Conant HS Principal's Newsletter
October 2024
From the Principal ...
“The best way out is always through.” -Robert Frost
According to the results of the 2024 Illinois Youth Survey taken by students at Conant High School, nearly 25% of students responded “yes” to “feeling so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities.” Yet, over 75% of students reported they “have one or more adults in their life they could talk to about important things.” While the percentage of students reporting episodes of depression is concerning, it reflects a lower percentage than reported over the past several years. The percentage of students reporting that they have a trusted adult to talk to about important things offers great hope. This information offers an important reminder of the important role of adults and parents in ensuring our children’s wellness and safety. It is also a call to action to support students who are struggling with depression and to support students who do not feel they have a trusted adult in their lives.
During September, students, staff, and parents were provided opportunities to learn about a variety of mental health topics using support provided by Erika’s Lighthouse, an agency dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression, encouraging good mental health and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
During this time our sophomore, junior, senior students were asked to identify the trusted adults in their lives. Our freshmen students will work to identify trusted supports a little later in the school year, as they become acclimated to high school.
It is important to be aware of signs of anxiety and depression in case your child is in need of support.
Signs of anxiety might include identifying with one or more of these feelings or behaviors, typically over an extended period of time:
Fatigue
Restlessness
Hypervigilance
Irritability
Racing thoughts or unwanted thoughts.
Signs of depression might include identifying with one or more of these feelings or behaviors, typically over an extended period of time:
Not enjoying things one previously enjoyed
Sad or irritable mood for most of the day
Marked change in weight or eating (too much or little)
Sleeping too little at night or too much during the day
Lack of energy – feeling unable to do simple task
Withdrawal from family and friends – isolation
Trouble focusing and making choices
Aches and pains when nothing is wrong
Frequent thoughts of death, suicide and hopelessness
If your child is exhibiting any of these signs, please seek professional guidance via your child’s doctor or a certified therapist. The Conant High School Student Services Department offers excellent resources for both in school and community support. If you have a question or concern about your child’s mental health, please contact your child’s counselor or team room administrator.
Sincerely,
Julie C. Nowak
Principal
Regular School Attendance
As you likely know, we are focused on supporting regular school attendance. We appreciate our community’s efforts to work collaboratively on regular school attendance, which includes rethinking vacation schedules and coming to school on a regular basis unless a student is sick, requires a mental health day or is on a college visit, or there is some other significant reason.
As a reminder, we assume students might need to miss seven or fewer days of school a year due to the reasons listed above. The Illinois State Board of Education considers absences of 18 days of absence or more as a student being chronically absent.
If you have a question or concern related to your student’s attendance, please contact their counselor or team room administrator.
Scholars Earn Their Letters
772 Cougars were rewarded for their efforts striving for academic excellence with a letter home to parents and a bumper sticker. Academic Awards are awarded on the basis of a 3.5 or better grade point average for the previous year.
Over the Counter of Prescription Medication in School
Students are not allowed to carry medication with them at school unless it is an inhaler or EpiPen and their medication authorization forms are on file in the nurse’s office. Students who need to receive medication during school hours must have the proper forms completed and on file with the nurse. All medication must be kept in the nurse’s office; this includes over the counter medication. Medication authorization forms are available on the Conant website.
Students holding prescription or over the counter medication could be subject to disciplinary action. Medication found on students will be kept in the nurse’s office for 48 hours and a parent must pick it up from school. Medication that is not picked up within 48 hours will be disposed of. Please review page 16 of the student calendar handbook or contact the school health office.
Emergency Action Plans
If your child has a health condition that requires an Emergency Action Plan such as seizures, diabetes, food allergies or asthma please make sure you have turned in the appropriate action plan to the health office. A signed emergency action plan from your healthcare provider is required for the school to follow in the event that your child experiences a medical emergency while at school. In the absence of an emergency action plan, please be aware your child will be evaluated, and if needed, 911 will be called to help treat your child’s medical condition. Emergency Action Plans can be found on the Conant website under Health Services.
Be Aware: Swatting
We want to briefly address a concerning trend that has impacted schools across the nation: swatting. Swatting refers to making a false malicious report or threat (sometimes AI- or computer-generated) involving a specific building or area. These are unfounded threats, but can easily create a deep level of concern; disrupt learning; and divert critical resources from real emergencies.
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Threats of any nature will not be tolerated.
The situation is significantly further complicated when individuals use social media to repost, share or in any other way further the spread of the threat. When threatening posts are shared, spread, or re-posted it can make investigations extremely complicated and distract and divert school and police investigative resources.
We encourage you to talk with your student about swatting, emphasizing the importance of reporting anything they see or hear that causes concern and refraining from perpetuating the spread of a message they see on social media channels or hear from friends. Students who see a concerning post or have other concerns should immediately report the matter to their parents, school administration or directly to law enforcement, or use the Safety Reporting Form on our school homepages and District iPads.
D211 Communications Advisory
District 211 again is seeking interested parents, staff and community members to discuss the District's communications priorities, focusing on what is communicated and how best to do it.
This group will meet three times during the 2024-2025 school year in person (Administration Center, 1750 S. Roselle Road in Palatine) and will help advise on a variety of specific topics, including the website and newsletters. Those interested in participating should complete this form:
From the Conant Boosters ...
Do you have 4 hours? In an entire school year? To give to your school?
Choose from one or more of our exciting committees:
Spirit Wear
Craft Fair
Dances
Hospitality
Adult Social Fundraiser
Volleyball Concessions
Fundraisers
Scholarships
Post Prom
Quickly and easily sign up to volunteer for any of the above at www.conantboosters.com.
What’s coming up?
McAlister’s Dine to Donate Tuesday October 22nd, 10:30am to 9:00pm
Grab a quick snack at the Concession stand during home volleyball games
50/50 Raffle the Spirit Store will be open at the Homecoming Game October 18th
Cougar Corner is open alternating Friday’s during lunch for your Spirit Wear needs
Spirit Wear is available online anytime
Smashburger Dine to Donate November 23rd, 1:00pm to 9:00pm
Lou Malnati’s Dine to Donate December 19th, take a break from leftovers
There are so many people behind the scenes making all of this happen and there’s always room for more. We need you!!! Become a member! Sign up to volunteer! Get involved! Go to www.conantboosters.com.
The next Meeting is Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center!
Traci Garcia and Cristina Zajac
Conant Booster Co-Presidents
Visit us at www.conantboosters.com
Find the Conant Boosters online!
conantboosters@gmail.com | Facebook @Conant High School Boosters. | X @Conant_Boosters
Dates to Remember
10/8 CONANT BOOSTERS MEETING 7:00PM MEDIA CENTER
10/9 PSAT/NMSQT TESTING 8:15AM NORTH GYM
10/9 NHS INDUCTION 7:30PM MAIN GYM
10/10 PICTURE RETAKES 7:30AM-2:45PM AUDITORIUM SHELF
10/15 STUDENT LATE START CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:35AM
10/15 BAND PARENT MEETING 7:00PM ROOM A160
10/17 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING 7:30PM AD CENTER
10/18 SPIRIT WEAR SALES PERIOD 3-6 SPIRIT STORE
10/19 HOMECOMING DANCE 7:00PM-10:00PM OUTSIDE PATIO
10/24 MUSICAL - MARY POPPINS 7:00PM AUDITORIUM
10/25 MUSICAL - MARY POPPINS 7:00PM AUDITORIUM
10/21 INCOMING FRESHMAN TESTING 8:00AM CAFETERIA/CLASSROOMS
10/26 MUSICAL - MARY POPPINS 2:00PM/7:00PM AUDITORIUM
10/26 TRUNK OR TREAT/FALL FEST 1:00PM-3:00PM EAST PARKING LOT
11/1 BLOOD DRIVE 7:30AM-3:00PM ATRIUM
11/1 SPIRIT WEAR SALES PERIODS 3-6 SPIRIT STORE
11/3 DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS (SET CLOCKS BACK)
11/5 GENERAL ELECTION DAY - NO SCHOOL
11/6 NATIONAL MERIT RECEPTION 3:45PM AUDITORIUM
11/7 FINANCIAL AID NIGHT 6:00PM-8:00PM AUDITORIUM
11/8 GARBA (SASA) 7:00PM-9:00PM CAFETERIA
11/11 BAND PARENT MEETING 7:00PM ROOM A160
11/12 STUDENT LATE START CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:35AM
11/12 CONANT BOOSTERS MEETING 7:00PM MEDIA CENTER
11/14 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING 7:30PM AD CENTER
11/15 SPIRIT WEAR SALES PERIOD 3-6 SPIRIT STORE
11/27 NON-ATTENDANCE DAY
11/28 THANKSGIVING DAY
11/29 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
12/3 STUDENT LATE START CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:35AM
12/4 WINTER CHORAL CONCERT 7:00PM AUDITORIUM
12/5 WINTER ORCHESTRA CONCERT 7:00PM AUDITORIUM
12/6 SPIRIT WEAR SALES PERIOD 3-6 SPIRIT STORE
12/7 IMPROV PERFORMANCE 7:00PM AUDITORIUM
12/9 WINTER BAND CONCERT 7:00PM AUDITORIUM
12/10 INCOMING FRESHMAN NIGHT (CURRICULUM) 6:00PM-8:00PM CAFETERIA
12/10 INCOMING FRESHMAN NIGHT PRESENTATION 7:00PM-8:00PM AUDITORIUM
12/12 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING 7:30PM AD CENTER
12/17 CONANT BOOSTERS MEETING 7:00PM MEDIA CENTER