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Principal Wegley: Block Conversion Work
 Glenbrook South strongly believes that excellence is the result of continuous improvement, and that the cognitive growth achieved by our students is dependent upon students' discovery of their passions and what they are given the opportunity to do to create understanding within our curricular areas. In that vein, last year, after extensive review and consideration, the Board of Education approved the implementation of a "block" schedule at Glenbrook South starting with the 2014-15 school year. The driving force in Glenbrook South's schedule exploration was to expand the opportunity for students to explore more classes. An added benefit is that the extended instructional time supports our continued evolution to a more student-centered classroom. Beginning next year, students can take four 90-minute classes each day for a total of eight classes over two days. The current GBS schedule provides up to seven classes per day. The Board also approved our one-to-one computing environment utilizing Chromebooks. Watching these tools be embraced in a multitude of ways has been inspirational. From collaborative writing within English to the utilization of graphing apps within our physics classes, our faculty continues to take risks and learn with our outstanding student body. While our students enjoy a little more rest during our late arrival mornings, our teachers are hard at work with professional development and curricular revision efforts. This school year's professional development time focuses on our transition to the A/B Block along with flexible, ongoing learning related to our Chromebook initiative, which also offers a powerful tool that supports a more student-centered learning experience. Our A/B Block transition work includes curricular revision work during the first semester with an instructional strategy focus during the second semester. Please join me in extending a warm thank you to our faculty for their hard work. The benefits of their efforts will pay dividends far into the future for our students.
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November
1 Gym Jam 1, 7 p.m.
4-26 Canned Food Drive
6 PLAN Testing for all Sophomores, 7:45 a.m.
Student Late Arrival, 10 a.m.
7 Parent Conference Night, 6:30 p.m.
9 IMEA District Festival Concert @Crystal Lake Central H.S.
11 Veterans Day, no school
12 Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m. @ GBS
13 Parent Conference Night, 6:30 p.m.
14 Student Late Arrival, 10 a.m.
14-15 Comedy Sportz, 4 and 7:30 p.m.
16 Code of Conduct Mtg., 9 a.m.
IMEA District Jazz Festival @Lakes Community H.S. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
23-25 Glenbrook Debate Tournament
27-12/1 Thanksgiving Break
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An update from the first nine-weeks
During the first nine weeks of our one-to-one learning initiative, staff have
noticed numerous advantages to the classroom experience. A common student device has provided a means for sharing, creating, collaborating through both virtual and face-to-face interactions, engaging students in
student-centered lessons and observing an overall culture shift in the classroom. 
As with anything innovative, there are also
challenges such as slightly elevated breakages of the device (when compared to other districts using Chromebooks or similar devices). While the reasons for the breakage vary, the most common concern is screen damage due to transport (e.g. placement in backpacks, picking up the device by the screen). Chromebooks are delicate electronic devices and require care during use. We encourage parents to share the link called Caring for the Chromebook with their student.
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GBS wins 2013 Teen Driving Safety Award
The roads in Glenview are one of the safest places in Illinois for teens to drive.
This month, Secretary of State Jesse White honored Glenbrook South with the 2013 Teen Driving Safety Award for its outstanding drivers education program.
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Students and administrators from Glenbrook South, including Department Assistant John Skorupa, center, accept the 2013 Teen Driving Safety Award from Secretary of State Jesse White.
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Winter weather school closing procedures
The decision to cancel school is made by the District Superintendent and is usually due to severe or extreme wind chills, snow accumulation or unsafe road conditions.
The goal is to notify families of school cancellations as early as possible, usually by 6 a.m. Parents can expect to be contacted by the District via an automated phone and email system. (NOTE: Now is a great time to make sure that your contact information is up-to-date.)
Information will also be shared through both schools' Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Additionally, parents can obtain school closing information on the District (www.glenbrook225.org) and school website (www.glenbrook225.org/south), the WGN Emergency Closing Center (www.emergencyclosings.com), and local radio or TV news channels.
The District has built two emergency days into the calendar on Monday, January 13 and Monday, March 31. If no emergency days are used prior to January 13, then there will be no school on that date. However, if an emergency day is needed prior to that date, then school will be in session on January 13. If no emergency days are used between January 14 and March 31, then there will be no school on March 31. If an emergency day is needed during that time, then school will be in session on March 31. This calendar feature minimizes the need to add emergency days to the end of the school year in June.
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College information for seniors
Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Students requesting letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors need to give a minimum of two weeks notice to allow sufficient time for well-written letters. Because school closes after Friday, December 20, for winter break, recommendation forms and online requests with January 1 deadlines must be given to the teacher by December 6.
Income Tax Forms & Financial Aid: Parents of seniors applying for financial aid should prepare their income tax forms early to facilitate completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1, 2014, and any other financial aid forms requested by the college. The FAFSA is now requesting that applications be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Most colleges will accept estimated tax information on the financial forms and will verify later. Financial aid is given out on a first come, first served basis, so be aware of financial aid deadlines and apply early.
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International College Option Fair
A new college fair is offering students and their parents and guardians the chance to learn about opportunities overseas. The International College Options Fair will be held at Deerfield High School on Wednesday November 5, 2013 and at Hinsdale Central High School on Thursday, November 6, 2013. Both events will include a brief presentation starting at 7:00 p.m., followed by a college fair from 7:30-9:00 p.m. Admission is free.
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Each month, this section features an article from Glenbrook South's student-run newspaper The Oracle. A new edition of The Oracle is distributed approximately every month and can be found in newsstands throughout the school. To receive The Oracle at home, please read more about the Parent Association.
Google 1:1 transforms Glenbrook education
Charlotte Kelly, co-news editor and Aaron Ach, assistant editor
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Photo credit: Cormack O'Brien
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Google Chromebooks were distributed to all District 225 freshmen, sophomores and juniors as part of the district's first one-to-one (1:1) technology initiative at the beginning of the school year.
The Chromebooks were tested during a pilot program last spring and emerged as the best device for large-scale distribution, according to Ryan Bretag, director of instructional technology.
Kim Kiraly, family and consumer science teacher, took part in the pilot and said Chromebooks were a smart decision for the district.
"You can do a lot of rote learning on [a tablet] versus a laptop that would allow you to do more production," Kiraly said.
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Federal funding available to students of military personnel
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Due to the recent extension of a federal Impact Aid bill, Glenbrook High School District 225 is eligible to receive additional federal funding. The bill will provide federal funding to school districts that provide education to the children of military personnel as well as to other "federally supported students" who attend either Glenbrook North or Glenbrook South High Schools.
In order to receive this funding, parents/guardians are asked to verify their high school student falls into the category of "federally supported students" by completing a survey and returning it to Vicki Tarver by December 1.
Some examples include:
- Child resides with a parent who works on federal property.
- Child resides with a parent employed by the federal government.
- Child has a parent who is active (or reserve) duty in the uniformed military service.
- Child resides in federally subsidized housing.
- Child resides on federal property with a parent employed on federal property situated in whole or in part within the boundaries of the school district.
A copy of the survey can be found by clicking here. Anyone with questions may call Vicki Tarver at 847-486-4591.
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Board approves 2013-14 budget
Conservative approach offers financial stability for future generations
The Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education approved the 2013-14 budget, projecting $107,515,512 in revenues and $107,499,756 in expenditures in the Operating Fund. Based on the budget for 2013-14, the District forecasts an Operating Fund balance of $72.1 million as of June 30, 2014.
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4000 W. Lake Avenue, IL - 847.729.2000
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