5:15 - 6:00 -

Athletics/Activities Fair (Field House - take a left outside of the Aud, and go downstairs)

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6:15 - 7:05

Auditorium Presentation

FUTURE TROJAN NIGHT

Welcome Parents & Class of 2029

This evening’s program:

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*Can also be found in your giveaway bags!*

Your DGN Administrators

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Keith Palz- Associate Principal for Curriculum & Instruction

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Ken Sorensen - Associate Principal for Operations & Technology

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Kelly Zuerner - Associate Principal for Staff & Students

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Erin Ludwick - Associate Principal for Student Support Services

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Mark Mirandola - Student Activities Director

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Dave Rose - Associate Principal for Athletics

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Michelle Cannan - Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds

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Who We Are: Core Values - District 99

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We Care.

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We Trust.

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We Belong.

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We Prepare.

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We Evolve.

Student Success: Student + Family + School = ALL IN.

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Attendance Matters. Period.

Academics with Support

Bell Schedule - Support During the Day

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Other Ways We Support All Students

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Get Involved!

Make Friends - and Memories

Student Board Member:

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Rehan Hashim

What I Wish I Knew

Why Am I Here?

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As you walk the halls of DGN, you should learn about the many opportunities your student will have over the next four years.

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What you’ll see tonight

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Students have multiple paths to choose from

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Balance - stretch and challenge appropriately

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Create a 4-year plan

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9th Grade Orientation: Save the Date

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

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CSSS & Course Registration

Stefanie Andrews

Department Chair for Counseling and Student Support Services (CSSS) & 504 Coordinator

sandrews@csd99.org

630-795-8438

Counseling & Student Support Services (CSSS)

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• Team of Professionals
• School Counselors
• School Social Workers
• School Psychologists
• Dean of Students
• School Nurses
• Student Assistance Program Coordinator
• Student Success Coordinator

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8th Grade Registration

Saturday, February 1, 2025

• Please park on Main Street and enter at Main Street Door
• Update/Verify Demographic Information
• Provide any required health information to Nurse’s Office
• Review course recommendations
• Request elective courses
• Take School ID photo
• Purchase DGN ‘Spirit Wear’

Questions about placements?

English, Math and Science Department Chairs will be available at registration �

Core Courses & Elective Requests

• Core Courses:
• English & Communications
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Physical Education

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• Elective Course Options:
• Year Long Elective (1.0 credit)
• Semester Long Elective (.5 credit)
• Study Hall Option (No Credit)

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• Course Recommendations were shared in email to families
• Z000 Code “No Schedule” - Disregard, Counselor Placeholder
• Don’t forget to bring your 8th grade registration worksheet (email tomorrow and available on Saturday morning)

Reminder: Academic Planning Guide

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SAMPLE 9th Grade Schedule

Reviewing Course Recommendations and Electives

Keep these thoughts in mind as you are reviewing your course recommendations and elective choices.

• Balance- School, Activities, Family and Social Life
• Fit- Create a 4 Year Plan- Make Copies
• Passion- Exploration and Enjoyment

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School Registration & Enrollment

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• Currently Pre-Registration Only
• Summer Enrollment- Early July 2025
• Enrollment is an online process, and families will receive an email.

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• If we need any supporting documentation, you will be directed to contact DGN.

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Thoughts from current seniors

• I wish my parents knew how hard it was to fit in 8 hours of sleep at night.
• I wish my parents and teachers knew how I get very overwhelmed by the expectations to juggle everything.
• I wish my parents knew how much I need my friends.
• I wish my parents knew how hard my classes really are for me.
• I wish my parents and teachers knew how overwhelming thinking about college is for me.

Education transformation

• Card Catalog research in libraries vs. online research
• Textbooks transformed into chromebooks
• Chalkboards converted to dry erase boards which morphed into Smart Boards
• Snow days vs. remote learning days
• Typewriters moved to computers
• Handwriting to typing to voice-to-text

Department Presentations

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Social Studies * English * Math * Science

Physical Education

Social Studies

Social Studies Requirements at DGN

District 99 requires 3 years of Social Studies.

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However, many universities like to see students take four years.

Social Studies Requirements at DGN

9th Grade

Global Connections or Interdisciplinary Studies

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10th Grade

United States History or AP US History (Weighted)

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11th & 12th Grade

At least two electives of which one must be a civics course

Social Studies Electives

Ancient & Medieval History

Modern World History

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Anthropology

Psychology

Sociology

Sociology of Gender

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American Government#

Foreign Policy#

Law in American Society#

Multicultural Studies#

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Contemporary American Issues

Economics*

Advanced Placement

AP European History

AP Macroeconomics

AP Microeconomics

AP Psychology

AP United States Government#

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*Fulfills consumer education requirement for graduation

# Fulfills civics requirement for graduation

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Global Connections & Interdisciplinary Studies Both:

1. Are 300 level courses.
2. Offer rigorous learning and will prepare students for both US History 300 and AP US History.
3. Focus on skill development in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and researching.
4. Examine a diversity of world cultures with an emphasis on major civilizations of the past, as well as current world issues.

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What Are the Difference Between the Two Courses?

What About Honors?

There is no honors level Social Studies course at the 9th Grade level. Students can choose to take Advanced Placement classes as 10th Graders, 11th Graders, and 12th Graders. These provide a weighted grade.

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Questions?

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Come see me in Room 201 during the breakout sessions or contact me at mroethler@csd99.org or 630-795-8241

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English

English Pathways - 4 Year Requirement

English I Honors

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English II Honors

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AP Language & Composition

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AP Literature & Composition

English I

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English II

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English III

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English IV

Course Options/Levels

Literacy Support Offerings

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**Strategies for Academic Success

Strategies for Academic Success II

Strategies for Academic Success III

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***If recommended for one of these support classes, students will be required to enroll. For questions about a placement in one of these courses, please contact Katie Wood, English Department Chairperson (kwood@csd99org)

Full year

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Placement based on reading test scores and/or teacher recommendation

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Supports reading in all content areas

TV and Radio - Elective Offerings for 9th-Grade

Room 173

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Tonight!

Need More Info?

General inquiries → Please pick up the English Informational Handout available outside the auditorium for full details!

Student-specific inquiries → Can be addressed via email or at Saturday’s registration

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MAthEMATICS

Welcome Class of 2029!

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• My Goal: to share a few brief but important insights regarding FAQ’s about Math @ DGN

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• KEY POINT: please be sure to pick up and review the Math Informational Handout available outside the auditorium for full details!

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FAQ – How many math classes are needed?

• 3.o math credits (years) is required for graduation by the State of Illinois

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• However, planning for 4 years is strongly encouraged for all students, to keep as many post-high-school options open as possible

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FAQ – Department instructional vision?

FAQ – Technology requirements?

• All students will utilize Desmos via their school-provided Chromebook within math classes in some capacity.
• A graphing calculator is required at the honors math level only; loaner devices are available. All other classes will need a basic scientific calculator.
• No need to buy anything new now! More details will be posted on our website and shared in the spring.

FAQ – What is Math 1s?

• Students entering in Math 1 or Math 1S can both complete through Precalculus or College Algebra as seniors, and could also add AP Statistics their senior year as an elective.
• Math 1 & Math 1S are not different courses, rather different models of the same course. Similarities vs. differences…
• Perspective on removing the support later now vs. trying to add it in later…

FAQ – Honors vs. non-honors?

• Students entering in Math 2 OR Math 2 Honors can both access AP Calculus &/or AP Statistics as seniors.
• Must have completed Math 1 or an approved equivalent.
• For Math 2 Honors, please consider:

a) current teacher recommendation

b) standardized test scores (if available)

c) presence of specific student traits and class structures utilized as shared in the Math Information Handout!

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• The 9th grade entry point does not ‘lock’ students.

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FAQ – What if I have an inquiry or concern?

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• Send me an email tonight or tomorrow containing:
• “Class of 2029” & student’s name in the subject line
• In addition to your inquiry, including the current school and math course in the email body is extremely helpful

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• Responses will be provided this week in the order received and to as many as possible – thank you for your patience! I will also be there Saturday and can meet with you then.

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• Once again, welcome Class of 2029 - you got this!

Mr. Michael J. Heinz

mheinz@csd99.org

630.795.8211

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How we “science”...

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• Students:
• Become scientifically literate citizens.
• Learn analytical and computational skills.
• Apply those skills to real world experiences.
• Engage in inquiry based activities.
• Design investigations.
• Engage in argument from evidence.

Requirements

• D99 Science– requires two years of science
• One in the area of life-sciences (Biology)
• Another in the area of physical sciences �(Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Physics)
• Over 90% of the students take at least three years (78.8% have physics as a 3rd year)

•Colleges & Universities – majority require at least three years of science but like to see four years.

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4 year overview…

Keep your individual goals in mind while planning.

Science Course Selection

for 9th grade students

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Science Course Selection Process

Step 1 - Grade Level or Honors Level

• Recommendation
• Based on:
• MS Standardized Test Scores (ELA/Math)
• MS Performance
• 8th grade teacher recommendation
• “Fit” with Math, English,SPED Placement
• Individually reviewed by DGN Science DC

Science Course Selection Process

Step 2 - Student/Family Choice (interest, ability, need)

• Those recommended for “Grade Level”
• GL Earth & Space
• GL Biology
• May request to be considered for Honors�
• Those recommended for “Honors”
• Honors Biology
• Honors Earth & Space
• GL Biology
• GL Earth & Space

CHOOSE 1

This will go toward completing your graduation requirement in science !

Course Selection for 9th grade students

SCIENCE ELECTIVE OFFERING AVAILABLE

Principles of Biomedical Science (PBS)(PLTW)

• explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person
• explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life
• examine autopsy and medical history reports
• work with the same equipment and tools used by biomedical professionals
• investigate careers in the field of biomedical science

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AP Environmental Science

Students complete a waste analysis of lunchtime garbage along with members of SCARCE!

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Science/Cultural Themed Travel

AP Biology

Students work with Andrew Hipp – leading researcher at Morton Arboretum!

Anatomy & Physiology

Students “reverse dissecting” – using clay to learn muscles

Global Leadership Summit -2024 Berlin/CzechRepublic/Vienna/Budapest

Costa Rica - 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2026(?)

Partnership with the DG Township!

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�“Downers Grove North Environmental Science Students will be able to practice what they’re taught in the Townships first STEM Prairie Lab. This partnership will showcase what citizens and businesses can do themselves on their own properties, as wel as train our youth.”

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Physical Education, Health & Driver Education

E-Mai: cwhite@csd99.org

Physical and Emotional Wellness 1

Semester 1 Focus

• Intro to fitness concepts
• Components of health & wellness (health vs skill)
• Rhythmic movement
• Target Heart Rate/FITT Principles of Fitness
• Effects of exercise on academic performance
• Mental Health Support

Semester 2 Focus

• Aerobic vs Anaerobic Exercise
• Introduction to the Primary Muscle Groups & their functions
• Aquatic fitness and safety
• Understanding warm up and cool down techniques
• Mental Health Support

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Wait! How is my baby ready to drive!?

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General Driver Education Info?

• Course fee of $250
• Offered during the school year and during summer school
• General cut off dates are 12/1 and 4/1 for 1st and 2nd semester respectively

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We take care of

• Permit & Vision Test
• Permit Application
• Sec. of State database entry
• Permit pick up

Can I take Driver Education as a Freshman?

Unfortunately, No…...

• The earliest opportunity to enroll is during summer school following freshmen year

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• There is no waiting list...
• Counselors enroll based on birth date
• 136 seats available per semester

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Specific Questions?

This Saturday’s Registration Availability:

English: Katie Wood

Math: Jon Heldmann

Science: Mike Heinz

Questions about Special Services: Jorie Burtnette: jburtnette@csd99.org also in Room 221 tonight

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Department Chair Contact Info

Questions about English: Katie Wood kwood@csd99.org

Questions about Math: Jon Heldmann jheldmann@csd99.org

Questions about Science: Mike Heinz mheinz@csd99.org

Questions about Social Studies: Mike Roethler mroethler@csd99.org

Questions about PE/Health/Driver Ed: Courtney White cwhite@csd99.org

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What’s Next?

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7:15-8:02: Curricular Break-out Session Presentations

SESSION 1 7:15 – 7:28 PM � SESSION 2 7:33 – 7:46 PM � SESSION 3 7:51 – 8:02 PM�

Sandra Guzman is available for Spanish Speaking Assistance

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Theatre Session only running Session 1 & Session 2

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Special Services Drop In: Sessions 1 or 2 in Room 221 with Jorie Burtnette

Tips & Notes:

• Think long term when visiting sessions! We have four years together.

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