The guidance interns Miss Callahan and Miss Favia took 38 girls to the HerWorld retreat at DeVry University and I had the pleasure of joining them. It's great to see local universities doing more community outreach with WHS and we will take advantage of those opportunities in the best interest of our students. This retreat was entirely free to students and provided a great day of professional collaboration.



When students arrived, they were given folders filled with resources, HerWorld journals, and pens. The first session encouraged students to collaborate to "improve" upon a current product and share information with the group about how they would sell this new and improved product. For example, one group selected the "gym shoe" and decided that they would create a shoe with varied, removable soles that could be changed depending on the sport being played. Our students shared project information with the group and their confidence was impressive.



After the whole group session, students worked on a hands-on activity making robotic mice. The project was a bit complicated because some of the parts weren't working, but it was valuable exercise in teamwork and persistence. The facilitator of this event was an electrical engineer who shared information about her career path...very interesting!



For the last activity of the day, the girls participated in three breakout sessions focused on Healthcare careers, "Green" initiatives, and Business etiquette. The professional speakers shared a lot of information about science and math careers. During the bus ride home, I talked to a few of the participants who mentioned that they are interested in post-high school medical careers and who felt good about the information learned today.

A student asked me today..."Are you ever NOT recruiting for something?" The answer is NO! There are many opportunities for WHS students and getting ALL of our students connected is a challenge we face each day. Teenagers have busy lives and we are always looking for ways to add MORE! While I understand that not every activity is necessary for every student, I think it's our responsibility to engage students in what school has to offer. By providing a wide variety of options, we are reaching out to everyone and teaching students to explore, take risks, and grow.

Here are a few events planned for this week....

On Tuesday, we are taking 35 girls to the HerWorld retreat. We recruited 10th and 11th grade girls based on teacher recommendations and test scores. The retreat is sponsored by DeVry University and focuses on Math, Science, Business, and Fine Arts. Throughout the day, I'm hoping to upload pictures and share information on the trip on our Twitter page. I am really looking forward to this day. There are some students attending this trip who I do not know very well and this is a wonderful chance to learn about their academic strengths and post-high school ideas.

On Tuesday after school, Swagger, Miss Hurley, and Mrs. Portz are hosting a resume-writing workshop for students. We want all students to maintain active employment and college files and encourage them to make this a "living document" reflecting their current strengths and showcasing active involvement in school and beyond. This workshop will be followed by a session on Thursday related to interviewing skills.

On Tuesday at 4:00, Mrs. Michelon will visit WHS to continue our fundraising efforts for the Englewood Multicultural Center. We are decorating spring cupcakes. If you want to buy some, just let me know. Parents - you might want to treat your coworkers to a cupcake surprise...$1.00 each - but we'll give you a deal if you buy in bulk. : ) Just contact me for more information.

Tuesday night is the school board meeting. There are many people working on behalf of our students with difficult decisions to be made - especially about upcoming cost containment options. This is important and serious work and your feedback and support are always valuable.

On Thursday, the Guidance department has organized a College of DuPage field trip for seniors who are planning to attend COD. Students will tour the campus and have questions answered about the best ways to prepare for positive post-high school experiences.

On Thursday night, join the WHS Symphonic Band for a tribute to American Composers. The performance begins at 7:00 PM in the auditorium.

All of that - PLUS...classroom instruction focused on college readiness skills, extra-curricular options for all students, and the beginning of spring athletics. WHS is a busy place to be!

Have you made plans for Spring Break yet? Join us for the 2010 Spring Break College Trip.

When: March 30, 2010 (Tuesday of Spring Break)

Time: Bus LEAVES at 9:30 am. We should return between 5:30 & 6:00 PM.

What to Bring: camera, money for lunch & gaming center ($10), extra money if you want to buy something from the bookstore

Schedule:

9:30 AM Leave WHS for Aurora University
10:00 – 12:00 Tour Aurora University
12:00 – 1:00 Travel to Northern Illinois University
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch @ Subway in Student Union (bring $5)
2:00 – 3:30 Tour Northern Illinois University

3:30 – 4:30 Visit Huskie Den 16 bowling lanes, 19 pool tables, Wii and x box gaming
systems, (Bring $5 to play)

Between 5:30/6:00 Return to WHS

See me to get an application for the trip! It's going to be a fun day!

You can follow us on Twitter...even if you don't have a Twitter account.
Just click here to read our tweets.

On Thursday, our Lifesource representatives visited WHS to prepare for our upcoming blood drive.



The drive will be held on Friday, March 12th in the auditorium. Our goal is to get 75 people signed up to donate blood on that day. Sixteen year old students can participate with parent approval. Seventeen and Eighteen year old students can sign themselves up to donate blood. We distributed forms this morning in the commons and also during the lunch hours. We will continue to do so next week.

If we reach our goal of 75 donors, the Chipotle on Ogden has offered to donate one burrito gift certificate for every participant. Donors will also receive a FREE tshirt!

In order to make the blood drive a success, we would appreciate the help of parent volunteers to help ease the registration process. If you can donate time on Friday, please email or call me.

Here is some general information about donating blood from the Lifesource webpage. According to Lifesource, "Every time you donate blood, you can save up to three lives because whole blood is separated into
three components:

» Red cells, which can be stored for up to 42 days, are typically administered to replenish blood loss during surgery or trauma

» Platelets, which can be stored for up to 5 days, help stop bleeding and are usually used for cancer patients

» Plasma, which can be frozen for up to 1 year, is mainly used to treat patients with bleeding and other conditions

Thanks to the SADD Club and Miss Anderson for organizing this community event. We appreciate your hard work.

Congratulations to Amy Grogan - winner of the Barrio Visual Art contest. She won a $50 giftcard of her choice. Her selection was unanimously chosen by members of the Barrio team for the artistic and technical quality. There are many beautiful entries in the media center. Please feel free to visit and peruse the Barrio gallery.

Thanks to Dillin Hanley, Jim Joyce, and Aaron Weiss for creating this video about our day at the Englewood Multicultural Center. I LOVE IT!!!

We had a wonderful afternoon hosting author Robert Renteria at Westmont High School!

There were many people involved in making this day a success and we are grateful for all of the support we received! Our supporters included staff members, the Barrio team, community leaders, the Westmont Public Library, and Uncle Bub's Barbecue.



Robert's first session welcomed over 400 WHS students to hear his message about the importance of hard work, education, and resilience. It was nice to see so many students choose to attend this event.



The students in the "studio audience" were amazing representatives for Westmont High School. They had an opportunity to ask questions about Robert's life and learn new strategies for success. Robert's life story has connections for many students and hearing about the power of one person made an impact. Students felt the message was positive and inspiring.



For the second session, Robert participated in a panel discussion focused on writing. The presentation also included Mrs. Torrise, Ms. Quattrone, Jack from the public library, Corey Blake - CEO of the Barrio Foundation, and Cheryl Maraffio, Executive Vice President of the Barrio Foundation. Students learned about the writing process, writing drafts, and how to get started on writing a new project.

Thanks to Mrs. Torrise and Ms. Quattrone for organizing and facilitating this session. Our media specialist and literacy coach reinforced instruction from the 9th grade English classes by planning questions to lead the discussion.



Robert made a powerful impact and took time to interact with our students. He answered their questions and worked to inspire them with his story. He talked about the importance of education for opening many doors to success.



After school, student leaders were invited to participate in a VIP event. Parent volunteers organized a delicious spread of food and students mingled with local community leaders.





Amy Grogan won the Visual Art contest and will be awarded with a $50 gift certificate to the location of her choice. Her digital project was selected unanimously by members of the Barrio team.



I am lucky to work with such wonderful people. Our team really worked together to organize this day for students. Robert's kindness and generosity with his time will make a long-term impact on WHS. His team was amazing and encouraged innovative ideas for Robert's visit. Our community leaders played an important role in this day and built strong connections with our students.

THANKS TO EVERYONE for making this a great day!

Today was my first visit to Illinois State University. It was a pleasure to accompany Mr. Farthing and 30 WHS students on this trip (okay - when I left the house at 7:00 AM on a holiday, I did have a split second of wondering why I offered to go...but it ended up being totally worth it)!

Mr. Farthing is an ISU alumni who enjoyed introducing his favorite campus to our students. We began the trip in the Student Center and visited academic buildings, the Quad, the Redbird Arena, and more!

Students who participate in college visits gain much more than an understanding of the specific campus. They also gather general college information which is especially important for first-generation college students. Students learn about questions they should ponder when making a college decision....Big or small? Near or far? City, rural, or suburban? They also gather knowledge of college terminology and general information. Schools across the country are attempting to get students onto campuses much earlier than considered in the past. Thanks to Mr. Farthing for taking the lead in planning this trip.

I often tell students about my own decision to attend college...it was a bit non-traditional -and lacked the planning that is much more typical today - but still shows the power of campus visits. I never really thought about college plans because members of my family had not attended before I did. I visited WIU with a friend during my senior year and after seeing all of the benefits of college life, I returned home on Monday and applied to attend. Without that visit, I might not have decided to go away and would have missed wonderful opportunities and friendships that followed.

I hope parents will encourage students to participate in our Spring Break college trip. This year, students voted on which colleges they wanted to visit. On Tuesday, March 30th, we will visit Northern Illinois University. We'll make a quick stop at Aurora University before heading to DeKalb! Permission slips will be posted and distributed early next week!

On Tuesday, Robert Renteria, author of From The Barrio to the Board Room will visit Westmont High School.

Each year, we seek opportunities to bring professionals from various fields to Westmont High School. Last year, we hosted our bi-annual Career Fair with experts from many fields. This year, we have had guests visit our classrooms to share information about their careers. While this is a program we are hoping to expand, we have hosted guests in Business, Consumer Sciences, and Social Studies classes.

Having Robert at WHS showcases his professional successes, but will likely accomplish much more. Robert will not only share information about his life story, but will also reinforce the importance of hard work, resilience, determination, and overcoming obstacles.

Throughout our planning process, there are many members of the WHS staff who have spent extended hours outside of the school day working on this project. This is ONE VERY FUN team and I am so grateful for their hard work on behalf of our students.

THANKS TO...Mrs. Mahmoud, Mrs. Danielski, and Mrs. Quattrone for sharing Robert's story with the 9th grade students. They used the book to teach Socratic Circles. You can read more about this reading comprehension strategy here. They were also instrumental members of the planning team - developing activities, doing the "behind the scenes" work, and organizing many details related to this event. Your teamwork has enhanced our English 9 program in countless ways.

THANKS TO...Mrs. Torrise for also spending timeless hours outside of the school day to collaborate with the Westmont Public Library and organize event plans. You have found ways to integrate technology into this process including the use of GOOGLE docs...I promise...I'm going to weave Google Docs into my life...starting NOW!

THANKS TO...Mr. Farthing for working with Uncle Bub's to raise money to support Robert's visit. We also appreciate you preparing the decorations for the VIP event! AWESOME!

THANKS TO...Mrs. Charleston for being a member of our planning team. Your good ideas added an extra special touch to our planning. We appreciate your willingness to coordinate the cable presentation, food pick-ups, and VIP event.

THANKS TO...Mr. Kemmerling for agreeing to be a performance artist representing the cover of the Barrio book...REALLY! You were amazing!



THANKS TO...Mrs. Hinckley and Mr. Sahr for preparing the audio and video for the various events. Your expertise is NEEDED and our team appreciates it!

THANKS TO...Ms. Greer for organizing the digital photography art project and hanging them for our guests to see. What a great way to connect your coursework with Robert's visit.

THANKS TO...Jack from the Westmont Public Library for designing videos to highlight WHS students during this event. I can't wait to meet you.

THANKS TO...the Westmont Public Library for sponsoring our VIP event.

MANY THANKS TO...Robert Renteria and Corey Blake for visiting WHS. We did not raise all of the typical funds to bring them here, but they continue to work with us to share information about Robert's story and the Barrio Foundation. Your dedication to WHS is already evident and we really appreciate that!

I hope you had a chance to enjoy the WHS performance of Oklahoma! What an amazing night! There are many students involved in WHS productions, and the students excel under the leadership of Mr. Sahr, Mr. Doherty, and Mr. Bufis.

The "tech crew" that includes students and parent volunteers designed a fabulous and realistic set....like a quick trip to Oklahoma! I sat near the sound board and was awed by the talent of the students in charge. The performances were so fun. It was nice to see so many 9th graders involved. I'm very excited about watching their future development at WHS. The dancing in this show seemed especially engaging. I liked seeing the multi-tasking members of our dance team finding another place to showcase their talents. The singing was powerful! This was the first time I saw Oklahoma and it was nice to hear the enthusiastic renditions of each song. The pit band was sooooo good! I loved watching the youngest audience members emulating Mr. Bufis' conducting skills.

Thanks to all of the people involved in making this a wonderful event. I would make a list, but I know I would miss someone! There are so many people involved...costumes, tickets, promotions, elementary tours, and so much more. Your dedication provides a wonderful Fine Arts event for the Village of Westmont.

To me...it felt like a visit to Broadway....only better because I was SO PROUD of the cast!

Advanced Placement testing takes place each May. Students enrolled in AP classes at WHS or via IVHS can sign up online to take the exams at Westmont High School using this link.

AP courses are college-level courses with challenging academic expectations. The coursework directly prepares students for the AP exams. Students who takes the exams have the potential to earn college credit.

Here is some information about AP exams from Life123.com

"Unlike other exams that give you a letter grade, advanced placement exams provide you with a numerical score between 1 and 5. A score of 3 is classified as "qualified" and is the lowest possible passing score. While 3 is a passing score, many colleges will require that you score a 4 (well qualified) or 5 (extremely well qualified) in order to earn college credit that will be transferable."

You can also review information about the AP webpage.

At Westmont High School, students sign up for exams online. After signing up, students participate in a preadministration session where they complete the answer sheet preparation and necessary testing paperwork. Our AP exams are proctored by Mr. Martens, a retired WHS teacher with extensive proctoring experience. We strive to provide a strong academic setting for testing where students can excel.

We will be hosting a parent information night about WHS Honors/AP courses....date pending!

On March 2nd, WHS will host a visit by Robert Renteria, the author of the book From The Barrio to the Board Room. In this book, read by all of our English 9 students, Robert shares his experience in running with gangs, dropping out of school, and using drugs. Despite the challenges he faced, Robert made a series of positive life choices that ultimately led him to become an exceptionally successful business man. Robert’s message is authentic and real and speaks to all young people, especially those who experience adversity and are faced with very difficult life changing decisions.

Students watched a short Powerpoint presentation about Robert Renteria during their 6th hour classes. All students were invited to particpate in Robert's upcoming presentation as members of the "studio audience." His keynote address will be filmed for our local cable station.

Here are our plans for March 2nd. All parents and community members are invited to join us for any - or all - of the festivities.

1:00 PM: Auditorium

Students will listen to a motivational presentation by Robert in which he shares information about his life, book, strategies for success, etc. After Robert's presentation we will have a short Q&A time. “Tickets” for the event will be sent to students in advance.

2:00: Auditorium

This session will be specifically for 9th grade students who have read the entire book and other students interested in writing/journalism, etc. For this session, Robert and his co-writer Corey Blake will share information about writing the book and answer questions about it....more Q&A from students...but they will be a bit more focused on the writing process, etc.

3:00 PM Thank you to the Westmont Public Library for sponsoring our Community VIP event. During this party, we will recognize WHS student leaders and community members. You are invited to join us.

Thank you to Uncle Bub's Barbecue for their support of Robert Renteria's visit to WHS.

Welcome to our GUEST JOURNALIST....WHS Senior, Alex Stedman!

Click here to read Alex's Triblocal article about our recent 8th Grade Parent/Student Information Night.

I enjoy looking ahead and welcoming our incoming students, but I also appreciate the opportunity to see WHS students in action - sharing information about our extra-curricular events and giving school tours.



This year, we enjoyed TCD students sharing their culinary skills, performances by choir and band students, artwork being created, and athletic teams in action. Future Sentinels are encouraged to attend upcoming school events.

On Tuesday, Marissa Mitchell, a graduate student at Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, visited WHS to learn more about the Swagger program.

I met Marissa when attending a local grant information session hosted by Roosevelt University. Her work focuses on issues in education related to social justice and innovative programming. I was happy to invite her to WHS to meet our students and learn about their work. She filmed parts of our Swagger meeting, but also shared some information on her own successful academic background. We hope to continue our relationship with Marissa and find ways for her to connect with WHS.

We have MANY students who are sharing ideas with me for new projects to tackle. At times, I worry that our community will not see the academic relevance and importance of supporting service projects and social justice endeavors at WHS. High School students need many opportunities for "life engagement" that connect them with the world beyond their own doors. Our trips reinforce our sense of school community and help students to see their skills, abilities, and "power" in action. This is an interesting article about the power of volunteering.

Thanks to Marissa for posting this story. We continue to be proud of our students and inspired by their work. Click HERE to see the story online.

Dear Mr. Muhammad,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be in the presence of such great people. Seeing people of my age doing the things your Boys II Men students are doing makes ME realize how much I can do. As I sat in the audience of the Phenomenal Man Awards, I felt inspired. Toward the end of the ceremony, I thought to myself, “Okay, I’m inspired, but what am I going to do with it.” You and the Boys II Men scholars showed me that being inspired is just the first step. The next step is to go and inspire someone else…Keep up the admirable work because you have no idea how many people you inspire.” Thank you, Vicky Vazquez, WHS Senior after attending the January, 2010 Boys II Men Phenomenal Scholar Awards



AN INSPIRING NIGHT
Three years ago, Westmont High School students had the honor of meeting Clayton Muhammad when he inspired students with a keynote address at the WHS Career Fair. During the event, he shared information about Boys II Men and the power of achieving “phenomenal” status. Mr. Muhammad showcased Boys II Men “profiles of excellence” and specific strategies that promoted the power of education, discipline, service, and culture. He challenged students to do their best and talked about the power of scholarly dedication, necessity for resilience, and the ability to overcome social barriers. His message made a powerful impact, but more importantly, his visit established a valuable collaboration with Westmont High School.

Last year, Mr. Muhammad shared copies of the official Boys II Men book Advance Your Swagger by Fonzworth Bentley. He invited students to the East Aurora 131 academic celebration hosted by Mr. Bentley and motivated students to bring the Boys II Men motto of “Change Your Mind, Change Your Life” to WHS. Through this input, the WHS “Swagger Club” was created and built upon the foundation set by Boys II Men. WHS staff reviewed the Boys II Men program and developed similar activities for students and set a foundation for future success. Again, Mr. Muhammad inspired students by attending the closing ceremony with Alex Sanchez, a Boys II Men Scholar. Their participation in this event modeled the power of mentoring and peer leadership.

On January 27th, Mr. Muhammad welcomed twenty-six Westmont High School students at the Boys II Men Phenomenal Scholar Awards celebrating the achievement of over fifty Aurora-area scholars and recognizing the excellence of three local “Men of the Year” achievers. Participation in this event allowed students the opportunity to learn more about the B2M organization, which started in an effort to prevent local violence and has supported students in their scholarly endeavors including participation in National Honor Society, pursuit of school leadership opportunities, and national championship recognition.

The trip began with dinner at the Walter Payton Roundhouse Restaurant in Aurora. Thanks to a discounted meal price and a donation from a supporter of WHS, students were able to enjoy a delicious meal in this cozy establishment.



When WHS students arrived at the award ceremony, Mr. Muhammad and the phenomenal achievers graciously welcomed them to the event. The presentation of awards provided authentic models of excellence in action. The posthumous recognition of recently slain students Derrion Albert and Jason Ventura reinforced the importance of ending youth violence. Listening to a parent’s perspective on the value of education emphasized the magnitude of hard work and importance of family support. Mr. Muhammad again inspired with this energetic presentation of the awards.



When the ceremony ended, students individually recognized the scholars with custom-made Boys II Men cookies from Traveler’s Café in Westmont. Students enjoyed interacting with the scholars and were even inspired by their dance moves. Clayton Muhummad welcomed students and recognized their involvement in the event.



On the bus ride home, students talked about the intensity of the scholarly achievements and ways they were inspired to increase their own academic standing. WHS students also left with ideas for future collaboration with Boys II Men. Teachers in attendances gained new ideas for showcasing excellence at Westmont High School. Personally, I enjoyed the opportunity to see the impact of youth empowerment and look forward to our ongoing collaboration with B2M.

Inspiration…Excellence…Motivation….just a few of the benefits for WHS students attending the Boys II Men Phenomenal Scholar Awards.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" After spending Saturday, January 16th painting, cleaning, and refurbishing the Englewood Multicultural Center, the answer is clear to sixty-five Westmont High School students.



According to EMC Director, Steven Philpott, the Englewood Multicultural Center is a not-for-profit community center founded in January 2009 and based in Chicago’s Englewood Community. The organization is being created from the ground up to employ technology and serve as a hub for programs, educators, and business leaders focused on quality-of-life improvements in the community.

Before the trip began, students were already invested in the center. In fact, it was a WHS student who made the connection with the school administration and EMC team after visiting for a fundraising performance. One student volunteered to shop for building supplies while another solicited donations from local businesses including Bales Ace Hardware. A team of students baked cookies that will be sold to support EMC efforts. When teens are excited, there is NOTHING they can't accomplish.



When students entered the 95 year old former Catholic church, they were awed by the beauty of the stained glass window, oak pews, and large open spaces, but they could see that hours of work were needed to prepare this center to welcome the youth of Englewood.

Students were welcomed to the center by Alderman Toni Foulkes who introduced them to her neighborhood and expressed appreciation for their work. Members of the EMC team greeted the students with words of inspiration and a greeting by musical artists JustFlo and Uneqka.





Students were given a tour of the facility that focused on more than the physical space, but also shared the dream and vision for what they could expect of the building in the near future. They could quickly envision digital gaming centers, amazing spaces for teens to have positive recreational options, transitional housing for women, and a state of the art entertainment facility. They were ready to work! Three students were on-hand filming the day for a video project.



Soon, paint was poured, walls were scraped, and piles of supplies were moved and organized. There are many benefits for students who participate in service projects that include blending and extending social groups at WHS and beyond, introducing and reinforcing specific skills for post-high school success including leadership, technology, and organization, bridging cultural divides, developing relationships, reducing city/suburban stereotypes, and providing an understanding the “power of one” and how individuals can make social change.







Throughout the day, students connected with members of the EMC to share information about their interests and talents and how they could be used to benefit EMC. With so many talented members of the EMC group, students were excited to learn ways to enhance their art, technology, and business skills. The day provided a real-life opportunity to practice networking and leadership strategies.



The energy that youth can provide to a work environment is immeasurable. The small groups chanted, laughed, and encouraged each other while completing their work. They met new friends and reinforced relationships with their school peers.

The day ended with the groups sharing their chants and talking about ways to continue supporting the center. On Tuesday, January 19th at 7:00 PM, students will each invite friends to WHS to meet members of the EMC and enjoy a night of entertainment hosted by JustFlo, Uneqka, and WHS students. Come enjoy an evening of performances that include singing, dancing, instrumental music, and spoken-word.

Westmont High School students can be proud to know that they were involved from the beginning of this project and will continue to collaborate with the EMC to support positive community development. Through intervention, prevention, and advocacy, the Englewood Multicultural Center will serve as a community hub for live and online collaborations to provide community relevant programs through the successful development of resident-driven initiatives published via new media.

Thanks to Miss Hurley, Mrs. PW, Mrs. Torrise, and Donell for participating in our trip. YOU are models of "actions speak louder than words."Thanks to Miss Hurley for organizing, preparing, and shopping for the trip. That's what we call serious Swagger.

If you would like to see more photos from the trip, click here.

EMC @ WHS
On Saturday, 65 WHS students visited the Englewood Multicultural Center for a day of labor and fun. We built connections with the EMC team and were anxious for our collaboration to continue and grow. Each student invited one peer and family members to attend a follow-up informational night and performance at WHS. As we discussed on Saturday, when you have a heart for service, you can't wait to share the experience with others.

WHAT A NIGHT! The EMC team arrived early so that JustFlo and Uneqka could work with students on collaborative performances. They were emcees for the night filled with talent including singing and dancing. The message for the night was soooo positive and it's always fun to see our students in action....really, it was impressive to see what the group could pull together after only a few hours together.



One of the best things about working at WHS is that I can closely observe our students in action. Students did all of the work and made all of the decisions for the event including setting it up, organizing the space, planning the acts, finding necessary equipment, getting the resources they needed...and on and on. Really - all I had to do was pick up the cake (AMAZING...thanks, Traveler's Cafe) and sing/dance along with the performers. It's great to have visitors because I can see WHS through their eyes and the EMC team was very impressed with our students - from beginning to end.



We had a nice-sized, committed crowd in attendance. The media center was cozy and provided a fun atmosphere to enjoy the show.



This group of students worked with Unekqa to write a song about "change" that was inspiring. If you weren't there, I wish you could have heard them - maybe someday you'll be able to watch them perform again.



On Wednesday when I returned to school, so many students commented on how much they liked JustFlo and Unekqa and wanted to work with them again. They were awesome emcees, but more importantly AMAZING performers with a positive message.



We had to ask "Mr. Sentinel" to show us another Michael Jackson performance. I may have been one of the few people in the room to remember the original Motown performance, but this one was almost as good as Michael himself.



The place was filled with talent and great energy!



This was just the beginning of the dancing....



Beautiful dancing....



Beautiful playing...



WOW...



The Worm????



We all learned The Bachata...



We sent our warm wishes and future plans back to EMC...



And the dancing continued...



The only disappointment of the night was when students told me that they think I can't dance....OH!????

Learning to network and build connections outside of Westmont High School develops "real-life" skills for students, and I have noticed that our students are getting VERY GOOD at it. This week has been filled with opportunities for students that were generated by THEM! While it has been busy, it's also been worthwhile. We strive to build a school culture in which students feel empowered to share and implement their ideas with support from our teachers and administration.

Thanks, Representative Bellock
After receiving a letter requesting support to attend the Illinois Latino Legislative Caucus Conference, State Representative Patti Bellock provided funding for some of our students to participate in the event....hopefully you enjoyed the pictures and information from a previous blog posting.

Representative Bellock also invited the students to visit her in Springfield during the spring legislative session. On Tuesday, we visited Representative Bellock to thank her for her kindness and finalize details of the trip. Our students will plan a daylong visit in May, 2009 to Springfield to see the session and visit the Lincoln Museum. Aside from students who attended the conference, we open the trip to students interested in Government and Politics, so keep watching for more details.

Thank you to Roberto Sanabria and Mildred Crespo for inviting our Latino Legislative Caucus participants to visit Northeastern Illinois University. It was one of the best college visits I have attended because of their enthusiasm and dedication to making it a student-centered event.

Throughout the year, we seek opportunities to encourage students to visit college campuses and meet college representatives. When we met Roberto at the ILLCC, he invited us to visit NEIU to learn more about the programs they offer. NEIU is a diverse campus located in the city of Chicago that provides students with many options for academic excellence.

When we arrived, students attended a campus activity fair. Having students interact with college students is one of the great benefits of campus visits. I often object to the media (movie, news, reality tv) portrayal of "college-life" because I think it can make college seem scary, intimidating, unrealistic, and unsafe - or just generally focused on non-academic pursuits. In reality, campuses are filled with amazing students from all walks of life, with all types of interests. Students from Omega Delta fraternity were awesome and spent a ton of time talking to our students about college life. They encouraged them with their personal academic stories and reinforced the value of doing well in school. I couldn't have asked for more - or from a nicer group of young men.



We were given a tour of the building by an NEIU student who answered our questions about classes, majors, college-planning, purchasing books, daily activities...and so much more.





Mildred and Roberto organized lunch for our group and invited student leaders to answer our questions about NEIU. They even gave us gift bags filled with t-shirts and other goodies.



It was a fun day and I could see that students were practicing their networking skills. There was a moment when one of the NEIU students asked me for my contact information. As I fumbled to find a business card, BOOM...one of our students came over and pulled one of the cards we made for the ILLCC out of his pocket and said, "Here's my card." We all laughed, but he was SPOT ON!



The president of NEIU, Dr. Sharon K. Hahs, visited with students and encouraged them to take as much math as possible in high school.



This day was an important follow-up to the conference and we appreciated the way the NEIU team enthusiastically welcomed our students for a tremendous visit. THANKS to Mildred, Roberto, and their team!

After our visit, we visited Garcia's Restaurant in Lincoln Square for a "delicioso" meal. While I took four years of Spanish in high school, students said that I should get busy brushing up on my skills....I'll work on that! Thanks to the management at Garcia's for offering us a great discount on our meal.

If you are around WHS on a Tuesday afternoon, you've likely encountered our school mentor, Donell Colbert! Donell has been at WHS for four years providing students with strategies for success and supporting them in overcoming learning obstacles. Donell walked into the doors of WHS and immediately began building a rapport with students. Initially, he worked with individuals who were credit deficient and potentially at risk of dropping out. However, with Donell's background in youth development and his ability to make connections with students, it didn't take long for him to get invested in the "big picture" of Westmont High School. Now - he is here to support ALL of our students with his heart for service and focus on leadership development. He brings guest speakers to work with students and never loses sight of his focus on their leadership and personal growth. Academic excellence, advancement of social skills, and effective college planning are all elements of Donell's work with students.

Donell has participated in 9th grade orientation activities, oversees the Swagger Club with Miss Hurley, and works with small groups and individual students. Donell's entire family gets involved at WHS. On Saturday, his wife, son, and daughter joined our students for a day of service at the Englewood Multicultural Center.

On Tuesday night at 7:00 PM, Donell will be at WHS for the "We Resolve" activities to support EMC. If you'd like to meet him, or learn more about his work at WHS, feel free to join us in the WHS auditorium.

Students - if you would like to work with Donell, all you have to do is ask. Just see me and I'll get you connected!

On Saturday, approximately 70 WHS students will participate in our trip to Englewood Multicultural Center. If you want to stay updated on the progress of our day, just follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WestmontHigh. I'm planning to upload photos throughout the day.

During the final days of the semester, it's fun to see the culmination of hard work in our classes.

9th Grade Digital Storytelling
Revamping our 9th Grade English program has been a priority at WHS this year. As the semester ends, our team met to reflect on our progress and develop goals for semester two. One major project that students recently completed was digital storytelling. Students worked in small groups to write stories and use technology to share them. This project addressed important English standards while providing students with new technology skills. On Tuesday, students held a movie premiere and shared their work with peers. They were so much fun to see. There were a few that brought tears to my eyes as students shared inspiring stories about their families and friends. Hopefully, they will be posted online soon so you can see them, too.



Bonappetit
The "Taste of Advanced Foods" events was a social event that I couldn't miss. The students ended the semester by choosing recipes from various countries and making them for teachers and peers. What a festive event. I tasted many new treats that I hope they'll make again.





NOLA Reunion
We had a New Orleans lunch reunion last week. Thanks for the Falafel and hummus, girls! It's always a pleasure to get together and share memories about our Summer, 2009 Habitat for Humanity trip.



Sentinel Review Sessions
Final exams end tomorrow. Many teachers worked with students after school during the Sentinel Review Sessions. They worked to review important concepts while reinforcing important study skills. Semester exams are a comprehensive assessment of material taught throughout the semester and worth 20% of semester grades.



The beginning of semester two is one of my favorite times of the school year. Everyone gets a fresh start and the opportunity to revisit goals and make necessary changes. Starting on Tuesday - EVERYONE is an "A" student again! We are planning to capitalize on this opportunity by sharing semester one data with students and setting group & individual goals.

#Project365
Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WestmontHigh I will be taking a "photo a day" at WHS and posting them for #Project365. Check it out!

Happy New Year!

7:55 on Monday morning...I looked around the commons to see TONS of tired faces. It seems that many people (myself included) took advantage of sleeping-in throughout winter break. It took a few days to get back to the reality of an early morning start.

As I visited classrooms this week, many students are busy preparing for final exams. Exams will be held next week on Wednesday - Friday. Last year, our final exams were reviewed by a psychometrician who ensured that they were reliable and valid assessments. Exams count for 20% of the final semester grade so they are VERY important! Study! Reread! Review your notes! Use every available minute to prepare for your exams!

On Monday and Tuesday of next week, serious students - who are ready to study - are invited to the Sentinel Review Sessions. The majority of WHS teachers will be available from 3:00 - 5:00 PM to assist with test preparation and answer last minute questions about the material covered in their classes.

We had our Swagger Kick-Off meeting today. LOVED IT! Our Swagger graduates are working as a leadership team to share SWAGGER information with our students. Thanks to Coach Royster for bringing members of the freshmen basketball team. Last year, we used Fonzworth Bentley's book Advance Your Swagger to focus on the importance of Manners, Confidence, and Style. We will use this book again this year along with Hill Harper's books Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny and Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE your Destiny. Mr. Harper's books address many topics relevant to our youth! I can't believe it. I was so involved in the meeting that I forgot to take pictures. Lucky for me, Vicky V. took a bunch and promised to share them with me. Thanks, Vicky!

Thanks to Dylan and Jimmy! This morning they began filming a new WHS media program...THE MONTH IN REVIEW! You can expect to see them at school events filming and encouraging you to get involved in this production. So jump in and have some fun!

UPCOMING EVENTS...Mark Your Calendar!

January 15th:
Swagger and EMC students will meet after exams in the Foods classroom to bake cookies to raise funds for EMC. Want to bake - come on up and give us a hand!

January 16th:
Join us for a trip to the Englewood Multicultural Center for a day of hard work.
Here's a permission slip...space in limited so get it in ASAP!

January 19th:
WE RESOLVE...EMC Night 7:00 PM
Join JustFlo and the EMC team to learn more about the work of this center and enjoy a performance by JustFlo!

January 20th:
Field trip to tour Northeastern Illinois University and visit the Office of Equal Employment. When we attended the Latino Legislative Conference, we met many wonderful contacts who invited us to visit their universities and organizations. On January 20th, students are invited to visit NEIU. We will leave WHS at 2:00 PM and return at 6:30 PM.

HELP NEEDED...SUPPLIES!
If you can donate any of the following items for our EMC trip...we will be forever grateful. Just send them to me...
Work Gloves
Paintbrushes - any size
Paint rollers/trays
Gallons of paint
Rags/Cleaning Supplies

HELP NEEDED...GUEST SPEAKERS!
If you know someone with a phenomenal success story - we are looking for guest speakers for a Swagger panel discussion on BREAKING BARRIERS! Just email me!

Mr. Sentinel Auction
The weather was a bit frightful, but Mrs. Pergande and I enjoyed taking the train dowtown with the students who won our prize at the Mr. Sentinel Auction. We marveled at the festive holiday decorations and devoured pizza for dinner. As always, WHS students impressed others with their kind, respectful attitudes.



Snowball Leaders....THANKS!
The Operation Snowball leaders were recognized at the December school board meeting. They work for HOURS beginning during the summer to plan activities, skits, and games to reinforce the importance of positive decision-making. We appreciate their dedication to WHS students.



PBIS Celebration
WHS students and staff spent the last 15 minutes before break sharing hot cocoa and holiday cheer. Thanks to the PBIS team for organizing this celebration!



When we return from Winter break, students will busily prepare for semester exams. The Sentinel Review sessions will be held on January 11th and 12th from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. During the sessions, many teachers will be available to provide study strategies and final exam tips. Be sure to plan on attending the sessions!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

On Saturday morning, WHS special education teacher/Swagger Sponsor and I visited the Englewood Multicultural Center near 60th and Ashland. We met with a team of leaders who are working to renovate a building that was previously a Catholic Church and the Boulevard Arts Theater. As we toured the space, the leadership team painted visual pictures describing how the center would be used in the future. All I can say is WOW!!!! I love the way a committed group can make positive community changes and their clear plans will do so much to inspire people.



One of our students made this connection and we visited to determine how WHS students could support the work of this team. This group was passionate about making the Center an agent of community change through programming in digital media, entertainment, education, transitional housing for women, youth programs, and much more. Their innovative plans for using technology and digital media will awe our students.

Although I can see endless value in involving students in volunteer projects, it's important that our community understands that there are academic and social goals accomplished through community service work.

Students who are engaged in task-based projects learn important organization and work skills. Our work with this center will also:

-Introduce and reinforce specific skills for post-high school success…leadership, technology, art, entertainment, construction, etc.

-Inspire a heart for service

-Blend and extend social groups at WHS and beyond

-Bridge cultural divide, develop relationships, and eliminate stereotypes

-Understand the “power of one” and how individuals can make social change

-Encourage students to ask..."How can I use these skills in my own community?"

As we brainstormed, we decided that our first step would be to plan a field trip to the center. Ms. Hurley and I feel confident that this will be a safe and valuable experience for our students. We will begin planning a trip for the morning of Saturday, January 16th. Field trip permission slips will be posted soon! Interested parents and community members are also welcome to attend. We will encourage extracurricular sponsors to bring students on this trip.

This visit will introduce students to the work of the center and the members of the leadership team. PLUS, the day will include some hands-on labor! After this visit, we will invite the leaders to WHS to meet with our students to determine an action plan for next semester and beyond.