Upcoming Important Dates
April 18 - National ACT Test date
April 25 - Saturday School, 8:30 - 11:30 (BGHS Library)
April 27 - Senior Core with Counselors
May 2 - Saturday School, 8:30 - 11:30 (BGHS Library)
May 4 - May 15 - AP Exams
May 9 - Saturday School, 8:30 - 11:30 (BGHS Library)
May 15 - 8th grade ELL visit, 10:00 - 1:00
May 16 - Saturday School, 8:30 - 11:30 (BGHS Library)
May 18 & May 19 - PARCC Testing
May 20 - May 22 - AP Exams (late testing dates)
May 25 - No School
May 28 - Senior Day
May 30 - Saturday School, 8:30 - 11:30 (BGHS Library)
May 31 - Commencement
June 3 - June 5 - Final Exams
June 5 - End of Semester 2, Last Day of School
Francesca Pecoraro - Illinois School Counselor of the Year
Buffalo Grove High School counselor Francesca Pecoraro has recently been named Illinois School Counselor of the Year for 2015. She was selected for her outstanding listening skills and advocacy in providing students with the resources, support, and encouragement needed to attain success during their high school careers and beyond. She is also a peer leader at BGHS and throughout District 214. Pecoraro will receive this prestigious award at the Illinois School Counselor Association (ISCA) conference at the Skokie Holiday Inn on April 24.
Pecoraro works with BGHS students in the English Language Learners (ELL) program. She has presented numerous times for RAMP (Recognized ASCA—American School Counselor Association-- Model Program) and has twice led her school in receiving the RAMP designation as a comprehensive, data-driven counseling program in a school with an exemplary educational environment.
Buffalo Grove's Associate Principal Robert Hartwig, who oversees the BGHS Student Services department, commented, "Francesca is as hard-working a counselor as I have ever worked with in my 24 years in education. She always has the student's best interests at the forefront of every decision she makes. It is truly an honor to work with her on a daily basis."
Fellow BGHS counselor Brian Linhart added, "Francesca’s kindness extends not only beyond her office walls, but also beyond her caseload. Being fluent in Spanish, Francesca is often called upon to help with other counselors or specialists in our student services department. With this in mind, Francesca has been asked to make some pretty tough phone calls on our behalf, and handles them with grace and respect. She is the epitome of what a school counselor should be, and is the person parents can feel confident with guiding their children on a path of success."
District Coordinator of Student Services Dustin Seemann cites Pecoraro's "open door" policy with her students and peers as a key element in her effectiveness, building trust with all individuals she encounters in her role as counselor and colleague. According to Seemann, Pecoraro is knowledgeable in topics of depression, social and emotional problems of less-motivated students, and the challenges of those dealing with poverty and academic shortfall.
"(Francesca) is consistently thinking of new, innovative ways to challenge her fellow counselors in her school and others in the district," said Seemann.
Pecoraro was surprised and "humbled" to learn of her award. "It was really nice to get so much support from everyone in the district. I am very fortunate to work with such wonderful colleagues at BG and in District 214."
Happenings in Freshman Advisory
We are wrapping up a very successful year in our Advisory program. Over the next couple weeks, students will explore the processes in filling a job application, for those who are interested in obtaining a job while they are in high school, and begin to look at what it’s like to fill out a college application, so that they have some exposure to the process. The end of the year will culminate with some fun activities.
We are also in the process of collecting applications for Bison Advisory Mentors for next school year. Students can go to http://www.tinyurl.com/BisonAdvisoryMentorApp to complete an application for consideration.
College and Career Center Month in Review
Attention Seniors-Class of 2015
May 1st is the National Commitment date for all colleges and universities. Hopefully, you all made your decisions, notified your choice school, and applied for housing. The sooner you commit, the more likely you are to get your housing choice and your preferred registration date.
Senior District 214 Survey and Final Transcript Request
All seniors will complete the District 214 Senior Survey on April 27th. Seniors will use this opportunity to tell us where to send their final transcript required by the school they will be attending in the fall. Final transcripts will be sent out in June after grades are completed.
Attention Class of 2016
The District 214 College Fair at Harper College on Tuesday, April 7th was a huge success! About 2,000 students and their families were in attendance. They had the opportunity to talk with over 200 colleges and university from across the nation.
The District 214 College Fair at Harper College on Tuesday, April 7th was a huge success! About 2,000 students and their families were in attendance. They had the opportunity to talk with over 200 colleges and university from across the nation.
College Visits: A Necessity-There’s no substitute for seeing a college yourself!
Plan ahead. Most schools offer a number of visit options for you and your family. This might include an open house, campus tour, meet faculty and students in your major, classroom visits or shadow programs. It is important to register for your campus visits online at each school’s website or call to schedule a visit. Plan now. Popular schools close their registration for visits when full.
An Invitation to Juniors and their Parent
I would like to take this opportunity to invite our junior students and their parents to meet with me for the purpose of post high school planning. These meetings provide an opportunity for me to get to know you, discuss student’s interests, and provide information about the college search and selection process. Scheduling an appointment will help focus your attention on particular colleges or universities you may already be considering. Returning to school in the fall, ready to send in college applications, gives students the best chance for admission and scholarships. Students are required to complete the College Planning Worksheet, which is available on Naviance under the About Me tab before an appointment can be scheduled. Please call or see Mrs. Sikora College Career Assistant, to schedule your appointment. All appointments will be held during the school day. I look forward to the opportunity to meet with junior students and their parents.
Get to Know Counselor Jill Hamilton
My name is Jill Hamilton and I have been a School Counselor at Buffalo Grove High School since 2000. Prior to being a counselor, I was a Special Education Teacher at Nipper Career Education Center, an alternative school in District 214. Working with teenagers makes me smile on a daily basis. I enjoy seeing them grow, learn and navigate high school. They challenge me and teach me new things each and every day. I am married and have 2 sons and 2 dogs. Being a counselor helps me as a parent, as I am learning how to better communicate with my own children. BGHS is a great school with great opportunities for students.
Student Service Contact Information
Name
|
Job Title
|
Phone #
|
Email
|
Christy Azriel
|
Psychologist
|
847-718-4218
|
christy.azriel@d214.org
|
Bill Brown
|
Counselor
|
847-718-4065
|
bill.brown@d214.org
|
Denise Caffarello
|
Admin Assistant
|
847-718-4022
|
denise.caffarel@d214.org
|
Kathy Fox
|
College Counselor
|
847-718-4067
|
kathy.fox@d214.org
|
Eric Garneau
|
Data Processor
|
847-718-4071
|
eric.garneau@d214.org
|
Jill Hamilton
|
Counselor
|
847-718-4064
|
jill.hamilton@d214.org
|
Rob Hartwig
|
Associate Principal
|
847-718-4012
|
robert.hartwig@d214.org
|
Sherry Heart
|
Registrar
|
847-718-4192
|
sharon.heart@d214.org
|
Lily Justiniano
|
Counselor
|
847-718-4024
|
lily.justiniano@d214.org
|
Jeff Kondrad
|
Counselor
|
847-718-4066
|
jeff.kondrad@d214.org
|
Brian Linhart
|
Counselor
|
847-718-4069
|
brian.linhart@d214.org
|
Roger Mills
|
Outreach Counselor
|
847-718-4068
|
roger.mills@d214.org
|
Francesca Pecoraro
|
Counselor
|
847-718-4070
|
francesca.pecor@d214.org
|
Elizabeth Pilarski
|
Counselor
|
847-718-4191
|
elizabeth.pilar@d214.org
|
Melissa Sang
|
Social Worker
|
847-718-4172
|
melissa.sang@d214.org
|
Jennifer Zacharski
|
Psychologist
|
847-718-4063
|
jennifer.zachar@d214.org
|
