NEWSLETTER
James B. Conant High School
Julie C. Nowak
May 2016
principal
From the Principal:
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making
other plans.”
~ John Lennon
Dear Parents of Seniors,
You blinked. You blinked and it’s time for your child to graduate from
high school! You might feel like it was just yesterday that you were
installing that car seat to protect your newborn, or that it wasn’t too long
ago when you drilled safety locks on your cabinets so little hands didn’t
grab cleaning products. And now it’s time for your son or daughter to
graduate high school! In the coming weeks, I will meet with our seniors
to discuss end of year events and expectations, hear about their future
plans and gather feedback about their experience at Conant.
It’s been our pleasure to be a part of your kids’ lives. We have students
making final college and university selections, some are already enlisted
in the military and others are finalizing career and technical training
plans. It’s a bittersweet time and it’s my hope that our seniors enjoy this
last quarter while they keep “senioritis” at bay!
Over the past few weeks I’ve been thinking about what I want to share
with our seniors. Just like those car seats and safety locks, I want our
kids to be safe. I’d love for them to be equipped with advice for any
situation they may encounter, but that’s not realistic. Life isn’t that linear.
I decided to focus on some thoughts they might carry with them as they
navigate their new experiences. While my list is quite long, I’ve decided
to share just a few of these as they apply not only to seniors but to all
students in general.
Some Things to Know Before You Go • The days are long but the years are short. Set long-term goals but enjoy
what each day brings.
• Be there for a friend. You don’t have to have the answers or the perfect
words. Just be there.
• Pay yourself first.
• Know when it’s time to leave. And leave.
• Be kind… always. Being kind doesn’t mean you let others take advantage
of you nor does it mean avoiding difficult conversations.
•Vote.
• A compromised yes is a no.
• Be so good and work so hard they can’t ignore you.
• A smile can change the trajectory of someone’s life.
• Be aware of your digital footprint. Your track through the digital sand
is eternal.
• If you don’t fail at a few things you’re not trying hard enough.
• You have to experience the pain of hurt, loss and heartache. The only
way to get better is to walk through it. And it does get better.
• Follow your gut.
• If you’re invited, try to go. You may meet the love of your life.
• You have roots and a legacy to uphold. This is not measured by what
you achieve but in who you are each day.
Sincerely,
Julie C. Nowak
Principal
Prom & Post Prom Plans Proceed
Junior Class Council is proud to present this year’s prom, “Enchanted
Forest” on Friday, June 3rd. The prom will be held at the Hyatt Regency
O’Hare and doors will open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $80/person and will
be available for purchase Saturday, May 14th at the Prom Fair held in the
Conant cafeteria from 8:30 a.m. to Noon for juniors and seniors. At the
Prom Fair you will be able to purchase Post-Prom tickets, bus tickets, and
visit various local vendors’ booths to pick up discount coupons for a variety
of Prom related items.
If you are unable to attend the Prom Fair, you may also purchase tickets
during lunch hours Thursday, May 19th at the concession stand. Table
reservations and menu selections will take place during prom ticket sales at
the Prom Fair May 14th or during lunch periods on May 19th. Any questions
relating to Prom should be directed to the Junior Class Sponsors, Mr. Patrick
Malloy and Mrs. Jodie Weintraub at 847-755-3600.
The Booster Club has once again organized and funded the Post Prom
Cruise. This year’s Post Prom event will be back on the Odyssey from Navy
Pier in downtown Chicago. The Post Prom event is a fun, safe, drug and
alcohol-free celebration chaperoned by Conant parents and staff. All students
attending will require a parent signed permission form when purchasing
tickets ($60/Couple, $30/person).
Immediately following Prom, Post Prom attendees and chaperones will
be escorted from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare to Navy Pier where they will
board the boat and participate in dancing and socializing. This two hour
party (12:45am to 2:45am) will include a buffet table, sodas, game card, DJ
and dancing. At the end of the event, students will board the awaiting buses
and return to Conant High School.
As a drug and alcohol free event, parents are asked to support the efforts
of the Booster Club and encourage their sons and daughters to attend the
Post Prom event. Students not attending this event are urged to use good
judgment. Parents should know the whereabouts of your sons and daughters
and encourage responsible behavior. We look forward to another safe Prom
celebration filled with great memories!
Class of 2017 Parking Sign-up
Since many of our students are involved in athletics, activities, jobs, or may
have other responsibilities that require the use of a vehicle, a lottery system
is used. Members of the Class of 2017 who wish to drive to school next
year will receive a parking application on May 13th via their student email
accounts. The online applications are due no later than Friday, May 27th at
4:00 p.m. Late applications and students who owe obligations will not be
included in the first lottery. Lottery winners will be drawn and posted outside
team rooms by June 3rd. Also, parking applications will only be approved if
all iPad obligations are fulfilled prior to June 3rd. More information about
the class of 2017 iPad audit will be emailed to students in May.
The parking fee is $130 per year. Payment will be accepted in the main
office beginning June 6th. Payment must be received by Conant High School
before 3:30 p.m. on August 19th. Students can pick up their parking permits
by bringing their paid receipt to their team rooms.
Summer Camp Physicals for the Class of 2020
If your child will be participating in a summer camp, please make sure
that a copy of their current physical (within the last 15 months) is on file
with the Conant Nurse no later than June 6th. We will not be receiving the
junior high health files in time for them to be reviewed before sports camp
begins. If your child does not have a current physical at Conant they will
not be allowed to participate in their camp until we received and reviewed
the physical.
Recognized for excellence in education by the United States Department of Education
Dates to Remember
May 2-13
May 9
May 10
May 13
May 14
May 17
& May 19
May 18
May 19
May 19
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 30
June 2
June 3
June 5
June 6
June 8
June 9
June 10
AP Testing, Periods 1 – 8
Band Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m., A160
Booster Club Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Media Center
“Mr Cougar” Contest, 7:00 p.m, Auditorium
Prom Fair, 8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
Thespians Banquet / Induction Ceremony
4:00 – 10:00 p.m., F. Caf./Aud.
Band Concert
7:30 p.m., Auditorium
Honors Convocation, 7:30 p.m., Auditorium
Blood Drive, 7:30 – 3:00 p.m, Atrium
Preschool Graduation
Periods 1 – 4, Multi-Purpose Room
Community Education:
Student Wellness, Drug Use And Abuse
7:00-8:30 p.m., Auditorium
Student Council Awards
6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Atrium
Spring Choral Concert, 7:30 p.m., Auditorium
Psychology Fair, Periods 3 – 6, Outside Caf.
Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m., Auditorium
Work Program Breakfast, 9:00 a.m., Atrium
Early Dismissal/Inservice or Special Event
12:30 p.m.
Memorial Day – No School
Graduation Rehearsal, Periods 1 – 3, M. Gym
Senior Picnic, 10:00 – 12:30 p.m., P.E. Field
Spring Sports Awards, 7:00 p.m., M. Gym
Senior Breakfast, 8:00 a.m., Belvedere
Early Dismissal/Inservice or Special Event
12:30 p.m.
Prom-Post Prom, 7:00 p.m., Hyatt/Odyssey
Graduation, 6:00 p.m., Sears Centre
Band Parent Meeting, 7:00 p.m., A160
Final Exams – Periods 2, 3, 4
Final Exams – Periods 5, 6, 7
Final Exams – Periods 1, 8 - Last Day of School
Recognitions
v BPA (Business Professionals of America) State winners - National Qualifiers: Henil Patel,
Ashley Jun, Nikhil Modak, Satej Shah, Rajiv Chitta, Kaahan Motwani, Parth Patel, Eliot Chang,
Michael Kim, Nitin Subramanian, Keshav Shivam, Shriram Chennakesavalu, Shahir Taj, Anjali
Patel, Pooja S. Patel, Nirmal Patel, Connie Huang, Eliot Chang, Smit Desai, Haricharan Cheruvu,
Himani Vyas; Medalists: Aditi Katwala, Dhvanni Raval, Amaan Abbas, Suraj Patel, Ronik Shah,
Nitin Subramanian, Toral Patel, Shreena Patel, Kevin Sindewald, Bianca Saputra, Ayesha Mohan,
Rikin Patel, Bobby Borissof.
v HOSA State Winners - Pooja Patel, Jagoda Muskala, Sachin Jindal, Dhvanii Raval, Reshma Antony,
Bindi Patel, Sonia Patel, Aditi Katwala, Paritosh Joshi, Anjali Patel, Zeemal Rao, Sunaina Addanki,
Ayesha Mohan, Nisha Shah.
v FCCLA State Medalists – Lucy Elkin, Amanda Grabowski, Paige Zielinski, Erin McLaughlin,
Anabell Mendez, Alexandra Terrado, Zuzanna Bereszczuk, Alyssa Garcia, Julia Jang.
v Stephanie Stanislawski earned the Gold Award – Girl Scout’s highest award for her work entitled,
“iPads for Seniors” at Alexian Village, an assisted living residence in Elk Grove.
v The Crier website, overall, won a silver certificate for excellence in journalism; Melania Toczko
won a Blue Ribbon award for excellence in editorial cartoons; Aditi Katwala and Dhvanii Raval
won an honorable mention for excellence in features writing.
v Varsity Softball is currently 13-2 and 5-0 in the conference and in first place.
v Boys Varsity Tennis is 6-1 and in 2nd place in the conference.
vThe Girls Varsity Badminton team finished in 2nd place at the Conant Invite.
Senior Activity Dates Set
• Seniors who did not purchase Senior Breakfast tickets, and who would still like to attend the breakfast
should see Mr. Jacobsen in the Social Studies office no later than Friday, May 20th. Senior breakfast
will be held at Belvedere Banquets on Friday, June 3rd, at 8:00 a.m. Tickets are $20.00 per person.
• On Friday, May 13th, cap and gown distribution will take place in the Atrium, per. 1-8.
• The annual senior picnic will be held on the north side of the school on Thursday, June 2nd
immediately following graduation practice.
• Senior final exams will be administered at the same time as undergraduates (June 8, 9, and 10).
• Graduation practice will be held during the school day on Thursday, June 2nd. (Seniors NOT at
practice will NOT be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.) Graduation tickets (10),
seating assignments, tassels and stoles will be distributed at rehearsal.
• Graduation will be held Sunday, June 5th, at 6:00 p.m. at The Sears Centre.
Immunization Requirement for Class of 2017
As of the school year of 2015-2016, all incoming 12th graders are required to show proof of
receiving two meningococcal vaccines. The first vaccine needs to be given on or after your child’s
10th birthday. The second vaccine shall be received at least eight weeks after the first dose. If your
child has not received the meningococcal vaccine, then one dose on or after their 16th birthday will
be required before they enter school. Immunizations given before your child’s 10th birthday will not
be compliant with the law. District 211 has a first day exclusion policy. In order for you to complete
the registration and for your child to begin school on the first day, proof of your child receiving the
meningococcal vaccine needs to be on file in the nurse’s office prior to completing the registration
process. If you have questions regarding when or if your child has received the meningococcal vaccine
please contact your physician or refer to your child’s immunization record in Infinite Campus on the
parent portal. If you have any further questions please contact your schools health office.
Booster Club
Student teams from Palatine, Fremd,
Conant, Schaumburg, and Hoffman
Estates will present their business ideas to
community “sharks” for seed money to start
real businesses!
Students enrolled in B397 Business
Incubator have worked all year to develop a
viable business idea. They have worked not
only with their classroom teacher, but have
had unprecedented support from community
content-experts and mentors. The best teams
from each school are selected to compete at
the District Pitch Night for real funding.
Please join us on Monday, May 23 at
6:00 p.m. in the Conant High School
auditorium! All students, parents, and
community members are welcome! Please
contact Patti Ertl at [email protected] if you
have any questions.
Thank you so much to the amazing parent volunteers and generous sponsors and all the awesome
Cougar supporters who joined us and contributed to the success of the Saturday evening, April
23 Conant High School Social event! We are already planning next spring’s third annual Conant
Community Social, so please mark your calendars now and save the date for Saturday evening, April
29, 2017, and join us for a fantastic evening celebrating Cougar Pride!
Many Conant Boosters Committee events are still coming up this spring including Cougar
Corner Spirit Store open Friday, May 6 and May 20 during school lunch periods from 10:00 am to
1:30 pm and Concessions open during boys’ volleyball season. Proceeds raised by Conant Boosters
committees provide college scholarships to seniors which will be awarded at the Honors Convocation
Wednesday, May 18, and financial grants for academic and activity and athletic school department
and club requests for next school year, and funding to offset the cost of transportation and tickets for
the Post Prom event on Friday, June 3.
Come by and give us the opportunity to meet you on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:00 pm in the Media
Center at our last meeting of this school year. The Election of the 2016-2017 Officers will take place
as well as a thank you to our outgoing Officers and Committee Chairs. The 2016-2017 Officers
Nomination Slate is President Beata Candre, Vice President Sam Armando, Treasurer Deb Anestopoulos,
Recording Secretary Christine Kawalek, and Corresponding Secretary Debbie Sapyta.
The Welcome and Hospitality Committee is hosting for Class of 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 parents
a Conant Boosters Open House on Tuesday, June 7 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Cougar Corner Spirit Store
in the school main hallway next to the Gym and across from the Cafeteria. Join us for conversation and
refreshments and to learn about your amazing Conant High School parent volunteer organization. Meet
your fellow Conant parents and purchase Cougar spirit items. We look forward to seeing you there!
To receive important school updates email us your contact information at conantboosters@
gmail.com and we will add you to our Conant Parents email list. For quick Conant High School
Boosters updates, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
GO COUGARS! Beata Candre, Conant Boosters President, 847-274-3586, [email protected].
If you require assistance while visiting our school, please
contact the assistant principal’s office at (847) 755-3612.
This Principal’s Newsletter is computer-designed and photocopied at school on recycled paper for James B. Conant High School
parents. James B. Conant High School, 700 E. Cougar Trail • Hoffman Estates, IL 60169-3659 • (847)755-3600.
Shark Tank Comes to District 211!