February 27, 2015

It’s All About Feedback

One of the biggest buzzwords among educators today is feedback. This idea is extremely important to the process of learning. What do I need to know? How close am I to knowing it? What do I do well? What do I need to work on? How can I get to the final destination? Teachers (and students) should be using questions like these to help students understand their learning progress and where they stand relative to the standards and expectations.

Appropriately, the answers to questions like these also provide feedback for me on how Fremd High School is doing, and equally important, how I am doing.

Here is a shameless plug for feedback:

It’s not too late to participate in the Illinois School Climate Survey. Here, you can answer survey questions about our school climate, teacher (and administrator) quality, and our educational programs.

While the survey will provide us with some great information, it does not provide an opportunity to include a more detailed explanation about why you answered a question the way you did. Even though the survey does not include this option, please feel free to send me your free response feedback, either through the Contact Form to the right of this article, or by sending me an email at ktenopir@d211.org. I welcome your thoughts about what we do well, what we need to improve on, and what is missing from our school.

Highlights and Successes

• Congratulations to English Department February Student of the Month Liz Flavin.
• Congratulations to Coach Kevin Palmer and the Fremd Scholastic Bowl Team on winning the Fremd Masonic Sectional and will advance to the Masonic State Championship.
• Congratulations to the following Boys Swimming & Diving State qualifiers:  Diving, Zach Mega and Chase Jauch; 200 Free Relay, Austin Yurasek, Roshan Rajan, Nick Nevins, Kenny Benjamin (alternate Danny Konishi); 200 Free, 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 Breaststroke for athletes with disabilities - Dan Suero.
• Congratulations to Coach Elise Ference and the Girls Gymnastics Team on taking 3rd place at the State Competition.
• Congratulations to Coach David Yates and the Fremd Girls Basketball Team on being Sectional Champions.

Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events

February 28	Boys Swimming & Diving IHSA State @ New Trier Finals - 12:00 p.m. Girls Track & Field @ Glenbard West - 9:00 a.m.
March 2	Girls Basketball vs Huntley @ HEHS Super Sectional - 8:00 p.m.
March 3	Vocal Chamber Night - Music Department 6:30 p.m.
March 4	Boys Basketball vs. IHSA Regionals -6:00 p.m.
March 5	Boys Track & Field @ Proviso West Quad - 5:00 p.m. Band Solo Ensemble/Festival- Music Department - 5:00 p.m.
March 6	Boys Basketball vs. IHSA Regionals -7:00 p.m.

For a more complete list, please visit our Athletics Page.

Staff Spotlight

Name:   Officer Bill Leyden

Position:  Police Consultant (from Palatine Police Department)

Years at Fremd:  1.5 years

Life Before Fremd: 2000 Graduate of Brother Rice High School (Chicago, IL)

2004 Graduate of The Illinois State University (Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice) I married my wife in 2008; and we recently welcomed our first son 7 months ago.  I’ve  been with the Village of Palatine Police Department since February 2005.  Most recently I was working in the Patrol Division on our “Evenings Watch” (2PM-10PM).  I was primarily assigned to the southeast area of Palatine, to the East of Hicks Rd and North of Route-14.  

Hobbies/Interests:   I enjoy watching movies, the 30 for 30 Documentary Series (ESPN), and Homeland.  I spend most of my off time chasing around our son; who is crawling all over the place; getting into any and everything he can.  I also enjoy following local sports (Bears, Bulls, Hawks, and most importantly the WHITE SOX).            

               

Insider Tip for Parents:   I encourage parents to engage their children in open dialogue about the internet.  In addition, I advise you as a parent to stay educated on current apps and social media sites.    

Ask the Principal

Q:  When I email my child’s teachers, it’s hit or miss with them emailing me back, either in a timely fashion or at all! What are your expectations for timely communication, and what can I do to get a response?

A:  This may be the #1 complaint I hear from parents. That doesn’t mean that I hear about it every day, far from it. It is my expectation that emails and phone calls should be returned within 24 hours. There are obviously exceptions to this rule, but there is no excuse for hearing nothing back about your question/concern. For 90% of our staff, this is not an issue. Therefore, it is an issue best addressed with the “offending” teacher. I recommend that you alert the teacher’s department chair to the issue, since the department chair will know whether this is an isolated incident or part of a trend. I often work with department chairs on addressing these trends, and your feedback is important to this process, even if you feel like you are telling on someone.

Are you curious about something at Fremd but have never asked? Email me at ktenopir@d211.org. If your question is pertinent to a wider audience, I will include it in the next blog post.

February 20, 2015

Comprehensive School Climate Survey

On Friday, February 20, you should be receiving an email from District 211. While we are required to gather information from students, parents and staff about our instructional programs and school climate, this is the first year we are using this particular survey. District 211 administration (including the principals) reviewed several options, and we feel that this survey will provide us with the most useful information to gauge the effectiveness of our instructional programs and our constituents’ satisfaction with the quality of educational experiences our students receive.

We really value your input. Please take 10-15 minutes to take this survey. Thanks!

Comprehensive School Climate Inventory - Fremd High School

Highlights and Successes

• Congratulations to Coach Katie Giegler and the Fremd Speech Team on taking first place at the IHSA Regional Competition.  Award winners include:  Abby Cohen, 1st place Original Comedy; Alex Bazil, 1st place Impromptu Speaking and Original Oratory; Brian Rosenwinkel & Lucky Nanduri, 1st place Humorous Duet Acting; Emma Davies, 1st place Informative Speaking; Rachel Lucas, 1st place Oratorical Declamation and Prose Reading; Iris Crouch, Mary Kaste Baughman, Genevieve Wysocki, Pragya Malhotra; Varshnavi Vembar, Allison Nakazawa, Mike Downing, Jack Rosenwinkel, Johnny Whitfield, Nikil Badey, Will Komol and Imama Khawaja, 1st place Performance in the Round (play written and directed by Julia Dirkes-Jacks); Abby Cohen, 2nd place  Special Occasion Speaking; Ben Mathew, 2nd place Poetry Reading; Johnny Barrett & Katie Haggett, 2nd place Dramatic Duet Acting; Paige Dirkes Jacks, 2nd place Humorous Interpretation and Brinda Dollu, 3rd place Dramatic Interpretation.
• Congratulations to Girls Basketball Coach David Yates on being named West Division Coach of the Year.  Also congratulations to Haley Gorecki on being named West Division Player of the Year.
• Congratulations to the following Girls Basketball players on being named All-Conference:  Haley Gorecki, Bryana Hopkins, Brianna Lewis and Grace Tworak.
• Congratulations to Coach Elise Ference and the Girls Gymnastics Team on winning 2nd place at Sectionals.  Sydney Plichta- 2nd place Beam and 5th place Bars;  Christine Radonchonski 3rd place Floor,  4th place Vault and 4th place All-Around.  
• Congratulations to wrestler Alex Jacobs on qualifying for the State Meet.
• Congratulations to the following Speech Team State Quailifiers:  Johnny Barrett & Katie Haggett, Dramatic Duet Acting; Paige Dirkes-Jacks, Humorous Interpretation; Emma Davies, Informative Speaking and Rachel Lucas, Oratorical Declamation.
• Congratulations to Coach Elise Ference and the Girls Gymnastics Team on qualifying for the State Competition.
• Congratulations to Coach Kristen Newby and the Boys Swimming & Diving Team on winning 2nd place at Conference. Award winners are:  Zach Mega, 1st place Diving; Roshan Rajan, 2nd place 50 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle; Nick Nevins, Kenny Benjamin, Alex Nicholas, Austin Yurasek, 2nd place 200 Freestyle Relay and Nick Nevins, Roshan Rajan, Arnas Maciunas, Danny Konishi, 2nd place 400 Freestyle Relay.

Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events

February 20	Early Dismissal 11:50 a.m. Boys Track & Field @ Glenbrook South - 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball @ HEHS - 7:30 p.m. Girls State Gymnastics @ Palatine High School - 5:05 p.m. (Individual events, finals in all-around, team competitions)
February 21	Girls Track & Field @ Rolling Meadows Invite - 9:00 a.m. Boys Basketball vs. Huntley (senior night) - 6:00 p.m. Boys Swimming & Diving vs IHSA Sectionals @ Barrington Girls Gymnastics IHSA State @ Palatine H.S. - 5:45 p.m. (championship finals for individual events)
February 23	Girls Basketball IHSA Sectionals @ Palatine H.S.- 7:00 p.m.
February 23-27	Writers Week - Auditorium
February 24	Late Start - 8:50 a.m. Jazz & Java Concert - Cafeteria, 7:00 p.m. Boys Basketball @ RMHS - 7:30 p.m.
February 26	Girls Basketball vs. IHSA Sectionals - 7:00 p.m. Orchestra Chamber Night - 6:30 p.m. Music Dept.
February 27	Boys Swimming & Diving IHSA State @ New Trier Diving prelims - 9:00 a.m. Swimming prelims - 3:30 p.m.
February 28	Boys Swimming & Diving IHSA State @ New Trier Finals - 12:00 p.m.

For a more complete list, please visit our Athletics Page.

Staff Spotlight

Postponed due to the cold.

Ask the Principal

Are you curious about something at Fremd but have never asked? Email me at ktenopir@d211.org. If your question is pertinent to a wider audience, I will include it in the next blog post.

February 13, 2015

A Few Words Pictures From Mr. Tenopir

Chess Team State Send-Off

Digital Democracy Raffle Promotion

Senior Night - Poms, Vikettes, Band

National Signing Day Ceremony

And a Valentine's Day Tribute to My Wife

On an average week, I attend school events (meetings, sports, activities) on at least three nights, but often four. There has even been occasion where there was something going on every night. Needless to say, this is a lot of time away from my family. Last night, after returning from my third consecutive night of events without seeing my kids before bedtime, my wife, Christy, said, "Thank you for all that you do to support our family." Knowing the toll that taking care of our three rapscallions can take on a person, I am grateful that she understands the time demands of my position. I couldn't do the job that I love without her positive attitude and support. And the heart-shaped pancakes that my little guys and I will make for her this weekend are only a small token of my appreciation for her.

Highlights and Successes

• Congratulations to Varsity Debaters Sresht Iyer and Joshua Lee for being 1st seed at the Evanston Township High School Public Forum Debate Invitational.
• Congratulations to Coach Elise Ference and the Girls Gymnastics Team on winning Regionals.  The following gymnasts won awards:  Gab Lytle, 1st Vault; Carly DeFilippo, 2nd Vault, 2nd Floor and 3rd All-Around; Chrissy Radochonski, 3rd Vault, 3rd Beam, 1st Floor and 1st All-Around; Emily Neal, 1st Bars; Sydney Plichta, 2nd Bars and 2nd Beam; Mariah Gura, 3rd Bars and 3rd Floor and Abby Moran, 1st Beam.
• Congratulations to Girls’ Bowler Becca Rutkowski on qualifying for sectionals with an individual average of 187 and high game of 229.
• Congratulations to Coach David Yates and the Girls Basketball Team on winning the MSL West with a record of 10-0.  This is their 6th straight championship.
• Congratulations to Girls Basketball Coach David Yates on being named West Division Coach of the Year.  Also congratulations to Haley Gorecki on being named West Division Player of the Year.
• Congratulations to Coach Dan Ruettiger and the Boys Wrestling Team on taking 4th place at Regionals.  The following wrestlings took awards in their weight classes:  Cole Riemer - 3rd place; Grant Barwacz-2nd place; Quinn Bergles - 2nd place; Dom Lorig - 4th place; Matt Kurtishi - 4th place; Chris Sheets - 4th place; Alex Jacobs - 1st place; Aaron Cortez - 2nd place; and Zack Nemek - 3rd place.
• Congratulations to the following 2015 National Merit Finalists:Justine Chee, Nathan Cornwell, Soumyaa Mazumder, Ellen Ni, Walter Panfil, Sanjana Shah, Jeemin Sim and Jennie Yang.
• Congratulations to Coach Dave Yates and the Girls Basketball Team on winning the MSL Championship.
• Congratulations to Coach Elise Ference and the Girls Gymnastics Team on winning 2nd place at Sectionals and qualifying for the State Competition.  Sydney Plichta- 2nd place Beam and 5th place Bars;  Christine Radonchonski 3rd place Floor,  4th place Vault and 4th place All-Around.

Note: With over 60 clubs and activities, and almost 30 sports at Fremd, it is difficult to list the results of every event. Therefore, I rely on the varsity coaches and sponsors to submit their Highlights and Successes to me. If you don’t see your student’s accomplishments for his/her varsity sport or competitive activity listed here, please kindly encourage the coach/sponsor to do so in the future.

Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events

February 13	Wrestling vs. IHSA Individual Sectionals @ Barrington - 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball vs. Barrington - 7:30 p.m.
February 14	Boys Track & Field vs. Bolingbrook Quad Meet @ Bolingbrook - 9:00 a.m. Wrestling vs. IHSA Sectionals @ Barrington - 9:00 a.m. Boys Swimming & Diving vs. MSL Conference (Diving) 9:00 a.m. (Swimming) 1:00 p.m. @ Barrington Girls Bowling vs. IHSA Sectionals @ Brunswick Zone, Mt. Prospect - 9:00 a.m. Honors Orchestra Concert - Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
February 15	Boys Baskeball vs. Naperville N. @ Northside Prep H.S. - 1:30 p.m.
February 16	President’s Day - No School
February 17	Band Benefit Dinner/Concert - Cafe/Auditorium, 6:00/7:30 p.m. Girls Track & Field @ Glenbrook S. - 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball vs. IHSA Regionals @ Lake Forest - 6:00 p.m.
February 19	Girls Basketball vs. IHSA Regionals @ Lake Forest - 7:00 p.m.
February 20	Early Dismissal 11:50 a.m. Boys Track & Field @ Glenbrook South - 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball @ HEHS - 7:30 p.m. Girls State Gymnastics @ Palatine High School - 5:05 p.m. (Individual events, finals in all-around, team competitions)

For a more complete list, please visit our Athletics Page.

Staff Spotlight

Name:  Tom Cole

Position:  Guidance Department Chair

Years at Fremd:  This is year #15.

Life Before Fremd:   I went to Loyola University of Chicago on the 8-year plan.  Got my undergrad degree in English, worked in the residence halls, became a residence hall director at Campion Hall, an all-male dormitory on Sheridan Road on the Lake Shore Campus.   While in Loyola’s employ, I completed my Master’s degree.  Loyola was a great place to live and work.  I learned to love the city. From there I worked at St. Viator High School (of which I am an alum) for 20 years, first as an English Teacher, then a program chair, and for my 13 years there,  as a counselor.  I married the lovely Mollie Mills in 1986.  I got to know Fremd and 211 when Julie Lockett Labrasca Schmidt, then psychologist at Hoffman Estates, helped us at Viator to train peer mediators in the mid-‘90’s.  Through her I connected with the Chicago and Suburban Peer Mediation training program initiated out of D211,  and met other great Fremd folks, like Kim Filian, Gina Baddick, Suzanne Adamski and Tony Tosh.  I consider myself lucky to have landed here in 2000 and to be enjoying this great 2nd Act in my professional life.

Hobbies/Interests:   I love movies old and new.  “It’s a Wonderful Life” is one favorite (My son’s name is George Bailey Cole) . . .  “The Big Lebowski” is another.   “Casablanca” is a perfectly crafted gem of film entertainment.   Recent recommendations:  “Boyhood”, “The Drop”, and “About Time”.   I love to ride my bicycle.  I have more than a passing interest in craft-brewed beer.   

Insider Tip for Parents:   I should have a really good one, right?   I have been on an academic schedule for my whole life, and I have taken many courses.  I have found parenting to be a lifelong independent study course for which I have not been provided the grading rubric.   

Ask the Principal

Are you curious about something at Fremd but have never asked? Email me at ktenopir@d211.org. If your question is pertinent to a wider audience, I will include it in the next blog post.