Friday, January 29, 2021

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog 01/29/2021

 Friday Focus:  Celebrating our Student Diversity

Thanks to the work of our English/EL Division, we now proudly display more than 200 flags celebrating our diverse student population. The flags are displayed throughout the first and second floor main hallways. It is fascinating to see so many different flags you might not be familiar with, and it’s fun to try to learn which country they represent.


IHSA update news? Or Emergency texts?


As you may be aware, the District added text messaging capability to SchoolMessenger, the District's communications system, allowing text notifications for emergency announcements.


The system is configured to send text alerts to cell phone numbers of district families who agree to receive them. You must opt in to receive these notifications. You may do so now by sending a text message to 67587 with "Y" or "Yes" to subscribe. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY "Y" or "Yes" TO THIS EMAIL as it will not opt you in; you must TEXT to subscribe. If you're not sure if you've previously opted in, you still can follow these instructions without causing any issues.


SchoolMessenger, our District communications system, does not charge recipients for text messages sent to or from your mobile device; however, you may incur a charge from your wireless carrier.


Upcoming Dates

Date

Event

February 9-11

Picture Days - Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors *check email to schedule

February 11

Board of Education meeting 7:00 pm at Forest View Educational Center

February 17

Buffalo Grove Parent Association meeting 7:00 pm

February 12

Non-Attendance Day

February 15

President’s Day - No School, Building Closed

February 26

In-Service Day - Students Not in Attendance

March 4

Board of Education Workshop at Wheeling H.S. 6:30 pm

March 10

Buffalo Grove Parent Association meeting 7:00 pm

March 12

End of 3rd Quarter

March 15

4th Quarter Begins

March 18

Board of Education meeting 7:00 pm at Forest View Educational Center

March 22-26

Spring Break

March 29

Classes Resume after Spring Break


Join the V-Show!

Student Council is hosting its annual Variety Show this Spring! One of our goals with this year's show is to feature talent from across the broad spectrum of cultures and backgrounds at BG. Dance, ventriloquism, magic, comedy, singing, lip synching, weird pet tricks... (almost) all talents are welcome. We will be doing a hybrid performance, so students will have an opportunity to perform live or create a video performance from home with our assistance. 


If you're interested in performing (virtually), please join the V-Show Schoology with this code: Q7VK-7ZB6-CNWWT for more information.


Staff Spotlight

What is your name? Kristin Oversmith


What department do you teach in/ How long have you been teaching at BG? CTE/ART. I have been teaching Art, Photography and Graphic Arts at BG for 6 years. 


Where did you go to high school? I went to a small high school called Hawken in Cleveland, Ohio


What part of teaching do you find the most rewarding? I love seeing the students’ creativity and when they take pride in their work. There are so many amazingly talented students at BG and their artwork is inspiring. I also love getting to know the students. Each one brings an energy and unique perspective to the classroom.


What new thing have you learned this year teaching remotely? I have learned a ton of new technology this year but the thing that I have most enjoyed and will keep as a resource for students after remote learning is making instructional art and design videos for students. 


What are you currently reading, and/ or do you have a favorite author or podcast?   I’m currently reading The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett.


What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor? I host the Art Club and One Grove Gallery Committee. 


What is something unique about you? I was in the Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan for two years. I taught English and also opened a community/art center in the town I was in. 



Looking for More?

Click Here for the BGPA Scholarship Application and Information

Click Here for the New Block Schedule

Click Here for the Blue & Orange Calendar

Click Here for the D214 School Calendars

Click Here for the 3rd 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


Thursday, January 21, 2021

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog 01/22/2021

 Friday Focus:  Senior Portraits & Underclass Retakes

Prestige Portraits will be at BGHS during school hours for senior portraits and retakes January 12 through February 2. Lifetouch/Prestige Portraits sent a postcard to every senior with their scheduled appointment date and time. Please contact Prestige Portraits directly at 630-910-6800 (option 5) to schedule or change senior portrait appointments or with any questions.


LifeTouch will be at BGHS for freshman, sophomore and junior student portraits and retakes on February 9, 10, and 11. Please check your email for more detailed information on how to schedule a time to have your student yearbook/ID photo taken.


Please note that ALL portraits for seniors and underclassmen are mailed directly to the student’s home. No individual student portraits are ever received at the school building.


Upcoming Dates

Date

Event

February 9-11

Picture Days - Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors *check email to schedule

February 11

Board of Education meeting 7:00 pm at Forest View Educational Center

February 17

Buffalo Grove Parent Association meeting 7:00 pm

February 12

Non-Attendance Day

February 15

President’s Day - No School, Building Closed

February 26

In-Service Day - Students Not in Attendance

March 4

Board of Education Workshop at Wheeling H.S. 6:30 pm

March 10

Buffalo Grove Parent Association meeting 7:00 pm

March 12

End of 3rd Quarter

March 15

4th Quarter Begins

March 18

Board of Education meeting 7:00 pm at Forest View Educational Center

March 22-26

Spring Break

March 29

Classes Resume after Spring Break


Spring Musical Auditions & Tech Crew Information

Little Women Auditions

For this audition you need to choose a song based in musical theater and record 1 minute of you performing the song.  These videos are due on January 29th and you can turn them in through this Google Form.  After viewing the auditions, directors (Ms. Utley, Ms. Wells, and Ms. Stenzel) may call for a call back the following week for cold readings.  


We are planning on producing this show May 20th-23rd live and outdoors.  Of course, like most things these days, we are prepared to adapt in all ways possible.  


Musical Synopsis:

“Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.” -MTI


 You can reach out to any of us, if you have questions:


Ms. Stenzel at lauren.stenzel@d214.org

Ms. Wells at beth.wells@d214.org

Ms. Utley at debora.utley@d214.org


Join the Tech Crew!

If you are interested in costumes, lighting, audio, props, or set construction for the Spring Musical, come join the Tech Crew! Please email Mr. Tschammer at philip.tschammer@d214.org for details. 


Chinese Culture Club

Please contact Ms. Melissa Moy at melissa.moy@d214.org for more information on the Chinese Cultural Club and for the Zoom link to join the meetings.


Staff Spotlight

What is your name? Thaddeus John (T.J.) Brooks 


What department do you teach in/ How long have you been teaching at BG? I work in the Social Science/Foreign Language Department and this is my 18th year at BGHS and 22nd year in the district.


Where did you go to high school? I went to St Viator High School (class of 93).


What part of teaching do you find the most rewarding? I really enjoy watching students grow in thought. Watching/listening to students (especially today) linking themes in history and applying that to current historical moments is something really cool to see.


What new thing have you learned this year teaching remotely? Teaching remotely is a very challenging method and has kept me on my toes. I am really impressed at how resilient our students have been adapting to such an unprecedented time in history.  


What are you currently reading, and/ or do you have a favorite author or podcast?  I am currently reading “Is this anything” by Jerry Seinfeld 


What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor? I coach Sophomore Boys Basketball and JV Tennis


What is something unique about you? When I was 10 my brother and I bought the original Jordan’s at Randhurst mall (I had the red and black and my brother had the red and white).  The next week MJ came to the mall to sign autographs where my brother and I were able to get our shoes signed.  My mom threw the shoes out while I was in college not knowing that they would be worth $$$$.  So somewhere in a landfill are original Jordans signed by MJ (good luck finding them).


BGHS in the News

BG Mourns Loss of Legend, Grant Blaney

Journal & Topics, January 20, 2021

Blaney, 86, died Jan. 12 after battling cancer, his longtime friend and fellow coach Rich Roberts told the Journal & Topics. Those who’ve attended a soccer or football game at Buffalo Grove High School have probably seen the name Grant Blaney. In September 2011, the school’s outdoor stadium was officially rebranded as Grant Blaney Stadium in his honor. Blaney started the football program at Buffalo Grove in 1973 as a JV team, but Prospect wanted to face the Bison as a varsity opponent that year. Blaney’s new team accepted the challenge and defeated the Knights, giving the program it’s first win. Read Story


Looking for More?

Click Here for the BGPA Scholarship Application and Information

Click Here for the New Block Schedule

Click Here for the Blue & Orange Calendar

Click Here for the D214 School Calendars

Click Here for the 3rd 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


Thursday, January 14, 2021

Principal Wardle's Blog 01/15/2021

 Friday Focus:  The Passing of a Legend

Earlier this week, we learned of the passing of an absolute legend, Buffalo Grove HIgh School’s first head football coach, champion Bison and leader to generations of student athletes, Grant Blaney. Coach Blaney led the Bison to a football State championship in 1986, and our football stadium was named after him in 2011. We thank you for the memories and your influence on our school.  Blessings to the Blaney family.



There were two articles written about the passing of Grant Blaney:


Daily Herald article:

https://football.dailyherald.com/sports/20210113/grant-blaney-buffalo-grove-coaching-legend-dies-at-85

 

Chicago Sun-Times article:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/1/13/22230075/grant-blaney-buffalo-grove-football


Annual District 214 Art Expo

Art Expo is an annual exhibition of artwork created by District 214 high school students, and District 21, District 23, District 25, and District 59 junior high and middle schools students. The virtual exhibition will feature five works of art from each school. Viewers will vote for their favorite high school and middle school.  Winning schools will receive the Art Expo Cup, title of Best of Show and bragging rights until next year's Art Expo. 


The Art Expo Throwdown video and gallery can be viewed on the exhibition site http://d214artexpo.weebly.com and on YouTube. Please view the video, check out the gallery and vote for your favorite high school and middle school.


BGHS artists Kaylie Clark, Mya Estanislao, Jillian Guittar, Emily Valencia and Maja Wegrowski were selected to represent BGHS in this year's Art Expo. Please help support our artists by voting. Voting ends Friday, January 15, 2021 at 11:59 pm. Winners will be announced Tuesday, January 19, 2021.


Upcoming Dates

Date

Event

January 18

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Non-Attendance Day/Building Closed

January 19

In-person learning resumes (for students who have committed to in-person learning for 3rd Quarter)

January 20

Buffalo Grove Parent Association meeting 7:00 pm

January 21

Board of Education meeting 7:00 pm at Forest View Educational Center

February 11

Board of Education meeting 7:00 pm at Forest View Educational Center

February 17

Buffalo Grove Parent Association meeting 7:00 pm

February 12

Non-Attendance Day

February 15

President’s Day - No School, Building Closed

February 26

In-Service Day - Students Not in Attendance


Senior Portraits & Underclass Retakes

Prestige Portraits will be at BGHS for senior portraits and retakes January 12 through February 2 during school hours.  Lifetouch/Prestige Portraits sent a postcard to every senior with their scheduled appointment date and time. Please contact Prestige Portraits directly at 630-910-6800 (option 5) with any questions regarding senior portrait appointments.


LifeTouch will be at BGHS for freshman, sophomore and junior student portraits and retakes on February 9, 10, and 11. Please check your email for more detailed information on how to schedule a time to have your photo taken.


Please note that ALL portraits for seniors and underclassmen are mailed directly to the student’s home. No individual student portraits are ever received at the school building.


BGHS Library Virtual Book Club

Save the date! The BGHS Virtual Book Club will meet on Wednesday, January 20, at 3:30 pm. New members and drop-in visits are always welcome! No mic, camera, or prior reading required. Please contact bghslibrary@d214.org for the zoom link.


BGPA Scholarship Application Now Available

The Buffalo Grove High School Parent Association (“BGPA”) and donor Mrs. Jackie Sell are pleased to award scholarships to recognize the achievement of our students. The winners will be selected based on school and community involvement, leadership, motivation, and academics, as well as a compelling personal essay. All graduating BGHS Class of 2021 seniors are eligible for this scholarship. Additionally, scholarship Applicants must plan to attend a post-secondary or technical school as a full-time or part-time student and must meet District 214’s requirements to participate in and to be awarded a diploma at commencement in 2021. The Scholarship is an outright gift and will be announced and disbursed at the Principal’s Awards Assembly on May 6, 2021.


The BGPA Scholarship application  is posted in Naviance, as well the College and Career Website.  CLICK HERE for the link to the scholarship page


All applications will be reviewed with complete anonymity. The completed application (stapled with required attachments and signatures) must be received in the BGHS College/Career Center by the end of school on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. All decisions made by BGPA will be final. Any application not submitted with all attachments or unsigned by the end of school on March 31, 2021, will be rejected.


New BGHS Student Podcast Debuts

The new student created podcast, The Unspoken Herd, debuted this week. You can listen to the podcast at https://anchor.fm/unspokenherd, and it is also available on Spotify and Google Podcasts, with Apple Podcast availability coming soon. The premier episode features special guest, Phil Tschammer, Project Lead the Way and manufacturing teacher and BGHS Theater Technical Director. The podcast also highlights the BGHS Multicultural Club in a conversation with sponsor, Sarah Manos. This entire podcast was created remotely - teacher Stefanie McCleish and the students involved have actually never met in person. We are very excited to watch the progress and evolution of this project. 


You will hear seniors Jobani Gonzalez and Alex Vasquez on the mic. The episode was edited by sophomore Jesse Leon. The theme song music was composed by sophomore Charlie Morrison.


Staff Spotlight

What is your name? My name is Olesya Priyma.


What department have you/ do you work in? I work in English/EL department.


How long have you been working at BG? This is my third year working at BG.


Where did you go to high school? I graduated from Buffalo Grove High School.


What part of working at BG do you find the most rewarding? The most rewarding part is seeing students’ growth and success. Additionally, BG provides a very friendly and supportive environment for students and staff.


What are you currently reading, and/ or do you have a favorite author or podcast?   Currently, I’m taking online classes to get my ESL endorsement and most of my readings are course related. The last book that I read for pleasure was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. 


What is something unique about you? I speak 3 languages: English, Russian, and Ukrainian.


What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor?  What activities at BG do you follow? I am a member of Russian Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. My team and I organize events to help explain American education system to Russian-speaking families. 


BGHS in the News

Influential former Buffalo Grove football coach Grant Blaney dies at 85

The Chicago Sun-Times, January 13, 2021

Grant Blaney, who started Buffalo Grove’s football program and led it to an undefeated state title run 12 years later, died on Tuesday. He was 85. Blaney played at Amundsen and Iowa State before embarking on a lengthy coaching career that included stints as an assistant at Thornridge and Wheeling before he came to Buffalo Grove when the school opened in 1973. Read Story


Grant Blaney, Buffalo Grove coaching legend, dies at 85

The Daily Herald, January 13, 2021

Before he was ever formally introduced to Grant Blaney, Buffalo Grove head football coach Jeff Vlk felt like he already knew the legendary Bison football coach. "When you first come to Buffalo Grove as a teacher, one of the first people they make sure you know about is Grant Blaney," said Vlk, who began his career at Buffalo Grove as an assistant coach and teacher in 2005. "He is a legend at Buffalo Grove." Read Story


Looking for More?

Click Here for the New Block Schedule

Click Here for the Blue & Orange Calendar

Click Here for the D214 School Calendars

Click Here for the 3rd 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