Principal's Newsletter

Hello - this is a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have a student at, or have expressed an interest in, Glenbard West High School. Communication between Glenbard West and our families and community is very important to us. Don't forget to add gw_news@glenbard.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Please email any questions directly to Glenbard Staff, we are happy to respond.

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Hilltopper Community,

It was great to have the hallways and classrooms full of parents last night for our annual Back-to-School Open House. I hope that those who were able to attend enjoyed a taste of the student experience.

As I mentioned last night, Glenbard West is very lucky to have several parent groups whose mission is to support our students and help us run programs throughout the school: Boosters, West Nation, Association of Music Parents, and Friends for Forensics. I highly encourage you to get involved with one or more of these groups to whatever extent you are able.

I greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation with our new traffic patterns at drop-off and pick-up. Traffic has run relatively smoothly—certainly more so than in recent years. For an overview of the available pick-up and drop-off locations, please see this video. As a courtesy to our neighbors on Hawthorne, Lenox, and Glen Ellyn Place, please refrain from using driveways to drop off or turn around.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll meet Glenbard West’s newest staff members and find information on state testing, parent-teacher conferences, and this year’s Homecoming festivities (September 26th and 27th). There are so many fun ways for West families to get involved in our Homecoming traditions—including joining us for the pep rally and bonfire on Friday night, the pancake breakfast and parade on Saturday morning, and the athletic competitions and performances throughout the day.

As always, thank you for reading. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns.

Go West!

Ben Peterselli

630-942-7473

ben_peterselli@glenbard.org

September 1st

No School

September 9th

GPS Featuring Bill Cartwright

7:00 pm

Library

September 22nd - 26th

Homecoming Spirit Week

September 22nd

Punt, Pass, and Kick

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Memorial Field

September 23rd

Homecoming Movie Night

6:30 - 8:30 pm

Duchon Field

September 26th

Homecoming Pep Rally and Bonfire

6:00 - 10:00 pm

Biester Gym and Duchon

September 27th

Varsity Field Hockey vs. Naperville North

9:00 - 11:00 am

Memorial Field

Homecoming Parade

10:00 - 11:00 am

Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Belvidere North

11:00 - 1:00 pm

Memorial Field

Varsity Flag Football vs. Lyons Township

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Duchon Field

Varsity Football vs. Lyons Township

1:30 - 4:00 pm

Duchon Field

Homecoming Dance

Biester Gym

7:00 - 10:00 pm

September 30th

Fall Orchestra Concert

Auditorium

Homecoming Week: September 22-27

September 1-26: Online Homecoming dance ticket sales available using our 5-Star Store

September 22-23 & 26: In-person Homecoming dance ticket sales

available during all lunch periods

September 22: West Nation's Punt, Pass, Kick event

September 24: Student Council's Movie Night event

September 26: Homecoming Pep Rally & Bonfire

September 27: Student Council's Homecoming Dance

We are so thankful to have students and staff back in the building and ready to have another incredible year. Thank you to the many families who were able to join us for Open House this year. If you were unable to attend, please reach out to teachers with any questions you may have and mark your calendars for this year’s Parent Teacher Conferences.

NEW FACULTY:

Irene was with us last year as a student teacher and we’re lucky to have her back with us this year as a long-term substitute. She is passionate about reading, gardening, working out and hanging out with her kids. She is looking forward to continuing to build relationships with students and colleagues.

Corrie came to us from Glenbard South as a librarian and we’re so happy to have her. She has two kids (age 5 and 8 months) who keep her busy. In her free time she enjoys reading, board games, crafting and travel. She is looking forward to getting students excited about reading and research.

Nisha is a recent graduate from Illinois State University and we’re lucky to have her teaching in our Social Studies department. She loves to paint in her free time and has even done a few murals. She also loves to bake as a stress reliever. She is excited to start her teaching journey and learn from the amazing team here at West.

Famous has been a part of West’s football program since 2022 and comes to us from Glenbard East. We’re fortunate to have him teaching Driver’s Ed with us this year. Famous will also serve as our Equity Liaison. In his time outside of school, Famous loves to spend time with his family and friends alongside his competitive gaming. He is looking forward to working more closely with the incredible students and staff here at West.

Malaika just graduated from Northeastern Illinois and joins us as a school counselor. She is looking forward to starting her career at a school that has so much legacy and history. She enjoys going to the movies, spending time with friends and family, baking, playing tennis, and board games.

Kruti returns to us as a full time staff member from her previous role as an Academic Advisor at McHenry County College. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends outside of school and is most looking forward to working with our incredible students and the “best counseling team out there”!

Heather previously taught Spanish at Naperville North and returns to the classroom looking forward to becoming part of the West community with fellow staff, students and families. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her children and friends, along with lifting weights and reading.

Andrew comes to us with years of experience previously working as Choir Director at Metea Valley High School. He likes to spend his free time cooking, baking, backpacking, and being outside. Andrew is most looking forward to learning about West’s culture and traditions in addition to getting to know his students and colleagues. He’s also excited about taking his fitness to the next level with all of West’s stairs!

Please save the date(s) for this year’s Parent-Teacher Conferences. Like last year, families will have two options for conferences: virtual conferences through Zoom on Wednesday, 10/22 from 4:00 until 8:00pm and in-person conferences at Glenbard West on Thursday, 10/23 from 2:00 until 6:00pm. Students will be released at 1:00pm on both conference days. There is no school on Friday, 10/24. Information about registering for conferences will be shared with families in mid-September.

As we begin year two of working with the ACT testing suite, we will continue to offer an optional PSAT for students interested in qualifying for a National Merit Scholarship. Juniors will continue to take a practice test in late October and the school-day ACT in April, which is a graduation requirement in the state of Illinois. The testing calendar for this year is as follows:

• Friday, October 24, 2025: Optional PSAT/NMSQT for junior students interested in qualifying for a National Merit Scholarship. Students who registered for this test will receive an email in mid-September with additional information. Note this is a non-attendance day for all students not choosing to test.

• Tuesday, October 28, 2025: Practice ACT for Juniors. Students will be automatically registered at no additional cost. This is a non-attendance day for all freshmen, sophomores and seniors.

• Wednesday, April 15, 2026: School-day ACT for Juniors. Students will be automatically registered at no additional cost. This is a non-attendance day for all freshmen, sophomores and seniors.

• Thursday, April 16, 2026: preACT testing for freshmen and sophomores. This is a non-attendance day for all juniors and seniors.

If your student is planning to take any AP courses this year, please be sure to read and familiarize yourself with Volume One of our AP Guide for Families. You’ll find all relevant information about exam registration for year-long and first semester AP courses, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. For any other questions, please contact the office of the Assistant Principal for Instruction: 630-942-7471. For AP-related updates, please join our Remind by texting @gbwaptest to the number 81010 or clicking here.

Congratulations to the following graduated students for earning the AP Capstone Diploma: Nauf Ahmad, Asiya Ahmed, George Andrianopoulos, Morgan Baedke, Syeda Baqhari, Benjamin Battisto, Enayah Chishty, Anabella DiCosola, Lauren Escalante, Ryan Fader, Sophie Fader, Elizabeth Frank, Margaret Frigo, Mariia Iurchenko, Julia Kelly, Lucas Krynen, Hannah Loughlin, Mia Malesevic, Serena Malhan, Erin McCollum, Marisa Mehta, Samantha Moorhead, Ayushi Patel, Olivia Salerno, Megan Stieglitz, Nicole Sutter, Christopher Tran, and Julian Yeh. The AP Capstone Diploma is awarded to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, in addition to four additional AP Exams of their choice.

Every fall, the AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP Exams. The AP Scholar Award is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. The AP Scholar Award with Honors is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. The AP Scholar Award with Distinction is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Click here to view the full list of recipients. Congratulations to our incredible AP students!

Front Row: Lisa Cunningham, Jessica Walters, Pete Baker, Amanda Meyer, Bridget Mazzone

Back Row: Max Hufnagle, Nisa Gabbidon, Jaclyn Reeves, Pam Hagstrom, Deandra Bass

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Glenbard West! We are thrilled to have your child as a valued member of our community. At our school, we take pride in offering a wide range of enriching extracurricular activities that fit the diverse interests of our students.

Our mission is to foster a strong sense of belonging among all students by encouraging them to explore their passions and engage in various activities, clubs, arts, theater, and athletics. Research shows that involvement in organized activities plays a crucial role in improving mental health and overall well-being. Students who pursue interests or passions are going to experience reduced stress levels, increased mood, and a decreased likelihood of suffering from depression.

In addition, participating in extracurriculars provides an excellent opportunity for students to get active and involved, promoting feelings of happiness and relaxation. Whether it’s through sports, artistic endeavors, or club participation, these group activities contribute to improving social awareness, enhancing relationship skills, and creating a sense of belonging to the school.

We truly believe that by taking part in our extracurriculars, your child will not only grow academically, but also develop essential life skills that will benefit them both in and outside of the classroom.

Together, let’s make this school year a great one! It is our sincere hope that all students at Glenbard West have a great experience. If your student is interested in becoming more involved, please check out the Clubs and Activities Page.

In addition to being involved in extracurriculars, we place a high emphasis in wellness and mental health. If you recognize that your student is struggling, please feel free to contact the appropriate staff member listed below to seek support, guidance, and necessary resources.

Mr. Pete Baker

Assistant Principal of Student Services

Front Row: Patricia Fanella, Beatriz Ferreria, Mary Yangas, Rhiannon Sieck, Malaika Khan, Kruti Parikh, Lissete Ochoa
Back Row: Mike Neberz, Tad Keely, Jeremiah Weincek, Tony Bergantino, Natalie Rubino

The School Counseling Department is excited to officially kick off the college application season with several events for our upperclassmen. First of all, as of the date of this newsletter, we have around 100 college representatives coming to Glenbard West to meet with our students. Last year we had over 200 by the end of the year so make sure your student is monitoring our list of college reps visiting in SchooLinks! All signups can be done through SchooLinks under “events.” These are excellent opportunities for students to not only gather more information on numerous colleges while at West, but also to get a face to face meeting with the admissions representatives for specific colleges to which they may be applying. Also a reminder that the FAFSA application is anticipated to be available in October! The FAFSA is a graduation requirement (non-participation form available) and financial aid for college is on a first come first serve basis, so the earlier you file the better. There will be several workshops in the District to assist with this process if needed. There will be FAFSA workshops for Seniors during Glenbard Hour support periods and Financial Aid Application Workshops will be available in the Fall and Winter and as the second semester progresses. More information about these workshops will be coming soon.

School Counselors presented this video to all seniors during Glenbard Hour Advisory on August 22, which covers a college application checklist and discusses the steps for requesting transcripts and letters of recommendation through SchooLinks. We also have a brag sheet students can share with their teachers to help guide their rec letters. In addition, we reviewed the timeframe for admissions testing, essay writing, scholarship applications, and financial aid. Afterwards, School Counselors began meeting with Seniors in small groups and/or individually to walk them through the SchooLinks and Common App college application process. We encourage all parents of seniors to have a discussion with your child regarding the meetings with their counselor and work with your student on their SchooLinks account to complete the Parent Input Form in order to enrich the letters of recommendation counselors are writing. All of our College Application Resources can be found here.

For Juniors, counselors are continuing the developmental process of college preparation this year by presenting this video during the August 22 Glenbard Hour Advisory. The video guides students on how to research college fit and develop their activity resumes in SchooLinks. Counselors will also be visiting English classes in the Spring to follow up with detailed college searches. Stay tuned for more information on ways to research colleges in the near future!

Welcome to West to all the new students and families joining us this year, and welcome back to all those returning! Mr. Billone, Ms. Blackmon, and Mrs. Meister are thrilled to return in the Deans Office and excited to work with you and your students.

Last year saw many changes to our school protocols with regards to safety. Our students did a great job adapting to using new entrances and exits, having physical IDs for entering the building, and scanning in using the new BEEP system. We are continuing these protocols this school year to continue ensuring the safety of our staff, faculty, and students.

Attendance is the most important factor to your student’s success at West. Being at West whenever possible and being on time not only gives your student the best chance for success in the classroom, it also helps us to create the best school environment and community. Our school is a better place when your student is here. With that said, if your student is absent, please call the attendance line at (630) 858-5060 by 10:30. The voicemail box is always active, so feel free to call anytime prior to 10:30.

Showing up matters for R.E.A.L. because it is an opportunity to:

• Build Routines

• Increase Engagement

• Provide Access to resources

• Support Learning

Routines: A daily attendance routine can help students reduce stress and develop habits that are valuable for their future careers.

Engagement: Being at school gives students a chance to interact with friends and build relationships with teachers and staff.

Access to Resources: When students show up to school, they can get access to meals, health services, mental health supports, and extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, music, and after-school or summer programs.

Learning: Students who miss less than a week of school each semester are more likely to pass their classes and graduate from high school.

Remember that the Dean's Office is here to support you and your student. Feel free to reach out to your student’s Dean at any time.

West has had a great start to the school year with so many student athletes involved. Once again this fall, we have over 750 student athletes involved in fall sports who are constantly striving for success in the classroom and on the playing fields. We are very appreciative of the entire West community that supports all of our programs.

Please note the following important reminder regarding parent pick up and drop offs for student athletes: Pickups and drop offs should not happen in front of Biester Gym on Ellyn Road facing either direction. This is reserved for our practice and game buses. Student athlete pick up and drop off should take place on Crescent Blvd. near the turf field or down by the staff parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation.

We have a constant schedule of home events throughout the fall, so please notice the most current schedules at https://schools.snap.app/glenbardwest.

Thank you once again to the West Boosters who support all of our students at West in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Please look to sign up and participate in some way on one or more of their committees. More information can be found at www.gwboosters.com.

Please note the weekend of September 27th on your calendars. This is Homecoming at West and we look forward to showcasing our teams and school that represent pride, tradition, and excellence.

Tentative schedule for Varsity Athletic Events Saturday September 27th :
9:00am Varsity Field Hockey vs. Naperville North at Memorial Field

11:00am Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Belvidere North at Memorial Field

12:00pm Varsity Flag Football vs. Lyons Township at Duchon Field
1:30pm Varsity Football vs. Lyons Township at Duchon Field

GO WEST!

Parents, please log in to the app.

If you experience any technical issues, you can contact support directly at:

Phone: 844-584-9316

Email: customersuccess@calamp.com

Hello Glenbard West Families!

At Glenbard, we’re proud to use the West Way as our foundation for positive behavior. The West Way means being involved, successful, and respectful- qualities we encourage every day in our students, both at school and at home.

What is PBIS?
PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. It’s a school-wide approach that helps us teach, model, and reward positive behaviors. By focusing on what students can do right, we create a safe, welcoming, and productive environment for learning and growth.

How Does the West Way Work?
Our staff recognize and celebrate students who demonstrate being involved, successful, and respectful. Whether it's by participating in class, helping others, working hard, or showing kindness and courtesy, we encourage the West Way every day. Each week, students who earn a “West Way Scan” will enjoy a special treat delivered to them during school on West Way Wednesdays.

Connecting Home and School:
We encourage families to reinforce these West Way values at home, too! Talk with your child about ways they can be involved in your family and community, strive for success in their pursuits, and show respect to others.

Together, we can help students build habits that serve them well now and in the future! Remember: Together We Are West!

Glenbard West families can see a great season of shows, get priority seating, and save 25% on ticket prices by purchasing a season subscription on Push Coin OR by sending in a check along with the Season Subscription Form. Get a season subscription for each member of your family!

Fall Musical: Between the Lines, November 13-15

Winter Studio Shows: Black Box New Plays, January 28-30

Spring Drama: Radium Girls, April 16-18

All Glenbard West students are encouraged to take part in any of these productions on or off stage, no experience required. An Information Session is held before auditions for each show. To find out more, students can attend our first Theatre Club meeting, Monday, August 18, at 3:05pm in the Auditorium.

Glenbard District 87 is pleased to partner with OrganicLife as our food service provider. Information regarding OrganicLife, menu offerings, and nutrition/allergen information will be available on your high school’s website this summer.

We encourage you to visit www.pushcoin.com to sign up for the prepayment option with their easy-to-use system.

Please note that for the 2025-2026 school year, free meals will be available to those who qualify. Please see the “Residency, Fees, and Financial Assistance Information” page for more information.

You can keep up with Glenbard information throughout the year by signing up for Glenbard News, our district-wide enewsletter, at this link.

Each week, you will receive district-wide news about students’ achievements in school-sponsored activities; upcoming events; fund-raisers; school board information and more.

Glenbard West Boosters is a fundraising organization with more than 350 members. The Boosters plan various events throughout the year including Homecoming activities such as Pancake Breakfast, winter's Pack the Place, and serve as the official supplier of Glenbard West gear. Funds raised enhance academic programs, athletic programs, and extra-curricular activities that enrich the student experience at Glenbard West. Last year, Boosters granted over $140,000 back to the students.

Any West parent, alum, or Glen Ellyn community member can become a Boosters member. By joining Boosters, you help increase the amount of money granted and Booster members have the opportunity to volunteer throughout the school year.

Boosters meets the third Thursday of every month in the Elliott Library (at school) at 7:30pm.

Please visit the Boosters website to learn more and JOIN! See us at Gear sales at every home football game!

West Nation proudly supports Glenbard Parent Series (GPS). Visit www.GlenbardGPS.org for information on the nationally recognized speaker series for parents, students, educators and community members. The series is free and open to the public.

Please visit www.gbwnation.com to purchase a membership, make a donation and to volunteer. We invite all students and parents to be a part of WEST NATION!

Follow us on Twitter/@GWWestNation or Facebook/GlenbardWestNation

This year, GPS Parent Series proudly celebrates 30 years of providing free, expert-led resources to support families both locally and beyond. World-renowned authors and clinicians deliver timely, research-based guidance to promote positive youth development and well-being for all ages.

Our free programs equip parents, caregivers, and educators with practical strategies to build stronger individuals, families, and communities. We will present over 50 events this year in multiple languages. GPS is completely free and open to everyone—no registration, no subscription required! Note: CEUs are available for school staff.

Explore the full lineup of speakers at GPSParentSeries.org and help spread the word by sharing this incredible resource with friends, relatives and coworkers.

Schools across the nation are experiencing more and more students who have latex allergies. Often, students with this allergy can have severe and even life-threatening reactions if exposed to latex resins and powders. For their safety, there are certain latex products we no longer allow on campus. Latex balloons and “Silly String” pose a significant health threat to students with a latex allergy. These products are not allowed on campus at any time, including after school, evening, and weekend events. With this in mind, we request your help: Please talk with your children about this health and safety issue. Some students might not understand the reason for a “balloon ban.” At West, we want all parents to know that their children are safe on campus.

Crisis Text Line - Text REACH to: 741741

This sends information to a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to help individuals return to a healthy/stable level of functioning.

Safe2Help Illinois Call 844-472-3345 or Text 72332(SAFE2)

Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. This program is intended to get students to “Seek Help Before Harm.”

Students who wish to report a potential act of school violence at Glenbard West may also leave an anonymous message with our School Resource Officer at (630) 681-3177 or call the Bullying Hotline Call (630) 942-7406

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call/Text 988

This number has trained staff to answer calls and respond to texts from individuals at risk for suicide as well as those experiencing other mental health and substance use-related emergencies. Specialized services will be available for veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other groups.

Email: gw_news@glenbard.org
Website: glenbardwesths.org
Location: 670 Crescent Blvd.
Phone: 630-469-8600
Instagram: @glenbard_west_hilltoppers