D211 FOUNDATION INNOVATION GRANT SPOTLIGHT: GUIDING AND NURTURING ACADEMIC SUCCESS (GANAS) III

Participating GANAS students participate in the Latino Summit.

Many students spend four years of high school preparing for college, taking dual- credit and advanced placement courses, and exploring what they want to accomplish after graduation. For many others, specifically first-generation high school students, college seems like a great idea but one that is simply not attainable for them.

One program at Hoffman Estates High School is aiming to change the self-perception many of those students have. Guiding and Nurturing Academic Success (GANAS III) is a program for the school’s Latino population. Through GANAS, which is funded by a D211 Foundation Innovation Grant, students are exposed to professionals in varying fields and shown that earning a collegiate degree is something they can accomplish.

“Going to college was always something that I had to do even though I never really wanted to go to college,” said Freshman Anayeli Huerta. “There were a lot of people at the summit that came from nothing and actually went to college to have a career.”

GANAS is currently available for freshman students only. Each year, students attend a Latino Summit at Harper College in November. While there, they hear from several Latino professionals in different fields. Many of these professionals are the first in their families to graduate from high school and college, and students have said it’s great to see successful people that came from similar, tough backgrounds accomplishing their goals.

“When you are generally thought of as a minority and statistic, you get scared and start to believe those things you hear,” said Steffi Delgado, freshman and GANAS III participant. “When you have other people showing you that they actually accomplished what they wanted to in life, it is amazing and you just get the reassurance that you can do it too.”

Students who have participated in the program hope it can expand to include students of all grade levels, and not just freshmen.

“The summit made me open my eyes and see that school is important,” said sophomore Jorge Morales. “If I could I would thank the Foundation because this helped me and it meant so much to me. I wanted to go back this year but it was only for freshmen to go.”

Additionally, students hope the program can also include college visits, as many of them have difficulties planning a college visit outside of school.

Valeria Ojeda, senior and recipient of a $500 scholarship from the Latino Summit, shakes hands with HEHS Principal Jim Britton at the event.

“Participating in this freshman year is the motivator and once we are in junior or senior year, we could take a trip to a college that maybe we weren’t thinking about,” said Valeria Ojeda, senior and recipient of a $500 scholarship from the Latino Summit. “A college visit could change your mind. You might have thought you wanted a big school but when you go your realize you want a small school. That would help.”

Freshman Harim Rodriguez said this program can reach students young and teach them the importance of staying in school, something he benefitted from. “This program served as an example to show us that if we put motivation in to our work, we can actually get very far in our future, he said.”

Angelica Cordova, HEHS guidance counselor and sponsor of GANAS, said as she hopes to see the program grow, she will be able to show more students to pursue the potential she knows they have. With the continued support of the D211 Foundation, she said the program could make that possible.

“Right now, this is really only a freshman year experience,” Cordova said. “I would like to see it trickle down so students get four years of college exposure. These are kids we need to be reaching and they are all great students.” SCHAUMBURG HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE CAROLINE KURDEJ SURPRISED AT SCHOOL WITH $20,000 FOOT LOCKER SCHOLAR ATHLETES AWARD

Caroline Kurdej, a SHS senior and cross country and track athlete, was one of 20 total students in the country to receive the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Award.

When a Schaumburg High School athlete thought she was called to the office to sign NCAA paperwork for her upcoming semester at DePaul University, she was greeted with a much bigger surprise.

Caroline Kurdej, a SHS senior and cross country and track athlete, was one of 20 total students in the country to receive the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Award. Representatives from Foot Locker surprised her on April 27 and awarded her $20,000 for her athletic and academic achievements. Team members, classmates, SHS staff, and family cheered her on as she accepted her scholarship.

“The application started with an online form and after I submitted all of my documents, I was notified that I made it to the Skype interview,” Caroline said. “I was honored to even make it that far because there are so many athletes that applied for this. I was notified two weeks ago that I was a semi-finalist, and I just found out I was a recipient today.”

In the fall, Caroline will be on the cross country and track team at DePaul University. The scholarship will be awarded in four equal annual payments of $5,000 throughout the winner’s four-year college career. Caroline Kurdej is cheered on by classmates and high fives SHS Athletic Director Tim Kirby just as she learns she received a $20,000 scholarship from Foot Locker.

“I am incredibly excited about my teammates,” she said. “I had an opportunity to have an overnight stay with them and everyone is very kind. It will be an incredible environment where I can prosper, grow, and continue to evolve as both an individual student and athlete. I am so excited.

According the Foot Locker’s website, the eligibility and judging criteria for the scholarship is as follows:

Be entering college in the Fall of 2015 as a Freshman at a four-year school for an undergraduate degree. Be currently involved in high school sports, intramural sports, or community based sports. Have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident currently residing at the time of application in one of the 50 United States or District of Columbia (you will be asked to prove citizenship and age if you win). Not be an employee, officer or director of Foot Locker, Inc., or any of its subsidiaries, or a member of the immediate family of such an employee, officer or director. Embody good sportsmanship and strong moral character. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes are trusted and respected members of their schools and communities and have built long-term relationships with other students, administrators and community members.

Caroline learned she received the scholarship at school. She was greeted by classmates, staff members, her family, and representatives from Foot Locker to celebrate her accomplishment.

Be passionate and committed to empowering the community in which he/she live. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes have made a significant long-term commitment to improving the lives of others.

Be confident and enthusiastic about being a leader. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes aren’t reluctant role models. They are confident, honest, and passionate leaders who take on challenges for the greater good. Display academic excellence. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes are intellectually curious, set high academic goals for themselves, and excel in their studies. Be Diverse. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes have diverse backgrounds, are from different places, have varied academic ambitions, and play different sports. Be Foot Locker Scholar Athletes material. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes share key attributes: Proactive and highly motivated Inspiring and charismatic Honest and trustworthy Genuine Strong and Courageous

EIGHT DISTRICT 211 STUDENTS EARN PERFECT SCORES ON ACT EXAM

At its April 30, 2015 meeting, the Board of Education will honor eight High School District 211 students for achieving a 36, the highest possible composite score, on the ACT exam.

These students included Palatine High School student Bryan Lu, William Fremd High School students Daniel Classon, Kellie Halloran, Cameron Harro, Jiamin Huang, Abigail Iuorio, Jennie Yang, and Soumyaa Mazumder.

The ACT, which is taken by nearly 60 percent of America’s college-bound students as well as all junior students in as part of the Prairie State Achievement Examination, is comprised of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Each test is scored on scale of 1-36, and a student’s score is the average of the four test scores. On average, less than 1 percent of all ACT test takers earns a top score. In the class of 2014 in the state of Illinois, only 184 students earned a composite score of 36.

Since 1998, 78 High School District 211 students have earned a top score of 36 on the ACT.

FORMER DISTRICT 211 ADMINISTRATOR WILLIAM THIEL RECEIVES EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CEPS HALL OF FAME LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dr. William B. Thiel

Former District 211 Administrator William Thiel received the Eastern Illinois University Lifetime Achievement Award.

Eastern Illinois University alumni and The College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) presented awards for professionals in many careers including education, athletic training, coaching, recreation administration, and health education. Former District 211 administrator William Thiel was awarded the Eastern Illinois University CEPS Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award on March 25.

Established in 2009, the CEPS Alumni Awards program celebrates and honors alumni who have excelled in their field. The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award have attained distinguished professional success and prominence. These honorees are living role models in their disciplines within the College of Education and Professional Studies and will be inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame.

“During his long tenure as a District 211 administrator, Bill Thiel was a valuable, loyal and professional employee as well as a valued friend to his colleagues,” said Former District 211 Superintendent Dr. Gerald D. Chapman.

Thiel first came to the northwest suburbs in 1969 as associate principal at Palatine High School. He was instrumental in helping design the new high school facility and handled the move to the new and present facility in 1976. Thiel was assigned associate principal at William Fremd High School in 1979 and retired in 1985. Thiel with Dr. Don Grossnickle authored many articles for professional publications including two books: Motivating the Unmotivated and Preventive Discipline.

“I was fortunate to be a rookie biology teacher at Palatine High School under Thiel in 1973,” Grossnickle said. “Bill Thiel inspired me in many ways including his studying at the University of Chicago and receiving his doctorate. Thiel studied with some well-known giants in the field of education including Benjamin Bloom. While at Palatine High School I wrote my first article for publication and Dr. Thiel looked it over before submitting it. Later, Thiel and I wrote several books and articles together. Happily, a long professional friendship has continued. Bill Thiel is still writing and consulting. It was a great honor for me to nominate him for this prestigious award. Bill has inspired me and been a great role model. I am very proud of him as he has made substantial contributions to area schools, teachers and students.”

Thiel’s dream of becoming a teacher began at EIU after serving his county in military service until 1946. Bill Thiel began drawing upon his preparation as an educator performing as a coach during his studies at EIU and was appointed to the US Olympic Power Committee for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. The son of Illinois coal miner born in 1927, Thiel credits his mother for encouraging him to follow in the footsteps of four generations of school teachers.

He has never forgotten his roots that this post-depression young man with great aspirations has intentionally actively sought to bring honor and achievement to Eastern Illinois University in every way imaginable. Among a host of honors and recognized achievements, Dr. Thiel says he is most proud of receiving Eastern Illinois University’s Distinguished Educator Award in 2004.

Dr. Thiel’s professional career as an educator built on his excellent foundation from EIU. He received his M.ED. in 1952 from Chicago’s Loyola University after studying at University of Chicago. He holds a CAS from the University of Chicago and D.ED. From Loyola University of Chicago in School Law and Finance. Thiel has proudly served performing the role of teacher, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principal, Associate Principal primarily in Elementary and Secondary Schools. He holds three honorary degrees: 1958, 1991, 1995 which each recognize a lifetime of inspiring students, teachers, administrators, school business officials and thousands of readers of his long list of publications. Thiel has served in leadership positions in Phi Delta Kappa and 31 other educational service organizations. His curriculum vita list his over one hundred publications in print including the authoring of the popular National Association of Secondary School Principal Book: Motivation.

SCHAUMBURG HIGH SCHOOL SAXONS HAVE NEW HEAD BOYS COACH

Wade Heisler has been named head boys basketball coach at Schaumburg High School.

Wade Heisler has been named head boys basketball coach at Schaumburg High School. Heisler, an assistant coach with the school’s boys basketball team, replaces newly appointed Athletic Director Marty Manning at the helm of the Saxons boys basketball program.

“We are very excited about the energy that Wade brings to our basketball program,” said Schaumburg High School Principal Tim Little. “He is well-known and popular within our school community. Wade is quality person, student-focused, and relates with both student-athletes and parents alike. Wade’s enthusiasm and energy make him a perfect fit for this job.”

Heisler has been teaching physical education at Schaumburg High School since August 2012, and has spent the past three seasons as the Saxons’ varsity assistant boys basketball coach, responsible for daily practice plans and game strategy. He also coordinated the players’ summer skill development program. In addition to basketball, Heisler has served as the school’s spring event coordinator, Student Athletic Advisory sponsor, and assistant coach. He has been instrumental in helping develop a new physical education fitness curriculum featuring yoga classes. Before coming to Schaumburg High School, Heisler spent one year (August 2011 – May 2012) as the head boys basketball coach and teaching physical education at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury, Ill. Prior to that, he was the varsity girls basketball coach from 2008-2011 at Byron High School (Ill.), while teaching physical education at Morgan Elementary School in Byron, during that same time period. While there, his 2009-2010 team was the Big Northern conference, regional, and sectional champions, and he was named IBCA District 10 Coach of the Year.

“Coach Heisler is a great fit for us,” said Schaumburg High School Athletic Director Tim Kirby. “Having served as an assistant coach these past three years helped him gain familiarity with our program and our student-athletes. We’re not only excited about the expertise he brings, but also the enthusiasm he has for basketball and our kids.”

Heisler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from University in 2008, with a health education endorsement.

PALATINE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WINS CAR IN ‘OPERATION CLICK’ GIVEAWAY

Nancy sits in the Chevy Spark after she won the car courtesy of Operation Click.

Imagine picking up a key to a car and someone telling you that if the car starts when you turn the key, the car is yours to keep. That’s exactly what happened for a Palatine High School senior yesterday.

Nancy Cabrera, senior, received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when she randomly selected the correct keys to a Chevy Spark during an Operation Click banquet on April 14.

“There was a bowl with a bunch of keys that looked the same. It was my turn to see if the key started the car,” Nancy said. “I turned it and it moved, but I didn’t want to turn it anymore because I was too afraid to force it. All the lights came on and everyone started cheering and clapping. I was confused because I didn’t even turn the car on. I was in shock. I thought everyone was playing a joke on me.”

Operation Click was started in 1998, and is a charitable organization that encourages young drivers from 39 area schools to buckle their seatbelts and drive safely. The program concludes at the end of each school year with a Grand Prize Giveaway.

Nancy got involved when students at Palatine High School had the opportunity to sign a pledge to safe driving habits, including no texting when driving, wearing a seatbelt, and avoiding distractions while on the road. After students pledged, Nancy’s mother received a phone call from the PHS group Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) informing her that Nancy’s pledge was one of two randomly selected from Palatine High School to attend the Operation Click banquet.

Several area schools sent students to the Operation Click Banquet. Those students all had the opportunity to win a car if they selected the correct key. At the banquet, students learned about safety tips while behind the wheel, as well as heard from sponsors who support safe driving. Nancy and her mother went to the dealership to pick up her car the same night.

“My mom was so excited,” Nancy said. “My car needs new brakes and her car isn’t working that well. She’s a single mom so it gets hard to pay for some of those small things. She will have surgery next week and we needed a reliable car to help get us there. Now we can can take a deep breath and know everything is going to be OK.”

To read more about Operation Click, please visit the website here.

FREMD STUDENTS WATCH AIRBRUSH PAINTING DEMO, LEARN ABOUT POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS Tom Banks, an artist from Ohio Technical College/PSI, demonstrate airbrush painting techniques on the hood of a car at Fremd High School.

While several students begin imagining what they would like to do for a career after high school, custom airbrush painting might not always come to mind.

Students at Fremd High School watched Tom Banks, an artist from Ohio Technical College/PSI, demonstrate airbrush painting techniques on the hood of a car on April 13. The goal of his visit was to introduce students to a career that is not only profitable, but also accessible with a little bit of practice.

“There is so much misinformation out there about what it takes to do this work,” Banks said. “Everyone thinks you need to be an artist or you need to have an automotive background. I was no different in thinking that. I always thought this was talent as opposed to skill. That’s just not true.”

Students came in and out of the room to watch various parts of the demonstration each class period.

Banks painted the car hood for roughly 3.5 hours, with students coming in and out of the room to watch various parts of the demonstration each class period. He emphasized that students do not need to have incredible artistic skills to master airbrush painting. He showed students that many objects in his designs are created from stencils, also demonstrated how to create different effects using colors, highlights, and depth.

“At the end of the day when students are able to see this process from start to finish, and the demo allows them to watch it come alive before their eyes,” he said. “They understand every single step involved. A lot of people have an interest in custom cars, rods, and custom paint, the misunderstanding keeps people from getting into this, and I like taking down those walls.”

The finished design will be on display at Fremd High School.

The finished car hood will be on display at Fremd High School.