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A student poses in a hazmat suit
Week of October 16 to October 20
 
Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic en la bandera en la esquina inferior derecha y cambie el idioma.
 
 

Update from Superintendent Ongtengco

 
Dear Fenton Families,
 
We had another successful Kermes on October 7 at White Pines Golf Club. This fundraiser was spearheaded by School Board Secretary Leo Figueroa and other parents of current or graduated Fenton Bison. It’s a labor of love, a passion for sharing culture and bonding over a meal.
 
Fenton School Board Secretary Leo Figueroa speaks to the crowd during the 2023 Latino Heritage Month Kermes.
 
 
Dancers perform at the 2023 Latino Heritage Month Kermes
 
 
Patrons wait in line to buy food at the 2023 Latino Heritage Month Kermes
 
 
Congratulations to seniors Mia Nepomuceno and Hisleny Mendoza for winning the Latino Heritage Month poster contest. The judges at our Kermes were extremely impressed!
 
 
Winners of the Latino Heritage Month poster contest accept their prizes.
 
 

Thank you to all of our parents who made this fundraiser possible, thank you to Joe Vallez and the Bensenville Park District for being an awesome partner, and thank you to everyone who attended. All proceeds benefit Fenton students. 

 
Volunteers for the 2023 Latino Heritage Month Kermes pose for a group photo.
 
 
Patrons buy food at the 2023 Latino Heritage Month Kermes
 
 
Families enjoy food at the 2023 Latino Heritage Month Kermes
 
 
 
If you were unable to attend, click here to watch an awesome video on Facebook or click on the video embedded below.
 
 

 
 
Let’s Go Bison!
 
– James Ongtengco, Superintendent
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
A flier for the Fall Choir Concert on October 22, 2023
 
 
 
 
 

Bandarama 2023 Pumps Up the Volume 

The Fenton High School Marching Bison Band & Bison Chamber Band performed its annual Bandarama on October 17 in the field house, where dozens of parents and family members filled the bleachers. 
 
The Bison Chamber Band featured its Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble, while the Marching Band performed its halftime show music and pep tunes. 
 
 
Students perform in the October 2023 Bandarama Concert
 
 
Students perform in the October 2023 Bandarama Concert
 
 
Students perform in the October 2023 Bandarama Concert
 
 
Students perform in the October 2023 Bandarama Concert
 
 
 
Click here to watch a clip on Facebook or click on the video embedded below.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Fenton Students Earn National Honors from College Board

Congratulations to Alejandro Aguilar Carrera, Cayden Lewis, David Severiano, and Samantha Sanchez for being recognized by the College Board for outstanding academic achievement.
 
As part of an equity initiative a few years ago, the College Board created National Recognition Programs for students from underrepresented populations. These are highly respected honors that carry a lot of weight on a student’s college and scholarship applications.
 
High school students across the country are invited to apply if their PSAT or AP scores are within a certain range. They must also have a GPA of 3.5 or higher by the middle of their junior year.
 
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our students and recognize them for the great work they’ve been doing. We’re proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments like the PSAT and AP exams,” said Principal Sam Bentsen. “There’s so much that makes our students unique, and receiving this honor reinforces this as an asset for their future.”
 
The specific awards are as follows:
 
 
Alejandro Aguilar Carrera poses with Principal Bentsen

Alejandro Aguilar Carrera

National Hispanic Recognition Award
 
 
 
 
Cayden Lewis poses with Principal Bentsen

Cayden Lewis

National African American Recognition Award
 
 
 
 
David Severiano poses with Principal Bentsen

David Severiano

National Hispanic Recognition Award
 
 
 
 
Samantha Sanchez poses with Principal Bentsen

Samantha Sanchez

National Hispanic Recognition Award
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Register for AP Exams in October
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

FBI Shares Tips of the Trade

Special Agents from the Chicago division of the FBI visited Criminal Justice Classes with Ms. Torres on Tuesday, October 17 and explained or demonstrated various methods of collecting forensic evidence. 
 
After learning about techniques, students were able to try their own hand, including taking footwear impressions, lifting fingerprints, and trying on hazmat suits to collect fake chemicals (hand sanitizer).
 
These experiences are part of Fenton's growing efforts to introduce students to potential careers after high school.
 
 
Criminal Justice students learned how to collect forensic evidence from FBI special agents
 
 
Criminal Justice students learned how to collect forensic evidence from FBI special agents
 
 
Criminal Justice students learned how to collect forensic evidence from FBI special agents
 
 
Criminal Justice students learned how to collect forensic evidence from FBI special agents

 

 

 

Free Flu Vaccinations

 
With cold and flu season upon us, the Fenton Health Office is encouraging students and their families to get a seasonal flu shot as a precaution to prevent or minimize the effects of an infection.
 
Our community partners at DuPage Health Coalition have a free Jewel-Osco flu shot voucher for families facing economic hardships. Simply click on the link below, print the voucher, and give it to the pharmacist at any Jewel-Osco in DuPage County before February 28th. The pharmacist might ask for proof that you live in DuPage County, so be prepared to show your driver’s license or any bill with your address.

Voucher for Free Flu Shot

 
If you do not have a printer at home, then ask your student to print this voucher in the ARC at school or have them visit the Health Office.
 
To read more about the flu vaccine, click here to see an informational flier from Families Fighting Flu, Inc.
 
The Fenton Health Office and Community Relations Department have other topics for families to consider:
 
 

Meningococcal Vaccine

All students in Illinois are required to get the Meningococcal Vaccine by their 16th birthday. These vaccines are also available at Jewel-Osco or with your family doctor. If your student has not already received the Meningococcal Vaccine, click here to read more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (haga clic aquí para ver un volante en español.)
 
 

Insurance Coverage, Medical Debt, Free Pharmacy

The DuPage Health Coalition has a variety of other programs to help families in need, including financial assistance with insurance premiums from the Affordable Care Act, assistance in repaying medical debt, and potential access to a free pharmacy. To learn more, click on the links below to see informational fliers.

Silver Access Insurance Premium Assistance

(Español en la página 2)

Or call 630-510-8720 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

 

Free Pharmacy for the Uninsured

(Español en la página 2)

Or call 630-784-4288 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

 

Medical Debt Care DuPage

(Español en la página 2)

Or call (331) 806-3065 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 
 

 

 
A Fenton student donates blood during a 2022 blood drive
 

Give the Gift of Life – Donate Blood

Fenton's Student Council is seeking donors for their November 9 blood drive, which will take place between 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in room 302/304.
 
All students 16 and older, their parents, siblings, and members of the community are invited to participate. 
 
Student Council members will be assisting the staff from Versiti Blood Centers. Everyone who donates blood will receive a free t-shirt and a coupon for buy one, get one entree for half price at Noodles & Co.
 
 
Please read the following helpful tips:
  • Bring a photo ID
  • Students under the age of 18 will need a signed permission slip
  • Make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating blood.
  • Enter through Door 1 (our main entrance) and proceed to room 302/304.
  • Do not plan to participate in any sports or strenuous activities for the rest of the day after donating blood.
 
For more information, contact Christine Casterton by sending an email to casterton@fenton100.org.
 
 
 

 

 
 
A student poses for his picture day portrait
 

Picture Day Retakes/Makeups are November 13

Student portraits for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors were on Wednesday, October 4. For those who could not attend or who do not like their first photo, retake/makeup picture day is set for Monday, November 13.
 
The photos will be available for purchase at www.lifetouch.com/ or by clicking on the links sent to parents directly from Lifetouch. For those who have not already ordered photos, the Lifetouch website will ask for a school code and Fenton’s code is EVTQMRZQ3.
 
Extra paper order forms are also available in the main office. 
 
This retake/makeup day is not for seniors.
 
 
 
 
 

Noteworthy Dates

  • October 22 – Fall Choir Concert, 3 pm
  • October 25 – Board of Education Meeting, 7 pm
  • November 3 – Latin Flavor Mix (Dance), 7 pm
  • November 6 – No School
  • November 9  – Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest, 6 pm
  • November 11 – ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival
  • November 13 – Picture Retakes for Fresh/Soph/Jr
  • November 15 – Board of Education Meeting, 7 pm
  • November 18 – ILMEA District 1 Festival
  • November 22 – Thanksgiving Break
  • November 23 – Thanksgiving Day
  • November 24 – Thanksgiving Break