Get Ready: Final Experience Starts Today!
It’s almost the end of the semester, Patriots! The finish line is near.
Stevenson’s Final Experience runs TODAY AND TOMORROW, and the timing of the two days is new this year (see chart to the left).
Good luck, Patriots! Finish strong!
Incoming Freshmen Orientation Evenings Coming After Break
Got an eighth grader in the family? Please be aware of an e-mail that was sent to all incoming freshmen families last Friday. The letter contains all kinds of important information, including “Save-The-Dates” for Freshmen Orientation Evenings after Winter Break in January.
Orientation Evenings ~ There will be three Orientation Evenings: Jan. 11 (last names A-G), Jan. 12 (last names H-O) and Jan. 17 (last names P-Z) beginning at 7 p.m in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
During Orientation, families will learn more information about Stevenson’s course offerings and co-curricular opportunities from our students, directors and our principal.
Enrollment ~ During the week following Winter Break, families of incoming freshmen will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to use Infinite Campus to complete the enrollment process. Enrollment may be completed beginning Jan. 10 and is due by Jan. 27.
Course Selection ~ During the week of Jan. 16, families will receive a letter sharing their child’s course recommendations for English, Math, Science, and World Languages (if applicable). Shortly after this information is mailed, Stevenson will host three virtual course selection evenings for incoming freshmen families on Jan. 19 (last names A-G), Jan. 23 (last names H-O), and Jan. 25 (last names P-Z).
During these evenings, families will have the opportunity to meet with a Stevenson school counselor or director some time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to choose classes for the 2023-24 school year. Zoom links and instructions for attending the course selection evenings will be posted on the Incoming Freshman Families section of the Stevenson website in mid-January. Specific course selections must be completed by Jan. 27.
Special Education Class Rocks Its Production
Of “Wiley And The Hairy Man”
Parents and teachers and coaches all know the feeling well.
It’s that beaming sense of pride that comes when their many days of nurturing and guiding and helping eventually results in a job well done.
Senior Sydney Duerst articulated her take on it perfectly Monday afternoon. And with a hashtag, no less.
“Oh, I’m definitely a ‘Hashtag, Proud Mama’ right now,” Duerst said with a huge smile. “Just seeing the kids’ reactions, seeing them smile, seeing them have fun, that felt so good.”
Duerst was one of three Stevenson students who took an independent study course this semester called Fine Arts Survey in which they worked with students in the Special Education’s Educational Life Skills Program (ELS) to create and produce a play. The goal of the class is to introduce the students to different types of art. While the focus was on theater this semester, next semester the focus is on dance. Other topics could be arts and crafts or music.
On Monday morning, Duerst (pictured far right), along with senior Maggie Atkinson (pictured left) and junior Hailey Rockoff (pictured middle), the first students to ever be picked as leaders in the Survey class, led a group of nine students in performing “Wiley And The Hairy Man” in front of a group of parents and teachers in the Black Box Theatre.
The production, which centered around a young fatherless boy, his mother, his faithful dog, and the Hairy Man who haunts Wiley’s days and dreams,was a culmination of a semester’s worth of work with the students that included help with the creation of costumes and set decorations from scratch as well as the teaching of dance moves, songs and dialogue.
“It was fun and unique. But it was hard sometimes, too,” Atkinson said. “We have so many non-speaking kids in the class…so we really had to edit the script a lot. We had to find ways for the kids to still be a part of it.”
The script went from mostly dialogue to more facial and visual expressions, motions and emotions. The student leaders would often help with the remaining dialogue that was more involved, as well as lead the chorus.
“We took this show that already existed and adapted it to the students’ needs,” Rockoff said. “The set of the show was all crafts we made in class and things we created. We came up with dance moves and hand motions to go along with the songs. We taught it in a way that went bit by bit with a lot of repetition so that the students got used to having a routine and were very familiar with the show. The goal was to make it so everyone has a space where they are able to create art and feel included and welcomed and accepted. To be able to do that and share my love of theatre was very rewarding.”
The rewards weren’t just about theatre, though. The student leaders gained something so much more valuable. Friendships.
“Not only is it nice and rewarding to help people, but I also feel like I made some friends,” Atkinson said. “I saw one of the girls in the hallway and started walking with her and she stopped and she was like, ‘Hailey, we’re best friends,'” Rockoff said. “And I was like, ‘Yes, we are best friends!’ I think that was the moment when I realized the experience was so positive for the kids and they were forming connections with us.”
Duerst got one student to come out of his shell. He was shy at the beginning of the semester.
“He would just lie on the floor and not participate,” Duerst said. “But then slowly I started building trust with him over the semester and then whenever we would practice songs, we would do-si-do and goof off and he would be smiling all the time. He came up and hugged me after the show today and wanted me to meet his Mom. To see him not want to participate at the beginning of the semester to participating a lot and having a smile on his face was really great.”
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| Tips For Staying Joyful And Hopeful During The Holiday Season! Given the constant stream of tragedy in the news, Student Services reminds you to be intentional about maintaining the hope that sustains us during this wonderful holiday season. As we head into the new year… Let’s try to take a balanced approach to consuming the news. Consider tuning in occasionally to be aware of the world’s issues, but do not become obsessive. Unsettling events in the world and in our communities can have a cumulative effect on our mental health. Look for the helpers in tragic situations. Be intentional about with whom you spend your precious time. When you can, surround yourself with joyful people. Negativity can be contagious…but, so is joy. Put on an “attitude of gratitude.” If we can identify the blessings in life, our outlook on the fresh year ahead will be more positive. Consider keeping a gratitude journal where you record three things you are grateful for each day. Positive psychology-based strategies like these can help us stay hopeful and positive in an imperfect world. Happy Holidays! |
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Heads Up: Bus Change For Tomorrow
There will be no Sweeper Buses tomorrow after school.
There will be only regular buses after school.
Seniors: Showcase Yourself In “Senior Showcase!” Apply Now!
“Mr. SHS” has gotten a name change. Introducing…“Senior Showcase!”
The Senior Class Board is currently taking applications for contestants for the first annual “Senior Showcase,” a talent competition that is open to everyone… as long as you are a SENIOR.
Participants will be judged in talent, theme wear, and a public speaking/Q-and-A. But don’t worry, if you don’t have a “talent,” the Senior Class Board can help you pick one!
The application is open now through Friday, Jan. 13 at 3:30 p.m., at which time it should be completed and turned into Student Activities.
Senior Showcase will be held on Friday, Feb. 17. The winner of Senior Showcase will receive two Prom tickets. The runner-up will win one Prom ticket and Mr. Congeniality will win one Prom ticket.
College In Your Future? Check Out This Scholarship Opportunity!
The Illinois Association For College Admission Counseling (IACAC) Scholarship Committee will award ten $1,000 scholarships ($500 per semester, nonrenewable) to students who plan to pursue a college or university education.
These scholarships are awarded to deserving students who exhibit a commitment to learning and have demonstrated involvement in their schools, the community, and/or service to others, with a motivation to achieve personal goals. Additionally, this year’s applicants need to demonstrate financial need.
Deadline to apply is January 27.
PWC Hours For Final Experience/Winter Break; Backpack Protocol
Wednesday and Thursday: Open 12 noon to 4 p.m.
PWC Closings
Friday, 12/23 through Monday, 12/26: Closed
Friday, 12/30 through Monday, 1/2: Closed
PWC Winter Break Open Hours
Tuesday, 12/27 through Thursday, 12/29: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, 1/3 through Friday, 1/6: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, 1/7 and Sunday, 1/8: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Backpack Protocol
When students are using the PWC to work out after school, they must keep their backpacks in the East Locker Room across from the Pool Locker Rooms where it is supervised until 6 p.m. Students are expected to use the East Locker Room when entering the PWC anytime before 5:30 p.m. and to remove their bags from the locker room before 6 p.m.
Join The Fun…Mentor Stevenson’s Freshmen!
Interested in being a Freshman Mentor? The Freshman Mentor Program is accepting applications…so join the FMPhamily!
Applications are due Friday by 11:59 p.m.
Please visit the FMP page on the Stevenson website for more information about the application process and follow @shsfmp on Instagram for updates.
It’s Good To Be GREEN: Green Team Working On New Project
Starting next semester, Stevenson’s Green Team will be launching three waste reduction initiatives as part of the Illinois Green Schools Project. The “Path to Zero” initiatives involve minimizing waste from Jazzman’s Cafe, school cutlery, and school decorations.
In order to gather baseline data and evaluate the impact of its work, the Green Team is conducting a survey. The Google Form survey is open to the Stevenson community until JAN 8. Questions: E-mail Mrs. Suntharanund.
Got An Idea For A “One Act?” Submit It By Jan. 10! Patriot Theatre Company’s One Acts, with the support of its Script Studio Playwriting Club and the Creative Writing Classes, is looking for submissions for the 2023 One Acts production!
The student-written, original plays should extend this season’s theme of the Patriot Theatre Company: “Tales As Old as Time.” All plays, because they work with what it means to be human in communities of other people, reveal certain age-old truths.
The submissions should be no longer than 12 minutes per play and 18 minutes per musical. Click here for more information and to submit your play between now and Jan. 10 at 11:59 p.m.
New Patriot Dollars System Coming Soon!
Hey Patriots! This is your heads up that a new Patriot Dollars system is headed your way starting Second Semester!
The experience will be virtually the same: Students will still use their ID to make food and beverage or Patriot Superstore purchases at school. The only thing that will change is the platform families will use to add funds to their accounts.
Please be assured that all funds will remain in students’ accounts during this transition. Additionally, while the experience is intuitive, we will also be providing more information at the beginning of Second Semester about how to transition to the new platform.
Stay tuned for more!
Buy A Yearbook Ad For Your Senior!
Show your Senior some love in the 2023 Yearbook. Buy a Senior Recognition Ad.
The closing date of Jan. 13, 2023 will be here before you know it. Get those ads in while you still have a chance!
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Sports Notes
Boys Basketball: Stevenson will be participating in the highly competitive Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic over Winter Break. The Patriots open up first-round action against Glenbard East at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. Single-game tickets or tournament passes can be purchased via GoFan.
Girls Basketball: The girls basketball team will be competing in the prestigious 39th Annual Komaromy Basketball Classic over Winter Break. The Patriots will take on Naperville Central at 4 p.m. next Monday (Dec. 26) at Dundee Crown High School. Single game tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased at the door with cash.
Boys Hockey: The Patriots will head to Fifth-Third Arena next week in Chicago for the Hawkeye Holiday High School Tournament and will take on several teams outside of their conference. Game 1 is on Monday against Benet Academy at 5:10 p.m. Game 2 is on Tuesday against PREP at 4:10 p.m. and the final game is on Wednesday against Caledonia at 5:50 p.m. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.
Wrestling: The wresting team will be participating in the prestigious 67th Annual Al Berman Wrestling Classic at Palatine High School next week. The action starts at 9 a.m. next Wednesday (Dec. 28). Admission for adults is $5 and students is $3. Spectators may use the south shelf in the Palatine Gym.
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Mark your calendars for these events and see the Stevenson Calendar for details on these and future programs.
Dec. 21-22: Final Experience
Dec. 23, 26-28:Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic ~ Boys Basketball Tournament
Dec. 23-Jan. 6: ☃️ WINTER BREAK!! ☃️
Dec. 26:Komaromy Basketball Classic ~ Girls Basketball Tournament
Jan. 9: No School ~ Teacher Institute Day
Jan. 10: Second Semester Begins
Stevenson Daily Digest 