Friday, May 27, 2016

The Qubed Edition

Business Incubator Pitch Night

We are wrapping up the first year of our D211 Business Incubator class. On May 23, a business team from Fremd presented their final product/service pitch to a panel of judges in the hope that their idea would be funded as a true business.

The business, Qubed, had the idea of creating an education app that would allow students to see tutoring services through screen sharing and whiteboard technology. While their idea did not “win” the contest, many of the judges agreed that the team’s idea was solid, and that their presentation was the best of the group.

Pictured here are the member of Qubed, from left to right: Andres Carrero, Yulia Odinokova, Sarah Yoon, Shun Yamamoto, Kristine Yim, and their real-world business mentor.


Highlights and Successes:
  • Congratulations to the following Boy’s Track & Field 300 Hurdles Conference Champion Jaden Jackson.
  • Congratulations to Boys Track & Field Shot Put Sectional Champion and State Qualifier Ethan Hanson; Jaden Jackson Sectional Champion in the 110m High Hurdles & 300 m Intermediate Hurdles and State Qualifier;  Ryan McMahon State Qualifier in the 200 m dash;  Ben Konopka State Qualifier in the 110m High Hurdles; and  Danny Peterson, Jack Buban, Luke Vogelgesang, Ed Worthem & Alex Lytle State Qualifiers in the 3200m Relay.
  • Congratulations to Coach Steve Keller and the Girls Soccer Team on winning the  Regional Championship.  
  • Congratulations to Coach Matt Duncan and the Fremd Boys Tennis Team on taking 2nd place at Sectionals. Kazuki Matsuno took  2nd place in singles and is a State Qualifier.
  • Congratulations to the cast and crews of this year’s spring play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, on an outstanding production this past weekend.





Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events

May 27
Early Dismissal - 11:50 a.m.

Thespian Induction - FHS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

Boys Track & Field State @ Eastern Illinois University

Boys Tennis State

Girls Softball Regional @ Elgin Larkin H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer Section @ Paltine H.S. - 6:00 p.m.

Boys Volleyball Sectional @ Barrington H.S. - 6:0 p.m.
May 28
Boys Track & Field State @ Eastern Illinois University

Boys Tennis State

Boys Baseball Regional @ Warren H.S. - 10:00 a.m.
May 30
Memorial Day - no school
May 31
Girls Softball Sectional @ Schaumburg H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer Super Sectional @ Barrington H.S. - 6:00 p.m.

Boys Volleyball Sectioanl @ Barrington H.S. - 6:00 p.m.

Senior Choir Recognition Reception/Concert -Cafe, 5:00/7:00 p.m.
June 1
Boys Baseball Sectional @ Stevenson H.S. - 4:30 p.m.
June 2
Senior Breakfast @ Stonegate - 8:00 a.m.

Senior Recognition Band Concert - Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
June 3
Graduation Rehearsal - Gym, 7:30 a.m.

Boys Volleyball State @ Hoffman Estates H.S. - 6:00 p.m.

Girls Soccer State @ North Central college - 7:00 p.m.
June 5
Graduation @ Sears Centre - 11:00 a.m.

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


Staff Spotlight

Name: Courtney Billittier
Position: Social Studies teacher
Boys Diving
Girls Diving
Senior Class Co-Sponsor
Poverty Awareness Week co-organizer

Years at Fremd: 5

Life Before Fremd: Grew up in Mundelein with three older brothers and loved to participate in sports. A proud graduate of Illinois State.. Go Redbirds!
Hobbies/Interests: Running, yoga, baking, traveling and reading.
Insider Tip for Parents: Encourage your student(s) to get involved and try new things


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.

Friday, May 20, 2016

The Color Run Edition

Scenes from the Color Run








Highlights and Successes:

  • Congratulations to Jenny Li (Girls Badminton) on taking a 4th place medal in singles at the State Competition.
  • Congratulations to the following Sectional Champions and State Qualifying Girls Track members:  4x100 Relay include Hanna Murakani, Anayia, Bethany Ekwonwa, and Cara Ogilvy; 4x200 Relay include: Hanna Murakani, Anayia Veremis, Bethany Ekwonwa, and Cara Ogilvy;  4x400 Relay include Hanna Murakami, Cara Ogilvy, Emma Schultz and Nora Finegan.  The 4x100 broke a 33 year old school record. Nora Finegan (2nd place)  and Linda Varela (6th place) also qualified in the 800.
  • Congratulations to Coach Matt Duncan and the Boys Tennis Team on winning 2nd place in the Conference Tennis Tournament and 2nd overall in the standings.  Award winners include:  2nd place 1st singles Kazuki Matsuno, 3rd place 2nd singles Sean Hishinuma, 2nd place 3rd singles Vetrie Senthikumar, 3rd place 1st doubles James Feng/Justin Piotrowski, 2nd doubles 2nd place Chris Stavrou/Advay Mahajan, and 3rd doubles 3rd place Hiro Handa/Kei Matsuoka.
  • Congratulations to Coach Tim Hamman and the Boys Gymnastics Team on taking a 3rd place trophy at the IHSA State Finals.  State Finalists include:  Cole Patton: Floor Exercise (2nd place) and Eric Barnd: Pommel Horse (9th place), Vault (4th place), High Bar (9th place), and  All around (10th place).
  • Congratulations to this week’s Viking Pride Winners:  Matt Baughman, Sarah Chen, Benjamin Cuthbert, Carly DeFilippo, Darian Gerasta, Chloe Grzegorczyk, Sydney Heinrich, Ashley Park, Andy Rudman, Elizabeth Sealey, Yahsong Tang, Lucy Vaquero, and Michael Zanichelli.

Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events


May 20
Spring Play - Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

Boys Track & Field Sectional @ Lake Zurich - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Track & Field State  @ Eastern Illinois University

Boys Water Polo State @ Stevenson H.S. - 4;30 p.m.

Girls Softball @ Crystal Lake Central - 5:00 p.m.

Girls Soccer Regional @ Carmel H.S. - 6:00 p.m.
May 21
Spring Play - Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

Boys Tennis Sectional - 8:00 a.m.

Boys Water Polo State @ Stevenson H.S. - 9:00 a.m.

Girls Track & Field State @ Eastern Illinois University - 12:30 p.m.
May 23
Honors Convocation - Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

Boys Volleyball Regional @ Buffalo Grove H.S. - 5:30 p.m.

Boys Baseball vs. Carmel H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Softball Regional @ Elgin Larkin H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer Sectional @ Palatine H.S. - 5:00 p.m.

Boys Volleyball Regional vs. Deerfield H.S. @ Buffalo Grove H.S. - 5:30 p.m.
May 25
Spring Sports Awards - 6:00 p.m.

Boys Volleyball Regional @ Buffalo Grove H.S. - 6:00 p.m.
May 26
Senior Picnic - 1:00 p.m.

Senior Recognition Orchestra Reception - Cafeteria, 6:00 p.m.

Senior Recognition Orchestra Concert - Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

Boys Tennis State @ FHS - 8:00 a.m.

Boys Baseball Regional vs. Deerfield @ Warren HS Almond Campus - 4:30 p.m.

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


Staff Spotlight
Coach Newby is pictured here (middle left, in black) with the State-qualifying Water Polo team.


Name:  Brian C Newby

Position:  Physical Education / Drivers Education Teacher, Aquatic Director, JV Girls Swim Coach, Head Boys Water Polo Coach, and oh yes, also a bus driver for the district. :-)
Years at Fremd: This is my 15th year Teaching and 18th year at Fremd.  My first 3 years I worked  as the teacher’s assistant in the pool.

Life Before Fremd: I grew up in the City of Chicago.  I attended St Ferdinand elementary school (K thru 8th grade).  I started high school at Gordon Tech from 9th thru 11th grade.  In 12th Grade my family moved to Palatine where I attended Palatine HS.   In college I attended Harper and transferred to Northern Illinois University where I graduated with a Degree in Physical Ed. 

Hobbies/Interests:  Scuba Diving, wakeboarding, boating, going on tropical vacations, and figuring out a way to live on the Beach.

Insider Tip for Parents: Help your children understand respect for all will get you far in life.

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.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Friday the 13th Edition

Spring Sports Award

The Fremd Viking Booster Club is proud of all our student-athletes and want to remind you of the upcoming Spring Sports Awards Night, Wednesday May 25th at 7pm in the main gym. As with every Sports Awards, the Booster Club is organizing the cookie/snack drive.  Please consider signing up to bring in cookies for a post event snack.  You can drop them off at the tables in the main hallway on your way into the ceremony.  

With over 700 student-athletes this spring, we will need well over 100 dozen cookies to have enough for the kids and their families.  

Please sign up for Spring Sports Awards Cookie Signup!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
  1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/xVQtrX
  2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
  3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone.


Highlights and Successes:
  • Congratulations to Coach Tim Hamman and the Boys Gymnastics Team on taking 3rd place at the MSL Conference Meet.  Award winners include:  Eric Barnd: 2nd All Around, 2nd High Bar and Ryan Roth: 1st Floor Exercise.
  • Congratulations to Coach Tim Hamman and the Boys Gymnastics Team on being the IHSA Sectional Champions.  Award winners include:  Cole Patton: 1st Place Floor Exercise; Chase Jauch: 4th Place Floor Exercise, 1st Place Parallel Bars, 3rd place High Bar, 2nd All Around; Eric Barnd: 1st Place Pommel Horse, 2nd Place Vault , 3rd All Around; Ryan Roth 2nd Place Floor Exercise, 4th Place High Bar and Daniel Classon: 4th Place Pommel Horse.
  • Congratulations to Coach Chris Grattoni and the Fremd High School Math Team for earning eleventh place at the ICTM State Competition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on Saturday, May 7th. The Freshman Algebra 1 Team earned 5th place (Hannah Chen, Kristina Chen, Suchet Kumar, Kevin Li, Anthony Mu, and Flora Zheng). Suchet Kumar earned 9th place for his individual performance on the Algebra 1 written competition. The Sophomore Geometry Team earned 10th place (Kevin Chen, Gretchen Coleman, Kashif Javid, Ed Li, Advay Mahajan, and Adhith Palla). Freshman/Sophomore 8-Person Team earned 4th place (Hannah Chen, Kevin Li, Anthony Mu, Flora Zheng, Rose Dinh, Kashif Javid, Ed Li, and Elizabeth Perez). Kristina Chen and Kevin Li earned 8th place on Frosh/Soph 2-Person Team. Kevin Chen and Adam Quinn earned 8th place on the Oralist Competition.
  • Congratulations to sophomore Edward Li for earning an honors distinction by placing in the top 150 students nationwide on the  U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad.
  • Congratulations to seniors Daniel Classon and James Feng on being named as Semifinalists in the US Presidential Scholars Program.
  • Congratulations to senior Jiamin Huang on being named to the 2015-16 Northwest Suburban Daily Herald Academic Team.
  • Congratulations to Coach Matt Duncan and the Fremd Boy’s Tennis Team on taking 1st place in the Crystal Lake Central Tournament.  Awards include:  1st doubles champions Jame’s Feng and Justin Piotrowski and 3rd doubles champions Jaya Ruthala and Kei Matsuoka.
  • Congratulations to this week’s Viking Pride Winners:  Caitlin Adolphsen, Sam Arnson, Kristina Chen, Ryan Farrahar, Emily Keith, Erick Leyva, Travis Ligon, Jack Rosenwinkel, Omran Samadi and Alex Vega.


Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events

May 13
Boys Gymnastics State @ Hinsdale Central H.S.

Boys Tennis Conference @ Prospect H.S.- 3:30 p.m.

Boys Baseball vs. Buffalo Grove H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Badminton State @ Eastern Illinois University

Girls Sectional Water Polo @ FHS - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Sectional Water Polo @ FHS - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Track & Field Conference @ Rolling Meadows H.S. - 4:45 p.m.

Girls Softball vs. Palatine H.S. - 4:45 p.m.

Girls LaCrosse @ Stevenson - 6:15 p.m.

Girls Soccer vs. New Trier H.S. - 7:00 p.m.
May 14
Boys Gymnasticas State @ Hinsdale Central H.S.

Boys Tennis Conference @ Prospect H.S. - 8:00 a.m.

Boys  Volleyball Invitational @ FHS - 9:00 a.m.

Boys Baseball DH vs. Mundelein H.S. - 10:00 a.m.

Girls/Boys Water Polo Sectional @ FHS - 11:00 a.m.
May 16
Girls Softball vs. Barrington H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Baseball @ Prospect H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse vs. Jacobs H.S. - 7:00 p.m.
May 17
Girls Softball vs. Conant H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Volleyball MSL Crossover @ FHS - 6:00 p.m.

Girls Soccer Regional @ Carmel H.S. - 7:00 p.m.
May 18
Boys Baseball @ FHS - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Softball Crossover @ FHS - 5:00 p.m.

Boys Volleyball MSL Championship @ FHS - 7:00 p.m.
May 19
Girls Track & Field State @ Eastern Illinois University - 12:30 p.m.

Girls Softball Championship @ FHS - 5:00 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse @ Cary Grove H.S. - 6:00 p.m.


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


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.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Last Call for Graduation Signs

LAST DAY TO ORDER GRADUATION SIGNS IS FRIDAY, MAY 6th!
Signs come with a lawn stake and are suitable for outdoor display to celebrate graduating seniors.  Order now for only $15. Signs can be picked up starting May 13th at the Spirit Shop.


Visit www.events.org/graduationsigns to order your today!


Highlights and Successes:
  • Congratulations to Coach Brian Newby and the  Boys Water Polo Team on  winning the MSL Conference Championship!
  • Congratulations to Coach Ray Roth and the Girls Water Polo Team on winning the MSL Conference Championship!
  • Congratulations to Coach Bob Hanson and the Girls Badminton Team on winning the IHSA Sectional!
  • Congratulations to the following medalists at the State Journalism Tournament:  Emma Davies - 4th place Broadcast News and Emma Milojkovic - 6th place Yearbook Copy Writing.
  • Congratulations to this week’s Viking Pride winners:  Yunju Cho, Gina Choi, Rebecca Davis, Shion Fujimori, Margaret Griffin, Sydney Hill, Ava Jennings, Gabrielle Lytle, Dayana Mena Perez, Arinze Okammor, Rebecca Ratajczyk, Rebecca Rutkowski, Esther Shim.


Upcoming Home Activities and Varsity Events

May 6
Girls Track & Field Conference @ Buffalo Grove H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Baseball @ Elk Grove H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Softball vs. Schaumburg H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Track & Field @ Lockport Township H.S. - 5:00 p.m.

Girls Soccer vs. Barrington H.S. - 6:30 p.m.
May 7
Prom - The Renaissance - 6:00 p.m.

Boys Tennis @ Crystal Lake Central H.S. - 8:00 a.m.

Girls Water Polo Triangular @ FHS - 9:00 a.m.

Boys Water Polo Triangular @ FHS - 9:00 a.m.

Boys Baseball DH vs. Warren Township - 9:00 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse vs. Glenbrook South H.S. - 1:00 p.m.

Boys Gymnastics Sectional @ FHS - 2:00 p.m.
May 9
Girls Softball @ Hoffman Estates H.S. -4:30 p.m.

Boys Baseball @ Barrington H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse @ Huntley H.S. - 7:00 p.m.
May 10
Boys Baseball vs. Stevenson H.S. - 4;30 p.m.

Girls Soccer Crossover @ FHS - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Softball @ Rolling Meadows H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse @ Nequa Valley H.S. - 5:00 p.m.

Boys Volleyball @ Barrington H.S. - 6:00 p.m.
May 11
Girls Water Polo Sectional @ FHS - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Softball vs. Conant H.S. - 4;30 p.m.

Boys Water Polo SEctional @ FHS - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Baseball vs. Barrington H.S. - 5:00 p.m.

Girls Soccer MSL Championship @ FHS - 7:00 p.m.
May 12
Boys Tennis Conference @ Prospect H.S. - 3:30 p.m.

Boys Water Polo Sectional @ FHS - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Water Polo Sectional @ FHS - 4:30 p.m.

Girls Track & Field Sectional @ Buffalo Grove H.S. - 4:30 p.m.

Boys Volleyball vs. Schaumburg H.S. - 6:00 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse vs. Warren H.S. - 7:00 p.m.


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

Staff Spotlight
Grattoni's Math Team is competing at State on Saturday

Name: Christopher Grattoni

Position: Math Teacher, Head Math Team Coach, and Math Test Prep Sponsor

Years at Fremd: Teaching - 9, Student - 4

Life Before Fremd: I graduated from Fremd High School in 2001, so it would be more accurate to talk about “life between Fremd” rather than “life before Fremd.” I went to Northwestern University for my undergraduate degree (class of 2005), where I double-majored in Mathematics and English Literature. During my time at Northwestern, I worked as a computer lab tech, a librarian’s assistant in the Northwestern math library, and a Blackboard support specialist for Northwestern’s Academic Technologies department. After undergrad, I earned a master’s degree in Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science in 2006 from Oxford University and a master’s degree in secondary education from Northwestern University in 2007.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy doing recreational mathematics and programming. I love learning about new technologies and finding new or interesting ways to apply mathematics. Every year, I look forward to final projects in Multivariable Calculus because I am always so impressed by the creative and mathematical ability of my students. Here are some published projects from some of my former students: http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/search.html?query=fremd.
I also enjoy gardening, cooking, going on bike rides, hiking, reading, and watching reruns of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Insider Tip for Parents: Fremd has a lot of free ACT/SAT prep opportunities for students! We have after-school prep classes, as well as a half-period ACT/SAT math prep course the runs during lunch periods.


Ask the Principal

Q: What are the rules for parking lot pick-ups? When (if ever) can we use the bus lane?

A: When we reconfigured the parking lot last year, we considered a drop-off lane, but when we weighed that against the possibility of losing roughly 30 parking spots in order to accomplish this we knew we had to strike a balance. (Those of you who have tried to obtain a parking pass understand the importance of every square inch out there!) Consequently, student drop-off hasn’t changed substantially over the years. Here are the “best practices” I can suggest:
  • The bus lane is for buses only--at all times of the day. I know it looks convenient, but it also brings increased traffic to our front door where the majority of students enter/exit the building. While you can predict the bus arrival times (6:45-7:30) and departure times (2:45, 4:00 and 5:25) there are often field trips and school events that require buses to use the lane at unpredictable times.
  • Pull into an open parking spot and wait for communication from your student before you drive to the main through lane in front of the school.
  • No open parking spots? Consider waiting away from the building in the far corner of the lot. There is less traffic out there. Pull up to the front when you receive communication from your student.
  • The school remains the safest way for your student to get to/from school. More bus riders also means less traffic in the lot to overwhelm novice drivers.


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.