HMS Headlines
January 27, 2023
A Message from Our Administrative Team
In District 39 we have a Statement of Inclusion that helps direct our work as we set up spaces in our schools for belonging and inclusion for all students. Our Statement of Inclusion is an important part of our overall Mission and Vision for District 39. It reads:
District 39 believes inclusion plays a vital role in student growth. We are committed to providing a safe and equitable learning environment that fosters a mindset of empathy, respect, and belonging for all District 39 students and staff.
By respecting each person’s unique identity, perspective, and learning style, we create a stronger community. We honor differences including races and cultures, genders and sexualities, abilities and aspirations, identities and affiliations, socioeconomics and worldviews. Embracing diversity prepares our students to thrive in an increasingly complex global community.
At Highcrest, a central part of our HAWKS expectations is the "W" for Welcoming and the "K" for Kind. Our students find ways to be welcoming to others in all situations, and practice kind words and actions to help our community flourish. This has been evident this week in two areas: the High Five Junior Concert, and the addition of more lunch and after-school clubs for students to find a place to belong with peers at school.
The High Five club is a PTO-sponsored after-school club that engages peers of all abilities in singing, moving, and having some fun together. The winter concert has become a cherished tradition at HMS, and we are so happy to have had the chance to see the performance and enjoy some music this week. Check out a snippet from their performance below!
This year we have worked with staff and students to provide club opportunities before school, at lunches and after-school in an effort to engage students in interest areas, provide opportunities for connection with other peers across the grade level and school, and just to have some fun! We are excited that many of our first semester clubs are renewing (some with schedule adjustments), and we have some new clubs forming that students can enjoy. Please see the information below, and talk to your child about what clubs they might attend in the coming weeks. As a reminder, the lunch clubs and other school clubs are free, drop-in clubs to students, and registration is not required. The PTO-sponsored clubs require registration, and information about High Five and other clubs is listed in the PTO news below.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
SECOND SEMESTER CLUBS 2023
There are still some clubs being planned, so bookmark this list, and re-visit it frequently! Mrs. Jackson will have an announcement about the clubs on the broadcast on Monday, so get ready to hear more details then!
WHMS LIVE BROADCAST! TUNE IN EVERY MONDAY!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Student Registration for 2023-24 Academic Year
Registration is open for the 2023-24 school 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, www.wilmette39.org/enroll provides detailed instructions on the registration process. Parents with incoming kindergarten students are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible. If interested, you may register your child for KEEP39 at the same time that you register for kindergarten. Click here for more information on the KEEP39 program. Preschool registration is also open for our youngest students in the Lechner Early Education Program (LEEP) for three-, four-, and five-year-old students. Click here for more information on the D39 LEEP Preschool Program.
The Illinois 5Essentials Student and Parent/Family Survey
The 5Essentials Survey provides school districts with detailed data on school culture and climate.
Students in grades 4-8 will participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey during the school day.
Students’ identities will be completely confidential; however,
If you do not want your 4th grade child to participate, please email your child’s classroom teacher.
If you do not want your 5th-8th grade child to participate, please email your child’s Grade Level Administrator.
As a parent/family, you also have an opportunity to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness at your child(ren)’s school. Your identity and survey responses will also be completely confidential. The Parent Survey Supplement will be open from January 27-March 31.
Please click here to take the survey.
Select the appropriate survey to begin.
Questions? Please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 866.440.1874.
More detailed information can be found on the Illinois 5Essentials website. If you have questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 866.440.1874.
Board of Education Meeting
Last Monday, the Board of Education held its regular monthly business meeting. The meeting began with a public hearing on the intent to sell working cash fund bonds. During the regular business meeting, the Board heard committee reports, and approved an intergovernmental agreement with Park School in addition to approving select student fees for the 2023-24 academic year as well as summer enrichment fees. The Board also approved the school calendar for the 2023-24 academic year. Please click here for access to the complete meeting agenda and materials.
Parent Education Opportunities
Make plans now to join us via Zoom or in-person on Wed., Feb. 8 at 11 am for our next Parent Education event, “Strengthening Executive Functioning Skills.” Click here to register for this event. On Wednesday, Mar. 8, we will host the second part of our three-part series focused on supporting inclusivity and approaching difficult conversations at home. Click here to register to join us for that upcoming event. Please visit our D39 Parent Education webpage to learn more about our upcoming parent education events. We also invite our families to check out additional Parent Education events presented by the Family Action Network (FAN).
New Trier High School Wants To Hear From Township Families
New Trier High School is always seeking to improve its communication with community members and it is asking all community members to fill out a brief online survey about communications preferences from the high school. The survey includes questions specific to parents with children in New Trier Township elementary schools and should take only a few minutes to complete. The survey link will close on Friday, Feb. 10.
Winter Weather Reminders
With the area receiving some snow this week, we want to remind parents that if inclement weather conditions warrant cancellation of school, District 39 parents and guardians will receive an email, automated call, and text message from the school by 5:30 am on the morning of the school closing. School closure notifications are also posted to our district website. When extreme weather conditions exist, parents are encouraged to check email, cell phone messages or the district website for information regarding school closures. Although we always hope to avoid school cancellations, the safety of students and staff is our top priority. For additional information, please visit our D39 webpage regarding emergency closures.
Additionally, please help your children prepare their clothing so that they can comfortably and safely enjoy outdoor experiences and play. Students go outside daily for recess and are also outdoors during other portions of their day, except in instances of extreme weather. Hats, gloves, winter coats, snow pants and boots are strongly encouraged.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
The Village of Wilmette Human Relations Commission is sponsoring a poster, essay/poetry, multimedia/music contest commemorating Black History Month The theme for 2023 is 'Black Resistance’ which include stories about the fight for freedom, justice and equality. The contest runs from January 16-February 16. All winners receive a gift card, certificate of recognition, and have works displayed at the Village Hall.
BLOOD DRIVE! Donate blood on Super Bowl Sunday, February 12 at St. Francis Xavier Gym 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
80th Annual Dolphin Show (the largest student produced musical) presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical January 20-28 at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson Street, Evanston. See flyer for more information.
BSA Troop 5 hosts: Winter Carnival on Saturday, January 28, 1:00-2:30 pm at Gilson Park Ice Rink - register here; Open House on Monday, January 30, 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette. Contact Michelle Salama for information.
Pack 10 Lions & Tigers (Kdg & 1st) and anyone interested in attending the Den Meeting (focusing on Pinewood Derby) Sunday, January 29 at 12:30 p.m. Contact Tim Carey or Charles Adler for more information.
BLOOD DRIVE! Donate blood on Super Bowl Sunday, February 12 at St. Francis Xavier Gym from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wilmette Historical Museum presents MEET THE LINCOLNS on Sunday, February 19 from 2:00-3:00 pm.
Loyola Youth Lacrosse Program is taking registrations for students in Kdg-8th grades. Contqact Greg Sprenzel for more information.
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.
Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:00-11:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
SKATE FOR GIRLS aims to decrease the gender gap in STEM by teaching math through figure skating. Girls can skate weekly for FREE at Centennial Ice Rink on Sundays, January 15-Feburary 19, 1:00 - 3:30 pm. Register at www.skateforgirls.org
New Trier Dance is offering a Dance Division FUN day on Saturday, February 11 for students ages 10-14.
YOUR PTO IN ACTION: MR. FREEZE SCIENCE PRESENTATION
This morning the 6th graders welcomed back and enjoyed a special enrichment science presentation by Mr. Freeze (Jerry Zimmerman). Mr. Freeze explained the interesting and fun properties of cryogenics using liquid nitrogen. It was an exciting science-based demonstration with lots of surprises. Mr Freeze makes learning science fun!
HMS STUDENT VARIETY & TALENT SHOW - Auditions today: 1/27
The annual HMS Student Variety and Talent Show is Friday, March 17 at 5:30pm.
Did you miss auditions? No problem!
Submit your video audition by Sunday, January 29 to: varietyshow@highcrestpto.org
Questions? Email: varietyshow@highcrestpto.org
IS YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO VOLUNTEER MORE? The HMS PTO Needs YOU!
The HMS PTO is looking for volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year - there are so many great ways to get involved at the school to fit your schedule. Please reach out to Jennifer Englehaupt at jennifer@englehaupt.net to learn more - we would love to have you.
$5 MOVIE DAY! "Back to the Future" at the Wilmette Theater
The Wilmette Theater invites HMS students and families for a showing of "Back to the Future" on Friday, January 27th at 1pm. Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased at https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/purchase/16991?siteToken=eym1b8zj89qyb17se01zmgtfww. This is not a school or PTO sponsored event, just a fun activity for our kids.
WINTER AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
ACES DEBATE CLUB - Friday Intro to Debate still has a few openings, register here!
High Five Junior Choir – Registration is open!
The Wilmette High Five Junior Choir provides a safe 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 physical and mental disabilities. This club is based off of 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! For more information: Email Jana Martin, martinj@wilmette39.org.
Club dates/times: Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm on the following dates: 2/2/23, 2/9/23, 2/16/23, 3/23/23, 3/2/23, 3/9/23, 3/16/23, 3/23/23, 4/6/23, 4/13/23, 4/20/23, 4/27/23.
Club fee: $150
DISTRICT 39 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT IS BACK!
February 10, 2023 from 6-8pm at Highcrest.
Tickets are available starting at 10am on January 17th for $15 per person at d39 foundation.org.
Bring the entire family for a night of bingo! Enjoy pizza, snacks, and great family fun. All bingo winners will be able to select from our prize table featuring exciting options for adults and children. Go to d39foundation.org to purchase tickets and pre-order your food, starting 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 17th. Don't miss out on the fun!
Order your Yearbook
Order your Yearbook today!
Click HERE to order your 2022-2023 HMS yearbook!
Not sure if you have already ordered one? You can check your inbox for an e-mail confirmation from Jostens. Email yearbook@highcrestpto.org with any questions.
PASS 39 NEWS: UPCOMING EVENTS!
Want to learn more about what is going on at PASS 39? HERE is the PASS39 January/February Newsletter.
Special Olympics Track and Field
Tuesday practices at McKenzie School from 4:00pm - 4:45pm
February 14th - April 11th
Highcrest provides bus transportation to McKenzie School
Spring Games at Prospect High School on April 15th and April 16th
Please email Coach Joe Taylor for more information and to sign up! taylorjo@wilmette39.org
GREEN CORNER
Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge – From Bag to Bench
The Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge is ongoing! Thank you to all that collect their difficult to recycle plastic film items, such as produce bags, bubble wrap, and plastic mailers (see list below) and bring them to HMS. One bin is located at the entrance of the school office, one in the front lobby, and one in the teacher’s lobby. The Environmental Affairs Committee will weigh, collect, and bring the plastic film to the collection sites.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many ways to get involved at Highcrest! See links below to sign-up:
School Store - Sign-ups are available on Wednesdays during lunch.
Lunch - sign ups for help during lunch period for both 5th & 6th grade