Project Lead the Way offers engineering opportunities for Glenbrook students
In the Introduction to Engineering Design class at GBS, during their "20 Percent Time" dedicated to working on independent projects, freshman Dru Tibbetts and her friends Becky Jacobson, Kate Gregory and Songhee Back got arms-deep in a broken computer. Taking apart and reassembling pieces, they followed instructions to create a 3D printer that will print in chocolate. 

Currently in her first year of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses, Tibbetts said she was always drawn to the engineering field but felt a special connection with her peers in PLTW.
 
"It is inspiring because everyone wants to be here and everyone contributes," Tibbetts said. "There will always be a need for engineers. There are problems our generation will need to solve: starvation, overpopulation, drought. Who will fix them? Engineers."

Centered around activity-, project-, and problem-based learning, PLTW is the nation's leader in providing science, technology, math and engineering (STEM) curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grades.

"In PLTW classes, you walk in and see different kinds of non-traditional learning," said Mary Kosirog, instructional supervisor for GBN's Career and Life Skills department, which houses PLTW. "While there is some teacher direction, the classes are discovery-based. You see students learning by trying and attempting and making things on their own."

More than 8,000 schools around the United States, including Glenbrook North and South, have adopted the set of courses to introduce students to practical engineering skills. GBN's program, in its second year, boasts nearly 100 students and GBS's program, in its third year, instructs more than 300 students.

The courses, launched in 1997 and piloted in Illinois in 2004, were created in partnership with educators and professional engineers alike to ensure career preparation. The curriculum first teaches computer design skills and then incorporates construction and materials testing, with projects ranging from building penny hockey sets with laser engravers to running autonomous cars to crafting capstone projects that solve problems.
 
"In engineer school, if students took PLTW, they'll know the software, the tools, the equipment and the design process. We know they're more prepared than students who have not had this experience and there's research to support that," said Mike Sinde, PLTW instructor at GBS.

December

2  Academy Curriculum Night, 7 p.m.

4  Battle of the Bands, 7 p.m.

8  Winter Sports Assembly

10  "The Good Doctor" Winter Play, 4 p. m. & 7:30 p.m.

11  Dance Show,
7:30 p.m. 

"The Good Doctor" Winter Play, 4 p.m.

13  Winter Solstice Band Concert, 3 p.m. 

14  Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m. 
@District Office

15  Winter Choral Concert, 7:30 p.m. 

Dec. 21-Jan. 3 
Winter Break, No School

January 2016

7  Senior College Finance Night, 7 p.m. 

9  Cerebral Palsy Drive, 9 a.m.

11  Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m. @DO

14  FAFSA Completion Night, 5 p.m., 
GBS Library

15  Reserved Snow Day (School in session if "Snow" Day has occurred prior)

18  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No School

19-21  Semester Exams

20  Junior College Night II: Demystifying the College Process
7 p.m. 

21  Incoming Freshman Parent Curriculum Night, 7 p.m.

22  Glenbrook Institute Day, No Classes

23  North Shore Jazz Festival

25  Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m. @DO

28-30  ILMEA State Music Festival

29  Sophomore Parent Coffee, 7:30 a.m.
Winter Break begins Dec. 19
Friday, December 18, is the last day of school before Winter Break begins. Classes resume on Monday, January 4.

Please note, the schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, December 23 through Friday, December 25 and Wednesday, December 30 through Friday, January 1.
First semester final exam schedule   
The first semester final exam schedule for Glenbrook South begins Tuesday, January 19. Information regarding changing of exams and make-up exams is available on the GBS website.
 
GBS presents "The Good Doctor" as winter play
Thursday, December 10, at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Friday, December 11, at 4 p.m., in the Lyceum
This year's Glenbrook South winter play, Neil Simon's "The Good Doctor," will tell a series of short funny scenes, connected by one writer who weaves his tales.

Performed by nearly 20 students, the stories will introduce a man who over-apologizes and has a nervous breakdown after accidentally sneezing on his boss, a dentist and his first patient, a defenseless woman who is not so defenseless and military men who discuss their ideal lunch. Tickets are $7 or one free with an activity pass.

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"Spark" Dance Show celebrates movement
Friday, December 11, 7:30 p.m., Watson Auditorium
Glenbrook South will celebrate the "explosiveness" of dance with performances by Orchesis Dance Club, De La Cru, Titan Poms and Latino Heat in Contemporary/Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Pointe, Tap, Latin & Bollywood dance styles.

Tickets are $5 for non-reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased in the Student Activities Office or at the door.
Glenview partners for Winter Solstice Concert
Sunday, December 13, 3 p.m., Watson Auditorium
This annual holiday concert will feature the Glenbrook South bands, the Glenview Concert Band and Scat That! A $5 admission fee benefits the Northfield Township Food Pantry.
Winter Choral Concert
Tuesday, December 15, 7:30 p.m., Watson Auditorium
This annual concert will feature songs of the holiday season and include performances by the GBS choral groups. Admission is free and open to the public.
Glenbrooks Senior College Finance Night
Thursday, January 7, 7 p.m., Watson Auditorium
This College Finance Night program is for parents of both Glenbrook South and North seniors. The program will offer two options: "FAFSA Completion," presented by Jerry Cebrzynski, Director of Financial Aid for Lake Forest College, and "Everything You Need to Know about Financial Aid," presented by Ruth Pusich, Director of Financial Aid at Elmhurst College.

There will be a College Finance Night for junior parents offered on March 22, 2016 at GBN.
Interact Club hosts annual Cerebral Palsy Computer and Medical Equipment Recycling Drive
Saturday, January 9, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., GBS front entrance
For this drive, hosted in conjunction with the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago, locals are invited to bring in any old computer or medical equipment.

In a win-win opportunity for those looking to get rid of old equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, laptops, crutches, monitors and keyboards, any donated items will either be refurbished and used by Illinois children and adults afflicted by cerebral palsy, or be recycled as "environmentally friendly" as possible. Those who donate will receive a receipt to use for a tax deduction. 
FAFSA Completion Night
Thursday, January 14, 5 to 8 p.m., GBS Library
Seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend this event to receive assistance in completing their FAFSA forms. Korean and Spanish translators will be on hand. Visit the College & Career webpage for complete details.
Junior College Night II: Demystifying the College Process
Wednesday, January 20, 7 p.m., various locations
This parents-only program will help to demystify the college process for junior parents. Information will be shared on preparing students for college, testing, admissions criteria, college visits and timelines. At 7 p.m., parents will meet in groups with their student's counselor. Afterwards, everyone will gather in the Auditorium for a wrap-up presentation by John Klasen, Director of College Counseling.
GBS welcomes our new Titans - Class of 2020 
Incoming Freshman Parent Curriculum Night: January 21, 7 p.m.
Incoming Freshman Activities/ Athletics Night: February 3, 7 p.m.  
Welcome new Titans! Event details will be mailed to families of 8th graders in December.
Registration opens for Titan Tots program
The Titan Tots Preschool program will open enrollment for the 2016-17 school year on Monday, February 1, 2016. Spaces are available in their programs for three- and four-year-olds. The unique preschool program is led by several GBS teachers, supported by high school teachers-in-training and provides low teacher-to-student ratios, high-quality care, and a stimulating, nurturing environment that addresses children's social, emotional and cognitive needs.

Children must be three years old by September 1 and toilet trained.
Glenbrooks announce spring musical: "Aida"
This spring, the Glenbrooks will sail through time as students from GBS and GBN dance and sing in an ancient Egyptian setting in the Broadway musical adaption of "Aida."

Performances will be held at GBN from April 27 through 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sheely Center for Performing Arts.  

Auditions for the show will be held on March 1 at GBN and March 2 at GBS, with callbacks at GBN on March 3 and 4. Visit GBN's choir website for audition information.

Glenbrook South receives national certification for Project Lead The Way program
After a rigorous implementation and assessment process, Glenbrook South has officially received national certification for its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) engineering program.

The national PLTW recognition distinguishes schools for successfully demonstrating a commitment to PLTW standards. The title is accepted by 150 higher education institutions, which grant scholarships, preferred admission and college credit to students for their courses taken.

"We've seen how PLTW inspires, challenges and immerses students in authentic learning experiences," said Dawn Hall, Instructional Supervisor of Career & Technical Education. "We are extremely proud to be PLTW certified. It is a reflection of all the support we've received. GBS has made a commitment to offer innovative and relevant course offerings for our students to explore their passions and prepare for college and career success. PLTW helps do just that."

Nominate an outstanding alumnus for recognition
GBS is seeking nominations for the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award. To be considered for this award, the alum must be renowned in his or her profession or must be a good citizen who has made a special contribution throughout the community, country or world. 

 

Please send or email your suggestion by February 14 to:

Dr. James Shellard, Assistant Principal of Student Activities

Glenbrook South High School

4000 West Lake Ave., Glenview, IL 60026
Community encouraged to showcase good deeds on social media
This holiday season,
students and staff from Glenbrook South are asking residents of the Glenview community to take out their cell phones... and do some good.

From Tuesday, December 8, to Friday, December 18, GBS Key Club is challenging students, parents, teachers and neighbors to complete random acts of kindness for others and document the acts on social media. The campaign combines the rich culture of giving at GBS with current social media trends to inspire kindness of all kinds.

Whether it's holding the door, giving compliments, allowing cuts in line, smiling at strangers or donating extra change, Key Club sponsor Josh Koo said those who witness or receive an act of kindness are encouraged to acknowledge the deed on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook through the hashtag #GBSRAK.


GBS Student Spotlight

Each month, this section features a piece of student-created work. This month's article is from
a November edition of 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 or on its website.
  
Syria faces uncertain future: GBS Assyrians contemplate ongoing conflict in region, urge renewed outlook on controversy
Refugee camps, forced migrations and displaced persons have transformed the international conversation, creating a heated discussion on the next step towards ending the Syrian refugee crisis. According to the United Nations (UN), a refugee, asylum seeker, (economic) migrant or internationally displaced person is a citizen who is trapped within their own country due to internal conflict. Although this conflict rages on the other side of the world, the ocean is no barrier for students and staff at GBS who have been affected by the international emergency.

According to syrianrefugees.eu, the Syrian refugee crisis, beginning in March 2011 due to the nation's civil war, resulted in an estimated nine million refugees fleeing Syria and seeking asylum in neighboring nations. The immediacy of the crisis has been highlighted by its expansive nature: the Syrian government, members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Middle Eastern and European nations impacted by the influx of refugees through their borders. According to STAND adviser Matthew Whipple, the complexity of this situation has worsened.

"Even if the conflict were to end tomorrow, the Syrian civil society has collapsed, and these people that are in Europe and in Lebanon and Turkey and all of these places where Syrians have found themselves, are not just going to get up the next morning and go home," Whipple said. "These people are going to need help, need assistance and support, for some time."


District News

Glenbrook Academy hosts information session
The Glenbrook Academy of International Studies will host a curriculum night for incoming freshmen and their parents on Wednesday, December 2, at 7 p.m. in the Lyceum at GBS.
District 225 Board seeks applicants for vacancy
Glenbrook High School District 225 is seeking applicants for its anticipated Board of Education vacancy, resulting from the recent announcement of a pending resignation by Cindy Wilkas. The newly-appointed Board member would serve the remainder of the four-year term, ending in April 2017.

Candidates must meet the following state qualifications in order to be eligible: be a U.S. Citizen; resident of school district for at least one year; 18 years of age; registered voter; neither a school trustee or treasurer; and not a registered child sex offender (11-9.3 of the criminal code).  School board members are also not allowed to hold an incompatible office.

Interested candidates should fill out the application, available online and submit it by email to boardofeducation@glenbrook225.org, or by mail or in person to:

The Office of the Superintendent
Glenbrook High Schools District 225
3801 West Lake Ave
Glenview, IL 60026

The deadline for applications is Monday, January 4, 2016 at 5 p.m. The Board expects to appoint a new member in early 2016.


Foundation News

"Night of Theatre" date announced
For its fourth annual year, the Glenbrook High School Foundation will host an evening celebrating theatre, music and students - old and new.

The Foundation's "Night of Theatre" dinner theatre benefit will be Saturday, April 30. The evening includes a 5 p.m. dinner at Glenbrook North and a 7:30 p.m. premium ticket to a performance of the district-wide Glenbrook musical "Aida."

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Foundation, launched more than five years ago to raise funds to expand student and teacher programs, resources, scholarships and grants.

Tickets for a "Night of Theatre" will go on sale before general seating in February.

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