Friday, September 24, 2021

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog 09/24/2021

 Friday Focus:   Bison Academy Tomorrow 8:30-11 AM

BIson Academy is back! The first session of the BGHS Bison Academy will be Saturday, September 25th from 8:30am - 11:00am in the Library. The Bison Academy is an extra opportunity for students to get support with their academics from our BGHS Staff and student tutors from the National Honors Society. We will have support in a variety of subjects, as well as access to many school resources. Students can also utilize the Bison Academy as a quiet place outside of the school day that allows them to focus and get work done. This is a drop-in service, meaning that even though each session is 2.5 hours long, students can come and go as they see fit; they do not have to come right at the start and do not have to stay until the end.  


Please visit https://MrLinh.art/BisonAcademy for a 6 minute video explaining the Bison Academy, and https://MrLinh.art/BisonAcademyCalendar for a Google Calendar you can add to your phone or Google account with all the dates for this semester. 


Questions? Please reach out to Lisa Raucci at lisa.raucci@d214.org or Brian Linhart at brian.linhart@d214.or



Recent Alum: Let your voice be heard!

CLICK HERE to Participate

District 214 is conducting an equity audit and will be surveying students, parents, staff and alumni to obtain feedback about their experiences with and perceptions of our schools. In addition to the survey, focus groups will be held to fully capture the voices of our stakeholders. Our District is proactively identifying areas of strength and areas for growth. This review will allow for a comprehensive analysis of both survey data and group discussions. Research studies have indicated that such reviews allow for revelations concerning marginalized populations that would inform continuous improvement efforts. 


Participation in both the survey and listening sessions is voluntary and confidential. While all students, parents, staff and alumni are able to participate in the survey, there is very limited space in the listening sessions. We are inviting alumni to indicate their interest in participating in these small focus groups as critical stakeholders in the institution of education. These focus groups are open to all alumni and will be conducted virtually. The alumni focus groups will consist of up to 8 participants with an external facilitator. During the focus group, you will be asked a limited number of questions to share your experience and perspective. The responses are confidential. 


We hope to gain insight from our staff members to continuously improve conditions that advance the student and staff experience in District 214. There will be several focus groups throughout the day. Space is limited so you are encouraged to sign-up immediately. For questions regarding participation in a focus group, please contact me. Thank you for your review and consideration.


Tony Bradburn

Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

anthony.bradburn@d214.org

847.718.7731


Please respond by Friday, October 8, 2021


The Bison Impact: 

  • Congratulations to Gymnast Ben Valak and Coach Crandall on their D214 Board of Education recognition last night! Ben was the State champion on Parallel Bars and finished 3rd in the All-Around in the State competition in May!

  • Congratulations to the Class of 2022 Girls Volleyball players celebrating Senior Night this week!

  • Congratulations to the Class of 2022 Boys Soccer players celebrating Senior Night this week!

  • Our Orchesis dancers performed this week as part of the District 214 Artist in Residence event at Prospect!

  • Congratulations to Girls Swimming & Diving on the 1st place win at the Centennial Charger Invitational for the 3rd consecutive year!

  • ​​Congratulations to Model UN on a great performance at their first conference of the year at SMUNC! Congratulations to award winners: Zach Duvel for Outstanding Delegate and Honorable Mention winners Ari Duvel, Mia Roque, Evan Sternberg, and Onyx Romanski!

  • Congratulations to the Boys Golf team on tying for 2nd out of 20 teams at the highly regarded Wildcat Invitational at Chevy Chase last weekend!

  • Congratulations to Golfers Connor Woodin on tying for 1st and Ryan Beerheide for placing 4 out of 113 players at the Wheeling Wildcat Invitational at Chevy Chase last weekend!

 

Upcoming Dates

Date

Event

September 28 

Directions College and Career Fair - 6:00 pm (virtual) Click HERE for more info

October 2 

Homecoming Dance “A Night in the Tropics”  7:30-10:30 PM in the Stadium

Tickets $20/single $40/couple on sale 7:30-8:30 am 9/27-10/1 in the Main Foyer 

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

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

October 15

Underclass Picture Day Make-up/Retakes in the Staff Lounge during school hours.

October 20 

Winter Play, Augusta & Noble, Auditions in A136 3:30-5:30 PM

October 28 

Parent Teacher Conferences

November 24 

Non-Attendance Day - All Buildings Closed

November 25 

Thanksgiving Day - All Buildings Closed

November 26 

Non-Attendance Day - All Buildings Closed



Homecoming Week Theme Days


​​Staff Spotlight

What is your name? Devonte Amos a.k.a. “Coach Devo”


What department do you teach in/ How long have you been teaching at BG? This is my first year teaching at BG and I teach within the Physical Education Department.  


Where did you go to high school? I attended Rolling Meadows High School, class of 2017.


What part of teaching do you find the most rewarding? What I find most rewarding about teaching is getting to know my students and building relationships with them. Every student comes with a different background and set of experiences and as an educator being able to tap into this information to help me become an effective mentor and leader, fills me with joy every day.


What new thing have you learned this year as a teacher? This year I have learned the value of self-reflection. Not only for myself but for my students as well. In a world where we have all been placed out of our comfort zone, I’ve found it essential for us to be comfortable with failure and learning how to grow from it.


What are you currently reading, and/ or do you have a favorite author or podcast? The book I am currently reading is Grading for Equity by Feldman.


What activities or clubs do you coach/sponsor? Currently I am coaching football and I will be coaching girls’ basketball in the winter and boys track and field in the spring. Additionally, I am in the works of assisting with a new student leadership group at BG. (Stay tuned!)


What is something unique about you? Something unique about me is that I was the first person in my family to receive a college degree.


Fall Play Tickets on Sale Now!


Back Those Bison!

Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the Coming Week

Date

Time

Event

September 25

8:00 AM

Girls Swimming & Diving Invitational

11:00 AM

Boys Soccer vs Lake Forest

September 30

4:45 PM

Girls Swimming & Diving vs Hersey

October 1 

4:45 PM

Boys Soccer vs Palatine

7:30 PM

Football vs Elk Grove

October 2 

1:00 PM

Boys Soccer vs Crystal Lake South

**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

 

​​Future Bison Cheerleading Clinic 

Cheer with the CHAMPIONS!                                                                                 

CLINIC: Thursday, October 14, 5:45p.m.- 7:45p.m.

GAME: Friday, October 15, 7:00p.m. BG vs Wheeling

WHO: Boys and Girls Ages 3-14 - Grade School Clinic and Middle School Clinic

WHERE: The Buffalo Grove High School Cafeteria.You must wear a mask!

INFORMATION:  The cost is $45.00 per child that includes: T-Shirt, Bow, Shaker Poms, Snack on 10/14 and admission for the cheerleader and two others to the football game.Participants will cheer pre-game and the first quarter of the BG vs Wheeling Varsity Football Game.  Checks made out to Buffalo Grove High School. 

Click HERE for the Future Bison Cheerleading Clinic registration form

 

CLICK HERE for the BG Network/BGTV Vimeo Page

 

BGHS Fall 2021 College & Military Rep Visits

BGHS will be hosting college and military reps both in person and virtually. All rep visits, even the virtual visits, will be held in the College and Career Center (room G153). Please pick up a pass in the College and Career Center to attend any of these rep visits.

CLICK HERE for other D214 college rep visit opportunities

CLICK HERE for 20 Questions to Ask College Representatives

September 27

11:25 AM

University of Alabama-Huntsville (AL)

In Person


12:10 PM

Michigan State University (MI)

In Person


12:55 PM

Illinois College (IL)

In Person

September 28

11:25 AM

Holy Cross College (IN)

Virtual


12:10 PM

Mount Saint Mary's University (CA)

Virtual


12:55 PM

Texas A&M University - College Station (TX)

Virtual

September 29

11:25 AM

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (MN)

In Person


12:55 PM

University of St. Francis (IL)

Virtual

 

Directions 2021 College and Career Fair

September 28, 2021 6:00 pm | Virtual Platform

The virtual fair showcases post-secondary options for students with special needs hosted by High School District 214, Township High School District 211, Barrington Unit School District 220, Harper College, and St. Viator High School. Along with short video clips and resources from representatives of colleges and post-secondary institutions introducing and discussing their programs, there will be a live panel of select program representatives answering questions.

For all resources and the link to join the event, please visit: www.directionscollegeandcareerfair.org

 

 

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


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