S E P T E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 2 2

Congralations to Ruth Andrews, Gabrielle Drutchas, Brandon Huang, Ethan Kang, Jade Lavallee, Leith Mascari, Miles Pinsof-Berlowitz, Madison Rozwat, Burke Stanton, Sebastian Thompson, Jeslyn Williams David Wong and Isabella Yan who were named National Merit Semi-finalists.

When we came back to school the first week, I noticed that wipes and hand sanitizer were plentiful in many places. However, since the second week back, Green House and other locations have been missing wipes. It would be immensely helpful for students to have instant access to these products so that they can, for instance, clean their tables before and after lunch.

Wipes and hand sanitizer are continuously being restocked throughout the building. The "big blue" containers of wipes are typically placed on the table where the microwave is located in the lunchrooms. If there are places in the building that need additional supplies, please let an adult on the 2nd and/or 3rd floor know so they can communicate the information to the proper person. 


Last year the Homecoming dance theme was sneakers with dress wear. Kids loved wearing their favorite sneakers and parents loved not having to buy dress shoes.

The Student Council is the decision making body who is in charge of that. They have inquired about the Homecoming Dance being amended to a Sneaker Ball. I support that, but it's their event and their decision. In any event, the dress code is semi-formal. If a student has a question or needs clarification about the dress code, please ask. Do not show up to the dance and not be allowed to enter because they were improperly dressed.


Some students live 40-60 minutes away from the school. After factoring in accidents or events out of their control, they very well may be late. So why can't first-period teachers have a little more leeway when marking people late?

Students and parents are encouraged to do whatever possible to arrive at school on time. CPS rules do not recognize “excused tardy.” Students arriving late due to traffic, etc. but within the first class period need to report straight to class. They will be marked “tardy.” They will be assigned a detention for a second and consecutive tardy within a quarter. Students arriving after the first period has ended need to report to the Attendance Office. A parent/guardian must call the Attendance Office Voicemail to report the late arrival.  

Mr. Harris is soliciting questions for the Whitney Young Weekly. He 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/published. Due to the popularity of Harris' Huddle, 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

Tickets are on sale starting Monday, September 12 in the School Store during lunch periods.


SAVE $5:  Buy your bus/game combo ticket for $10 by Friday, September 23. The combo ticket increases to $15 after September 23.


Game only tickets: On sale in the School Store starting Monday, September 12 during lunch periods. Tickets are $5.


All tickets are cash only.  More information about Homecoming will be sent in the coming days.

This Week's Bell Schedules

Free Weekly Covid Testing

Chicago Public Schools is continuing with free weekly Covid testing. If you wish to participate, you must consent or re-consent by clicking here.


IMPORTANT: Every CPS student or staff member who wants to enroll in weekly testing this school year MUST complete a new consent form. Consents from last school year or this summer WILL NOT be valid for the 2022-23 school year. 

Spirit Week (Sept 26 - 30) days have been decided - you can find the schedule for spirit week in the graphic. Participate and show your school spirit! Additionally, if you would like to help Student Council with these types of future activities and become more involved with our community, make sure to join the General Assembly (f6ahbkl)!

PSAT/National Merit Prep at WY

Juniors and Junior Parents! Did we are offering PSAT/National Merit prep classes right here at school? During Enrichment Dr. Foy (Room 308), Mr. Stuart Abram (Room 277) and Dr. Bloland (Room 302) are offering to coach you to help raise your score on the October PSAT and possibly achieve National Merit Finalist status. Whitney Young is always the CPS high school with the highest number of National Merit Finalists. Be part of that history! Come and get ready for this challenge!. See Dr. Foy, Mr. Abram, or Dr. Bloland with any questions.

Dancers @ Art on theMart

"Trap Moulin Rouge" by Jasmin Taylor, in co-production with Talia Koylass' Motion/Pictures Dance Project, combines classical R&B, and jazz melodies with a variety of dance styles with the aim of creating and promoting equity in Chicago through the performing arts. Trap Moulin Rouge will be on view during Art on theMART’s fall season, nightly for free from September 8 – November 18 at 8:30 & 9:00 p.m. The WY Dance Department attended the premiere on Thursday, September 8th to cheer on Ms. Taylor & Ms. Koylass who are both former Guys & Dolls members making us CHICAGO PROUD!

Allyship Tip: Learn About Jewish Holidays

Fall is an important holiday season. Two major Jewish holidays are coming up - Rosh Hashanah (9/25 - 9/27) and Yom Kippur (10/4 - 10/5). Because most American calendars correspond with Christian holidays, it’s easy for gentiles to overlook and ignore these important days. Be an ally to your Jewish friends, classmates, and colleagues by learning more. Mark your calendar to avoid scheduling important events or work (deadlines, tests, meetings, celebrations, etc.) on these days so those who observe can still participate. Because the Jewish calendar is lunar, the exact date of holidays changes each year. To keep practicing allyship for years to come, make sure you check for the date annually. Click here to visit the DEI website for more resources to learn about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

DANCE: Guest Audition

Nexus Performing Arts visited the WY Dance Department looking for talent for their upcoming production in Chicago and London in the spring . Congratulations to the dancers who were offered contracts. Go Dancing Dolphins!

French National Honor Society

Have you completed a level 2 or higher French class at WYHS? Do you want to learn more about the culture of French-speaking countries and improve your French skills? Are you eager to help others with their French studies? Then consider joining the French National Honor Society! Meetings are once a month during enrichment with other activities throughout the year. We will have yummy snacks for members :D. Click here to join our google classroom page for more information. You do not need to be a fluent French speaker in order to join.

Peer Conference Leader Application

Are you sincere, empathetic, and a good listener? Are you interested in restorative justice? If so, becoming a peer conference leader is for you! We are excited to continue the Restorative Justice program called Peer Conference. Peer Conference is for trained student leaders to facilitate small group sessions that help other students resolve low level conflicts and create positive resolutions in situations that have caused harm. Peer conference leaders are REQUIRED to attend training on conflict resolution and restorative justice. There will be bi-weekly meetings on Thursdays from 2:40pm-4:10pm beginning in October and continuing through January. If you are interested, please complete this application by Monday, September 26, 2022. Any questions can be directed to Ms. Nelson at bcnelson@cps.edu.

Paris and London - In Spring!

Springtime is the perfect time to visit Paris and London! Join me on a fun adventure during Spring Break to two of the most famous cities in Europe! Please come to an informational meeting on October 6th in room 214 directly after school. Or, click here and check it out (this time it will work! You will need to create an account)!  Email Ms. Leki-Albano at ngleki-albano@cps.edu with any questions or if you'd like a pdf of the tour itinerary and costs. Students and parents are welcome to the meeting AND the trip!

WY Trip to Australia & New Zealand

Are you interested in joining the Whitney Young Student Trip to Australia & New Zealand in June 2023?


We have some (not a lot) spots left on this incredible journey! Please join Ms. Boyle in Room 200 for an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 21 at 3:20 PM.

Join Us at the Local School Council Meeting

Please join us for our first monthly LSC meeting of the new school year on Wednesday, September 21st at 5:30 pm in the Whitney Young Library. As always, we’ll discuss the latest news affecting the school and what the LSC is working on. You’ll have a chance to ask questions about whatever is on your mind. To see the schedule for the 2022-2023 LSC meetings click here.

Join the Chicago Youth Science Journal

We aim to introduce students to scientific writing and the publication process, as well as provide a place where you can share your research. With a winter and spring publication, your work will be featured next to the work of other students, much like in professional scientific journals.

Dancers on WGN

Guys & Dolls and upperclassmen Poms dancers worked together to surprise WGN news anchor and WY alumna Gaynor Hall for her birthday. The show aired on Saturday, September 10 @ 9:45 AM. Choreography by senior Guys & Dolls member, Dylan Tate. Click here to see our dancers in action and Ms. Hall's reaction to the surprise!

All Students: We Want Your Art Submissions

We are currently accepting submissions for the Art is for Everyone art show. This show is a celebration of the visual artwork created by any Whitney Young student. The show will be held in the WY Art Gallery. Any type of art form is welcome (drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, fashion, photography, graphic design, video, knitting, lego, bedazzling, or other types of creative work). It can be work created for an art class, arts program, or creative project made on your own outside of school. Please click here to access and complete the required submission form. Complete this form and drop off your piece with an art teacher. Each art piece should be labeled with your name and CPS email address (this can be a post it, written on the back, or taped on). ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE AT SCHOOL BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7th!

Homecoming and Court Voting

This year's Homecoming theme that was voted on is Beyond the Stars. Information on tickets and prices has been sent out. Enjoy a fun night with your friends and come to the dance!


Homecoming Court voting will now start! Use this form to vote for who will be this year's Homecoming royalty. The form will close on September 23rd at 11:59 PM. As a reminder, winners must show up to Homecoming - more details and information will provided to the winners as the dance gets closer. Good luck!

Become a Comp. Sci Honor Society Member

Are you interested in computer science? Do you want to earn service hours? Join the WY Computer Science Honor Society! Meeting once a month on Thursday during enrichment, we will create passion projects, do service activities, and so much more. If you want to improve your coding skills or learn about different types of hardware, make sure to apply Anyone in high school can apply! We hope to see your application here.

Chicago Urban League COO Speaks to Students

Ms. Calmetta Coleman, Chief Operating Officer of the Chicago Urban League spoke with our students this past week. Ms. Coleman started her presentation by talking about Whitney M. Young's work as President of the Urban League from 1961-1971. Most of the presentation focused on the social and economic empowerment programs that the Chicago Urban League implements today to promote equity for Black families and communities.

Girls Flag Football Game/Senior Day

Senior Day! Senior Day! Come out and support your Lady Dolphins Flag Football team as they take on Lane Tech H.S in a non-conference flag football game showdown. The game will take place Wednesday, Sept. 21st, 6pm, @ the Michelle Obama Athletic Complex.

Apply to Sister, Sister

Sister, Sister is a Whitney-Young-founded organization dedicated to offering a supportive and uplifting community to young women. Between the ages of 8 and 14, girls' confidence levels fall by 30 percent. To combat this, we work to educate, inspire, and empower young women across Chicago. Sister, Sister is a mentorship program that connects high school and elementary school students, providing elementary school girls with a role model who can inspire confidence and strength, and teaching high school girls how to help others (while earning service learning hours!). We will hold mentoring sessions ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, in person or virtually, and work with girls to pursue their goals and passions, whether academic, artistic, or athletic. We will also provide girls with important lessons in subjects like women's history and career opportunities. Join the google classroom: fkjojq3 and follow the Instagram @sistersister.chi. Reach out to founder Adanma aadebayo-ka@cps.edu. We would LOVE to have you!!!

Open Mic Returns September 22

The WY Poetry Slam Team (which meets on Mondays from 3:30- 4:30) will be having its first Open Mic of the year this Thursday, September 22nd during enrichment in room 188! Come to perform or enjoy poetry, music, rap, stand-up comedy, or any other performance art. Sign up to perform here click here, and a team captain will get back to you. Also, join the google classroom with the code ehonii3 for more information. See you there!

Join Asian American Club

Asian American Club is a welcoming community that spreads Asian culture through various performance opportunities, social justice involvement, and student-led meetings. On top of that, AAC will be having an ice skating event, game nights, movie nights, and more fun events! Our Google Classroom code is m6hmdvo and our membership form is linked here.

Wednesday, September 21

LSC Meeting (5:30 PM, Library)


Thursday, September 22

Quarter 1 Progress Reports Distributed


Friday, September 23

NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day


Wednesday, September 28

Early Dismissal Bell Schedule


Friday, September 30

Homecoming Pep Rally & Game (see above)


Saturday, October 1

Homecoming Dance (see above)




Whitney Young Google Calendar



Chicago Public Schools Calendar


Whitney Young College Representative Visits

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