Thursday, January 29, 2015

Principal Wardle's weekly Blog



DISTRICT 214 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
February 5-7 Historical Display, Forest View Educational Center
February 5 Academic Showcase, Forest View Educational Center, Evening
February 6 Fine & Performing Arts Showcase, Forest View Educational Center, Evening
February 7 Athletics Showcase, Forest View Educational Center, ALL Day


Friday Focus
On Monday this week, BGHS kicked off our “Is your DNA your Destiny” Interdisciplinary forum for the second year.  We are essentially asking this question - to what extent if your fate decided for you in life because of the genetic make-up that you have, and what areas can you decide your own destiny regardless of your fate, and where to the two collide?  This year we’ve added P.E. into the interdisciplary unit, looking at athletic ability and DNA.  In all Human Geography and English classes, students are studying and writing about race, identity, and stereotypes.  In Biology, the science of DNA is being studied.  All these topics are happening in all freshman classes over the next two weeks as we try to connect all student learning around this important question of “Is your DNA your Destiny?”  


Some reasons why we focus on interdisciplinary learning at BG are that it helps students:
  • Overcome bias by recognizing where others and themselves hold onto preconceived notions about life
  • Think critically by integrating conflicting insights from alternative disciplines
  • Embrace ambiguity as they understand why conflicts commonly arise, and look at the causes and consequences of an issue
  • Acknowledge and appreciate ethical concerns by gaining the understanding that there are ethical dimensions to most issues of concern
I am currently on a site visit to see two interdisciplinary courses: Geometry & Construction and Algebra & Manufacturing. We will be teaching the Geometry & Construction next year in conjunction with our 472 Geometry course (for students who elect to add the construction piece), with hopes to expand that course and add the Algebra & Manufacturing in the coming years. I am very excited about these new courses, and others in the years ahead.




BGPA Communication
Lou's Pizza Factory will be having a fundraiser to support the BGPA** (Buffalo Grove Parent's Association).  They have delicious antipasti, pastas (including gluten free), flat and pan pizzas, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks.  They are just a few blocks east of BGHS and are located at 719 E. Dundee Rd. in Arlington Heights.  This fundraiser will be for FIVE days from Superbowl Sunday, 2/1 through Thursday, 2/5, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m..  Lou's Pizza Factory will not be charging tax and will be donating 25% of their income if you mention BGPA.  This is valid for dine in, carryout, or delivery.  Any questions, please contact BGPA member, Lisa Groh at vantagept1@gmail.com or(847) 682-1200.  Thank you for your support of BGPA!


DISTRICT 214 CALENDAR
February 16 Presidents’ Day - No School
March 20 Spring Vacation Begins at Close of Classes
March 30 First Day of Classes after Spring Vacation
April 3 Non-Attendance Day - No School
May 25 Memorial Day - No School
May 31 Commencement Exercises
June 5 Last Day of Classes

Upcoming Dates/ Big Events Semester 2
February 3 FAFSA Completion Workshop, 6:30 pm & 7:45 pm, Wheeling H.S. Library
February 9 College Info Night, 7:00 pm, BGHS Theater


Back Those Bison - Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the coming week
January 30 Boys Swimming/Diving vs. Elk Grove, 4:30 pm, Pool
January 30 Girls Basketball vs. Hersey, 7:30 pm, Gym
January 30 Girls Gymnastics at Conference, TBA
January 30 & 31 Boys Wrestling at Conference, TBA
January 30 & 31 Pom Pons at State, TBA
January 31 Boys Basketball vs. Niles West, 4:30 pm, Gym
January 31 Girls Bowling at Conference, TBA
January 31 Cheerleading at Sectionals, TBA
February 5 Variety Show “Orange and Blue is the New Black”, 7:00 pm, Theater


For underlevel and away sporting events and the most current information for B.G. activities, please go to:  http://il.8to18.com/buffalogrove/calendar

Academic Competitions for the coming week

Daily Announcements Link
Buffalo Grove High School provides daily announcements to the students to keep them informed of current and upcoming events. To provide you with more information, the Student Announcements are now online. The announcements will be online for 10 days.    


Staff member/ student of the week
Mr. Marks in a classroom observation


What is your name?  Chris Marks


What department do you teach in/ what courses do you teach.  I am the Division Head for Math and Science.  Currently, I also teach one section of Biology.   


How long have you been teaching at BG?  This is my fourth year at BG, I taught for 12 years at Hersey before coming to Buffalo Grove


Where did you go to high school?  Schaumburg High School


What part of your job do you find the most rewarding?  What I like the most is the ability to go into many teachers classrooms and share with the department all the great things that their peers are doing in their classes.   


What is something unique about you?  My wife would say that I am a very good listener.  You also might catch me skateboarding home from the grocery store with  a gallon of milk in my hand!  


What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor?  Nothing currently, but before becoming a Division Head I coached Cross Country for 10 years and Track and Field for 12 years.  I also sponsored Science Olympiad for 4 years.  

Friday, January 23, 2015

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog




Meet our newest Bison, Buck

Buck is a two year old boxer mix.  He has been trained as a therapy dog through the organization called Paws Giving Independence (PGI). PGI has high standards for all of their potential service, facility, or therapy dogs. Buck was matched for services in a high school setting for his loving temperament, gentle and friendly nature, and desire to please. He will be used in our student services department.  We are very excited to have Buck at Buffalo Grove.  


Brief overview of Therapy Dogs
Dogs have been used extensively to support and improve mental health.  They are sent to areas where great tragedy has occurred; they visit hospitals and nursing homes; veterans suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) or brain trauma use them during therapy, children giving difficult court testimony use them; colleges high schools have them available during finals week to reduce stress; they provide emotional and sensory support to children on the autism spectrum and they help reluctant readers feel comfortable reading aloud and improve their reading skills.  Therapy dogs are also used in two of our own District Schools.  Prospect High School has full time therapy dog that works in the counseling department and throughout the school environment.  In addition, Forest View Academy and Vanguard schools employ a private therapy dog owner to bring her dog to their schools to work with the students.


If you have questions regarding the use of a therapy dog in the school setting, please contact our Special Education Division Head, Rick Carlson, at richard.carlson@d214.org


BGPA Communication and Link
Lou's Pizza Factory http://www.louspizzafactory.com/#!menu/c5hf will be having a fundraiser to support the BGPA** (Buffalo Grove Parent's Association).  They have delicious antipasti, pastas (including gluten free), flat and pan pizzas, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks.  They are just a few blocks east of BGHS and are located at 719 E. Dundee Rd. in Arlington Heights.  This fundraiser will be for FIVE days beginning Superbowl Sunday, 2/1 through Thursday, 2/5, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m..  Lou's Pizza Factory will not be charging tax and will be donating 25% of their income if you mention BGPA.  This is valid for dine in, carryout, or delivery.  Any questions, please contact BGPA member, Lisa Groh at vantagept1@gmail.com or (847) 682-1200.  Thank you for your support of BGPA!

** BGPA supports numerous items at BGHS including; providing safe Post-Prom activities at Pinstripes in Northbrook, 10 college scholarships, Teacher Appreciation lunch, student snacks for finals, Student Directories, Spirit Wear, etc.


DISTRICT 214 CALENDAR
February 16 Presidents’ Day - No School
March 20 Spring Vacation Begins at Close of Classes
March 30 First Day of Classes after Spring Vacation
April 3 Non-Attendance Day - No School
May 25 Memorial Day - No School
May 31 Commencement Exercises
June 5 Last Day of Classes


Back Those Bison - Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the coming week
January 23 Boys Wrestling vs. Elk Grove, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 24 Boys Swimming/Diving Bison Invite, 8:30 am, Pool
January 24 Boys Basketball vs. Prospect, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 24 Chess, MSL Tournament, TBA
January 24 Pom Pons at Sectionals, Lake Park High School
January 26 Girls Bowling vs. Schaumburg, 4:30 pm, Arlington Lanes
January 27 Girls Basketball vs. Prospect, 7:30 pm, Gym
January 30 Boys Swimming/Diving vs. Elk Grove, 4:30 pm, Pool
January 30 Girls Basketball vs. Hersey, 7:30 pm, Gym
January 30 Girls Gymnastics at Conference, TBA
January 30 & 31 Boys Wrestling at Conference, TBA
January 30 & 31 Pom Pons at State, TBA
January 31 Boys Basketball vs. Niles West, 4:30 pm, Gym
January 31 Girls Bowling at Conference, TBA
January 31 Cheerleading at Sectionals, TBA

For underlevel and away sporting events and the most current information for B.G. activities, please go to:  http://il.8to18.com/buffalogrove/calendar


Daily Announcements Link
Buffalo Grove High School provides daily announcements to the students to keep them informed of current and upcoming events. To provide you with more information, the Student Announcements are now online. The announcements will be online for 10 days.    


Staff member/ student of the week

What is your name? Amy Silverman
Amy Silverman collaborating with colleague Kurt Kutska

What department do you teach in/ what courses do you teach? I teach English and Social Thinking in the Special Ed. Department. I co-teach Written/Oral Com. and American Lit. & Comp. in the English Department.

How long have you been teaching at BG? I transferred from FV to BG eight years ago, but this is only my 3rd year back in the classroom. I spent my first five years at BG as the Special Education Coordinator. Must I admit this is my 21st year in District 214? I guess I just did!

Where did you go to high school? Glenbrook North High School.

What part of teaching do you find the most rewarding? Connecting with students on a personal level and earning their trust is most rewarding. I love to watch the lightbulb turn on in students' heads as they grasp the concept being taught!

What is something unique about you? On a professional level, I have taken on a very unique project since the end of last school year... I will be the owner/co-handler of Buck, the future BHGS facility dog! I am looking forward to all of the students and staff benefiting from having Buck as part of the BG staff!

What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor? I am not an official sponsor, but my "open door policy" has created an environment in my classroom where students come and hang out during their open periods. The students call it "chill time". I have a feeling when Buck arrives, he and I may sponsor a "stress reduction club" - I can't wait!

Friday, January 16, 2015

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog



Friday Focus - Special Communication to Parents
This week I would like to highlight the Community Education Department of District 214.  I have been amazed at the number and variety of daytime, evening, and online classes offered through community education.  I wish I could take one every session!   I have taken a Community Ed. course myself (kayaking), I continue to tell my own friends to look into this! Here are just a few of the HUNDREDS of options this spring:

  • Intro to Guitar
  • Learn to Dance
  • 2D and 3D art
  • Computer IT
  • All kinds of Cooking classes
  • Finance and Law classes
  • Zumba/ Pilates/ Yoga
  • Scuba Diving
  • Net Sports
  • Interior Design
  • International Travel

Community ed offers an incredible variety of options - 84 pages worth in this brochure:


DISTRICT 214 CALENDAR
January 16 End of First Semester
January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
January 20 Institute Day, Students NOT in Attendance
January 21 Beginning of Second Semester
February 16 Presidents’ Day - No School
March 20 Spring Vacation Begins at Close of Classes
March 30 First Day of Classes after Spring Vacation
April 3 Non-Attendance Day - No School
May 25 Memorial Day - No School
May 31 Commencement Exercises
June 5 Last Day of Classes


Upcoming Dates/ Big Events Semester 2
January 20 CAF 2019
January 21 BGPA Meeting, 7:00 pm, Community Room


Back Those Bison - Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the coming week
January 16 Boys Swimming/Diving vs. Rolling Meadows, 4:30 pm, Pool
January 16 Boys Wrestling vs. Rolling Meadows, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 16 Pom Pons MSL Competition, Palatine High School
January 17 Girls Bowling, JV Invite, 8:30 am, Arlington Lanes
January 20 Girls Bowling vs. Fremd, 3:30, Arlington Lanes
January 21 Cheerleading MSL Competition, Elk Grove High School
January 22 Girls Bowling vs. Hoffman Estates, 4:30 pm, Arlington Lanes
January 23 Boys Wrestling vs. Elk Grove, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 24 Boys Swimming/Diving Bison Invite, 8:30 am, Pool
January 24 Boys Basketball vs. Prospect, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 24 Pom Pons at Sectionals, Lake Park High School

For underlevel and away sporting events and the most current information for B.G. activities, please go to:  http://il.8to18.com/buffalogrove/calendar


Daily Announcements Link
Buffalo Grove High School provides daily announcements to the students to keep them informed of current and upcoming events. To provide you with more information, the Student Announcements are now online. The announcements will be online for 10 days.    

BG in the News
Buffalo Grove sophomore wins Model United Nations award


Staff member/ student of the week
Kip North keeps us safe!

What is your name?  My given name is Christopher Andrew North - most people know me as Kip

What department do you teach in/ what courses do you teach?  I am part of the PE/CTE  Department.  This past Semester I taught three sections  - Net Sports and Two of our Athletic PE classes

How long have you been teaching at BG?   Since 2002 - 12 years

Where did you go to high school?  I was fortunate to be part of the last graduationg class at Arlington High School

What part of teaching to you find the most rewarding?   The relationships - both with students and colleagues - the opportunity to be influential

What is something unique about you?   I enjoy creating costumes for COSPLAY

What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor?   I am the Boys Athletic Director