IT’S THE “PRINCIPAL” OF THE THING (October, 2018)

Greetings from NCHS.  One of my favorite things to do at NCHS is lead a tour of our school with visitors.  I’m very proud to show off our outstanding facilities and am proud of our custodians who consistently keep our building in great shape.  I am equally proud of the high quality learning opportunities that we offer for our students and the wide range of comprehensive learning experiences available to our students.  A recent learning experience that is available to students is known as “blended learning” courses.

Blended courses include traditional face-to-face learning inside of our classrooms, combined with on-line learning that can take place anywhere.  A student enrolled in a blended course will likely spend 40% of their time in the classroom with the teacher and peers, and perhaps 60% of the learning can take place on-line in the place of their choice.  The ratio of face-to-face and on-line is determined by the teacher, and can vary depending on the teacher and the course.

We also feature courses that are completely on-line, and those courses are known as eLo (Extended Learning Opportunities) courses.  These courses do not require students to attend for face-to-face learning with a teacher or peers, and support is offered completely in an on-line format. 

Students and parents are free to decide whether or not to enroll in a blended or eLo course, but I think it’s a great idea for most of our students.  NCHS graduates are likely to experience on-line learning in their future, and taking an on-line course (either eLo or blended) can be a valuable experience that may be helpful for the future of our students.  A list of courses currently offered at NCHS as blended or eLo can be accessed through the link below:

https://www.manula.com/manuals/naperville-community-unit/ncusd203-2018-19-planning-guide/1/en/topic/blend-online-learning-courses

NCHS is a very good school.  However, we are constantly searching for ways to improve.  On-line and blended courses can be an enhancement to the learning experience to best prepare our students for life after NCHS.  I strongly encourage parents to consider a blended or on-line course, and reach out to your guidance counselor if you have further questions or would like to learn more.

Best wishes on a positive and rewarding school year to all of our students and families.  Our students continue to do great things and show great potential.  Please continue to encourage your student to do their best.  Go Redhawks!

Greetings from NCHS!  It’s hard to believe that there’s only a few weeks left in our school year.  I recently met with the seniors and encouraged them to “finish strong” in their high school journey.  I believe this is the right approach for all of our students.  Learning at high levels and being a quality producer isn’t easy, and after nine months of school all students should be sure to put forth their best effort during the last two weeks of the school year.

Final exams begin Wednesday, May 23^rd.  It’s important that students are in attendance for all of their final exams.  If a student cannot be in attendance for a final exam, please contact the office of Assistant Principal Jackie Thornton for a request to be absent (ctardy@naperville203.org or 630-420-6440).   Our graduation ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 21^st.  The primary reason for graduating on a Monday evening is to avoid conflicts that could arise for some of our seniors participating in IHSA competitions.  Our graduation ceremony is held in our stadium, so we all want good weather for our ceremony.  In the event of inclement weather the ceremony will be held in our main gym.

It has been another terrific school year at NCHS.  I am constantly impressed with our students and staff.  It’s our mission to develop students to become quality producers, complex thinkers, collaborative workers, self-directed learners, and community contributors.  I see evidence of this every day at NCHS, during evening events, and during weekend events.  I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by great families, an amazing staff, and wonderful students.

Best wishes for the remainder of the school year.  I hope that all of our students had a successful school year, and that everyone has a productive, safe, and fun summer.  It’s good to be a Redhawk!

Bill Wiesbrook, Principal

Greetings from NCHS!  The 2^nd semester is off to a great start.  Students have recently completed their course requests for next year (except seniors who will be graduating in May) and have been meeting with their counselor to confirm their decisions.  NCHS offers a tremendous variety and range of elective courses for our students, which is one of the reasons our students receive such a beneficial high school experience.   If a student encounters a difficult decision regarding several elective courses, and feeling that he/she cannot decide which to take, consider taking a required course during the 2018 summer session.  This can free space for another elective course during the school year.  Of course, consult with your counselor for the best advice in this situation.

Many of you may be aware of the term “growth mindset” and the importance of an attitude that fosters growth, learning, and improvement.   We can learn anything if we are willing to persist and embrace the challenges that we encounter.   Not all students learn at the same rate, and not all students have the same background or readiness levels for new learning.  Therefore, particularly in a classroom setting, students will notice that everyone is learning and succeeding at different rates.  The key for all students is accepting that some challenges will be more difficult than others and putting forth the necessary effort to learn and improve.  Students should avoid comparing themselves to others, which can sometimes lead to a feeling of failure.  NCHS is filled with great students, great attitudes, and great examples of success.  We have built many supports for students who are encountering difficulty, and I encourage any student or family who is struggling to take advantage of the many supports we offer.

Best wishes for the remainder of the school year.  I hope that all of our students have a successful 2^nd semester, and that everyone puts forth their best effort.  It’s good to be a Redhawk!

Bill Wiesbrook, Principal

Greetings from NCHS.  We are in the middle of our summer break in District 203, and I hope that students and families are having a nice summer.  Many of our students are staying involved in school during the summer.  Approximately 800 students are attending summer school held at Naperville North.  Summer school is six weeks in length, and most students attend from 7:30 am – 12:20 pm five days/week.  It provides an opportunity for students to learn, earn credit, possibly create room for an elective course in their upcoming schedule, get ahead, or catch up.  I applaud the students and staff for their dedication and commitment during the summer, and know they are also looking forward to the conclusion of summer school on July 14^th.

Many of our students have attended or are currently participating in summer athletic camps or marching band camp.  These camps are not mandatory, but provide an excellent opportunity for students to improve their skills and prepare for the upcoming school year season.  I am always impressed with the dedication and commitment of our students and staff who realize that hard work and a positive attitude are usually the ingredients that produce success.  The same is true for most endeavors—whether in or outside of school.

Registration is scheduled for August 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th at NCHS.  Families should have received packets sent to homes recently to prepare for registration.  It works best for our school and students to participate in registration on the designated date/time.  This allows for the necessary preparation for the many details needed to get a good start to the school year.  Anyone with a question related to registration is encouraged to call NCHS at 630-420-6420 between 7:00 – 3:00 pm Monday-Friday.

I’m looking forward to another amazing school year.  I am very fortunate to serve as principal in a school filled with incredible students, supported by great families, and led by a dedicated and caring staff.  It’s always GOOD TO BE A REDHAWK!

Mr. Wiesbrook, Principal

It’s hard to believe that there are only a few remaining days for the school year.  I am looking forward to May 17, when we will celebrate commencement with the class of 2017.  It has truly been a pleasure to interact with this group of seniors.  Our students consistently display great behavior, and this has been especially true for our senior class.  There are numerous academic achievements, athletic awards, and other accomplishments to be proud of.  However, I am most proud of their respectful behavior and outstanding conduct during their time at NCHS.

Final exams are scheduled for May 23^rd, 24^th, and 25^th.  The district calendar is published and shared with all families, and it’s important (and expected) that our students are in attendance for the three days of final exams.  If a student has three rigorous exams on the same date, he/she can speak with one of the teachers to make arrangements to move the exam to either the “make-up” period or another date.  The final exam schedule is posted on our website under “Quick Links”.

With summer only a few weeks away, NCHS will once again provide opportunities for our students to learn and grow.  Many families and students take advantage of high school summer school, hosted this year at Naperville North.  Bus transportation is provided, and this can provide an opportunity for students to accelerate and continue learning during June and July.  We will again offer a variety of summer camps for extra-curricular events and athletics, and hope that students and families will consider taking advantage of healthy opportunities provided at NCHS and in District 203.

As our school year comes to a close, I would like to congratulate all of our students who reached their goals and found success this year.  In particular, our graduating seniors who have concluded an exciting and challenging journey through the year.  Our students typically enter the next phase of their lives confident and well-prepared.  If we were successful, our students will demonstrate the five strands of our district mission in whatever they encounter.  Good luck with whatever adventures lie ahead, and remember that it’s GOOD TO BE A REDHAWK!

 Principal Bill Wiesbrook

Greetings!  We have reached the point in the school year where students and families are selecting courses for next year.  This is an extremely important step for students, teachers, and administrators at NCHS.  I’d like to encourage all families to check in with your student(s) about course selection decisions for next year, and consider the factors listed below.

Required Courses

It’s helpful for students and families to be aware of the required courses, but counselors ultimately will check to confirm that these required courses and credits are being met.

Elective Courses

Students should seek to take courses that they find interesting and/or might be helpful leading to a post-secondary option that they are considering.  We have many valuable elective opportunities at NCHS, and these decisions are often the most challenging for our students and families.   Students should enjoy their elective courses and choose elective courses that are valuable for their future.

Rigor

Students and families should always consider the rigor of the schedule that lies ahead next year.  Some of our courses are more time-consuming and demanding than others.  If a student or parent isn’t sure about the rigor of a course, speaking with the counselor, teacher, or a friend who has taken the course can be very helpful with your decision.  I feel that 70% of our students should sample at least one Advanced Placement (“AP”) course or a “dual credit” course before leaving NCHS to build confidence and preparation for life after high school.  Students and families should be careful not to select courses which are too easy or too difficult, but select courses and a schedule that provides a reasonable challenge.

There are many resources available on our school website (click on “Student Services”, “Course Selection & Registration” and to the left “Program Planning Guide”)to help with course selection decisions.   Of course, you can always contact a guidance counselor or department chair for assistance as well. 

Best wishes for the remainder of the school year.  It’s good to be a Redhawk!

Bill Wiesbrook, Principal

Greetings from NCHS.  December is always an interesting and unique month during the school year at NCHS.  There are two primary reasons for this.  Final exams, and preparing for course selection for next year.  I’d like to elaborate on both of these important topics.

Most courses at NCHS include final exams.  The details associated with final exams are different depending on the course.  Some final exams are comprehensive, assessing learning that was expected from the beginning of the semester to the end.  Some final exams are actually projects or presentations, which are designed for students to demonstrate their learning.  Most final exams contribute 10-15% towards the semester grade, so they are very important for our students.  If a student has three rigorous final exams on the same day, the student may ask one of the teachers to move a final exam to another day.  Preparing and taking final exams can also be a valuable experience in preparation for college, where most courses include final exams.

Preparing for course selection is also an important time for 11^th, 10^th, 9^th, and 8^th grade students.  December is the month when we expect students to begin thinking about next year’s courses.  Some courses are mandatory for graduation, but many of our courses are elective.  There are many resources available at NCHS to help students and families with course selection.  The “Program Planning Guide” available on our school website is a great resource for researching courses to choose from.  This can be found on the NCHS website under “Student Services”, “Course Selection & Registration”, and “Program Planning Guide”.  Feel free to contact your guidance counselor with any question regarding course selection.  Our guidance counselors are familiar with all of our courses and the course selection process.

Enjoy the fun challenges during the month of December, thank you for supporting NCHS, and thank you for contributing to the success of our school.  Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday break.  IT’S GOOD TO BE A REDHAWK!

Welcome to NCHS!  The school year is off to a great start, with lots of valuable learning experiences taking place.  It is my goal that all of our students have valuable learning experiences.  This typically involves challenges and hard work.  Nobody ever says that being successful is easy.  The teachers at NCHS have high expectations for our students, but also provide support and assistance for those who need it.  Our teachers are willing to support and assist students, and we have built further assistance for those who need extra support before and after school. 

If a student needs extra academic support (the first step should always include directly contacting the teacher), using our website please click on “Academics”, “Academic Support”, and “5 Ways to Get Support” to learn about opportunities available to students before school, during lunch periods, and after school.

I strongly encourage students to get involved in at least one extra-curricular program while at NCHS.  Graduating students consistently report that one of their best experiences while at NCHS was being involved in an extra-curricular program.  In addition to the growth that takes place, college admissions offices are always impressed with high school students who are involved in positive activities outside of the school day.

Best wishes for a great school year.  Go Redhawks!

Happy Summer NCHS Community!

I hope that everyone is having a nice summer break.   While there is no school taking place at NCHS during the summer, the school is still open in the event anyone needs to stop by.  The Student Services office is open each day from 7:00 – 1:30 pm, with a guidance counselor available for students or families.  The main office is open each day from 7:30 – 3:00 pm. 

As we begin to think about the upcoming school year, I’d like to remind everyone of the importance of a positive attitude and mindset.  A few years ago I was introduced to the book Mindset by Carol Dweck.  I found it fascinating.  The book explains that in general there are two approaches towards learning.  A fixed mindset believes that we are born with certain abilities that cannot be changed.  A growth mindset (the best approach) believes that we can learn, grow, and improve.  I’d like NCHS to be filled with people with growth mindsets, believing that we are capable of great things and that we can all learn and improve.  It may take some of us longer than others, but with persistence and the right attitude we can all achieve and succeed.

Best wishes for the remainder of the summer.  I’m looking forward to an awesome 2016-17 school year!

Sincerely,

Bill Wiesbrook

 NCHS attempts to maintain a balance of tradition and innovation. We have many strong traditions that include high academic expectations, highly involved students and staff, a large menu of academic and extra-curricular choices, and a very friendly atmosphere in our building.

In addition to the traditions in place at NCHS, we are constantly changing and adding new ideas to improve our school experience for students. I’d like to provide a short explanation of a few of the new practices in place at NCHS this year.

Testing Center

We are now offering a dedicated location on the 2^nd floor for students to make up tests or possibly a test re-take. If a student is absent and misses a test, the student can visit the testing center before school or during his/her lunch period to make up the test at a later date. Students will need to make arrangements with their teacher.

Before School Academic Help

We’ve had before school academic help in the past, but new courses have been added this year. For students who arrive to school early (particularly bus riders), academic help from a teacher is available in the following: Math, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Writing, and Spanish.

Digital Learning Initiative (DLI)

All students were issued a chrome-book at the beginning of the school year. This provides all of our students with a valuable learning resource, and all teachers are assured that each student has the same device for learning activities. Most of our teachers use Canvas as a resource for students (or parents) to access information from home, and some of our teachers have additional learning resources that can help students reinforce or review learning standards outside of the classroom walls.

NCHS will never be perfect, and we will continually strive to make improvements for our students and their learning experiences. I am very proud of our school, and we will our best to provide a high quality education for everyone who walks through our doors. Enjoy the remainder of the semester and continue to embrace the fun challenges that lie ahead!

Bill Wiesbrook, Principal

1. Design and implement effective practices that promote learning experiences for all.
2. Foster a high-performance culture focused on student learning.
3. Steward resources effectively to promote student learning.
4. Effective communication and community relations.