February 2013
Glenbrook North H.S. | Connections
 
Dear Glenbrook Community,
Supt

With 2012 now behind us, it is fitting to reflect on many of the significant accomplishments achieved in District 225 under the leadership of the Board of Education. 

  • The 50th Anniversary celebration of Glenbrook South that started with an amazing Lip Dub concluded with a Grand Gala and Variety Show at the school.
  • Chicago Magazine ranked GBN #1 and GBS #4 among suburban Cook County high schools.
  • The Chicago Tribune named District 225 as a Top 100 Workplace in Chicago.
  • New contract agreements were reached with two of the three District 225 unions.
  • Fiscal year 2012 closed in June with a $5.5 M surplus in the operating fund.
  • A plan to reduce District expenditures by $520,000 for fiscal year 2013 was adopted.
  • Action was taken to abate approximately $120,000 to taxpayers through bond refinancing efforts.
  • Energy consumption was reduced by 9.3%, saving $151,000.
  • Retro-commission studies were conducted at both high schools to identify further energy reduction projects.
  • Postal expenditures were reduced by 15%.
  • A plan for measuring student engagement through classroom observations and surveys was established and implemented.
  • A new administrator evaluation instrument was adopted and implemented.
  • State required training for administrator and teacher evaluations was completed.
  • A new website with new homepages for the district and each high school was launched in August.
  • School calendars were automated and made available for subscription through the new website.
  • Social media systems were imbedded in the website for the schools.
  • School crisis plans were reviewed, revised and implemented at each school and now include communications procedures.
  • A long-range plan for the refresh of technology resources was adopted and implemented.
  • A disaster recovery plan for district technology systems was adopted and implementation is underway.
  • Upgrades and improvements were completed to district facilities including the installation of a new artificial surface on the main outdoor athletic field at Glenbrook South.  A similar field is scheduled for installation at Glenbrook North next summer.

We were blessed to experience the joy of many outstanding student achievements during the past year.  At the same time, we experienced tragic losses of students, staff and community members that brought us extreme sadness and sorrow. I am extremely proud of the many efforts of our students and staff to reach out to each other and make our school environments kind, friendly and supportive places.

The Glenbrooks serve two outstanding communities who have high expectations for student achievement, but are ever mindful of their emotional needs as well.  Our potential for the future is unlimited as we work together to face the challenges of the present.  
 
Best wishes to everyone for a healthy and prosperous 2013!
 
With Glenbrook pride,
Signature - Riggle  
Michael D. Riggle
Superintendent 
Calendar Highlights
 
February

 

4 - Band Parent Org. Mtg., 

7 p.m.

Booster Club Mtg., 7 p.m.

5 - Student Late Arrival, 

9:40 a.m.

Choral Parent Org./Theatre Arts Parent Org. Mtg., 6 p.m.

6 - FAFSA Completion Workshop, 5 p.m. @Library  

 

Parent Assn. Mtg., 7 p.m.

7-9  Variety Show
       Thurs. & Fri., 7:30 p.m.          Sat., 8 p.m. (see article)

11- Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m. @ GBN

14 - Incoming Freshman Parent         

Athletics/Activity Night, 6:45 p.m.

15 - Interact Blood Drive, 

8:30 a.m.

18 - Presidents' Day, 

No School

21 - Winter Band Concert, 7:30 p.m.

23 - Turnabout Dance, 

8:30 p.m. (see article)

25 - Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m. @ GBN

26 - Musical Auditions  

 

Finding the Fit...Comparing the Differences, 7 p.m. @CPA

28 - Musical callbacks @GBS  
GBN News Update
Course registration 2013-14 school year 

Freshman, sophomore and junior students will register for 2013-2014 classes in February and March.  Students will receive registration materials immediately before registration and are asked to fill out the sample course selection card.  They are expected to discuss these selections with their parents.

For reference, a complete listing of course descriptions is in the GBN Curriculum Guide, which will be given to students on the distribution dates and is also available on the Glenbrook website.

The PLAN Interpretation and Sophomore Guidance Program will take place at the beginning of the distribution session for sophomores.  

Click here for the full registration schedule. 

New courses proposed for 2013-14 school year

On Monday, January 14, the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education reviewed a list of proposed new courses for the 2013-14 school year.  The administration recommended the following new courses: 

 

Career and Life Skills
Sports Management 161 & 162: This course is in direct response to student interest and to address the expanding number of sports management programs available at the collegiate level. (One semester elective)

Fine Arts
Electronic Music 361: This course would be a continuation of the Electronic Music program and offers additional challenges. (One semester elective)

Social Studies
Sports and Society (summer school offering): This would be a curricular change to expand the current course and change credit from .025 to .50. The limited credit discouraged students from previously enrolling in the course.

World Languages
Hebrew 563 & 573
These courses would be part of the continued development of GBN's Modern Hebrew language program to meet the needs of current students. (Yearlong elective)

The new courses proposed will have little to no impact on District resources.  For a complete look at the New Courses Report as presented to the Board, please visit the District website (www.glenbrook225.org) Board of Education section. The Board is expected to take action on this agenda item at the next scheduled meeting on January 28.

"It is important that the District continues to offer a diversity of courses that encompass both the academic rigor and comprehensive educational experience our community expects of the Glenbrooks," said Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Rosanne Williamson. 
Variety Show- Storytellers
The 2013 GBN Variety Show "Storytellers" opens Thursday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m. and continues Friday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 9, at 8 p.m.  Reserved seating tickets may be purchased in advance for $13 or at the door. For more information on the Variety Show, go to  www.glenbrook225.org/north or call 
847-509-2671.
Grad Night 2013  

Grad Night is being planned for the Glenbrook North High School Class of 2013.  The primary purpose of Grad Night is to keep graduating seniors in a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment.  It is also a party for the graduating seniors to celebrate the culmination of their years of hard work.  This will be GBN's 23rd annual Grad Night.  More than 95% of graduates participated in this event last year.  


The Grad Night Steering Committee is seeking individuals and businesses that can donate prizes, food, or funds for the event. Volunteers are needed to work the evening of Grad Night, especially the second shift and for clean-up the following morning. 

 

This year's Grad Night is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, with check-in by 11 p.m. and check-out at 5 a.m. on Monday, June 3.
Annual Turnabout Dance
Jungle Boogie
Saturday, February 23
8:30-11 p.m., Student Cafeteria
·  Students must be in attendance from 9:30-10:30 p.m.
·  Non-GBN student-guests must be registered in advance. Dates are optional.
·  Themed dress is encouraged.
·  Average attendance:  900
·  Individual ticket price is $15 in advance; $20 at the door.
·  Chaperoned by GBN staff; school rules apply.
·  The Turnabout King and Court are announced at the dance, 10 p.m.
·  Live band - "The Connexion Band."
·  Sponsored by the Spartan Marching Band.
·  Questions, please call Rich Chapman, 847-509-2437.
Supporting Sandy Hook

In an effort to offer their support and sympathies, students from Glenbrook North High School filled out cards to the students and faculty of Sandy Hook Elementary School who were deeply impacted by the deadly shooting.

The card drive was created after students approached Assistant Principal of Student Activities Mike Tarjan with the idea of wanting to reach out to members of the Newtown, Connecticut community.

During all periods on December 21, poster boards were put out on tables with markers for people to leave their thoughts, prayers or words of encouragement.

"Our students found this an opportunity to express their sympathy and support to the community of Newtown, Connecticut. As students shared in their letters, we became stronger over the summer from our own heartbreaks. Our hope is that Newtown can do the same," Tarjan said 

GBN Student Spotlight
Each month, this section will feature a different article that ran in Glenbrook North's student-run newspaper The Torch, and, occasionally, other student-produced work. A new edition of The Torch is distributed approximately every month and can be found in newsstands throughout the school. This month's article is written by staff writer Natalie Knez.
 
Teachers consider flipped learning

 Seven years ago at a high school in Colorado, two chemistry teachers thought they had discovered a solution to the boredom and repetition of lectures.

Teacher Jeffrey Kallay teaches his U.S. history class about the Reconstruction time period after the Civil War. Kallay is a supporter of a flipped classroom setting and plans to videotape lectures for students to prepare for higher level discussions to take place during class time.

 

According to Kari Arfstrom, the executive director of the Flipped Learning Network, the class started with their idea to record their lectures as a way to keep absent students on track, but quickly developed into a teaching tool now called flipped learning. Seven years later, the Flipped Learning Network has impacted classrooms across the nation.

 

Arfstrom said that the concept of "flipping" involves moving lectures outside of the classroom and into technology for the students to access on their own time. Instead of using class time to speak, teachers record themselves for their students to watch at home and attempt to utilize class time for more collaborative activities such as discussions, debates and practice questions.

 

The Flipping Learning Network is a professional association for teachers who want to know more about the learning style. The organization facilitates workshops, "webinars" and tools to eventually implement the practices they advocate. According to Arfstrom, the release of the book "Flip Your Classroom" standardized the idea of flipped learning and made many of the concepts tangible for educators. In the past year, the Flipped Learning Network's newsletter has grown from 2,500 to 10,000 subscriptions.

 

"When [a teacher] records their lecture ... they are less interrupted," said Arfstrom. "When you come to class the next day you can sit down and talk about where you would apply the theories in real life."

 

Ryan Bretag, the coordinator of instructional technology at Glenbrook North, has pushed to implement curriculum changes similar to those advocated by the Flipped Learning Network.

 

For more on flipped learning, click here. 

District News Update
Glenbrook United Boys Gold,White earn area gold 
The Glenbrook United Boys Gold and White teams captured area gold for the 3rd consecutive year and will now advance to the state competition.

Glenbrook United Boys Gold team beat Hoffman Hawks 42-29. Then, in the gold medal game, Glenbrook United won 34-25 over Vernon Hills JV. Members of the Boys Gold team are: Clay Brassil, Bobby Cameron, Ryan Jennings, Arsheel Lalani, Sean Manso, Bryan Nash, Daniel Raviv, and Jacob Rosenberg

The Glenbrook United Boys White team beat District 128 Storm Black by a score of 36-14. Then, in the gold medal game, the White team beat Jacobs Eagles Varsity 50-34. Members of Boys White team are:  Alexander Durham, Ryan Manso, Andrew Spilios, Henry Tish, Michael Young, Andrew Yang and Yordan Yaneva.

The Boys Gold, Boys White and Girls Gold compete downstate March 15-17 at Illinois State University. 
District sees cost savings following changes to workers' compensation, insurance plans
A more streamlined approach to workers' compensation and changes to insurance plans have yielded significant savings for Glenbrook High School District 225.

During a report to the Board on January 14, Assistant Superintendent of Business Hillarie Siena said over the past two years the district has seen a reduction in the time it takes for an employee to return to work, as well as the total number of claims and costs and expenses per claim.

As a member of SSCRMP, the district was able to achieve these reductions through a new administrative model that brings greater efficiency through the utilization of a dedicated claims adjuster and safety coordinator. In addition, the District has benefited from the development of new safety and security initiatives, onsite safety inspections and ongoing employee training.

As part of her presentation, Siena shared that the total costs for workman's compensation has dropped by 63 percent, resulting in a savings of nearly $230,000. This is based on a comparison of a two-year period from 2009-2010 to 2011-2012.

Total employee insurance costs from August 31, 2011 to August 31, 2012 fell from $11,285,036 to $10,642,804. This was achieved through increasing premium costs to cover projected shortfalls, implementing a new PPO dental plan and increasing participation in the District's wellness program.

"With salaries and benefits making up the largest component of our budget, we understand the importance of implementing different cost savings measures," Siena said. "These efforts also go hand-in-hand with increasing the overall health and safety of our employees, which remains our top priority."

For more on these savings, click here.
News from Northbrook
 

Coming in February from the Northbrook Park District: a free family skating event, a musical version of Snow White and the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance. Details of those programs and more can be found here.