Friday, August 28, 2020

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog 08/28/2020

 Friday Focus:  

Want to Cheer on the Bison? 

Please Follow the Spectator Protocol

Words cannot describe how excited the athletic administration is to welcome Bison Athletics and Fine Arts back on campus this week. As you all know, adjusting to ever changing guidance from the State of Illinois Department of Health and the IHSA has made the start of our modified fall season challenging for our school and district.  We are happy to report that each day we are moving ever closer to a return to normalcy. The next stage for us is to welcome all of you to cheer on our Bison by supporting our Bison athletes in their respective sports endeavors. In doing so, we ask that you recognize the fragile state we live in and work together with us to keep our athletes and coaches safe when you participate as a spectator whether HOME or AWAY. 


Spectator protocols: 

  1. ALL SPECTATORS MUST ADHERE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS AND AS A GROUP (more than 6 feet away from other individuals NOT in your family unit and groups of 50 spectators must maintain 30 feet separation from other groups) 

  2. ALL SPECTATORS MUST WEAR A FACE MASK AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHILE OUTSIDE AND NO MATTER HOW SEPARATED YOU ARE FROM OTHERS

  3. RESPECT THE INCREASED BOUNDARIES WE ARE CREATING ON CAMPUS AND OFF BETWEEN ATHLETES AND FANS

  4. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL BE PERMITTING SPECTATORS ONLY AT OUTSIDE CONTESTS. DUE TO INDOOR PHASE 4 RESTRICTIONS, OUR POOL FACILITY CAN ONLY HOLD 50 INDIVIDUALS WHICH WILL MOST LIKELY BE LIMITED TO ATHLETES, COACHES AND CONTEST ADMINISTRATION. In order to connect our swimmers and divers with their fans, we are looking into options to livestream our home contests. 

  5. BE AWARE THAT EACH SCHOOL AND DISTRICT WE COMPETE AGAINST MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS FOR US AND PLEASE BE PATIENT WHEN GAME ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL ASK FOR YOUR COMPLIANCE

  6. CHEER AND SUPPORT THE BISON LIKE YOU NEVER HAVE BEFORE!!!! REMEMBER TO ALWAYS FIGHT ON


We value the support that our Bison community brings to our athletes and wish this season to be a safe and rewarding experience. Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. 


The Bison Impact:  

  • Breaking news.... junior Golfer Marisa Kurowski shot a hole in one on the 6th hole at Twin Lakes during the match against Barrington and Palatine on Wednesday! Congratulations Marisa! Fight On! 


Upcoming Dates


Date

Event

September 7

Labor Day - Building Closed

September 10

D214 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 pm at FVEC

September 16

BGPA Meeting 7:00 pm

September 28

Non-Attendance Day - Building Closed

October 8

D214 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 pm at FVEC

October 9

End of the First Quarter

October 12

Institute Day - Students Not in Attendance

October 13

First Day of Second Quarter


Back Those Bison!

Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the Coming Week

Date

Time

Event

September 1

3:30 pm

Girls Golf vs. Conant & RMHS at Buffalo Grove Golf Course

4:30 pm

Girls Tennis vs. Hoffman Estates

September 4

5:00 pm

Girls Swimming & Diving vs. Prospect

September 5

10:30 am

Boys Golf Varsity Tournament at Buffalo Grove Golf Course

For underlevel and away sporting events and the most current information for BGHS activities, please go to: Buffalo Grove High School Comprehensive Calendar


Staff Spotlight

1. What is your name? Debora Utley


2. What department do you teach in/ How long have you been teaching at BG?  I am a member of our BGHS Music Department ~ Choir and I have been at BGHS for 14 years (18 years in D214)


3.  Where did you go to high school?   I went to Shawnee Mission Northwest HS ~ Class of 1991 ~ in Shawnee, Kansas


4. What part of teaching do you find the most rewarding?   The thing I find most rewarding are the relationships I have made with students, parents and colleagues throughout my 25 years as a high school choir director.  I feel extremely blessed for all the amazing people that have come into my life through teaching.  The connections we make through music are forever.


5. What new thing have you learned this year teaching remotely?  I have learned that I am NOT as technologically advanced as I thought I was!!!  Thank goodness I have a 22-year-old daughter to help me out!!!  It’s been really rewarding to learn and experience some great technology that I will continue to use even when we are able to be making music in person again!


6. What are you currently reading, and/or do you have a favorite author or podcast?  I am currently reading "The Splendid and the Vile" by Erik Larson (the author of Devil in the White City).  It follows Winston Churchill's time as Prime Minister during WW2.


7. What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor? We are very busy in the Choir department ~ we have 11 vocal ensembles (4 concert choirs, 2 vocal jazz ensembles and 5 a cappella groups)!  We are also continuing our National Anthem program to provide National Anthem singers at all our BGHS sporting events.  We also have our Caroling Party, which is open to all singers ~ and we provide Caroling for public and private events around Buffalo Grove.  AND we offer our middle school A Cappella program ~ ACute ACappella, which allows area 6th, 7th and 8th graders an opportunity to sing great A Cappella music at BGHS!  I also am the Vocal Director for our Spring Musicals at BGHS.


BGHS in the News

Boys Golf 2020 Season Previews

Journal & Topics, August 28, 2020

Key returnees: Dori Lee (Jr.; 12th in state last year, all-conference), Ryan Beerheide (Jr.; all-conference), Ryan Gledhill (Sr.), Joey Morain (Sr.), Braidyn Castle (Sr.), Cameron Majeski (Sr.)


Key newcomers: Reilly Allen (Jr.), Connor Woodin (Fr.), Alex Gordon (Jr.), Matthew Allaire (Jr.), Jimmy Giuliano (Jr.)


Note: Lee became the fifth state medalist in program history last season with his 12th place finish. A state medalist is a top 15 golfer in the finals; the only other four in Buffalo Grove history are Doug Ghim (3rd in 2010), Jon Schram (1st in 2001), Ryan Cassidy (7th in 1998) and Mike Jonas (11th in 1982). Lee was a sectional qualifier in 2018 as well.


Coach’s keys to success: “Stay healthy! We have many obstacles to overcome in regard to COVID-19 restrictions, but I have never been this excited to start a season. Teachers and coaches chose this career for interactions with young adults and (to) have a positive impact in the community. The disruptions to life the past few months have made me increase the value of my job as an educator.” Read Story


New Block Schedule/Blue and Orange Days Calendar

The new block schedule can be found on the Buffalo Grove High School website www.bghs.d214.org under Quick Links.

CLICK HERE for the New Block Schedule


Not sure which block schedule day it is? The Blue and Orange Days Calendar can be found on the Buffalo Grove High School website www.bghs.d214.org under Quick Links.  CLICK HERE for the Blue & Orange Day Calendar


District 214 Covid-19 Information Center


District 214 has a Covid-19 Information Center page on the d214.org website. As new information concerning COVID-19 and its effect on District 214 becomes available, it is posted on this site. This webpage provides links to COVID-19 information from federal, state, and local public health agencies. 


CLICK HERE to visit the District 214 Covid-19 Update Information Center

CLICK HERE for Rest Redefine Restart, the D214 Return to School Plan



Help D214 Students and Families in Need

Those wishing to support our D214 students and families directly amid the C-19 pandemic should do so using the official D214 Foundation online giving page at www.214foundation.org, or CLICK HERE.


The Foundation has committed to a dollar-for-dollar $10,000 match for the initial $10,000 raised, and we know we'll go beyond. Funds will assist with needs at many levels, and distribution will be coordinated in part through the Foundation's Student Needs Task Force, a group of volunteers who help meet student needs throughout the year. These allocations will be made based on requests from principals in consultation with counselors. This effort is focused on addressing direct, real, pressing needs of students who need assistance now. Funds collected will be prioritized based on need. Please spread the word and invite neighbors, friends, parents and others to use this Foundation page to give here. You can share the link directly via social media. All donations are tax-deductible.


Resources for D214 Families

CLICK HERE for the Northwest Suburbs Resource Directory


CLICK HERE for the Buffalo Grove Area Youth and Family Services Community Resources 


A Comprehensive List of Local Food Supplies:

CLICK HERE for Food Pantry Resources

HAGA CLIC AQUƍ para obtener recursos de despensa de alimentos 


Additional Resources:

Here are some resources that I’ve found helpful from Deb Heitner, author of Raising Digital Natives:

Looking for More?

Click Here for the First Quarter Parent Newsletter

Click Here for BG's student newspaper, The Charger

Click Here for the oneBG Podcast

Click Here for One Grove Gallery exhibits and information

Click Here for the detailed daily BG Activity/Athletics Calendar

Click Here for the BGPA Bison Spiritwear online store



Friday, August 21, 2020

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog 08/21/2020

 Friday Focus:  

NEW BGHS Learning Lab Offers Student Support

The vision of the Learning Lab is to provide students with support in their academic and emotional learning.  There are three programs operating under the umbrella of the Learning Lab during this remote learning time.  


The first program is the Drop-In tutoring program.  This program is available for students that are seeking additional academic support.  Currently, this program is staffed by teachers assigned to 6th assignment.  Students can access staff tutors from 10:00 am-3:25 pm daily.  Zoom links to this program will be added to the Schoology class labeled “Bison Info 2020”.  The Schoology page has been pushed out to all BG students.  Rachel Gross will be the point person running this program.


The second program is the assigned Learning Lab closed study hall.  This program will service students that are identified through the Problem Solving Team at BG.  Students identified for this program will be provided with additional academic support, help with executive functioning skills, and SEL (Social Emotional Learning).  Communication with students, parents, and teachers will be a large component of this program.  Tim Kosiek and Mary Ryan will be the points of contact for this program.


The third program is the Peer Tutoring Program.  This program seeks to establish a core group of “student helpers/tutors” to provide academic support to students in both of the above programs.  Due to the remote learning schedule, we are focusing on Zero Hour as the time that this support will be offered.  Our intent is to grow this program as the school year progresses.  Tim Kosiek and Mary Ryan will be the points of contact for this program. 


New Block Schedule/Blue and Orange Days Calendar

The new block schedule can be found on the Buffalo Grove High School website www.bghs.d214.org under Quick Links.

CLICK HERE for the New Block Schedule


Not sure which block schedule day it is? The Blue and Orange Days Calendar can be found on the Buffalo Grove High School website www.bghs.d214.org under Quick Links.  CLICK HERE for the Blue & Orange Day Calendar


Upcoming Dates


Date

Event

August 27

Virtual Open House 6:00-9:00 pm - Check your email next week for links

September 7

Labor Day - Building Closed

September 10

D214 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 pm

September 16

BGPA Meeting 7:00 pm

September 28

Non-Attendance Day - Building Closed

October 9

End of the First Quarter

October 12

Institute Day - Students Not in Attendance

October 13

First Day of Second Quarter


First Quarter Parent Newsletter

CLICK HERE for the First Quarter Parent Newsletter


Back Those Bison!

Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the Coming Week

Date

Time

Event

August 24

4:45 pm

Girls Tennis vs. Glenbrook North

August 25

4:45 pm

Boys Cross Country vs. Hoffman Estates @ Willow Stream Park

August 26

3:30 pm

Boys Golf Tournament @ Buffalo Grove Golf Course

For underlevel and away sporting events and the most current information for BGHS activities, please go to: Buffalo Grove High School Comprehensive Calendar


Rest Redefine Restart

CLICK HERE for the District 214 Return to School Plan



District 214 Covid-19 Information Center


District 214 has a Covid-19 Information Center page on the d214.org website. As new information concerning COVID-19 and its effect on District 214 becomes available, it is posted on this site. This webpage provides links to COVID-19 information from federal, state, and local public health agencies. 


CLICK HERE to visit the District 214 Covid-19 Update Information Center

Help D214 Students and Families in Need

Those wishing to support our D214 students and families directly amid the C-19 pandemic should do so using the official D214 Foundation online giving page at www.214foundation.org, or CLICK HERE.


The Foundation has committed to a dollar-for-dollar $10,000 match for the initial $10,000 raised, and we know we'll go beyond.


Funds will assist with needs at many levels, and distribution will be coordinated in part through the Foundation's Student Needs Task Force, a group of volunteers who help meet student needs throughout the year. These allocations will be made based on requests from principals in consultation with counselors. This effort is focused on addressing direct, real, pressing needs of students who need assistance now. Funds collected will be prioritized based on need.


Please spread the word and invite neighbors, friends, parents and others to use this Foundation page to give here. You can share the link directly via social media. All donations are tax-deductible.


Resources for D214 Families

CLICK HERE for the Northwest Suburbs Resource Directory


CLICK HERE for the Buffalo Grove Area Youth and Family Services Community Resources 


A Comprehensive List of Local Food Supplies:

CLICK HERE for Food Pantry Resources

HAGA CLIC AQUƍ para obtener recursos de despensa de alimentos 


Additional Resources:

Here are some resources that I’ve found helpful from Deb Heitner, author of Raising Digital Natives:

Looking for More?

Click Here for the First Quarter Parent Newsletter

Click Here for BG's student newspaper, The Charger

Click Here for the oneBG Podcast

Click Here for One Grove Gallery exhibits and information

Click Here for the detailed daily BG Activity/Athletics Calendar


Staff Spotlight

1. What is your name? Keith Peterson 


2. What department do you teach in/ How long have you been teaching at BG?  I teach in the Social Science department.  This is the start of my 18th year at BG.


3.  Where did you go to high school?   I went to Palatine High School...with the Wardle family!


4. What part of teaching do you find the most rewarding?  I enjoy seeing how much students change from that first day of freshman year to when they leave as seniors.  To see them walk into Human Geography as nervous freshmen to walking out of BG as confident young adults is really amazing to see.  


5. What new thing have you learned this year teaching remotely?  I have learned that the Buffalo Grove area has a lot of wonderful ceiling fans since that is often the first thing we see when we Zoom.  I have also learned how resilient our students are and how they are willing to accept any challenge that is thrown at them.


6. What are you currently reading, and/or do you have a favorite author or podcast?  I just finished up "Training Camp" by Jon Gordon.  I really enjoy listening to the Bill Simmons Podcast.


7. What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor?  I coach the Varsity Boys Basketball team and JV Boys Volleyball.