HIGHCREST HEADLINES
November 15, 2023
A Message from the Administrative Team
We are looking forward to meeting with you over the next few days to discuss your child's progress, and to help you learn new ways to support them over the coming months of school. We wish you an informative and engaging conferencing experience with your child's teachers.
Next week, as a reminder, there will be no school in honor of our annual Thanksgiving break. With that in mind we want to wish you a wonderful holiday celebration with family and friends. We are truly grateful for the opportunity we have to work with you and your children throughout the school year. Highcrest is an awesome place to learn, work, and be every day!
Take care,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
MATH RESOURCES
SPELLING RESOURCES
The LOST AND FOUND is Overflowing!
The contents of the HMS Lost and Found are out in the lobby for students to stop by and see if anything they are missing has shown up there. Water bottles, lunch boxes, sweatshirts, and more!
Parents may stop by to check it out in the lobby during the day this week through Friday to look for any lost items in the lobby. All unclaimed items will be donated on Friday.
THE SPELLING BEE IS COMING!
Bzzz, Bzzz! It's spelling season! Each year District 39 participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Round 1 of the district bee will occur in each homeroom between December 11th-22nd, 2023. Participation is optional, meaning students may choose to participate in their homeroom bee or not. Students can view study lists and more information in their Schoology Lunch course to begin preparing for their homeroom bee. 32 HMS finalists will proceed to Round 2 of our District 39 Bee on Friday, January 19th along with finalists from the Junior High. Round 2 will determine our Wilmette 39 winner who will then advance to the regional level. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Magistra Carlson, carlsona@wilmette39.org. Happy Spelling!
Wilmette Public Library Event
The Wilmette Public Library will be hosting Social Stress: A Let's Learn Together for Parents & Educators on Thursday, November 30 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
This event will help support students' social-emotional health as they navigate middle and high school. Local counselors and social workers will discuss the social stressors unique to middle and high school and offer strategies for supporting students during this critical developmental stage. Topics will include relationships, identity, and social media.
State of Illinois' Undesignated Emergency Asthma Medications Program
This serves as notification that Highcrest Middle School is participating in the State of Illinois' Undesignated Emergency Asthma Medications Program.
This program authorizes our school nurse to administer asthma medication (Albuterol) to anyone experiencing respiratory distress while at school. This program is available to all students, even those who do not have a formal asthma diagnosis. Albuterol is very safe and effective, it opens up the airways allowing air to move in and out of the lungs making it easier to breathe. It will be administered according to the guidelines established by the Illinois State Board of Education and any parent/guardian of a student receiving the medication will be notified immediately.
If you need additional information or you do not want your child to receive Albuterol during a respiratory emergency at school, please notify our school nurse,
Mary McLone, BSN, RN at mclonem@wilmette39.org.
STUDENT YEARBOOK PHOTOS - PLEASE READ
If your child missed both picture and retake day at Highcrest AND you want your child's picture in the yearbook, please reach out to Stuart Rodgers so you can make an appointment to have your student's photo taken at their Wilmette location. Pictures must be taken by 11/22 in
order for them to be included in the yearbook.WEBSITE: https://www.srphoto.com/
PHONE: 847-864-7322
WHMS LIVE...MONDAY BROADCAST!
SEL NEWS
November is Native American Heritage Month, which is a great opportunity for all of us to pay tribute to the contributions, rich history and traditions of Native Americans across our country. District 39 is committed to providing a safe and equitable learning environment that fosters a mindset of empathy, respect, and belonging for all district students and staff. Learning about Native Americans in our community and beyond, helps us all to students and families about celebrate one another in our community throughout the year.
As a family, learning about traditions that are the same as, and different from your own helps your child increase their understanding of the world around them, and improves all of our ability to see many different perspectives. Enjoy reading a book together or check out one of the events taking place in Chicago to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Fall Break and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences begin this evening and run through the end of the week. A reminder that there is no school tomorrow or Friday, with conferences leading us right into next week’s Fall Break. I hope that you all have a restful and enjoyable break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, Nov. 27.
Parent Education Events
Mark your calendars now for our final D39 Parent Education event of 2023, scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 11 am. Families can attend this presentation, titled “Skills and Tools to Thrive in a Digital World,” either in-person at Wilmette Junior High School or virtually via Zoom. Please register online to reserve your spot and visit our Parent Education page for our full schedule of events, registration links, and archived recordings.
Join the District 39 Educational Foundation Team
The District 39 Educational Foundation is looking for a Foundation Manager to handle the day-to-day operations and oversee all Foundation events and activities. This position reports directly to the Ed Foundation Chair and works closely with the board, District 39 staff, donors, vendors, and the Wilmette community. Please check out this detailed job description if interested and visit the D39 Educational Foundation website for more information on this important organization, which raises money for projects that expand, enrich, and complement educational opportunities for the students, staff, and community in our district.
Board of Education Meetings
The Board of Education gathered on Monday for its regular monthly business meeting. The Board conducted a public hearing on the 2023 tax levy before transitioning to the business meeting. During this meeting, the Board heard committee reports, reviewed our long term enrollment projections in addition to conducting the second and final reading of several Board policies. Agendas and materials for all Board of Education meetings are posted here the Friday prior to the meeting.
Teacher & Staff Gift Fund
Thank you to the families who have already donated to the Teacher & Staff Gift Fund! The deadline for contributions to our annual fund is Friday, December 1. Sign in to Membership Toolkit and click on the Highcrest Store to donate.
Join us for the third annual College Paddle Night!
Grab some friends, sport your favorite college-themed gear, and join us for a fun night of paddle! Enjoy great raffle prizes, food, beverages, and some friendly competition. All skill levels are welcome. Similarly leveled players will be matched together in a rotating round-robin style tournament. Don't miss out on the fun!
Where: A.C. Nielsen Paddle Hut
When: January 27, 2024 from 7PM-11PM
Tickets: Available December 13, 2023 at 10am for $75/person at d39foundation.org.
CRC Representative for Highcrest
The District 39 Community Review Committee (CRC) is seeking to fill their committee with one representative from Highcrest. The CRC advises the District 39 Board of Education by researching a relevant topic that will lead to improvements in the district. The position requires attending monthly meetings October through June to develop a topic and recommendations to present to the district. Meetings are scheduled from 7:00 pm to 8:30 p.m. on the first or second Tuesday of each month. You can learn more about the CRC here.
Ignite Spotlight: Outdoor Garden Fun
Last Friday, HMS students enjoyed the outdoor garden activity, courtesy of the PTO’s Ignite/Enrichment fund.
Winter After School Clubs
Winter after school clubs registration will open on December 1 at 10am. Watch for more information on registration specifics, including links, on November 26. Club details below:
Aces Debate Club
You’ll learn to think fast and speak well! Learn research, writing, and oral argumentation. Programs for beginning and experienced debaters, 5th thru 8th grade! All programs consist of weekly class sessions held at HMS for 60 minutes with supplemental debate activities. All programs conclude with a two-hour session to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their new skills in full debates. If your student completed Intro to Debate during the fall session, they should enroll in Intermediate Debate for the winter session. Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm(Intermediate/Advanced Debate), Fridays 3:45-4:45pm(Intro to Debate); 1/11-3/1 (No class on 1/26).
Chess-Ed
Chess-Ed will continue to provide unique, exciting, and dynamic chess instruction which lifts each student to a new level of expertise. Each week students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play classmates. Students will grow their knowledge of the game, from the basics through opening theory, middle game tactics and end game combinations. Students’ vocabulary and math skills will continue to advance. Studies confirm that the student who plays chess does better academically. Playing chess increases IQ performance, improves memory, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving, responsibility, sportsmanship, social skills and more. The chess program is open to all students in all grades and of all playing levels. Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm; 1/11-3/21
Skyline: Beauty and the Beast Jr.
With many fun roles such as Belle, Beast, Gaston, Chip, Mrs. Pots, Lumiere, and more, this "tale as old as time" is filled with spectacular musical numbers such as “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” this show offers the perfect balance of dramatic and comedic moments where all actors can shine! Skyline's Broadway Performers is a no-cut program designed for middle school actors. Performers will be challenged by a professional teaching artist, and level up by learning advanced performance skills such as solo vocal technique, sophisticated character development, complex blocking, and challenging musical theater choreography. Wednesdays 3:45-5:45; 1/31-4/17, No class 3/27, Production on 4/24
Yearbook Club
Do you want to learn how to produce and promote our HMS Yearbook? Do you enjoy photography? Do you enjoy being part of a team? Then come be a part of the team that will organize photos for our annual yearbook and create videos for broadcast, promoting the sale of yearbooks. The 2023-2024 Highcrest Yearbook Club will record the events and activities of the school year. Your input will become a treasured memory of your time here at Highcrest Middle School! Wednesdays at 8am, 1/17-3/20
Volunteer Opportunities
There are so many ways to get involved at Highcrest! See links below to sign-up:
School Store - Hawk Hut sign-ups are available on Wednesdays during lunch
Lunch Duty - Volunteer to help with lunch on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays
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.