New Tech News - Zion-Benton Township High School

New Tech News
Volume VI - Issue 3
Nearing the End of the Road
Up & Coming
4/12: Parent-Teacher
Conferences
6:30-8:30 PM
4/13: Early Release
1:35 PM
4/24: District Testing
Sophomores and
Juniors only.
4/25: District Testing
Freshmen and
Juniors only.
5/2:
Senior Honors
Banquet
6:00 PM
5/5:
Prom
6:00 PM
5/15: Community
Honors and
Awards Night
7:00 PM
5/31: NTZB
Graduation
6:30 PM
6/1:
District 126
Graduation
6:30 PM
The fourth quarter is upon us, and it
is time to start thinking about Prom,
awards nights, yearbooks, and most
of all - graduation!
Our seniors have gone down a long
road since they first heard about
New Tech - a building that was not
yet complete - a completely new
learning model - different types of
courses that were not what they
were used to taking… these were all
the shared experiences of our first
cohort, the Class of 2012.
Now, here we are in 2012, and that
first cohort is nearly finished.
Together, they have dealt with an
increasing number of students each
year, the addition of unfamiliar staff,
the rigors of dual-credit courses, and
of course, the knowledge that soon
they will be moving on past New
Tech to the next phase of their lives.
Each senior has his or her own plans
and goals for what the next years
will bring them. Some of them
involve school, some of them
involve work, some of them are not
sure what they will be doing, but
they do go into it knowing that they
have made it through their four
years together.
This class of graduates is the first of
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many that came through our doors,
but they are not the last. As we near
the end of this road, the Class of
2012 will pick up another road of
their own choosing. They will begin
to navigate the world of
p r o f e s s i o n a l i s m , t e c h n o l o g y,
collaboration, communication,
literacy, and critical thinking on
their own, as they have been taught.
Yet we can never forget them.
Those of us who remain here will
have yet another class of incoming
freshmen to work with. These new
students will hear the names,
rumors, and stories of their
predecessors, but will never have a
chance to truly know the seniors that
came before them. However, they
will see their mark on the school.
Every course, every project, every
assessment that they encounter in
their own four years to come will
have come about because of the
hard work of the students that came
before them - and that is their
legacy.
We wish the Class of 2012 well as
they end their own journey through
New Tech High, and welcome the
lass of 2016 as they begin their own
in the fall.
-- John W. Blase, Asst. Principal
Page 1
Prom Style Show
The 2012 Prom Style Show, held at
the ZB campus on March 8, gave
students a chance to show off the
latest fashions for this year’s prom
season. NTZB had four participants
in this year’s program, each showing
off a number of different styles over
the course of the evening. We are
proud to take part in this District 126
tradition, and look forward to seeing
our students hit the dance floor at
Prom on May 5.
NTZB Participatnts in the D126 Prom Style Show:
Miguel Tlaseca, Saadea Sulimani, Rodrigo Reyes,
Alyssa Izquierdo.
PROJECT
Founding Fathers on Trial
The American Studies class, led by
Mr. McPherson and Ms. Knight, led a
project to put John Adams, one of
America’s founding fathers, on trial
given the evidence and characters of
the day.
Students took on the roles from
American history to both defend and
challenge the assertion that John
Adams contributed to the death of
Americans during the Revolutionary
War.
In presenting their cases,
students took on roles as lawyers,
prosecutors, defense lawyers,
witnesses, jurors, and other roles vital
to the understanding of the American
justice system.
New Tech News
The team was successful in its defense of John
Adams, convincing the jury that his role in the war
was vital, and he contributed to the liberation of
America, and not to the deaths of his fellow
countrymen.
Members of the defense prepare to present their argument
that John Adams should not be found guilty.
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Page 2
Students Present on Modern Slavery
The World Studies and American Studies
classes teamed up to present their bi-yearly
project on modern slavery. Together, the
freshmen and sophomore classes gave a
combined presentation to the entire school on
the realities and dangers regarding 21st
Century slavery in America and around the
world.
The presentations were a success, and a testament
to the heart of our PBL model at NTZB.
The student-directed presentation was given
in the Cafetorium to the entire school, which
then had a chance to walk around and
examine the small-group presentations done
by pairs of students.
The entire school listens as the freshman and sophomore
Modern Slavery Project is presented in the Cafetorium.
Central
S2S Books some Time in Minnesota
On March 16 and 17, the NTZB Sister 2 Sister ladies
participated in a service project with the Books for
Africa organization. The trip strengthened the bonds
between the girls as well as provided them with a
culturally enriching service project.
Heather Kauppinen, Vanessa Flores, and
Dantaeja Bingmon pack boxes for Books for
Africa in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mrs. Knight and 14 NTZB girls dedicated their
Saturday to sorting, organizing, moving, and packing
books to send to children and adults in 46 African
countries. As a side trip, they also had a chance to
visit the nearby Mall of America before returning to
Zion. The time they spent showed not only their
dedication to their cause, but demonstrated the
bonding that takes place in the S2S organization.
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Page 3
The Interact Club at New Tech High @
Zion-Benton East is sponsoring a Blood
Drive with LifeSource on
Thursday, April 26, 2012.
The Blood Drive will take place from
7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
at New Tech High.
Badminton Tournament for
the Boys and Girls Club
You must be at least 17 years old to
donate blood or 16 years old with a
LifeSource parent consent form.
The New Tech High Interact Club will be
sponsoring this event for the Boys & Girls
Club of Lake County - Zion.
Please contact Janelle Hoeksema at
[email protected] or 847-746-0903
with questions and more information.
Friday, April 13, 2012
3:30 - 7:30 PM @ Pearce Gymnasium
Participant Fees:
Singles Team - $2.00
Doubles Team - $4.00
Spectators - $1.00
Must be 14 years or older to participate. To
register or get more information, contact
Ms. Hoeksema at [email protected]
or (847) 746-0903
grade levels, and with the first graduating
class commencing in May, this is certainly a
book to have. Work is wrapping up and this
will certainly be a book to impress.
New Tech Yearbook
On sale now in
the NTZB Bookstore
2nd Semester - $50
The first New Tech High @ Zion-Benton
East yearbook is still available for ordering.
This is a full-color, hard-cover, studentdesigned book. The Publications class has
spent the entire year creating this special first
edition. As New Tech’s first year with all
New Tech News
There are a limited number of books
available, so if you want to insure that you’ll
get one, see Mr. Anderson in the Bookstore.
Make sure to purchase the text that captures
and preserves the memories of the wonderful
2011-2012 school year at New Tech High @
Zion-Benton East.
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Page 4
NTZB Internships
During the second semester of their junior
year, New Tech students have an
opportunity to complete an internship with
a local business. These internships run
from the end of February through the end
of May. During this time students must
complete 50 hours of work at their
internship site.
To qualify for this program, students must
have a 2.5 GPA or higher, complete an
application, and receive a teacher
recommendation. Students go through a
hiring process that includes writing a
resume and cover letter and interviewing
for their potential position. The employer
then determines final selection of the
intern.
In addition to earning school credit for
completing the internship program,
students have a chance to explore a
Alex
Jones
Vanessa
Flores
potential career and gain valuable work
experience.
New Tech thanks the following internship
sites for their participation in this
program:
• The Bees Knees Boutique
• Cancer Treatment Centers of America
• District 126 Transition Program
• First Midwest Bank
• Mid-America Medical and Physical
Therapy
• NorthPointe Resources
• NextMedia Chicago 102.3 WXLC |
AM 1220 WKRS
• Zion-Benton Public Library
Rodrigo
Reyes
Zak
Oglesby
Alyssa
Izquierdo
New Tech News
Marlen
Parra
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Alex
Sperry
Saadea
Sulimani
Jasmyne
Woodard
Page 5
Senior Calendar & Graduation Info
April 6
GRADUATION PARTICIPATION CONTRACT and DUAL PARTICIPATION
AGREEMENT are due.
May 2
Cap and gown distribution in the Cafetorium during lunch. All school fees must be paid
and your contract must have been signed and turned in to receive your cap and gown. Cash
or money orders made out to Herff-Jones will be accepted. Personal checks are not
accepted.
May 15
Community Honors and Awards Program @ 7:00 PM. Graduates in caps and gowns
will line up by 6:15 PM in the ZBTHS fieldhouse. See Graduation Participation Contract
for guidelines on appropriate dress. The occasion calls for a formal and dignified
ceremony. The program is designed to recognize student achievements through
scholarships and awards presented by members of the school and community.
May 20
Baccalaurate @ 4:00 PM. This senior activity is a community sponsored activity at the
North Point Church. It is not mandatory, however all upcoming graduates and their family
members are invited to celebrate their success along with the community.
May 21-24
Final Exams for Seniors. All seniors will take final exams in each course in which their
grade is lower than 80%.
May 25
Graduation DVD orders due. Obtain an order form from the Bookstore. Cost is $10
each. After today, DVDs will cost $15.
May 25
FINAL DAY OF ATTENDANCE FOR SENIORS
May 25
NTZB Senior Breakfast @ 7:30 AM. in the Cafetorium. Seniors will receive their
yearbooks at this time. Seniors will be dismissed at 9:00 AM and will leave the building.
May 30
Required commencement practice @ 1:30-3:00 PM. Graduates will receive their line up
location and tickets will be distributed. Six (6) tickets for outside seating, two (2) for inside
graduation seating will be provided and two (2) for remote viewing in the Cafetorium. All
fees must be paid and your contract must be turned in to pick up your tickets.
May 31
NTZB Graduation Ceremony @ 6:30 PM. (NTZB Main Gym or outside) Graduates are
asked to arrive at 5:30 PM to prepare and line up for the ceremony.
June 1
District #126 Graduation Ceremony @ 6:30 PM (ZBTHS). This ceremony is optional for
NTZB students, and interested students must have completed their Dual Participation
Agreement and turned it into the NTZB main office to participate.
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Page 6
Peer Tutors Available!
If you need some assistance for those 4th
quarter classes, Peer Tutors are available in
the Media Center.
Before school from
7:00-7:30 five days a week and after school
from 2:30-3:30 every day except Wednesday,
students are volunteering their time to help
get students through their coursework.
students and their teachers. Mr. Anderson,
our Media Center specialist, works with the
tutors to make sure that each student gets the
most effective help they need. Stop on by
the Media Center and sign up ASAP!
The goal of Peer Tutoring is to help bridge
the gaps in learning that happen between
Class of 2016 Spaces Still Available
There are still spaces available for incoming
8th grade students who are interested in
attending NTZB for the fall semester.
While there will not be any school tour
nights, interested families may always call
the school office for a meeting with the
administration to get more information about
our Project-Based Learning program.
If you know of a student who had a
minimum 8th grade EXPORE test score of
13 in Reading and 14 in Math, he or she
already qualifies for enrollment at NTZB.
For more information, call the NTZB main
office at 847-731-9800.
Keeping Attendance Current
According to the NTZB student handbook,
"Valid cause for absence shall be illness,
observation of religious holiday, death in the
immediate family, family emergency, and
other situations beyond the control of the
student. Any other absences may be
considered truancy."
It is important that parents and guardians
keep the school informed of the whereabouts
of students. To report an absence, or if you
feel that any absences were marked in error,
please call the NTZB attendance line at
847-731-9813 .
Test Center
National ACT @ ZBTHS – Saturday, April 14 at 8:00 AM
register at www.actstudent.org
Illinois State PSAE Testing @ NTZB – April 24 & 25 at 7:30 AM.
Early Dismissal both days. Please take note of the attendance days.
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Page 7
New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East
1634 W. 23rd Street
Zion, IL 60099
Phone: 847-731-9800
Fax: 847-746-5428
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Zion, Illinois
Permit Number 8
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PSAE Testing Has Changed This Year!
Every spring, Illinois mandates that all juniors in • On Tuesday, April 24th, only sophomores and
high school take the Prairie State Achievement juniors will be testing. Freshmen and seniors do
Exam. In addition, freshmen and sophomores not report to school on this day.
take our twice-yearly benchmarking exams. This
year, the testing requirements, formatting, and • On Wednesday, April 25th, only freshmen and
juniors will be testing. Sophomores and seniors
dates have changed.
do not report to school on this day.
• Starting this year, all 6th semester students will
test, regardless of credit status. In addition, no • Food and drink are not permitted in the testing
student may graduate without taking the PSAE rooms. Lunch will not be served due to the
shortened schedule, so please be prepared for a
exam
long morning session.
• There is no longer a writing exam on the ACT
test given by the state. If a student is applying to By following these changes and other guidelines
a college that requires the Writing Exam, he or for the testing, we can insure a fair testing
she will have to take the ACT during one of the environment for the best scores possible. Good
luck on the tests!
national testing dates.
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