HMS Headlines
November 4, 2022
A Message from Our Administrative Team
Not only was Monday Halloween, but it also marks the end of the first quarter of school, and teachers took the afternoon to prepare for progress reports and conferences taking place November 16-18. Please note that there was an error in last week's newsletter. There is NO SCHOOL on November 17 & 18, however there IS school on November 16.
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. Unless you submitted earlier for an in-person conference, all conferences will be on Zoom. We will send links and information the week before conferences so you have all of the information you need to connect with your child's teachers.
As a reminder, parents will receive progress report access on November 9 during the day. The progress reports share information about how children are working toward standards. 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). Parents will have the opportunity to discuss the progress reports, students strengths, and opportunities for growth, at their upcoming conferences.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
HALLOWEEN AT HMS!
SPELLING BEE!
Bzzz, Bzzz! It's time for the District 39 Spelling Bee! The D39 Bee is open to Highcrest and Wilmette Junior High students. Round 1 is online through the Scripps Online Testing Platform which your child will complete at home between Sunday, December 4th through Monday, December 5th. Round 2 will be an in-person bee in early winter 2023. If your child is interested in studying for the Bee, view the spelling bee folder in your child's lunch course. There, your child will have access to the study list as well as the Google registration link. Email Magistra Carlson if you have any questions: carlsona@wilmette39.org. The deadline for registration is Thursday, December 1st!! Bzzz, Bzzz! Happy Spelling!
TRAFFIC REMINDERS
In the afternoon at pick up time, many cars are picking up students in the main lot by the bike racks and by Gym C. Others are parking in the lot and waiting for their students to come to their cars. While I understand that waiting in a long line can be frustrating, it is important to pick up students by the main circle of the building, as picking your child up in the back of the lot stops up traffic, causes confusion for students and staff, and creates situations that are unsafe due to children crossing at unsupervised areas, as well as drivers then skipping the line to get out and avoid the rest of the wait.
Please review the pick up instructions linked here and plan to pick up your child in the car line at the MAIN ENTRANCE driveway. This will help to keep the car line moving, and ensure our students' safety.
I also want to request that, as you are in the car line, you respect the staff supervisors in the lot and watch for their directions. They are there for your child's safety, and have been instructed in the correct way to direct traffic flow. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to me.
WHMS LIVE BROADCAST! TUNE IN EVERY MONDAY!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Parent/Teacher Conference Information
Registration is currently open to our families for virtual parent/teacher conferences via Zoom. The sign-up window will remain open until Monday, Nov. 14. Families who requested an in-person conference have already received information regarding their pre-scheduled appointment. All parent/teacher conferences will be held on Nov. 16-18, directly before Fall Break.
Parent Education Event
District 39 continues its Parent Education series next week with an in-person, evening event (please note that this is a change in our normal, virtual format). The event will be a screening of “The Upstanders” followed by a panel discussion on cyberbullying and will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 pm inside the Wilmette Junior High School auditorium. Please click here to register for this event and click here for the full schedule of the 2022-23 parent education events.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Wilmette Police Chief Kyle Murphy and Wilmette resident/retired FBI agent Phil Andrew are hosting a firearm safety program that provides information on crime prevention and reporting suspicious activity. Chief Murphy will also provide an overview of the Village’s social services. The event will be held on Monday, November 14, 7:00 - 8:00 pm at the Wilmette Public Library Auditorium.
PASS39 is hosting an in-person Parent Education Event on Tuesday, November 1d5 at 9:00 a.m. Special Education Attorneys Lara Cleary & Jennifer Hansen will explain parents rights and provide tips on how to advocate for children. RSVP and send questions in advance to Pass39@wilmette39.org. The location will be provided once you have registered for the event.
The Trevians Girls Softball Association is adding players born in 2011 (or younger) to travel softball teams. Good athletes who want to learn the sport, receive high quality instruction during indoor workouts and will play in spring & summer seasons. Contact Kelsey Farmer for more information.
USA Hockey is hosting a “Try Hockey for Free” event at Centennial Ice Rink on Saturday, November 12 from 10:10 - 11:10 a.m. If your child is interested in hockey, this is a great way to try the sport.
Wilmette Jr. Trevians are recruiting Kdg-2nd graders to play hockey in House Mite and Mini Mite programs. Season runs from September - February. Contact: leslie.humbel@yahoo.com
PICKLES - kids supporting kids is a local nonprofit that provides free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids ages 6-18 affected by a parent’s cancer diagnosis. These fun, supportive youth groups meet monthly at Winnetka Community House. For more information: www.picklesgroup.org
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.
Scout Troop 2 Wilmette email: bsatroop2wilmette@gmail.com
YOUR PTO IN ACTION - JOEY FINERHYME, CLIMATE RAPTIVIST, ASSEMBLY
The 6th graders were treated to a unique assembly format of "Raptivism" that uses original rap music to educate and inspire environmental action. Joey FineRhyme, building off STEAM content around energy and climate, emphasized action on environmental issues to inspire a belief in students that they can make a positive difference in their world.
YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW!
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.
Interested in these events? Check their latest newsletter for more information HERE
GREEN CORNER
Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge is back
The Environmental Affairs Committee is excited to share that the Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge is back at HMS! One bin is located at the entrance of the school office and one in the front lobby. We will collect produce bags, bubble wrap, plastic mailers, and other film plastics as indicated in the Trex sheet. Trex will make composite decking and railing out of this plastic!
Pumpkin Pitch
Date: November 5, 2022
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Dumpster will be in the Village Hall parking lot in Wilmette, and in the Centennial parking lot, Wilmette.
The Village of Wilmette will provide dumpsters for you to “pitch your pumpkins” and turn them into compost. Painted gourds and pumpkins are OK but please remove all candles and decorations.
Help us keep these pumpkins out of the landfill.
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. More spots have been added!
Village Wide PTO - Please contact the President of the Presidents’ Council, Barb Bentivenga, at bentivenga4@icloud.com for more information.
SPIRITWEAR
Show your Hawks pride with a variety of spiritwear options! Please contact spiritwear@highcrestpto.org if you would like to make a purchase.