WJHS Highlights
03/04/2022
A Message from the Administrative Team
We couldn't be more excited that March is officially here and with it, a touch of warm weather. It definitely does the spirit good to step outside into 50 degrees and sunshine!
There are many components of a school, all with the goal of supporting students. One of these critical components are school social workers and psychologists. For the first time, we created an "on-call" position this school year so that we have one social worker or psychologist who is "on-call" daily to support student drop-ins for support. It has been such a great addition to our student services, and we are grateful to our social workers and psychologists who embraced the opportunity to enhance supports for students. With the upcoming week designated as "School Social Work Week", we wanted to give them a special thank you for all they do to support our students and school community.
We have so many amazing things happening here in creative arts that it's hard to keep up - please see below for some of what has happened this year in the music and arts departments!
Have a great weekend!
Kate, Jeff and Eric
"Newsies", fall of 2021!
In January the WJHS Stage Acting Class, under the direction of Ms. Dinah Barthelmess, performed for some Romona Elementary fourth grade students. It was amazing! See below for photos from the performance of "Comic Book Artist"!
8th Grade Graduation
District 39 will be hosting an outdoor graduation ceremony for all 8th grade students. The event will be held at the Northfield campus parking lot of New Trier High School on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Ceremony times will range between 4:00PM-7:00PM, depending on your child’s teacher team. View our save the date flyer HERE.
Further details regarding gown ordering and other end-of-the-year events for 8th graders will be sent out in the weeks ahead.
Tech Tidbit
A social media troll is a person who posts material that is specifically meant to create a strong reaction in response to other posts. The troll attempts to start arguments or posts that are inflammatory, rude or off-topic messages with the deliberate intent of provoking others into an emotional response. They don’t have a specific grudge against the individual. Instead, they are looking for attention or want to push an agenda. They will address anyone who will listen and take on anyone who will respond. The troll feeds off of inexperienced or underprepared social media users. Many experts recommend disengaging from them entirely.
Some ways to identify Trolls:
Use a celebrity photo, random photo or cartoon character as a profile pic
Use a nickname rather than a real name
Have and use lots of memes
Have few or no followers, though they may follow several accounts themselves
Tend to take most extreme positions on their issues
Consistently focus and comment on posts about the same issue or set of issues over and over again
Have a history of offensive posts, attacking comments, and hostile interactions with other commenters
Attack more than one account at a time
Some ways to deals with Trolls:
Ignore them - “Don’t Feed the Trolls”
They are trying to make you angry so don’t engage with an angry response
Disarm with kindness or humor
If trolls are spreading rumors, respond with factual information
Block or Mute the Troll
Report the Troll especially if they are violating the terms of service
PTO Highlights
PTO ENRICHMENT SPONSORS LATIN FIELD TRIP
The PTO sponsored the eighth grade Latin field trip to see a play written and directed by New Trier Juniors and Senior Latin students. "Saturnalia Night Live" is a playful take on the ancient Roman festival known as Saturnalia. The PTO was pleased to coordinate this opportunity with WJHS Latin teacher Kelly Shoemaker and make this enrichment opportunity possible! More info & pics posted by New Trier can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaiDEeDPpgL/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Class of 2026 – New Trier Hoodies for 8th Graders
The orders are rolling in for the new Class of 2026 Hoodies! Consider gifting one to your 8th grader and get them ready for New Trier! These are great for showing your NT pride along with being ready for the “white out night” sporting events beginning this Fall! Www.humankind.shop/collections/spiritwear-new-trier
Spring After School Clubs Coming Soon!
Our ASC Committee volunteers are finalizing details for a 6-week spring session. Registration information coming soon. Details will be posted in this newsletter, on the Facebook WJHS Parents page, and on our ASC page.
TRUSTEES NEEDED!
The D39 Educational Foundation is seeking General Board candidates for the 2022-23 year and beyond (3 year commitment required)
Interested in volunteering to support the entire District, working with a smart, creative, passionate group of D39 parents and teachers, and have expertise in marketing, event planning, enrichment, finance? We’d love to hear from you! Monthly evening meetings (a good fit for working parents). Contact Rebecca rebecca_lieber@sbcglobal.net
HMS Seeking PTO Volunteers
Have an incoming 5th or 6th grader next year? We need you! Get involved at the school through the Highcrest PTO! We have many different options available to fit your schedule and interests! Freaky Friday, Aloha Spring, Enrichment Planning, Teacher Appreciation, Yearbook, After School Clubs, 5th Grade Connections and so many more ways to get involved. Please reach out to Megan Gemp at president@highcrestpto.org to talk about possibilities. We look forward to working with you!
Pass39 - Spring Event
Please join us for our next event to bring everyone together. It will be at the Valley Lodge on March 5th at 4pm.
The Trinity dancers will be performing .
Bring your children to watch the dancers or leave them at home! Your choice!
We also have a private room secured for adults to meet and chat afterwards.
District Update
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
The District 39 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting this past Monday. At the meeting, D39 presented its mid-year strategic plan update, which included progress towards identifying key performance indicators. Additionally, the Board heard updates on COVID mitigations and approved our school calendar for the 2022-23 academic year, which was designed specifically to provide our students with uninterrupted periods of learning around breaks and holidays. Note that next year the first day of school is Monday, August 22, that parent teacher conferences align with fall and spring breaks, and that President’s Day is named as a holiday but may be used as an emergency day if a weather-related school closure occurs prior February next year. Click here for more information on the meeting.
Summer Enrichment Registration is Open
With the calendar flipping over to March, it is time to think about summer and D39’s Summer Enrichment Programs 2022! This year, we are very excited to welcome back some of our summer camp options along with our academic programs for our kindergarten through 7th grade students. Be sure to browse our Summer Enrichment Programs website and our new online Summer Enrichment Programs brochure. Online registration is now open. We hope to see you with us for some summer fun!
Register Your Child(ren) for 2022-23 Academic Year
Registration remains open for the 2022-23 academic year. For returning students, visit the PowerSchool parent portal, click on the registration link and follow the instructions. For new students to D39, visit www.wilmette39.org/enroll for instructions on the four-part registration process. Additionally, D39 is offering its KEEP39 afternoon enrichment program for kindergarten students. Please complete the registration process ASAP.. Although the deadline for a guaranteed spot in our KEEP39 program has passed, families can still sign up and be put on our waiting list.
Russia-Ukraine War
The events in Ukraine have had an impact on many of our students. People around the world are feeling stress and fear from watching the violence and wondering what will come next. Our children are also seeing the images and hearing discussions that are scary and unpredictable. This may be compounded for some children by the two years of stress and anxiety that have been associated with the pandemic. As adults, we want to be aware of the potential impact these events can have on children, even if we believe that our children are not paying attention to the events. Here are some resources you might find helpful as your children navigate yet another challenging situation.
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News, Child Mind Institute
How to Talk to Kids About the Ukraine Invasion, PBS SoCal (preschool/elementary)
- How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects, Common Sense Media
Community News
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
In honor of Black History Month, the Village of Wilmette is sponsoring a Black History Month Student Contest. Submit posters, essay, poems and multimedia items relating to the prompt, "Why do we celebrate Black History Month?” Submissions are due TODAY, March 4th, by 4:00 pm. See contest rules for details.
PASS39 is hosting a community event for D39 families, tomorrow, March 5th at 4:00 pm at Wilmette’s Valley Lodge. The Trinity Dancers will perform. A private room has been reserved to meet and chat following the performance.
The Village of Wilmette’s Sesquicentennial Celebration includes many fun activities and projects. Donations of $25 and up will receive recognition in the Commemorative 150th Edition of the Wilmette Communicator. See flyer for details or go to http://www.wilmette150.org
The Village of Wilmette & 'Ready Set Wilmette' Comprehensive Planning Team want to hear from Wilmette residents. ReadySetWilmette.com Help ensure Wilmette is welcoming, thriving and vibrant for years to come. Talk #2 will be held at Regina Dominican High School on March 15th at 6:30 pm. Black History Month student contest winnners submissions will be on display.
The Volunteer Center is offering many volunteer service opportunities. Kids Against Hunger Event will be held on March 19th. Help pack nutritious meals for over 100,000 starving Nicaraguans.
Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) is hosting Campyardigan Summer Camp options for students ages 5-13 with disabilities. The Spring Guide lists summer recreation programs.
Loyola Academy offers Junior High Enrichment Summer Programs. For more information contact summerschool@loy.org or www.goramblers.org/summerschool
The Trevian Girls Softball Association is adding 8-10 year olds to their spring and summer teams. Contact Kelsey Farmer 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.
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