WJHS Highlights

Dear WJHS families,

As the school year winds down, please find important dates below. If you have an incoming seventh grader, we encourage you to check out our "Transition to 7th Grade Information" web site with resources to support incoming students and their families.

As we did a few weeks ago, we have outlined events below for the last week of school. Eighth grade families should have received an email this week from Eric Resis, eighth grade level administrator, with specific information around graduation. If you have an eighth grader and did not receive an email from Eric Resis this week, please see below under "Eighth Grade Graduation Information" for a copy of that communication.

Eighth Grade Students Only:

Monday, June 5: Great America

Tuesday June 6: Team Day (Great America Rain Date); iPad return

Wednesday, June 7: AM Graduation Practice; 8th Grade Party at WJHS: 1:00 - 3:10 PM

Thursday, June 8: AM Graduation Practice, Yearbooks, 11:20 AM Dismissal for 8th grade only. This is the last day of school for 8th grade only.

• Graduation: two ceremonies:
• Team 8A: ceremony at 4:30 PM
• Teams 8B and 8C: ceremony at 6:30 PM

The schedule for the last week of school for seventh graders is:

Monday - Wednesday: regularly scheduled day

Thursday: Team Day, iPad return

Friday: Yearbooks, 11:20 dismissal

Best,

Kate, Jeff and Eric

Tech:

Please mark your calendars. iPad Collection Day is coming up.

• Tuesday, June 6 for all 8th-graders (during Homeroom)

• Thursday, June 8th for all 7th-graders (during Homeroom)

7th-graders will be turning in their iPad with the case only. They should come to school ready to return their device during homeroom on June 8th.

8th-graders will return their iPad w/case, charging adapter, and cable. Students should come prepared to return their devices and accessories on June 6th. Click here for information on how to prepare the device for return.

If you have any questions, email Support@wilmette39.org

Library

• May 19 - Last day that students may check out a book
• May 26 – All students books are due

Patty Ballard and Laura Polkoff are both retiring this year, after 18 year at Harper. We are collecting cards for both teachers and will present the cards to them in a keepsake box at the end of this school year. Current and former students/families are all welcome to participate. There will be a box in the lobby at Harper. Thank you for your support and congratulations to Ms. Ballard and Ms. Polkoff.

Check out this quarter's issue including:

• 2023 Award Winning Books
  
• SEL Book Recommendations
• Making Mistakes
• Creating a Sense of Belonging
• From the Glenview Public Library
• Kindness Rock Garden
• From the Wilmette Public Library
• One Book, Everyone Reads Selection

June 8 is our graduation ceremony, held inside the New Trier East Campus Gaffney Auditorium: Save the date! Click HERE for the most recent update from Eric Resis.

We are looking forward to celebrating our eighth graders! We will hold two ceremonies due to the number of graduates. Team 8A will graduate first and teams 8B and 8C will graduate at the second ceremony. Each family will receive four tickets per student to attend the graduation and the tickets will be distributed to students on the last day of school.

The New Trier incoming/new student web page is something to bookmark! Important information is now posted regarding registration and upcoming events. Click HERE to access.

NT101 has been rescheduled to TUESDAY, MAY 9th from 7:00-8:30 (parents only) . Click here to see flyer with information.

8TH GRADE GRADUATION SIGN PICK-UP DATES & TIMES

Thank you to the WJHS PTO for making the graduation signs FREE for all 8th graders. Pick up a sign for your graduate:

• Sat 5/20 8am-10am 1921 Schiller Ave and WJHS

• Mon 5/22 6pm-8pm 1921 Schiller Ave

We will coordinate porch drop offs to recycle ♻️ for next year's graduates soon.

If you can't make either time, email graduationparty@wjhspto.com to arrange a pickup.

GRADUATION PARTY

Wednesday, June 7 • 1:00-3:10pm.

DJ, photo booth, games, inflatables, and snacks. Students should bring a water bottle to help them stay cool.

Check next week's Highlights for the SignUpGenius to volunteer and support our graduates.

YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION

Yearbooks will be handed out on the last day of school for each grade. 8th graders will receive Yearbooks on Thursday, June 8th. 7th graders will receive theirs on Friday, June 9th.

If you want to double check that you ordered a yearbook, search your inbox for an email from

yearbookordercenter@herffjones.com, or a subject of Yearbook Order Center Confirmation.

If you haven’t yet ordered, extra copies will be sold for $30 while supplies last. Have your child bring $30 in cash, or a check made out to WJHS PTO (on their last day of school) to the office to purchase a yearbook.

THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING STAFF APPRECIATION COMMITTEE!

Thank you to the amazing Staff Appreciation committee who organized a great week for all the teachers and staff at the WJHS! This team let the teachers and staff know how much we value what they do for our kids everyday. The staff loved the meals, coffee, massages and gift cards so kindly donated by WJHS parents and the PTO. Thank you to the committee of Allyson Paflas, Lyndy Davenport, Carolyn Cornwell, Lisa Lang, Emily Paris and Stephanie Crocker!! And on our District Wide PTO call, Dr Cremascoli noted how impressed she was, and how delighted the teacher were with their efforts.

NOW OPEN: SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT SALE FOR THE 2023/2024 SCHOOL YEAR

It’s time to order your school supplies for next year! Online ordering of school supply kits from EduKit is NOW OPEN and will end on Friday, June 30, 2023. Don't miss out! Order your 2023/2024 school supplies now by clicking WJHS SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT SALE.

All D39 schools (K-8) use EduKits for school supply kits, and all D39 school kits can be purchased in a single transaction by searching your other D39 school before checking out! Your EduKit purchase also helps support the activities and initiatives of the WJHS PTO. Thank you for your support! Also, please note school supply kits are separate from the instructional materials fee paid during registration.

Due to shipment delay concerns, there will NOT be a Last Chance sale during the summer. June 30th will be the last day to order school supply kits.

Questions? Contact schoolsupplies@wjhspto.com.

Here’s a link to the school supply list for 2023–2024, if you’d like to buy your own.

LUNCHTIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CAFETERIA & COURTYARD

The cafeteria staff, and students in the quiet zone courtyard would love your help during the lunch hours.

Use this link to help in the CAFETERIA.

Use this link to help in the COURTYARD.

SEEKING CRC REPRESENTATIVE FOR WJHS NEXT YEAR

The District 39 Community Review Committee is seeking to fill their committee with one representative from WJHS. The CRC advises the District 39 Board of Education by researching a relevant topic that will lead to improvements in the district. The position would involve meeting once a month from 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 by clicking this link:

https://wilmette39.ss9.sharpschool.com/about_d39/community_review_committee

New members are welcome to attend the final meeting of the year on June 6 at 7pm at the Mikaelian Education Center where potential topic ideas will be discussed.

If you are interested in the position, please contact president@wjhspto.com.

Important Dates

With less than one month remaining in the school year, here are a couple of important dates to note:

• Monday, May 29 – Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)

• Thursday, June 8 – 8th Grade Graduation

• Friday, June 9 – Last Day of School (Grades 1-7, Early Release)

Board of Education Meeting

On Monday evening, the Board of Education will be hosting its regular monthly meeting. In addition to liaison reports and administrative updates, the Community Review Committee will present its report titled “A Culture of Connectedness: An Empathic and Inclusive Community for Neurodivergent Students'' to the Board. Additionally, the Board will hear a report on 2023-24 student/staff planning, a presentation of the FY24 draft budget, and conduct a first reading of several Board policies. Click here for access to the complete meeting agenda and materials.

Parent Education Recordings

Many thanks to everyone who participated in our virtual and in-person Parent Education events this year. Recordings of all of our virtual Parent Education events are available on our D39 Parent Education webpage for easy access. We are looking forward to bringing you more valuable and relevant Parent Ed programming during the 2023-24 school year.

LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events

Cub Scout Pack 1 is recruiting! Many fun events scheduled. Learn more at the Rocket Launch Event at St. Joe’s on May 21st at 3:00 p.m. email ZakStambor@gmail.com for more information.

Calling all kids and teens! Join us May 21, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at Gillson Beach Picnic Pavilion in Wilmette for the Amazing Race to Spread Warmth! Compete in a variety of challenges, while raising funds to help spread warmth to those who need it most. Register at: https://betsysblankets.kindful.com/e/amazing-race-to-spread-warmth

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

Glide to Growth is a non profit organization that aims to provide one-on-one free figure skating lessons to children with disabilities. Ice skating is an excellent therapeutic activity that promotes physical, emotional, and social growth. Contact www.glidetogrowth.com

SKATE FOR GIRLS! Learn math through skating for FREE! A free weekend program for middle school girls will be held Saturdays, May 20 - June 10, 9:15 am - 12:15 pm at Centennial Ice Rink.

Wilmette Wings / Chicago Rush North Shore - Learn more about travel soccer with the Wilmette Wings Soccer Club (U7-U12) and Chicago North Shore (U13-U19) and how to register for tryouts in May. www.wilmettewings.com/tryouts OR www.chicagorushnorthshore.com

Sensory Friendly Programs at Wilmette Public Library - all summer long!

Oakton College offers STEAM Youth Summer Camp with in-person and virtual options. Virtual courses: June 6 - August 26 and In-Person Courses: June 12 - August 3

Northwestern presents Wildcat Science Camp! Session 1: Insect and Pollinator Behavior July 10-14. Session 2: Engineering Rockets July 24-28. Scholarships available for families with need.

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.

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