Welcome to DGN!
Welcome to the 2015-16 school year!
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, it is my pleasure to welcome all North High School parents and students to the new school year. Like most people, I love the summer months, but I always get excited at the start of a new school year when I can reconnect with our returning students and staff coming back to school, and welcome our new students and staff to the North “family.” As always, the summer has been a very busy time at North High School. New air-handling system was installed in the underground track area, netting was placed around our softball field, and we added two additional classroom spaces with modern, new furniture designed to provide greater flexibility for students in those learning spaces. In addition to the physical changes and improvements to our facilities, a variety of summer camps were in session throughout the summer; and I could always find staff in the building preparing their courses for the fall, doing work to enhance their curriculum, and/or participating in professional development activities. All of our staff members devote time during the summer to ensure your children will have the best possible educational experiences at North.
If you are a parent who is new to North High School, you will be pleased to know that we provide many avenues in which you can receive information about your children’s academic progress. All teachers provide on-line access to their students’ grades, although the frequency of the postings may vary depending on the nature of the course. As part of our on-going efforts to reduce costs and be environmentally responsible, much of our communication to parents is done electronically; including Report Cards, Progress Reports, and Attendance Letters. As always, parents are encouraged to contact their children’s teachers anytime they have questions or concerns. Addition ways to enhance communication between parents and the school are provided through our Freshman Parent Night on Tuesday, August 18; Parent Open House on Thursday, September 10; and Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled for Tuesday, November 10. I hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to meet and talk with Teachers, Counseling and Student Support Services staff, and Administrators. All parents are encouraged to frequently check the school’s web site at http://north.csd99.org for current information, upcoming events, and links to a number of different areas of the school.
The 2015-16 school year will see two significant changes in how we deliver instruction and assess students. Based on the positive feedback we received from our two-year pilot program, beginning this school year, all students will have a Chromebook to use both in and out of school. Providing each student with a Chromebook better aligns our use of technology with how students learn, allows us to more seamlessly integrate technology into our instruction, and enhances students’ ability to collaborate on class projects and other assignments. While it will be the expectations that all students have their Chromebooks in school every day, please know that it is not an expectation that technology takes the place of teachers. We do feel strongly that this technology will benefit student learning and growth and are excited to be able to provide Chromebooks for all our students, but our teachers remain the most important factor in students’ learning.
This school year, we will also be eliminating quarter grade report cards. As we have increased the use of non-graded formative assessments (opportunities for students to practice what they are learning and for teachers to determine what students know and do not know), we have found that having to assign a quarter grade may not provide an accurate reflection of student growth. Semester grades will be based on student work throughout the entire 18 week term, plus final exams. Progress checks will take place at the 6 and 12 week points in the semester. Progress Reports will be sent at those times to parents of students with below average or failing grades. Parents will continue to have the ability to check their children’s progress at any time using our on-line Home Access Center system.
Please be aware that we will have fifteen Late Arrival Days (all on Wednesdays) during the school year in which staff will utilize the early morning hours for professional development activities directly related to improving student achievement. On these days, our first period for student attendance will start at 10:00 a.m. The dates of our Late Arrival Days, Early Dismissal Days, and all other school events can be found by clicking on the Calendar link on the school’s web site.
To provide opportunities for communication between the school and parents, I will again this year be hosting regular morning and evening “Principal’s Coffee” gatherings for interested parents. These coffees will provide a time for parents to share thoughts and concerns, ask questions, and to learn more about all the exciting things happening at North. The dates of the 9:00 a.m. morning Principal’s Coffees are September 17, October 22, November 19, January 21, February 18, March 17, April 21, and May 19. The 7:00 p.m. evening Principal’s Coffees will be held on September 17, November 19, February 25, and April 21. I hope to have a cup of coffee (or tea) and chat with you some morning or evening this school year.
Parent involvement is a key element in contributing to the academic success of our students. I encourage you to attend the many academic, athletic, and fine arts programs and events that take place at North during the school year. I would also encourage you to become involved in our Parents’ Club, Trojan Boosters, and/or our Fine Arts Boosters. I enjoy meeting parents informally at our various school-related functions, so if you see me, please come up to introduce yourself and say hello.
North High School is committed to excellence. Our mission is to provide your children with the highest quality education possible; and to build the foundation for them to reach their full potential and achieve their hopes and dreams. We also strive to foster a school culture where every student feels connected and valued. I am eagerly anticipating the start of the 2015-16 school year, and look forward to your children becoming part of this exciting community of learners. Please feel free to contact me at skasik@csd99.orgor 630-795-8401 should you have questions or concerns at any time. I also hope you will follow me on Twitter @ScottKasik.
I am looking forward to a great school year together. Go Trojans!
Scott Kasik
Principal
COUNSELING AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Thank you for your support of the Counseling and Student Support Services programs furing the 2014-2015 school year. As we prepare for the summer months, we would like to share the following information with you.
Beginning June 23, 2015 through August 13, 2015, a counselor will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays (except for Thursday, July 2) from 8:00 am till Noon to address questions including class schedule concerns. Parents should contact the Main Office at (630)795-8400 during these days/times to be connected with the summer counselor. All counselors will be available for general advisement beginning August 26, 2015.
SCHEDULE PICK-UP DAY-FIELDHOUSE
Monday, August 17, 2015
9:00 am-1:00 pm Morning Session
3:00 pm-6:00 pm Afternoon Session
FOREST STREET PICK-UP
When picking up your children from the Forest Street Entrance after school, please be considerate of our neighbors by not parking in front of driveways on Forest and other nearby streets while waiting for school to end. We have had residents in the Forest Street Entrance area who have been unable to get in and out of their homes due to cars parked in front of their driveways. Parents are encouraged to use the pick-up/drop-off are in the Main Street parking lot to pick up their children after school.
NEW VACCINE REQUIREMENT FOR 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR
Meningococcal Vaccine required for ALL incoming 12th graders (Class of 2016)
The State of Illinois has revised the requirement for the Meningococcal vaccine of students entering the 12th grade. The new requirement is as follows: Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, any child entering the 12th grade shall show proof of having received one dose of Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine on or after the age of 16 years.
Many students have had a Meningococcal vaccination prior to the 16th birthday. The new requirement is for a dose of the vaccine on or after the 16th birthday regardless of a prior vaccination for Meningitis. Documentation of the Meningococcal vaccination, signed and dated by a health care provider, must be provided to the Downers Grove North High School Health Services Office by August 1, 2015. Students will be excluded from attending class on the first day of school, and every day thereafter, until documentation of the required vaccine has been received by Health Services.
Please schedule an appointment immediately with your child's health care provider to receive this vaccine. Depending on your insurance, you may also be able to receive the vaccine through the Dupage County Health Department. You may schedule an appointment at the Dupage County Health Department by calling 630-682-7400.
If you have any questions, please contact your physician or Health Services Office at 630-795-8480. Documentation of the Meningococcal vaccination may be faxed to the Health Services Office at 630-795-8399.
TEXTBOOK RETURNS
Students are provided with textbooks for their classes as part of the registration fee. The textbooks distributed to students are assigned an inventory number to assist with the accounting for the textbooks. The agreement made when books are distributed to the students is that each student must return the same book they are initially given. Students cannot return a book other than the one were given and expect to be credited for its return. Students returning books numbered differently from the ones they were given will be assessed the replacement fee for the original book.
All students are expected to return their assigned books directly to the teachers. Because inventory and ordering of texts for the following year must be completed by July 1, students will not be credited with the return of texts after July 1. The cost of replacing all unreturned texts will be assessed to each student and must be paid.
If students leave texts in lockers or other areas of the school, this is not considered appropriate or proper return to the teacher. Therefore, missing texts fines also will be applied to these situations.
Questions can be directed to Dr. Ken Sorensen, Associate Principal at 630-795-8414, or email ksorensen@csd99.org.
TROJAN BOOSTER CLUB
There will be a special Booster Club meeting on August 31st at 7:00 in the Alumni Room. Please plan on attending.
Trojan fans - this year we only have 4 home football games. We need volunteers for the concession stand at these games. We're using VolunteerSpot to organize our upcoming Sign-ups.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our Sign-Up on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/8aPW9R
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot.
Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Jeanine Bulthuis at 630-303-4053 and I can sign you up manually.
Thanks
Bill Goergen
Booster Club President
MUSIC BOOSTERS HAS UPGRADED TO FINE ARTS BOOSTERS!
It is with great pleasure to announce that Visual Arts has joined with Band, Choir and Orchestra to become one organization that will support ALL students participating in the Fine Arts at North High.
The formation of DGN Fine Arts Boosters passed unanimously at the last Music Boosters Board meeting. The Boosters have already made a financial commitment directed toward supporting the visual art programs and students. The organization is excited to help promote, encourage and inspire our visual arts students' efforts so they can do their best work possible.
Want to learn more about DGN Fine Arts Boosters? Please come to the next Board meeting Tuesday, November 4th at 7:00 PM in the Alumni Room or visit our website at www.dgnfineartsboosters.blogspot.com.
PARENTS' CLUB
The Parents' Club Website is www.DGNPC.org
If you want to see your student/family names listed in the printed Parents' Club Phone Book, then you need to follow the instructions below. DEADLINE to enter your listing is SEPTEMBER 15, 2015. You will need to pay $25 to receive the Parent's Club Printed Directory.
2015-16 NEW EASIER REGISTRATION PROCESS
All DGN households must create a username and password to be able to use the mobile site and then enter the family info in the directory.
Please start by going to our home page at www.DGNPC.org and click on the YELLOW Register Box. Follow the directions as they are state below:
Secret Code word is: pride
Enter your email address in the username box, create a password
Confirm password and confirm your email address and then hit "Create Account" (DO NOT HIT ENTER)
You will be sent an email. Go to your email account for the confirmation message (will arrive in the inbox within a few mintues) and click the highlighted blue activation link that's in the email. (If the activation link is not highlighted copy and paste it into a new window.) Hit the CONFIRM button.
Once you hit confirm you will be sent to the directory. Click ADD Parent
Enter each family member separately and click Submit after each one. One registration per household.
Volunteer Sign Up
Type in the web address: http://DGNpc.org
1. Click "Events" on the gray toolbar or find an event in the box labeled "Upcoming Events" on the homepage.
2. Click the Info & Volunteer link to the right of the event.
3. Enter your information then click the volunteer link. (Do not hit the enter button.)
4. Choose the next event for which you would like to volunteer.
If you have questions please call:
Fran 630-777-2502