WJHS Highlights
02/10/2023
A Message from the Administrative Team
Dear WJHS Families,
We shared with you earlier this year that we couldn't be more excited to welcome Student Council back to WJHS! We are so grateful to our PTO and our faculty supervisors, Ms. Barthelmess and Ms. Marlas, who agreed to help lead this small but mighty group of students! At the top of the Student Council wish-list has been a dance, and so I am very happy to share that they are working hard to bring this wish to reality! Please see the fliers for more information.
On all of our minds this week has been the devastation unfolding after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The Student Council is seeking donations of individually wrapped snacks and single-serving beverages. These will be sold at the Valentine’s Dance, and all proceeds will go directly to support the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Please feel free to send donations directly to WJHS to the attention of Ms. Barthelmess, or have your child drop off donations in room 110. Thank you in advance for your contributions!
We hope that you all have a restful weekend.
Take care,
Kate, Jeff and Eric
8th Grade Graduation Information
We are looking forward to celebrating our eighth graders! We will hold two ceremonies due to the number of graduates. We will have much more information coming later as graduation day approaches. Please contact Eric Resis at resise@wilmette39.org.
- Please complete the 8th grade graduation diploma information form HERE.
New Trier Incoming Freshman Page
The New Trier incoming/new student web page is something to bookmark! Important information is now posted regarding registration and upcoming events after winter break. Click HERE to access.
New Trier Placement Letters
New Trier sent placement recommendations in the U.S. mail late this week. This means some of you will receive the envelope on Friday or Saturday and some might not receive it until Monday, February 6. New Trier asks families to wait until Friday morning, February 10, to call if you do not receive the envelope. On Friday they will gladly email families the information that is in the packet. New Trier has approximately 75 families that have not completed their PowerSchool enrollment so they will not receive their student’s test scores and recommendations until they have completed the required forms.
PTO Highlights
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.
WE ARE SEEKING A FEW MORE ITEMS FOR THE TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION SOUP LUNCH
Let's warm up our amazing WJHS teachers and staff with homemade soup for lunch on Wednesday, February 15th.
Please use this SignUp Genius to help.
CAFETERIA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT LUNCH!
Spend an hour and a half 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! :)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4facaa23a2f5ce9-cafeteria
CHESS ENRICHMENT ON PRESIDENT’S DAY
Sponsored by Chess-Ed, SCHOOLS-OUT CHESS WORKSHOP on MONDAY February 20th features high-quality instruction, one-on-one coaching and supervised play time. The staff from Chess-Ed will instruct students with opening theory, middle game planning and combinations, and winning endgame technique. Students are grouped according to skill level: beginner/novice players, intermediate/ continuing players and advanced/tournament players.
For more information or to register, click here.
District Update
Special Note From Dr. Cremascoli
District 39 would like to acknowledge those families that were affected by the devastating earthquake earlier this week in Turkey and Syria. We cherish the diverse family backgrounds inside of D39 and this diversity of cultures help make our D39 learning community special. Together, we share in the sorrow and are here to support our affected families.
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 students who will be new to D39, including incoming kindergarteners, www.wilmette39.org/enroll provides detailed instructions on the registration process. Parents with incoming kindergarten students are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible to reserve your spot. More information on the KEEP39 program is available on our website.
Cell Phone, Smart Watches and Texting During the School Day
As a district, we are aware that a growing number of our students, including elementary school students, are coming to school with cell phones and/or smart watches and we have seen an increase in distractions related to these devices during instruction. We would like to remind parents/guardians to be cognizant and respectful of instructional time during the school day and refrain from calling/texting your children during school hours. Should you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact the school office and they will be happy to communicate your message.
Information on 2023 Summer Enrichment Program
The District 39 Summer Enrichment Programs (SEP) 2023 website is open with information, tools, and timelines. The program brochure will be available on Monday (Feb. 13) with registration opening on Monday, Feb. 20 at 9 am. This year’s Summer Enrichment Program will take place from June 29-July 28, with no classes on July 3-4, and offerings include our extended school year, review & reinforcement, academic classes, and hobby/themed courses. For families of students who qualify for Review & Reinforcement courses, letters will be sent home by the end of next week (Feb. 17).
Parent Education Opportunities
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday for our most recent Parent Education event, “Strengthening Executive Functioning Skills.” A recording of this presentation is now available. On Wednesday, March 8, District 39 will be hosting the second part of our three-part series titled “Being An Ally: Supporting Inclusivity and Approaching Difficult Conversations at Home.” Registration is open for this event now.
Part three of that series will be an in-person, evening event on Wednesday, April 12 (7 pm) featuring Highcrest Middle School Principal and District 39 Administrator for Social-Emotional Learning and Family Engagement Kelly Jackson 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, the Family Action Network (FAN) is hosting a virtual event on Feb. 15 with Toni Boos, Psy.D., Leslie Brankin, Psy.D., and Anna Finis, Psy.D. titled “Understanding and Treating Social Anxiety and Refusal.” Visit their website for more information and to register.
Community Review Committee (CRC) Is Looking For Feedback
Each year, the District 39 Community Review Committee (CRC) chooses a focus area to research and provide recommendations to the District 39 Board of Education to help support the needs of students and families. This year’s topic is “A Culture of Connectedness: An Empathic and Inclusive Community for Neurodivergent Students." The Committee is asking families to complete this short survey to help us learn about parent understanding of neurodiversity and how teachers and staff can best partner with families to create an equitable learning environment for neurodivergent students across all grade levels. Thank you for your participation. The survey will close on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Shine on 39
Last week’s edition of “Shine on 39” highlighted social-emotional learning inside District 39, a key component of our students’ overall educational journey. Please visit our Shine on 39 webpage to view all of our terrific “Shine on 39” pieces.
Community News
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
The Village of Wilmette Human Relations Commission is sponsoring a poster, essay/poetry, multimedia/music contest commemorating Black History Month The theme for 2023 is 'Black Resistance’ which include stories about the fight for freedom, justice and equality. The contest runs from January 16-February 16. All winners receive a gift card, certificate of recognition, and have works displayed at the Village Hall.
BLOOD DRIVE! Donate blood on Super Bowl Sunday, February 12 at St. Francis Xavier Gym 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wilmette Historical Museum presents MEET THE LINCOLNS on Sunday, February 19 from 2:00-3:00 pm.
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.
HMS/WJHS: For 5th - 8th graders
New Trier Dance is offering a Dance Division FUN day on Saturday, February 11 for students ages 10-14.
HMS/WJHS: For 6th - 8th grade girls
SKATE FOR GIRLS aims to decrease the gender gap in STEM by teaching math through figure skating. Girls can skate weekly for FREE at Centennial Ice Rink on Sundays, January 15-Feburary 19, 1:00 - 3:30 pm. Register at www.skateforgirls.org
For 6th, 7th & 8th graders:
Family Service Center Leadership & Resilience Builder Program (LRBP) is accepting applications for 6th, 7th, & 8th grae students. Program is held on Mondays, 6:00-7:00 pm from March 13-May22. Call 847-251-7350 for more information.
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