Glenbard News (10-7-2025)

• Spotlight: Glenbard’s Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee
• October is National Principals Month

• Glenbard 87 Board named among Illinois’ top in governance recognition

• North to host junior parent/student college night on Oct. 8
• Glenbard North Theatre to present “Every Brilliant Thing" October 9 through 11
• West band and choral concerts scheduled for Oct. 7 and 9
• East orchestra presents special concert for kids Oct. 11
• GPS to host two experts in Career Planning for the Next Generation
• GPS program today!
• GPS Parent Series event to explore science-based strategies to motivate youth
• Homecoming recap from Glenbard North and Glenbard South
• Important dates to remember

At Glenbard District 87, family engagement is at the heart of student success. For more than 12 years, the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (B-PAC) has served as a vital resource for multilingual families, offering support, guidance, and community connections that empower parents to help their students thrive.

“B-PAC means Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee,” explained Luz Luna, B-PAC Coordinator. “In this program, we seek to attract and involve Hispanic families who belong to the Glenbard schools community. We educate parents in the education process of their children. We provide them with resources necessary for their students’ academic success and we provide them with programs.”

B-PAC provides programs in multiple languages, including Spanish, Hindi, Urdu, and Gujarati, ensuring families across the district feel included and supported.

Family engagement is directly linked to student achievement, and B-PAC ensures that multilingual families have both a voice and a place in Glenbard’s schools.

“We want our families to be involved in our schools,” said Luna. “We have a group of parents that represent each of our schools -- Glenbard North, South, East, and West. We meet six times a year in person. We focus on having them present in our seminars and being the parent voice.”

Jennifer Buck-Castaneda, EL coordinator and EL English teacher, echoed that sentiment.

“As a classroom teacher, I know the importance of family involvement in education. When parents and guardians are involved, students are more successful. For our multilingual families, it is even more important to show them that they have a voice in our district. That their opinion matters, and that they can and should advocate for their children.”

Some Glenbard families are new to the U.S. education system. B-PAC helps them navigate everything from daily classroom expectations to long-term college and career planning. “For us to be able to invite them into the schools, provide them with programs on how to help their students and families be happier, healthier, and successful is a real privilege,” Buck-Castaneda added.

Throughout the school year, B-PAC hosts multiple seminars on topics that are critical for families. These include:

• Information on free and reduced lunch, fee waivers, and financial aid
  
  

• College preparation, including how to apply for admission and scholarships
  
  

• Guidance from school counselors on academic planning
  
  

• Workshops in collaboration with the GPS Parent Series on building healthy family relationships
  
  

After every seminar, whether in-person or virtual, parents express gratitude for the information and resources. “We hear from multiple families on how appreciative they are,” Buck-Castaneda said.

The positive impact of B-PAC is felt not only within Glenbard but also beyond. The program’s coordinators are proud to share their work with other districts interested in building similar supports for multilingual families.

The next B-PAC seminar will be held October 16 (virtual) and will focus on applying for college, securing financial aid, and navigating the FAFSA application process. Families will receive step-by-step guidance and access to valuable resources to support their students’ future success.

October is National Principals Month. We thank our principals for their exceptional work and selfless dedication to our students, faculty, staff and the community. We appreciate their leadership, knowledge, empathy and collaborative spirit.

Congratulations to the Glenbard District 87 Board of Education!

We are proud to share that our Board of Education is among just 42 boards statewide to earn the Illinois Association of School Boards’ 2025 School Board Governance Recognition designation. This honor celebrates school boards that model strong governance practices and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in supporting high-quality public education.

Our board members consistently engage in professional learning, development programs, and leadership opportunities that strengthen their skills, knowledge, and effectiveness. Their dedication reflects Glenbard’s ongoing commitment to good governance and student success.

Board members will be formally recognized at the IASB Spring Division Meetings in 2026.

Glenbard North's School Counseling Department invites juniors and their parents/guardians to college information night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8th.

Junior parent/student college night will feature a presentation about the post-high school planning process. Glenbard North school counselors will discuss college options, the financial aid process, and share how to navigate SchooLinks, our college and career platform.

We hope to see families of North juniors on Wednesday night!

Glenbard North Theatre is proud to present its fall studio production, “Every Brilliant Thing”.

As stated in the synopsis from Dramatic Play Service, “You’re six years old. Mom’s in the hospital. Dad says she’s ‘done something stupid.’ She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4. Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Construction cranes. 6. Me. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. A play about depression and the lengths we will go to for those we love.”

Content disclosure: “Every Brilliant Thing” discusses themes of mental illness, self-harm and suicide.

“Every Brilliant Thing” will be presented on Thursday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 10 at 4:30 p.m. in Livingston Auditorium at Glenbard North High School (990 N. Kuhn Road in Carol Stream).

Tickets are $5 and available at the door, by calling 630-653-7000 ext. 3820, or at glenbardnorthhs.seatyourself.biz.

The cast includes Analy Abril, Josh Bastidas, Eniko Camberis, Emma Glinkowski, Julia Ribeiro and Lauren Thompson.

The technical crew includes Aidan Aguilar, Sam Housour, Alex Riggs, Sophia Nicolaidis, Kris Silva and John Luu.

Student leaders include Lily Vura, Sam Housour, Mornilva Wolfe, Sophia Nicolaidis, Makena Camberis, Mimi Nascimento, Michelle Mann, John Luu and Dede Dallas.

Staff includes director: Madison Gillis, technical director: Nathan King, and costumes director: Megan Smith.

Glenbard West will be hosting its fall band concert in the auditorium on Tuesday, Oct. 7 starting at 7:30 p.m. The Glenbard West fall choral concert will take place on Thursday, Oct. 9 starting at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn (424 Forest Avenue).

The Glenbard East Orchestra Children’s Concert is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. in Biester Auditorium. This one-hour program is meant to be light and entertaining for kids of all ages. Music selections include Disney favorites including The Incredibles and The Lion King as well as hummable, family-friendly classics like Clair de Lune and The Barber of Seville. The concert ends with an audience sing-along to The Sound of Music.

More fun is in store – kids are also invited to visit the arts and crafts table and to try out the instruments in the “musical petting zoo.” Refreshments will be available for purchase as well. Glenbard East invites all families, students, staff and community members to bring their little ones and help them discover the power and beauty of music! Admission is $3 for adults and free for kids.

Leading school administrator Dr. Ken Wallace will be in conversation with Dr. Jason Klein for GPS virtual events on Thursday, Oct. 9 at noon and 7 p.m. in a program titled Why Before Where: Career Planning for the Next Generation.

Join us for an important discussion about necessary considerations for parents on balancing career-option opportunities for their children. The most important mission of parents and schools is to prepare the next generation for fulfilling lives. Research shows this is best done by building a strong foundation in understanding and engaging with the world of work, specifically aligning aspirations and talents with real options. Click here for the promotional recording, and find details and Zoom links on Wallace’s speaker page.

GPS today! Zoom at 7 p.m.

Craving Minds: Break Bad Habits and Unwind Anxiety

GPS Thursday – Zoom at Noon & 7 p.m.

Career Planning: Discover Your Child's Purpose and Pick the Perfect College

The Superintendent of Schools at CCSD93, Dr. David Hill, is showcasing a book by upcoming GPS Parent Series speaker Dr. David Yeager. The noted psychologist will come to GPS on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at noon and 7 p.m. in virtual programs titled What We Get Wrong: Motivating and Communicating with Young People 10-25. The presentation is based on his book, "The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation and Making Your Own Life Easier."

Join GPS to understand how to best help youth reach their potential during these occasionally challenging years. Check out Yaeger's preview, and find details and Zoom links on his speaker page.

Visit GPSParentSeries.org to view the brochure and browse upcoming events.

Last weekend, Glenbard North and Glenbard South celebrated Homecoming 2025! From pep rallies to football games and dances, it was all about school spirit and #GlenbardProud moments. We hope everyone had an unforgettable Homecoming! Check out some of the photos from the weekend.

October 8 = Glenbard North Jr. College Night

October 16 = B-PAC (Planning for Success in High School and Beyond: The College Application Process - Virtual)

October 22-23 = Parent-Teacher Conferences (all schools)

Glenbard Township High School District 87 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Glenbard offers classes in several college preparedness courses, as well as career classes at TCD, admission to which is non-discriminatory. Lack of English-language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in those programs.