HMS Headlines
March 10, 2023
A Message from Our Administrative Team
March 10, 2023 (today) is National SEL Day. SEL, or Social-Emotional Learning, is an important component of our work across District 39 and especially at the 5th and 6th grade level. Throughout the school day, we spend time and use different experiences as ways to support the development of the critical social-emotional competencies identified for student success in school and beyond.
These competencies include:
Self-Awareness:
The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts.
Social Awareness:
The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts.
Relationship Skills:
The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups.
Self Management:
The abilities to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.
Responsible Decision Making:
The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.
Instruction targeted at all of these competencies occurs during specific times such as homeroom for all students, and it is also embedded throughout the school day as students work in groups, interact during team activities, manage their time on assignments, and more. Families at home are also an important component of social-emotional development for our students. Each grade level has guidance for parents available HERE on our D39 Social-Emotional Learning website, so you know what social-emotional skills are targeted for instruction at your child's grade level, what those look like in real life, and to give you access to some ways to reinforce those skills at home.
For more information and details about the competencies themselves, please visit casel.org, the home of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning. Thank you for partnering with us in this important work!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
IAR TESTING
REMEMBER: School begins at 8:50 and testing will begin shortly thereafter. Any students arriving after 9:05 will not be admitted into the testing session, and will have to make up the test during class time later in the day.
STUDENTS NEED WORKING HEADPHONES FOR IAR. PLEASE REMIND YOUR CHILD TO PACK THEIR HEADPHONES AS THEY PREPARE FOR SCHOOL NEXT WEEK.
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
Thank you for your help with this!
Food and Drink at School
We have seen an increase in students bringing ingredients to school to make a shared dessert or snack for the entire lunch table. This is not permitted.
Shared food in the cafeteria is not allowed, and we prefer nut-free foods from home to keep all students safe.
Pizza parties, birthday parties, and external cakes or communal food is prohibited in the cafeteria. Parents may NOT have a third party deliver food for their child, and a child may only eat the lunch provided by their own parent/guardian. We can not accept communal lunches (i.e. a Jimmy Johns lunch tray for the lunch table) in the front office. You must bring your own lunch, and shared food is not allowed.
Please review these guidelines with your child to ensure food safety in the cafeteria.
Similarly we have had an increase in students bringing various beverages with them to school in the morning and drinking them throughout the day. Students are allowed a water bottle (for water only) to drink from in the classroom. All other beverages must be consumed prior to the start of the school day. Students may bring beverages besides water (juice boxes, milk, etc.) with them to lunch, but those must be consumed in the cafeteria while eating. Drinks (such as PRIME, Rockstar, Monster, etc.) are NOT permitted at school during the school day. Please refrain from packing any such drinks in student lunches or sending with them to school.
Procedure for Leaving School Sick
For that reason, if your child is feeling ill during the school day, they should come to the office and see the nurse, who will then reach out if the student needs to be picked up. Please help us to keep these disruptions to a minimum, and remind your child to go see the nurse if they are feeling ill.
SUPPLIES NEEDED!
Student Council Spirit Wear!
Student Council sponsored a design contest for this year’s t-shirt and hoodie. Ordering is now available for both until next Friday, March 10. You can order directly from Custom Ink HERE.
Please make sure to add in your student’s homeroom teacher’s name in the notes section of the order form. All orders will be delivered to homerooms.
All proceeds from this sale will benefit Student Council’s charity for the year, World Wildlife Fund.
SECOND SEMESTER CLUBS 2023
There are still some clubs being planned, so bookmark this list, and re-visit it frequently! Mrs. Jackson will have an announcement about the clubs on the broadcast on Monday, so get ready to hear more details then!
WHMS LIVE BROADCAST! TUNE IN EVERY MONDAY!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Student Registration for 2023-24 Academic Year
Registration remains open for the 2023-24 school year and we ask that all parents complete the registration process prior to March 17. For returning students, please visit the PowerSchool parent portal, click on the registration link and follow the instructions. For new students, including incoming kindergarteners, www.wilmette39.org/enroll provides instructions on the registration process. Parents with incoming kindergarten students who wish to enroll child(ren) in our KEEP39 program must register soon, as spots are filling up. More information on the KEEP39 program is available on our website.
Registration is Now Open For 2023 Summer Enrichment Program
Registration is open for our District 39 Summer Enrichment Program. This year’s program will take place from June 29-July 28. Please visit our Summer Enrichment Program website for more information, including the link to register online. Should you need assistance with the online registration, please check out our online registration guide.
Parent Education Opportunities
Earlier this week, District 39 hosted the second part of its three-part series titled “Being An Ally: Supporting Inclusivity and Approaching Difficult Conversations at Home.” A recording of that event is available now.
Below are links to some of the resources from ADL that were highlighted in the presentation:
Books Matter: Bibliography of recommended children’s books. Includes Book of the Month and educator/family discussion guides with vocabulary, discussion questions and extension activities.
Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current Events: Discussion guides that help parents and family members engage their families in conversations about important news stories and other timely discussions about societal and world events.
The third part of this series will be an in-person, evening event on Wednesday, April 12 (7 pm) featuring Kelly Jackson, Highcrest Middle School Principal and District 39 Administrator for Social-Emotional Learning and Family Engagement, leading a book study and discussion. Please see the linked flyer for more information on the event as well as information on the two books that will be the focal point of the discussion. Be sure to visit our D39 Parent Education webpage to learn more about our parent education program and find recordings of past presentations.
Earlier this month, the Family Action Network (FAN) welcomed Lisa Damour, Ph.D. for a presentation titled “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.” A recording of this event is available through the end of the month. More information on upcoming FAN events can be found on their website.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Wilmette Public Library’s Let’s Learn Together Program offers a family/youth workshop giving families language and building blocks to discuss race, racism, fairness, equity and justice and why race matters in our society. The workshop will be held this Sunday, March 12, 2:30-3:30 pm
A film screening and post-film panel discussion of the Marshall versus New Trier historical documentary, GameChangers, will be held this Sunday, March 12 at 4:00 pm at the Cornog Auditorium, New Trier Northfield Campus. Visit www.gamechangers.film to reserve tickets and learn more about the acclaimed sports documentary and the GameChangers Foundation.
Wilmette Park District seeks residents input and feedback to help create a clear vision for parks, facilities, and recreation to meet the needs of residents for play, health, wellness, open spaces and nature places. Project Parks and Play: Explore the Possibilities. Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/wilmetteparkdistrict
Wilmette Jr. Trevians have two options to learn about hockey this spring; Try Hockey for Free or Little Blackhawks sessions. Visit the website for more information.
Junior Trevian Lacrosse offers lacrosse programs for Kdg-8th graders. Turtle Lacrosse is also available for Kdg-2nd graders.
Wilmette Baseball Association Spring House League registration is open for K-8th grades. www.wilmettebaseball.org
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.
For 6th, 7th, & 8th graders:
Family Service Center Leadership & Resilience Builder Program (LRBP) is accepting applications for 6th,7th & 8th grade students. Program is held on Mondays, 6:00-7:00 pm, March 13 - May 22. Call 847-251-7350 for more information.
YOUR PTO IN ACTION: HMS STUDENT VARIETY AND TALENT SHOW
LAST CHANCE TO BUY TICKETS!
The HMS Student Variety and Talent Show is one week away!
There is one show, one night only on Friday, March 17 at 5:30pm!
Ticket sales are open to students, parents, friends and families. To order online click here.
We have an amazing lineup of acts from 5th and 6th students including dance, music, comedy and more! Come on out to support these courageous students. The show is sponsored by the HMS PTO and organized by parent volunteers.
The show will be held on the big stage in the auditorium at Wilmette Junior High School. Why this location? Because the venue is twice the size of HMS! Tickets are $5 online in advance or $7 at the door (cash only).
Save yourself time and money - and get your tickets in advance! To order online click here.
SAVE THE DATE- HIGHCREST BEACH BASH IS MAY 12TH
D39 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
TRUSTEES NEEDED!
The D39 Educational Foundation is seeking general board candidates for the 2023-24 year and beyond (3 year commitment required).
Interested in volunteering to support the entire district and working with a smart, creative, passionate group of D39 parents and teachers? Do you have experience/interest in marketing, event planning, enrichment or finance? We’d love to hear from you! Monthly evening meetings (a good fit for working parents). Contact Julie Hanahan at jrhanahan@gmail.com
SEEKING 2023-2024 WJHS PTO BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Make friends. Be in the know. Make a difference. Support our teachers and staff. Enrich our student’s school experience. There are so many reasons to serve on the PTO. Please consider sharing your talents as a volunteer for the 2023-2024 WJHS PTO. For more information, please email president@wjhspto.com.
IS YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO VOLUNTEER MORE? The HMS PTO Needs YOU!
The HMS PTO is looking for volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year - there are so many great ways to get involved at the school to fit your schedule. Please reach out to Jennifer Englehaupt at jennifer@englehaupt.net to learn more - we would love to have you.
HMS PTO 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
PASS 39 NEWS: UPCOMING EVENTS!
Want to learn more about what is going on at PASS 39? HERE is the PASS39 February/March Newsletter.
Special Olympics Track and Field
Tuesday practices at McKenzie School from 4:00pm - 4:45pm
February 14th - April 11th
Highcrest provides bus transportation to McKenzie School
Spring Games at Prospect High School on April 15th and April 16th
Please email Coach Joe Taylor for more information and to sign up! taylorjo@wilmette39.org
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) 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.
Harms Woods East Workday
Date & Time: March 12, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Harms Woods – South Harms Road Morton Grove
If you’re looking for ways to get outdoors in the winter months, what better way to do it than cutting brush and peeling off layers while you warm up in the woods?
To enjoy a beautiful day outdoors and help restore health to our local woodlands, join Go Green Wilmette for a restoration workday at Harms Woods East!
The meeting place is in the Harms Woods South parking lot (Groves 1 & 2), which is the first parking lot north of Golf Road (the one shaped like a circle). Dress to get dirty and appropriate to the weather!
Going Green Matters Webinar Series: Your Energy Smart Home
Date & Time: March 22, 2023: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Venue: Virtual,
Organizer: Go Green Wilmette, E-mail: info@gogreenwilmette.org, website: https://gogreenwilmette.org
Registration: HERE
Find out how you can save money, make your home more comfortable, and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.
David Weaver of Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will explain many ways renters, condo dwellers, and homeowners can address climate change through energy-efficiency, cost-saving programs, and electrification. Receive information on:
· Tax credits and rebates for home energy improvements available through the Inflation Reduction Act
· Free programs designed to save you energy and money
· The benefits of home electrification
· Heat pumps and induction stoves