Superintendent

The 2025-26 school year is very quickly approaching!!  I trust that you have had a fun-filled as well as restful summer. My name is Sam Bentsen and I am the Superintendent of Fenton Community High School District 100. We have had a busy summer, including a considerable amount of construction.

 

As you’re aware, we’re starting school a few weeks later than normal so the new STEM Addition is ready to go on Day 1. Our first day of school will be Monday, August 25. As you’ve seen in Principal Ward’s welcome back letter, freshmen will start the day at 8 a.m. and walk through an abbreviated version of their schedule before the rest of our students arrive at 10 a.m. – at which point we reset and everyone utilizes the 10 a.m. Late Start schedule.

 

This summer’s construction mostly focused on the four hallway connection points that students and staff will soon use to walk from the current building into the new addition. A large portion of the STEM Wing was constructed during last school year and was on-schedule, ready for these connections as soon as school ended. We appreciate the small sacrifices various groups have made along the way. I’m confident everyone will be impressed with what they see!

 

 

 

 

Fenton’s new STEM Wing features 12 state of the art science and technology classrooms that will empower our teachers to expand their curriculum. 

 

A new Learning Staircase in the main atrium serves as both a stairwell and a place for independent study, much like our ARC auditorium but much larger and with many more power outlets. The wall across from the Learning Stairs features a massive LED screen that transforms the area into another classroom or a venue for special events.

 

As School Board President Cary Lewis said at our groundbreaking event last year: “Every student at Fenton High School will have science classes in this building, which also means every child in every neighborhood of Bensenville and Wood Dale will one day walk through this building and have the opportunity to be inspired.”

 

Fenton Families can walk through the new STEM Wing for the first time during our Sneak Peak Night from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 18. Aside from touring the new addition, Sneak Peak Night is a great opportunity for students to reunite with friends, find their classes, be introduced to the building if they’re new to Fenton, and meet upperclassmen in the Fenton Link Crew.

 

 

 

 

As you may or may not know, transportation costs are rising in all sectors of the economy and education is no exception. District 100 recently participated in an efficiency study of our bussing routes. We were able to combine and revise underutilized routes in an effort to offset rising costs. Separate communication is being sent to families that are directly affected.

 

As the school year progresses, Fenton is continuing its goal of connecting alumni with current students. One such initiative is to resurrect the Alumni Wall of Fame, which both recognizes alumni who excel in their profession or who go above and beyond to support Fenton High School, but it also provides current students with strong examples of what’s possible with hard work and dedication.

 

 

 

If you know of any alumni who are deserving of recognition, please visit the alumni portion of our website to learn about the criteria and nomination process.

 

Along the same lines, we’re seeking alumni to join our 100th Annual Band and Choir Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 14th at 2 p.m. 

 

Between what we now know as Fenton High School and our predecessor, Bensenville Community High School, it’s hard to believe our incredible music programs have been at it for 100 years!

 

 

 

The public is obviously invited to attend and enjoy this historic occasion, but the band and choir programs are also looking for music alumni to join the show for some cross generational songs. Mrs. Williams and Mr. George created a signup form for any alumni who want to participate in the concert. Please spread the word!

 

Our theme this year is Leveling Up. This concept applies not only to our students, but to all of our staff – including myself. My commitment in my final year before retirement is to put my successor in the best position to serve this amazing community when they join the team on July 1, 2026. 

 

 

 

You will hear more about our Superintendent Search Process in the coming weeks and months as our selected consultant gets ready to collect feedback from our various stakeholders. We encourage everyone to participate.

 

It’s been an honor and privilege to serve the Bensenville and Wood Dale communities in various capacities here at Fenton since 2018. I know how special Fenton High School is, and I look forward to us continuing to work together throughout the school year.

 

 

Sam Bentsen, Ed.D.

Superintendent