Leyden Pride

Welcome to this week’s Leyden Pride! This edition celebrates the incredible people and talents that make Leyden special. We’re honoring staff members who have served in the military, recognizing our dedicated School Board members, and celebrating the creativity and talent showcased at Leyden’s 3rd Annual International Thespian Society Talent Show. You’ll also find details about the upcoming production of PUFFS, Taste of Leyden events, yearbook photos, summer Consumer Education registration for rising juniors, family resources and more.

Leyden is excited to offer a brand-new opportunity for incoming 9th graders: Leyden’s College & Career LAUNCH! This program fast-tracks motivated freshmen to get ahead into their career interests. Students will research and visit colleges, connect with a mentor, secure an internship or job shadow, and even earn early industry-recognized credentials, while completing their required courses for graduation. Space is limited and an application is required by November 16.

Watch LAUNCH Video

Visit LAUNCH Webpage

Complete Application

Email Director Frank Holthouse

Leyden is excited to welcome incoming freshman students and their families to Taste of Leyden.

• Taste of East: Tuesday, December 1

• Taste of West: Wednesday, December 2

• Both events: 6:30–8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.)

Taste of Leyden is the first event in a student's high school journey and gives families and students an opportunity to explore the curriculum and the many activities offered throughout the school year. A postcard with additional information will be mailed to families.

Questions? Contact the main office:

• West Leyden: 847-451-3122

• East Leyden: 847-451-3023

It's time to plan ahead for yearbook photos! Students will have several opportunities to have their pictures taken, including additional dates and a selfie option.

Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors

Underclassmen yearbook photos will be taken Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24, in the Fieldhouse during P.E. classes. Students who do not have a P.E. class may visit the photographer after school until 3:30 p.m.

Additional photo dates:

• January 8

• January 19

A selfie option will also be available. Students will receive reminder emails with additional details before their scheduled dates.

Seniors

Senior yearbook photos will be taken Monday, January 11, and Tuesday, January 12, during English classes and after school until 3:10 p.m.

• West Leyden: Eagle's Wing

• East Leyden: Mezzanine

An additional date is available on January 19, along with a selfie option.

Students will receive reminder emails with additional details before their scheduled dates.

Ordering Information: Photos can be ordered online at HR Imaging or through order forms available in the cafeteria.

Questions? Contact vgiordano@leyden212.org.

Rising Juniors who plan to take Consumer Ed this summer must complete registration between now and March 15. Space may be limited so early registration is encouraged. The course is worth a .50 credit and costs $95. This course is offered both in-seat and online. Students who complete the summer Consumer Education program satisfy the graduation requirement.

Summer school will be held at West Leyden.

Consumer Education is offered during both summer sessions:

Session 1: Monday, June 7 - Thursday, June 24*

Session 2: Tuesday, July 6 - Thursday, July 22

*No classes Jun 28 - July 5

To register, visit MySchoolBucks.com or in-person at the East or West bookstores. Full payment is due at the time of registration. Fees apply to all courses, even those audited without credit. Refunds will only be issued if a course is canceled due to low enrollment. Bookstores are open on school days, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and they accept cash, credit cards, debit cards and personal checks.

Link: Summer School Webpage

Get ready for a magical night of theatre! Leyden Theatre presents PUFFS, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox. This production will take place at the West Leyden Auditorium November 12 - 14, at 7:00 p.m.

Inspired by the world of Harry Potter, this hilarious and heartwarming play follows a group of loyal, lovable, and often overlooked students as they navigate seven magical years filled with friendship, mishaps, and unexpected adventures.

Join us for a fun-filled performance celebrating the students who may not be the chosen ones but still have stories worth telling!

Purchase Tickets

Congratulations to David Ferrer on an outstanding performance at the IHSA Sectional Championship on Saturday, October 31, at Lake Park. David finished 17th overall with an impressive time of 15:12 for three miles, earning the sixth individual qualifying spot for the IHSA State Meet.

Leyden is proud to recognize the following veterans among our staff members for their service to our country:

United States Air Force

• Alejandro Martinez, Substitute Teacher*

• Michael Matticks, Teacher

• Sean Peter, Maintenance

United States Army

• Melvin Hogge, Bus Driver

• Arturo Senteno, Principal

United States Marine Corps

• Thomas Cartwright, Teacher

• Thomas Rooney, Teacher

United States Navy

• Antero Santos, Teacher Assistant

• James Soczewa, Security

• Ian Stong, Teacher

*Currently serving on active duty.

Thank you to these staff members for their service and sacrifice. Leyden is grateful to have you as part of our school community!

The Leyden Board of Education is made up of seven unpaid, elected officials and two student board members who represent our communities and serve in the interests of students. Our current Board members include President Greg Ignoffo, Vice President Gloria Murawska, Secretary Katy Boehm, James Lima, Lisa Anthony, Cesar Garcia, and Joe Trevino, along with student board members Zuzanna Karyta and Allizon Lozano.

In recognition of the nearly 6,000 elected school board officials across Illinois, the state designates November 15 as School Board Members Day. This day provides an opportunity to build community awareness and understanding of the important role locally elected school board members play in our communities and in representative democracy.

We thank our Board of Education members for their dedication, leadership, and continued commitment to Leyden, our students, and our community!

Get to know our board members through these One Amazing Story features:

One Amazing Story: Gloria Murawska

One Amazing Story: Student Board Members

Leyden’s 3rd Annual International Thespian Society Talent Show was a night filled with creativity, music and incredible student talent. With 13 acts taking the stage, students showcased their talents and brought plenty of excitement to the Leyden community.

Three awards were presented during the evening. The band, Infatuation, featuring Alexander Anzelmo, Jonny Oliva, Josh Oliva, Daniel Poellot and Dean Winnick, earned Audience Favorite with their rockin’ cover of Radiohead’s Creep. Dean Winnick took home Runner-Up honors with an impressive piano solo of Weezer’s Say It Ain’t So. The top award went to Rosalia DiPaola, Jami Diaz, Juan Narvaez, Sophia Perez and David Smith, whose vocal quintet performance of The Ballad of Jane Doe wowed the audience and judges.

The evening also featured an exciting announcement of Leyden’s upcoming musical, The Addams Family.

Leyden Student Services is excited to continue its partnership with the GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families. These free, public virtual presentations feature award-winning authors and experts who share valuable guidance on topics ranging from relationships and mental health to college admissions and career planning.

November Presentation Schedule:

• November 10: How to Be Enough: Social Anxiety, Perfectionism, and How to Quiet Your Inner Critic

• November 12: Selecting and Paying for College: The Nuts, Bolts and Secrets

• November 18: Crucial Years: The Essential Guide to Mental Health and Modern Puberty in Children 6–12

• November 23: Understanding School Avoidance: Beyond “Just Go to School”

View the Full Schedule and Registration Information

Triton College is offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults in the community beginning in January 2027.

Classes will be held at West Leyden High School on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Participants will develop their English language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening, through in-person instruction.

Registration Opportunities

• Tuesday, November 10 – Registration at Triton College

• Tuesday, December 1 – Registration at Triton College

• Online registration is also available through Triton College Adult Education.

For more information, contact Triton College Continuing Education at AEOffSites@triton.edu or 708-456-0300, ext. 3672.

Nov 12 - 14 - Leyden Theatre presents, PUFFS

Nov 23 - 24 - Underclassmen Yearbook Photos

Nov 25 - 27 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec 1 - Taste of East

Dec 2 - Taste of West

Dec 18 - Course Selection Deadline (2027-28)

Dec 21 - Jan 4 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

Email: pr@leyden212.org
Website: www.leyden212.org
Location: 3400 Rose Street, Franklin Park, IL, USA
Phone: 847-451-3000
Facebook: leydenpride212
Twitter: @leydenpride212

Instagram: leydenpride212

YouTube: leydenpride212

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