Whitney Young Weekly - November 17, 2019

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N O V E M B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 9

CPS recently released their annual School Quality Rating Policy (SQRP) rankings. Whitney Young beat all other CPS selective enrollment high schools and was ranked the #1 selective enrollment high school.

Why don't the water fountains at the turf field work yet?

We are working on the issue and the water fountains should be working by the spring.

Is it possible that we can have a more expansive recycling system? The houses are an area that especially could use recycling bins, as CPS supports recycling of cans and plastic bottles. I’m sure there are plenty of recyclables that are not disposed of in a reusable way daily and and we are a school that houses environmental action clubs and climate activists. This seems like a simple step forward to contributing to a healthier environment.

I would agree. I need someone to spearhead this project. If you are interested, please contact me at jdkenner@cps.edu or (773) 534-7500.

I usually notice students opening doors for parents to get into the school. This is a security risk. How can this be improved?

We regularly remind students not to open the doors. Parents should know they should go to the Main Office for a pass or for any school business. Students who are caught opening doors for anyone will receive a Saturday School.

Why is there special free tutoring being offered to high scoring students on previous PSATs but not to those who actually need the help?

Students were identified and invited to a meeting who could be eligible for National Merit status; however our review sessions are advertised over the PA and are open to all juniors. Additionally information about the program was listed in the September 29 Weekly. Please reach out to Dr. Bloland if you are interested. She is in room 302. Because this fall's administration of the PSAT was canceled for CPS, our understanding is that this year's National Merit eligibility will be determined by the College Board on the basis of the April 2020 SAT test. All juniors are encouraged to sign up for our SAT prep class, which will start near the beginning of March. Watch for the announcement.

A Note from Dr. Kenner: I apologize if I offended the student who asked me the question about whether we have a soccer team. Obviously the question would not have been asked if they knew the answer. A parent brought this to my attention and was upset with my response. I hope everyone knows I would never purposefully offend or embarrass a student.

Dr. Kenner is soliciting questions for the Whitney Young Weekly. She will select and answer questions each week. Note: By submitting your question, you agree that the question and answer will be published and sent to the whole school community. Not all questions will be able to be answered and/or published. Due to the popularity of Kenner's Korner, questions may take at least four weeks to be published. If you have an immediate concern, please contact the Main Office during regular school hours at (773) 534-7500.

Submit Your Question or Comment Here

Congratulations to the following athletes signing to the following universities:

Baseball - J'Shawn Taylor - Saint Vincent College

Baseball - Kevin Coe Jr. - Eastern Kentucky University

Baseball - Casey Coates - Morehouse College

Basketball - Cameron Williams - University of Michigan

Basketball - Kayla Green - Texas A&M University

Basketball - DJ Stewart - Duke University

Rowing - Thora Hornewer - University of Washington

Softball - Isabelle Garcia - UIC

Softball - Grace Mosele - University of Indianapolis

Softball - Lauren Mosele - University of Indianapolis

Softball - Elise Magnus - Davenport University

Swim - Bence Szabados - University of Michigan

Swim - Lauren Azar - University of Vermont

Track - Lovie Annafi - Loyola University Chicago

Volleyball - Perri Lucas - Seton Hall University

Volleyball - Gemma Tipping - University of Denver

Did you know November is National Scholarship month? CPS manages a scholarship tool called Academic Works. Visit cps.academicworks.com to get started!

A step by step guide to utilizing Academic Works is available here .

Registration for virtual credit recovery is now open. See your counselor for information and to register.

"These are the words your teen applying to college needs to hear from you" from Today

Academic Center Math Team Success; Ranked #1 In CPS

The WY Academic Center Math Team had a great start to their season! At the first CJML competition on Saturday, November 9, the WY team was very successful. Both the 7th grade and the 8th grade teams are currently ranked first, ahead of all of their city rivals.

Thanks to the WY AC Math Team coaches for all of their support: Ms. Au, Mr. Kang, Mrs. Pierce, Mr. Viramontes, Ms. Sharp, and Ms. Colon.

Dance Chicago/Dance Slam 2019

We are proud to announce Guys & Dolls Dance Co. took second place in all categories (Choreography, Technique, Production, and Total Points) at this years Dance Chicago/ Dance Slam. Not too shabby for missing two weeks of rehearsal right before the competition. Bravo dancers!

Great Books Summer Program

Join Ms. Leki in the Library Cinema during Long Division on Wednesday, December 4th, to learn about The Great Books Summer Program.

WY Students have a unique opportunity to earn a FULL scholarship to this program only available to WY students.

For over seventeen years, Great Books Summer Program has offered an experience like no other in American education. Great Books gives students the opportunity to engage in classic and contemporary literature while experiencing life at the world’s most prestigious universities in Amherst, Stanford, Chicago, Oxford, Dublin, and Beijing. Students may sign up for one or multi-week sessions, each of which boasts an entirely new array of literature, lectures, and esteemed speakers. Interested in exploring new literary terrains while traveling to new places? Apply now for our summer 2019 sessions.

Video Conference With Students From Mexico

Our Global Citizenship students engaged in a Tony Blair Institute Generation Global video conference dialogue with students from Central Mexico and Missouri on the topic of Climate Change.

Thanks to Whitney Young mom Ashley Nelson and her organization Inseus, our students celebrated World Kindness Day with mindfulness activities that promoted empathy and kindness!

Community Service Day

Friday, November 22, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

To make the school building look its best for the Open House, parents are helping spruce up the inside and outside of the campus.

Come join us! It is more fun than it sounds!

Parents/Guardians and Students - please sign up here!

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Annual High School and Academic Center Open House

Sunday, November 24, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

We are looking for the best students for the best high school, and this is their opportunity to get to know us.

WE NEED ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS for this event. There are several shifts, so you may spend a couple hours or the whole day with us!

Parents/Guardians - please sign up here!

WY Guitar Program's Winter Jam Session

Join the Whitney Young Guitar Program for their Winter Jam Session on December 6th! The show will start at 6:00pm in the WY Theatre and will showcase this year's talent.

Advance tickets are $8.75 and can be purchased online here or $10.50 at the door on the night of the event.

FoWY West Town Social

West Town, Unite! Come join Friends of Whitney Young for the second installation of FoWY Socials! We'll be at Forbidden Root ( 1746 W. Chicago) on Wednesday, Nov. 20th between 6 - 9pm.

These events are casual gatherings and our next event will be in West Town. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

EVERYONE is welcome to join us for a casual get together. Come for a drink, or food, or stop by just to say "Hi!".

Adults only, please. RSVPs not required.

This event is hosted by Danette Fulton.

The Young Company's Fall Production: Trap

An incomprehensible event: every person in the audience of a high school play falls unconscious--every person but one. Show dates are: November 20th at 7pm, November 22nd at 7pm, November 23rd at 2pm and 7pm, and November 24th at 5:45pm. Tickets are online or $10 at the door. This mystery documentary is bound to leave you at the edge of your seat. You have never seen anything quite like "Trap".