HMS Headlines
March 3, 2023
A Message from Our Administrative Team
Spring is in the air at Highcrest, and we have seen many little flowers popping up in our Outdoor Classroom, and have enjoyed a few days of warmer weather and sunshine. We are also eagerly anticipating spring break coming in a few weeks!
As spring arrives, we always want to take a moment to remind our students and families of our Highcrest HAWKS expectations. We have our expectations for students behavior outlined in our 2022-2023 Student Handbook, that has been reviewed throughout the year. It is a great time to re-read parts of the handbook, and remind everyone that we are hoping to finish the year in a positive way! Please read carefully below for some important handbook-related reminders.
Thank you for helping us work together to have a Honest, Accountable, Welcoming, Kind, and Safe environment at Highcrest.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
IAR TESTING
Food and Drink at School
We have seen an increase in students bringing ingredients to school to make a shared dessert or snack for the entire lunch table. This is not permitted.
Shared food in the cafeteria is not allowed, and we prefer nut-free foods from home to keep all students safe.
Pizza parties, birthday parties, and external cakes or communal food is prohibited in the cafeteria. Parents may NOT have a third party deliver food for their child, and a child may only eat the lunch provided by their own parent/guardian. We can not accept communal lunches (i.e. a Jimmy Johns lunch tray for the lunch table) in the front office. You must bring your own lunch, and shared food is not allowed.
Please review these guidelines with your child to ensure food safety in the cafeteria.
Similarly we have had an increase in students bringing various beverages with them to school in the morning and drinking them throughout the day. Students are allowed a water bottle (for water only) to drink from in the classroom. All other beverages must be consumed prior to the start of the school day. Students may bring beverages besides water (juice boxes, milk, etc.) with them to lunch, but those must be consumed in the cafeteria while eating. Drinks (such as PRIME, Rockstar, Monster, etc.) are NOT permitted at school during the school day. Please refrain from packing any such drinks in student lunches or sending with them to school.
Procedure for Leaving School Sick
For that reason, if your child is feeling ill during the school day, they should come to the office and see the nurse, who will then reach out if the student needs to be picked up. Please help us to keep these disruptions to a minimum, and remind your child to go see the nurse if they are feeling ill.
Student Council Spirit Wear!
Student Council sponsored a design contest for this year’s t-shirt and hoodie. Ordering is now available for both until next Friday, March 10. You can order directly from Custom Ink HERE.
Please make sure to add in your student’s homeroom teacher’s name in the notes section of the order form. All orders will be delivered to homerooms.
All proceeds from this sale will benefit Student Council’s charity for the year, World Wildlife Fund.
5 Essentials
The Illinois 5Essentials Student Survey
Students at Highcrest will take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey this coming Thursday during the school day. This survey asks students about their experiences in school, giving us important information to help with our school improvement planning, and helping to give us a student perspective on school culture and climate.
Teachers and administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions and will only receive aggregated information, such as the total percentage of students who agree homework assignments help them learn the course material.
Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the UChicago Impact Support Center (https://impactsurveyshelp.force.com/s/article/illinois-5essentials-survey-questions).
Students’ identities will be completely confidential. If you do not want your child to participate, please email your child’s Grade Level Administrator (Linda Moric: 5th Grade, Susie Carlson: 6th grade)
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 remains open for the 2023-24 school year. For returning students, please visit the PowerSchool parent portal, click on the registration link and follow the instructions. For new students, including incoming kindergarteners, www.wilmette39.org/enroll provides instructions on the registration process. Parents with incoming kindergarten students who wish to enroll child(ren) in our KEEP39 program must register soon, as spots are filling up. More information on the KEEP39 program is available on our website.
Registration is Now Open For 2023 Summer Enrichment Program
Registration is now open for our District 39 Summer Enrichment Program. This year’s program will take place from June 29-July 28. Please visit our Summer Enrichment Program website for more information, including the link to register online. Should you need assistance with the online registration, please check out our online registration guide.
Parent Education Opportunities
Next Wednesday (March 8), District 39 will host the second part of its three-part series titled “Being An Ally: Supporting Inclusivity and Approaching Difficult Conversations at Home.” Registration is open for this event.
Part three of this series will be an in-person, evening event on Wednesday, April 12 (7 pm) featuring Kelly Jackson, Highcrest Middle School Principal and District 39 Administrator for Social-Emotional Learning and Family Engagement, leading a book study and discussion. Please see the linked flyer for more information on the event as well as information on the two books that will be the focal point of the discussion. Be sure to visit our D39 Parent Education webpage to learn more about our parent education program and find recordings of past presentations.
Additionally, TONIGHT the Family Action Network (FAN) welcomes Lisa Damour, Ph.D. for a presentation titled “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.” This will be an in-person event held at the Loyola Academy Performing Arts Center and will also be streamed live. A recording will be available for the next 30 days on the FAN YouTube channel. No registration is required for this event. More information on FAN events can be found on their website.
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education held its regular monthly business meeting this past Monday at the Mikaelian Education Center. In addition to committee reports, the Board was presented with the mid-year report for our District 39 Strategic Plan, and approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Village of Wilmette for a shared Sustainability Coordinator. Follow the link to access the complete meeting agenda and materials.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Wilmette Public Library’s Let’s Learn Together Program offers a family/youth workshop giving families language and building blocks to discuss race, racism, fairness, equity and justice and why race matters in our society. The workshop will be held on March 12, 2:30-3:30 pm
A film screening and post-film panel discussion of the Marshall versus New Trier historical documentary, GameChangers, will be held on Sunday, March 12 at 4:00 pm at the Cornog Auditorium, New Trier Northfield Campus. Visit www.gamechangers.film to reserve tickets and learn more about the acclaimed sports documentary and the GameChangers Foundation.
Wilmette Park District seeks residents input and feedback to help create a clear vision for parks, facilities, and recreation to meet the needs of residents for play, health, wellness, open spaces and nature places. Project Parks and Play: Explore the Possibilities. Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/wilmetteparkdistrict
Wilmette Jr. Trevians have two options to learn about hockey this spring; Try Hockey for Free or Little Blackhawks sessions. Visit the website for more information.
Junior Trevian Lacrosse offers lacrosse programs for Kdg-8th graders. Turtle Lacrosse is also available for Kdg-2nd graders.
Wilmette Baseball Association Spring House League registration is open for K-8th grades. www.wilmettebaseball.org
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.
For 6th, 7th, & 8th graders:
Family Service Center Leadership & Resilience Builder Program (LRBP) is accepting applications for 6th,7th & 8th grade students. Program is held on Mondays, 6:00-7:00 pm, March 13 - May 22. Call 847-251-7350 for more information.
YOUR PTO IN ACTION: Drama Class Visit by Professional Storyteller Paddy Lynn
Friday, February 24 was a very special day in the drama classroom! A professional storyteller named Paddy Lynn visited all of the 5th grade drama classes.
Storytelling is a huge event in elementary, middle and high school speech competitions throughout the US. It's an excellent skill that can teach children and teens how to engage, captivate and delight audiences. When students begin the storytelling unit in drama class, they at first believe it's just about the words. They soon learn, however, that it is about much more than rattling off a series of sentences. It's about becoming the story, becoming the characters and taking the audience on the journey with you. Paddy Lynn demonstrated just how magical sharing a story with a good storyteller can be.
Paddy's wonderful "Storyacting" technique meant that everyone in the room became characters in the story. She gave them props and small costume pieces so that they all had something to wear or hold. It was super cute. Students loved being a part of the story! Later, students described the storytelling lesson as "Impressive," "Awesome," and "Fun!" It was a memorable start to our storytelling unit - thanks to the Highcrest PTO.
Tickets are on sale for the HMS - "Show Us What You Got” Student Variety and Talent Show on Friday, March 17 at 5:30pm!
We have an amazing lineup of acts from 5th and 6th students including dance, music, comedy and more! Come on out to support these courageous students. The show is sponsored by the HMS PTO and organized by parent volunteers.
The show will be held on the big stage in the auditorium at Wilmette Junior High School. Why this location? Because the venue is twice the size of HMS! Tickets are $5 online in advance or $7 at the door (cash only). Ticket sales are open to students, parents, friends and family. So grab your tickets now! To purchase, click HERE!
SAVE THE DATE- HIGHCREST BEACH BASH IS MAY 12TH
D39 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
TRUSTEES NEEDED! The D39 Educational Foundation is seeking general board candidates for the 2023-24 year and beyond (3 year commitment required).
Interested in volunteering to support the entire district and working with a smart, creative, passionate group of D39 parents and teachers? Do you have experience/interest in marketing, event planning, enrichment or finance? We’d love to hear from you! Monthly evening meetings (a good fit for working parents). Contact Julie Hanahan at jrhanahan@gmail.com
SEEKING 2023-2024 WJHS PTO BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Make friends. Be in the know. Make a difference. Support our teachers and staff. Enrich our student’s school experience. There are so many reasons to serve on the PTO. Please consider sharing your talents as a volunteer for the 2023-2024 WJHS PTO. For more information, please email president@wjhspto.com.
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.
HMS PTO 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
PASS 39 NEWS: UPCOMING EVENTS!
Want to learn more about what is going on at PASS 39? HERE is the PASS39 February/March 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) 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.
Harms Woods East Workday
Date & Time: March 12, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Harms Woods – South Harms Road Morton Grove
If you’re looking for ways to get outdoors in the winter months, what better way to do it than cutting brush and peeling off layers while you warm up in the woods?
To enjoy a beautiful day outdoors and help restore health to our local woodlands, join Go Green Wilmette for a restoration workday at Harms Woods East!
The meeting place is in the Harms Woods South parking lot (Groves 1 & 2), which is the first parking lot north of Golf Road (the one shaped like a circle). Dress to get dirty and appropriate to the weather!