English
at Palatine High
School
www.phs.d211.org/English
(847) 755-1716
The ability to communicate
effectively is essential to academic achievement. The English program at Palatine
develops students’ ability to read efficiently, write clearly, speak
confidently, and find and evaluate information.
In your student’s four years of English he or she will also be
continually exposed to the richness of good literature. Our hope is that every student will find
English at Palatine challenging and rewarding.
English Resources at
PHS:
- Check out the English Department website at www.phs.d211.org/English to see course information, teacher
schedules, recommended reading lists, study tips, test preparation links,
current writing contests, and our Creative Writing Hall of Fame.
- The English Resource Center is located
in the English hallway. Teachers
are available every period to help students with English work. Students can also drop in to type a
paper on one of the computers, check out ACT preparation materials, or
work with reading improvement software.
- The Media Center has current magazines and newspapers, books, and
computers for students to use during free periods and before and after
school.
- Students may enrich their English experience by
taking an English elective class. Palatine offers Speech, Journalism, Drama, Cinema,
Creative Composition and Advanced Reading.
- Students can get involved in a number of English-related clubs and activities. Palatine offers Newspaper, Speech Team, Yearbook,
Literary Magazine, Drama Club, Writers Club and Book Club. These activities are all great ways to
build friendships and have fun while developing English skills.
Some tips for helping your student
succeed in English:
· Ask
him to tell you about the book he’s reading in class.
· Ask
to read one of her latest papers.
· Encourage
reading for fun. Take him to a bookstore
and let him pick out a book.
· Keep
reading material around the house. Point
out an interesting article in a newspaper or magazines you’re reading.
If your
student is struggling in English class . . .
· Encourage
her to get extra help if needed. Make an
appointment to see the teacher for extra help before school or during a free
period.
· Encourage
him to use the English Resource
Center. Students can get one-on-one help with a
writing assignment or ask a question about what they read for homework.
If you have a concern about your student, please don’t
hesitate to contact his or her teacher directly. The English Department wants every student to
have a successful English experience at Palatine.
Craig Kersemeier
Department Chairman
(847) 755-1715
ckersemeier@d211.org
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We look forward to welcoming your child to PHS in the fall!