HIGHCREST HEADLINES
January 12, 2024
A Message from the Administrative Team
Happy Snow Day to our HMS Families!
We hope you are all staying safe and warm in the midst of this storm. Looking out of my window right now, I'm reminded of those who are outside working to ensure that our streets are cleared and that our schools are safe for students next week. We are so grateful for our district maintenance crews who, even when we have no school, show up to make sure things are running and the schools stay ready for when students next arrive.
On Monday we recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his work for civil rights, human rights, and peace in the world. I had the opportunity to visit the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta last fall, and one of the messages that is prominently displayed throughout the center is that of the Beloved Community: Dr. King's vision for an inclusive community where non-violence, peace, service to others and love for all abounds. As we head into the long weekend and into Monday's holiday, remember Dr. King's message and be sure to consider how you might honor his legacy through serving others. See some opportunities listed below!
Take care and have a great weekend,
Kelly, Linda & Susie
MLK Day of Service Opportunities
- City of Highland Park Drive Through Donations and Service Projects
- Family Event at the Chicago History Museum (free for IL Residents)
- Radical Generosity Chicago, Betsy’s Blankets & The Woman’s Club of Wilmette - make no-sew fleece blankets or create comfort kits for those in need at home. Sign up at the link
- The Volunteer Center in Winnetka is hosts its annual Day of Service event open to all
- Glenview Public Library - Kindness Rocks Event
MLK Day of Service Book Drive
The National Charity League is partnering with Bernies Book Bank to collect new and gently used Pre-K through 6th grade books. A collection box is in the front lobby at HMS, and will be there through January 12. Thanks for bringing your books in!
NWEA MAP TESTING - WINTER
MAP testing will take place for students on January 23 (Math) and January 25 (Reading). Please prepare ahead by planning to be in school those days and keeping late arrivals and early releases to a minimum. Thank you!
Roller skating is coming!
Beginning on February 1, 2024 , our Physical Education classes will be participating in an in-
house skating program. The skates will be delivered directly to the school. Due to insurance
purposes, we will be exclusively using Skatetime School Programs® skates.
This skating unit is being implemented because of its emphasis as a “Lifetime Activity”. Skating
provides a variety of benefits, which include balance, coordination, motor skills, and a top rated
cardio-respiratory workout. Students will also learn basic skating skills such as starting,
stopping, forward skating, backward skating, cornering, and a number of safety tips for being a
smart skater.
The fee for this unit will be $18.20 for quad skates or inline skates per student. The fee
includes delivery and pickup of the equipment as well as use of the skates for 7+ days of skating
during normal P.E. Class.
All students must complete a permission slip form available on their P.E. Schoology page, in
order to participate.
WHMS LIVE BROADCAST! TUNE IN EVERY MONDAY!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Registration for Next School Year
Registration for the 2024-25 school year will open on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Families will receive an email reminder with additional instructions late next week. 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, visit wilmette39.org/enroll for instructions on the new student 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. You can register your child for KEEP39 at the same time that you register for kindergarten. Registration for the Lechner Early Education Program (LEEP) for three-, four-, and five-year-old students will also open at this time.
Parent Education Event
Please join us for our next parent education event, “Strengthening Executive Functioning Skills,” scheduled for next Wednesday (Jan. 17) at 11 am. You can attend this presentation in-person at McKenzie 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.
The Village of Wilmette Is Looking for Crossing Guards
Looking for fulfilling work with a flexible schedule that also benefits the students and families of District 39? Consider applying with the Village of Wilmette to become a crossing guard. The Village is looking for permanent and substitute crossing guards to work up to three hours per day (one hour in the morning, up to two hours in the afternoon) with pay starting at nearly $22 per hour. See the attached flyer for more information and visit the Village of Wilmette website to apply online.
Join the 2024/25 PTO Exec Board!
Want to have a voice in your child’s HMS experience? Looking for a place to connect with other HMS parents? Join the HMS PTO executive board!
Members of the exec board meet monthly to work with the school principal to help create a robust, well-rounded experience for all students. They oversee events, help raise funds for enrichment programs, and much more.
Next year’s board has openings in a wide variety of positions. Want to learn more? Email communications@highcrestpto.org. We can’t wait to meet you!
Variety Show Co-Chair Needed
This spring, the annual HMS Variety show will showcase the talents of our amazing students. We’re looking for a 5th grade parent to help co-chair this highly anticipated annual event. Interested? Email varietyshow@highcrestpto.org.
Yearbook Order Deadline for Early Bird Pricing: 1/26
Order your HMS yearbook for $36 by January 26. The price increases to $40 after 1/26 and yearbooks will be available until February 9, the final ordering date.
PTO President Elect Needed ASAP
The HMS 2023/24 board is still in need of a President Elect. In January, we will start filling the board positions for the 2024/25 school year. It is imperative we have a president elect in the new year to shadow the current president.
Interested in learning more? Contact PTO President Jennifer Englehaupt: president@highcrestpto.org
Get Involved at HMS
There are many PTO positions still available for the 2023/24 school year. You can get involved in a wide variety of ways, connect with other parents and learn more about what the PTO does at HMS. Click here to see open positions.
Have You Checked Ignite Off Your List?
Did you know the Highcrest Ignite fund pays for ALL enrichment activities during the school year? This includes visiting authors, field trips, science projects and more. Visit Membership Toolkit to donate before the end of the year.
Winter After School Clubs
Winter after school clubs registration is open! For details on clubs, click here.
Lunch and School Store Sign Ups
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
Family Bingo Night is BACK!
Bring the entire family for a night of bingo! Enjoy pizza, snacks, and family fun. Bingo winners get to pick from our prize table featuring exciting options for adults and children. We hope to see you there!
When: February 9 from 6-8pm
Where: Highcrest, Bingo night is back!
Tickets: Go on sale Tuesday January 16, at 10am at d39foundation.org
D39 Educational Foundation - Appreciation Certificates Available
Looking for a holiday gift to say thank you to a special teacher, staff 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 Foundation's Gripp Grant program and, if needed, assisting our school community more immediately through special gifts. Purchase your Appreciation Certificate here.
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.
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.