Friday, October 6, 2023

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog 10/06/23

 Friday Focus: Homecoming 2023

Last week we celebrated an incredible homecoming week, capped by big wins Friday night by both our Boy’s Soccer and Football teams!  


3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Summit

This week, Buffalo Grove High School had the pleasure of hosting the 3rd annual Hispanic Heritage Summit. This year’s Summit theme, Intégrate, highlighted our BG theme of belonging. The packed theater of over 400 students enjoyed featured performances by Mariachi Vivo México, some of our very own student dancers, as well as an inspirational message from keynote speaker, Joey Negron.


One Grove Gallery Exhibit Honors Hispanic Heritage

The new One Grove Gallery exhibit, "Historias De Herencia Hispana," highlights the vast diversity among the Spanish speakers we have in our BGHS community. This exhibit hopes to highlight each country and bring a Buffalo Grove personal experience to the exhibit. All of the Spanish teachers helped put this show together, and Mr. Erik Perez Garcia took photographs of staff and students for the exhibit. Any students of hispanic descent that visit the gallery are invited to put a dot on the map showing where their families are from. The show will be up for a month. Check out the One Grove Gallery website HERE. Please contact Ms. Oversmith with any questions.


AP Exam Registration Now Open

A​P Exam Registration is now open!​ AP Exam Registration is open from October 2nd through November 1st. Please go to the BGHS website under “School Info” then “Registration” or CLICK HERE for the online registration portal link

AP Exam Registration is a 2 step process. We cannot order you an exam until both steps are completed.

  1. You need to enroll in your AP Classroom ​using the join code given by your AP Teacher​.

  2.  Have a receipt from the D214 registration page​.​

Financial Assistance is available - please speak to your counselor or the Assessment Center. If you want to double check that your registration was received:

  • Review your MyAP account

  • Check the Assessment Center bulletin board for a listing of registered students. We are located in G150 next to the cafeteria. 

If you have any questions, please ​contact the Assessment Center at 847-718-4030.


The Bison Impact: 

  • Congratulations to sophomore Courtney Beerheide who finished 2nd at the Girls Golf Sectionals and advanced to the IHSA State Tournament this weekend! Fight on!

  • Congratulations to Boys Soccer on clinching the MSL East! The Bison will take on Palatine High School for the Conference title next week on Thursday, October 12 at 7:00 pm at Palatine. Fight on!

  • Congratulations to Sophomore Boys Cross Country, the Niles West Pat Savage Invitational champs! Congratulations to Riley Wold who won the individual title!

  • Congratulations to freshman Cross Country runner, Spencer Flershem, on his huge 3rd place finish out of 181 runners at the Niles West Frosh/Soph Invite!

  • Congratulations to Homecoming Royalty King Ray and Martyna Ostrega.

  • Congratulations to Model UN students junior Alina Hussain, Best Delegate, and sophomore Haley Sheth, Honorable Mention at SMUNC last weekend!

  • Congratulations to Girls Cross Country on their 4th place finish at the Lake Forest Varsity Night Run this week!

  • Congratulations to Olivia Obiedzinski on her 3rd place finish at the Lake Forest Night Run this week!

  • Congratulations to Ella Halter on her 2nd place finish at the Lake Forest Night Run this week!

  • Congratulations to the Class of 2024 Volleyball teammates celebrating Senior Night this week!

  • Students from Buffalo Grove High School and Stevenson HS participated in a Civics Forum at the Village of Buffalo Grove. Students voted to approve new life-saving equipment for our Fire Department’s rescue team.


Upcoming Dates

Date

Event

October 12

Bison Academy in the LIbrary 3:15-5:45 pm

October 13 

First Quarter ends

October 16 

Institute Day - Students not in attendance

October 17 

Second Quarter begins

October 18

PSAT/NMSQT testing for all juniors CLICK HERE for more information

D214 College & Career Ready! Night: A Virtual Event 6:00-8:00 pm

CLICK HERE for info

Buffalo Grove Parent Association (BGPA) meeting 7:00 pm Community Room

October 21 

Class of 2028 - 8th Grade Testing 8:00 am

October 26 

Picture Day Last Chance & Retakes

Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-9:00 pm

October 28 

Class of 2028 - 8th Grade Testing (make up day)

November 1 

Last day to register for May AP Exams CLICK HERE to Register

November 11 

Bison Academy in the Library  8:30 -11:00 am

November 15

Buffalo Grove Parent Association (BGPA) meeting 7:00 pm Community Room

November 22 

Non-Attendance Day (Building Closed)

November 23 

Thanksgiving Day (Building Closed)

November 24 

Non-Attendance Day (Building Closed)


GO LIME GREEN WEEK

Next week is our First Annual Go Lime Green Week, full of activities to promote mental health and mindfulness. Each day, we will have someone speaking at the end of morning announcements highlighting that day’s events, along with a mindfulness activity, tips and facts. BG Mindful Movement will present “Here for you!”, a community discussion on mental health on Thursday, October 12th at 6:30 pm. On Friday, Go Lime Green Week will culminate with the football game against Prospect, who will be joining us in support of Go LIme Green Week.


Ann Cole, a junior at BG, has advocated tirelessly behind the scenes for three years to bring this event to BG and mental health awareness to the forefront. At halftime of the football game, a proclamation will be read, accompanied by a framed certificate presented to Principal Jeff Wardle, Associate Principal of Student Services Rob Hartwig, and Ann Cole, proclaiming BGHS the first school in Illinois to be associated with NAMI and the Go Lime Green event! 


Hoodies and shirts will be for sale during lunch periods, in conjunction with the Blue Crew. Proceeds will go to support future Go Lime Green events....because this isn't just a one time event; it will happen every year! There will also be a table during lunch and at the football game where students and staff can sign to declare themselves as a mental health advocate. Throughout the week, we hope to convey the message to our students that we value addressing one's mental wellness. GO LIME GREEN!


Bison Academy Thursday, October 12 

The next session of the Bison Academy will be on Thursday, October 12th from 3:15-5:45 pm in the Library. Bison Academy is a free tutoring center that is offered to students that might need some extra support in some of their classes, time to make up work, tests, or quizzes, or just to have a quiet place to study and get work done. Please have your student consider attending if they are struggling in any classes. To learn more about the Bison Academy, you can watch the video at https://youtu.be/8YF6cSg8T1M. This is a drop-in service; meaning that students do not have to come right at the start or stay until the very end. Students do not need to sign up in advance to attend. If you have any questions about the Bison Academy, please feel free to email Brian Linhart (counselor) at brian.linhart@d214.org or Lisa Raucci (science teacher) at lisa.raucci@d214.org. 


Parent-Teacher Conferences

Thursday, October 26, 2023 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

All conferences will be virtual

This year, we will once again be utilizing a video conferencing style of meetings. You will be able to schedule appointments online from Monday, October 16th through Friday, October 20th. More information, including the  online link to schedule appointments, will be emailed to families via School Messenger October. Please select the top four teachers you would like to see when scheduling your conferences.  Individual conferences will be limited to 10 minutes each.


YOU MUST HAVE AN INFINITE CAMPUS PARENT PORTAL ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO MAKE A PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE APPOINTMENT. If you have not created your parent account in Infinite Campus please contact our Tech HelpDesk in order to get a login code. They can be reached at BGHShelpdesk@d214.org or you can call them at 847-718-4222.  Be sure to have your student’s ID number when you call.


Infinite Campus - New way to report absences 

Parents now have the ability to request a student absence in advance using the Infinite Campus parent portal. Complete instructions on how to use this feature can be found once you log in. Please verify the email address on file to ensure you receive confirmation notifications. If you do not have Infinite Campus parent access, please contact our technology helpdesk at 847-718-4222 or bghshelpdesk@d214.org.


Class of 2028 

Incoming Freshman Pre-Registration/Placement Exam

Pre-Registration provides essential information for the high school student information system and is part of the student high school record. This is the first step to becoming a student at a District 214 high school and will also register students for the Placement Exam. It is important to pre-register now so the high schools can communicate with you regarding placement, parent nights, and registration. Please complete all the information as accurately as possible. During Pre-Registration, you will be asked to complete a quick survey to tell us more about your student. Placement Testing for 8th Grade Students at all 6 District 214 high schools will be on  Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Test makeup date is Saturday, October 28, 2023: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Students should bring #2 pencils and a calculator for the exam. The placement exam is a paper test and students will bubble their answers on a separate answer sheet. Placement Exam Frequently Asked Questions


CLICK HERE for more information on pre-registration and placement testing for Incoming Freshmen. Testing will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023  at 8:00 am.


For more information on the D214 College and Career Ready! Night and a schedule of events, please visit the event website.



Support the Buffalo Grove Parent Association

You can make a significant difference!

At present, The Buffalo Grove Parent Association (BGPA) is 30 families short of their membership enrollment goal. Each family that joins strengthens our community, aids in enriching our students' experience, and reinforces the Bison spirit that we cherish. Your $25 Membership dues are much more than just a contribution. They enable items such as:

  • Homecoming Fireworks: A magical evening that was recently celebrated this past Friday.

  • Senior Scholarships: Financial assistance for our graduating seniors as they venture onto the next phase of their educational journey.

  • Mini-Grants: Essential to support innovative projects and student endeavors.

  • Senior Day Activities: Celebratory and memorable experiences for our soon-to-be graduates.

  • Snacks for Finals: Helping our students stay nourished and focused during their most challenging academic times.

... And so much more that adds value to our students' experiences!

We deeply rely on the collective support of our Bison community to sustain these meaningful initiatives. Let's keep the traditions alive and thriving. We hope you'll consider joining us today. Click Here to Join 

If you prefer not to be a member but still would like to contribute, we do have a donation link: CLICK HERE TO DONATE


Bison Band Trivia Night Friday, November 3

The Buffalo Grove Instrumental Association will host the First Annual Trivia Night to support the band program on Friday, November 3. Tickets are $35 per person and purchases your entry ticket and buffet dinner. A cash bar will be available. There will be tables/teams of eight, so invite your friends and family to join in on the fun! 

Purchase tickets here: https://trivianight.cheddarup.com



Save the Date! Wednesday, October 11th

BGPA's October Dining for Dollars at Lou Malnati's

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria will donate 20% of Dine-In, Takeout, and Delivery orders to support a great cause, BGPA! On behalf of the Buffalo Grove High School Parent Association, you're invited to join us and eat out to support the organization and show one of your Buffalo Grove restaurants some love too! This is an all-day event! 

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, 85 S. Buffalo Grove Rd, Buffalo Grove

Tell your family and friends! Please take advantage of a great opportunity to support our Bison students while enjoying a great meal!

In addition to dining in, you can participate in this fundraiser in several ways:

  • Phone Call - Call (847) 215-7100 and mention that you are with BGPA before placing your order. 

  • Restaurant Website - Visit Lou Malnati's Pizzeria's online order website. Use the promo code of "GRPRSFUND23" and 20% of your meal’s price will be donated back to BGPA. 

  • Notice: Orders from third-party delivery apps do not qualify for this fundraiser.

**We ask that you RSVP here: https://grouprai.se/e256970 (even if you're not completely sure) so Lou Malnati's Pizzeria knows roughly how many orders (even if it's dine-in or not) to expect & so you have access to all the event details** Enjoy and thank you for your support!


The Unspoken Herd Podcast 

Season 4 Debut Episode

On this first episode of Season 4, The Unspoken Herd hosts Spencer Smith and Sam Haas welcome BGHS International Relations club advisor, Zach Crandall and club media manager Charlie Schwartz, to discuss the formation of the club, what they do at meetings, and what the future holds. You won't want to miss our first episode of the year! Special thanks to our student audio technician Jacob Moodhe. If you haven't already, give this and our other episodes a listen! (available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify and MORE! Just search The Unspoken Herd!)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN What in the World? the Bison go International (ep. 1)


Back Those Bison!

Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the Coming Weeks

Date

Time

Event

October 12

4:45 pm

Girls Swimming & Diving vs. Hersey

October 13

7:00 pm

Football vs. Prospect

**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


BGHS Fall 2023 College & Military Rep Visits

BGHS will be hosting college and military reps 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 the full list of college rep visit opportunities

CLICK HERE for 20 Questions to Ask College Representatives

CLICK HERE for the College & Career Center resource page


ILLINOIS STATE COLLEGE WEEK OCTOBER 10-13

October 10 

11:25 AM

Eastern Illinois University

12:10 PM

Governors State University

12:55 PM

Illinois State University

October 11

11:25 AM

Northeastern Illinois University

October 12 

11:25 AM

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

12:10 PM

University of Illinois at Springfield

October 13 

11:25 AM

Northern Illinois University


Staff Spotlight - Araceli Nevarez


What is your name? My name is Araceli J. Nevarez


What department do you work in? I work in the EL-IA


How long have you been working at BG? I have been working at BG for two months.


Where did you go to high school/ college? I did my high school in Durango, Mexico.


What part of working at BG do you find the most rewarding? Working with young students is rewarding for me, and I am surrounded by incredible colleagues. Every day I learn something more and I love that.


What are you currently reading, and/ or do you have a favorite author or podcast? I just started a book called Trojan Horse by J.J. Benitez. It is an incredible book.


What is something unique about you? I love art. In my free time I usually paint with pastels or acrylic paint.


What’s a bucket list item for you? Travel and take art classes.


BGHS in the News

Girls golf: Buffalo Grove's Beerheide finishes strong to edge Wallace for regional crown

The Daily Herald, September 29, 2023

What a finish it was at the Bonnie Dundee Golf Club on Thursday as Buffalo Grove sophomore Courtney Beerheide caught Barrington freshman Reese Wallace at the wire to claim medalist honors in the Class 2A Barrington girls golf regional in Carpentersville. Wallace had put up a nifty 1-under par 70 well ahead of Beerheide, who came home sizzling with three birdies on her final six holes to take the individual crown by 1 stroke with a sparkling 69. Read Story


Internship yields part-time job and long-term path

The Daily Herald, October 3, 2023

As a junior at Buffalo Grove High School, Shruti Mukhopadhyay was thinking about her future- in college and beyond. She was interested in pursuing an engineering degree, maybe specializing in chemical and materials engineering. But, she said, "I wanted to gauge how a job would be, what the daily life of an engineer would be like and what the work looked like. I wanted some hands-on experience." Shruti applied to the internship program coordinated by the District 214 Center for Career Discovery. 

Read Story


Houston, Conic, Juiris, Oleksy Among Standout Swimmers

Journal & Topics, September 27, 2023

Buffalo Grove 120, Rolling Meadows 59: Bison sophomore Ella Houston had quite the dual winning first place in the 200-yard free (1:57.10) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:08.52). Not to be outdone, fellow sophomore Vera Conic of Rolling Meadows swam to a new BG pool record 57.59 in the 100-yard butterfly, and took first in the 50-yard freestyle with a season-best 25 seconds flat. Conic also set a new pool record in the 100-yard backstroke at Saturday’s Buffalo Grove Bison Stampede invite. As if that wasn’t enough, Conic also broke her own pool record Sept. 16 in the 100-back at Prospect and recorded her best time in the 100-fly. Read Story


Girls golf: Beerheide's sizzling 67 nets her MSL crown; Barrington wins another team title

The Daily Herald, September 20, 2023

No one came close to the team or individual champion at the Mid-Suburban League girls golf tournament held at the Makray Memorial Golf Club on Wednesday in Barrington. Buffalo Grove sophomore Courtney Beerheide's eye-popping 4-under score of 67 easily won the individual crown by 7 strokes over Barrington's duo of senior Leah Gaidos and freshman Reese Wallace, who tied for second (73) while leading the host Fillies (307) to a lopsided 53-stroke victory for the ninth consecutive title. Read Story


Boys golf: Woodin's closing birdie nets MSL championship; Barrington takes team title

The Daily Herald, September 21, 2023

It was about as tight of a finish that anyone could remember in the 62 years of the Mid Suburban boys golf championships Thursday at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club. The medalist honor came down to the final six-foot putt by Buffalo Grove's Connor Woodin, who dropped the birdie putt to finish with a three-under 67. That edged Prospect's Patrick Raupp and Hersey's Chad Tramba, who were both one shot back at 68.

Read Story


Need a job that works with your kids’ schedules?

Come work with us!

D214 has immediate openings for food service workers. Enjoy 5-hour work days and shifts end at 2pm! Apply now: http://links.d214.org/foodservice


Students Looking for a Job?

CLICK HERE for the BGHS Job Board. Check back often for updates and new postings.


Looking for More?

Click Here for the 1st Quarter Parent Newsletter

Click Here for the detailed daily BG Activity/Athletics Calendar

Click Here for the BGHS Website

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 D214 Food Services Information

Click Here for BG's student newspaper, The Charger

Click Here for the Unspoken Herd Podcast

Click Here for One Grove Gallery exhibits and information

Click Here for the BGPA Bison Spiritwear online store

Click Here to Join/Support the Buffalo Grove H.S. Parent Groups