WJHS Highlights
10/21/2022
A Message from the Administrative Team
Dear WJHS families,
We had our first "Leader of the Pack" celebration last Friday and it was so much fun to have students, their parents, and staff in-person and celebrating! Our cafeteria staff prepared a delicious breakfast and much fun was held by all! Thanks to all of those at WJHS who helped organize this wonderful event and most importantly, to our students who exemplify characteristics such as responsibility, self-awareness, compassion, integrity, service, and leadership. You help make the WJHS community a kinder more inclusive place. We invite you to see below for photos of the event.
We are thrilled to announce that we have many clubs running at WJHS this year, including Student Council, and we couldn't be more excited! This year the Student Council asked for a Halloween contest, and we said, "Sure - let's do it!". During Monday morning announcements students will learn more about expectations for wearing costumes on Monday, October 31. To assist you in helping your child decide on a costume, should they choose to wear one, our expectations are:
- No face coverings
- No props
- Follow expectations for dress, linked here
- Students must be able to sit down in a chair at a desk or table
If your child is looking for other clubs to join we have plenty! You can find some of our clubs at this link.
We hope that you enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!
Take care,
Kate, Jeff and Eric
Winter Sports Registration
The WJHS Athletic Directors, Paul Harper and Chris Toy, sent the information below to all families in an email last week. Please read below regarding winter sports registration.
Attention Parents and Athletes,
Winter sports registrations will open October 10th.
7th and 8th grade boys and girls basketball tryouts will start on Monday October 24th
Dance team tryouts will start on Monday October 24th
Wrestling practice will start on November 28th. (see the athletics calendar for wrestling open gym times before the season starts)
HOW TO REGiSTER:
Athletics Registration Form:
Parents should use a desktop or laptop to navigate and sign in to ps.wilmette39.org
Choose Forms on the left side
Select Athletics Registration Form
Complete the form
School Safety Update
As you know, the safety of our students and schools is our top priority. This year, we are reinstituting another proactive safety step and will be implementing unannounced dog searches at WJHS. Our first search was on Thursday.
These dogs are trained to detect the presence of many prohibited items including:
illicit drugs and narcotics
gunpowder-based items
alcoholic beverages
commonly abused prescription and over-the-counter medications
The company that we are partnering with has trained school safety dogs to conduct random, unannounced inspections. These dogs are friendly, non-aggressive breeds such as Golden and Labrador Retrievers. Searches will be conducted at random in common areas, hallways, lockers, and grounds. If a prohibited item is found, we will initiate appropriate action in accordance with our existing school policies and procedures.
Prior to bringing the safety dogs in to search, we provided background to the students during advisory. The information included what the school safety dogs are trained to search for and how it will happen.
We take every reasonable precaution to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment and we believe that this proactive step will play a key role in achieving our goal of deterrence.
Thank you for your partnership in helping to keep all of our students safe. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Kate Dominique, Principal, or Tony DeMonte, Administrator for Technology, Information, and Safety, with questions.
Tech Tidbit
Digital Citizenship Week was October 17-21. It’s a time to reflect on our use of technology, ways of being safe and being kind online. Helping our students become good digital citizens that will lead them into becoming better digital leaders is a joint effort. District 39 recently hosted a Parent Education Event titled “Parenting in the Digital Age”. Topics covered were inappropriate content and filtering, maintaining appropriate device boundaries, cyber safety, awareness of Apps, and social media. The next parent education night on November 9th is “The Upstanders Movie Screening and Panel Discussion on Cyberbullying.” Register here if you would like to attend. You can find previously recorded Parent Education Events here.
PTO Highlights
Thank you to our first two lunch parent volunteers - you did a great job!
CAFETERIA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT LUNCH
The cafeteria needs parent volunteers! Spend 90 minutes of your day helping the school, while viewing your child from a distance (we promise they won't even know you're there!). Come at the scheduled time, check in with the cafeteria staff, and they will let you know where they need the help. You will not need to cook, simply give food to the kids. You are done once 6th period lunch is finished. Please tie your hair back or pop on a cap, otherwise the hairnet may be your only option... You've been warned! :)
Please click here to sign up for a slot or two.
WE NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR THE COURTYARD AT RECESS!
If there aren't parents, we can't have this quiet space open for kids. Kids can find a place to read, play a board game, doodle/draw, and catch up with friends. It is the easiest and most peaceful job ever!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4facaa23a2f5ce9-volunteer
7TH GRADE PARENTS:
REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2023 8TH GRADE DC TRIP
Paul Harper is excited to announce that next year’s 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C, and Williamsburg is now open for registration. This is an opportunity for students to explore some of our nation's most important historical sites while experiencing incomparable learning moments. This trip is limited in space and after the initial seats are filled, students will be added to a waitlist for the trip. Please note that waitlisted students could still make the trip if additional seats come open. Click here to learn more and/or to register. This trip is not run by the school or the PTO, and is teacher-run as an elective opportunity. Please contact Paul Harper at paul.w.haprper@gmail.com if you have questions!
DONATE TO “MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY” ON 10/22/22 9AM–NOON
The Volunteer Center is hosting its 20th Annual Make A Difference Day that will help 18 nonprofits' clients in critical need. North Shore residents are invited to "upcycle" their new and gently used goods at this one day annual collection drive. The event is Saturday, Oct. 22 from 9am - noon at Winnetka's Indian Hill train station parking lot.
Safely drive thru and drop off! If you have any of the essential items the nonprofits have requested like clothing, food, toys, games, books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl, musical instruments and much more! Please sort, bag and label them with the corresponding nonprofit and bring them over! The list of items requested from each nonprofit can be found here on the VC's website. Only the items on the list will be accepted. Nonprofit reps will be there to receive the essential donations. Volunteers will take them from your vehicle and the nonprofits will drive off with them at the end of the morning.
PASS39 COFFEE TALK: 11/15 AT 9AM
PASS39 CONNECTING PARENTS: Coffee Talk with Special Education Attorneys Lara Cleary & Jennifer Hansen
All D39 parents and caregivers are welcome to attend the informal coffee social and discussion on the ins and outs of IEPs and parent’s rights.
Tuesday, 11/15
9:00 am Coffee and Mingling
9:30 am Brief Overview and Q&A with
Special Education Attorneys from Hansen & Cleary, LLC
Send your questions in advance to pass39@wilmette39.org.
District Update
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education will hold its regular monthly business meeting on Monday, Oct. 24 at 7 pm at the Mikaelian Education Center. The Board will hear presentations on the District’s academic achievement, including results from fall NWEA/MAP and aimswebPlus as well as spring IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) preliminary data. An update will also be provided on key performance indicators (KPIs) of Goal 1 of our Strategic Plan. Additionally, the Board will hear the Fall 2022 enrollment report and discuss the first reading of several Board policies. Click here for access to the complete meeting agenda and materials.
Parent Education Event
District 39 recently held its most recent parent education event titled “Parenting in a Digital Age.” If you missed it, please click here for a recording of this presentation. Make plans to join us for our next event, which is a screening of “The Upstanders” followed by a panel discussion on cyberbullying. The event will take place in-person on Nov. 8 at 6:30 pm in the Wilmette Junior High School auditorium. Please click here to register now and click here for the full schedule of 2022-23 parent education events and links.
Community News
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Share Our Spare is joining forces with THE VOLUNTEER CENTER for Make a Difference Day on October 22 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm at Indian Hill Train Station in Winnetka. Donate new and gently used baby items quickly and conveniently. Check the websites for more details.
Healing Everyday Racism in Our Schools - HEROS is hosting several events in October: Civil Rights and Social Justice on the North Shore Conversation on October 26th.
The Warming House Youth Center is having a Halloween Party on October 28 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. All ages are welcome! (located in the green park district building in Howard Park. Park at 800 Ridge Rd.)
Destination Imagination (DI) is open for registrations. DI is a creative competition for teams of 3-6 kids led by parents. Kids put together a skit and also practice for spontaneous instant challenges. Sign up for a DI information session or join a team.
The Trevians Girls Softball Association is adding players born in 2011 (or younger) to travel softball teams. Good athletes who want to learn the sport, receive high quality instruction during indoor workouts and will play in spring & summer seasons. Contact Kelsey Farmer for more information.
USA Hockey is hosting a “Try Hockey for Free” event at Centennial Ice Rink on Saturday, November 12 from 10:10 - 11:10 a.m. If your child is interested in hockey, this is a great way to try the sport.
Wilmette Jr. Trevians are recruiting Kdg-2nd graders to play hockey in House Mite and Mini Mite programs. Season runs from September - February. Contact: leslie.humbel@yahoo.com
PICKLES - kids supporting kids is a local nonprofit that provides free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids ages 6-18 affected by a parent’s cancer diagnosis. These fun, supportive youth groups meet monthly at Winnetka Community House. For more information: www.picklesgroup.org
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.
"Best Step Tutoring” offers free online tutoring for PreK-12 grades.
HMS/WJHS: Scout Troop 2 Wilmette email: bsatroop2wilmette@gmail.com
WJHS 8th Grade Girls: Regina Dominican High School is reaching out to current 8th grade girls who are interested in learning more about becoming an RD Panther! Shadow Day is November 17th. visit www.rdpanthers.org to register for this half-day event.
Wilmette Junior High School
Email: office-wjhs@wilmette39.org
Website: http://wjhs.wilmette39.org/
Location: 620 Locust Rd, Wilmette, IL, USA
Phone: 847-512-6600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Highcrest-MSWilmette-JH-516430278443448
Twitter: @hawkwolf39
Principal at Wilmette Junior High School; love being an educator and working with young people; value spending time with friends and family