November 2015 - Yorkville CUSD 115

November 2015
WE Are Yorkville:
Schools and Community Together
Fall 2015: a Great Time to
be a Fox!
From state championships to conference titles,
and from memorable performances to stunning
creations, Yorkville students showcased their
talents this fall.
YHS Girls Volleyball team captures the Northern Big 12 conference crown.
YHS Girls Cross Country team grabs their fifth straight
state title!
YHS and YMS Fall Orchestra Concert wows audiences.
YHS BoysCross Country team finishes third in the state.
YHS Girls Swim Coop Varsity and JV
squads bring home the Northern Big XII
Conference Championship.
Fall Art Show exhibits impress
at YHS.
YHS students give a memorable performance of Inherit the Wind.
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College and Career Focus at
Yorkville Middle School
In this issue
Yms students plan for the
future
Be the change at YHS
student success update
Community corner
upcoming events
YMS Student Heads West for
Unique Learning Experience
Hannah Schafermeyer, an
eighth grader at Yorkville
Middle School, recently
attended Teton Science
School’s Young Women
and Science program in
Grand Teton National Park.
Nominated by YMS teacher,
Megan Johnson and principal, Lisa Adler, Schafermeyer applied for the program and was accepted. Program
applicants must demonstrate academic achievement in science, an interest in examining and posing solutions to environmental problems and genuine enthusiasm for nature.
In early November, Schafermeyer spent a week learning
alongside fellow science enthusiasts. “I learned about the
natural communities, specifically tree communities and plant
communities, and how they affect the energy pyramid and
impact one another,”
said Schafermeyer. “It
was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”
The program, designed
for female students in
eighth and ninth grades,
pairs young learners with
a panel of adult women
scientists and graduate
students enrolled in the Teton Science Program. Combining
an opportunity to learn from women leaders in their field and
hands-on experience in a natural setting, the program fosters and encourages girls’ pursuit of careers in science and
related fields. For more information about the program, visit
http://www.tetonscience.org/.
One of the new areas of focus for the
2015-2016 school
year at Yorkville
Middle School is
College and Career
Readiness.
Research shows that
middle school and
high school are
important times
for early postsecondary planning, and many educational organizations and the
U.S. Department of Education recommend that students begin
planning for college as early as sixth grade. Consequently, YMS is
committed to beginning the process of College and Career Readiness by the time students leave middle school. To best inform and
prepare YMS students for these decisions, advisory lessons have
been designed and delivered focused on critical factors for future
success including self-advocacy, GPA, and transcripts. Staff have
also been working to enhance the presence of College and Career
Readiness information within the building through bulletin boards
and door decorations. October’s bulletin board focused on the
many postsecondary options available to graduating high school
students. “We are very excited about the increased interest levels
of conversations with our students on College and Career readiness. We encourage parents to build on these topics through conversations at home as well,” said YMS teacher, Tara Keuhmichel.
The school will continue its initiative throughout the year. In November, the focus will be on dreams and future aspirations.
YHS “Be the Change” Week Inspires
Students and Staff
In late October, YHS students coordinated
“Be the Change Week,” an annual initiative to discourage bullying. Throughout
the week, the group placed post it notes
on lockers and throughout the building at
Yorkville High School and at Yorkville High
School Academy that included both inspirational and positive messages. “This was
to address bullying and make YHS a more
positive environment,” noted staff coordinator, Kurt Holubetz. The week is part of
an ogoing effort to maintain a safe,
healthy learning environment for all Yorkville
High
School
students.
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Student Success Update
YMS Student Recognition Assembly
In October, Yorkville Middle School held its first student recognition assembly for the 2015-2016 school year. During the assembly, a variety of
students and student groups were recognized for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments. The following students were recognized
as September’s Students’ of the Month for their exemplary behavior and/
or academic performance:
•7th grade: Tyler Deutsch, Christian McClung, Bryan Quiroz, Dylan Strohl,
Mariah Trenado, and Hannah Willis
•8th grade: Madeline Bourque, Amiee Buck, Nico Dominy, Tyler Graumann, Junior Vargas, and Elisabeth Wells
•Fine Arts: Nicola Betz, Antonio Reynoso, Zach Weiss, and Dewey Wheeler
•P.E.: Lily Guerra, Ashley Hatch, and Paige Seplak
For a complete list of students recognized for extracurricular achievements, visit the Y115 blog http://yorkvilleschools.blogspot.com/.
YHS National Honor Society
Induction
Congratulations to the 2015-16 National Honor Society Inductees: Robin Campos, Zach Drew, Leah
Erb, Bailey Fisher-Porter, Abby Guddendorf, Carleigh
Heriud, Thor Hester, Rebecca Jasutis, Alexis Jones,
Danielle Klein, Madison Konecny, Jessica Labedz,
Alyssa Miller, Francis Pap, Summer Pierson, Danielle
Pozeg, Stephanie Samuel, Madison Schmidt, Amanda Stabile, Cameron VanBoekel, Louisa Washburn,
Camerson Williams, Taylor Wills, Chase Aulis, Kayla
Baumgardt, Jordan Boyd, Piper Buyanski, Chad Castilla, Alexa Childs, Maddie Dearborn, Jake Eberhardt,
Kellie Haddon, AnnaMarie Jedziniak, Brooke Jensen,
Rebecca Katula, Samantha Keane, Julia Meggazini,
Ryan Morris, Bronson Rodgers, Stephanie Schlichting, Jake Slavin, Josh Tatum and Jenna Yarbrough.
Community Corner: YHS Students Present to Yorkville City Council
YHS student members of Reality Illinois, a program that empowers youth to make
positive change in their community, presented to the Yorkville City Council alongside
Yorkville Parks and Recreation representatives on November 10th. The group’s mission “is to prevent health risks for all who use the parks, create a safe environment
that promotes healthy lifestyles, protects our surroundings, and protects wildlife. We
support a policy that makes all Yorkville parks tobacco free.” The students’ presentation focused on making their mission a reality. With research that demonstrates the
growing trend of smoke-free parks in Illinois, the group contends that eliminating tobacco usage in public parks would positively impact the “health and well-being for all
community members.” Under the direction of faculty advisors Sarah Macko and Amy
McMahill, students conducted research, coordinated a community survey and compiled data to support their argument. The group’s data shows that 94 percent of those
surveyed would be in favor of a tobacco-free policy at Yorkville parks. Citing research
that warns of the dangers of secondhand smoke and the environmental impact of
cigarettes, students prepared a compelling argument to support their cause. With the
guidance and support of Tim Evans from the Park Board and Jason Andrade with the Kendall County Health Department, the students’ contention that tobacco-free parks will have a larger impact on creating a tobacco-free community convinced the Yorkville
City Council to vote in favor of making public parks tobacco-free. Congratulations to the following Yorkville students on making a
positive impact on the Yorkville community: Jake Weisz, Bekah Hahn, Amber Yelenosky, Erica Cyko, Hayley Farren and Ethan Irvine.
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Event Spotlight: Veteran’s Day in Y115
Students throughout Yorkville schools discovered the meaning of Veterans Day on November 11th.
From schoolwide assemblies to classroom activities and guest speakers, our learners spent some of
their school day learning about the importance of this national holiday. At Grande Reserve Elementary School, an assembly featured a local color guard, patriotic music performed by the school band
and orchestra, as well as a speech from the school’s band director, a current U.S. Air Force Reservist.
Students at Yorkville High School heard firsthand accounts from several veterans coming from various branches of service and times of service during an assembly coordinated by the Social Studies
Department. Additionally, YHS and YMS Student Councils sponsored a district-wide Veteran’s Day
spirit day. Y115 students and staff participated by wearing either red, white and blue or camouflage
clothing to honor soldiers. At buildings throughout the district memorial walls featured the names YHS teacher and Veteran, Dan
of soldiers submitted by individuals throughout Y115 and showcased Veterans stars made by YMS Cornwall, was among those who
spoke to social studies students.
history students. Yorkville schools are committed to making the day impactful for all students.
Show your Fox Pride
to the World
IEP 101: Parent Education
Opportunity
Have you ever attended IEP meeting and were confused
about the IEP process? After attending our two-part series on
the IEP process, you will be much more comfortable about
the purpose of meetings, what to expect, and what all of that
“data” really means for your child.
In honor of the YHS Travel Program,
Yorkville World Class, students and
staff at YHS have designed a t-shirt
for not only students traveling to
Spain and Germany this year, but
also for anyone else who wants to
declare their Fox pride to the world. The red t-shirts are $12,
and all orders need to be pre-paid by November 17. Checks
payable to YHS. Contact Emily Benz, Joe Fitzpatrick, or
any YHS World Language teacher to order yours today!
IEP 101 Session 1- 12/3/15 at 6:30 p.m. YHS Library
IEP 101 Session 2- January 2016
(specific date to be determined)
It is important to attend both sessions in order to learn about
all aspects of the IEP process. Please RSVP to Sarah Gorges,
Y115 Student Services Department Administrative Assistant,
at sgorges@y115.org or 630.553.4382 ext. 6390 if you are
planning to attend.
Mark Your Calendars for the
College Affordability Seminar
On Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at
6:30 p.m. in the Large Group Instruction
Room the YHS Counseling Department
will sponsor “Conquering College Costs”
for the parents of all YMS, YHSA and
YHS students.
Popular Book Comes to Life for
Students at Movie Event
Frank Palmasani, author of “Right College, Right Price” and
creator of the “Financial Fit Online Program” will deliver a
seminar that highlights every possible way to reduce your
college sticker price.
His newly developed seminar will combine the latest information about scholarships, financial aid, student loans, and
the college search process when financial issues are a factor.
All parents are encouraged to attend!
Frank Palmasani has been interviewed by WGN, WTTW,
WBBM in Chicago and CNN Headline News nationally. He
has also been interviewed by radio stations across the country about the student debt crisis. He has spoken at counselor conferences for the National Association for College
Admissions Counseling, the Illinois Association for College
Admissions Counseling, the Iowa Association for College
Admissions Counseling, and the College Board.
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Upcoming Events
Y115 Parent Teacher Conferences - November 12 and 13
Grande Reserve Elementary School Donuts with Dads - November 17 from 7:45 - 8:25
Autumn Creek Elementary School 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Concert - November 17 at 7 p.m.
Grande Reserve Elementary School 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Concert - November 17 at 7 p.m.
Bristol Bay Elementary School 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Concert - November 18 at 7 p.m.
Yorkville Intermediate School 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Concert - November 18 at 7 p.m.
YMS Mockingjay Part II Movie Event - November 19 at 6:45 p.m. at NCG Theater, Yorkville
Circle Center Grade School Winter Wonderfest - November 21 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Board of Education Meeting - November 23 at 7 p.m. at YHS
Y115 Faculty Recital - November 23 at 6 p.m. in the YMS Auditorium
One Hour Early Release - November 24
NO SCHOOL November 25 - 27
IEP 101 Session 1 - December 3 at 6:30 p.m. at YHS
YHS Madrigal Dinner - December 4 and 5 at 6 p.m. and December 6 at 1 p.m.
Y115 Athletic Boosters Trivia Night Fundraiser - December 5 at 7 p.m.
YHS Prism Concert - December 13 at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m. at YMS
For a complete list of upcoming events and meetings, visit the District
calendar http://www.y115.org/vcalendar/.
For YHS and YMS Athletics schedules, visit http://yorkvilleathletics.com/.
Literacy Focus: Upcoming Events at the Yorkville Public Library
The Yorkville Public Library announces their November programs for Yorkville students. Visit their website
http://www.yorkville.lib.il.us/ for more information.
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