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,

Check out this picture taken today of the Hilltopper Marching Band performing down Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World! What a great experience for our students. This month’s newsletter is hitting your inbox on a beautiful spring-like Friday. It’s a day off for students and a day of professional learning for staff. As of today, we’re exactly four weeks from the start of spring break. After that, it will be a mad dash to the end of the school year.

On Monday, February 9th the Board of Education approved the bids for phase one of Glenbard West’s construction project. This includes a new wing with eleven classrooms and a 350-seat black box theater, as well as a collaborative student commons. It’s important to note that the addition approved by our Board is slightly shorter—by about twenty feet—than the one originally planned. This will allow us to devote more of West’s facility improvements budget toward the needs of our current building. Because of this adjustment, we will no longer need the setback variance at the addition’s northwest corner that was approved by the Glen Ellyn Village Board last July.

Site fencing around the area will go up the week of March 30th, with construction beginning the following week. Work will be ongoing throughout the remaining months of this school year; however, it will not impact spring events on Duchon Field, including Commencement. Phase one is expected to be completed and ready for students for the start of the 2027-28 school year. I’m sharing a few renderings below to get Hilltopper families excited about what’s in store for our students.

Parents of seniors, you’ll find the first wave of graduation information below. This year’s Commencement ceremony will be Thursday, May 21st at 6:00 PM. You will receive an important mailer from the school the first week of April with required forms to complete.

Last month, the Village of Glen Ellyn amended its regulations for e-bikes and scooters. You can find a summary of the regulations here. Students must be sixteen years of age to operate all classes of e-bikes and eighteen years of age to operate electric scooters. Sidewalk use of either device is prohibited village-wide. As the weather warms up, we expect our students to adhere to these regulations when commuting to and from campus.

And finally, as you scroll through this month’s newsletter, be sure to check out the Student Recognition section and Athletics update on our winter sports season. We have so many outstanding young people at Glenbard West doing very impressive things. It is a pleasure to recognize them for their accomplishments.

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

March 3

D87 Voices of Glenbard Concert

7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Glenbard East

March 6

Dental Clinic

8:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Outside of Biester

Hip Hop Symposium

9:15 - 1:30 p.m.

Glenbard East

March 8

Frosted in Fashion

11:30 - 1:00 p.m.

Lake Ellyn Boathouse

March 10

D87 Honors Band Concert

7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Glenbard North

March 11

West Orchestra Solo Concert

7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Auditorium/Choir/Black Box/Band/Cafeteria

March 16

Band Solo Concert

5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Auditorium/Choir/Black Box/Band/Cafeteria

March 17

St. Patrick's Day Breakfast

7:30 - 7:55 a.m.

Cafeteria

March 30 - April 6

No School

Spring Recess

April 7

School Resumes

Grace Ramsey, an SFS Board Leader, has been selected to participate in Girls Lead Illinois, a highly competitive statewide leadership and civic engagement program.

Girls Lead Illinois selects high school students through a rigorous application and selection process based on leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to community involvement. Each year, hundreds of students apply from across the state, and only a limited number are chosen, making this a significant honor.

Gabbi Bertrand has been awarded the Chick Evans Scholarship.

The Chick Evans Scholarship provides full tuition and college housing for golf caddies, and is renewable for up to four years. Evans Scholars attend 27 leading universities nationwide and this is the nation's largest scholarship program for caddies.

Congratulations to our Forensics Team at the State Competition:

Ezra Mezidi - 1st Place in Prose Reading

Ezra Mezidi and Grace Mullin - 1st Place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Lily Wiedholz - 3rd Place in Informative Speaking

Lucie Williams - 5th Place Humorous Interpretation

Performance in the Round - 5th Place

Coaches Grace Rangira, Tony Crowley, and Erin Henry

Congratulations to Glenbard West sophomore Charlotte Henderson who

designed the concept for this year's Life Life Well Week logo.

Jane Adduci

Eden Chan

Angela Jaeger

Sadie Jewell

Keaton Peter

Lillian Svach

During the Board of Education meeting on February 23, 2026, Glenbard West students were recognized for their academic achievements. Not all award recipients are pictured above.

Each year Glenbard West recognizes one deserving student for the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award. Lillian Svach is the 2025 - 2026 recipient of the Glenbard West DAR award. The DAR Good Citizen Award recognizes one student who excels in dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Lillian displays strength in all these areas through her involvement in activities and clubs at Glenbard West as well as her academic achievements. The local DAR chapter honored Lillian during an award ceremony at Glen Ellyn Historical Society on February 24, 2026.

Student Services hosted the November Matter of Pride Ceremony on February 20, 2026. For those that are not familiar with our Matter of Pride Award, it was created over 30 years ago at West as a way to recognize students with outstanding character. This is the only award at West that focuses on a student's kindness, willingness to help others, going above and beyond for their school and/or community, and positive attitude. Basically, Matter of Pride recipients are what makes West the Best!

Congratulations to our February Award Recipients:

Jack Gasteier, Taliyah Haymer, Rory Hughes, Iydin Hussain,

Khloe Lloyd, Grant Norwood, Leo Macedo, Janiylah Riley

And Calvin Wahlgren (not pictured Kora Moroz)

We’re excited to announce that the Special Olympics Cool Schools Polar Plunge will take place on Tuesday, March 17, after school at Glenbard West! This is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together, have fun, and support a truly meaningful cause.

We would love to see as many plungers as possible; staff, sports teams, and student clubs alike! Costumes are strongly encouraged, but not required, so feel free to get creative and make a splash in style. Also, York currently has the Illinois Top title of Polar Plunge Cool Schools - we must beat York!

Participating in the Cool Schools Polar Plunge is more than just a fun event; it's a chance to show solidarity with Special Olympics athletes, Best Buddies, raise awareness, and foster school spirit. Every plunge helps support athletes in our community and contributes to a culture of inclusion and empowerment for all students.

If you’d like to register as a plunger or a team or donate to support a plunger, you can do so here: Special Olympics Cool Schools Polar Plunge Registration/Donation

Thank you for helping make this event memorable and meaningful for everyone involved!

Dear Seniors and Parents:

Glenbard West High School will celebrate the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Our teachers and administrators are excited to honor the achievements of this graduating class. We recognize the hard work, dedication, and perseverance our seniors have demonstrated to reach this milestone. Many have built meaningful relationships and lifelong connections within our school community, and we want to ensure they conclude their high school experience with pride and positive memories.

Our top priority is to make the end of the year meaningful and memorable for our seniors. Faculty and staff have collaborated with student leadership to plan a series of activities that celebrate accomplishments, uphold expectations, and recognize achievements. We appreciate the partnership of students and parents in maintaining a respectful and engaging environment as we approach these final weeks.

As we prepare for these culminating events, we want to remind students and families that expectations for responsible behavior and academic commitment remain in place through the last day of student attendance. Unfortunately, in past years, some seniors have engaged in campus vandalism or misconduct, which can jeopardize participation in the commencement ceremony or result in more serious consequences. We have held meetings with seniors to ensure our expectations are clear and that they feel heard regarding their concerns.

Additionally, we want to emphasize that there are no designated “Senior Ditch Days.” Unexcused absences may result in both academic and disciplinary consequences. We appreciate the support of parents in reinforcing the importance of finishing the year strong and making these final weeks a time of celebration and reflection.

Below, you’ll find a list of key dates and information leading up to commencement.

Important Change: Because of AP testing conflicts, we have moved our Senior Picnic and Tour de Glenbard to Tuesday, May 19th, immediately following commencement practice. While this is a change from previous years, we remain excited and confident that holding it alongside graduation rehearsal will still provide the same nostalgic and celebratory atmosphere for our seniors. This adjustment ensures that all students can fully participate in both AP testing and these cherished end-of-year traditions.

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 alongside our students and families. Commencement is a special occasion to reflect on their accomplishments and take pride in their journey. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Peter Baker

Assistant Principal for Student Services

• Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Graduation information and required forms will be emailed to all senior families.
• Friday, April 10, 2026 – Mandatory Senior Meeting at 9:34 AM during Glenbard Hour in the Auditorium. Seniors will receive important graduation and end-of-year details.
• Friday, April 24, 2026 – All graduation forms due.
• Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8, 2026 – Seniors who attended a Glenbard District 87 school for less than four years must complete an iPad Buyout request or return their iPad to the Help Desk.
• Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – Senior Honors Convocation at 7:30 PM in the Auditorium.
• Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – All financial obligations due (books, fees, iPads, etc.).
• Friday, May 8, 2026 – Senior Survey must be completed.
• Friday, May 15, 2026 – Seniors' Last Day & Cap and Gown Distribution during Glenbard Hour.
• Tuesday, May 19, 2026 – Mandatory Graduation Practice at 10:00AM in the Field House (Graduation tickets will be distributed). Senior Picnic – Immediately following graduation rehearsal.
• Thursday, May 21, 2026 – Commencement Ceremony at 6:00 PM. Graduates must report to the Field House by 5:00 PM.
• Friday, May 22, 2026 – Rain date for Commencement, if necessary.

Mandatory Senior Meeting (April 10): During Glenbard Hour (9:34am) in the Auditorium, Seniors will hear important graduation and end of the year information.

Textbooks & iPads:

• Library books and rented textbooks must be returned by May 8th.

• Seniors who attended a Glenbard District 87 school for less than four years must either return their iPad or complete an iPad Buyout request by May 8th.

• Failure to return books or an iPad will result in fines for the replacement cost. Seniors with outstanding obligations may not be able to participate in commencement.

Cap, Gown & Commencement Tickets:

• Seniors must have all financial and academic obligations resolved to receive commencement tickets after graduation rehearsal on May 19th.

• Each graduating senior will receive four (4) tickets for the ceremony. Students may request up to two (2) additional tickets by completing the extra ticket request form by April 24th. More ticket details will be sent via email on April 7, 2026.

• If you have not yet ordered a cap and gown, contact Herff Jones immediately at (815) 756-4743 or visit www.highschool.herffjones.com.

Commencement Video & Live Streaming:

• Commencement Video: A digital download of the ceremony will be available through Communication Resource Management. To order, visit mygraduationvideo.com.

• Live Streaming: The ceremony will be streamed live. Families can access the broadcast via THIS LINK (a free account is required, which can be set up in advance).

Graduation Photography

• GradImages is the official photographer for the Commencement Ceremony.

• Each graduate will be photographed, and proofs will be available for viewing shortly after the event at www.gradimages.com.

We are gearing up for the school-day ACT in April, which is a graduation requirement in the state of Illinois. Freshmen and sophomores will take the preACT. These scores will be used as part of the enrollment process in the subsequent year in conjunction with teacher input. The spring testing calendar is as follows:

• Wednesday, April 15, 2026: School-day ACT with Writing for Juniors (Illinois graduation requirement). 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.

As we look ahead to spring testing, our teachers have been busy preparing students for the pre/ACT and ACT. We have also compiled resources that students can use to practice and prepare beyond that which they experience in their classes. All students can access practice tests in TestNav by following the directions here.

preACT Resources for Freshmen & Sophomores:

• preACT Student Prep Guide includes test-taking tips and information on the preACT and its sections

• preACT practice test includes a full practice test that students can use to familiarize themselves with the preACT sections and questions

ACT Resources for Juniors:

ACT Student Prep Guide includes a full practice test, detailed test information and test-taking strategies

Our junior students have clocked a total of over 417 hours in the first six weeks of the program! This reveals an incredible level of commitment to improving their ACT scores by focusing on their individual strengths and areas for growth. Feel free to check out our “Eight to Elevate: Your Path to ACT Success” page on our district website for additional information for this program.

While 8 hours is the expectation for all junior students, they have unlimited access to the program and are encouraged to dedicate additional hours to practice if they are able to do so. Students participating in any outside tutoring should consider using the platform as a way to check their skill progression over time with the large array of specific practice questions and section tests available. There is something for everyone to hit their hours and grow in the specific areas they need.

THANK YOU for asking your junior students about their hours and supporting them as they ready themselves for the April 15th ACT.

We’re a little over two months away from AP testing season! If you have not done so already, please have your AP student check their myAP in College Board to ensure they have joined each of the AP classes for which they would like an exam ordered. As a reminder, joining the myAP classroom is the only way to register for an exam.

Please notify the API office or your student’s counselor if your student does not intend to take an AP exam for which they are already registered. Second-semester exam changes can be made with no penalty prior to March 13th. Any changes beyond that or for year-long or first-semester AP courses will incur a late fee.

We have also put together a draft of our Glenbard West 2026 AP Testing Schedule for your review. Note that this is a live document and may be subject to change as we firm up numbers and spaces for testing. Please check out Volume Three of our AP Guide for Families in English and Spanish for more information on conflicts and what to do for back-to-back exams.

For AP-related updates, please join our Remind by texting @gbwaptest to the number 81010 or click here. Please contact the office of the Assistant Principal for Instruction with any AP-related questions: 630-942-7471.

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

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

Front Row: Bea Ferreira, Mary Yangas, Rhiannon Sieck, Malaika Khan, Kruti Parikh, Lissete Ochoa
Back Row: Patty Fanella, Mike Neberz, Tad Keely, Jeremiah Wiencek, Tony Bergantino, Natalie Rubino

Summer School

Glenbard West Summer School Registration is still open! You can see the full course offerings for the Summer and complete the registration using this link. Reach out to Mrs. Meister-Norton at lauren_meister-norton@glenbard.org with any questions!

Average Daily Attendance

We had a slight dip in our attendance numbers for the month of January (92.08%) compared to December (93.76%); however, our numbers this year rose compared to January 2025 (90.68%). We continue to see improvements in our overall attendance numbers every single year!

Monthly Attendance Tip

Some periods have higher absences and tardies than others. 1st period continues to be our biggest issue with attendance, with so many students telling us that they overslept or slept through their alarm.

Most students use their phones or iPads as an alarm. Remind students to leave their phones far away from their beds, so they have to get out of bed to turn the alarm off. Apps like Alarmy can require the user to complete memory games or math problems to shut off the alarm. Sunrise alarm clocks simulate the sunrise, which can help people wake more naturally.

With that said, nothing is as beneficial as a consistent, predictable nighttime routine that limits screen time before falling asleep.

Parking Applications Coming Spring Break

Parking Applications for the 2026-2027 School year will be shared with students on Schoology on March 16th. The application will remain open through Spring Break until April 10th. Please be aware that spaces are extremely limited, and many students complete applications each year. Any student not selected is placed on the waitlist in case any spots become available.

Remember!

All absences must be communicated with our Attendance Office before 10:30. Call (630) 858-5060 anytime, day or night to speak with one of our Attendance Office Assistants or leave a voicemail.

Need Help?

Sometimes, speaking up is not the easiest thing to do. If you know your student is struggling to confide or communicate with their Dean or another school official regarding something serious, harmful, or dangerous, Glenbard West provides the Hilltopper Help Form.

Go West!

The Dupage County Health Department is coming to Glenbard West on Friday, March 6th for FREE dental exams for all Glenbard West students who return a completed signed consent form. This exam will meet the state mandated requirements for 9th grade students if they have not completed the necessary dental examination yet. If the student meets the necessary requirements, in addition to the exam, they will receive a dental cleaning, fluoride treatment and sealants. Health forms are available in the Glenbard West Health Office and are attached. Forms must be turned into the health office, faxed to 630- 942-7559 emailed to stephanie_brezwyn@glenbard.org by Tuesday, March, 3rd.

The winter athletic season was amazing with all of the postseason success in a variety of sports. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Dance finished 19th at the IHSA State Finals.

Bowling (Coop with North) qualified for the IHSA Sectional.

Girls basketball- IHSA Regional Champions and a 28 win season.

Boys basketball- Defeated Leyden in the IHSA Regional Semifinal, next game in IHSA Regional Final tonight 7:00pm vs. York in Biester.

Girls Gymnastics- Regional champions, Nicole Sienkiewicz competed at the State Finals and finished 12th in the all-around and 7th on uneven parallel bars.

Boys Wrestling- Aidan Ortega, 4th at 106, Alejandro Aranda 5th at 138. Top 12 for Tallis Taylor and top 16 for Phin Codinha and Marc Tchapda at the State Finals.

Karolina Konopka qualified for the IHSA Girls Wrestling State finals this weekend in Bloomington. Her current record is 41-3.

Boys Swimming (Coop with South) won the IHSA Sectional at Downers Grove South. They have 10 state qualifiers in 8 events this weekend in Westmont.

All schedules will constantly be updated on our athletic website as we look forward to following our Hilltopper spring sports at the following website: https://schools.snap.app/glenbardwest

Spring sports have begun with Softball and Boys Gymnastics and the following sports begin practices Monday March 2: Badminton, Baseball, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Boys and Girls Track, Girls Soccer, and Boys Tennis. Boys Volleyball begins March 9. Thank you for all of your continued support as we cheer on our Hilltoppers.

Summer camp registration is live through the Glen Ellyn Park District at gepark.org. Here is the camp schedule:

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @glenbard_west_hilltoppers

Go West!

Monday, March 30th - Thursday, April 2nd

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Friday, April 3rd & Monday, April 6th

CLOSED

Our district food service provider OrganicLife has a weekly rotation of available halal food items. Please see the flier below for a sample menu.

Our Glenbard students played a crucial role in this process, serving in several focus groups and providing important feedback and ideas. This implementation of halal food options helps promote an inclusive school environment where students can have access to food that meets their dietary needs.

Halal menu options will become available at our other Glenbard high schools starting in mid-January.

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

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 is an organization led by Glenbard West students, staff and parents. We engage the school community through social activities, service events, and support opportunities.

• Social- Circle Drive, PPK, Dodgeball, Post Prom, Badminton
• Service- ACTS (Advocating Character Through Service)
• Support- Faculty Appreciation, Live Life Well Breakfast, Coffee Talks

Please visit west-nation.com to volunteer, make a donation, and/or purchase a membership. We invite all students and parents to be a part of West Nation. We proudly support Glenbard Parent Series (GPS).

Follow us on Instagram & 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