West Newsletter Spring 2018 (Final 4-23)

The
Spring 2018
Principal’s Newsletter
Maine West High School, Des Plaines, Illinois
Looking for just one word
to describe West?
‘Caring’
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
‘207’s Best’...............................
Science = Problem Solving......
Social Media Concerns ...........
Social Science & AP.................
Hybrid Schedule Benefits........
Mothers Day Plant Sale...........
Calendar of Key Events.........
Follow us on the Web!
Parents are encouraged to
regularly check the Maine West
website, right side, Announcements,
for important information.
We are at west.maine207.org
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Dear MW Families:
I have yearly meetings with our graduating seniors and one of
the questions I ask them is, “What was the best advice you got,
or the best advice you would give to an incoming freshman.”
Without hesitation, one of our seniors, Carly Ross said, “Care.
Just one word. Care.” When we talked about it, she elaborated
that our students should care about their grades. They should
care about each other. They should care about our school community
and our Des Plaines community.
Carly got it right not only in giving advice, but in describing
our Maine West environment. If you step inside Maine West,
you will see that our students care. We care about honoring
our rich history and traditions. We care about our community
through our school-wide fundraisers each year and our commitment
to those in need. We care about academics, extracurricular
activities and athletics, and we care about doing better
every year.
We have had an outstanding year in so many ways, and we have
been surrounded by care. Thank you for your contributions to
that unique environment, and for helping to make Maine West
so special.
We care and we are thankful you care.
Sincerely,
Follow us on Twitter @Maine_West

‘207’S Best’ show persistence, commitment,
Cesar Munoz
207’s Best: Improved Performance
Cesar Munoz began at Maine West in Supported
Reading/English classes and ended up in AP English
Language. He started by using the supports that
were available to him to help him address a dyslexia
in his reading and it ended with him reading an original
eclipsed-themed poem in front of 2,000 students
and staff. It started with Cesar trying to decipher musical
notes on a page and ends with him confidently
playing a cool, blue note on his tenor sax that would
trail into a bright future of
possibilities.
Cesar learned along this journey
to set attainable goals
and to work hard to address
them. When he attended his
first Poetry Slam Team meet,
he shared his enthusiasm for
language, learning, and critical
thinking. His ideas and
topic choices were brilliant,
but sometimes he struggled to
find the words to express these ideas.Within the first
couple of weeks Mrs. Muja, club sponsor, gave him
a thesaurus, and with this, his interest in language
continued to grow. You would often see Cesar with
his poetry notebook in one hand, the thesaurus in the
other, meticulously choosing the words that would
best express the ideas and concepts he wanted to portray.
This process tremendously improved his writing.
Now, Cesar is also writing short stories, which
show that he continuously hones his skills as a creative
writer.
This year, in AP English Language and Composition
class, Cesar is holding his own in debates and discussions
with the brightest students in the school, finding
the right words in his writing to explain the rhetorical
import of a piece of writing, and digging into
his personal experience to write convincingly about
his life. He is willing to take the extra time to read, listen,
annotate, consider, reflect, and illuminate what
he reads.
Cesar: always with encouragement for his peers, always
with an interest towards expressing himself, always
willing to take a risk; he stands confidently as a
poet-leader in our school among his peers and even
in his future, beyond Maine West.
Justyne Go
207’s Best: Electives Achievement
Justyne Go has established herself as one of our
finest students in the area of Graphic Design. She
has excelled in her Career and Technical Education
classes, and has emerged as a talented
student who takes all of her classes seriously.
She has taken our most difficult classes and has
received nearly straight A’s. She has a 4.44 Grade
Point Average overall, and a perfect GPA in her
CTE classes, including Computer
Programming, Graphics
Arts 1, Advanced Graphics,
Marketing, and Advanced
Graphics Certification.
Justyne has demonstrated
a commitment to her classes,
which was evident in the
quality of her work and effort
she put forth preparing to
take the Adobe Certified Associate
Test.
Her hard work paid off, as she passed Illustrator,
Photoshop, and InDesign. Preparing to take the
Expert Certificate in the spring, she will be the
first at Maine West to have done so. Justyne is
very organized, hard working, and conscientious.
One of Justyne’s greatest accomplishments
was winning the logo competition for the
Park Ridge Community Health Commission
and being honored by the City Council.
She also created a tri-fold brochure for MBD
Martial Arts Studio, which is currently being
used by the company for its advertising.
She was employed as a Graphic Designer at
Winco 88 Merchandise, where she fine-tuned
her skills to better prepare her for her future.
Justyne also serves as a peer tutor for others in
her Advanced Graphics class and is viewed by
peers as a class expert. Students will often ask
her for help, and she always finds the time to
help others and offer suggestions when needed.
Justyne has truly grown as a designer over the past
few years in our Graphics and Advanced Graphics
programs and has established herself as a top student
in both.
leadership, focus, talent and creativity
Brett Patterson
207’s Best: Academic Achievement
Brett Patterson is a natural leader, and many students
and staff feel he is the perfect student leader
who makes a difference.
He is charismatic and engaging, and these qualities
help make him respected by all who meet him. Add
to that his GPA of 4.79 in our most challenging classes,
and you have excellence.
This year alone, he has Wind Ensemble, Advanced
Placement English Literature
and Composition, AP
US Government and Politics,
AP Physics C, Multivariable
Calculus and Differentiated
Equations, AP Computer Science,
and he is a Senior Leader
in Physical Education.
have at the school.
As Vice President of the Principal’s
Leadership Team,
Brett is helping lead one of
the most influential teams we
Chosen as a member of this team at the end of his
freshman year for having leadership abilities, he has
grown into a leader at Maine West who has helped to
make changes for the student body, and whose voice
has been heard.
Brett also serves as the Student Council President,
and the school’s mascot - the Maine West Warrior.
Many students and adults alike rely on Brett because
if he is on your “team,” things are going to be completed
and completed well.
He is a role model for others and being focused on
achieving is one thing, but including others, having
the responsibility to follow through, and adapting to
others’ needs is critical. He is focused, wants to do
well and is “all-in” at Maine West.
Brett does not shy away from any challenge, and he
is a person on whom others can rely. His abilities
in high school are sure to transfer to life after high
school, where I am certain he will responsibly tackle
the challenge of academic life and college demands.
Bhagirath Mehta
207’s Best: Tech Leader / Innovator
Bhagirath has been coming to Maine West since
sixth grade, when his junior high ran out of classes
for him to take. He started with Accelerated Math
Analysis, moving on to Geometry and Trigonometry
Accelerated in 7th grade, and AP Calculus BC in 8th
grade. He received all “A’s” in those classes where he
sat amongst high school juniors and seniors. He has
been accelerating in all subjects since that time, and
we have discovered his strengths lie in ALL subject
areas, where he has earned
an “A” in every single course
and the highest grade point
possible, a 4.9577. Bhagirath
received a score of 36 on the
ACT, and perfect scores of
800 on the SAT Math II, Biology,
Chemistry and Physics
subject areas.
As co-founder and President
of 3D Innovations at Maine
West, Bhagarith is passionate
about helping others. Most noteworthy is the design
and creation of a prosthetic hand for a student who
was born without his right hand and wrist. He was
able to create and use a 3D printer to print a hand
for this student, who was able to display it and give
me a “high-five” at our spring assembly.
Bhagarith’s innovative mind has been instrumental
in many projects at Maine West including a 3D rendering
along with a virtual tour of the school; working
with architects and district administrators on
the re-design of the parking lots; and a Maine West
app students and staff rely on every single day.
This summer, he led junior high students in learning
coding with a program that was funded by a grant
through the Society of Women Engineers. Bhagirath
is a humble leader, and was nominated by his
peers to be the President of the Principal’s Leadership
Team and the National Honor Society. I have
not met another student like Bhagirath in my career
as an educator. He excels in everything he tries and
is the ideal student, innovator and leader. I am confident
Bhagirath will be a student who makes a significant
difference in the world.
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Science is no longer about rote memory;
focus is asking questions, solving problems
In Chemistry 101, second semester is all about
chemical reactions. To properly understand a reaction,
we have to investigate how electrons move or
are shared between atoms. This is difficult to determine
experimentally, so we start with general observations
about one chemical reaction: aluminum
reacting with copper chloride. Then in cooperative
groups, the students conducted and observed our
original reaction. While watching the reaction occur,
the students generated a list of questions. Some of
these were:
• Why were there bubbles?
• How hot does the reaction get?
• Why is the aluminum falling into pieces?
Each group had to ask at least 15 questions. This
forced students to really dig into what was happening
in the beaker. Once the students had a long list
of questions, they chose one question to turn into a
scientific hypothesis, and then designed an experiment
to try to answer their question. Finally, each
individual was responsible for displaying results,
determining if they successfully answered their initial
question, and identifying further questions that
could be investigated based on their initial experiment.
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are
the guiding set of objectives by which science courses
design their own curricula. Gone are the days of
memorizing the periodic table! Instead of rote scientific
knowledge, we focus much more on the process
of science. In this class investigation,
we “Asked Questions and Defined Problems,”
engaged in “Planning and Carrying
Out Investigations,” spent time “Analyzing
and Interpreting Data,” and ultimately the
students were “Obtaining, Evaluating, and
Communicating Information.” These are
some of the Science and Engineering Practices
outlined in the NGSS.
By having the students ask and answer
their own questions, we are preparing
them for what comes beyond school. In
jobs, or in the home, the problems that we
need to solve rarely can be done with a procedure
or set of instructions. The scientific
problem solving that we engage in should
serve them well in the future!
Social Science Advanced Placement courses
prepare students for success in many ways
Advanced Placement classes are
the most challenging courses we
offer at Maine West. Currently
we have 22 Advanced Placement
courses offered in total at Maine
West; next year there will be 24.
These courses mirror college-level
coursework and are approved
by the College Board. Each
course has a corresponding College
Board exam given in May in
which students may earn college
credit. A score of three or above
will be accepted by any public
University in Illinois as well as
many colleges nationwide. Additionally,
all AP courses and the
SAT are created by the College
Board. The skills learned and
practiced in AP classes will transfer
to the skills needed to excel on
the SAT. This is the strongest connection
between curriculum and
state testing we have ever had.
The Social Science Department
plays a unique role in the Advanced
Placement program at
Maine West. Not only do we of-
fer the most advanced placement
courses, we are the only
department that has Advanced
Placement opportunities at the
freshman and sophomore grade
levels (with the exception of AP
Chemistry offered to some sophomores).
Over the last two years,
we have expanded and realigned
our course offerings to better
support students. The Social Science
course offerings are rich in
content while they help develop
college-level academic skills including:
analytical reading and
writing, the ability to communicate
ideas to make connections,
critical thinking and problem
solving. Additionally, student
learn advanced study skills such
as time management, collaboration
and self-advocacy.
The Social Science Department
began the expansion of our AP
program last year, by offering AP
World History to qualifying freshmen.
Next year we are including
the additional offering of Advanced
Placement Human Geography
for freshmen and sophomores
as well. It should be noted
that AP World History is aligned
with and will better prepare students
for success in AP European
History and AP US History sophomore
and junior years respectively.
This “history strand” of
Advanced Placement offerings incorporates
the most transferable
skills in reading, writing, and critical
thinking that can be applied
to other subject areas and disciplines
such as English, Science
and Art History. In addition to US
History junior year, and American
Government and Politics senior
year, students can also take Advanced
Placement Psychology and
Micro/Macro Economics.
There are lots of reasons to take
Advanced Placement Courses
such as increased opportunities
for college admission, eligibility
for some scholarships and
increased potential to receive
college credit or Advanced Placement
in college courses. Research
shows that AP students with a proficient
AP exam score had higher
four-year college graduation rates
than taking AP courses alone and
taking other non-AP courses. AP
students also had higher first-year
and fourth-year GPAs in college
than those who did not take AP
courses in high school.
If you don’t take the plunge during
your freshman year, know there
are many opportunities throughout
high school to dive in!
Maine West students learn and have fun
along the way at the AP World History
Historical Figure Dinner Party.
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Hybrid schedule will utilize 90-minute periods
to promote critical thinking skills, problem-solving
As you’ve likely heard, all District 207 high schools
will implement a new hybrid block bell schedule for
the 2018-2019 school year. This is the result of years
of research by a district-wide committee, along with
critical input from all stakeholders including students,
parents and staff. The result is a schedule designed
to help maximize student learning through a
combination of important changes highlighted here.
A sample student schedule is included below.
First, the new schedule will allow for increased instructional
time in most classes. Currently, a select
few classes are 70 minutes while most are only 45.
The new hybrid schedule eliminates 1.5 period classes,
allowing for increased instructional time in most
classes and increased instructional time overall.
Although research indicates that maximizing instructional
time has a direct impact on student
learning, the addition of one 90-minute block period
per week for each class will also have a significant
positive impact on learning. The 90-minute periods
will give teachers in all subject areas the necessary
time to provide deeper learning experiences that
will promote higher order thinking skills. Teachers
will utilize the 90-minute periods to implement
activities that will encourage and promote complex
problem solving, critical thinking and creativity...
skills coveted by 21st Century employers. Although
such learning experiences are already happening
throughout all departments at Maine West, the addition
of a 90-minute period for each class, each
week will allow for more consistent opportunities for
such activities in all subject areas, for all students.
Another noteworthy change is that the school day
will begin 20 minutes later, with 1st period starting
at 8:05 a.m. (except late arrival on Thursdays
at 8:45). Studies consistently show that a later start
time is advantageous for adolescent learning, not
(Continued on Page 7)
Schedule notes:
• “Lunch/Flex” is a dedicated time for students to eat lunch, do homework or access additional student support throughout
the building as needed. Freshman students will be assigned to a quiet study hall during their flex time and will also have
access to additional student supports.
• Since this student has lunch during 4th period, there is not a designated lunch period on Tuesday. In this case, the student’s
lunch on Tuesday will be embedded at the front end or back end of 5th period. You’ll notice that 5th period shows as
being 120 minutes long for this purpose. In reality, the 5th period class will only be 90 minutes long with all students having
additional lunch/flex time embedded at either the front or back end, depending on the class the student is assigned to that
period. The same concept is applied to the 6th period on Wednesday.
to mention overall health. This shift to a later start
time was a priority when developing the new schedule.
The school day will end at 3:20, which is only 5
minutes later than the current ending time. Therefore,
this unique schedule allows for a shorter school
day while increasing overall instructional minutes
and instructional flexibility for every student in every
class, each week.
Finally, the hybrid bell schedule was designed to
maximize the time that students are with their
regularly assigned teachers. Student attendance is
critical to academic success. However, several times
throughout the year in the current schedule, our
Student Services Department must deliver valuable
lessons or provide important information to groups
of students during class time which, of course, negatively
impacts instructional time. Conversely, the
new hybrid schedule intentionally designates nonclass
time for each student to meet in groups or individually
with his/her counselor for these purposes.
As with the importance of student attendance, we
also recognize that the student-teacher relationship
is an often underestimated factor in learning, and
that minimizing teacher absences for professional
purposes will, in turn, maximize student learning.
Due to the intentional scheduling of teacher time on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the hybrid schedule will
allow for more embedded professional development
opportunities for teachers without requiring a substitute.
District 207’s unwavering support of continuous
professional learning for our teachers, and
belief that such professional growth is critical to the
academic success of students, is evidenced by this
important and unique aspect of the new schedule.
As Maine West students, teachers and families prepare
to shift to the new hybrid bell schedule in August,
know that extensive thought was invested in
this endeavor and that delivering the most effective
and meaningful learning experience for all of our
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Schedule paves way for enhanced student support
Celebrate Spring with NHS Plant Sale
National Honor Society is having a Mother’s Day Plant Sale May 10 and 11 from
7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the greenhouse at Homestead near the baseball fields
on Howard, east of Wolf. All proceeds will benefit improvement of the greenhouse.
NHS has planted seeds at school and has been caring for and watching
the seedlings grow every day. With the money from the sale, NHS hopes to buy
polycarbonate siding, a secure door, grow lights and a heater someday! This will
help our Life Skills and Biology students and hopefully start a garden club!
students was the foundation upon which the schedule
was built. We are excited about the opportunities
this schedule provides and we are available to
answer any questions you may have.
With the new Hybrid schedule, the Student Services
Department faces great opportunities to offer more
personalized student support and enrichment time
in the academic, socio-emotional, and college/career
domains for the 2018-2019 year and beyond.
During the block days on Tuesday and Wednesdays,
students will have a block of time designated as “flex
time,” varying from 45 to 90 minutes. By default,
every student will have this time carved into his or
her schedule on either block day, which creates the
opportunity for counselors to deliver lessons and
services that before the hybrid schedule had to be
delivered using classroom instructional time.
Student Services is excited about the new opportunity
to deliver lessons on a variety of topics ranging
from financial aid, college admission, stress reduction
and executive functioning skills. Counselors, social
workers, and psychologists will be able to meet
with students in groups or individually. Students
will be able to obtain academic and socio-emotional
interventions during their flex time but not every
Student Service presentation or lesson will be taking
place during this flex time. However, we will be able
to significantly reduce the amount of missed classroom
instruction time by meeting with students in a
time other than a class period.
As we embark on the exciting hybrid schedule adventure,
the Student Services Department will be
working to identify the best format for our presentations/interventions
and the best way to continue
to deliver services to all students! The new schedule
will give us opportunities to offer more personalized
student support and enrichment time for 2018-2019
and beyond.

Maine West High School
1755 South Wolf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Calendar of Major Events: April and May
May 2 Class of 2022 Activities Night 6:30 p.m.
May 3 Band and Choir Concert and Awards Auditorium - 7:00 p.m.
May 7-18
AP Exams
May 10 Guitar Concert Auditorium - 7:00 p.m.
May 11 Warrior Breakfast of the Year 7:00 a.m.
May 11 Dance Class Show 4:00 p.m.
May 14 Speech/Drama/Broadcasting Awards 3:30 p.m.
May 14 Piano Class Recital 4:00 p.m.
May 15-16
Senior Finals
May 15 Senior Barbecue Front Lawn - 1:48 p.m.
May 17 Senior Honors Assembly Spec Gym - 8:00 a.m.
May 18
Senior Prom
May 20 Graduation Rosemont Theatre - 11 a.m.
May 23 Final Exams Periods 3-2-6
May 24 Final Exams Periods 1-9-5
May 25 Final Exams Periods 7-4-8
May 25
Second Semester Ends at 1:00 p.m.
June 4
Semester 1 Summer School Begins
June 21
Semester 1 Summer School Ends
June 25
Semester 2 Summer School Begins
July 2-5
Summer School Break
July 9
Summer School Resumes
July 19
Semester 2 Summer School Ends
August 13
First Attendance Day for Students
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