HMS Headlines
March 25, 2022
A Message from the Administrative Team
We wish you all a safe and healthy spring break, and we look forward to seeing everyone on April 4. When we return in April, we have a busy spring ahead, starting with a day dedicated to our HAWKS community on that Monday back. This will be a great time for all of our students to reset, and get back into the groove as we get ready for a busy spring.
Please take time over this break to relax and refresh as you connect with friends and family. We know this has been another stressful year full of changes, and this break comes at a great time for all of us. Take care, and we will see you soon!
Kelly, Linda & Susie
Celebrating 150 Years of Wilmette Public Schools
Kids Heart Challenge 2022
CHICAGO BULLS COURT OF DREAMS EXPERIENCE:
Join American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge participants, family and friends for a legendary group outing with the Chicago Bulls.
Register Here: http://www2.heart.org/goto/highcrest
Fundraise $100 Receive a discounted ticket offer to four Bulls home games:
Fundraise $250 Receive a discounted ticket offer to attend a Bulls home game and participate in the Court of Dreams event on April 2 from 2 to 4 p.m.
A ticket to one of the four games is required for Court of Dreams entry.
REGISTER FOR THE 2022 SEP PROGRAM!
REGISTER YOUR CHILD(REN) for the 2022-23 ACADEMIC YEAR
Registration remains open for the 2022-23 academic year. For returning students, visit the PowerSchool parent portal, click on the registration link and follow the instructions. For new students to D39, visit www.wilmette39.org/enroll for instructions on the four-part registration process. We encourage parents with new kindergarten students to enroll as quickly as possible. Additionally, D39 is offering its KEEP39 afternoon enrichment program for kindergarten students. Click here for more information. You can register your child for KEEP39 at the same time that you register for kindergarten.
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
School Calendar for 2022-23
Looking ahead to next year, the Board recently approved the school calendar for the 2022-23 academic year. NOTE: The first day of school is Monday, August 22, parent teacher conferences align with fall and spring breaks, and President’s Day is named as a holiday but may be used as an emergency day if a weather-related school closure occurs prior February next year. This calendar was designed specifically to provide our students with uninterrupted periods of learning around breaks and holidays.
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
The District 39 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting this past Monday. Click here for more information on the meeting. At the meeting, the Board was presented with an amended FY22 budget reflective of issuance of new debt certificates. The Board approved a one-year contract extension with North Shore Transportation for regular transportation in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, the Board reviewed, discussed and approved first-reading of several Board policies.
Mitigation Changes Upon Return From Spring Break
This week, we announced that we will be moving to Step 3 of our D39 Reduced Mitigations Off-Ramp Plan beginning on Monday, April 4. Under this step, there may be a loosening of arrival and dismissal protocols as well as social distancing markings in bathrooms, hallways, and other common areas. Although Step 3 also allows for a reduction of D39-provided COVID testing, we will continue to offer SHIELD testing over break (see schedule below) and resume our normal SHIELD testing upon return from break. We will evaluate SHIELD participation rates on a biweekly basis thereafter. Other mitigation measures will remain in place and continue to be evaluated in ongoing ways. Should a classroom or school community experience a sudden rise in cases, a targeted increase in mitigation strategies may be implemented.
SHIELD Testing Schedule During Spring Break
The district will offer a modified schedule for SHIELD Illinois during Spring Break. Testing will be available on Saturday, March 26 and Saturday, April 2 from 8-11 am at Wilmette Junior High School. Please note that testing will NOT be available on Tuesday, March 29 and Thursday, March 31. A reminder that masks continue to be required in the SHIELD testing area.
Parent Education
This month, D39 and New Trier students led a wonderful Parent Education event titled “Dear Parents, This is What You Should Know About Social Media!” In case you missed it, the presentation recording can be found here. A reminder that our next parent education event is Wednesday, April 13 at 11 am. It is titled “Mindful Parenting.” There are multiple ways to participate - onsite at the district office, live over Zoom, or watch the recording afterward. Please click here to register and reserve your spot.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
The Village of Wilmette’s Sesquicentennial Celebration includes many fun activities and projects. Donations of $25 and up will receive recognition in the Commemorative 150th Edition of the Wilmette Communicator. See flyer for details or go to http://www.wilmette150.org
The Village of Wilmette & 'Ready Set Wilmette' Comprehensive Planning Team want to hear from Wilmette residents. ReadySetWilmette.com Help ensure Wilmette is welcoming, thriving and vibrant for years to come. A series of polls focused on plan themes, an online comment map, and ideas wall. Provide input at your leisure and as ideas come up: feedback shared to date is highlighted in this recent online post.Check out the Facebook Page
The Volunteer Center is offering many volunteer service opportunities.
Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) is hosting Campyardigan Summer Camp options for students ages 5-13 with disabilities. The Spring Guide lists summer recreation programs.
The Trevian Girls Softball Association is adding 8-10 year olds to their spring and summer teams. Contact Kelsey Farmer for more information.
Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:00-11:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
"Best Step Tutoring” offers free online tutoring for PreK-12 grades.
Loyola Academy offers Junior High Enrichment Summer Programs. For more information contact summerschool@loy.org or www.goramblers.org/summerschool
BSA Troops 5G (girls) & 5B (boys) are looking for interested kids in grades 5-12 to join. Contact Laura.Myerholtz@gmail.com for more information.
Get ready for the Highcrest “Show Us What You Got” Student Variety and Talent Show coming Friday May 13th!
Can you sing, dance, play music, do stand up or have another talent? Would you like to perform solo or with a group of friends? Time to get your act together! Auditions will be held Thursday, April 14th. Sign up to reserve your spot!
https://forms.gle/MHzABQmKv8M4UPtK8
If you have questions please email studentprograms@highcrestpto.org
Save The Date: Friday 4/29/22! Highcrest ALOHA SPRING is BACK!!
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Have an incoming 5th or 6th grader next year? We need you! Get involved at the school through the Highcrest PTO! We have many different options available to fit your schedule and interests! Freaky Friday, Aloha Spring, Enrichment Planning, Teacher Appreciation, Yearbook, After School Clubs, 5th Grade Connections, Communications and so many more ways to get involved. Please reach out to Megan Gemp at president@highcrestpto.org to talk about possibilities. We look forward to working with you!
TRUSTEES NEEDED!
The D39 Educational Foundation is seeking General Board candidates for the 2022-23 year and beyond (3 year commitment required)
Interested in volunteering to support the entire District, working with a smart, creative, passionate group of D39 parents and teachers, and have expertise in marketing, event planning, enrichment, finance? We’d love to hear from you! Monthly evening meetings (a good fit for working parents). Contact Rebecca Lieber rebecca_lieber@sbcglobal.net
After School Clubs at Highcrest: Spring Session Registration is Open!
The HMS PTO is excited to bring you a spring session of After School Clubs. Registration opened Monday March 14th and many clubs still have openings. We are offering Debate, Chess, Skyline Theatre, Newspaper and Rubik's Cube clubs. All clubs start after spring break. Check out club descriptions HERE.
Spirit wear is now online and ordering is super easy!
Show your Hawks pride with a variety of spiritwear options!
CLICK HERE to get your orders in! Please contact Jen at spiritwear@highcrestpto.org with questions!
Appreciation Certificates Available
Looking for a way to say thank you to a special teacher, staff member or administrator? For your $39 donation, the staff member(s) of your choice will be honored with a personalized certificate sent via email and their name posted on our website's virtual Wall of Honor. All donations will benefit our schools by funding the D39 Educational Foundation's Gripp Grant program. Purchase your Appreciation Certificate here.
Trex Plastic Bag Challenge
The Trex Plastic Bag Challenge is happening from November 15, 2021-April 15, 2022. Students, teachers and families (and the community at large) are asked to dispose of their plastic bags at conveniently located bins by the front office. Collections will be weighed and logged each week and will help HMS to compete against other middle schools nationwide. Plastic MUST be clean and dry. Questions? Please contact EnvironmentalAwareness@highcrestpto.org.
Membership Toolkit
AtoZ Connect is now powered by Membership Toolkit to bring you the best directory experience available. PTO memberships, directories, communications, online store, and more will all run through the newly improved online software. Click here if you haven’t already signed up!
To access the new 2021-2022 Highcrest PTO Directory, please visit https://highcrestpto.membershiptoolkit.com/. Bookmark this site now!
All announcements to be included in Headlines must be submitted via the Communications Request Form by Wednesdays at 2pm.
Grab your friends and join us for a fun night out at District 39 Educational Foundation’s springtime event, Cheers and Beers, on Friday April 29th from 7 to 10 pm. Taking place at Evanston’s newest gathering spot, Double Clutch Brewing Company, this evening party will feature live music, a silent auction, and raffle prizes. Tickets are $100 each and include passed hors d’oeuvres and two drinks. All proceeds from this event support Gripp Grants for the development of innovative education programs, experiences, and technologies for the district’s six schools. Deadline for ticket purchase is April 27th. Purchase tickets HERE