HIGHCREST HEADLINES
October 6, 2023
A Message from the Administrative Team
This week I was walking through classrooms, and talked to several sixth graders about a current social studies project many of the classes are completing: the Personal Lens Project. For this project, students share about their lives through the five lenses of social studies. These include the historical lens, the geographic lens, the civic lens, the economic lens, and the cultural anthropology lens. It is through these lenses that we learn about various cultures, and can also look at our own personal culture and history.
This project gives students an opportunity to learn more and share about themselves, and as they present, it offers their classmates in their homeroom authentic ways to make connections with one another. Students are sharing about where they have lived, what they do in their daily lives, and how they have grown over time. Not only does this address social studies standards, but it also hits on important social-emotional competencies like self-awareness and social awareness, while helping to build relationship skills.
All of our fifth and sixth graders learn about the lenses as they explore our current global community and those of the past. Ask your child what they know about the lenses and how they help us to see the world around us.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
Enjoying Time Outdoors this Week!
CLUBS SCHEDULE
Below are some club descriptions to help you and your child discuss which clubs they might attend! There are not sign ins or attendance lists for clubs - all clubs are drop in, so there is flexibility if they decide they don't like something or want to try something else at the same time.
6th Grade: MATH COUNTS CLUB
Are you in 6th grade? Do you like math competitions? Do you want to represent HMS at the regional MathCounts competition on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024? Then try out for the MathCounts team.
On October 24th, November 7th, and November 14th, students will take 3 school contests. The 12 top scoring students will be chosen to represent HMS at the regional competition. These 12 students will continue to practice for the regional competition on November 28th, December 5th and 19th, and January 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th.
Students who do well at the regional competition may be invited to the State Competition in March. The four top scoring students from the Illinois State competition will be awarded an all expense paid trip to the National Competition in May.
If you are interested in trying out, please fill out this Google Form.
5th and 6th Grades: MOEMS (Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle School) Club
All 5th and 6th graders are invited to compete in the Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle School competition (MOEMS). Students will meet after school (3:40 - 4:40pm) once a month from October to April.
The club dates are Oct 30, Nov 27*, Dec 18*, Jan 29*, Feb 26*, March 11* and April 15. It is important for students to attend all starred dates as these are the dates of the competitions.
Parents, please fill out this form by October 23 if your student is interested in MOEMs. The first club date is Oct 30 when the rules of MOEMs will be discussed and students will practice a past competition.
Please email Anne Jacobs (jacobsa@wilmette39.org) if you have any questions.
***PICTURE DAY MAKEUPS ARE 10/19***
WHMS LIVE...MONDAY BROADCAST!
Tune in Monday, September 11th for our first student-led LIVE broadcast of the school year. Every Monday (or the first day of the school week) at 8:52 am Highcrest students put on a live morning news broadcast. Each week a new homeroom is responsible for writing, producing, directing, filming and starring in WHMS News. Want to catch all the action? Please visit our WHMS News YouTube Page and subscribe to get alerts when we go live!
SEL NEWS
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. From research, we know that a reduction in bullying behaviors comes from strong, connected, classroom communities where all students feel that they belong.
The District 39 Social-Emotional Learning objectives for students at the middle school level directly address how to prevent bullying, and support students as they develop the skills to be Upstanders when faced with situations involving conflict.
As they experience the social-emotional lessons from our Responsive Advisory curriculum, students at Highcrest learn and practice expressing themselves respectfully when disagreements arise, they understand how who they are impacts their work and interactions with others, and they learn and begin to use strategies to include others and stand up for oneself and others when mistreatment or bullying situations occur. You can see your child’s grade level specific objectives for learning HERE. Through the use of these lessons at Highcrest, our District 39 students are developing the essential skills they need to prevent bullying at school and in the community.
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Four Elementary Schools Named Apple Distinguished Schools for 2023-26
We are delighted to share that all four D39 elementary schools were named Apple Distinguished Schools for 2023-26 this week! Coupled with Highcrest and Wilmette Junior High earning this honor last year, D39 is one of the select districts in the country to have all of its schools recognized for this achievement by Apple. We are grateful to our educators for their innovative and creative uses of technology in the classroom to help our students grow.
Parent Education Events
Register now for our next District 39 Parent Education event, scheduled for next Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 11 am. “Parenting in the Digital Age” is one of our most popular presentations and provides relevant information and tips for families as our children navigate an increasingly digital world. Families can participate in-person at Highcrest Middle School or virtually via Zoom for this event. Please register online to reserve your spot. Please check out our Parent Education page for our full schedule of Parent Ed events, registration links, and archived recordings.
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Save the Date
Our fall parent-teacher conferences will take place on Nov. 15-17, immediately preceding Fall Break (Thanksgiving week). Conferences will be held virtually through the Meet the Teacher platform, with in-person appointments available by request. More details, including sign-up information, will be provided in the coming weeks.
Board of Education Meetings
The Board of Education held a special meeting this past Monday and approved the terms of a new 5-year collective bargaining agreement with the Wilmette Education Association (WEA). The Board then adjourned to executive session for its annual self-evaluation and board development activities with a representative from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). Agendas and materials for all Board of Education meetings are available here.
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Wilmette Fire Department is hosting an Open House Saturday, October 7 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Come to Fire Station #26 located at 1304 Lake Avenue where firetrucks, firefighting and paramedic equipment, special rescue equipment and much more will be on display. Lots of activities and demonstrations to see. Trained paramedics will be available to perform a ‘checkup’ on your teddy bear. Free parking is available in the Metro lot adjacent to the Fire Station.
The League of Women Voters Wilmette presents the 2023 State of the Village on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm at Mallinckrodt Center. Board presidents from various local organization including D39 will discuss their strategic initiatives and greatest challenges before taking questions from the audience. Registration is open online to save your seat.
Troop 5 Pancake Breakfast on October 21! The annual pancake fundraiser will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette at 9th and Greenleaf from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Tickets are $7 per person or 3 for $20. Join in a fun community event and help support local scouts.
Is your child curious or ready to play hockey? The Wilmette Jr. Trevians have options for your child to learn the sport this fall/winter. Visit the website for options to get started, including the House Mini-Mite Program (ages 4-6 years) and a two-day “Try Hockey for Free” event in partnership with the Blackhawks (look for options at Centennial Ice Rink).
The Wilmette Stars Special Olympics Team will have its first basketball skills practice on Tuesday, October 10 from 4:00 - 4:45 pm at McKenzie Elementary School. Practices will be held on Tuesdays through the second week of December. Students in grades 3-8 with an intellectual disability are eligible to participate at no cost. All athletes receie a uniform. The program is registered with Special Olympics of Illinois. Contact Joe Taylor at taylorjo@wilmette39.org or 224-220-4736 for more information.
Troop 2 Wilmette: Learn more about BSA’s outdoor based leadership program open to boys and girls ages 11-18. www.troop2wilmette.org bsatroop2wilmette@gmail.com
McKenzie Cub Scout Pack One is recruiting. A jam-packed 2023-2024 schedule includes spring & fall campouts, a museum sleepover, bowling and of course the pinewood derby. Contact ZakStambor@gmail.com for more information.
Calling all 1st Grade McKenzie girls! Are you interested in joining the new 1st Grade Daisy Girl Scout Troop at McKenzie? Fill out this form to receive more information.
FREAKY FRIDAY: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 FROM 5-6:30 PM
This outdoor event for Highcrest students features a DJ, dancing, donuts**, giant inflatables, photo booths, and lots of spooktacular fun! Costumes are encouraged!
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased HERE for $20 (HMS students ONLY). Ticket price will increase to $25 on Wednesday, October 18 at 12pm. Online ticket sales close Thursday, October 19 at 12pm.
Volunteers Needed: We need MANY parent volunteers to help this event run smoothly. Sign Up HERE to Volunteer!
Rain date is Friday, October 27.
**Nutrition information for the donuts can be found HERE.
Email questions to freakyfriday@highcrestpto.org.
Join us for the D39 Educational Foundation annual Trivia Night on Saturday, November 4 at St. Joseph’s! Tables of 10 go on sale Oct. 12 at 10:00 am.
This popular event will sell out, so act fast and join the fun! All proceeds from Trivia Night help fund District 39 Educational Foundation’s many initiatives benefiting the students of D39. Check out the website to learn more https://d39foundation.org.
Make A Difference Day
Get ready for Make a Difference Day, Highcrest's biggest annual community service effort, together with The Volunteer Center!
It's time for Highcrest kids, families and teachers to collect gently used and new goods to benefit more than 15 local nonprofits making a difference in our community.
Look around your house and consider what gently used items you might donate—or shop new!
More details and instructions COMING SOON, with a full list of participating local nonprofits and the donations most needed for the people and animals they serve in our community.
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER and help Highcrest collect and deliver donated items for MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY.
Save the Date: Scholastic Book Fair October 23-26
The annual book fair will kick off with a food truck event Monday, October 23, 5pm-7pm. Browse and purchase books in the learning commons October 23-26.
More details coming soon
Volunteer Opportunities
There are so many ways to get involved at Highcrest! See links below to sign-up:
Outdoor Classroom: Enjoy time outside with the kids during lunch
School Store - Hawk Hut sign-ups are available on Wednesdays during lunch
Lunch Duty - Volunteer to help with lunch on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays
PTO Positions - There’s lots of ways to get involved! Click to see open positions.
Verify Directory Information By 10/15
Highcrest PTO's Print Directory will be sent to the printer soon, so please login to your Membership Toolkit account and verify your information by October 15th. Any changes made online after that date will not be captured in the printed directory. Email directory@highcrestpto.org with questions.Order Your Yearbook!
Yearbooks are available to order now. Click here to order your 2023-2024 HMS yearbook!
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.