HMS Headlines
December 9, 2022
A Message from Our Administrative Team
One of our strategic plan goals includes fostering leadership in our students. This week, I was fortunate to have observed both students from the 6th Grade Student Advisory Board, and the HMS Student Council demonstrate their leadership skills as they generated ideas and brought issues to the table about ways we can improve the school. I'm so grateful for our students and their engagement in the school community beyond the classroom. Their voices make a difference, and help us to have fun, enjoy being at school, and learn more about each other!
John Quincy Adams once said, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Our Highcrest Hawks certaily are inspiring us to dream and learn!
Ask your child about the upcoming events being planned at Highcrest by these two groups. The Student Advisory Board is challenging students and their homerooms to decorate their doors with winter themes. Homerooms are designing and planning, and we look forward to the contest taking place next week. The Student Council is planning a Spirit Week for the week before Winter Break. I have it on good authority that we will be able to wear our PJs at least one of those days! We will share more on both of these events next week.
Have a great weekend,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
WHMS LIVE BROADCAST! TUNE IN EVERY MONDAY!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Parent Education Event
Make plans now to join us for our next Parent Education event, which will be part one of a three part series centered around supporting inclusivity and approaching difficult conversations at home. The topic for part one is “Talking with Your Teen About LGBTQ+ Identities.” This event will be held next Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 11 am. Parents can participate virtually via Zoom or watch the recording afterward. APlease click here to register for this event and click here for the full schedule of the 2022-23 parent education events.
Additionally, we invite our families to check out the additional Parent Education events presented by the Family Action Network (FAN). Please click here for more information on FAN and click here for upcoming FAN events.
Board of Education Meeting – Monday, Dec. 12
The Board of Education will hold its regular monthly business meeting on Monday, Dec. 12 at 7 pm at the Mikaelian Education Center. The meeting will begin with a public hearing on the 2022 Tax Levy. The Board will then hear committee reports, consider summer construction and air conditioning renovation bids, as well as hear a presentation on five-year financial projections during the regular business portion of the meeting. Click here for access to the complete meeting agenda and materials.
Shine on 39
This edition of “Shine on 39” showcases our outstanding music educators. Music is an important component in the complete and holistic education that we provide in District 39 and we are excited to highlight the important work that is being done in our music rooms!COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Christmas Brasstacular: Festive music performed by the Lakeshore Brass Ensemble will be held at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on December 18th at 3:00 pm. The concert is free. Register for tickets here.
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.
"Best Step Tutoring” offers free online tutoring for PreK-12 grades.
Cub Scout Pack 10: Dens 3 (Lions) & 4 (Tigers) is West Wilmette's local troop for Kdg - 1st graders. Email: thirdson88@yahoo.com for more information
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
YOUR PTO IN ACTION: HOLIDAY GIFT FUND
Thank you to the generous Highcrest community for donating to the Holiday Gift Fund! Gifts will be delivered to all staff members the week of December 19th. Thank you for contributing and showing them how much we appreciate all of their hard work.
D39 Educational Foundation: Appreciation Certificates Available
Looking for a holiday gift to say thank you to a special teacher, staff or administrator?
For your $39 donation, the staff member(s) of your choice will be honored with a personalized certificate sent via email and their name posted on our website's virtual Wall of Honor. All donations will benefit our schools by funding the Foundation's Gripp Grant program and, if needed, assisting our school community more immediately through special gifts.
Purchase your Appreciation Certificate here.
HMS Student Variety and Talent Show 2023 - Date Announcement and Information Session
The HMS PTO is thrilled to announce the date of the Student Variety and Talent Show - Friday, March 17, 2023. Seeking students who want to showcase their talents. Interested? Come to one of our information sessions after school on Monday, December 12th or Friday, January 13th. You will have a chance to learn more about what it takes to be in the show, meet with the directors, ask questions, learn about auditions, etc.
WINTER AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Registration for Highcrest Winter After School Clubs is opening soon! Please see below for information about each club. For more information, please visit the HMS PTO website HERE.
Please note the registration dates/times below:
Wednesday, 12/14 at 7pm - Registration opens for Chess, Skyline, and Yearbook.
Wednesday, 1/11 at 9:30am - Registration opens for High Five Junior Choir and Aces Debate Club.
Chess Enrichment Program – Registration opens on December 14th at 7pm
Each week students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play classmates. Students will grow their knowledge of the game – from the basics through opening theory, middle game tactics and end game combinations. Students’ vocabulary and math skills will continue to advance. The chess program is open to all students in all grades and of all playing levels.
Club dates/times: Thursdays 3:45-4:45 pm, from 1/12/23-3/23/23
Club fee: $187 if registered by 12/29
Skyline Studios: The Lion King – Registration opens on December 14th at 7pm
Broadway Stars gives growing actors an immersive musical theater experience, from an exciting first day of getting to know the show to an exhilarating final performance. Every child will be assigned a named role and have a chance to shine. With the guidance of an experienced teaching artist, actors will memorize lines, sing solos, and learn fundamental musical theater choreography to bring the story of The Lion King Jr. to life on stage. Families will be provided with instructions for how to assemble a costume for the final performance on the Highcrest School Stage.
Club dates/times: Wednesdays 3:45-5:45pm, from 1/11/23-3/22/23
Club fee: $365
Yearbook Club – Registration opens on December 14th at 7pm
Do you want to learn how to produce and promote our HMS Yearbook? Do you enjoy photography? Do you enjoy being part of a team? Then come be a part of the team that will organize photos for our annual yearbook and create videos for broadcast, promoting the sale of yearbooks. The 2022-2023 Highcrest Yearbook Club will record the events and activities of the school year. Your input will become a treasured memory of your time here at Highcrest Middle School!
Club dates/times: Mondays 3:45-4:45, on 1/9/23, 1/23/23, 1/30/23, 2/6/23, 2/13/23, 2/27/23, 3/6/23, 3/13/23, 3/20/23, and 4/3/23
Club fee: $120
High Five Junior Choir – Registration opens on January 11th at 9:30am
The Wilmette High Five Junior Choir provides a safe learning environment in which students of all abilities come together to create and experience music, build friendships, and raise awareness against stereotypes of individuals with physical and mental disabilities. This club is based off of the High-5 Choir that is offered at New Trier High School. The Wilmette High Five Junior Choir aims to share the love of music with peers regardless of abilities, share our voices through music, and have a lot of fun! For more information: Email Jana Martin, martinj@wilmette39.org.
Club dates/times: Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm on the following dates: 2/2/23, 2/9/23, 2/16/23, 3/23/23, 3/2/23, 3/9/23, 3/16/23, 3/23/23, 4/6/23, 4/13/23, 4/20/23, 4/27/23.
Club fee: $150
Aces Debate Club – Registration opens on January 11th at 9:30am
Where you’ll learn to think fast and speak well! Learn research, writing, and oral argumentation. Programs for beginning and experienced debaters, 5th thru 8th grade! All programs consist of weekly class sessions held at HMS for 60 minutes with supplemental debate activities. All programs conclude with a 2-hour session to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their new skills in full debates.
Club dates/times: Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm (Advanced Debate), Fridays 3:45-4:45pm (Intro to Debate)
Club fee: $275
Also, following our successful first season of HMS girls volleyball, 6th grade boys volleyball is coming soon! The team's 6-week season will be in late winter (Feb-Mar), with registration in January. More info to come soon. Please reach out to Dan Magestro (magestro@gmail.com) with any questions.
Order your Yearbook
Order your Yearbook today!
Click HERE to order your 2022-2023 HMS yearbook!
Not sure if you have already ordered one? You can check your inbox for an e-mail confirmation from Jostens. Email yearbook@highcrestpto.org with any questions.
PASS 39 NEWS
The Parent Association for Student Services in District 39 (PASS39) is a parent organization committed to supporting parents of children with learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental challenges.
Check their latest newsletter for more information HERE
GREEN CORNER
Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge – From Bag to Bench
The Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge is ongoing! Thank you to all that collect their difficult to recycle plastic film items, such as produce bags, bubble wrap, and plastic mailers (see list below) and bring them to HMS. One bin is located at the entrance of the school office, one in the front lobby, and one in the teacher’s lobby. The Environmental Affairs Committee will weigh, collect, and bring the plastic film to the collection sites.
Webinar: Cold Climate Heat Pumps
Date: December 14th, 2022
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Presented by Electrify Now, this webinar will give you a jump start learning about the next best thing in reducing home energy use – heat pumps.
High efficiency heat pumps are a key technology in helping individuals and communities move towards rapid electrification and decarbonization no matter where they are located. Speakers will share the latest research and updates on cold climate heat pumps. REGISTER HERE (Eventbrite.com - Cold Climate Heat Pumps - Warm homes on the coldest days)
Evening Owl Prowl
Date: December 16th, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062
A guided walk on trails of the River Trail Nature Center to search for local owls. Ages 8 & up. REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Call River Trail at 847-824-8360. Deadline: 12/13.
Holiday Lights Recycling Drive!
Location: Wilmette Public Works, 711 Laramie Ave., Wilmette
Date: 24-hour drop-off in the front parking lot through Jan. 31
Contact: (847) 853-7500 for questions.
Don't put holiday light strings in the trash - recycle them! Bring old or broken string lights and extension cords to the Village's Public Works facility for recycling. The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) and its member communities are offering a Holiday Light Recycling Program, free of charge, for all SWANCC area residents.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many ways to get involved at Highcrest! See links below to sign-up:
School Store - Sign-ups are available on Wednesdays during lunch.
Lunch - sign ups for help during lunch period for both 5th & 6th grade