Board Report November 2002 - New Trier Township High School

2002-03 Budget represents second yearof deficit spendingThe Board of Education approved the2002-03 Budget on July 15, 2002. TheOperating Fund Budget reflects a 3.18%increase over actual expenditures for2001-02. It supports the District’s 1.5%enrollment increase from 3,771 studentsto 3,829 students and the second year ofoperating two campuses – the NorthfieldCampus for freshmen and the WinnetkaCampus for sophomores, juniors andseniors.Support for technology, campussecurity and increased staffingThe budget continues increased supportfor instructional technology, campussupervision and security, staff developmentand co-curricular activities.Salaries and benefits represent anincrease in the operating expenditures dueprimarily to hiring additional staff toaddress the student enrollment increase.New Trier staffing for the 2002-03 schoolyear increased by seven full-time faculty,seven full-time support staff and one fulltimephysical plant services staff. Inaddition, employee insurance costs haverisen an average of 10 % per year sincethe 1999-00 school year.Second consecutive deficit budgetThe 2002-03 Operating Budget representsthe District’s second consecutive deficitbudget that coincides with the reactivationof the Northfield Campus. Last yearwas the first deficit budget in more than20 years.Three factors have created the deficitbudget that will deplete the District’sreserves over the next two years. First, theDistrict has seen relatively small increasein revenues (averaging less than 2.5% peryear for the last five years). Second, therehas been a more than 5% increase inexpenditures per year to support theannual average enrollment growth overthe past five years of 3.7%, plus theimpact of inflation. Third, opening a secondcampus has added annual operatingcosts. The Board and administration areevaluating referendum alternatives toaddress this difficult financial trend.Capital expendituresOverall, the District’s Budget is $69.1million, with non-operating expendituresof almost $6.7 million. Included in theEnrollment growth,operating a secondcampus, and smallincreases in revenuescreated a deficit budgetthat will deplete reservesby 2004-05.non-operating expenditures are capitalexpenditures for major facilities projectsat the Winnetka Campus and ongoingmaintenance and repairs to the physicalplant. This year’s capital projects arebeing funded from the successful 1998referendum and District reserves. Othernon-operating expenditures include bondand interest payments.Student opportunitiesThe budget is the most significant statementthe Board can make to support thephilosophy that all students should havethe opportunity to develop to their highestcapabilities,” said Don Goers, AssistantSuperintendent for Business. “Everyeffort has been made to implement prudentexpenditures while maintaining outstandingprograms for our students.”2001-02 2002-03 PercentActual Expenses Approved Budget ChangeOperating Funds:Salaries $ 38,001,736 $ 40,050,326 5.39%Benefits 4,910,583 6,151,285 25.27%Purchased Services 6,095,595 6,473,757 6.20%Supplies 3,298,537 3,173,378 –3.79%Equipment 5,345,956 3,491,063 –34.70%Other Objects 992,143 992,477 0.03%Tuition 1,840,517 2,074,000 12.69%Sub-Total $ 60,485,067 $ 62,406,286 3.18%Other Funds:Medicaid Reimbursement 315,464 212,350 –32.69%Bldg. Capital Improv 5,678,462 2,800,000 –50.69%Bond & Interest 3,472,972 3,687,594 6.18%Life Safety 110,000 0 –100.00%Sub-Total $ 9,576,898 $ 6,699,944 –30.04%Grand Total $ 70,061,965 $ 69,106,230 –1.36%3

Varied opportunities to participate:Students have over 100 clubs and activitiesfrom which to chooseNew Trier students are sampling a wealthof ongoing and new club offerings thisfall. More than 100 clubs are open to studentson one or both campuses.Many of New Trier’s student clubs havechapters on each campus, such as Girls’Club and Tri-Ship. Other clubs, such asAnime, which explores the Japanese formof animation, has one chapter with 75members from both campuses.Opportunities for participationand leadership“Clubs provide an endless opportunity forstudents,” said Roger Garfield, ActivitiesCoordinator at the Winnetka Campus.“Students can choose the depth andbreadth of their participation, whether it isdaily, weekly, or just a few times a year.They also have many opportunities forleadership.”The Northfield Campus sponsored anActivities Fair in early fall to introducefreshmen to the variety of opportunitiesfor participation. Students exploredextracurricular offerings at many boothsset up in the courtyard.“Student and staff representatives fromboth campuses provided information andhelped freshmen sign-up for clubs thatmatched their areas of interest,” said TimHayes, Northfield Campus ActivitiesCoordinator. “We’re always looking fornew clubs and encourage students to presenttheir ideas for new possibilities to us.The key to successful school involvementis participation. We want our clubs andother student activities to help providethat.”New clubsNew clubs this year include the Car Club,the Car Design Club, and theSnowboarding Club – all of which weresuccessful clubs in the past but whichhave not been operational in recent years.4Also new this year is the Cereal Club, amorning club with members who collectcereal box tops for charity. Recent effortshelped the club purchase playgroundequipment for a Chicago elementaryschool. The new Celtic Club studies allthings Irish and Scottish while the LawnSports Club meets to play croquette, bocceball and other lawn games. The newExperimental Music club explores uniqueforms of music including computer-producedmelodies. The New Trier RowingClub – or Crew as the students call themselves– had their first competition onOctober 13 (see article below).Cold weather and heavy winds causedspectators along the 2.75 mile course ofthe Head of the Rock Regatta to breakout winter coats on October 13 inRockford. Despite the weather, the NewTrier Crews competing in the JuniorEights events made history as they racedin New Trier’s first head race. The boysteams took fourth and eighth places andthe girls teams took ninth and eleventh.Racing in the morning for the boys werefourth place crew members (in boatingorder): Andrew Ash, coxswain; DaveStults, J.P. Swafford, Andrew Rowland,Adam Falkof, Dan Seidman, NedJohnson, Sam Goldhar, and DrewRifkin, bow, with a time of 16:30.11.Racing in the afternoon and with a timeof 18:22.8 was eighth place crew NedSenko, coxswain; Matt Fitzpatrick,Jacob Brown, David Falkof, Ed Mundy,Jon Walton, Alex Kohn, Jeff Barrow,and Mark Radcliff, bow.“We had a minor mishap with someequipment and the boys put it all behindthem and raced well,” said CoachAnthony Brock. “They surprised mewith their performance. We’re going toset goals for the spring and work hard toobtain those as well.”The New Trier Rowing Club, new thisyear, participated in its first regatta inOctober. The boys teams placed fourthand eighth and the girls teams placedninth and eleventh.New Trier Rowing Club competes in first regattaRacing for the girls in the morning wereninth place crew members (in boatingorder): Maddie Gilman, coxswain; AnnePechnyo, Megan West, Emily Dray,Gwennie Poor, Anna Vander Zwaag,Whitney Prudden, Caroline Brooks, andGera Feigon, bow, with a time of19:13.63. Racing in the afternoon andwith a time of 20:58.18 was eleventhplace crew Melissa Dilber, coxswin;Lizzie Gilbert, Amanda Gehrls,Elizabeth Olinto, Amanda Holt, LizzieFranklin, Katie Smith, Carrie Romanoand Niloo Mirani, bow.“Our faster girls’ time was good enoughto beat 15 novice college crews and oursecond crew’s time would have beatensix,” said Coach Rose Marchuk. “Thesegirls have not rowed before. It is excitingto see their development in the firstseason.”The traveling team of 20 boys and 20girls represented the total New TrierRowing Club consisting of 48 boys and73 girls. Over the winter, the crews willcondition to prepare for regattas in thespring.

New Trier music groups garner national awardsFanfare please! The beat goes on forNew Trier’s award-winning musicgroups. Each of the three premierinstrumental ensembles won nationalhonors in Down Beat magazine’s 25thAnnual Student Music Awards.Learning from the MastersTwo additional citations add up to atotal of five awards in 2002 – a recordfor New Trier musicians, who havewon a total of 21 of the highest awardssince 1985.Jazz Big Band, Symphonic Bandand Classical Orchestra all winNew Trier Jazz Ensemble I, directed byJim Warrick, won the High SchoolOutstanding Performance award in theJazz Big Band category. The New TrierSymphonic Wind Ensemble, directedby John Thomson, was named the highschool winner in the Symphonic Bandcategory. The New Trier SymphonyOrchestra, conducted by PeterRosheger, received the top award in theClassical Orchestra category.Best Jazz Instrumental GroupNamed Best High School JazzInstrumental Group was the StephaneGrappelli Tribute Trio, comprised ofNew Trier Class of 2003 students AaronWeinstein on violin, John Gillilan onguitar, and Gabe Noel on bass. AaronWeinstein also won in the OutstandingPerformance High School Jazz category.Validation of students’ talents“The Down Beat Awards are a nice validationof our students’ talents by apreeminent outside source,” said MusicDepartment Chair David Ladd. “Theyreflect the importance that the NewTrier community places on music andwhat our students are doing in thedepartment.”Tradition of music excellenceJazz Studies Coordinator Jim Warricksaid the awards serve as a constantmotivation. “When students see theThe New Trier Symphonic WindEnsemble, directed by John Thomson(above), was a national winner in theSymphonic Band category. TheSymphony Orchestra and the JazzEnsemble I also won highest awards intheir categories.collection of Down Beat plaques on thewall from previous years, they areinspired to keep up the tradition,” he said.“New Trier swept the top awards oncebefore, in 1999. Our success in manyareas demonstrates our philosophy thateach type of music – classical, jazz, andband – is equal in importance,” he added.“We want to educate students to be wellroundedmusicians who can be successfulas future performers and consumers ofmusic.”Judging completed by blind reviewThe Down Beat awards program is theonly one of its kind in the nation. Publicand private schools from around thecountry and Canada submit tapes forblind review by nationally known musiciansand educators. The tapes have noidentifiers and there is no published listof schools entered in the competition.Down Beat’s judging criteria includeoverall sound, presence or authority,proper interpretation of the idiom,improvisation or creativity, technique,intonation, phrasing, dynamics, accuraterhythm/time, and the material performed.Aaron Weinstein, senior, was a winnerin Down Beat magazine’s OutstandingPerformance High School Jazzcategory.To help hone their technique, AaronWeinstein and his cohorts JohnGillilan and Gabe Noel listened tothe old Hot Club of France recordingsof jazz violin legend StephaneGrappelli. Aaron Weinstein, whoalso was named outstanding instrumentalsoloist, formed the groupseveral years ago for a concert performanceof the Grappelli classic“Lady Be Good.”The group’s repertoire expandedwhen the trio was selected to performat the International Associationof Jazz Education (IAJE) annualconference in Long Beach,California. “The goal was to takeGrappelli’s repertoire and make somechanges to modernize it a little bit,”Aaron told Down Beat magazine.Featuring the New Trier combo inits awards issue, Down Beat alsocredited New Trier teacher JimWarrick, “whose willingness toaccept violin in the school’s jazz programmade the trio possible in thefirst place.”5

Rebuilding community locally, nationally and internationally:Class of 2002 leaves a worthy legacyWhen the tragedy of September 11 struckearly in their senior year, the New TrierClass of 2002 responded with a resolve toorganize, unify, and dedicate their “mindsto inquiry, hearts to compassion and livesto the service of mankind,” according tothe New Trier motto.“The class felt we needed to respond toSeptember 11 in a way that would rebuildcommunity, both on the national andinternational level,” said 2002 graduateMike Zuckerman, Senior Class President.A heartfelt mission“The Class of 2002’s leadership in pursuinga heartfelt mission of service to otherswas truly inspirational to the entireNew Trier community,” said LarryRehage, senior boys adviser chair. “Theyfunded and built a house for Habitat forHumanity, collected clothing and schoolsupplies for the African RefugeeCommittee, and made significant financialcontributions to five charitable organizations.”Filled with fervor, the class drew up plansto repeat the accomplishment of the Classof 2001— the construction of a house fora family through Habitat for Humanity.The Class of 2002 also decided to add totheir service goal by adopting anotherproject. They agreed to fill an overseascontainer with supplies for an Africanrefugee camp and raise the money to helpship it.Building a second Habitat homeLocated in North Chicago, the Habitatfor Humanity house became the home ofVastoria Parker and her 15-year-olddaughter and 12-year-old son. Mrs.Parker worked along side the New Trierstudents to help build her three-bedroom,two-story house. After the excavation inearly April, different senior advisergroups traveled to the site during theweek. On Saturdays, social service volunteersfrom other New Trier classesjoined the Class of 2002.To qualify as a sponsor of a Habitat project,the class raised the $65,000 needed tobuy materials. The principal fundraiserwas the annual Winter Carnival, held atthe school. “Every single senior wasinvolved,” Mike Zuckerman said. “The6New Trier adviser groups traveled to the Habitat home in North Chicago each weekto help construct the three-bedroom, two-story house. The Class of 2002 raised the$65,000 needed for materials, mostly by sponsoring the Winter Carnival, an annualfund-raiser at New Trier that transforms the Winnetka Campus hallways and classroomsinto an indoor carnival for children in the community.result of the Carnival was a record-breakingsum of $30,000.” The Class of 2002raised additional funds by selling T-shirtsand ice cream and seeking donationsfrom families and the community.Donating supplies, clothes andmoney to African refugeesIn its African effort, the class workedwith the Winnetka-based African RefugeeCommittee, a not-for-profit organizationdedicated to providing assistance to traumatizedrefugees. Seniors filled a 20’ x40’ container with donated school suppliesand clothing and then contributed$4,500 to the cost of shipping.Giving $25,000 to other charitiesIn his commencement address, MikeZuckerman presented the gifts from theClass of 2002. “It has been the goal of theClass of 2002 to build community insideand outside of New Trier,” he said.Consistent with the goal and in additionto their contributions to the Habitat forHumanity house and the African Refugeeproject, the Class of 2002 presented acheck for $25,000 to benefit the HeiferProject, the Mom and Me Foundation, theGale Academy, The RehabilitationInstitute of Chicago, and Seeds of Peace.“The incredible efforts of the Class of2002 working together to meet the needsof so many demonstrates their love fortheir fellow human beings,” said JaniceDreis, senior girls adviser chair. “Ourheartfelt thanks go to the Class of 2002senior class officers for their diligentleadership, compassionate hearts, andtotal commitment to the wonderful serviceprojects of the 2001-02 school year.”Dreams do come true…”“I dreamed of owning my ownhome, but I never imagined I wouldbe part of a wonderful collaborationsuch as Habitat and New Trier.It’s because of you that my dreamhas come true.“I would like to offer a specialthanks to the entire Senior Class of2002 for extending such a warminvitation to my family as weattended your Winter Carnival… Ididn’t realize this great event wasgeared toward the success ofmaking my dream home possibleuntil I saw the house in yourdisplay case. Tears of joy began toflow from my eyes.”–– excerpt from a thank you letterto the Class of 2002 from VastoriaParker, new owner of the Habitathome built by students

Innovation to keep upwith a changing world:New Trier Foundation to seek fundsfor school’s television studioSeven newcourses approvedAt the October 21 Board of Educationmeeting, the Board approved the additionof seven new courses in the New Triercurriculum. They are:• Sports and Entertainment Marketing(Business Education Department)• Ethics in Literature (EnglishDepartment)• 3D Multimedia and Animation(Instructional Technology Department)• Student Technology Workshops(Instructional Technology Department)• Computer Networking (InstructionalTechnology Department)• Computational Science and Engineering(Science Department)• Activities Leadership Practicum(Student Activities).Raising funds to outfit a television productionstudio for student use is the NewTrier Foundation’s first priority, accordingto its newly-named executive director,Wes Baumann, who retired asPrincipal of New Trier’s WinnetkaCampus last June and moved into hisnew role in July.To help raise the money, the FoundationBoard will send a letter to 30,000 NewTrier alumni in December.The Foundation Board reviewed alengthy list of possible projects andquickly focused on the needs of the newtelevision broadcast course implementedthis year. “A well-equipped studio willincrease students’ opportunities to haveappropriate learning experiences and toproduce videos that can be shown on theNew Trier Lyceum, the school’s cabletelevision station,” Mr. Baumann said.“From our perspective, the ability to givestudents this educational experiencewhile enhancing communication betweenNew Trier and the community is a worthyproject. There is so much to see atNew Trier and our students will showtheir classmates in action.”Since the 1960’s, New Trier has hada staff-operated television station.Currently, the New Trier Cable Lyceumairs programs throughout the Townshipfrom New Trier and its six senderelementary districts. The Lyceum canbe seen on channel 18 in Glencoe,Kenilworth and Winnetka 24 hours eachday. The Lyceum is shown in Wilmetteweekdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. onchannel 6. Presently, it is not availablein Northfield.Sufficient enrollment determinescourse offeringsApproval of the courses does not meanthat all will be taught during the 2003-04school year. “Each course must have sufficientstudent enrollment before it will beentered into the school year schedule,”said Dr. Betty Brockelman, AssistantSuperintendent for Curriculum andInstruction. “Therefore, the final approvalof these courses will come from the students.”One new art course, Video Art: TheMoving Image, was proposed with apotential approval, pending additionalinformation regarding costs of camerasand other equipment needed for thecourse. Answers to Board members’questions will be addressed at theNovember 18 Board Meeting, where thecourse will be discussed again.Descriptions of all the new courses willbe included in New Trier’s 2003-04Program of Studies, a curriculum guidethat will be distributed to students inJanuary, prior to their course registrationfor next school year.The New Trier Township High SchoolDistrict 203 Educational FoundationThe New Trier Educational Foundation isan independent, non-profit organizationwith a volunteer Board of Directors representingthe community, includingalumni. The Foundation works with theNew Trier Board of Education to supportprograms beyond the scope of theBoard’s budget that will enhance andexpand opportunities for students.DirectorsRobert Grant, PresidentBarbara Eiser, Vice PresidentP. Scott Wallace, TreasurerLucia D’Silva, SecretaryJames Begley ‘68Robert ByronBonnie Cobia ‘76Ronald DeHaamDennis DrescherWilliam Drucker ‘69Paul FoxJohn GlierLinda HardingMarietta Hesdorffer ‘76Rick Hielscher ‘91Carter Howard ‘53Kenneth KaufmanPeg KritzerJi LeePeggy MartayMarguerite McKennaJames NowackiArthur Pancoe ‘43Blanche RomeyRalph Smith ‘50Pat Yuzawa-RubinEx officio DirectorsHenry Bangser, SuperintendentJan Borja, Principal, Northfield CampusDebra Stacey, Principal, Winnetka CampusPhyllis Myers, Board of EducationOnnie Scheyer ’76, Board of EducationTimothy Hayes, FacultyDaniel Mortier, FacultyPeter Rosheger, FacultyStephen Ham, Faculty, RetiredDiane Locandro, Parents AssociationChristopher Fort, Student AllianceWesley Baumann, Executive Director7

2002 - 2003 School Year Calendar2002August 26 Monday Opening Institute - Day 127 Tuesday Institute - Day 228 Wednesday First Day of Student AttendanceSeptember 2 Monday Labor Day (holiday)16 Monday Yom Kippur (holiday)October 10 Thursday Freshman Go-To-School Night(Northfield Campus)Regular School Day on Winnetka Campus11 Friday No School14 Monday Columbus Day (holiday)22,23 Tuesday,Wednesday Late Arrival for Students (10:00 a.m.)November 1 Friday First Quarter Ends11 Monday Veterans’ Day (holiday)20 Wednesday Parent-Teacher Conferences (evening)(regular day for students)21 Thursday Parent-Teacher Conferences(afternoon and evening)(no school for students)22 Friday Institute Day (no school for students)28,29 Thursday,Friday Thanksgiving VacationDecember 21 Saturday Winter Break Begins2003January 6 Monday School Resumes after Winter Break20 Monday Martin Luther King Day (holiday)21,22,23 Tues-Thurs First Semester Exams24 Friday Grading Day (see footnote #1 below)27 Monday First Semester Ends28 Tuesday Second Semester BeginsFebruary 17 Monday President’s Day (holiday)28 Friday Institute Day (no school for students)March 12,13 Wednesday,Thursday Late Arrival for Students (10:00 a.m.)21 Friday Third Quarter Ends22 Saturday Spring Break Begins31 Monday School Resumes after BreakApril 18 Friday Good Friday (no school)23,24 Tuesday,Wednesday PSAE Testing for Juniors (schedulefor sophomores and seniors to beannounced; regular school day onNorthfield Campus)May 26 Monday Memorial Day (holiday)June 1 Sunday Commencement (5:00 p.m.)Welsh-Ryan Arena–NorthwesternUniversity4,5,6 Wed-Friday Second Semester Exams9 Monday Grading Day (see footnote #2 below)11 Wednesday Last Day of Student AttendanceGrading days are tentatively scheduled as days with no school for students.1 If one snow day is used before this date, January 24 will be a regular day for students. 2 If two snow days are used, June 9 will be a regular day for students.New Trier Township High SchoolDistrict 203 • Board of Education385 Winnetka AvenueWinnetka, IL 60093-4295®BOARD REPORTTO THE C OMMUNITYNew Trier Township High School District 203 serves Chicago’s North Shore suburban communities of Glencoe,Kenilworth, Wilmette and Winnetka, most of Northfield and parts of Glenview and Northbrook.Laura Blair Bertani, Director of Personnel and Communications • Julianne Beck, Communications SpecialistBoard of EducationJohn S. (Buz) Graettinger, Jr.David A. GrossbergVice PresidentCharles C. HappEdward MehlmanPhyllis C. Myers, Ph.D.Onnie ScheyerPresidentAdair L. WaldenbergAdministrationHenry S. Bangser, Ph.D.SuperintendentSteven M. Baule, Ed.D., Ph.D.Assistant Superintendentfor Information TechnologyJan M. BorjaPrincipal, Northfield CampusBetty A. Brockelman, Ed.D.Assistant Superintendent forCurriculum and InstructionDonald R. GoersAssistant Superintendent forBusinessDebra L. Stacey, Ph.D.Principal, Winnetka CampusPOSTAL PATRONLOCALNon-ProfitOrganizationECRWSSPAIDPermit No. 319Winnetka, IllinoisThe New Trier Motto: to commit minds to inquiry, hearts to compassion, and lives to the service of mankind.®