HMS Headlines
March 11, 2022
A Message from the Administrative Team
We are looking forward to using the cafeteria once again next week! Due to the new distancing requirements, we will still be limited to one House at a time in the cafeteria, so your child will be eating in that area on an every-other week basis. Those not eating in the cafeteria will be back in desks in the classrooms (no more floors/hallways). This is exciting for our fifth graders who have had very little opportunity to eat in the cafeteria this year, and for our sixth graders who, while they have had a little more opportunity, still haven't had a full experience. We are hoping to move to our normal lunch lines later this spring, if all goes well.
As we make this move, please remind your child that we still are distancing at 3 feet in the cafeteria and classrooms, and that they should be careful to take care of their trash and other lunch items so we can continue to keep our eating areas clean and safe for all.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
IAR TESTING
In anticipation of these testing days, please try to avoid appointments and vacations. Additionally, it is important students get plenty of sleep and have a good breakfast before coming to school on these days. IAR reports generally are sent home during the fall following the year they are taken, so you will receive information once the reports are ready to send home.
LOST AND FOUND
CAR LINE SAFETY
- DROP OFF STUDENTS AT THE DEDICATED DROP OFF POINT ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE SCHOOL. Dropping students off on the bike path or at a different location causes the line to be disrupted and prevents the smooth movement of traffic. We have also had students run across traffic and the parking lot to get to the school building. Please only drop at the designated spot.
- THE BUS LOT IS FOR BUSES ONLY. When students are dropped off by the playground by cars, this is generally after all of the students out there have entered the building. The upper lot is for buses only due to the supervision that is available out on the playground. If your child is dropped by car in the bus lot, there is a chance they will not be able to get in the building from that entrance.
- GET TO SCHOOL BEFORE 8:45. Supervision begins at 8:20 at school. The bell rings at 8:45 to let students in the building. Please get here before 8:45 so your child can be on time to homeroom, which starts promptly at 8:50. We have had many students arriving after homeroom has already begun.
- BE PATIENT AND THINGS WILL GO SMOOTHLY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
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.
Russia-Ukraine War - Resources for Families
The events in Ukraine have had an impact on many of our students. People around the world are feeling stress and fear from watching the violence and wondering what will come next. Our children are also seeing the images and hearing discussions that are scary and unpredictable. This may be compounded for some children by the two years of stress and anxiety that have been associated with the pandemic. As adults, we want to be aware of the potential impact these events can have on children, even if we believe that our children are not paying attention to the events. Here are some resources you might find helpful as your children navigate yet another challenging situation.
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News, Child Mind Institute
How to Talk to Kids About the Ukraine Invasion, PBS SoCal (preschool/elementary)
How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects, Common Sense Media
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
Step 2 of Mitigations Off Ramp Takes Effect on Monday
As was announced via email on Wednesday afternoon, in accordance with our D39 Reduced Mitigation Plan, the district will be moving to step two of our off ramp plan on Monday, March. 14. This step includes loosening restrictions to each of the following:
Visitors to after-hours events and activities at schools
Mixing of classes (allowing more opportunities for small groups or two classes to work together)
Lunchtime distancing
As a reminder, any individual experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home and seek testing in order to return to school. Schools can now accept any lab-based COVID-19 test for return to school, including PCR or Rapid Antigen tests. Unfortunately, a home test result cannot be accepted for a symptomatic individual to return to school/work. A reminder that you track local and community COVID metrics on our D39 COVID metrics page.
Join Us on Wednesday for Parent Education
Make plans to join us for our next Parent Education presentation titled “Dear Parents, This is What You Should Know About Social Media!” next Wednesday (March 16) at 11 am. The presentation will focus on the importance of responsible use of digital and social media. Whether you plan to join us in-person at the MEC or via Zoom, please click here to RSVP and reserve your space. Recordings of all D39 Parent Education events as well as the remaining schedule can be found here.
Summer Enrichment Registration is Open
With the calendar flipping over to March, it is time to think about summer and D39’s Summer Enrichment Programs 2022! This year, we are very excited to welcome back some of our summer camp options along with our academic programs for our kindergarten through 7th grade students. Be sure to browse our Summer Enrichment Programs website and our new online Summer Enrichment Programs brochure. Online registration is now open. We hope to see you with us for some summer fun!
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.
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. Kids Against Hunger Event will be held on March 19th. Help pack nutritious meals for over 100,000 starving Nicaraguans.
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.
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 Opens Monday 3/14!
The HMS PTO is excited to announce that Spring After School Clubs descriptions are posted. Registration opens Monday 3/14 at 7pm. Some clubs have a lower capacity this time around so be sure to sign up when registration opens if you want a spot. We will be offering Debate, Chess, Skyline and two new clubs including Newspaper and Rubik's Cube Clubs. 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.