NOTES FROM NORTH
The 2012-2013 school year concluded with a warm but wonderful graduation ceremony where we celebrated the culmination of the high school experience of the students in the Class of 2013. In the fall, as these students embark on the next phase of their lives, they will be spread across the entire country, attending 126 different colleges and universities in 31 different states. Some of our graduates will be serving our country by joining the military, while others will be starting their careers.
The past year saw many continue achievements and accomplishments by our students. North's ACT average composite score continues to be significantly above state and national averages, our AP programs continue to grow (with North students taking 935 AP exams this spring), 125 students were selected as Illinois State Scholars, 194 students received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence, and 52 students were named to the North High's All-Academic Team. The Class of 2013 had 15 National Merit Scholarship Commended students and 6 students earned the prestigious ranking of National Merit Scholarship Finalists (Alex Buckley, Benjamin Eaton, Erin Eglass, Reid Melton, Alana Osterling, and Conner Fear). The 10 students in the Top 2% of the senior class had cumulative grade point averages ranging from 4.74-4.82 on a 4.0 scale (Mary Bedalov, Alex Buckley, Emma Burkhardt, Tristan Burnham, Conner Fear, Mantas Naris, Alana Osterling, Rebecca Ridderhoff, Margaret Smith, and Lydia Zimmerman).
Three North students from the Class of 2014 (Rachel Clivaz, Katherine Portman, and Samuel Meegan) earned perfect scores of 36 on their ACT exams, something less than one-tenth of the percent of all takers accomplish.
In athletics and co-curricular activities, students won individual state medals or trophies in Speech, Journalism, Boys' Gymnastics, Girls' Swimming, Boys' and Girls' Track and Field, Chess, Skills USA, Wrestling, and Badminton. Alex Buckley (Speech), Alex Duta (Journalism), and Gabby Simms (Swimming) each won a state championship in their area of competition. The Imani Steppers took home a 3rd place trophy in their state competition.
North High School again earned national recognition by being again named as a top school in the country by U.S. News and World Report and Newsweek.
We said goodbye to a number of valued staff members who retired from North High School after many years of service. They are: Christine Binek, 15 years (Special Services); Cathy Hutson 15 years (Bookstore); Lori Moloney, 15 years (Library); Sharon Bolinger, 17 years (Career and Technical Education); Beth Housing, 19 years (Special Services); Paul Franson, 29 years (PE/Health/Driver Ed); Al Bekkedal, 31 years (PE/Health/Driver Ed); and Jan Jacobson, 33 years (Career and Technical Education). I am grateful for their many years of dedication to the students of North.
While I know the students are looking forward to their summer break, we are already planning for the 2013-2014 school year. We will welcome the students and parents of the Class of 2017 to North at two different events, starting with an evening orientation program for parents of freshmen scheduled for Tuesday, August 20. All incoming freshmen will be invited to join our Link Crew students for transition activities designed to help them become more acquainted to North High School during the day on Wednesday, August 21.
Schedule Pick-Up Day is scheduled for Monday, August 19. The first day of classes for all students will be on Wednesday, August 28, with the upperclassmen attending classes from 8:00-11:15 AM; and freshmen attending their classes from 12:35-3:20 PM.
Before we get started with our new school year, I hope all students, parents, and staff members have a safe and very enjoyable summer. If you do have any questions over the summer, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 630-795-8401.
Sincerely,
Scott Kasik
Principal
2013-2014 SCHEDULE PICKUP DAY: FIELD HOUSE
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
ATTENTION 2013 GRADUATES
Year books will be available for pickup on Monday, August 19, 2013 in the Field House on Schedule Pickup Day.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer School Fees for in-district students are$195 for 1/2 credit, and $390 for 1 full credit. (Non-resident students' course tuition is $390 for 1/2 credit and $780 for 1 full credit.)
Summer School Dates: June 10 - July 19, 2013
Summer School Hours: 8:00 AM - 12:45 PM
Classes, including Driver Education, will be held at Downers Grove North Campus. Brochures will be available in the Guidance Office and online at www.csd99.org
NOTES FROM THE HEALTH SERVICES
Please refer to the link below regarding Physical and Immunization Examinations and requirements for the 2013-2014 school year.
http://north.csd99.org/student-support-services/nurse-health-services/
Completed physicals and medication forms should be mailed or faxed upon completion to Health Services prior to August 1, 2013.
Downers Grove North High School/Health Services
4436 Main Street Downers Grove, IL 60515
Fax: (630)795-8399
If you have any questions, please contact the Health Services at (630)795-8480. Thank you for your cooperation with this important state requirement.
COUNSELING AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Thank you for your support of the Counseling and Student Support Services programs during the 2012-2013 school year. As we prepare for the summer months, we would like to share the following information with you.
- Beginning June 25, 2013 through August 8, 2013 (except for the week of July 1) a counselor will be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 AM to Noon to address routine questions including class schedule concerns. Parents should contact the main office at (630)795-8400 to be connected with the summer counselor. All counselors will be available for general advisement beginning August 28, 2013.
- Our LINK Crew program will welcome Freshmen and transfer students to North High on Wednesday, August 21, 2013. If you have a student new to North, watch for an email for information about this program.
Have a safe and happy summer! We look forward to working with you next school year!
FROM THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE
Please visit the North High Registrar's web site at http://north.csd99.org/student-support-services/registrar/ for important information regarding Transcripts for Alumni and 2013-2014 Enrollment. If you have any questions, please call our Registrar, Ruth Schneider, at (630)795-8425 or email rschneider@csd99.[email protected]
LINK CREW AND 2013 FALL OPERATION SNOWBALL
LINK Crew Orientation will be on Wednesday, August 21 from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Please click here for more information.
2013 Fall Operation Snowball Weekend: Downers Grove North is part of Operation Snowball, a state-wide educational leadership and substance prevention program. Each year, Snowball sponsors two student retreats-one in the fall for DGN students and one in the winter combined with Downers Grove South students. At the retreats, student participants hear from engaging speakers, take part in informal workshops, and connect together in a small group setting, over meals, a dance, and a bonfire. Student Directors and Leaders plan and facilitate the entire retreat. Adult Staff Leaders attend to engage with students, supervise, and support the process. The 2013 Fall Snowball Weekend will be November 15 and 16. Participant applications will be available in mid-September. Students should monitor announcements in September for more information. Spots are limited and are filled first come, first served. For more information, please contact Student Assistance Coordinator Keith Bullock at [email protected] or 630-795-8488.
PSYCHOLOGY CLUB
Senior, Ericka Bergquist, is credited with helping to form a Psychology Club at North High School this year. The Psychology Club is a student organization composed of juniors and seniors who express an interest in the field of Psychology. The goal of the club is to encourage, promote, and build a greater understanding of the field of Psychology and to facilitate interaction among students. The activities of the club consist of guest speakers, presentations, after school movie/video events, demonstrations/hands-on activities, and special awareness days/weeks. The club is sponsored by North High Psychology teacher Carrie Roberts.
REGISTRATION FOR NORTH STARS PRESCHOOL AND THE DGN PLAYGROUP NOW OPEN!
North Stars Preschool for ages 3 by September 1st-Kindergarten age
Year: 2013-2014 school year
Days: Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday (Can be flexible or attend all four)
Times: 12:50 pm-2:20 pm
Price: $210 for the entire year
Registration: Located on the side tab of our blog www.dgnpreschool.blogspot.com
Please fill out and submit. You will receive an email confirmation back.
DGN PLAYGROUP
Infants up to age 3
Dates: March-May 2014
Days: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
Times: 8:05 am - 9:40 am
Price: $90
Registration: email [email protected] with child's name, date of birth, and your contact information
Follow our blog: www.dgnplaygroup.blogspot.com
REPORT CARDS AVAILABLE ON HOME ACCESS CENTER
Student's Marking Period Report Card grades are posted via Home Access Center (HAC). Parents who have submitted email addresses should have received an email letting them know they can log into Home Access Center and view/print their student's report card. This will enable parents to access their student's report card information in a timelier manner. For families without email access, report cards were printed and mailed home. Some mass-emails can get rejected as SPAM; if that happens with the report card email (or other emails from us), you my need to work with our IT Department to change your personal settings, to make sure emails from csd99.org are always allowed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us; (630)795-8400.
TROJAN BOOSTER CLUB
The Trojan Booster Club is a volunteer parent organization that supports all student athletes at DGN. Each year we purchase letters, pins and awards, Athletic Trainer supplies, concussion software, football helmet reconditioning, and major equipment purchases for all sports teams. Additionally, we provide scholarships for our graduating athletes. We are seeking volunteers for board leadership positions, membership, fund raising, team liaisons, and overall volunteer support. We meet the first Monday of the month at 7 PM in the Alumni Room Please consider becoming a member, volunteer, donor, or all of these! Questions? Call Brian Henson at 630-854-6193 or email [email protected]. GO TROJANS!
PARENTS' CLUB
Coming soon.....
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 were initially given. Students cannot return a book other than the one they 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 their teachers. Because the 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 text fines also will be applied to these situations.
Questions can be directed to Ken Sorensen, Associate Principal at 630-795-8414, or email at [email protected]