Week of March 16 to March 20 2026

March 24, 2026 12:45 PM

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Update from Superintendent Bentsen

Dear Fenton School Community,

We are proud to have once again provided a valuable service to our community by hosting our final Food For Families drive through distribution on Thursday, March 5th.

One student hands granola bars from his table to another student who is filling a bag

A staff member, student, and parent all bring food and goods to a car that stopped at their station

Fenton was able to provide food to 193 families thanks to more than 40 students, a few parents, various staff, and School Board Vice President Leo Figueroa. These events provide vital support to local families who are experiencing one form of hardship or another, and our student volunteers learn important life lessons about compassion and selflessness.

Student pose with bags of food they're about to take to a car

School Board Vice President Leonel Figueroa poses with a student volunteer after placing food into a car

Thank you to the Bensenville-Wood Dale Food Pantry and Northern Illinois Food Bank for partnering with us on this important mission.

The group of student and staff volunteers pose for a photo with the Northern Illinois Food Bank truck

Looking Ahead

Spring Break is fast approaching, and it will be our final breather before we hustle toward the finish line. I hope our students and staff find enriching and rejuvenating activities while away from Fenton.

Soon after returning we will have our ever-exciting NHS Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, April 7. The evening is rich with celebrations and important speeches. We're very excited to watch our hard working students shine in the spotlight of the auditorium. And we can't wait to see our students' families fill the seats and cheer as one Fenton Family.

Student(s) participate in the 2025 NHS Ceremony

Then we have state testing on Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15. The ACT is an important exam that enables students to continue their education after high school and it measures the success of our school as a whole.

Juniors will be taking the ACT on Tuesday, April 14. Freshmen and Sophomores will take the PreACT on Wednesday, April 15 as a way to practice and prepare for the actual ACT they will take in their junior year.

More details about ACT testing will be sent via email in the next week or so, and we post testing updates on our website. We encourage our students to prepare for this exam, show up on time, and be well rested.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Sam Bentsen, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Fee Waiver

All families can apply for their school fees and fines to be waived in accordance with Board Policy 4:140. Fenton High School charges fees for textbooks, consumable materials, extracurricular activities, and other school student fees. Students must also pay fines for the loss of or damage to school books or other school-owned materials.

Families can learn more about fee waivers on our website: https://www.fenton100.org/parents/fee-waiver

McKinney-Vento Homeless Act

Families that are experiencing homelessness, defined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act (42 U.S.C. § 11301) as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, may be eligible for support services to assist students with continued success in school. Information regarding the Act can be found on our website at: https://www.fenton100.org/parents/enrollment-withdrawal/homelessmckinney-vento-act.

For further information or to discuss your needs, please contact Dr. Eric Koranda, school district homeless liaison, at 630-860-6255.

VNA Health Care Offers Affordable, Local Options for Physicals and Immunizations

As we fast approach the start of the new school year, it is important to make sure that your child is up to date with any required school, sports, and camp physicals and immunizations. These check-ups are essential to maintain your child’s health and meet school and state guidelines—helping to prevent any missed days from school, sports or camp.

In Illinois, students are required to have a school physical along with updated immunizations at specific grade levels and for certain activities. Here’s when your child may need them:

9th Grade: A physical exam is required to begin high school, along with any required immunizations
12th Grade: Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine – All 12th graders must show proof of receiving the vaccine
New to Illinois Schools or Change in School District: Any student enrolling in an Illinois school for the first time or moving to another school district must have a physical exam, along with required immunizations, regardless of grade.
Sports Participation (Grades 6–12): A sports physical is required annually prior to tryouts for students who plan to participatein school athletic programs.
Camp Participation: Many camps also require a recent physical to ensure children are healthy and cleared for activities.

VNA offers comprehensive and affordable school, sports, and camp physicals at 15 convenient locations (www.vnahealth.com/locations) with or without an appointment.

Now is the best time to schedule your child’s physical. Click here to read the full letter from VNA Health Care.

A flier for the Spring Musical depicting cartoon girls with the title 'Mean Girls' and the show dates of April 23, 24, and 25

Creative writing students visit the American Writers Museum in Chicago

Getting Inspiration from Historical Writers

Creative Writing class with Ms. Abra Millman enjoyed going on a field trip to the American Writers Museum in downtown Chicago on March 12.

Creative writing students click buttons at the American Writers Museum to hear audio about an author

Creative writing students write about their family immigration story as part of an exhibit at the American Writers Museum in Chicago

Creative writing students use type writers to create draft stories while visiting the American Writers Museum in Chicago

Creative writing students use type writers to create draft stories while visiting the American Writers Museum

Chef Cam Returns to Fenton

Thank you to Chef Cam Dangerfield, a two-time Food Network Master Chef Champion, for visiting Fenton on Friday, March 20 to prepare and serve our students The Golden Chipotle Chicken with cilantro rice, black beans, and mango pico de gallo during each lunch period.

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Chef Cam is from Whitsons Culinary Group, our cafeteria contractor, in a joint partnership to showcase the culinary career pathway.

Master Chef Cam Dangerfield prepares food for students

Master Chef Cam Dangerfield poses for a photo with a students

Students pose with a college representative and their banner

College Fair Guides Students Toward Goals

Thank you to the many admission representatives that attended our College Fair on Monday, March 16 to kick off College Exploration Week. These admission representatives shared valuable insights with Fenton students of all ages.

Similar to our exciting Career Week in late February, this series of events includes opportunities for students to explore potential paths toward their goals, and even meet people who can help them get started.

Other activities included a scholarship workshop, a college decision game, virtual alumni panel, virtual college tours, and college Kahoot.

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A large group of students tour the College Fair in the ARC

Students pose with a college representative during the College Fair

Students talk with a college repetitive during the College Fair in the ARC

Students pose at a table with a college representative for a school they're interested in attending.

A student poses with a technician while donating blood

Fenton’s Blood Drive Exceeds Goal

Thank you to all our students, staff, and community members who donated blood during the Student Council Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 18 in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois.

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Our goal was to collect 46 units of donated blood. The tally shows Fenton High School produced 53 units!

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The potential number of patients helped by our blood drive is estimated at 159 people!

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Within our total, it's important to point out that 29 people courageously donated blood for the first time!

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Thank you to Ms. Casterton and her team of Student Council leaders!

Members of the Student Council pose near a blood drive sign

Two students pose with technicians while donating blood at the Spring Blood Drive

The cast of Group Interpretation's 'Theater Camp' production pose with their plaque after advancing through Sectionals to State

Group Interpretation Qualifies for State!

Congratulations to Fenton's Group Interpretation Cast of "Theater Camp" for advancing through the West Chicago Sectional on Saturday, March 21 and qualifying to the IHSA State Finals this upcoming weekend!

The cast of Group Interpretation's 'Theater Camp' perform the opening act during practice in the ARC

Two students act out a dramatic scene in Group Interpretation's production of 'Theater Camp' during practice in the ARC

An extra round of applause for our students who were honored with All Sectional Cast recognition:

Arturo Hurtado Jr.
Angelina Varghese
Alita Thach
Sebastian Botello
Analia Arteaga
Jason Vargas

Group Interpreatation students who earned All Sectionals honors pose for a photo

The cast and crew of Contest Play 'Living Out' pose with their plaque after advancing through Sectionals to State

Contest Play Qualifies for State!

Congratulations to Fenton's Contest Play cast and crew of "Living Out" for advancing through the West Chicago Sectional on Saturday, March 21 and qualifying to the IHSA State Finals this upcoming weekend!

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Students perform a scene in the Contest Play production of 'Living Out'

Extra congratulations to our cast members who received an All Sectional Recognition:

Faith Wrzeciona
Emir Yabukoglu
Damaris Lopez
Alonso Romero

Contest Play students who earned All Sectionals honors pose for a photo

A Fenton baseball player pitches the ball in the team's home opener

Bison Baseball Opens the Season 2-0

Congratulations to the Fenton Baseball Team for winning back-to-back games to start this 2026 season. They opened the season at home with a 7-3 victory over Waukegan on Thursday, March 19 and then defeated Niles West 8-4 on Friday, March 20.