HMS Headlines
May 6, 2022
A Message from the Administrative Team
Rain, rain, go away!! What a rainy week we have had!
I'm sure you all, like us, are tired of canceled outdoor fun and indoor activities... but the good news is things are supposed to improve drastically next week! We look forward to (hopefully) better temperatures and more sunshine, and with that comes more opportunities to be outside!
BIKE RIDING: With warmer temperatures comes more bike riding to school. Please make sure your child is staying on the bike paths around the school, looking for directions from crossing guards, and is wearing a helmet! As you are in the car line, please be on alert for students on bikes as well. We want to make sure all of our bike riders arrive to school and back home safely!
LUNCH: As the weather warms up, we will be reinstating some areas for eating lunch, should classrooms choose to eat outdoors. We only typically will eat outside when temperatures are above 40 degrees and the ground is dry. Please remind your child that, when eating outside, we have to pick up trash and make sure our area is clean so that it is ready for the next outdoor activity.
WATER BOTTLES: Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to their classrooms. As the weather outside warms, so does the weather inside, and a water bottle is a great tool to have at your desk for relief from warmer temperatures. Please label your child's water bottle with their name... you'd be amazed how many nameless water bottles show up in the lost and found at the end of the year!
DRESS: Last year we adjusted our dress code at HMS even further, so the basic requirement for students is to wear something on top and something on the bottom, as well as appropriate shoes for activities (including gym) throughout the day. You can see HERE for dress code information on page 7. Please remind your child that clothing should be school-appropriate, cover any private areas, and if any clothing bears words, they should be non-harmful and not profane.
Thanks for your help in these areas! We will see you in the sunshine next week!
Have a great weekend!
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
Scenes from Aloha Spring
6th Grade Dental forms DUE
OPEN MIC NIGHT
MAP TESTING
THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK!
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
COVID-19 Reminders
We continue to closely monitor case counts at the local and regional level as well as reported within our schools. These metrics are reported daily on our D39 COVID metrics page and we remain in daily communication with the CCDPH. Per our District-wide email on Wednesday, we maintain our current mitigation measures for the next two weeks as we continue to evaluate COVID metrics in ongoing ways.
As a reminder, anyone experiencing symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should isolate at home and seek a COVID-19 test. It is important that we continue to monitor symptoms daily and take even mild symptoms seriously. Those who have been exposed to a positive individual should also seek testing. We recommend that symptomatic individuals and those exposed to a positive case test more than once, as we have seen individuals test negative before subsequently returning a positive test result. Additionally, we are encouraging you to consider having your child(ren) wear masks in indoor spaces and remind everyone of the importance of being kind, supportive and respectful of one another. Thank you for helping us keep our schools and community healthy and safe.
District Strategic Advisory Team Meeting
Our District Strategic Advisory Team (DSAT) will hold its final meeting of the year next week. This group has been doing some amazing and important work in regards to our strategic plan. The goal of this meeting is to finalize our key performance indicators (KPIs) that will guide our progress moving forward. Please check out our strategic plan webpage for more information on our strategic plan and the work of our DSAT.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
New Trier Township offers a Food Pantry 10am - 4pm weekdays for families that live/work in the township. NT Township also offers Emergency Financial Assistance, Legal Aid Clinic, property tax assistance, social service referrals and other available resources. Go to www.newtriertownship.com for more information. The Township is also sponsoring a paper shredding event tomorrow, May 7th 8:30-11:30 am at Regina Dominican High School.
WJHS at the Movies! GOONIES will be presented on May 13 & 27 at 5:00 pm as part of Flashback Fridays at the Wilmette Theatre. Tickets & Information at https://www.wilmettetheatre.com/general-4.
New Trier Dance Division hosts Summer Dance Camps for children age 4 through the 9th grade June 20-24.
Buddy Baseball Registration is open to special needs children 7 - 22 years old throughout New Trier Township at no cost. Buddy Players are paired with Buddy Volunteers and games last approximately 75 minutes. Register at www.wilmettebaseball.org
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
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
Cub Scout Pack 8 is welcoming Harper and Highcrest students (K-5 graders) to join the pack. Contact cubmaster@packeight.com for more information.
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.
The HMS PTO Needs YOU!
The HMS PTO is looking for volunteers for next year - there are so many great ways to get involved at the school to fit your schedule. We are looking for people for the following roles: several executive board positions, book fair, environmental awareness, parent connections, yearbook, hospitality, teacher appreciation - incoming 5th grade volunteer, civics & safety, school store & after school clubs liaison. Please reach out to Megan Gemp at president@highcrestpto.org to learn more - we would love to have you.
THANK YOU Aloha Spring volunteers!
Many thanks to the many volunteers that made Aloha Spring a smash success!
THANK YOU for making Teacher Appreciation Week a success!
Many thanks from the Highcrest PTO to all families who contributed to make Teacher Appreciation week such a success! We love our Highcrest teachers and staff!!
Highcrest Student Variety Show & Talent Show
Tickets on sale now for the HMS Student Variety and Talent Show, Friday, May 13th! Students, families, staff and friends are welcome!
Show times are 4:30pm and 7:00pm and will be held in the Wilmette Junior High School Auditorium located at 620 Locust Rd.
Get your $7 tickets in advance online by clicking here and using your PayPal account or credit card. Limited ticket sales may be available at the door - cash only.
Social distancing will be observed. Mask optional.
Variety Show Adult Volunteers Needed
The HMS Student Variety and Talent Show is sponsored by the PTO and entirely run by parent volunteers. Please consider signing up to help with rehearsals and the show. CLICK HERE to volunteer!
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.
Connections for the Homeless Donations
Did you travel over spring break? Highcrest student council is hosting a toiletry drive for Connections for the Homeless. Please bring any unopened toiletry items- shampoo, conditioner, lotion etc. collected during your travels to school upon your return. There are collection boxes both inside the front office and the lobby of HMS. Student Council will sort and have the items delivered to those in need. Thank you for thinking of others!
Wilmette Baseball Association Buddy Baseball
Wilmette Baseball Association Buddy Baseball is seeking players ages 7-22 with special needs to play baseball! The program is open to all residents throughout New Trier Township (non-residents based on 45 total). Dates: June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 10 & 17 (Fall season Sept 11, 18, 25 & Oct 2). Time: 1:00 First Pitch. Games @ West Park in Wilmette, all turf field. Must register @ www.wilmettebaseball.org Yes Fee. More info about game play at www.wilmettebaseball.org. Questions: email: Jeff Kost@ jkost@wilmettebaseball.org.
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
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!
All announcements to be included in Headlines must be submitted via the Communications Request Form by Wednesdays at 2pm.