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Week of August 19 to August 23
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Update from Interim Superintendent Bentsen
Dear Fenton School Community,
This new school year is off to a great start. To build a good foundation for success, Interim Principal Kate Ward and her building leadership team met with each grade level for separate Bison Time presentations to communicate our priorities for this year.
They covered the importance of attendance, talked about safety topics, introduced this year’s approach to Social Emotional Learning and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports), and the counselors and social workers in our Student Services team explained a few important topics. We strongly encourage our students and their families to utilize the support systems that are in place so that all students can be successful.
Open House
Similarly, we look forward to meeting with our parents and guardians at Open House to cover many of these same topics and more. We want school and home to work as one.
This year’s Open House is set for Thursday, August 29. Mark your calendars! Parents and guardians can meet all your student’s teachers, put a face to the name, exchange goals and expectations for your student, and start the school year squarely on the same page.
Interim Principal Ward will give an introduction at 6:15 p.m. in the auditorium. After reviewing numerous school-wide topics, parents will follow a shortened version of their student’s schedule. You will get to see first hand the day-to-day routine our students experience.
Keeping Our Kids Cyber Safe
As we continue to focus on student safety, Fenton is partnering with BeSure Consulting for various educational programming and staff training. BeSure Consulting is a team of current and retired law enforcement professionals.
Our first session is titled “Keeping Our Kids Cyber Safe” and it will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3. Presenters will cover sexting, cyber bullying, sextortion, the dangers of using social media, and how to report a cyber crime – among other topics. Click here to see our event flier.
All Fenton Families and community members are invited to attend the September 3 presentation. The presentation will be available in English, Spanish, and Polish.
BeSure Consulting will provide additional training to our teachers later in September and will give presentations to all students in October.
Stadium Home Opener
We are excited to once again host athletic contests and a variety of extracurricular activities in our home stadium. To celebrate completion of our stadium renovation, we are offering free admission to our first home football game on Friday, September 6.
We have a brief opening ceremony at 6:15 p.m. followed by kickoff at 7 p.m. All students, especially those whose teams or activities take place in the stadium, are invited to this celebration. We’re also inviting all community members and staff to join us in celebrating this new asset.
As a reminder, artificial turf and an IHSA regulation track were installed as a result of our water mitigation project needing to dig inside the stadium to replace old drainage pipes.
Again, welcome back. Let us know if you have any questions about the new year.
Sam Bentsen, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Best Shots of Summer!
Students in photo classes with Ms. JoAnna Rieger browsed their camera rolls from over the summer and uploaded their best photos to a slideshow that was reviewed in each class for outstanding photography elements seen in each picture. Students later voted on their four favorite shots.
The winners include:
- Aruba Skiston
- Evelyn Alvarez
- Eddie Lira
- Michael Mosby II
Click here to see the winning photos or review the embedded slideshow below.
Bison Nation Embraces Spirit Week
Students thoroughly enjoyed a Welcome Back Spirit Week that was led by Interim Principal Kate Ward and Assistant Principal Julia Bray. The goal was for students to enjoy a fun climate while at school and to make new friends while being silly.
The themes included:
- Sports Monday (August 19) – Wear a jersey or shirt to show love for your favorite team
- Neon Tuesday (August 20) – Wear anything neon pink, green, yellow, orange…the brighter the better!
- Hats & Sunglasses Wednesday (August 21) – Wear your favorite hat or pair of sunglasses
- Get Involved Thursday (August 22) – Stop by the Involvement Fair during all lunch periods to join a new club or sport
- Bison Pride Friday (August 23) – Wear your Orange, Blue or any Bison gear
Fenton typically hosts several spirit weeks throughout the school year to build community.
Fenton’s Memorial Run for Scholarships a Success
Thank you to our students and alumni for participating in the Russell B Dahl Time Trial and Love for Laces Scholarships Alumni Run on Saturday, August 17. Mr. Dahl was a legendary Fenton runner who supported the cross country and track teams long after he graduated. This event was created in his honor 10 years ago following his untimely passing. The Dahl family, retired Fenton Coach Kurtz and his wife, Dawn, generously offer a $1,000 scholarship to one Fenton runner each year.
Fenton Celebrates Staff Milestones
Just before the first day of school, Fenton celebrated numerous staff for reaching their 10th year of service, 20th year of service, 30th year of service, or final year of services. These heartfelt recognitions took place at the back to school staff institute on Tuesday, August 13.
For reaching 10 years of valued service to Fenton, congratulations to
- Angela Enlow
- Nancy Kulpa
- Deborah McComb
- Thomas Ruelas
- Kyra Behnke
- Gibel Cushing
- Jessica Muscarello
- Natalie Krygier
- Cameron Kopp
- Jay Ehrhardt
For reaching 20 years of valued service to Fenton, congratulations to
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Stephanie Downen
- Patrick Escobedo
- Michael Laudermith
- Ranjana Rajendran
- Aida Zubovic
For reaching 30 years of valued service to Fenton, congratulations to
- Sara DiGrazia
- Linda Santinello
- Chuck Marchese
Fenton is fortunate to have the following 2025 retirees for one last school year:
- Janet Hanh Kanavos
- JoAnna Rieger
- Peggy Mellenthin
- Lee Cassidy
- Shelly Bibel
- Sue Gaska
Thank you all for your service to our students and our community!
Noteworthy Dates
- August 26 – Fall Play Auditions, 3:20 pm
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August 26 – Tri-M Informational Meeting, 3:20 pm
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August 27 – Fall Play Auditions, 3:20 pm
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August 29 – Open House / Curriculum Night, 6 pm
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August 30 – 12:08 Early Dismissal
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September 2 – No School - Labor Day
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September 3 – “Keeping Our Kids Cyber Safe” Presentation, 6 to 8 pm
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September 6 – First Home Football Game Stadium Reopening Celebration, 6 pm
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September 16 – Senior Portraits Retake/Make Up, 3:30 to 7:30 pm
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September 17 – Senior Portraits Retake/Make Up, 3:30 to 7:30 pm
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September 21 – Link Crew Day of Service
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September 23 thru 27 – Homecoming Week
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September 25 – Board of Education Meeting, 7 pm