Take Flight 🦅

On Saturday, March 8th, the East and West Leyden Principia clubs competed as one team at the regional Illinois Science Olympiad tournament at Harper College in Palatine, IL. Students participated in various competition events that included testing their knowledge about different scientific topics (such as entomology and astronomy), carrying out lab experiments, and building a sturdy wooden tower and a makeshift windmill. If you're interested in competing in the Science Olympiad tournament next year, contact Mr. Rothenberg (hrothenberg@leyden212.org) to join Principia!

What do SHARE Club and TechgURLs have in common? How about this plotline: The true story of the Afghan Dreamers, an all-girls robotics team in Afghanistan, and their inspiring journey to compete in global robotics competitions, overcoming societal expectations and challenges to pursue STEM education and innovation. Both clubs joined forces to see the movie Rule Breakers and eat dinner together on Monday, March 10th. All who participated agree that it was a great movie, and fun was had by all!

More honors for Leyden students! On Thursday, March 13th, 49 sophomores, juniors, and seniors were inducted into West Leyden's chapter of the National Honor Society. Students have to have a 3.3 unweighted GPA, complete an application, receive strong faculty recommendations, and write a brief essay to be selected. Induction into NHS recognizes students for their character, scholarship, leadership, and service. Congratulations!

Click here to see the list of 2025 NHS inductees!

Come try out for the Fine Arts Dance Show, "Leyden Dances!" We are looking for all styles of dance - lyrical, tap, bachata, salsa, modern, kpop, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, musical theater, etc. - to take the stage on Saturday, May 3rd.

Students who participate in the show can create their own choreography and/or dance in another student's choreography. Not a dancer but want to do lighting design, costumes, or manage backstage? We are looking for tech as well! Fill out this interest form and come to one of our meetings this week to audition.

Tuesday, March 18th, 3:30 - 5pm in the East Dance Studio.
Wednesday, March 19th, 3:30 - 5pm in the West Dance Studio.

Email Ms. Longstreth (llongstreth@leyden212.org) if you have any questions.

Junior Olympics is an annual tradition at Leyden. In the weeks leading up to Spring Break, the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes can participate in various events and earn points. Then the day before Spring Break, Junior Olympics takes place in the fieldhouse. During Junior Olympics, the four classes compete against each other in a variety of olympic-style games. Points are awarded to the winners of each game. At the end of the games, the Junior Olympics winning class is announced and gets bragging rights until next years' games.

Back in October, StuCo ran HOCO Spirit Week, during which students who showed off their participation at the Student Activities Office earned a link in their class's spirit chain. In addition, Leyden administrators have been tracking students' attendance. The better your class's overall attendance, the more points your grade can earn. The results of both of these contests will be revealed during Junior Olympics.

This year's events combine old-time favorites with new traditions:

Relay Race: Overcome a series of challenges before the other classes do.

Hungry, Hungry Hippos: Collect the most amount of balls in your basket.

Steal The Bacon: Grab an item without getting tagged by the opposing team.

Dodgeball: Hit opponents with foam balls while avoiding to get hit yourself.

AND... A new event in which EVERYONE competes! More details to come!

Your class sponsors will send out an email soon for participants to sign up. Check your email regularly to not miss the chance to compete!

Class of 2025 (Seniors) - Ms. Talsma and Mr. VanRoeyen

Class of 2026 (Juniors) - Ms. Kraft and Ms. O'Connor

Class of 2027 (Sophomores) - Ms. Dewey and Ms. Uremovic

Class of 2028 (Freshmen) - Ms. Pregler and Ms. Ratini

Hopefully you've already ordered your class T-shirt, sold by your class sponsors (see above). If not, be sure to show your school spirit by participating in the Junior Olympics Spirit Days (see below). If you didn't buy a class shirt, you should wear your class color on Friday, March 28th:

The days leading up to Junior Olympics are a Spirit Week. Every day you should dress to get into the spirit of Junior Olympics:

Calling all artists and writers! Submit your pieces to Prizewrite Magazine! Prizewrite Magazine is an annual arts publication, sponsored by Leyden District 212. The published entries are selected by the Art and English Departments collectively. There will be prizes for the 1st and 2nd place creatives. DO NOT MISS this opportunity for your art and writing to be showcased in this year's magazine! Submissions due by April 10th.

While spreading positivity, Snowball is also tackling the issue of vaping on campus to help reopen our bathrooms! Sick of long walks just to find a bathroom? Hate the crowded restrooms? You’re not alone! Many West Leyden students are feeling the impact of bathroom closures due to vaping. But there’s good news—we can change this!

West Leyden Snowball has partnered with the deans to launch the West Leyden Anonymous Vape Reporting Form—as a way to make our school a healthier place and help reopen our bathrooms. Have you seen vaping in the bathrooms? Use THIS LINK to anonymously report it—no risk to you! Want to quit? Get confidential help without getting in trouble. Text “ditchvape” to 88709 for FREE support anytime.

Scan the QR code posted in bathrooms or check your Minga ID to access the form (instructions are below). Let’s take back our bathrooms and make West Leyden a vape-free zone!

Leyden's "Strive for 95" campaign offers a lot of cool prizes for students who strive to maintain 90% or higher attendance:

• Monthly raffles to win Leyden clothing, free Prom tickets, Stanley drinking cups, Javaccino dollars, pizza parties for you & your friends, and much more.

For those soaring eagles who maintain 95% or higher attendance:

• $20 off Prom tickets (juniors & seniors only)

Click on the image above 👆 for more information!

We Are... Awards nominees can qualify to receive Javaccino (students) / Gold and Bold Café (staff members) gift cards. In addition, students may be recognized at Student of the Month breakfasts and staff members may be recognized at staff meetings.

To nominate a student or staff member, you need to fill out this We Are... Awards Google Form.