Buffalo Grove High School Principal's Blog: August 2021

Friday, August 27, 2021

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog 08/27/21

Friday Focus: Learning Lab Tutoring Support

Did you know that tutoring support is available in the BGHS Learning Lab? Located in the Library, the Learning Lab has peer tutors available before school beginning at 7:20 AM, during the day and after school until 4:00 PM. Additionally, teachers are in the Learning Lab throughout the day. Tutoring for all subjects is offered. Please contact Rachel Gross at 847-718-4359 with any questions.

Upcoming Dates

Date	Event
September 6	Labor Day - Building Closed
September 7	Non-Attendance Day - Building Closed
September 9	Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM at Forest View Educational Center
September 14	Buffalo Grove Parent Association Meeting 7:00 pm in the Community Room
September 15	Social and Emotional Health Parent Series (Part 2 of 3): Understanding & Responding to Stress & Anxiety 7:00-8:00 PM via Zoom Click HERE for more information
September 16	Non-Attendance Day - Building Closed
September 23	Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM at Forest View Educational Center
September 23	Supporting School Engagement Parent Series (Part 2 of 2) 7:00-8:00 PM via Zoom Click HERE for more information
October 7	Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM at Forest View Educational Center
October 8	End of 1st Quarter
October 11	Institute Day - Students not in attendance
October 12	Start of 2nd Quarter
October 13	PSAT/NMSQT for Juniors - Register HERE deadline is September 10, 2021
October 14	Social and Emotional Health Parent Series (Part 3 of 3): Parenting from a Growth Mindset 7:00-8:00 PM via Zoom Click HERE for more information

Staff Spotlight

What is your name? Keith Bellof

How long have you been/what is your role at BG? 1st year at Buffalo Grove High School, 26th year in District 214. I have the pleasure of working as the Student Life Coordinator. This role has several components, with the majority of my time spent working with the freshmen and assisting students who are behind in credits.

Where did you go to high school? I went to William Fremd High School in Palatine. I still live in Palatine with my wife and three daughters. One is a junior at Palatine High School, one is attending Illinois State University and the other Judson University in Elgin.

What part of education do you find the most rewarding? I love working with students to help them realize they are able to accomplish so much more than they thought they could.

What are you most looking forward to this year? Not only am I new to this role, this role is new to Buffalo Grove High School. I'm excited to develop this role and work with the students and staff to make this a great year, finding success in all areas: academically, socially, and personally.

What are you currently reading, and/ or do you have a favorite author or podcast? My good friend's son wrote a small collection of essays about Prince (the music artist), titled Electric Word Life. I am also reading White lies by Daniel Hill. I'm a big fan of the Agent Pendergast novels by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I am currently waiting for the latest novel to come in at the library.

What activities or clubs do you coach/sponsor? I am not currently coaching/sponsoring a specific group, however my role gives me the opportunity to interact with many different students in all sorts of sports and activities. In the past, I coached Science Olympiad and sponsored the Best Friends club.

What is something unique about you? I started running marathons in my mid thirties to help raise money to bring clean water to families in Africa. Since 2009, I have run 20 marathons and a couple ultra marathons and helped to bring clean water to over 2200 people.

Back Those Bison!

Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the Coming Week

Date	Time	Event
August 31	3:30 PM	Boys Golf vs Conant & Rolling Meadows at the Buffalo Grove Golf Course
	4:45 PM	Girls Tennis vs Barrington
	5:45 PM	Girls Cross Country vs Fremd
	6:15 PM	Boys Cross Country vs Fremd
	6:45 PM	Boys Soccer vs Lyons Township
September 1	4:30 PM	Girls Tennis vs Fremd
September 2	4:45 PM	Girls Swimming & Diving vs Barrington
September 2	6:00 PM	Girls Volleyball vs Grayslake Central
September 4	10:30 AM	Boys Golf Varsity Tournament at Buffalo Grove Golf Course
Please call our Sports/Weather Hotline at (847) 718-4213 for sports status updates.

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

Is your student looking for a way to get involved?

Check out the link below for clubs, athletics and activities offered at Buffalo Grove High School. Make sure to click on the “arrow” to expand the list of information for coaches and sponsors.CLICK HERE for Co-Curricular Sports, Activities and Clubs

Bison in the News

Girls Swimming and diving: Scouting the Northwest suburbs

The Daily Herald, August 20, 2021

Buffalo Grove coach Michael McPartlin says that the Bison are “really looking forward to having a state meet this year and having a few qualifiers make it out of sectional in relays and individual events.” Read the story HERE

Parent Involvement

BGHS parents have the opportunity to join several groups that support our students. The Bison Boosters support the athletics program, the Buffalo Grove Instrumental Association and Friends of the Orchestra support the band and orchestra programs, the Buffalo Grove Choral Guild supports our choir programs, and the Buffalo Grove Parent Association supports the school's educational programs. Each group has its own set of policies, membership responsibilities, and meeting schedules. Please consider supporting these parent groups.

Most donations will flow through the District 214Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, and you will be sent an automatic receipt and thank-you. Your support is significant, and provides tangible opportunities for our students in athletics, the fine and performing arts and academics.

CLICK HERE to Join/Support the Buffalo Grove Parent Association

CLICK HERE to Join/Support the Bison Boosters

CLICK HERE to Join/Support the BG Instrumental Association

CLICK HERE TO Join/Support the BG Choral Guild

CLICK HERE to Join/Support the Friends of the Orchestra (FOTO)

Looking for More?

Click Here for the BGHS Website

Click Here for the 1st Quarter Parent Newsletter

Click Here for the New Bell Schedule

Click Here for the Blue & Orange Day Calendar

Click Here for the D214 School Calendars

Click Here for BG's student newspaper, The Charger

Click Here for the Unspoken Herd Podcast

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 20, 2021

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog 08/20/2021

Friday Focus: Open House

This coming Thursday, August 26th from 6-9pm is our Open House event for Parents to hear from our administration, walk their child’s schedule, and meet their child's teachers. We hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE to read the Open House Parent Letter

The Bison Impact:

Congratulations to the Boys Golf team on a 1st place finish at the Hersey Invite at Old Orchard with a team score of 296!
Congratulations to Golfers Dori Lee ('22) and Ryan Beerheide (‘22) on 1st and 2nd place finishes at the Hersey Invite this week! Dori was a 1st place medalist with a 2 under par, bogie-free 68. Ryan scorched the back nine with a 32 (2 under par) to place 2nd with an even par round of 70 out of 76 golfers.

Upcoming Dates

Date	Event
August 26	Open House
September 6	Labor Day - Building Closed
September 7	Non-Attendance Day - Building Closed
September 9	Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM at Forest View Educational Center
September 14	Buffalo Grove Parent Association Meeting 7:00 pm in the Community Room
September 16	Non-Attendance Day - Building Closed
September 23	Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM at Forest View Educational Center

Open House Thursday, August 26, 2021

CLICK HERE for the Open House parent letter and schedule

Staff Spotlight

What is your name? Josh Stewart

What department do you teach in/ How long have you been teaching at BG?

Music Department. 1st year at BG, 12th year in District 214, 19th year in the classroom

Where did you go to high school? Parkway South High School in Manchester, Missouri.

What part of teaching do you find the most rewarding? The moment when something clicks for a student and/or ensemble. There’s a visible change in a student or group when that “aha” moment happens. It is my goal to push for one of those moments everyday.

What new thing did you learn teaching remotely last year? When there is a will, there is a way. As a music director I was pushed to find ways to engage students in a remote setting that normally happens in the classroom organically. With remote learning I felt I was walking a tightrope between rigor/content and social emotional well being. With reflection, collaboration, and recalibration, I was able to find that balance to make learning possible under the extreme circumstances.

What are you currently reading, and/ or do you have a favorite author or podcast?

I am currently reading Rage Company by Thomas Daly. I befriended the author this summer while coaching a baseball team that included both of our sons. At an end of the season party he shared some of his experience in the military. After the incredible details he shared I remarked, “You should write a book.” He casually responded with “I did.”

One of my favorite authors is Ralph Ellison, author of Invisible Man and Juneteenth. Ellison is a musician turned author whose prose has a musical and rhythmic quality.

What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor? At Buffalo Grove I lead the orchestra program and direct the pit orchestra for the Spring Musical. I also direct the D214 Honors Orchestra which includes students from all six curricular high schools.

What is something unique about you? Due to my father being an officer in the Air Force, I lived in Japan for 4 years. It is in Japan where I started playing the violin, leading to me being an orchestra director.