WJHS Highlights
12/02/2022
A Message from the Administrative Team
Dear WJHS families,
For those who celebrate Thanksgiving, we hope you had a wonderful holiday and that everyone had a safe and relaxing fall break!
The holidays can be both exciting and challenging. This is a season when we spend time with our loved ones, and the loss of loved ones is never more present. We are thinking of all of our families who welcomed new members and have also experienced loss. We are giving our internal SEL check-in survey at school which helps us identify students who may benefit from a 1:1 check-in. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us and/or our social workers if you would like someone to touch base with and provide additional support for your child.
Nicola Kiela: Teams 7B and 8C
Cathy Marlas: Teams 7C and 8A
Natalia Panico: Teams 7A and 8B
We hope that you will join us on Wednesday, December 14 at 11:00 AM, for our Parent Education Event. This month's event is part one of a three-part series centered around supporting inclusivity and approaching difficult conversations at home. You can participate virtually via Zoom or watch the recording at a later time. Please click here to register for this event and click here for the full schedule of the 2022-23 parent education events.
We hope that you all stay warm this weekend.
Take care,
Kate, Jeff and Eric
Daughters of the American Revolution
We had three students place in the Daughters of the American Revolution American History contest and we are proud of our winners and all of those who took time to participate. Congratulations! Place winners are: Sophia Voight, Amelie Billings and Lia Mackris!
Scripps Spelling Bee Round 1 Begins!
If your student is registered for the first round of the Scripps Spelling bee, remember that the online test will open on Sunday, December 4th, and close at 11:59 pm on December 5th. Students must be registered through the Scripps site in order to access the test. Information can be found HERE.
WJHS is offering students the opportunity to take the first round, qualifying tests for the International Academic Competition's history, science, and geography bees. Students can find information about the bee(s) and sign up on the LC/Enrichment Schoology page. This is the first round of testing; if students qualify for further competition, they will be responsible for the logistics of those competitions.
Replacement Locks
If your child requests a replacement lock and it is not at the fault of the manufacturer, your child will be charged $10 for a new lock. An example of this would be when a student does not lock their belongings and while in class, their lock is taken. This charge will be assessed to their school fees. All students must have their items locked inside a locker and students may not bring their own locks to school for safety reasons. Thank you.
Tech Tidbit
Every student in D39 follows a Technology Pledge. At WJHS, ours is called iPad Oath and it is on the lock screen of every student iPad. This helps students to remember to be safe, responsible and respectful while using their school issued iPad. We review this Oath and appropriate use while using any of the school devices at the beginning of the year. Students may decorate the Oath any way they would like as long as it is appropriate and the oath is readable. If you for some reason don’t see the Oath on their iPad lock screen, please help us by informing them to change it back to the Oath. They can find the Oath template and directions on how to set it as their lock screen in the Mobile Learning Orientation Folder of their Schoology Homeroom course.
PTO Highlights
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE TO iGNITE!
IGNITE!! It's not too late to donate to Ignite! This is a great way to give back to your child and the students of WJHS!! This year we are excited to host field trips and in-person speakers! We are well underway! Please donate now to Ignite if you haven't already! Magnets will be distributed at the end of the month, only to those who donate! Let's make this a great year!!
ATTN: 7TH GRADE PARENTS THE 2023 8TH GRADE DC TRIP: Registration is now Waitlist only
This is an opportunity for students to explore some of our nation's most important historical sites while experiencing incomparable learning moments. This trip is limited in space and after the initial seats are filled, students will be added to a waitlist for the trip. Please note that waitlisted students could still make the trip if additional seats come open. Click here to learn more and/or to be added to the waitlist. This trip is not run by the school or the PTO and is teacher run as an elective opportunity. Please contact Paul Harper at paul.w.harper@gmail.com if you have questions!
PTO/iGNITE! IS THRILLED TO SUPPORT BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
Battle of the Books is a reading enrichment opportunity (funded with your iGNITE! donations) available to all WJHS students. As part of a team, students read books from a list of award-winning and highly recommended titles. The program culminates in a Kahoot "Battle" to determine which team knows the books best. Students are encouraged to form teams of 4–6 students in either grade or they can register individually and teachers will help form teams.
CAFETERIA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT LUNCH
The cafeteria needs parent volunteers! Spend 90 minutes of your day helping the school, while viewing your child from a distance (we promise they won't even know you're there!). Come at the scheduled time, check in with the cafeteria staff, and they will let you know where they need the help. You will not need to cook, simply give food to the kids. You are done once 6th period lunch is finished. Please tie your hair back or pop on a cap, otherwise the hairnet may be your only option... You've been warned! :)
Please click here to sign up for a slot or two.
CRC IN NEED OF A WJHS PARENT REP
The Community Review Committee (CRC) serves in an advisory capacity to Wilmette Public Schools District 39 Board of Education to research specific topics that will lead to improvements in teaching, learning or managing the District’s operations. This year’s topic is Neurodivergence. Please see the CRC website for more details. If interested, please contact amymwechsler@gmail.com.
District Update
Parent Education Event
Make plans now to join us for next month’s 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 on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 11am. Parents can participate virtually via Zoom or watch the recording afterward. We will not have an in-person option for this event. Please click here to register and click here for the full schedule of the 2022-23 parent education events.
Solar Panel Installation
As you may have noticed, our District 39 schools are in the process of having solar panels installed! These panels are the result of a grant received this past spring from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, providing energy and educational opportunities to our schools. D39 has a strong commitment to sustainability initiatives and these solar panels also provide a wonderful teaching and learning opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff.
Community News
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
New Trier is offering Beyond Diversity for Community Members. The sessions will be on December 9 and 10 at New Trier Northfield Campus from 8:30-3:30. Participants must attend both days. These sessions are specifically designed for community members.
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 Wilmettes local troop for Kdg - 1st graders. The next pack meeting is Monday, December 5 at First Congregational Church, 1125 Wilmette Ave., 6:15 - 7:30 pm. email: thirdson88@yahoo.com for more information
HMS/WJHS: For 6th - 8th grade girls
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
Wilmette Junior High School
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
Principal at Wilmette Junior High School; love being an educator and working with young people; value spending time with friends and family