May/June 2013
Glenbrook North H.S. | Connections
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A recipe for success: GBN debuts new culinary lab
Instead of the normal sounds of electric mixers, oven timers and bowls being whisked, it was the sweet harmony of children laughing that filled the air in the culinary lab at Glenbrook North on a recent Wednesday afternoon.
It was pizza-making day with students from the preschool program, and although educational, it was also a lesson in fun for both age groups in the room.
"It was good for the preschoolers to make and develop something from scratch, as well as for the high school students to reverse roles and be the teacher," said Foods teacher Craig Loch.
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A GBN student helps a preschooler make pizza dough.
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The pizza making day is just one of many new experiences available to students at GBN who now have access to a state-of-the-art culinary lab that would make even the most seasoned of chefs green with envy.
With the look of a commercial grade kitchen, the new space is equipped with four different ovens, stainless steel worktables, as well as a commercial range and exhaust hood. The room also has a camera and projector so teachers can demo different items with the class and provide a bird's eye view.
The lab first opened at the start of this school year following a more than two-year planning process. All of the culinary teachers were involved in developing a vision for the space, with a key component being that students would experience what it is like to work in a commercial kitchen rather than just a high school lab, said Career & Life Skills Instructional Supervisor Mary Kosirog.
"We talked with the administration early on about the need for the space. We then worked with an architect on developing the actual vision and literally on the last day of school the space was cleared out and gutted," she said.
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A GBN student helps a preschooler measure flour for the pizza dough.
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In addition to the lab connecting students with the latest culinary tools and appliances, it also was essential due to growing enrollment in the program, Loch said.
"Previously, the space was used for meetings, extra classroom and a storage area. Our foods program was expanding to where we didn't have enough lab space for those who were registering," he said. "This lab has allowed us to offer more classes to students who are interested in culinary as a future career path as well as a hobby."
He added that the new new space has also enhanced the need for students to work in teams and reach common goals together - a must in cooking.
"As a class they start and finish together. They must work together, communicate, and work out any issues with the recipe or topic," he said.
For more pictures from the day, click here to visit GBN's Facebook page.
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Calendar Highlights
May
1-4 - Glenbrook Musical, 7:30 p.m. @ GBS
(see article)
6 - Booster Club Mtg.,
7 p.m.
Band Parents' Org. Mtg.,
7 p.m.
6-17 - AP Exams
7 - Choral Parents' Org./Theatre Arts Parent Org. Mtg., 6 p.m.
8 - National Honor Society Induction, 6:30 p.m.
9 - Jazz Band Concert,
7:30 p.m.
13 - Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m. @ GBN
14 - School Improvement Day, Student Late Arrival, 9:40 a.m.
Spring Band & Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m.
16 - Choir Concert,
7:30 p.m.
18 - Prom (See article)
24 - Awards Ceremony 7:40 a.m.
27 - Memorial Day, No School
28 - Spring Sports Awards Night 6:30 p.m.
28-30 - Senior Final Exams
29 - Showcase 2013 - CPA 7:30 p.m.
30 - Senior Athletic Sports Banquet 6 p.m.
June
1 - Concert in the Park, 12:30 p.m.
2 - Graduation Ceremony, 1:30 p.m.
3 - Booster Club Mtg.,
5 p.m.
Band Parents' Org. Mtg.,
7 p.m.
4-6 Final Exams
5 - Parents' Assn. Mtg.,
7 p.m.
10 - Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m. @ GBN
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Final exam schedule
Senior final evaluations will be taken during regular class time on Tuesday, May 28 (B-day), Wednesday, May 29 (A-day), and Thursday, May 30 (B-day). The full schedule can be viewed by clicking here.
Final exams for freshmen, sophomores and juniors will take place on Tuesday, June 4 through Thursday, June 6. The full schedule can be viewed by clicking here.
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Annual Grad Night hosted on June 2
The 2013 Grad Night will be offered the evening of Sunday, June 2, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Grad Night provides a safe, free, all-night celebration for seniors upon graduation and is generally attended by more than 95% of graduates.
The Grad Night Steering Committee is looking for individuals and businesses to donate prizes, food or funds. To donate or learn more, contact Grad Night Chairman Steve Isaacson at 847-656-9247 or info@gbnGRADnight.com. Parent volunteers are also still needed for second shift (2-6 am) the morning of June 3.
Popular Grad Cards are also on sale and cost $5. These cards are a great way to honor a graduate and support the Grad Night event. Place Grad Card orders by May 29 by contacting Maria Fox at mamafox63@gmail.com and Anni Goldberg anni at goldberg@comcast.net or 847-562-0506.
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Saturday, May 18, 7 p.m. to midnight
Rosemont Intercontinental Hotel
Dinner and Dancing - Spinnin' Discs.
Formal attire - tuxedos for men, formal dress for women.
For GBN juniors and seniors and their dates; hosted by the junior class.
Chaperoned by GBN staff, administrators, and police liaison officer.
Approximate attendance - 550 students.
Purchase of bids:
There was a Prom Fair on Sunday, April 28 in the Student Activity Center where students could purchase tickets, order dinner, sign up for prom tables and collect prom favors. Unlike previous years, tickets will not be sold at the bookstore. This was the only oppoorunity students had to purchase tickets.
School rules apply:
Students who are under the influence will be removed from the dance and parents will be called to take them home. The current substance abuse policy will be in effect, and no smoking will be permitted.
All vehicles are subject to search. State law prohibits hotels from renting rooms to anyone under 21 years of age. State law also prohibits parents from renting rooms for use of those under age 21.
If you have questions, please contact Emily Eller at (847) 509-2491 or Danielle Fluegge at (847) 509-2471.
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Bus registration for students
 Early-bird student bus registration for the 2013-14 school year ends Monday, June 1. Parents may save up to $150 if registration is completed by Monday, June 3. Register online by clicking here.
Please note: Only incoming freshmen will receive bus packets by mail. Bus packets for sophomores, juniors and seniors will be available for printing at www.glenbrook225.org or for pick-up in the District Office.
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● Seniors may resell their textbooks to the bookstore from May 28-May 31 with hours of 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. on May 28-30 and 7 a.m.-1 p.m. May 31
● All other students may resell their textbooks from June 4-6 between 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
● Textbooks must be in good condition and free of writing. Workbooks and paperback books are not eligible for buyback.
● Parents/guardians must present proper identification to receive cash from the buyback.
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Glenbrook musical "West Side Story" debuts
Every year, students from Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South come together to present a District-wide musical. This year's choice of "West Side Story" was personally selected by GBS Director Stevi Marks for its timelessness, relevant message and iconic choreog
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Stevi Marks (center, red) works with students during a recent rehearsal of the Glenbrook musical.
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raphy and music.
The goal of the show is to bring it out into the audience, both physically and emotionally. The stage will be extended out over the orchestra pit, and the set was purposefully built tall and large to make the audience feel overwhelmed and almost trapped by their surroundings, explained Rich Winship, lighting designer/technical director and auditorium manager at GBS.
Through the set, complex choreography and music, Marks said the play's key messages of teenage angst, bigotry and intolerance will become clear. "Mrs. Marks and our dance director Mrs. Lasky have made it their goal to live up to the play's original intent by making the dance choreography and individual dialogue as precise and emotional as possible. I really think this is going to come across to the audience, and I'm excited to see the public's reaction to their great efforts," said GBN junior and cast member Alex Kaplan. For more on the musical, click here.
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Teacher nominated for Golden Apple
Mike Piskel, a Biology teacher at Glenbrook North, has been named as one of only 32 finalists in the state of Illinois for a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of the most prestigious awards given to Illinois teachers. 
The finalists, selected from a pool of 510 nominations and 215 applications, represent teachers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. The purpose of the award is to honor and recognize outstanding educators for their role in building a stronger, better-educated society.
The 32 finalists will participate in a final round of review and observations prior to the announcement of the 10 recipients in May.
"The tenacity and passion that these teachers possess for their classrooms, schools and communities are inspiring. They represent the epitome of excellence in education. We are proud to have them represent Golden Apple's mission to inspire, develop and support teacher excellence in Illinois," said President and CEO of Golden Apple Dominic Belmonte in a statement.
The Golden Apple's selection committee is comprised of prominent retired teachers, college and university professors, administrators and former Golden Apple Award recipients. As part of the process, the finalists are observed in their classrooms and the selection committee conducts interviews with teachers, colleagues, supervisors, students and parents.
Each Golden Apple Award recipient receives a tuition-free, spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University and a $3,000 cash award. They also become fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators.
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School Calendar 2013-14
Aug 21 First Day of School
Sept 2 No School
Sept 5 No School
Nov 11 No School
Nov 27-29 No School
Dec 23-Jan 3 No School
Jan 6 Classes Resume
Jan 13 Reserved Snow Day (No school if no emergency days have been used prior)
Jan 20 No School
Feb 17 No School
March 24-28 No School
March 31 Reserved Snow Day
April 18 No School
May 26 No School
June 5 Tentative Last Day of School
(Unless emergency days are needed)
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Music to my ears: Foundation grant breathes new life into GBN classroom
For many students enrolled in Jason Heath's electronic music production classes, they have never played an instrument, read music or sang in any of the school's many musical groups.
However, they are musicians -- talented ones at that.
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Jason Heath points to one of the gyroscopes student Michael Gershuny is composing with as his classmates Callum McLaughlan and Johnny Bear listen in.
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"A lot of it is just going with the flow. The creative process can't be too rigid," explained sophomore Michael Gershuny over the sounds of his latest production. "We listen to the sounds of other artists and start thinking of ways to put our own spin on their music."
On a recent spring day, Gershuny crowded around a table with fellow student Callum McLaughlan to tinker with their latest composition. Their workstation was a symphony of music and color as the two manipulated different machines and meticulously evaluated each sound.
Technology is a key component to creating any new musical arrangement in Heath's classes. And thanks to a recent grant from the District 225 Foundation, students now have access to a new tool meant to make the creative process much easier and more innovative.
This school year, Heath was awarded a $2,000 Innovation Grant to purchase Gyroscopic Music Controllers, a three dimensional tool that, through the use of LED lights, helps students remix music.
For more on the gyroscopes, click here.
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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 Ryan Spector.
State-adopted standards to be implemented in 2014-2015
Students are to face a variety of curriculum and assessment changes in the 2014-2015 school year with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
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Math teacher Sara Nichols helps junior Jake Verne with math problems in the Math Resource Center after school. In 2010, the state of Illinois adopted the CCSS for English language arts and math curricula, resulting in plans to integrate statistics and probability into math classes. Photo by Julia Kahn.
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The CCSS are rigorous standards designed to promote deeper conceptual understanding and were developed through the work of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, said Rosanne Williamson, the District 225 assistant superintendent for education services.
Mathematics instructional supervisor Robin Levine-Wissing said the CCSS emulates "the European model where students will have less topics per year, but go much more in depth in those topics."
The CCSS focuses on eight math standards, such as constructing and critiquing arguments, and it recommends curriculum alterations such as the embedding of statistics and probability into every math course, Levine-Wissing said.
Junior Ilana Goldberg said she supports statistics and probability being added to math classes.
"I think that [statistics and probability] would be awesome because it's a lot more real world math problems, and I think that's something that our math program often lacks," said Goldberg. "I think this would help to prepare our students for life outside of GBN more than our math courses do now."
For more on Common Core, click here.
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2013 Summer School information
There are still seats available for the following summer school courses. Please click here for more information or to register.
1st Semester June 13-July 3
American Culture and the Graphic Novel (SO, JR, SR)
Baseball as America (SO, JR, SR)
Biology 161 (SO, JR, SR)
Chemistry 161 (SO, JR, SR)
Language Workshop - ESL (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Physical & Nutritional Fitness (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Reader's Workshop (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Sports in Society (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Study Learning Skills (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Topics in Literature: Shakespeare (SO, JR, SR)
US History 161 (JR, SR)
Vocabulary Workshop (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Vocabulary Building - ESL (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Writer's Workshop (FR, SO, JR, SR)
June 13-July 26 (no school July 4th & 5th)
Driver's Education - Must be 15 by May 1, 2013
Science Projects 163/173 (SO, JR, SR)
2nd Semester July 8-July 26
Baseball as American (SO, JR, SR)
Biology 162 (SO, JR, SR)
Chemistry 162 (SO, JR, SR)
Computer Aided Drafting (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Digital Imaging (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Health 161 (SO, JR)
Physical & Nutritional Fitness (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Reader's Workshop (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Sculpture (FR, SO, JR, SR) Prerequisite: Art Studio for entering GBN 9th graders
Study Learning Skills (FR, SO, JR, SR)
US History 162 (JR, SR)
Vocabulary Workshop (FR, SO, JR, SR)
Writer's Workshop (FR, SO, JR, SR)
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