HMS Headlines
December 3, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Dear HMS Families,
WOW! Our students are amazing!
We have been overwhelmed by the creativity with which our students have worked together to raise funds for the Jesse Brown VA Hospital and homeless Veterans. We had students who hosted bake sales, organized caroling in their neighborhoods, and who raked leaves all to help in this effort. It is truly heartwarming to know how committed HMS is to serving others. Representatives from the hospital have expressed their immense gratitude at all of the efforts of our students to help support the homeless Veterans during this holiday season and beyond. Thank you for your support of this special project...we have far surpassed our goal, and will have final numbers next week of how many gift cards we were able to purchase.
In keeping with the theme of Service, we celebrated our Highcrest students of the month this week for demonstrating the trait of Service throughout their experience at HMS. These students were recognized for helping others, being ready to assist in any situation, and generally showing HAWKS qualities on a daily basis. Way to go!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
November Students of the Month: SERVICE
It's Getting Cold Out There!
PICK UP REMINDERS FOR THE AFTERNOON
BIKE SAFETY
MATH AT HOME!
PARENT EDUCATION EVENTS
Our next parent education event is Wednesday, December 15th at 11am. It is titled Making Room for Ambivalence/Sadness and Silver Linings of COVID. Please Register Here.
**NEW**There are multiple ways to participate - onsite at the district office, live over Zoom, or watch the recording on our YouTube channel. We look forward to seeing you next month!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
COVID Safety Precautions
New Trier Township, like much of the rest of the country, has experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. We encourage all students and families to continue to carefully monitor symptoms and to take advantage of free COVID testing options. For additional information, families are encouraged to review our updated D39 Response to Illness Booklet, the CCDPH list of COVID-19 symptoms, and the D39 COVID-19 Testing Page. Travel guidelines for Suburban Cook County are provided by the CCDPH.
SHIELD Testing Continues
District 39’s continues to offer free COVID-19 PCR testing. SHIELD testing is available at Wilmette Junior High School on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3:30-6:30 pm and on Saturdays from 8:00-11:00 am. Anyone who has registered is welcome to access testing on a weekly or intermittent basis.
Student Vaccination Information
As children in the 5-11 age group have been receiving their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage families to upload their child(ren)’s vaccination card via PowerSchool. Instructions were sent out in an email titled “Student COVID Vaccine Information” on Monday, Nov. 29.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
DCFS Foster Child Gift Drive: Families wishing to participate in agift drive for foster children this December should contact Amy Bowen or DanaDrummer. See flyer for details.
PICKLES EMPOWER is hosting a virtual event on December 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Kids supporting kids through their parent/guardian cancer journeys. contact@picklesgroup.org for more information.
The Volunteer Center is offering many volunteer service opportunities. Thanksgiving Morning “Share Your Bounty” Event Thursday, November 25th. Donate a prescribed list of groceries to families at the Good News Partners low-income and subsidized housing in Rogers Park.
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.
SHOW OUR TEACHERS HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THEM!
Please contribute to the holiday teacher gift fund!
Show our wonderful teachers how much we appreciate all they do for our kids every single day with a one-time suggested donation is $25 per student. Click here to donate to teacher gifts through the Membership Toolkit store. Contributions are welcome through this Sunday 12/5. Right now, we are short on our goal and every contribution makes a difference! Thank you!
Highcrest Spiritwear Makes the PERFECT Holiday Gift for your Hawk!
Show your Hawks pride with a variety of spiritwear options! Please contact Jen at spiritwear@highcrestpto.org to get your holiday orders in!
Highcrest PTO General Board Meeting
All welcome to join the December 10th General PTO Meeting via zoom from 9:15-10:15am! Dr. Cremascoli will be presenting a “state of the district” presentation. Join by clicking HERE!
Highcrest After School Clubs
⏰ After School Clubs at Highcrest: MARK YOUR CALENDARS… Registration opens on Monday, December 6!
The Highcrest PTO has worked with several vendors to offer a variety of fun and educational clubs. Registration for Winter Session for the following clubs will open on the Highcrest PTO site on Monday, December 6th at 9am:
• Aces Debate Club
• Chess-Ed
• High Five Junior Choir Club
• Skyline Theater
• Yearbook
PASS39 Upcoming Events!
Pass39 is hosting an evening to connect parents and to provide support for one another. This social gathering is for any parent of a child who has an IEP, 504 plan or is concerned your child may need one.
Thursday, December 16th at 7:30pm
The Shack Indoor Golf Golf
1717 Chestnut Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
847.904.2905
If interested in reserving a tee time, please reserve here:
https://clients.uschedule.com/theshackgolfclub/booking
Hope to see you there!
Trex Plastic Bag Challenge
The Trex Plastic Bag Challenge is happening from November 15, 2021-April 15, 2022. Students, teachers and families (and the community at large) are asked to dispose of their plastic bags at conveniently located bins by the front office. Collections will be weighed and logged each week and will help HMS to compete against other middle schools nationwide. Plastic MUST be clean and dry. Questions? Please contact EnvironmentalAwareness@highcrestpto.org.
Order your 2021-22 HMS Yearbook!
CLICK HERE to order today!
Membership Toolkit
AtoZ Connect is now powered by Membership Toolkit to bring you the best directory experience available. PTO memberships, directories, communications, online store, and more will all run through the newly improved online software. Click here if you haven’t already signed up!
To access the new 2021-2022 Highcrest PTO Directory, please visit https://highcrestpto.membershiptoolkit.com/. Bookmark this site now!
All announcements to be included in Headlines must be submitted via the Communications Request Form by Wednesdays at 2pm.