HIGHCREST HEADLINES
February 2, 2024
A Message from the Administrative Team
Happy Friday, HMS Families!
Next week on Wednesday, parents will receive access to first semester report cards. Our report cards at Highcrest at the semester include three components:
- PROCESS MARKS: Students receive a 3, 2, or 1 to indicate frequency with which they exhibit behaviors for learning
- PROGRESS MARKS: Students will receive a 4, 3, 2.5, 2, or 1 to indicate how they are progressing or meeting the priority standards for that class
- PRODUCT MARKS: Students will receive an A, B, C, or D to indicate summatively how they are progressing over the course of the semester
When we see the letters on a report card, it can often give us memories of our own experiences in middle school, however, this is not your parent's letter grade! The grades or product marks on the report card are NOT based on a 0-100 scale and are not a percentage of how students have achieved over the course of the semester (it is not an average of all of the test/quiz grades). The letter grades on the report card at Highcrest are based on the evidence of growth and learning that the student has exhibited over the course of the semester on meeting the standards. An A or a B indicates students have met most if not all of their grade level standards over the course of a semester. A C may indicate there have been some difficulties in meeting the standards, and the student is still progressing in that direction, and a D indicates that the student has experienced difficulty on the meeting the standards over the course of the semester, and that continued support is needed to help them meet the standards.
Information for parents about all three of these areas and what you can expect when you see the report cards next week is available on the HMS PROGRESS REPORTING SITE. Please take a look as you receive your child's cards, and celebrate all of the growth they have made so far this year!
Have a great weekend,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
SMART WATCHES
As a reminder, smart watches are supposed to be on airplane mode or off and stored in a locker or backpack during the day. Many students have been texting one another during classes, which is distracting from learning. Please help us to remind your child to keep their watch quiet during the day so they can be at their best for learning during the day.
From the HMS handbook:
SMART WATCHES
Many students now wear smart watches such as the Apple Watch. Smart watches are treated similarly to cell phones. Smartwatches may be worn with their cell service OFF. If students are receiving texts or calls on their watches, teachers will ask that the watch be removed and held on their desk or in the office for the remainder of the day. If parents need to contact students, they should do so through the main office, and if students need to call home, they may use the phone in their classroom or in the main office.
If a student is found with a watch that is on and is interrupting the classroom environment, staff will ask the student to take the watch off, and the watch will be turned into the main office. The student will be able to pick the watch up in the office at the end of the day. A conduct form may be issued, or additional disciplinary measures may take place, depending on how often the situation has occurred, or how disruptive the watch was to the learning environment.
WHMS LIVE BROADCAST! TUNE IN EVERY MONDAY!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Registration for 2024-25 Academic Year
Registration for the 2024-25 academic year is now open. ALL students, including those already attending D39 schools, must register via PowerSchool for the 2024-25 academic year. For returning students, visit the PowerSchool Parent Portal, click on the registration link, and follow the instructions. For students who will be new to D39, visit wilmette39.org/enroll for instructions on the new student registration process. We encourage parents with new kindergarten students to enroll as soon as possible. D39 is also offering its optional KEEP39 afternoon enrichment program for kindergarten students. You can register your child for KEEP39 at the same time that you register for kindergarten. For those families with younger children, you can also register your child(ren) in our Lechner Early Education Program (LEEP) for three- and four-year-old students at this time.
D39 Summer Enrichment Program Courses Now Available!
Looking for a fun and educational summer experience for your child(ren)? Learn more about our District 39 Summer Enrichment Program! This program runs from July 2-31 and provides a variety of both academic and hobby-based courses for students currently in grades K-7. This year, K-3 courses will be held at Romona Elementary School with grades 4-7 being offered at Highcrest Middle School. Offerings for Summer 2024 are posted online now! Please visit our D39 Summer Enrichment Program website for more details on this wonderful summer option.
Parent Education Event
Please make plans to join us for our next Parent Ed event, “To Rainbow Infinity and Beyond: Cultivating and Celebrating a Positive Neurodivergent Identity,” scheduled for this Wednesday (Feb. 7) at 11 am. This presentation will be led by Amanda Besinger, MS, MSW, LCSW at kiND Therapy + Wellness on Chicago’s Northside. You may join us in-person at Harper or participate virtually via Zoom. Please register online to reserve your spot and visit our Parent Education page for our full schedule of events, registration links, and archived recordings.
Village of Wilmette’s Black History Month Contest
The Village of Wilmette’s Human Relations Commission is sponsoring its annual Black History Month contest. This year’s Black History Month theme, “African Americans the Arts,” encompasses the impact that African American artists have had on cultural movements and more. Students are invited to submit posters, essays, poetry, and/or art/multimedia/music entries for this contest. Entries are being accepted now until Feb. 15 and can be sent or delivered to Wilmette Village Hall (attn: Human Relations Commission, Village Manager’s Office), 1200 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Visit the Village of Wilmette website or click the link above for more information.
Crossing Guard Update
We are proud to share that the Village of Wilmette has filled all of its permanent crossing guard spots. Thank you to all of our families for their efforts to help fill these openings as well as their patience while the Village worked through their staffing shortage. There is still an opportunity and a need for substitute crossing guards. If you, or anyone you know, might be interested, please see the attached flyer for more information and visit the Village of Wilmette website to apply online.
New Trier Winter Carnival is Coming
New Trier is hosting its Winter Carnival on Friday, Feb. 23 from 5:45-8 pm on its Winnetka Campus (Trevian Way Entrance). The entire New Trier Class of 2024 will work with their adviser rooms to transform the school into various carnival attractions for children. In addition to various activity booths, ranging from Face Painting and Bozo Buckets to Glowing Dance Party and Mini Bike Race, the event will include carnival confections such as cotton candy and snow cones. This year’s carnival will also feature an additional Dinner and Magic Show, alumni raffle, and more! All proceeds of the event benefit 2024 Senior Class Service Project.
SEL NEWS
The month of February is Black History Month. While learning about and honoring the contributions of Black Americans to the history of our country and their impact on our world today, is something we do year-round at HIghcrest, this month is a great time for families also to set aside time to recognize these trailblazers and engage in learning about the contributions of African-Americans...especially in our area. Did you know that the Bronzeville neighborhood in Chicago is considered the birthplace of Black History Month?
A couple of family-friendly opportunities include the Chicago History Museum Family Event for Black History Month or the Multiple Events, both musical and historical at the Field Musuem. In Wilmette, children are offered the opportunity to participate in the Village's annual Black History Month contest or visit the Wilmette Public Library for one of their events.
Engaging in these activities as a family supports your child in developing their social-emotional skills as they learn about identity, engage in perspective-taking, and celebrate many various traditions and experiences.
2024 HMS Talent Show - Auditions
Get your act ready–the HMS Talent Show auditions are right around the corner.
When: Friday, February 9 @ 3:35-4:30pm or Monday, February 12 from 3:35-4:45
Where: HMS auditorium
What to Prepare: Bring your idea for a song, dance or other act. Acts do not need to be fully memorized/prepared, but be ready to show a preview of what you’ve got planned. Need a little help? No problem! Our volunteers are ready to lend a hand or help an idea along.
Questions? Contact Diana Williams at talentshow@highcrestpto.org.
Last Call for Yearbooks!
yEmails were sent to families on Wednesday 1/24 that have not yet ordered a yearbook. They can be purchased through 2/9 via Membership Toolkit. Not sure if you’ve ordered a yearbook? Log into Membership Toolkit and view your order history. Email yearbook@highcrestpto.org with questions.
High Five Junior Choir - Register Now!
The Wilmette High Five Junior Choir provides an empowering learning environment in which students of all abilities come together to create and experience music, build friendships, and raise awareness against stereotypes of individuals with disabilities. This club was designed after the High-5 Choir that is offered at New Trier High School. The Wilmette High Five Junior Choir aims to share the love of music with peers regardless of abilities, share our voices through music, and have a lot of fun! If you want to better understand what High Five Junior Choir is, please watch this video.
- Club dates/times: Thursdays 3:45-4:45 pm on the following dates:
- 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 2/29, 3/7, *, 3/21, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2. *3/14 - No rehearsal
- Location: Room 134
- Instructor: Highcrest Music Director, Mrs. Martin
- Performances:
- 3/15 - OAKE Music Educator Conference; 10:15AM; Palmer House Hilton, Chicago
- 5/9 - Spring Concert; 4:15PM; HMS Auditorium
- 5/16 - Spring Sing;11:05AM - 12:30PM; NTHS Gaffney Auditorium
• Follow this link to the Membership Toolkit for registration - Register here!
Join the 2024/25 PTO Exec Board!
Want to have a voice in your child’s HMS experience? Looking for a place to connect with other HMS parents? Join the HMS PTO executive board!
Members of the exec board meet monthly to work with the school principal to help create a robust, well-rounded experience for all students. They oversee events, help raise funds for enrichment programs, and much more.
Next year’s board has openings in a wide variety of positions. Want to learn more? Email communications@highcrestpto.org. We can’t wait to meet you!
Want to get involved this year? Click here to see open positions.
Sign up for Hawk Hut or Lunch Duty!
See links below to sign-up:
School Store - Hawk Hut sign-ups are available on Wednesdays during lunch
Lunch Duty - Volunteer to help with lunch on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays
HMS Spiritwear
Your Highcrest PTO is thrilled to announce our new spirit wear partnership with humanKIND, locally owned by a D39 Alum! Order featured items OR create your own! Local pickup available at no additional cost. Check it out by scanning the QR code below or click here.