GR

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ESTABLISHED 1930 G Grant Community High School

Volume 15 Issue 4

December 2008

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

D E C E M B E R

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Online AccessFor Parents 2

Guidance/Semester Exam Schedule 3

Gala Highlights 4

Bulldog News 5

Bulldog NewsContinued 6

Music 7

Calendar 8

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Parents,

We are nearing the end of the fi rst semester with fi nal examinations right around the corner. This is a good time for parents and teachers to work together to make sure students are properly prepared. I would ask every parent to make sure their child is studying nightly by reviewing materials that will be covered on their tests. During fi nal exam week, encourage your child to get enough sleep and eat a healthy breakfast each day. We have a shared commitment toward their success and appreciate the support and encouragement that you provide your student.

Skyward Family Access, our new student information system, will be unveiled second semester! We’re excited about this easy to use, password protected website that will allow parents and guardians to obtain information about their child from any computer with internet access. You will be able to view attendance, grades, progress, assignments, account information, and more. We know you’ll want to be part of this program and are sending a personal login and password to our primary family members on January 5, 2009 by email. Family Access Enrollment Forms are now available in the Front Offi ce or on our website for those parents without an email address on fi le. We are in the fi nal stages of preparation for the implementation of this exciting communication tool and your email will help us move forward toward our goal. We know you’ll soon be a fan of Family Access and your visits to grantbulldogs.org will provide you even more resources toward the academic success of your child.

I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season as well as a safe and enjoyable winter break. We will see you back on January 5 for an exciting new year.

Sincerely,

Patrick J. BentancurPrincipal

The Grant Community High School December Student of the Month is senior Annie Adamski, daughter of Duane and Karen Adamski of Fox Lake.

Annie’s academic achievements include induction into the National Honor Society during her sophomore year. She has earned her place on the Honor Roll, Scholars’ List and Academic Top Ten the same year she was invited to attend the Freshmen Honors Breakfast. Her class rank is currently 29/379 with an impressive 4.1/4.0 GPA.

Her extracurricular activities are long and varied. They include Student Council, Environmental Club, Performing Arts Society, volleyball, Homecoming Committee, powder-puff committee leader and fl oat decorator, assisting with freshmen orientation and parent/teacher conferences and concession stand at sporting events. She has attended the North Suburban Leadership Conference, was a Blue Ribbon winner at the North Suburban Conference Art Show and earned the Scholar Athlete Award.

Annie has been instrumental in many community and charitable events such as Polar Plunge for Special Olympics, Buddy Walk for Downs Syndrome, raising money for autism during lunch periods, Toys for Tots, Red Cross, Camp Duncan, and the Richmond Food Pantry!

In addition to all of her activities, Annie teaches vacation bible school and is a Sunday school teacher.

Her plans for the future include majoring in art. She is exploring different options but would like to study at a university in a city setting.

Annie AdamskiCongratulations

Page 2 Volume 15 Issue 4

GRANT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL ISPLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

ONLINE ACCESS FOR PARENTS ANDFAMILIES

Grant would like to welcome parents and families to the education team. The District has implemented a new web-based service that will allow parents, guardians and authorized family members to view grades, assignments, progress reports, report cards, attendance records, schedules, health information and account balances with a simple “point and click.”

With secure logins and passwords, a family’s privacy is never an issue. With PaC Family Access, the District gives families thepower of information. This program will help parents participate in the educational process and increase communication between school and home.

In order to participate, the District must have a valid email address on fi le. Login and password information will be sent to all adults that are listed as primary family members on January 5, 2009 by email. If we do not have your email address on fi le, you will need to complete a Family Access Enrollment Form and return the form in person to the main offi ce. These forms are available in the main offi ce or at www.grantbulldogs.org under the “Parent” tab. Please be prepared to show identifi cation when returning the completed form.

To access the new online program, parents/guardians must be at a computer that has internet access. There will be a direct link to the Family Access website in the email you receive on January 5 or you will fi nd Family Access at www.grantbulldogs.org under the “Parent” tab. You will also fi nd instructions on the use of Family Access under the parent tab.

For more information, please visit the school district website at www.grantbulldogs.org or call one of the contacts listed below.

SCHOOL CONTACTS

Ms. Darlene Cankar

847-587-2561 extension 221

dcankar@grantbulldogs.org

Ms. Christine Sefcik

847-587-2561 extension 223

csefcik@grantbulldogs.org

Ms. Rose Jones

847-587-2561 extension 269

rjones@grantbulldogs.org

Exxon Mobil EducationAlliance Program

Grant Community High School has received a $500 grant from the Exxon/Mobil Combined Oil Company Educational Alliance program to support the school’s reading and math labs. Grant High School provides students assistance before and after school to help improve their skills. Rollins Road Mobil worked with school offi cials to secure the grant.

The Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance program is designed to provide Exxon Mobil retailers with an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools.

Grant Community High School thanks Exxon/Mobile Combined Oil Company for this generous donation.

Driver EducationScholarship opportunity!!

The Jiffy Lube “What Drives You?” Scholarship Program has been created to give a unique and early opportunity for high school students to gain funding for a college or other qualifi ed technical and/or professional programs through a scholarship award sponsored by neighborhood Jiffy Lube owners. The “What Drives You?” Scholarship opportunity will offer specifi c scholarships to students in driver education as well as teen drivers enrolled in high school. The scholarship awards are not based on a student’s GPA or other standard qualifying criteria, rather each individual will be allowed to express his/her “inner drive” and personal ambition. There are fourteen scholarships for the Chicagoland area, totaling $27,000 with $3,000 in school awards.

To learn more about this scholarship program, pick up an applica-tion form from the window of the Driver Education offi ce (room 186) or see Jiffy Lube’s website at: www.yourturn2apply.com.

Page 3 Volume 15 Issue 4

GUIDANCE NOTES

Guidance Department Activity Calendar2008-2009

DecemberFinancial Aid Night Dec. 10ACT Test Date Dec. 13End of semester Dec. 18Institute Day Dec. 19SAT Regular Registration Deadline (January test) Dec. 26

JanuarySAT Late Registration Deadline Jan. 6ACT Regular Registration Deadline (February test) Jan. 6ACT Late Registration Deadline Jan. 16Group registration meeting in auditorium, distribute curriculumGuides and worksheets Jan. 20 Juniors 2nd period in auditorium, lecture hall Jan. 20 Sophomores 3rd period in auditorium, lecture hall Jan. 20 Freshmen 9th period in auditorium, lecture hall Jan. 20Individual student pre-registration meetings Jan. 21-Mar. 3SAT Test Date Jan. 24

Consumer Education profi ciency test Jan. 27

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION SESSION

A Financial Aid and Scholarship Information Session will be held in the Grant Community High School auditorium on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Margaret Alsaraf, Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Lake Forest College, and Ellen Corey, counselor at Grant High School, will explain such topics as fi lling out fi nancial aid forms, loans, scholarships and grants as well as the “Financial Aid” and “Scholarship” sections of the Grant Website. A direct website connection will enhance the explanation. Grant High School students and their parents are encouraged to attend. There will also be a Q & A at the completion of the program.

Designed for college-bound juniors, ACT 36 is a test preparation program that will be offered at Grant Community High School this coming winter-spring. The classes will allow students to develop confi dence about the ACT by helping them analyze this pre-college test, practice with test questions, and master the pacing required to complete the exam. The eight-week, eighteen hour course will be offered on Mondays with a choice of two different time slots: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The classes will begin on January 12 and will end on March 23.

Grant juniors may take the ACT on April 4. In addition, Grant juniors also will take the ACT on April 22, when it will be included as an important part of the Prairie State Achievement Exam, a test that is required of all Illinois juniors.

ACT 36 registration packets were mailed to juniors in November. Students may enroll in ACT 36 by completing the ExcelEdge registration packet, including a check for $205.00, and bringing the registration form and attached check to the Guidance Offi ce by December 15. The cost is less than $11.00 an hour. All students who register on time are guaranteed a spot in the program. Mrs. Ellen Corey, counselor, will handle any questions on registration or test preparation. We encourage you to consider this important opportunity for your junior.

ACT PREP CLASS

1st Semester Final Exam Schedule 2008/09Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Thursday, December 18, 2008

1st hour

2nd hour

3rd hour

4th, 5th, 6th hour

6th, 7th, 8th hour

9th hour

10th hour

0 hour

8:00 - 8:058:05 - 9:139:20 - 9:259:25 - 10:3310:40 - 10:4510:45 - 11:53

8:00 - 8:058:05 - 9:139:20 - 9:259:25 - 10:3310:40 - 10:4510:45 - 11:53

8:00 - 8:058:05 - 9:139:20 - 9:259:25 - 10:33

Page 4 Volume 15 Issue 4

The Partnership for Academic Excellence hosted its 14th Annual Gala Dinner/Dance on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Maravela’s Banquet Hall in Fox Lake.

Students, in tuxedos and glimmering gowns, greeted guests, served hors d’oeuvres, and distributed programs. The following students participated: Bradley Baron, Garrett Olsen, Tyler Becker, Tyler Dempsey, Paige Stevens, Jill Sales, Kristine Campbell, Alyssa Black, Trenton Frank, Nathan Kovarik, Delanie Olsen, Kirsten Zitkus, Ana Zitkus, Kassie Stimpson,

Sean Thandupurakal, Rebecca White, and Josh White.

With over 200 participants from the business community and school, the Gala generated over $30,000 in revenues. The net revenue for the past fourteen years is over $300,000. Proceeds from this event will assist fi nancially needy students, enhance classroom technology, and provide scholarships for academically talented students.

In 1985, the Partnership for Academic Excellence was established to garner fi nancial support from local businesses and community leaders for fi nancially disadvantaged students and to acknowledge the academic accomplishments of graduating senior students. The Gala has become the primary source of revenue for the Partnership. We wish to extend a sincere appreciation to the individuals and businesses who participated and continue to support this event.

GALA GUESTS DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

The 2008 Grant Varsity Football Team wrapped up one of the best seasons in school history recently, venturing further into the playoffs than any team before them. The Bulldogs made it to the 3rd round quarterfi nals of the IHSA 6A playoffs with wins over Vernon Hills in the 1st round and Huntley in the 2nd round. The Lemont Indians played spoiler again, just like last season, with a 35-14 victory over the Bulldogs. Despite myriad illnesses and injuries, the Bulldogs fi nished the season 8-4 and had fi ve All- Conference players (Mike Bessette, Dan Hourihan, John King, Chris Staton, and Mike Zielinski) along with two All-Conference Honorable Mention (Jim Cokefair and Jacob Brown). Mike Bessette was also named to the Illinois Coaches’ Association Academic All-State Team. The graduating seniors combined two year record is an incredible 18-5.

CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT SEASON!

GRANT VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM MAKES US PROUD!

Page 5 Volume 15 Issue 4

BULLDOG NEWS

GRANT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOLFALL 2008 SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARDS

(3.0 AND UP) NAMES WITH *INDICATES A 4.0 GPA OR HIGHER)

FOOTBALL*Mike Bessette*George McKenzie*Peter LaubensteinTyler BeckerBrad BertramBrandon BushingGarrett OlsenGunther RosentreterKevin SavageChris StatonRobert StochlNolan HebeinTayler MooreKevin O’DonnellKevin RappWilliam RoucouletAustin ThorsenJoe WydraZac ApplehansDavid GahganBryce McMullinSteven NiewiedzialMatt O’DonnellMitchell RosenlofQuinn WattersBen Welter

CHEERLEADING*Nikala GigliottiBrandy HatcherJessica MamerowAshlee McCartenRobin RasmussenNicole HatcherShelby KoutasHope LantzLauren WanhalaCasey BarrettChelsea CarlsonTianna DeligioBrittany LippertAdrienne Pincombe

GIRLS TENNIS*Jeremy David* Johanna Eslabon*Cassandra Menke*Jessica Atchison*Desiree Dace*Ashley Oliver*Becky TokarzTaryn DohertyPuneet KahlonLauren LeskaCatherine NicponRoxanna StancioiuHolly CarrothersDeysi MoyaJessica RingLeigh SmithEmmy SpetzNicole Wolski

CROSS-COUNTRY*Alex Maskevich*Krish Patel*Jay Wisniewski*Stephanie Oehrlein*Sarah DefriesTitus LotzRobert McDonoughChris OliverTim TorkelsonLance LittletonKevin WilliamsAlyssa PasiewiczMaureen CookKaren OcampoAudrey CarrothersAlexis CappsTrisha PalmieriBrittney FroelichVianca Bermeo

GOLF*Sean ThandupurakalDaniel TromotolaBrandon MagnusonConnor LuetkeJohn Schenning

BOYS SOCCER*Cody ColbertFranceler FranceShane HunterJohn KramerGiovanny AguilarSteven CervantesEsteban DiazJoe Lake

VOLLEYBALL*Sarah Scurto*Hannah Couch*Valerie Heelan*Kayla Beverly*Alyssa Black*Rebecca McMullin*Sophia Trbojevich*Rebecca WhiteRachel BehmC.J. HillJanine FiordirosaJessica NusbaumAmber PottsMorgan LilesKali BachofnerStephanie CahillKelly KucharskiJulie Valenza

Page 6 Volume 15 Issue 4

GRANT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOLFALL 2008-2009

NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCEACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE

GRANT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOLFALL 2008-2009

NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCEALL CONFERENCE ATHLETES

FOOTBALLMike Bessette

Geordie McKenzieNolan HebeinTayler Moore

Kevin O’DonnellAustin Thorsen

Joe WydraPeter Laubenstein

GIRLS TENNISJeremy David

Johanna EslabonCassie Menke

Jessica AtchinsonCatherine Nicpon

Ashley Oliver

GOLFDaniel Tromotola

CROSS-COUNTRYTitus Lotz

Robert McDonoughAlex Maskevich

Audrey CarrothersStephanie Oehrlein

BOYS SOCCERShane Hunter

GIRLS VOLLEYBALLRachel Behm

CJ HillSarah ScurtoAmber Potts

Hannah CouchValerie Heelan

CHEERLEADINGBrandy Hatcher

Ashlee McCarten

FOOTBALLMike BessetteDan HourihanJohn KingChris StatonMike ZielinskiJacob Brown – Honorable MentionJim Cokefair – Honorable Mention

BOYS SOCCERJeff SzelewickiAdrian Trujillo – Honorable MentionShane Hunter – Honorable Mention

CROSS-COUNTRYAlexis CappsKendra KennedyRyan Mamerow

VOLLEYBALLC.J. HillBecca White – Honorable Mention

Page 7 Volume 15 Issue 4

Music Department Prepares for Holiday ConcertOn Tuesday, December 9, the Music Department will present the annual Holiday Concert. There will be performances by: Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Chamber Singers, Sweet Adelines, Barbershop, Beginning Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Symphonic Band. This annual celebration will once again include Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. All choir alumni are invited to perform on stage with the choirs. The concert will conclude with a grand fi nale consisting of all choir and band members. The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. There is no charge for admission, but donations will be gladly accepted at the door. Complimentary refreshments will be served at intermission. Please join us for an evening of holiday cheer!

Holiday Season Busy for Music Department StudentsThe Music Department students will be busy, once again, this holiday season with many performances in the community. Band and choir students will perform many holiday carols for audiences. We hope you can join us at one of the upcoming events!

Sunday, December 7 Rotary Christmas Party for kids Camp Duncan YMCA 11:00 A.M.-3:30 P.M.

Tuesday, December 9 Holiday Concert Grant High School Auditorium 7:00 P.M.

Wednesday, December 10 Staff Holiday Lunch Teacher’s Lounge All Lunches

Thursday, December 11 Caroling at Foxy’s Fox Lake Country Club 4:15-5:30 P.M.

Saturday, December 13 Chamber of Commerce Lakefront Park 3:45-5:00 P.M.

Santa Spaghetti Supper

GRANT BULLDOGS WINTER SPORTS

Expectations are high and excitement is building as the Grant High School Winter Sports Programs prepare for the 2008-2009 campaign.

Our Girls Basketball team, the NSC Prairie Division defending Champions, welcomes fi rst year head coach John Eiduke and will rely on the senior leadership of Alyssa Pasiewcz, Gina Celluci, Brittani Schisler, Amber Potts, and C.J. Hill.

The Boys Basketball squad also welcomes a fi rst year head coach in Wayne Bosworth. They, too, are counting on their seniors who consist of A.J. Spohr, Garrett Olsen, John King, and Gilbert Sheehan.

The Grant Wrestlers, coached by Ryan Geist, have won the last six NSC Titles and are led by seniors Nick Allen-Stewart, Ricardo Cabrera, Nick Guenther, Justin Jahnke, Jon Lassek, Jake Noesen, Tyler Becker, Roque Bustos, Jake Brown, and Tyler Dempsey.

The Bulldog Bowlers, coached by Beth Miller, are also NSC Prairie Division Defending Champions and will be led by seniors Beth Bengston, Caitlin Loving, Dori Rivera and Serina Stow.

Our winter cheerleaders have a fi rst year coach as well. Veronica Hoehne is our head coach, and her talented senior team members include Rachel Behm, Brandy Hatcher, Jessica Mamerow, Ashlee McCarten, Robin Rasmussen, and Katie Walleck.

Make it a point to come out and root for the Grant Bulldogs this winter. You will not be disappointed.

MR. BULLDOG 2008On Friday, November 22, the Junior Class continued the Mr. Bulldog tradition and crowned a Top Dawg to roam the hallways. Ten senior boys entered the competition to determine who would be named Mr. Bulldog. Markos Andrews, Tim Cephus, Tyler Dempsey, Greg Luce, Matt Peterson, Ben Ranes, C.J. Salvador, Hugo Sancen, Adrian Trujillo, and Mike Zielinski competed in categories such as formal wear, interview and talent, showing their skills and abilities to the crowd and a panel of faculty judges. Prizes were awarded to Mr. Congeniality, the Best Talent, 1st Runner-Up and Mr. Bulldog. Adrian Trujillo was voted Mr. Congeniality and Hugo Sancen was named the 1st Runner-Up. C.J. Salvador was crowned this year’s Mr. Bulldog and also walked away with the prize for best talent. Congratulations and thank you to all the contestants! Hope to see everyone at next year’s show!

A.P. EnglishWhat do students do in A.P English? We research world events, write papers analyzing current issues, discuss authors’ persuasive strategies, and explore themes in literature. A recent group project illustrating a sonnet’s theme through fi lm, song, literature, fi ne art, and a learning activity had us eating cookies (do you choose milk or love with your cookie- in life you can’t always have both!) playing Jenga! (all good things must come to an end), and tearing up papers with the names of our loved ones (move on in life after losing a love). Next year’s A.P. Language and Composition course will be offered to juniors while seniors will have the opportunity to take A.P. Literature and Composition. As registration for 2009-2010 approaches, please consider these options for junior and senior students.

Page 8 Volume 15 Issue 4

CALENDAR

Board of Education

Steve HillPresident

Kenneth MarkVice President

Ruth MichniewiczSecretary

Ryan Kelly

Paul LaRoche

Tom Lippert

Jim Loris

Grant Community High SchoolDistrict 124285 E. Grand AvenueFox Lake, IL 60020-1698

Non Profi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDFox Lake, IL 60020

Permit No. 31

Home of the Bulldogs

Grant Community High School Dist. 124285 E. Grand Ave.Fox Lake, IL 60020-1698Phone: 847-587-2561Fax: 847-587-2991

We’re on the Webwww.grantbulldogs.org

DecemberDec. 9 Holiday Concert (7:00 PM - Auditorium) Dec. 10 Financial Aid Night (7:00 PM - Auditorium)Dec. 16, 17, 18 Semester ExamsDec. 19 Institute Day, no student attendanceDec. 22-Jan. 2 Winter Break

JanuaryJan. 5 School resumes, 2nd semester beginsJan. 14 School Improvement Mtg., 1:35 releaseJan. 19 Martin Luther King’s Birthday, legal school holiday

FebruaryFeb. 4 Mid-point of 3rd QuarterFeb. 11 School Improvement Mtg., 1:35 releaseFeb. 11 Variety Show (7:00 PM - Auditorium)Feb. 16 President’s Day Observed, no schoolFeb. 18 Battle of the Bands (7:00 PM - Auditorium)Feb. 25, 26 8th Grade Enrollment Nights (6:00 PM)