Take Flight 🦅

On Thursday, November 27th, Leyden hosted over 140 recruits from the Great Lakes Naval Base to provide them with a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Thank you to the members of our school board, administrative team, food services, transportation, maintenance, catering classes, and the chamber choir for giving their time and talents to make this a special day for everyone. West Leyden's National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, and Interact students also volunteered to schmooze and play games with our guests.

A special shout-out goes out to NHS's Vice President, Julian Cisneros, for creating a postcard writing campaign so that each recruit received a hand-written note from West Leyden students. Serving those who have chosen to serve our country was the least we could do to show our appreciation and gratitude.

On December 3rd, National Honor Society's fall semester outing was to Aurelio's Pizza, and then to Phil's Friends. After enjoying dinner at Chicago's oldest pizza chain, they went to Phil's Friends to write notes of encouragement, decorate shipping boxes, and assemble care packages for people battling cancer. Below zero wind chills were no match against NHS's desire to go out into the community and help those in need.

Fast at math? Love science? Are you an art fanatic? Music aficionado? Know all the world capitals? Are you competitive? Fast on a buzzer?

Our combined-campus Scholastic Bowl Team:

🧠Has a winning record in the competitive West Suburban Conference;

🧠Has had multiple players individually rank in the top 25% at tournaments we’ve attended (which have 30+ schools and 150+ kids competing); and

🧠Competes statewide in the IHSA State Series in March!

If you’re interested in learning more, contact Dr. Todd Veltman (West) at tveltman@leyden212.org or Mr. Eric Garay (East) at egaray@leyden212.org.

It's hard to believe that we're 2 short weeks away from the end of first semester! TODAY is the last day to sign up for West Leyden's third annual Words to Live By event on Thursday, December 11th, after school, in the Commons. It's an opportunity to meet up with friends, destress, and unwind. You'll receive a FREE wooden cutout of a word to live by, and you'll get to paint it while sipping on some yummy hot chocolate! Click on the image or link above to RSVP today - Don't delay!

The Leyden Fine Arts Department will be hosting its 31st Annual Yuletide Celebration on Saturday, December 13th, at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm in the East Leyden Student Cafeteria. Join them for delicious warm beverages as their carolers will parade you through a beautiful holiday lighting ceremony. Return to your seat to find a scrumptious treat! Advance tickets are required, so purchase your tickets today.

📣 Calling all juniors! Do you want to boost your ACT score? ACT Prep registration is open! The cost is only $40 and includes materials, 11 nights of class, and an optional Saturday practice test.

Class takes place one day a week at either East on Wednesdays or West on Thursdays:

📝Class will run either from 3:15-6:15 pm or 6:00-9:00 pm.

📝Class starts January 21st at East and January 22nd at West.

📝A link to the full schedule is HERE.

You can sign up using your MySchoolBucks.com account or in person with the bookstore cashier. Students who are direct-certified by the state or who have a registration fee waiver from Leyden will be able to register for $20. Students must register in person with the bookstore cashier to receive the discount. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Todd Veltman at tveltman@leyden212.org.

West Leyden has almost 60 clubs, including academic, cultural, general interest, honors, performing arts, and service clubs. To learn more:

• Visit the West Leyden Clubs page.
• See a list of clubs and sponsors here.
• See a calendar of when all clubs are meeting here.

Starting this year, all Leyden students in any club will need to use the 5-Star Students app or link. You can access 5 Star Students via your cell phone or Chromebook. To log in, use your Google Leyden account info (email and password).

📲 Mobile App: To download the 5Star App on your phone, click HERE.

📲 Chromebook: Go to www.5starstudents.com & click on "sign in". BOOKMARK this link!

Helpful 5 Star Students Resources:

📲 To see an overview on how to use the mobile app, click HERE.

📲 To learn how to check yourself into meetings & events using the mobile app, click HERE.

We want you HERE! Leyden's new "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.

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

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.