HMS Headlines
December 16, 2022
A Message from Our Administrative Team
What a week we had! Our 6th Grade Student Advisory Board sponsored a door decorating contest this week to kick off the week. Doors were judged yesterday, and the winners were announced this morning. Congratulations to Mrs. Martino's homeroom and Ms. Facchini's homeroom. It was a very difficult decision and a very close contest. All of the creativity and originality that was displayed was impressive!
Also impressive was the annual Winter Music Concert where our Hawks Band, Hawks Orchestra, and 6th Grade Choir performed some wonderful music for all of us to enjoy. The final song, Jingle Bell Rock, performed together, put everyone in the winter mood, especially with the snow that was falling outside.
We hope you have a great weekend, and we will see you next week for the last week of school in 2022!
Take care,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
A La Carte Line at HMS is Open!
The A La Carte line is now open at Highcrest/WJHS, offering your child an alternative to hot lunch, or additional offerings to add to their lunch every day. Available items in the A La Carte line include bagels, yogurt, cheese sticks, fresh fruit and side salads. There are also many vegetarian selections for students who are not able to eat meat. Students may also purchase beverages such as milk and La Croix a la carte.
If you are curious about what your child is purchasing, and what they are choosing from the A La Carte line, you can check purchases through the parent portal by following the instructions below.
Login to PowerSchool Parent Portal ps.wilmette39.org
In the left hand navigation, click on Balance
Click on the green Make a Payment button on the right side
Sign into RevTrak
Click on Lunch Accounts
To view the purchase details, click on the arrow next to Show Details
If you are concerned by their purchases (i.e. you see they have purchased 4 bags of chips in one day), we encourage you to have a conversation with your child about making the best choices for lunch.
For more information about food services in D39, please refer to the D39 Food Services web page.
WHMS LIVE BROADCAST! TUNE IN EVERY MONDAY!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Become a Part of Our District 39 Family!
District 39 is looking for outstanding individuals to join our teaching and learning community! We are looking for daily substitute teachers, as well as teaching assistants, custodians, and cooks. Click here for a list of openings and to begin the application process.
Join Us for a Virtual Presentation on KEEP39
Have a child that will be entering kindergarten in the Fall of 2023? Please join our elementary school principals for an informational presentation on our KEEP39 program (Kindergarten Enrichments and Enhancement Program). This presentation will be held virtually via Zoom on January 18 from 6-6:30 pm. Please check your child(ren)’s school newsletter for more information.
Holiday Safety Reminders
District 39 continues to partner with the Wilmette Police and Fire Departments to support safe communities. As we prepare for Winter Break, we want to reiterate the importance of firearm safety and remind you of the many firearm safety practices and programs offered by the Wilmette Police Department. Additionally, please remember that fire safety begins with fire prevention measures and WFD encourages all families to check the batteries and status of their in-home smoke detectors.
Cold Weather Preparations
As we prepare for the heart of winter after Winter Break, please help your children prepare their clothing so that they can comfortably and safely enjoy outdoor experiences and play. Students go outside daily for recess and are also outdoors during other portions of their day, except in instances of extreme weather. Hats, gloves, winter coats, snow pants and boots are strongly encouraged.
Weather-Related School Closures
Although we always hope to avoid school cancellations, the safety of students and staff is our top priority and occasionally requires consideration of school closures. Weather conditions (including temperature, wind chill and snow accumulation), street conditions (both in Wilmette and in surrounding municipalities), school building conditions, and bus conditions are all considered when evaluating the effects of weather for school.
If inclement weather conditions warrant cancellation of school, District 39 parents and guardians will receive an email, automated call, and text message from the school by 5:30 am on the morning of the school closing. Additionally, school closure notifications are posted to our district website and are relayed to all major Chicago radio and television outlets. When extreme weather conditions exist, parents are encouraged to check email, cell phone messages or the district website for information regarding school closures.
This school year, the first weather-related closure will function as a traditional “snow day,” with all classes canceled for the day. As communicated earlier, that day may be made up as a remote learning day on Presidents’ Day (Monday, Feb. 20). For additional information, please visit our D39 webpage regarding emergency closures.
Parent Education Opportunities
Thank you to all the parents who joined us earlier this week for our Parent Education event titled “Talking with Your Teen About LGBTQ+ Identities.” You can watch a recording of that event by clicking here. Please note that this recording will only be available through the end of December. This event was the first of a three-part series, with part two taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
In between, District 39 will be hosting an event on January 18 titled “Supporting Friendship, Development, and Connection.” Parents can participate in this event virtually via Zoom or in-person at the Mikaelian Education Center. Please click here to register for this event and click here for the full schedule of the 2022-23 parent education events.
Lastly, 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
Last Monday, the Board of Education held its regular monthly business meeting. The evening began with a public hearing on the 2022 Tax Levy. During the regular business meeting, the Board approved bids for summer construction projects at five D39 buildings, which include further air conditioning of classrooms and other large spaces. The Board also heard a presentation on five-year financial projections. Click here for access to the complete meeting agenda and materials.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Learn to play WEIQI GO, a very challenging game.TONIGHT! December 15th, 4:00 - 5:30 pm at the Warming House Youth Center, 800 Ridge Rd., Wilmette
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
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
YOUR PTO IN ACTION: iGNITE Museum of Science & Industry 5th Grade Field Trip
We're excited to announce that the HMS 5th graders are heading back to the Museum of Science and Industry for a field trip on January 12th & 13th. More information regarding schedules, lunch and chaperones will be coming soon. Your iGNITE donations make the PTO Enrichment programs possible.
Thank you! For more information about donating to iGNITE, go to www.highcrestpto.org
WINTER AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Registration dates/times:
Registration is now open for Skyline and Chess
Wednesday, 1/11 at 9:30am - Registration opens for High Five Junior Choir and Aces Debate Club.
Yearbook Enrichment Program - Registration is Full
Chess Enrichment Program – Registration is Open Now
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 is Open Now
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
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.
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? The next information session will be held on 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.
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.
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