Huskie Howler

At the top right of the newsletter you will find accessibility features including an ability to translate, increase contrast and text size.

En la parte superior del boletín, encontrará funciones de accesibilidad que incluyen la capacidad de traducir, aumentar el contrate y el tamaño del texto.

在newsletter的右上角，您可以找到辅助功能，包括翻译、增加对比度和文本大小的功能。

Dear Huskie Community,

We had a successful Homecoming week culminating in nearly 2000 attendees at the dance on Saturday night. It takes a lot of effort by staff and volunteers to coordinate it all. Thank you for your support in making it happen.

This week, we do not have school on Thursday, Friday, or the following Monday for an Institute Day, Conferences, and Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day. Enjoy the extra long weekend!

You are invited to attend our NNHS Core Chat on October 21 at 7PM. Some additional information is below including the prompts that will guide the small group conversations. Each school in the district will be hosting unique Core Chat events where the district will be gathering input from community members to inform the district Forward Together 2032 Plan. We anticipate the meeting will conclude before 8PM.

Finally, a note on expectations at events...

We value the way students, families, staff and community members come together to support our teams and activities. As a reminder, alcohol, cannabis, vapes, smoking devices, and other prohibited substances are not permitted at school-sponsored events, including those held at off-site locations. We also ask everyone to follow school and venue expectations regarding outside beverages, open containers and other restricted items.

These expectations apply to students and adults alike.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, welcoming, and family-friendly environment at our events and for setting a positive example for our students. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to seeing you at future events.

Go Huskies!!

Sincerely,

Jay Wachtel

When: 7PM on Wednesday, October 21

Where: NNHS Large Cafeteria

Purpose: We are gathered to listen and learn from your unique experiences to co-create the Forward Together 2032 plan. Your input is highly valued as we shape the future of Naperville 203. An independent third party, Innovate K12, will analyze all qualitative data collected across the district. They will synthesize these findings to generate the "What We Heard" reports, which will be published publicly on our website.

Non-Purpose: We are not here to debate specific district policies or review pre-made plans. This is a dedicated space for open, constructive dialogue to better understand community aspirations and needs.

Prompt 1: Picture a 2032 graduate who is truly thriving out in the world. What does the Naperville 203 school environment need to look like to make sure our schools are delivering those specific skills and experiences? What should we stop doing to make room for it?

Prompt 2: Trust is built or broken in the micro-moments. Think about a time when you or someone you know felt a disconnect or a breakdown in trust with the district or a school. Without naming names, what exactly went wrong in that interaction, and how could it have been handled differently to preserve the relationship?

Prompt 3: Sometimes, what we want to preserve (like academic success or traditional programming) directly clashes with what we need to evolve (like student mental health, balance, and new pathways). When our community's desire for tradition collides with our need for future innovation, how should Naperville 203 navigate that tension?

On Tuesday, 10/6 NNHS Student Government is holding its annual fall blood drive in the field house from 8:00am to 1:00pm. All students who are 16 years of age may donate blood by providing a parental consent form provided by the Student Activities office or a Student Government representative. All students who are 17 years old can donate without the form.

This blood drive is open to all Huskie relatives and neighbors. Should outside folks wish to donate, please enter through the main office check-in station and provide a valid state ID. The drive is from 8 am to 1:00 pm.

You may sign up for the blood drive:
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=NNHS

Please e-mail Mr. Brian Nierman at bnierman@naperville203.org if you do not give consent to allow your 17-year-old son or daughter to donate. Please see Mr. Brian Nierman if you have further questions.

As we approach the fall months – and get deeper into the first semester – we want to remind you of Naperville North High School’s attendance policy. In simplest terms, students have ten absences, per period, per semester to work with. These absences include parent call-outs for reasons such as student illness, college visits, appointments, and family matters. Once a student reaches the attendance cap, teachers will not accept any work for grading unless the student is physically present in class on the due date. For example, if a student has reached the attendance cap and misses a group presentation or an exam on Day 11, the teacher will issue a zero for the assignment.

Student attendance is one of the most significant and determining factors in a student’s success at school. Not being present for class discussions, labs, exam reviews, and presentations diminishes the high school experience and threatens the foundation for future learning.

If you have specific questions about school attendance or the attendance policy, please contact your student’s Dean of Students at (630) 420-6503, 6504, 6505, or 6502.

The Boys Bowling season is just a few weeks away. Gather your friends and head to the lanes to brush off your bowling skills, and be sure to register in preparation for joining the legendary Bowl Dawgs this season. There will be an informational pre-season meeting for Boys Bowling on Friday, October 16th before school at 7:15 AM in Room 144 or after school at 3:20 PM in Room 146. All prospective and former bowlers are expected to attend one of the meetings. Please contact Coach Sanford at tsanford@naperville203.org with any questions. Try-outs will be at Fox Bowl at 4:00-5:30 PM on October 26th & 27th.

Naperville North is pleased to offer the USABioOlympiad Exam on February 3, 2027, which is the first qualifying for the International BioOlympiad. The USABO goals are to:

- Identify highly gifted biology students to stimulate their talents.

- Nurture curiosity and empower young biologists to develop their interest in life sciences.

- Encourage an international network of biology scholars and future life science leaders.

- Propel excellence and leadership in biology-based careers.

If interested in take the exam, students must sign up first using this GoogleForm https://forms.gle/vuu9Kkd1yguPydYK7
and follow the directions on the Google Form to register with the exam platform by November 15. The $125 registration cost for the school will be split across the participants taking the exam. Questions? Email Zoe Evans at zevans@naperville203.org.

NNHS Blood Drive–TOMORROW, Tues, 10/6: Volunteers STILL NEEDED!

Parent/Caregiver volunteers are still needed for the NNHS Blood Drive!

• Volunteers will check in students and confirm they have the required Parent Permission Form completed.

• Shifts are: 7:45-11:00 AM and 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM; 3 parents per shift!

• Please sign up to volunteer HERE

• Questions? Contact Lauren Ferguson, lferguson@hotmail.com or Heather Wolf, hparilli@yahoo.com

10/8 Staff Breakfast for Conferences–Donations and Volunteers STILL NEEDED!

Parent/Teacher Conferences are this week, and with them, one of our favorite Home & School traditions: the Staff Breakfast. Each year, we put together a full breakfast spread for the teachers and staff who give so much to our students all year — and we can't do it without you.

Here’s how you can help:

• Early Riser? Volunteer for set-up or serving HERE! We need a few hands on 10/8 for set-up and serving our NNHS Staff, 6:30 to 9:00 AM. It's a fun way to help out and see the school and staff in action before the day gets going.

• Donate an item HERE! We're collecting donations to round out the spread — tableware, soda, juice, coffee creamers, tablecloths, flowers, etc.

• Thank you for helping us show our teachers how much they're appreciated — it truly makes their day!

DirectorySpot (NNHS Family/Student Directory) Now Available and Updated for 2026-27!

• If you were a DirectorySpot user last year, you don’t need to do anything. Just log in (same username and password) and you will see the new data.

• If you are a NEW user, you have been set up and can download DirectorySpot for free from the App Store (iPhone users http://goo.gl/5U2Tzq) or Google Play (Android users http://goo.gl/iBK9lY), or, you can access the data from the web.

• Enter your email address as your Username, and click on "Reset Password." An email will be sent to you with a link to set your password.

• Unfortunately, a handful of users do not have their email addresses linked to the new system, which may temporarily affect your login access. If you find yourself locked out, simply send a quick note to NaperNorthDirectorySpot@gmail.com, and our team will get it sorted out and restore your access right away.

• Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we get everyone connected!

Homecoming 2026 – Thank You!

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the Homecoming Dance a wonderful event! Whether you donated your time, energy or snacks, we truly appreciate your support! It was a fun, safe and memorable night for all our students!

School Store:

A huge thank you to everyone who helped out in the store in September! Your time and support mean so much to our students and staff. We hope to see you again in October!

• New Store Hours & Volunteer Shifts:

• Our store hours have changed slightly, and we would love your help—new volunteers are always welcome! If you can lend a hand, please consider signing up for a shift:

• Before School: M, Tu, Th, F: 7:15 - 7:45 AM; W: 8:30 - 9:00 AM

• Lunchtime: M & F: 10:30 AM - 1:20 PM Tu & Th: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM

• Please sign up HERE to volunteer!

Thank you for supporting our School Store!

10/14 Home & School Meeting:

The next NNHS Home & School Meeting is Wednesday, 10/14 at 9:30 AM in Room 108, and also via Teams at THIS LINK.

We will hear updates from our Principal and Dean of Student Activities, as well as from Brian LaPorte, NNHS College & Career Counselor, who will share PARC and Counselor updates, joint programming with NCHS, in-person college visits, & the 11/5 Career Takeover event.

We hope you will join us!

Fall Treats for 10/22 Staff Appreciation Lunch:

Show gratitude to our amazing NNHS Staff by supporting the 10/22 Staff Appreciation Chili Lunch.

• Help by purchasing supplies delivered right to school HERE!

• Help by contributing treats HERE!

• Questions? Email nnhsstaffappreciation@gmail.com

Thank you for supporting NNHS Staff Appreciation!

Senior Celebration - April 10, 2027! Mark your calendar NOW!

• Senior Celebration is a Parent/Caregiver run Mega Lock-In Party hosted by NNHS Home & School for seniors only! It’s a popular event–over 350 seniors attended SC in 2025 and 2026! Please view the SC27 Website for information about this important event for your senior!

• We will need at least 150 parent/caregiver volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly–there are plenty of opportunities to be involved in this amazing event! Please sign up at this link: Volunteer for SC27

• Questions? Please email NNHSSeniorCelebration@gmail.com

Support NNHS Home & School!

NNHS Home & School is driven to enrich the experiences of every Huskie student and family.

To ensure fall events and programs run successfully, H&S needs your support. Please make a contribution TODAY to support our school community!

• Make your donation via School Cash Online

• Zelle your donation to: napervillenorthhstreas@gmail.com

• Mail your check written to Naperville North Home & School to:

Naperville North High School, Attn: Home & School, 899 N Mill St., Naperville, IL 60563

Thank you in advance for your support of NNHS Home & School and our school community!

Follow NNHS Home & School on Social Media!

Check out the NNHS Home & School Socials and Webpage for all Home & School Happenings!

• NNHS H&S Facebook (@NapervilleNorthHomeandSchool)

• NNHS H&S Instagram (@napervillenorthhs)

• NNHS H&S Website

Help Us Sell Out Trivia Night Again:

There are still tickets available for the annual BOOSTER CLUB TRIVIA NIGHT on Saturday, October 10 at Cress Creek Country Club, and our registration deadline has been extended. Make the most of your students’ five-day weekend and join us! You can create your own table of ten or YOU CAN TOTALLY SIT WITH US! Don’t miss out on this annual event that promises a great time to benefit all of our amazing Huskie programs.

Trivia Night Donations:
We are also accepting donations for prizes (including the highly coveted Wine Wagon Raffle Prize) at any of these homes:
Gehrs: 1645 Imperial Circle, Naperville, IL 60563
Jurjovec: 1309 North Loomis Street, Naperville, IL 60563
Stogis: 1114 Needham Road, Naperville, IL 60563

Boosters Meeting:
Join us at our second meeting, Monday, October 19, 2026 in Room 108 at 7:00 p.m.

Required Testing

Per the Illinois State Board of Education, all students are required to participate in state testing taking place at NNHS on the following dates:

• Wednesday, March 24 - ACT (Juniors)

• Thursday, March 25 - PreACT (Freshmen) & PreACT10 Secure (Sophomores)

*Please note that students with approved accommodations may be assigned to test either or both dates pending their accommodation. You will receive individualized details about this closer to testing.

Optional Testing (offered at NNHS)

• Friday, October 9 - PSAT/NMSQT (Juniors)

• All full-time enrolled Juniors are eligible to participate free of charge. Registration is required, please contact the Testing Coordinator as the deadline has already passed.

• Saturday National SAT Testing (typically Juniors & Seniors)

• NNHS and NCHS are host sites for the national SAT. All registration and fee collection are handled directly through College Board (SAT). Please see our website for dates and links to the external organization sites.

All things Class of 2027 can be found HERE

• Check out this month’s Counselor Connection, with grade-level & college/career updates!
• Link to 2026-2027 NNHS Student Handbook
• Link to 2026-2027 District Calendar
• Link to 2026-2027 NNHS Calendar
• The archived Howlers can be found HERE

If you have questions about any of the items above or other concerns, please contact Jay Wachtel, Principal, at jwachtel@naperville203.org or Susan Brown, Administrative Assistant at sbrown1@naperville203.org. Follow NNHS Official on Instagram at @nnhs_jay_wachtel and Facebook at Naperville North Principal Wachtel.