Harper Happenings
January 20-24
What's Happening
Important Upcoming Dates-
- NO SCHOOL: Monday, January 20th
- Open Gym: January 13 through to Monday, March 16, 2020. Open Gym will be in the school gymnasium between 6:30-8:00pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult. A change of shoes is a MUST for inclement weather. This event is funded by the PTO and open to ONLY Harper students.
- Harper Chorus starts: Tuesday, January 21st
- Be a Hero Blood Drive: Friday, January 31st
- Library volunteers needed- see link below
Principal's Message
Dear Harper Families,
As we enter the 2nd half of January and towards the end of the 1st semester of the school year, I wanted to provide a few curricular highlights from this week:
Kindergarten: Students have started their Super Readers Reading unit, where they are getting super reading powers like pointer power and snap word power. We look forward to seeing their reading develop!
1st Grade: Students are studying leadership by focusing on biographies of famous leaders of our past and present in social studies! These activities are always important but especially fitting around the time of Martin Luther King Jr. Day where students learned more about this important person.
2nd Grade: Students had an exciting end to the Native American unit. Students worked in teams to design and implement a plan to make either an igloo, longhouse, or hogan. They tried to model them after the real versions - using bark, dirt, sugar cubes/marshmallows (for snow), etc. to try to make them realistic. They reflected on their "Three C's" afterwards during this hands on STEM culminating activity.
3rd Grade: Students are in the midst of their explorer research after studying Lewis and Clark. Students are jigsawing different explorers and looking at their expeditions while comparing and contrasting to Lewis and Clark! This is a perfect example of how social studies, reading, and writing all blend together and help students make connections and improve on many important skills.
4th Grade: Students packed 129 box of meals at Feed My Starving Children on Wednesday. Volunteers, such as our students hand-pack the meals. The meals are then donated to FMSC food partners around the world, where kids are fed and lives are saved! Our 4th graders were moved by the stories shared about kids around the world that have received such meals. Kids were motivated to pack as many boxes as they could to help as many as possible.
All students also all had different experiences and activities to learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his important place in our society.
Have an excellent weekend and please enjoy the day off on Monday.
Aaron
Parent Planning Notes:
- Parent Events: HERE is an informational flyer about another parent event coming up on February 5, 2020 at 7:00pm at WJHS titled, “Understanding How Identities are Impacting Students Today.” HERE is a list of many of the remaining parent educational events for the school year.
- Kindergarten and KEEP39 (Kindergarten Enrichment and Enhancement Program) Registration has started. Come to Harper School to enroll! Please share this information with families who have incoming kindergartners. For more information or questions, please email Aaron Dubnow at dubnowa@wilmette39.org
- Cold Weather Planning: As the Winter is here and the weather is getting colder, please prepare accordingly. Students should have jackets to wear outside. When there is snow, students must have hats, gloves, boots, and snowpants.
- Before and After School: Supervision before school begins at 8:20am. Please try to not drop off your kids before then. After school, students should be walking while on school property as well as walking their bikes until they are off the school grounds. Thank you for your help reinforcing these expectations.
- Summer School Enrichment Program information HERE. Registration is done online and open February 17.
Thornwood Traffic Information: We received a call from Christopher Cordeck with the Wilmette Department of Engineering. He wanted to let us know that Thornwood Ave. (between Dartmouth and Hunter) will be closed beginning January 29th thru February 7th between 7am-4pm. They are demoing a home (2336 Thornwood). There will be detour signs.
You are all invited to the Highcrest Learning Commons Open House on January 27 at 4:30pm. HERE is the invitational flyer.
Announcements
- Registration for this spring's Harper Chorus is still open! All 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders are welcome to join. Rehearsals are on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:50am in the auditorium starting January 21. Sign up at the Harper PTO website: http://www.harperpto.com/harper-chorus/
- Be A Hero Blood Drive, 1/31/2020 11am - 4pm @ the Wilmette Rec Center
In honor of two Wilmette D39 superhero kids who faced cancer, including Harper's own Super Petey. Feel free to bring along your children, as we will have supervision and fun activities for them while you give blood. To sign up, please visit: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive and enter zip code 60091. If you have questions, reach out to Marnie at marnie.vandervoort@gmail.com
- Enrichment: The 1st grade classes will be participating in a fun, hands on workshop on 1/27 conducted by High Touch High Tech. The program corresponds with the students’ science curriculum and is called ‘What’s the Matter.’
Jr. Great Books: Does your child love to read or be read to? If so, consider signing them up for Junior Great Books! During the program which runs from February 10 through March 20, students are asked to read a new story each week, and then discuss it with the group during the lunch hour. The deadline to register is January 26. This program isn't possible without parent volunteers! Please let us know if you are interested in getting involved. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44AEAE28A7FD0-junior
- It's time to buy your YEARBOOK, before its too late!! Go online now to purchase.. http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09862418
- After School Clubs: There are a lot of great clubs/activities that are offered for your child at HARPER SCHOOL!!! See flyer below for sign-up... there are still spots available!!!!
- Girls on the Run: Harper will be participating in Girls on the Run this spring. The program is 10 weeks with practices twice a week after school leading up to a 5K run event. It is open to third and fourth-grade girls. Sign-up runs until 2/14 at the GOTR website (gotrchicago.org) Also, if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to be one of the coaches for the team, you can sign up for that as well at gotrchicago.org.
- Stock the Teacher Lounge: new spots for JAN 2020 have been added: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4faea722a3f58-stock
iGNITE
http://harperpto.com/ignitetaxletter/
If you have not made a donation, it is never too late! We are still short of our goal that assures all enrichment activities are funded for our kids.
http://harperpto.com/ignite-donation/
If you have any questions or can't remember if you made a donation, please reach out to Jill Huebsch, jillhuebsch@gmail.com
Community Service Corner
Making His Dream a Reality - January 20th school is closed to observe Martin Luther King Day. What better way to start your year than by focusing on “repairing the world”? January 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States, and Dr. King devoted his life to repairing the world. This is a great day for discussions about your family’s values. Talk with your kids about impactful leaders like Dr. King, seeking justice for all, and what your family can do together.
5 ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with your
It can be tough to explain to children the significance of the civil rights movement and the impact Martin Luther King, Jr. made as an activist. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available for families when it comes to this heavy subject matter. These projects, books, events and activities will help familiarize your children with MLK and the themes of equality and peace on a level they can understand. If your child has Martin Luther King, Jr. day off from school, set aside some time to learn about the civil rights leader together.
Read “I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World)” - According to reviews, this biography is perfect for elementary students who are being introduced to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message for the first time. The book explores MLK’s life and fight for justice while staying appropriate for young children and serving as a conversation starter.
Color a picture of MLK - Sometimes the easiest way for a child to learn is through art. These free printables from Crayola are simple and age appropriate, plus they could be a good way to follow up reading an MLK book together. Grab some crayons and markers and get to creating.
Make a “peace” craft - Here’s another way to honor MLK’s messages of peace and love through artwork. Paint peace signs, create paper dove garland or paint a dove using your child’s handprint. These crafts are easy and fun for preschoolers and elementary school kids, plus you probably already have the supplies needed around your house.
Attend MLK events in your area - Chicago and the suburbs have plenty of free family events to help commemorate the day, including Museum of Science and Industry’s Black Creativity Family Day and Chicago History Museum’s MLK Day event. Each of the museums has activities for both younger and older children, and explore MLK’s message through poetry, art, music, and science. ***SEE ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS BELOW.
Watch the “I Have a Dream” speech - For older kids, watching the speech that Dr. King famously gave on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is a powerful way to hear his message. Despite taking place almost 55 years ago, King’s words resonate just as strongly today.
***Here is a list of other MLK Day Activities going on in the area:
Wilmette Public Library - Stand for Something!
Monday, January 20, 2:00-4:00. Youth Program Room. Grades 3-8. Be a junior activist! In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., design and construct a yard sign for an issue or candidate you believe in. Yard signs and art supplies provided.Evanston Public Library - Drop-In Peace Tree Craft in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Come to the Main Children's Room to make a peace tree of many hands together, one of several meaningful Martin Luther King Jr Day events! While making your peace tree in the Main Children's Room, you can also
1. Attend our MLK Jr Film Festival! (starts 12:45pm)
2. Get a FREE BOOK from Young Black and Lit! (starts 2:30 pm)
3. Come to the Coretta Scott King Award Winner Storytime with Mr. Brian Wilson! (starts 2:40pm)
4. Listen to the Rev. Eddie P Reeves reenactment of the "I have a Dream" speech! (Starts 3pm)
5. Help us sing at the Community Sing A Long lead by Marlene Meyer (starts 3:20 pm)
Martin Luther King Day Celebration - Join us in the Children's Room on Monday, January 20 to remember and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Get free books, enjoy a storytime, and listen to the I Have A Dream speech!
Martin Luther King Film Festival - Martin's Big Words and March On!
Come view these 2 short films based on best selling children's books to get an elementary school overview of King and his leadership of American's Civil Rights movement.
Join PJ Library and TOV for a morning of volunteering! Come for a morning of community service (Takiff Center in Glencoe) and make blessing bags to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Visit the Kindness Connection @ Northbrook Court to volunteer and create are art-based and creative projects which result in useful gifts for recipients who will benefit from kindness. Free projects will be available from 11am – 6pm.
Cradles to Crayons - MLK Day of Service Collection Drive - Get ready for the #c2cMLKdrive2020 on Monday, January 20, 10-1 PM! We have 31 drop-off sites through the city and suburbs including Andersonville, Logan Square, Glencoe, Evanston, La Grange. Click here to find a drop-off location near you!
Most-needed items (Winter Coats, Winter Boots, Warm Clothing, Toys, Books)
The Volunteer Center and Winnetka Youth Organization Annual MLK Day of Service - "GIVE BACK IN HARMONY" to honor the legacy of Dr. King and his dedication to service and equality through peaceful means. Event includes multiple hands-on projects for people of all ages and abilities at The Community House in Winnetka. Families, friends and service groups are invited to stop by anytime between 1 and 4pm. There are no reservations or admission fees required. Most project materials are provided, except those who choose to make a no-sew blanket for the homeless are asked to bring 4 yards of fleece fabric. There will be a limited number of fleece blanket kits available for purchase if they prefer. Used T-shirts for pet toys for orphaned animals are welcomed. Donations are also requested of unopened laundry detergent for the New Trier Township Food Pantry, and gently used warm coats for refugee and homeless shelter are appreciated. Over a dozen nonprofits will be served by the projects created and donated on this special day.
Join members of the Connections for the Homeless community in supporting their partners at Interfaith Action of Evanston on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for their first annual Walk for Warmth! The walk will take place on Monday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and will be approximately 2 miles. Support participants who rely on the Emergency Shelters during the cold winter months. It will meet outside of Lake Street Church of Evanston and proceed as a group to First United Methodist Church, the starting location for the walk after a special day of service. For more information and to sign up for the service day, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Hail Khalaf at 847.475.7070 x217 or at hkhalaf@connect2home.org.
Community News
Visit the musical petting zoo at the Music Institute of Chicago January 19th 2:00 - 4:00 pm in Evanston.
- Scout Troop 5 hosts its Annual Open House on Monday, January 27th 7:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette.
- “Be a Hero” Blood Drive January 31st, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at Wilmette Community recreation Center. Pediatric Cancer patients rely on blood donations.
- Wilmette Historical Museum presents “Fun with the Lincolns: February 16th 2:00 - 3:30 pm
- Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
- The Center for Gifted hosts Fall, Winter and Summer programs. View flyers for details.
- NSSRA offers Campyardigans for Summer 2020. See flyer for details.
- The Community House in Winnetka holds "The Annual MLK Day of Service" on January 20th, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Volunteers are invited to perform or sing during the “Harmony” portion of the event.
- Family Action Network (FAN) hosts John Duffy interviewed by Heidi Stevens on “Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety” January 17th, 7:00 pm at North Shore Country Day School Auditorium
- Wilmette Park District Saturday Basketball is back! For boys & girls grades 4-8.
- Sunday Youth Basketball for boys & girls grades 1-3. Contact Sara Hilby for information at shilby@wilpark.org
All announcements to be included in the Harper Happenings should be sent to Kelly Maggio via the Communication Request Form by Mondays at 9 am. If you do not receive an email response within 24hrs, please send an email to kwmaggio@gmail.com to confirm your Communication Request Form was received.
For more school information, visit the Harper PTO website.
For additional D39 community events, visit wilmette39.org