Vol 4, Issue 1 - Zion-Benton Township High School

New Tech News
Volume VI - Issue 1
Up & Coming
9/8 - Senior Parent
Night
6:30-8:00PM
9/9 -
Senior
Panoramic
Picture
10:00AM
9/14 - District- Wide
Assessments
7:30 AM
9/16 - Home
Football vs.
Lake Forest
7:30PM
9/21 - Class Ring
Parent Night
at ZBTHS
5:00PM
9/22 - Yearbook
Portraits
during
Advisory
Welcome to the New Year!
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year!
This is a particularly special year for us as
we are at full capacity; we are educating
freshmen through senior level students.
We are whole now and our student and
staff culture continues to grow and
develop!
With the growth in enrollment, we are also
growing in accomplishments!
Our
students are taking the initiative to
participate in state and national
competitions that test their academic and
21st century skills. In July, New Tech
juniors, Adrianna Medina, Cheyenne
Mercado, and Cristal Lugo attended the
National Hispanic Institute Debate
Tournament at Augustana College,
sponsored by the Kerr Foundation. These
three very talented and energetic students
won top Illinois honors for mock trial and
debate, and will be attending national
competition in October in Houston.
Current New Tech junior and senior level
students, Zack Oglesby, Alex Sperry,
Tradon France, Chris Garner, and Yanely
9/29 - Homecoming
Ortiz placed 2nd place in the state in the
Pep Rally &
National History Day Competition this
Powderpuff
past May. These fine academics created a
6:30PM
performance depicting the racial struggles
of the Chicago Board of Education in the
9/30 - Homecoming
1960’s. With this 2nd place state win, these
Football
students continued to national competition
Game vs.
and won 14th place. New Tech students
Round Lake
are certainly developing the skills and
7:30PM
talents to be recognized on a national
New Tech News
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level.
I know you willIVjoin
recognizing and congratulating these
outstanding accomplishments!
The matriculation of new seniors has also
brought the addition of many new teachers
to our building. At the beginning of
August, our veteran New Tech teachers
created and implemented four days of
project-based learning inservice for our
new teachers.
The event was very
productive and provided our new staff
members with the skill sets to begin
teaching within our model. I am most
proud of all our fine educators. They are
demonstrating excellent teaching
competencies, professionalism, and have
already established wonderful rapport with
our students. Along with our veteran staff,
I know our new teachers will be
instrumental in providing thought
provoking, rigorous, and relevant projects
to all our students throughout the school
year.
One last thing…please stay abreast of all
our New Tech happenings by referring
often to the New Tech calendar on our
website and to the list of events available
in each of our newsletters.
We are
successful here at New Tech because of
the active participation of parents and
families. Please join our activities and
continue to provide your support as we
continue to grow and nurture all the
individuals in our New Tech family.
-- Anne Buck, Principal
Page 1
National History Day
NTZB’s National History Day
performance earned 14th place in
the nation this past summer.
Yanely Ortiz writes this reflection
on her experience of going to
Washington D.C. to perform as
part of the NTZB team.
to the room to watch other
performances, the student that
was up before us was so good that
I didn't wanted to present
anymore. However, when it was
our turn, I thought we acted pretty
well. But at the end, I found I
couldn't pronounce the world
My experience from National 'unanimous'! I skipped it and went
History Day is that history could on with the other lines, and
help someone to have courage and prayed that the judges didn't catch
a g o o d a t t i t u d e ! S t a r t i n g me. It turns out practice does
back when the National History make perfect.
Day group and I had our first
p e r f o r m a n c e f o r t h e l o c a l National History Day taught
competition, I thought "This is me that you have to go above and
going to be easy.” As I walked in beyond in your research in order
to make an excellent product,
because without any interesting
facts, you don't really have a good
product in hand.
As I look back at what we did it's
amazing to think that this all
happened as a school project, and
then it turned out to be something
more. Thanks to Mr. McPherson
and Mrs. Knight, the project went
from a school project to a
nationwide performance. Without
them, we never would have been
able to take our project as far as
we did.
NHD Participants
Mr. McPherson, Alex
Sperry, Yanely Ortiz, Tradon
France, Zak Olglesby, Chris
Garner, Mrs. Knight.
Debatable Sophomores
Three NTZB sophomores,
Cheyenne Mercado, Adrianna
Medina, and Cristal Lugo
participated in the National
Hispanic Institute Debate
Tournament over the course of the
summer.
Held at Augustana
College, the girls competed along
with 42 other students in the July
competition.
Cheyenne came away with the
All-State award at the debate
tournament in the CrossExamination category.
She
argued whether or not the Latino
male role was shrinking due to
feminism, poking holes in her
opponent’s arguments.
New Tech News
IV - 1
role as attorney. Both girls made
quite the show, earning the first
place award.
The NTZB girls hope to travel to
Houston, Texas to participate in
the national tournament in
October along with 11 other Lake
County students. NTZB will be
Cristal and Adrianna participated well-represented by such fine
in the Mock Trial, with Cristal young ladies
playing witness against Adrianna’s
Page 2
First Day
August 25,
2011
New Tech News
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Page 3
9th Grade
Akta Desai
Akta will be teaching freshman
Algebra I at New Tech. She is
a recent graduate of Loyola
University in Chicago with a
degree in Secondary Math
Education. Hobbies include
badminton, basketball (she’s a
Bulls fan), traveling, cooking,
and learning to speak Chinese.
Matt Hutchison
Matt is a recent graduate of
Illinois State University with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in
History Education. He will be
teaching freshman level World
History this year at New Tech.
Matt loves playing golf and
watching sports.
Mallory Monciviaz
Mallory served as a substitute
math teacher at the ZB campus
last year. Now, she will be
teaching sophomore level
Geometry.
Mallory is a
graduate from the University
of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana,
with a Bachelor’s degree in
Mathematics. She is our D126
freshman cheerleading coach,
is a former ZB graduate, and
enjoys sand volleyball and
spending time with her 11year-old nephew and her two
nieces.
Max Green
Max is a graduate of Illinois
State University with a
Bachelor’s of Science degree
in Biological Science. Max
will be teaching sophomore
level Environmental Science at
New Tech. Max hails from
Buffalo Grove, and enjoys
watching the Cubs,
Blackhawks, Bears, and Bulls
games. He also makes time to
enjoy ping-pong, camping,
traveling and reading science
fiction/fantasy novels.
Laura Fisher
Laura is a new graduate of
Illinois State University with a
B a c h e l o r ’s d e g r e e i n
Mathematics Education. Laura
will be teaching Algebra II/
Trig at New Tech.
Laura
enjoys her family and has an
11-year-old niece and a 9-yearold nephew. Special talents
include playing the trumpet
and doing math proofs (we all
know that this is what math
teachers do in their spare
time).
Tina Meyer
Tina will be teaching junior
level Physical Education at
New Tech and also PE at the
ZAP program. She received a
Bachelor of Science degree
from Eastern Illinois
University and her teaching
certificate from Northeastern
Illinois University.
Tina
spends her free time enjoying
softball, spending time with
her nephews, and working out.
New Tech News
10th Grade
Kate Stanley
Kate is our new New Tech
Power Skills teacher. She is a
graduate of DePaul University
with a degree in Secondary
English Education and a minor
in Community Service Studies.
Her hobbies and interests
include playing and listening
to music, literature, and
cooking.
Janelle Hoeksema
Janelle will be teaching
Entrepreneurship/Career
Exploration at New Tech. She
is a graduate of Illinois
Wesleyan University with a
Bachelor’s degree in business.
Janelle also has an MBA from
the Keller Graduate School of
Management.
Janelle is an
only child, and she keeps very
busy scrapbooking, watching
TV, traveling, and spending
time with friends and family.
11th Grade
IV - 1
James McDunn
Jamie will be teaching junior
level dual credit Intro to
Digital Media and Adv. Digital
Media. He earned a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Television
Production from Columbia
College, a Master of Arts
degree in Speech and Media
Production from Northeastern
Illinois University, and is
currently a Doctoral candidate
at Northern Illinois University
studying Instructional
Technology. He loves musical
theatre.
Page 4
New year - New Staff
With the addition of our senior class, we have filled out our faculty and staff to teach these courses. Here’s a
quick introduction to each of the new faculty so you may get to know our school family just a little bit
better.
New & Returning
NTZB Teachers
Bottom Row: RaVonya Knight,
LaToya Barnes, Max Green, Jeff
Brenneman, Krista Ferguson, Todd
Fenchel, Jeff Lobo, John Blase.
Second Row: Nate McPherson,
Scott Hammerl, Mike Isaacs, Tina
Meyer, Akta Desai.
Third Row:
Mallory Monciviaz, Janelle
Hoeksema, Kate Stanley, Anne Buck,
Matt Hutchison, Emily Byrne. Fourth
Row: Scott Shipacasse, Laura
Fisher, Josh Richardt, Matt Bonnivier,
Sarah Mahrt.
12th Grade
Matt Bonnivier
Matt is teaching senior level
Physical Education at New
Tech and also PE at the ZAP
program.
Matt attended
Western Illinois University and
graduated with a BA in
Science, Kinesiology. In his
spare time, he enjoys boating,
wakeboarding, weight lifting,
Frisbee, and travel.
Scott Hammerl
Scott is our new senior level
English/Human Studies
teacher at New Tech. Scott is a
graduate of the University of
Illinois at Chicago, and is
currently pursuing his PhD in
Rhetoric of Political
Economics at UIC. Scott stays
in shape by actively
participating in regular weight
lifting.
Additional Staff
Josh Richardt
Josh joins New Tech as our
senior Chemistry teacher. He
earned a Bachelor’s of Science
degree from the University of
Illinois, Champaign/Urbana,
and a Master’s degree in
Instructional Leadership from
the University of Illinois,
Chicago. Josh comes to us
from the New Tech school that
was located in the west loop
area.
You will see Josh
wearing the blue and orange,
as he is a huge Bears fan.
Nichole Jones - Building Secretary (transfer from ZBTHS)
Tim Schiappacasse - Social Studies (transfer from ZBTHS)
Todd Fenchel - Driver’s Education/Health (transfer from ZBTHS)
New Tech News
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Page 5
Safety and Security
In order to maintain a safe • T h i s y e a r, t h e s c h o o l i s
all times. Students can purchase
learning environment at New
implementing a no-backpack
a temporary or replacement ID
Tech, there are a few issues that
rule during the school day.
in the Main Office if they forget
parents and students need to keep
Students
may store their
or lose their original. Temporary
in mind.
backpacks, coats, and other
IDs are $1, and replacement IDs
materials in their hall locker
are $5.
If students need a
• While bringing in treats for
during the day, but will not be
replacement lanyard, they cost
friends and classmates can be
permitted to carry them around
$1 each.
fun and exciting, it is important
to classes.
that students realize that they
• If you know that your student is
cannot store them in the Health • During lunch, the Cafetorium
going to be absent, it is
Office refrigerator. The Health
tables can only accommodate 12
important that you call the
Office is reserved for medical
students each. We ask that
attendance line as soon as you
and medicinal needs, and must
students not move chairs around
know they are going to be
be kept secure. It is not to be
to different tables.
absent. The phone number for
used for personal storage.
the attendance office is 847-731• Per district policy, all students
9813. You may leave a
and staff must wear their IDs at
voicemail at anytime.
The NTZB Yearbook is Coming...
For the first time, New Tech will
have its own yearbook.
The
product of the Creative Writing/
Publications senior elective, The
New Tech yearbook will continue
to envelop the spirit of District
126 events (such as Homecoming,
sports, and activities), but will
emphasize the unique perspective
that New Tech brings to the page.
The yearbook will be sold for $45
in the main office. Like the ZB
campus, the hardcover book will
be delivered in May with the
spring supplement delivered
during the summer months.
exploring modes of publication.
Students will read, evaluate and
discuss samples of published
material and write their own
material in several genres for
potential inclusion.
The Creative Writing/Publications Look for more information on
course is a year-long course ordering and delivery information
designed to aid students in in the coming months.
creative expression and in
District-Wide Assessment Day
Every fall and spring, the district
holds a District-Wide Assessment
Day. On Sept. 14, students from
across the district take
standardized assessments to
measure their academic progress.
Freshman will take an EXPLORE
benchmarking test, sophomores
will take a practice PLAN test,
and juniors will take a practice
ACT exam. Students will be
released at 11:25AM, once testing
is over.
New Tech News
IV - 1
Seniors will have the opportunity
to visit several area colleges: UIC,
DePaul, or Carthage. Those trips
will last all day. Permission slips
for the college visits should be
turned in to Mr. Goldman by
September 7th.
Page 6
The Goldman Gazette
Hive Happenings
* Sept 12th *
9th HOUR BEGINS
2:50 - 3:50 PM
* Sept. 14th *
DISTRICT-WIDE
ASSESSMENT DAY
* Sept. 15th *
PARENT OPEN HOUSE
6:15 PM
Senior Parent Night Set
We l c o m e t o t h e
2011-2012 school
year!
This year
brings
extra
excitement as we
have our first group
of seniors. There is
plenty going on to
start the year. We
want to invite all
New Tech seniors and
their parents to our
college night,
Thursday, September
8th from 6:30 – 8:00
PM.
This is an
important event as we
will discuss the
college application
process, how to
request transcripts,
letters
of
recommendation, and
more. Plus, college
admission officers
will begin visiting
* Oct. 20th *
CLC COLLEGE FAIR
6:00 - 8:00 PM
New Tech students
starting in September.
Days and times will
be updated regularly
under the Student
Services section
below “Offices” at
www.ntzb.org.
Be
sure to check out the
ACT dates, glossary,
and scholarships
posted as well!
Scholarship Scoops
www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
www.scholarshipexperts.com
Test Center
National ACT @ ZBTHS – Saturday, September 10 at 8:00 AM
National PSAT @ New Tech – Wednesday, October 12 at 7:30 AM
National ACT @ ZBTHS – Saturday, October 22 at 8:00 AM - September
16th deadline to register at www.actstudent.org
National ACT @ ZBTHS – Saturday, December 10 at 8:00 AM - November
4th deadline to register at www.actstudent.org
New Tech News
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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.
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Paid
Zion, Illinois
Permit Number 8
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Student Drop-off and Pick-up
Parents should drop off students
at the north door (where buses
drop off) no earlier than 7:00
AM. Parents are asked not to use
the staff parking lot to drop off,
cut through, or turn around.
Please stay on the street for the
safety of our staff and students
who walk through the lot.
We are asking anyone who picks
up students to do so on the west
side of the building (the opposite
side from where our buses pick
up). Students may exit the west
door and get picked up where
the picnic tables are located.
New Tech News
This will be safer for students used again. Students must park
and easier for parents.
their vehicles in the middle aisle
of the parking lot directly across
Please be aware that there is no the street from the staff lot.
parking on East Bethesda Blvd. S e c u r i t y s t a ff w i l l b e g i n
between the two District 126 ticketing and towing vehicles in
buildings during the day. This the coming weeks. Students may
area is being used for bus drop not park in the staff lot.
offs and pick ups for the Pearce
campus throughout the entire If students are driving a different
school day.
car than they normally do, they
need to sign the car in with the
Students who drive a vehicle to main office so it does not get
school need to stop in the office ticketed.
and register their vehicles and
get a new parking sticker.
Stickers from last year cannot be
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