Friday, January 23, 2015

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog




Meet our newest Bison, Buck

Buck is a two year old boxer mix.  He has been trained as a therapy dog through the organization called Paws Giving Independence (PGI). PGI has high standards for all of their potential service, facility, or therapy dogs. Buck was matched for services in a high school setting for his loving temperament, gentle and friendly nature, and desire to please. He will be used in our student services department.  We are very excited to have Buck at Buffalo Grove.  


Brief overview of Therapy Dogs
Dogs have been used extensively to support and improve mental health.  They are sent to areas where great tragedy has occurred; they visit hospitals and nursing homes; veterans suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) or brain trauma use them during therapy, children giving difficult court testimony use them; colleges high schools have them available during finals week to reduce stress; they provide emotional and sensory support to children on the autism spectrum and they help reluctant readers feel comfortable reading aloud and improve their reading skills.  Therapy dogs are also used in two of our own District Schools.  Prospect High School has full time therapy dog that works in the counseling department and throughout the school environment.  In addition, Forest View Academy and Vanguard schools employ a private therapy dog owner to bring her dog to their schools to work with the students.


If you have questions regarding the use of a therapy dog in the school setting, please contact our Special Education Division Head, Rick Carlson, at richard.carlson@d214.org


BGPA Communication and Link
Lou's Pizza Factory http://www.louspizzafactory.com/#!menu/c5hf will be having a fundraiser to support the BGPA** (Buffalo Grove Parent's Association).  They have delicious antipasti, pastas (including gluten free), flat and pan pizzas, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks.  They are just a few blocks east of BGHS and are located at 719 E. Dundee Rd. in Arlington Heights.  This fundraiser will be for FIVE days beginning Superbowl Sunday, 2/1 through Thursday, 2/5, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m..  Lou's Pizza Factory will not be charging tax and will be donating 25% of their income if you mention BGPA.  This is valid for dine in, carryout, or delivery.  Any questions, please contact BGPA member, Lisa Groh at vantagept1@gmail.com or (847) 682-1200.  Thank you for your support of BGPA!

** BGPA supports numerous items at BGHS including; providing safe Post-Prom activities at Pinstripes in Northbrook, 10 college scholarships, Teacher Appreciation lunch, student snacks for finals, Student Directories, Spirit Wear, etc.


DISTRICT 214 CALENDAR
February 16 Presidents’ Day - No School
March 20 Spring Vacation Begins at Close of Classes
March 30 First Day of Classes after Spring Vacation
April 3 Non-Attendance Day - No School
May 25 Memorial Day - No School
May 31 Commencement Exercises
June 5 Last Day of Classes


Back Those Bison - Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the coming week
January 23 Boys Wrestling vs. Elk Grove, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 24 Boys Swimming/Diving Bison Invite, 8:30 am, Pool
January 24 Boys Basketball vs. Prospect, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 24 Chess, MSL Tournament, TBA
January 24 Pom Pons at Sectionals, Lake Park High School
January 26 Girls Bowling vs. Schaumburg, 4:30 pm, Arlington Lanes
January 27 Girls Basketball vs. Prospect, 7:30 pm, Gym
January 30 Boys Swimming/Diving vs. Elk Grove, 4:30 pm, Pool
January 30 Girls Basketball vs. Hersey, 7:30 pm, Gym
January 30 Girls Gymnastics at Conference, TBA
January 30 & 31 Boys Wrestling at Conference, TBA
January 30 & 31 Pom Pons at State, TBA
January 31 Boys Basketball vs. Niles West, 4:30 pm, Gym
January 31 Girls Bowling at Conference, TBA
January 31 Cheerleading at Sectionals, TBA

For underlevel and away sporting events and the most current information for B.G. activities, please go to:  http://il.8to18.com/buffalogrove/calendar


Daily Announcements Link
Buffalo Grove High School provides daily announcements to the students to keep them informed of current and upcoming events. To provide you with more information, the Student Announcements are now online. The announcements will be online for 10 days.    


Staff member/ student of the week

What is your name? Amy Silverman
Amy Silverman collaborating with colleague Kurt Kutska

What department do you teach in/ what courses do you teach? I teach English and Social Thinking in the Special Ed. Department. I co-teach Written/Oral Com. and American Lit. & Comp. in the English Department.

How long have you been teaching at BG? I transferred from FV to BG eight years ago, but this is only my 3rd year back in the classroom. I spent my first five years at BG as the Special Education Coordinator. Must I admit this is my 21st year in District 214? I guess I just did!

Where did you go to high school? Glenbrook North High School.

What part of teaching do you find the most rewarding? Connecting with students on a personal level and earning their trust is most rewarding. I love to watch the lightbulb turn on in students' heads as they grasp the concept being taught!

What is something unique about you? On a professional level, I have taken on a very unique project since the end of last school year... I will be the owner/co-handler of Buck, the future BHGS facility dog! I am looking forward to all of the students and staff benefiting from having Buck as part of the BG staff!

What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor? I am not an official sponsor, but my "open door policy" has created an environment in my classroom where students come and hang out during their open periods. The students call it "chill time". I have a feeling when Buck arrives, he and I may sponsor a "stress reduction club" - I can't wait!

Friday, January 16, 2015

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog



Friday Focus - Special Communication to Parents
This week I would like to highlight the Community Education Department of District 214.  I have been amazed at the number and variety of daytime, evening, and online classes offered through community education.  I wish I could take one every session!   I have taken a Community Ed. course myself (kayaking), I continue to tell my own friends to look into this! Here are just a few of the HUNDREDS of options this spring:

  • Intro to Guitar
  • Learn to Dance
  • 2D and 3D art
  • Computer IT
  • All kinds of Cooking classes
  • Finance and Law classes
  • Zumba/ Pilates/ Yoga
  • Scuba Diving
  • Net Sports
  • Interior Design
  • International Travel

Community ed offers an incredible variety of options - 84 pages worth in this brochure:


DISTRICT 214 CALENDAR
January 16 End of First Semester
January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
January 20 Institute Day, Students NOT in Attendance
January 21 Beginning of Second Semester
February 16 Presidents’ Day - No School
March 20 Spring Vacation Begins at Close of Classes
March 30 First Day of Classes after Spring Vacation
April 3 Non-Attendance Day - No School
May 25 Memorial Day - No School
May 31 Commencement Exercises
June 5 Last Day of Classes


Upcoming Dates/ Big Events Semester 2
January 20 CAF 2019
January 21 BGPA Meeting, 7:00 pm, Community Room


Back Those Bison - Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the coming week
January 16 Boys Swimming/Diving vs. Rolling Meadows, 4:30 pm, Pool
January 16 Boys Wrestling vs. Rolling Meadows, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 16 Pom Pons MSL Competition, Palatine High School
January 17 Girls Bowling, JV Invite, 8:30 am, Arlington Lanes
January 20 Girls Bowling vs. Fremd, 3:30, Arlington Lanes
January 21 Cheerleading MSL Competition, Elk Grove High School
January 22 Girls Bowling vs. Hoffman Estates, 4:30 pm, Arlington Lanes
January 23 Boys Wrestling vs. Elk Grove, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 24 Boys Swimming/Diving Bison Invite, 8:30 am, Pool
January 24 Boys Basketball vs. Prospect, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 24 Pom Pons at Sectionals, Lake Park High School

For underlevel and away sporting events and the most current information for B.G. activities, please go to:  http://il.8to18.com/buffalogrove/calendar


Daily Announcements Link
Buffalo Grove High School provides daily announcements to the students to keep them informed of current and upcoming events. To provide you with more information, the Student Announcements are now online. The announcements will be online for 10 days.    

BG in the News
Buffalo Grove sophomore wins Model United Nations award


Staff member/ student of the week
Kip North keeps us safe!

What is your name?  My given name is Christopher Andrew North - most people know me as Kip

What department do you teach in/ what courses do you teach?  I am part of the PE/CTE  Department.  This past Semester I taught three sections  - Net Sports and Two of our Athletic PE classes

How long have you been teaching at BG?   Since 2002 - 12 years

Where did you go to high school?  I was fortunate to be part of the last graduationg class at Arlington High School

What part of teaching to you find the most rewarding?   The relationships - both with students and colleagues - the opportunity to be influential

What is something unique about you?   I enjoy creating costumes for COSPLAY

What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor?   I am the Boys Athletic Director

Friday, January 9, 2015

Principal Wardle's Weekly Blog




What’s your Blueprint for 2015?
This past summer I was surrounded by building blueprints as BG was under heavy construction.  It was fun and amazing to see the blueprints become reality!  

As we turn the page on 2014 and begin 2015, it is a great time to plan the “blueprint” of your year.  Without a goal or aiming point, we will never accomplish what we want; at the same time, I am always amazed at how close our results can imitate the blueprint we chose for our lives.  I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do this year is live an aimless life.

As you begin 2015 do you have a blueprint of the life you want to have a year from now? Can you see a preferred future? Are there relationships you need to rebuild? Is there a cause calling for your time?  Let’s build a great 2015 together.  

DISTRICT 214 CALENDAR
January 16 End of First Semester
January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
January 20 Institute Day, Students NOT in Attendance
January 21 Beginning of Second Semester
February 16 Presidents’ Day - No School
March 20 Spring Vacation Begins at Close of Classes
March 30 First Day of Classes after Spring Vacation
April 3 Non-Attendance Day - No School
May 25 Memorial Day - No School
May 31 Commencement Exercises
June 5 Last Day of Classes

Upcoming Dates/ Big Events Semester 1
January 14 Final Exams, Periods 1, 2, 6, Makeup
January 15 Final Exams, Periods 3, 7, 4, Makeup
January 16 Final Exams, Periods 8, 5, Makeup
January 20 CAF 2019

Back Those Bison - Varsity Home Sports and Fine Arts for the coming week
January 9 Boys Swimming/Diving vs. Conant, 4:45 pm, Pool
January 9 Boys Basketball vs. Hersey, 7:30 pm, Gym
January 10 Speech/Debate Team, Tournament of Mittens, All Day
January 10 Boys Basketball vs. New Trier, 4:30 pm, Gym
January 11 Cheerleading Invite, All Day, Gym
January 12 Expressions Preview Concert, 7:00 pm, Theater
January 16 Boys Swimming/Diving vs. Rolling Meadows, 4:30 pm, Pool
January 16 Boys Wrestling vs. Rolling Meadows, 6:00 pm, Gym
January 17 Girls Bowling, JV Invite, 8:30 am, Arlington Lanes



For underlevel and away sporting events and the most current information for B.G. activities, please go to:  http://il.8to18.com/buffalogrove/calendar


Daily Announcements Link
Buffalo Grove High School provides daily announcements to the students to keep them informed of current and upcoming events. To provide you with more information, the Student Announcements are now online. The announcements will be online for 10 days.    


Staff Spotlight

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What is your name?  Heidi Haen   

What department do you teach in/ what courses do you teach  History Department (AP US History) and I help run the Literacy Lab with Kate Glass & Sindi Smith

How long have you been teaching at BG? 24 years

Where did you go to high school? Libertyville High School

What part of teaching to you find the most rewarding? Sharing my love of history with students and working with young adults who never cease to make me smile and laugh on a daily basis.   

What is something unique about you?  I can bake a mean banana cream pie!

What activities or clubs do you coach/ sponsor? I am currently not coaching or sponsoring at BG, but you can find me sitting on the bleachers watching my own teenage sons in DuPage County...