NOVEMBER 2009
It’s difficult to believe, but the first quarter of the school year is behind us. We’ve enjoyed incredible success in the classrooms, on our playing fields, as well as in our auditorium.
Hopefully, it has been a successful start for your child. Throughout the opening weeks of the school year, staff member after staff member has commented on the wonderful nature of our students. It is obvious that the teachers love working with your children. Clearly, the role you have played in their lives has significantly shaped the fantastic young adults they are becoming. We are fortunate to be able to serve them.
While I am sure that for most of our students the start school year has been a successful one, I also know that in some cases, things may not have gone as well as hoped. If this is the situation with your student, please understand that the only grade that is placed on a transcript is the semester grade. Thus, there is time left for progress. Should your child be interested in taking advantage of the academic support programs we have at South, there are several from which to choose. Among them are the Writing Center, which houses at least one English teacher each class period; the Math Center, which has at least one math teacher available to students each period; and the COACH program, which has other students available to help peers with any subject area. Please contact your child’s counselor if you are interested in knowing more about these and other services.
Here’s to a great second quarter, and I hope to see you at our Parent-Teacher Conferences, November 23rd.
---- David L. Claypool, Principal
COURSE REGISTRATION FOR 2010-2011 (return to home)
Registration will begin in early January.
The process of selecting courses should involve the combined efforts of students, their parents, and counselors. With this in mind, I urge you to discuss with your child the registration materials that are provided prior to each registration period. Counselors schedule student conferences during the registration period. You will be able to view course registration materials on the school website (check updates within the SPS Department). If you have any questions regarding your child's educational program for next year, please contact your child's counselor. At a later date, you will receive confirmation of the courses selected. As parents, students, and counselors develop the educational program for next year, I strongly urge students to take advantage of the many and varied courses offered at Maine South. High school is, of course, a time for students to prepare themselves in the basic areas, such as English, mathematics, science, and social science. High school is also a time for students to experiment to determine areas of interest. Thus, students should balance their education by taking courses in one or more of the elective areas, such as fine arts, foreign language, business, consumer and family sciences, and applied technology, to the extent that their schedules will permit. To take advantage of Maine South's vast curricular offerings, students are expected to enroll in a minimum of five solid courses plus physical education.
Parents and students interested in utilizing the pass/fail option are reminded that 3rd period teachers announced the pass/fail option and reviewed guidelines on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. The deadline for petitions must be submitted to the Student Personnel Services office no later than 3:30 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2009.
Please be aware that students enrolled in a full-year course who elect pass/fail for the first semester will automatically remain on pass/fail for the second semester unless they notify their counselor and teacher of the desire to return to a regular grading status.
COLLABORATION DAYS - Wednesdays, November 4 and November 18, 2009 (return to home)
There are two Collaboration Days scheduled for this month: Wednesday, November 4th and Wednesday, November 18th. We will be operating on a special bell schedule with a late arrival with classes starting either at 9:30 a.m. (flap) or 9:40 a.m. (regular).
MS MOTHERS' SCHOLARSHIP CLUB BENEFIT "PUMPS AND PEARLS - Wednesday, November 4, 2009 (return to home)
There is still time to purchase a ticket to attend the Mothers' Scholarship Club benefit "Pumps and Pearls" Benefit to be held at the Park Ridge Country Club Wednesday, November 4th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It's a fun, ladies-night-out of great food, conversation and lots of chances to win raffle prizes.
This is a popular event, contact ticket chairman Nadine Sir at (847)696-2645 and reserve your table for friends and family or just come alone - don't worry, you'll know lots of moms! If you don't have a full table of 10, just tell Nadine to sit you with either freshman, sophomore, junior or senior moms. Tickets are $25.00 each.
Since 1964, the Maine South Mother's Scholarship Club has distributed almost one million dollars in scholarships to graduating seniors for their college education. Each year new funds must be raised to provide scholarships for the current graduates. MSMSC raises money through a fund-raising event in the fall; Market Days; Sara Lee Outlets; eScrip; bridge groups' and from the generous donations from South Alumni and our local business community. Hope to see you there!
A MESSAGE FROM MAINE COMMUNITY YOUTH ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION (MCYAF) (return to home)
Talk Early. Talk Often. Your kids are listening.
A week off for Thanksgiving break is a welcome rest for teens. However, unstructured and unsupervised time can sometimes pose a problem. Make sure that you know where your teens are and who they are with. If they go to a friend’s house, check to make sure that a parent will be home.
Be clear that alcohol and other drug use is dangerous and NOT OK. Set clear rules and consequences and follow through.
Most Maine Township middle and high school students say their families have clear rules about alcohol and other drug use.
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Grade in school
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Students who have clear family rules about alcohol and other drug use*
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6th
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94%
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8th
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82%
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10th
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75%
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12th
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71%
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Research shows that young people are less likely to use tobacco, alcohol and other drugs if their parents set clear rules about NOT doing so. For other helpful information for parents, read the MCYAF Maine Source fall newsletter in the “Downloadable Forms” section.
*Data Source: Illinois Youth Survey 2009, N= 5028 Maine Township students
Tricia Williams RN, BSN
Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MCYAF)
(847)571-3189
MORE FROM MCYAF
Fall signals change...the weather has definitely cooled down and trees are changing, students are settled into another school year and football is in full swing.
Please read our Fall newsletter with featured articles that is located under "Downloadable Forms" section:
Parent to Parent
Monitoring Your Child
Top 8 Reasons Why Teens Try Alcohol and Drugs
Changes to our "Who Knew?" campaign.
For a more in-depth view of MCYAF, we also invite you to read our Annual Report. It highlights our achievements and the many changes we've gone through during the past year. Go to www.mcyaf.com/annual_report.htm.
MS CELEBRATION 2010 – We need your ideas and support!! (return to home)
MS Celebration 2010 is a parent/community sponsored, chaperoned, substance-free Post Senior Prom Event designed to provide a safe and fun alternative to other private parties that are normally associated with prom events. It takes place immediately following prom and continuing through the night.
Calling all Senior Artists - Please help to create a Celebration 2010 logo design. All designs must be placed in the Celebration mailbox in the MS Office no later than November 4, 2009. The artist must be a senior and your submission must be the original artwork. Normally there is no specific theme for Celebration so the logo is up to your imagination. A prize will be provided to the senior with the winning logo.
Seniors and parents please attend our next planning meeting Monday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Maine South Faculty Lounge. It is urgent that we get more volunteers for the event in order to avoid limitation to one venue or cancellation of the entire event.
We need suggestions on possible venues for Celebration 2010. We want to make the event fun, exciting, inviting and memorable. The venue should keep everyone involved and entertained. The traditional sunrise boat cruise is very popular with seniors and one of the venues being considered. What are your ideas for a venue that would take place immediately following prom and before the cruise?
Seniors and parents of seniors are invited to share their ideas by joining MS Celebration on Facebook. To join, simply look up Maine South Celebration on Facebook or send your name and email address to mainesouthseniors2010@gmail.com. Please provide your venue suggestions via Facebook or send an email to this gmail account.
In order to make the event affordable for everyone to attend, fundraising is an extremely important part of MS Celebration 2010. Trying to select fundraisers that will be fairly painless for parents is one of our goals. Here is information about our first fundraisers:
Carson Day’s Community Day is Saturday, November 14, 2009. Carson Coupon Books are currently on sale for $5 each and MS Celebration receives all proceeds. Coupons are good to use at any Carson’s during the Community Day event being held on November 14, 2009. One of the coupons is a $10 coupon on anything in the store so the Coupon Book is a great buy! If you would like a book or like to sell some books, please email MSCELEBRATION2010@gmail.com. Also, if you can volunteer to sell books at the store between October 1, 2009 and November 13, 2009 please let the committee know.
Chico's Fundraiser, Friday night, November 13, 2009 – If you shop regularly at Chico’s this is the perfect event for you. Chico’s will host at private party with refreshments for us and our guests from 6 -8 pm on Friday night, November 13. You need to R.S.V.P. for this event by sending an email to mscelebration2010@gmail.com. There is a limit on the number of people so send your RSVPs in quickly. Celebration will receive a total of 10% of all purchases including sale items. How easy is that!!
Watch the Daily Bulletin for more information on MS Celebration 2010 and fundraisers for the event. Your participation is very important and appreciated.
I hope to see you November 9th in the Faculty Lounge to help in the Celebration 2010 planning.
Melissa Arzola -- Celebration 2010 Committee Chair
CLASS OF 2013 CURRICULUM NIGHT - Thursday, November 12, 2009 (return to home)
The Student Personnel Services staff has scheduled a special program for freshman parents and students entitled “Curriculum Planning for Next Year and Beyond” on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. The purpose of this program is to provide information for freshman parents and students prior to the course registration process scheduled from November 13 to December 9, 2009. The results of the EXPLORE assessment, taken by freshmen in September, will be distributed this evening. Other topics to be discussed include planning for future years, considering admission requirements for colleges, and college-entrance standardized testing.
MARKET DAY - Thursday, November 12, 2009 (return to home)
Please familiarize yourself with ordering your Market Day order online at www.marketday.com. It's simple and don't forget to choose Maine South as your school! Your order will be ready for pick-up Thursday, November 12th from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Student Cafeteria. Online orders are due by noon Monday, November 9th. Market Day items are easy, tasty, and the proceeds benefit our school organizations. November's proceeds will benefit the Maine South Hawkettes.
SECOND CUP OF COFFEE - Tuesday, November 17, 2009 (return to home)
Each month I will invite a group of parents to meet with me to discuss mutual concerns and issues. The November Second Cup of Coffee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17th from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Principal's Conference Room C108. While I randomly invite 20 to 25 parents, other parents may attend by making a "reservation" by calling (847)692-8206.
MAINE SOUTH HAWKETTES (return to home)
Join Maine South Hawkette Boosters! Our award-winning Hawkettes rely on contributions to fund their costumes, transportation and competition expenses. If you are interested in supporting our Hawkettes, please read the detailed letter on the "Downloadable Forms" section.
SUPER V-SHOW 2010: SAVING THE WORLD ONE ACT AT A TIME - November 19, 20, and 21, 2009 return to home)
This year’s V-Show, SUPER V-SHOW 2010, will be produced on Thursday, November 19; Friday, November 20; and Saturday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold through Student Council and may be purchased through the link on the Maine South Web Page beginning Friday, November 13th at 8:30 a.m. or at the door for $6.00. Our V-Show showcases the wide variety of talent of almost 300 students at Maine South and promises to be highly entertaining production showcasing the amazing talents of our students. You might want to get tickets in advanced since our V-Show usually sells out.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES - Monday, November 23, 2009 (return to home)
Maine South’s annual Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Monday, November 23, 2009 from 1:00-4:30 p.m. and 6:00-9:00 p.m. Parents were sent information in October to schedule five-minute parent/teacher conferences by appointment. Parents were to register for conferences one of two ways, either: 1) log on to our website at http://www.maine207.org and use the link to Parent/Teacher Conference Registration (the link became active 8:00 a.m. Monday, October 19th and will remain open until 3:30 p.m. Thursday, November 5th) following instructions; or 2) return form to the attention of Parent/Teacher Conferences in the Principal’s Office no later than Thursday, November 5th by 3:30 p.m. Please keep in mind that while we recognize five minutes is a very brief time to meet with teachers, you are always encouraged to make arrangements with your child’s instructors for longer visits throughout the school year.
Students will be carrying home copies of their visitation schedule Monday, November 9th. If you have not scheduled conferences to visit your child’s teachers, open appointments will be posted on classroom doors during conference day so that you may sign up for any open time slot. In the event your visitation schedule is misplaced, go on-line anytime between through Monday, November 23rd to print a copy if you wish; simply click on the Registration link. In order to review the conference schedule on-line, you must retain your student’s password. The Principal’s Office can provide the password if necessary and also has an extra copy of your schedule.
COACH PROGRAM (return to home)
The COACH Program Peer Tutoring Center offers free tutoring to all students in any subject area. The Tutoring Center is located in room C134 and is available on Mondays through Thursdays 3:20-4:00 p.m. and on Tuesdays through Fridays from 7:00 –7:35 p.m. The Tutoring Center is not open in the mornings on Collaboration days.
ISBE TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT INFORMATION (return to home)
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) reports that a lack of state funding will prevent the ISBE from paying Parent/Guardian Transportation claims filed for 2008-09 school year. See letter on the Downloadable Form section.
ADDENDUM TO THE PARENT PARTNERSHIP NETWORK BOOKLET (return to home)
Please add the following family to the Parent Partnership Network booklet received earlier this month:
Wasik, Benjamin
Wasik, Justin
Wasik, James
Maestranzi, Loretta
Jezuit, Thomas (step-father)
1803 S Crescent
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847)318-9838 and (773)329-3828 (mother's cell)
WINTER HOLIDAY CONCERTS (return to home)
Join us for the Winter Holiday Concerts Sunday, December 13th at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. The concerts feature the Maine South bands, choirs and orchestras, promise to be an entertaining holiday experience! If you wish to help decorate the stage with poinsettias, refer to the " Downloadable Forms" section for an order form.
DOWNLOADABLE FORMS / CALENDAR INFORMATION (return to home)
When reviewing the newsletter, also note that there are two red boxes on the right side column where "Calendar Information" and "Downloadable Forms" are. This month, the following information will be available:
- Maine South Fall 09 Issue of MYCAF Maine Source
- November 2009 Principal's Calendar
- Hawkette Boosters Membership Form
- Music Boosters Membership Form
- Pumps and Pearls MSMSC Benefit Information
- Music Program Poinsettia Order Form
- Illinois State Board of Education Transportation (ISBE) Reimbursement Information
UP AND COMING DATES TO REMEMBER!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS (return to home)
- Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - PTC Meeting in C108 Principal's Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. (all parents welcome!)
- Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - District 207 Financial Aid Information Night at Maine South
- Thursday, December 3, 2009 - Student Progress Reports Available on-line
- Friday, December 4, 2009 - Classical Guitar Concert - 7:30 p.m.
- Monday, December 7, 2009 - Suicide Awareness Day
- Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - Yearbook Club & Organization Picture Day
- Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - Collaboration Day Late Arrival
- Thursday, December 10, 2009 - Market Day Pick-up in Student Cafeteria 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 13, 2009 - Winter Holiday Concerts - 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, December 18, 2009 - Winter Break begins at 3:15 p.m.
- Friday, December 18, 2009 - "Pack the Place"
- Monday, January 4, 2010 - School resumes either 7:25 a.m. (flap) or 7:45 a.m. (regular)
- Friday, January 8, 2010 - Orchesis Dance Concert
- Saturday, January 10, 2010 - Orchesis Dance Concert
- Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - Collaboration Day Late Arrival
- Monday, January 18, 2010 - Martin Luther King Day - No School
- Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - Final Exams
- Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - Final Exams
- Thursday, January 21, 2010 - Final Exams
- Thursday, January 21, 2010 - Market Day Pick-Up in Student Cafeteria 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Friday, January 22, 2010 - First Semester Ends
- Friday, January 22, 2010 - Institute Day - No School
- Friday, January 22, 2010 - Thespian Backstage Coffee House
- Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - Collaboration Day Late Arrival
- Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - College Planning for Juniors
- Thursday, January 28, 2010 - Student Grades available on-line
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Past Newsletters
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August 2009
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