HMS Headlines
October 29, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Dear HMS Families,
Today was our half day as we prepare for the end of the quarter and upcoming conferences taking place November 10-12. We hope you have had the opportunity to sign up to meet with your child's teachers so you can learn about the exciting learning and progress being made in the classroom. Conferences will be on Zoom this year, and in the next week you will receive information about how to connect with your child's teachers via Zoom. Stay tuned!
As a reminder, parents will receive progress reports to share information about how students are working toward standards PRIOR to conferences. On those progress reports you will see marks of 1-4 for each of the standards addressed thus far in the year. More information about progress reporting at HMS is available HERE. Please note only learner behaviors and learning standards are marked at the progress reporting period, and letter grades are given at the semester (after 2nd quarter).
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Have a great weekend,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
Office Hours at HMS
STOCK THE MAKER SPACE
We are so excited to be welcoming students back into the Learning Commons this year. Our Makerspace is also open and we are accepting donations. Don't throw it away- send it our way! If you have any of the following supplies:
Arts and craft supplies (popsicle sticks, pom pom balls, fabric, felt, foam, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, string, ribbon, yarn etc.)
Old shoe or tissue boxes
Plastic cups
Legos
Cotton Balls
Please consider donating it to our Makerspace. Please contact our LC team with any questions about our space or other supplies we may need!
Updates from the HMS library!
CONFERENCES ARE COMING!
No Place for Hate at HMS
If your child is interested in joining this team, please have them sign up on the Google Form in Schoology. We would love all interested students to join us in this important work!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Board Meeting Update
The Board of Education held its regular meeting this past Monday and unanimously approved the 2021-22 Action Steps for our new strategic plan, Engage, Empower, Inspire (presentation slides). We are thrilled to have Board approval for these items and are excited to continue to lay the foundation to implement this important multi-year effort. The Board also reviewed information regarding our 2021 tax levy and approved a public meeting on the proposed levy directly before its November meeting. Highlights from the Board meeting are available online along with meeting materials and a recording of the meeting.
Strategic Plan Information
As mentioned above, we are excited to continue to lay the groundwork to put our strategic plan into action. Our next step is to create a District Strategic Advisory Team made up of representatives from all stakeholder groups. The main charge of this group will be to identify and design key performance indicators that will help us measure and monitor progress as we aim to Engage, Empower, and Inspire our students and community (Strategic Plan presentation slides and report).
Ages 5-11 Vaccination Clinic
In anticipation of final approval of vaccination for children ages 5-11, the New Trier Township elementary school districts are working with our pharmacy partner on setting up two vaccine clinics in November. This effort is meant to supplement other opportunities available to our students through their medical providers, and registration will be limited to the number of doses we are able to secure. Details are currently being finalized and information will be sent as soon as vaccination is approved for children.
Fall Fun Reminders
Fall Festivals and Halloween are always special days for our students. We love watching them showcase their creativity with their pumpkin creations, costumes and harvest celebrations. It is also often a time for gathering and various connections among our community. As you prepare for safe celebrations this weekend, please continue to pay special attention to outdoor safety as we lose daylight hours and remain aware of healthy and safe protocol for gatherings, especially indoors. Thank you for all of your support!
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.
PEDAL POWER is collecting gently used bicycles to award Chicago Public School Honor Roll students. Please donate used bicycles on November 13th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Drop off locations are listed on the flyer posted on the website.
PICKLES EMPOWER is hosting fall sessions/activities from October 18 - November 19 for 1st - 12th graders with a parent/guardian being treated for cancer or requiring close monitoring for disease progression. Information and links are posted on the Community News site.
The Volunteer Center is offering many volunteer service opportunities. Township Paper Shredding Event, November 13th, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Volunteers needed.
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.
For 5th - 8th grade Girls:
Regina Dominican Panthers Basketball Coaching Staff is hosting FUNdamentals Clinic November 7th, 14th and 21st. 5th-6th grades: 9:00-10:00 am and 7th-8th grades: 10:00 - 11:00 am. ($25 fee)
Lab 39
Class schedules are now available for these hands-on interactive afterschool STEM enrichment classes for 5th-8th grade science lovers in D39. CLICK HERE for more info. Registration opens at 9am on November 3rd. Don't miss out! Questions? Email lab39wilmette@gmail.com
Thank you FREAKY FRIDAY committee & volunteers!!
Freaky Friday was reimagined to a bigger and better event than ever before and it was a HUGE success! It wouldn’t have been possible without the time, energy and creativity of many volunteers who made it happen! A special thanks to our fearless leaders, Megan Leahy & Megan Kelly and their committee including Rebecca Johnson, Sara O’Brien, Christine Richman, Katie Brockett, Najah Musacchio, Sarah Holcomb, Michelle Culbertson, Heather Garrity and Elizabeth Jensen.
Order your 2021-22 HMS Yearbook!
CLICK HERE to order today!
Highcrest After School Clubs
Most HMS After School Clubs are currently full. There may be select openings in The Yearbook and Debate clubs at HMS as well as WPD clubs (Chess and Chemworks). Please reach out to Chris Beer with any questions.
Keep an eye out for information on our Winter Programming - coming soon! Welcome Back from PASS39!
CLICK HERE to read the PASS39 November Newsletter
Join Us for Pass39 Upcoming Social Events:
Pass39 Parent Connection Opportunity!
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 you child may need one.
Tuesday, November 2nd
7:30pm - 10pm
Fred's Garage
574 Green Bay Road
Winnetka
Supporting Friendship Development and Connection
Wednesday, November 17th at 11am
Zoom Meeting
Please use the Newsletter link to register for the Zoom meetings.
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!
Spiritwear
Show your Hawks pride with a variety of spiritwear options! Please contact Jen at spiritwear@highcrestpto.org if you would like to make a purchase.
All announcements to be included in Headlines must be submitted via the Communications Request Form by Wednesdays at 2pm.