NEWSLETTER - Hoffman Estates High School

Hoffman EstatEs HigH scHool
NEWSLETTER
FRom ThE PRiNciPaL: JamES a. BRiTToN
April 2012
Summer School
Food Service
During summer school, the food
service department will be offering a
complimentary breakfast in the cafeteria
to all students before the start of the
school day.
Also, in addition to cash payments,
prepayment accounts will be accessible to
in-district students for a la carte purchases.
Deposits can be applied to a student’s
prepayment account by check or cash. The
online credit card prepayment system will
not be available during summer school,
but will resume prior to the start of the
school year. Deposit slips for check and
cash payments can be obtained from the
cafeteria cashier. Account balances from
the school year will transfer with students
to their summer school building.
If you are not currently approved for
free or reduced price meals and would like
to apply for summer school, applications
are available in the schools. Please
remember that a new meal application
must be completed for the 2012-2013
school year. The 2012-2013 meal
application and prepayment information
will be mailed to all households at the
end of July. If you have any questions,
please call the Director of Food Service
at (847) 755-6680.
Appropriate Attire
As warmer weather arrives, please
remind students about appropriate dress
for school. The dress code at Hoffman
requires students to be covered with
opaque clothing from shoulder to midthigh.
Some shorts, dresses, and tank
tops, therefore, may not be appropriate
dress for school. Students who are not
dressed appropriately may be sent home
for more appropriate clothing.
From the Principal ...
April State Testing: April 24 and 25, 2012
While as a school we examine many factors to indicate student achievement, the
state of Illinois uses the performance of juniors on the Prairie State Achievement
Examination (PSAE), which includes the administration of the ACT test on
the first day. The P.S.A.E. measures a student’s progress in reading, English,
mathematics, and science.
To assist our students in preparation for the ACT tests, we have established
ACT preparation sessions throughout March and April. Students are encouraged
to attend any or all of the next sessions listed below.
Date and Time Location Content
April 11, 2012 Room 152 Math Practice Test Part 1
6:45 - 7:15 a.m. or 3:00 - 3:45 p.m.
April 12, 2012 @ 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Room 160 English Strategies/Practice
April 18, 2012 Room 152 Math Practice Test Part 2
6:45 - 7:15 a.m. or 3:00 - 3:45 p.m.
April 19, 2012 @ 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Room 160 English Strategies/Practice
College Readiness
Because the PSAE incorporates the ACT, we can track student performance
from 8th grade through their junior year using the ACT’s Educational Planning
and Assessment System (EPAS), the series of tests produced by ACT that include
the Explore for incoming freshman, the PLAN for sophomores, and the ACT for
juniors. Hoffman Estates High School has established ACT college readiness
benchmarks as targets for our school goals. In addition, the exposure to a rigorous
and high quality instruction should produce 5 or more points in growth from
the Explore to the ACT. The chart below shows the benchmarks at each level of
testing to indicate whether students are projected to be ready for college.
College Readiness Benchmark Scores
Subject Test Explore Plan ACT
English 13 15 18
Mathematics 17 19 22
Reading 15 17 21
Science 20 21 24
Source: ACT College Readiness Standards for EXPLORE, PLAN, and ACT
According to ACT, the scores are indicative of probable readiness for collegelevel
work by the time they graduate from high school. If students are below the
college readiness benchmark, they will need to concentrate their efforts to catch
up to the standard. While the performance on a test does not reflect whether
Continued on back of page
Recognized for Excellence in Education by the United States Department of Education’s Secondary School Recognition Program

Hoffman Estates High School
Home of the Hawks
Dates to Remember
April 11 Market Day
Cafeteria, 4:30 p.m.
April 12 Cap and Gown Photo Day
April 14 ACT Testing, 8:00 a.m.
D211 Honors Choir
Off Campus, 7:00 p.m.
April 19 Choral Classics
Off Campus, 7:30 p.m.
April 24 Prairie State Achievement
exam administered to
Juniors
Prairie State Practice Exam
administered to
Sophomores
No Classes for Freshmen
and Seniors
Juniors and Sophomores
dismissed after exam
at 11:20 a.m.
April 25 Prairie State Achievement
Exam administered to
Juniors
Prairie State Practice Exam
administered to Sophomores
Classes begin at 10:30 a.m.
April 27 Spring Play - See How They Run
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
April 28 Spring Play - See How They Run
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
May 1 Student Late Start - 9:10 a.m.
Orchestra Concert
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
May 3 Special Education Transitions
Fair - Palatine High School
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
May 4 Cap & Gown Distribution
Mr. Hoffman Hawk
Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
May 8 Breaking Away College
Bound Seniors & Parents
Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
May 9 Market Day
Cafeteria, 4:30 p.m.
Jazz Concert
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
May 11 Spring Style Show
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
Continued from front page
we are preparing students for life after high school, it does help us to determine
whether our students are prepared to enter college with the skills necessary to have
success in college. For students, performance on the ACT can be a significant
factor in determining what colleges will accept them. College readiness for all
students stands as the gauge to measure whether we, as a school community, are
providing our students with the minimal essentials to pursue whatever goal they
have established for themselves.
Sincerely,
James A. Britton
Principal
Academic Scholars
In March 1998, the Board of Education revised a policy that would allow it to honor
approximately three times as many students district wide for academic excellence. A group
of outstanding senior students from each District 211 school, called “Academic Scholars,”
will be recognized in place of Valedictorians and Salutatorians. Under this system, students
with the highest weighted grade point averages and students with the highest unweighted
grade point averages from each school will be honored as “Academic Scholars.”
Congratulations to the following students for exemplary academic achievement during
their four years of high school. Their cumulative grade point averages rank them as the
top students of their graduating classes after seven semesters. These scholars are:
Allison Amato
Avni Bavishi
Ruben Cabrera, Jr.
Nickolas Cannella
Jong Min Choi
Nicole Cinquino
Kevin Grudzinski
Ryan Hanson
Rachel Hasler
David Heydari
Vincent Hughes
Shannon Keane
Mengran Liu
Maitri Majithia
Marc Malinowski
Elise Mathews
Karim Mohammadali
Joshua Parado
Kim Pardilla
Takshaka Patel
Komal Patel
Kasey Ray
Alicia Sanfillippo
Sharul Saxena
Julio Serrano
Maaria Shamsuddin
Kathryn Tamburo
Patrick Tednes
Megan Thomas
Jamie Vadgama
Haley Worman
Behavior Concerns
As good weather approaches and students start to think about the end of the school
year, a reminder about appropriate behavior is in order.
Students who commit acts of vandalism, disruptive behavior and/or engage in gross
misconduct will be subject to a range of sanctions and penalties. Students who commit
such behaviors or act in concert with others who do by arranging, planning, dividing,
and/or participating in the behaviors by mutual understanding and with knowledge and
consent, will be subject to disciplinary actions, depending upon the nature and severity
of their behaviors.
Disciplinary actions may include exclusion from school events, suspensions, and
expulsion.
Bridging the Gap
Eighth-grade students from Hoffman Estates High School’s feeder junior highs will
have the opportunity to participate in our annual orientation program called “Bridging the
Gap.” Participants come to Hoffman Estates High School for one afternoon in April or
May. Students take a tour, listen to current HEHS students speak about clubs, sports, and
other Hoffman programs, go on a scavenger hunt, and learn about the academic demands
associated with being a freshman in high school. Any incoming Hawk is eligible. Sign-up
will occur at the junior highs closer to the program dates.

Summer School
As you make your plans for summer,
please keep in mind the following summer
school dates:
First Semester
June 13th – July 3rd
Second Semester
July 5th – July 25th
(No classes will be held on July 4th)
Cost:
Tuition - $140.00 per semester
Transportation - $35.00 per semester
Athletic/Activity Summer Camps
$70.00 per semester
Driver Education
$350.00 for the six week course
with behind the wheel training;
$70.00 for classroom only
How to Register:
Registration for current HEHS
freshmen, sophomores, and juniors begins
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012. Students
should see their counselor during a free
block or lunch on the first day to ensure
enrollment in Driver Education. No
appointments will be taken on April
11th as students will be registered on a
first come, first served basis. Students
are encouraged to register early to get
the courses and time slots they want. If a
student pre-registered for summer school
with his or her counselor, parents may
register and make payment via the online
Parent Access system. Students registering
in person should be sure to bring payments
and emergency information with them
when meeting with their counselor.
Summer school registration for incoming
freshmen (class of 2016) will begin on
Monday April 30th, 2012. Additionally,
walk-in registration will not be available
on April 24th or April 25th.
Go
Hawks!
Incoming Freshman Academy &
Sophomore Summer Academy
The Incoming Freshmen Academy (IFA) and the Sophomore Academy (SA) have
been scheduled during the regular summer school session. Both IFA and SA will begin
on Wednesday, June 13th and continue through Wednesday, July 27th. The goal of
these academies is to accelerate students’ learning in reading and mathematics in order
to meet state standards. Eligible students will be required to attend either a three or
six-week session for 4 hours and 30 minutes per day; absences will be referred to the
truancy officer. There is no enrollment fee or transportation fee for these programs.
Upon successful completion, students will earn either one half or one elective credit
applicable toward graduation and may also advance their curricular levels.
Summer Orientation
The Student Services Department provides an opportunity during the summer for
incoming freshmen and their parents to meet with members of the Student Services staff
to learn more about programs and services at Hoffman Estates High School. The new
student orientation includes a review of the student’s academic schedule for the fall and
a tour of the building. Students will also have their school ID picture taken at that time.
Additional information about this program will be mailed home to incoming freshmen.
Parents are encouraged to call the Student Services office to schedule an appointment for
this valuable program. The orientation sessions will be offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
and Thursdays from late June through early August.
See How They Run
Comes to Hoffman
See How They Run by Phillip King is a classic English comedy
in three acts and is coming to the Hoffman stage.
Its title is a line from the nursery rhyme Three Blind Mice.
It is considered a farce for its tense comic situations and headlong humor,
heavily playing on mistaken identity, doors, vicars, and guests.
So swift is the action, so involved the situations, so rib-tickling the plot
that at its finish audiences are left as exhausted from laughter
as though they themselves had run a footrace.
The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m.
on Friday, April 27th and Saturday, April 28th.
Tickets are general seating and can be purchased at the door for $7.00.
Call the auditorium ticket booth (847-755-5805) with any questions.
Operation Snowball Retreat
On February 25th, Hoffman Estates High School hosted the sixth annual Operation
Snowball retreat. Operation Snowball is a leadership development program that empowers
youth to make healthy lifestyle choices. This all day event focused on drug, alcohol,
and violence prevention through a variety of activities, including inspirational speakers,
workshops, discussion groups, and games. Students were able to share their experiences and
thoughts with other teens, and received guidance and support. Additionally, participants
had the opportunity to develop and foster new friendships with other students. All
students were welcomed to participate in this event. If you have any questions, please
contact HEHS School Counselors, Maureen Marienthal or Angelica Cordova-Rajoo at
(847) 755-5630.

Breaking Away
Night
The Student Services Department
will be offering its final night time
presentation of the year: Breaking Away
Night for College-Bound Seniors and
Parents. This event will take place on
Tuesday, May 8th from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
in the HEHS Auditorium. During the
evening, parents and students will be
separated into two groups facilitated
by HEHS counselor Michael Murphy
and HEHS English teacher Christine
Jenkins. At the conclusion of these
sessions, seniors and their parents
will re-connect to share their joys and
concerns about the upcoming changes
in their lives. Both parents and students
are encouraged to attend; however,
parents are welcomed without students
and students are welcomed without
parents. Any questions may be directed
to Michael Murphy, College and Career
Consultant, at (847) 755-5646 or
mmurphy@d211.org.
Protect Your
Athletic/Activity
Eligibility
To be eligible for participation in
interscholastic athletics and/or activity
contests for the 2012-2013 academic
school year, the Illinois High School
Athletic Association (IHSA) requires
that a student must be passing five (5)
academic courses on a weekly basis.
In addition to the IHSA policy, District
211 eligibility guidelines require that
students must maintain a 2.0 G.P.A on
a quarterly basis (excluding physical
education and driver education)
during the period of participation, as
well as during the semester prior to
participation, with no failing grades.
Students considering participating in
athletics must be enrolled as a full time
student and register for a minimum
of four academic credits. If you have
any questions regarding your athletic
eligibility, please speak with the Athletic
Director or your counselor.
If you require assistance while visiting
our school, please contact the principal’s
office at (847) 755-5600.
Student-Athlete Academic Success:
Congratulations to the 17 student-athletes who were recognized at the Winter Sports Awards
Night for receiving the IHSA Scholar Athlete Award for maintaining a minimum non-weighted
3.5 G.P.A. In addition, congratulations to the 18 student-athletes who received the MSL All-
Academic Senior Award at the Winter Sports Awards Night.
Student-Athlete Individual and Team Accolades:
Girls Bowling –
Team - IHSA Sectional Runner-Up, IHSA State Qualifiers
Sarah Wille – MSL Conference Medalist (5th place), IHSA Sectional Medalist (4th Place),
IHSA State Qualifier, IHSA State (16th place)
Brittany Gray – MSL Conference Medalist (7th place), IHSA State Qualifier
Sam Hoglund – MSL Conference Medalist (12th place), IHSA State Qualifier
Brandy Hoglund - IHSA State Qualifier
Stacy Mitchell - IHSA State Qualifier
Christina Partynski - IHSA State Qualifier
Wrestling-
Robert Alvarado – MSL Conference Medalist (5th place – 113lbs.)
Billy Thomas – MSL Conference Medalist (5th place – 126 lbs.)
Dawid Witczak – MSL Conference Medalist (5th place – 145 lbs.)
Alex Tooren – MSL Conference Medalist (6th place – 170 lbs.), IHSA Regional Medalist
(3rd place), IHSA Sectional Qualifier
Girls Gymnastics-
Jasminka Sabic - IHSA Sectional Qualifier (Vault)
Girls Basketball-
Destinee Young - MSL All-Conference
Boys Basketball-
Austin Terry – MSL All-Conference
Boys Swimming-
Nick Jessee – MSL Conference Medalist (2nd place – 200 Free), IHSA Sectional Medalist
(1st place - 200 Free, 4th place 100 Free), IHSA State Qualifier
Sang W. Han – MSL Conference Medalist (5th place – 50 Free, MSL Conference Champion
– 100 Breast), IHSA State Qualifier (100 Breast)
Nick Cannella – MSL Conference Medalist (3rd place – Diving), IHSA State Qualifier
Jimmy Kazakos – MSL Conference Medalist (5th place – Diving))
Update for college admission testing requirements
In April, all high school juniors throughout Illinois will take the Prairie State
Achievement Examination (PSAE), which includes the American College Testing (ACT)
exam. A change made this year in state testing for the ACT portion of the PSAE will
exclude the ACT writing test. It is important to note, however, that this change will
have little or no impact on test requirements or the college application process for the
majority of students. Information gathered in a survey of Illinois colleges and universities
indicates that most will not require students to submit writing test scores, making test
results from the April PSAE testing sufficient for most students to complete the college
application process.
Students with questions about the testing requirements of a specific college or university
are encouraged to contact the admissions office at that school, and then discuss testing
needs with their high school counselor.
This Principal’s Newsletter is computer-designed and photocopied at school on recycled paper for
Hoffman Estates High School parents. Hoffman Estates High School
1100 W. Higgins Road • Hoffman Estates, IL 60169-4050 • (847) 755-5600