goes out to all current eighth grade parents and students.

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January 2016

WELCOME CLASS OF 2020 Incoming District 126 Freshman Parent/Guardian Orientation January 20 – 6:30 p.m.

Main Gym of Zion-Benton Township High School Park in the south lot and enter through the south gym lobby.

This year’s freshman parent/guardian orientation meeting is scheduled for January 20 at 6:30 p.m. Questions about your high schools, their curriculums, and how to help your student make decisions about courses and programs for the 2016-17 school year will be addressed. ZBTHS Principal Chris Pawelczyk and NT@ZB Principal Dr. David Frusher will provide important information. In addition, department representatives will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding a particular course. Current ZBTHS students will lead tours of the ZBTHS campus. If you have already had a student attend ZBTHS or NT@ZB, we still strongly encourage you to attend the parent/guardian orientations.

Freshman Orientation Meeting Agenda  Principals’ Greeting to Class of 2020  ZBTHS Counselor Sessions & NT@ZB Presentations  Activity Fair – Opportunity to Discover the Elective Program, Clubs, Activities, and Athletics  College and Career Fair – Time permitting, eighth grade families may visit the fair in the field house and visit with college and career representatives.

What should I bring?

Bring the Course Guides and Course Selection Sheet your student receives when high school counselors visit his or her junior high school. Bringing your student’s Explore test results may provide additional assistance as well.

When and where will final course selection take place?

Counselors will be coming to register your son or daughter at their junior high school March 1, 2, and 3.

APPLICATIONS DUE JANUARY 29 New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East Class of 2020 students who are interested in attending New Tech High for high school must submit their completed application by January 29 to the Principal’s Office at New Tech. An informational video and application forms are available at www.ntzb.org. If you were unable to attend one of the two information sessions/tours the District provided in December and would like more information, please attend one of the two remaining session/tours at 6:30 p.m. on January 11 or 19 at New Tech.

IMPORTANT! MEDICAL EXAMS REQUIRED FOR HIGH SCHOOL Incoming freshmen and students new to the district must have a completed physical and proof of immunizations prior to schedule pick-up in August. Those students who do not complete this requirement in time to participate in schedule pick-up will NOT be able to attend school on the first day of classes, but will be required to wait until this requirement is met.

Appropriate physical forms will be mailed to homes of freshmen in mid-January. Please schedule your student’s appointment for early summer to ensure you meet the schedule pick-up deadline. Also, the school physical can be used for the required athletic physical for one calendar year. Therefore, we recommend getting the physical in the early summer so that it will be good for all sports during freshman year. We recommend parents do not wait until August to schedule an appointment, as it will be difficult to secure an appointment that complies with the deadline.

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COMING ATTRACTIONS WINTER TAILGATE PARTY The Parent Bee Network is sponsoring its Winter Tailgate Party on Friday, February 12th from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the ZBTHS South Cafeteria.

Come and enjoy a delicious meal provided

by Stone Creek Grill for $7. Sit back and enjoy great student performances by the Band, Choir, Razzle Dazzles and other student groups while enjoying your meal. Then plan to stay to cheer on the Varsity Boys Basketball team as they take on Stevenson at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased from a Parent Bee Member, at the door, or call the Principals’ Offices at 847-7319305 ZBTHS and 847-731-9803 NT@ZB.

CALENDAR REMINDERS 13-15 FIRST SEMESTER EXAMS 15 End of 1st Semester 18 Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Day – NO SCHOOL 20 Class of 2020 Parent Information – 6:30 p.m. – ZBTHS Main Gym 20 College & Career Night – 7 p.m. – ZBTHS Field House 22 Cheer Pasta Dinner – 5:30 p.m.

ZBTHS Courtyard Café 27 ZBTHS 12:40 p.m. Early Release – School Improvement 27 College Financial Aid Information Night – 6:30 p.m. – ZBTHS South Café FEB 2 Teacher Institute Day – NO SCHOOL 4 PBN Meeting – 7 p.m. ZBTHS IMC 6 ACT Test – 8 a.m. – ZBTHS 10 ZBTHS 12:40 p.m. Early Release – School Improvement 11 Winter Band Concert – 7:30 p.m. - CCC 12 PBN Winter Tailgate Party – 5-7 p.m. – ZBTHS South Café 15 Presidents Day – NO SCHOOL (Emergency Day if needed) 16 Interact Blood Drive – 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – NT@ZB 18-20 Winter Play “A Delightful Quarantine – Dramatic Comedy” – 7:30 p.m. – Pearce Rotunda Theater 23 Pops Concert – 7 p.m. ZBTHS South Café

INTERACT CLUB BLOOD DRIVE

Contact Jack Niemi at Niemij@zbths.org if you would like to help out. Volunteers are needed for setup, serving, and clean up.

NT@ZB Interact Club is sponsoring a blood drive with LifeSource. The blood drive at NT@ZB will be on Tuesday, February 16 from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Students must be at least a junior, 17 years old, and have a parent consent form to donate blood. For more information on the NT@ZB blood drive contact Ms. Ahlgrim at ahlgrimk@ntzb.org or 847746-0841 or Ms. Macanowicz at macanowk@ntzb.org or 847-746-0883.

All funds raised support the Parent Bee Network Senior Scholarship Fund.

Parents are welcome to donate as well.

Thank you in advance for your help!

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January 2016

COMING ATTRACTIONS FINAL EXAM STUDY SESSIONS The Zion-Benton Federation of Teachers is happy to sponsor study sessions during Final Exams Week at both the Zion-Benton and New Tech Campuses! If your student is looking for a quiet place to study during exam week, this is it! Teachers will be available on a limited basis to offer help to students who need a little extra assistance, and healthy snacks will be provided.

ZBTHS sessions will take place from 3:00-5:00 and 6:30-8:30 on Tuesday, January 12 and on Wednesday, January 13. Afternoon sessions will take place in the IMC, and evening sessions will take place at a location TBD. New Tech Sessions will take place in the Media Center on Tuesday, January 12 and Wednesday, January 13 from 3:00-5:00 pm and 6:30-8:30 p.m.

There is no cost to students for this service. Please plan to drop off and pick up your students.

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Local scholarship applications will be available online to graduating seniors beginning January 25, 2016. ZBTHS seniors should visit http://connection.naviance.com/ zionbenton and NT@ZB seniors should visit http://connection.naviance.com/nthzbe. Local Scholarship Application is located in the “About Me” tab, in the left column under “Surveys”. Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, February 26, 2016.

Scholarships will be awarded on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at the Community Honors and Awards Program.

Visit www.zbths.org for more scholarship opportunities.

If you have questions, ZBTHS seniors may contact Ms. Zameck at zamecka@zbths.org or NT@ZB seniors may contact Mr. Goldman at goldmanb@ntzb.org.

ENCORE PLAYERS PRESENTS: A Delightful Quarantine: A Dramatic Comedy Pearce Rotunda Theatre February 18, 19, 20– 7:30 p.m.

What would it be like to be confined with people you don't really know? Strange visitors leave behind a deadly disease that leaves seven separate households unexpectedly quarantined. Seven story lines are deftly balanced as people are forced to confront their personal issues.

"A Delightful Quarantine" is a heart-warming original comedy/drama about how people react when there's nowhere else to go.

The ensemble cast includes Kenna Jordan as Professor Lucy Fuller, Anne Roberts as Barbara Middlebrook, Jodie Hagemann as Paula Middlebrook-Cobb, Jessica Korbel as Kitty Civette, Leah Anderson as Judeen Dempsey, Reed Polgar as Chester Banderhorn, Michaela Martinelli as Bethany Robbins, Dylan Thomas as Roy Robbins, Elliana Reynolds as Diandra Reynolds, Faith McLemore as Shirley Wigglin, Christian Lindemann as Clark Wigglin, Julia Jones as Jennifer Wigglin, Anna Bohon as Sue Stadler, Cory Pollard as Dean Stadler, Sydney Jones as Mavis Jemco, Claire Nelson as Violet Bassey, and Matthew Bestler as Tug Goff. The assistant directors are Summer Sadler and Angel Rico, who also lead the HAZMAT crew.

The rest of the HAZMAT crew includes: Nicole Arnold, Reilly Buckus, Shannon Connor, Mikey Izquiredo, Mikhaela Lumingkit, Julieta Martinez, Rachel McFarlin, Morgan Richter, Cady Seibert, Bryan Smith, Hannah Taylor, and Chase Youngren.

The house opens at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available at the door: $8 for adults; $6 for students and senior citizens.

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Please join us for the Zion Benton High School District 126

STATE ASSESSMENT AND SCHOOL REPORT CARD UPDATES

College and Career Fair January 20, 2016, 7-8:30 p.m.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced that it “remains committed to providing all 11th-grade students the opportunity to take a statefunded college entrance exam on site in their school district during the school day.” Information about the specifics regarding the college entrance exam for 2016, however, have not been immediately forthcoming. In fact, the ISBE notified high school districts that given the failure to have a 2016 statewide budget in place, the ISBE did not yet know if appropriations would be available to fund the cost of providing a college entrance exam to students this spring.

At the ZBTHS Fieldhouse The College and Career Fair is open to all current District 126 students and parents.

Eighth grade students and parents are also invited to attend in conjunction with the Eighth Grade Student/Parent Orientation Night.

Come visit with representatives from colleges and universities, trade and technical schools, the military, and financial aid organizations.

FINANCIAL AID STUDENT/PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT JANUARY 27 AT 6:30 P.M. On January 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the ZBTHS South Cafeteria, the District will sponsor its Financial Aid Student/Parent Information Night. This informational meeting will feature a financial aid officer from a local college. Also provided will be information regarding the steps for filing financial aid for a four-year college, tech/vocational school, or the College of Lake County.

In December, Illinois provided an update, informing school districts that the ISBE had been reviewing sealed proposals from vendors seeking to administer a spring 2016 college entrance exam to all 11th-graders. ISBE announced it had released a Notice of Award to the College Board, which provides the SAT, a college entrance exam more commonly used by coastal states.

Illinois selected SAT primarily due to the SAT proposal being less expensive than the ACT proposal. ACT, which has been Illinois’ preferred college entrance exam for years, filed a protest in response to the ISBE’s selection of the SAT. As a result, the final selection remains pending while the protest is reviewed.

District 126 is pleased to share that given the uncertainty of the state providing a 2016 college entrance exam opportunity for juniors, the District determined early on it would provide all juniors the opportunity to take a locally funded ACT during April 2016. The selection of the ACT was the most sensible choice given its historical use in Illinois and since District 126’s curriculum is aligned to the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards.

In addition to the ISBE’s delay in announcing a final decision regarding this spring’s college entrance exam, ISBE was also late in releasing the 2015 school report cards. The delay in the release of the school report cards was due to a delay in finalizing the PARCC assessment results for freshmen who took the new online PARCC exam in 2015. Information regarding 2015 school report cards can be found at www.zbths.org under the C&I tab.

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ZEE-BEE Boosters Volume 1

Fall 2015

BOOSTERS’ BACKGROUND ***WHO ARE WE?*** The Athletic Boosters are a volunteer organization that supports all of ZionBenton’s athletic teams.

We donate our time and talents to make our programs first class. We provide help in areas that go beyond the “traditional” budget.

We volunteer because our contributions really help the student-athletes of ZBTHS District 126.

***WHAT WE DO!*** The Boosters raise funds through three primary activities – concession sales, spiritwear sales and the Zee-Bee Booster golf outing. We are always looking for help, as many hands make light work! Right now our focus is on securing workers for the concession stand. These workers will work the numerous and exciting winter contests coming up. Please consider calling us at 847731-9361 to lend us a helping hand. It’s not only fun, but for a great cause as well!

‘BEE’ INVOLVED . . . ***HOW WE DO IT!*** The Boosters meet on the first Monday of every month in the Athletic Conference Room at 7:00 p.m. We meet and discuss how we can best help all athletes involved in Zee-Bee sports. In fact, we have helped EVERY District #126 sports team in the past few years.

Just in the past few months, our fundraising efforts have allowed us to purchase athletic training treatment tables, golf bags, hurdles for track, dance team studio items, backpacks for basketball and special supplies for softball, baseball and basketball. Our efforts have really made a difference.

Wouldn’t you like to join us and make a difference too?

We are proud to announce the numerous highlights associated with the Fall season of 2015.

January 2016

The Beeline

Athletic Department Highlights

District 126

BOOSTERS SALUTE FALL TEAMS & ATHLETES Special “Congratulations” to the following individuals who won special awards during this past fall.

Way to go BEES!

ALL-CONFERENCE Football:

Stanton Johnson, Isaiah Vance Darian Rodriguez, Matthew Rojel

Boys’ Soccer:

CONFERENCE MEDALISTS Cross Country: Collin Luell, Michael Schonter Girls’ Swimming: 400 Freestyle Relay Team

“HONORABLE MENTION” ALL-CONFERENCE Football: Daniel Armstead Boys’ Soccer: Martin Calix, Alex Rodriguez Girls’ Volleyball: Kimberly Epker

Cross Country: Football: Golf: Boys’ Soccer: Girls’ Swimming: Girls’ Tennis: Girls’ Volleyball:

MVP

Collin Luell, Lainey Sears Isaiah Vance Karl Torola Matthew Rojel Jennifer Rome Kailee Jackola Kimberly Epker

ALL-SECTIONAL “HONORABLE MENTION” Boys’ Soccer: Martin Calix, Alex Rodriguez, and Matthew Rojel

Page 7 ALL-ACADEMIC WINNERS Fall Karen Abrego Vieronica Austria Imani Bah Jacqueline Betancourt Nathalie Bermudez Miranda Berry Serena Christensen John Cruz Kevin Curley Megan Deacon Rachel Deacon Ivette Enriquez Kimberly Epker Shayla Fitzgerald Paris Frierson Ariel Gonsowski Esmeralda Guerra Kailee Jackola Xavier Jackson Cedes Keough Olivia Kluchka

Jessica Korbel Christian Lindemann Jonel Morris Abigail Murray Graig Neal Justine Nelson Melanie Pelli Nathaniel Rehling Elizabeth Reynolds Andrea Rome Jennifer Rome Hannah Rummel Gabrielle Scheck Chloe Smith Jordan Stickelman Amber Summers Karl Torola Austin Weber Chrisjon Willis Erica Vargas Sergio Vargas

Academic Eligibility Requirements:  Junior or Senior status  Receiving Varsity Letter in Fall sport  3.5 or better CUMULATIVE grade point average

NSC SPORTSMANSHIP RECIPIENTS Imani Bah Miranda Berry Justin Bradley Monica Carrasco John Cruz Megan Deacon Eric Hernandez Karl Torola

GRIT RECIPIENTS Miranda Berry Justin Bradley Shayla Fitzgerald Andrea Rome Gabrielle Scheck Michael Schonter Arturo Uriostegui

ZION-BENTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 126 One Z-B Way Zion, Illinois 60099

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

Paid Zion, Illinois Permit Number 8

Way to Go Bees!!!!!

ZeeBee Encore Players provided outstanding performances in the Fall Musical, The Addams Family.

ZeeBees from Mr. Galgan’s Woods 2 Class responded to a request from 102.3 XLC radio station to construct a mailbox for kids to send letters to Santa.

NTZB Healthy YOUth and NTPSO hosted a Santa’s Showcase for the community.

Jada Rice is this year’s HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) representative, and Daviona Wilson is this year’s ILS (Illinois Leadership Seminar). HOBY is internationally recognized as a premier leadership conference for sophomores, and ILS is Illinois’ very own outstanding Youth Leadership Seminar program.

Aimee Awkerman and Ryen Cunningham assisted the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center by collecting gently used toy and books for the children and dog toys for the therapy dog. Aimee and Ryen also collected $105 to purchase more items for the center.

Rachel Araujo and Alyssa Castillo collected old blankets, sheets, comforters, and towels for Operation SaveA-Pet for shelter animals to have soft bedding rather than the cold ground to rest upon.

Katherine Gass organized a paper product collection for A Safe Place in Zion.

Jordan Stickelman and Graham Edwards with other ZeeBees passed out gifts at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago to the hospitalized veterans.

ZBTHS National Honor Society hosted a flapjack fundraiser at Abblebees’ to benefit a local Zion family.