WJHS Highlights
09/16/2022
A Message from the Administrative Team
Dear WJHS families,
We hope that our 7th grade families had a wonderful evening at Curriculum Night! It was so rejuvenating to interact in person and see the smiling faces in our hallways! We look forward to seeing our 8th grade families on September 29.
Jeff and Eric completed their presentations to all seventh and eighth grade students this past week. During these presentations Mr. Dees and Mr. Resis go over expectations for WJHS, in particular being Safe, Responsible, Respectful and Inclusive. They highlight the ways that we honor students who meet expectations at WJHS. It is a nice way for the grade-level administrators at WJHS to meet the students in a small group environment and get to know one another. Please find here the WJHS Student Handbook.
It is important that each student at WJHS understand the expectations of being a WOLF in order to have a successful school year at Wilmette Junior High. Our student handbook was designed to help students understand those expectations, and any relevant information for students to learn and grow together at WJHS. As an educational community at WJHS we partner together with our students and their families to make WJHS a Safe, Responsible, Respectful, and Inclusive environment in which to learn. Thank you for reviewing the WJHS Student Handbook with your child.
We had a lot happening in school this past week - enjoy some photos below!
Sincerely,
Kate, Jeff and Eric
Eighth Grade Science Solar Cars!
8C Remembers 9/11
Mr. Rennels' HR Collaborates in the September Wolves Advisory Challenge!
High Five Junior Choir
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!
- Club dates/times: Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm on the following dates: 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 12/1, 12/8, 12/18, 1/12, 1/19. Concert will be held on 1/26.
- Location/room number: HMS Music Room 134
- Name of instructor/teacher: Mrs. Martin, Music Director
- Club fee: $150
- For more information: Email Jana Martin, martinj@wilmette39.org
It is time for the Battle of the Books at WJHS! Students join a team to read and discuss a list of award-winning and highly recommended books. The program culminates in a Kahoot "Battle" to determine which team knows the books best. Battle of the Books is open to 7th and 8th grade students and students are encouraged to form teams of 4-6 students in either grade. Students can also register individually. Interested students should register HERE by Friday, Oct 7. Questions can be directed to Daphna Neirick, Mary Kate Lubawski, or Erin Schwarz.
Bicycle Safety
We want students to ride their bikes to school but we also want to keep everyone safe. Please remind your children to watch for cars when crossing the street, and to slow down when riding on the sidewalk. In some cases, when the vehicle and pedestrian traffic is heavy, it may be safer for students to get off of their bicycle and walk their bike until the crowd clears.
Our goal is for all of our students to arrive to school safely and get home safely - thank you for your assistance!
Tech Tidbit
Where should I look, Schoology or Powerschool?
Schoology - Our Learning Management System where students can digitally submit homework assignments, participate in interactive discussions, receive announcements and feedback, take tests, and more. They can also view some grades. As a parent, you will be able to view your child’s daily activity within the platform, like late or missing assignments. Watch the Schoology Parent View Tutorial video to learn how to navigate your child's Schoology.
Powerschool - Our Student Information System where students and parents can look for attendance, grades and report cards. This is where final grades can be found. As a reminder, this is a method of communication that our teachers use to keep you informed of your child’s progress in each class. Please contact your child’s teacher with questions about any grade or reported assignment in the Parent Portal. Students at WJHS will receive final grades at the semester mark, not every quarter. Staying informed of your child’s progress throughout the year will help you support your child and partner with your child’s teachers to reach their academic goals. After the 8th-grade Curriculum Night on September 29th, Powerschool will be open for all.
Click HERE for a quick start guide on how to login/create an account.
Click HERE for a video tutorial on using PowerSchool for parents.
If you still have problems, call the building secretaries for assistance at 847-512-6600.
Students can access Powerschool:
Use this link: ps.wilmette39.org - Also located under Students on our WJHS website.
Student username is the beginning of their school email address before @wps39.org (ex. 21josephs)
Their password is their school email password (ex. 12345pop)
OR students may use PowerSchool Mobile App (Tutorial Video)
Download the App from Self-Service
Use District Code HMKF
Student username is the beginning of the student’s email address before @wps39.org (ex. 22josephs)
Student password is student email password (ex. 12345pop)
Late Activity Buses serving HMS and WJHS
We are excited to announce that Late Activity Buses will be serving students attending clubs and athletics at both WJHS and HMS. All buses will depart from the front of WJHS at 4:45. They will then proceed to the upper deck of HMS to pick up those students.
- Bus #1 will then take the students to Central School (9th Ave entrance)
- Bus #2 will then take the students to McKenzie School (15th St entrance) and then continue on to Harper School (front entrance)
- Bus #3 will then take the students to Romona School, the Rec Center, Indian and New Glenview (serving the northside students), and then Indian and Glenview (serving the southside students).
You do not have to be a daily bus rider to use the Late Activity Buses.
Homework Club
Homework Club is a drop-in club that runs from 3:20-4:20 in the Learning Commons on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays unless there is a staff meeting, and Thursdays.. This is meant to be a place for students to get some work done before they head home. Homework Club is also supervised by teachers who are available to answer questions as best we can. If your child finds completing work at home a challenge, Homework Club may be a great resource. Students to not need to sign up ahead of time, but please make they have arrangements to get home safely.
New Trier Placement Test: 8th Grade
It feels much too early to be thinking about transitioning to high school, but we wanted to share the date of the New Trier Placement Test with our eighth grade families so that they can plan ahead. For WJHS, the placement test date is Saturday, November 12. New Trier shared with us that they will not accept any test date changes until early October when their testing letter goes out to families.
PTO Highlights
MOST AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS START NEXT WEEK
For those of you who have registered for After School Clubs at WJHS, most start next week. We still have room in Broadway Stars, Ceramics, and Nuts for Mutts. We are especially in need of 8th graders for the Yearbook Club. This club is free and meets on Wednesdays during lunch. After School Club information can be found at wjhspto.com. Check the PTO site for your club’s details.
Click here to view club listings. Email clubs@wjhspto.com with questions.
YEARBOOK SALES NOW OPEN
Yearbooks for the 2022/23 school year are now available! Use the link below and the code 8211 to order.
Questions? Email: yearbook@wjhspto.com
SEEKING PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR THE COURTYARD AT RECESS
The outdoor courtyard is in need of parent volunteers this school year! The courtyard is used by kids who want a more quiet recess experience. They can find a place to read, play a board game, doodle/draw, and catch up with friends.
Come at 11:50am to open up the courtyard. You will supervise the kids (maybe even catch a glimpse of your own!) and bring out/put away games and supplies. You will finish up by 1pm.
Games and supplies are in a plastic bin inside the tall storage unit in the courtyard. Please open the storage unit and take out the plastic bin for the kids. At the end of the shift, please put away the plastic bin inside the storage unit.
You can bring a friend, a small child, or a book to read.
No need to garden.
No need to come if it is raining.
Thank you for your help in keeping this space open and available to the kids!!
Courtyard Volunteer at Recess: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4facaa23a2f5ce9-volunteer
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY IS NOW OPEN!
Don’t forget to register/log in to your Membership Toolkit so you can:
Renew your PTO Membership, which gives you access to the directory
Order a print directory
Contribute to iGNITE! Enrichment
Donate to the Teacher/Staff appreciation gift
Order Spiritwear
Order a Yearbook (coming soon)
If you did not receive the email, check that you opted into PTO/directory emails when you filled out your student registration form.
We encourage you to join or renew your PTO membership, so you can get directory access and email notifications about after school club registration, graduation, and/or other social events.
Please direct any questions to directory@wjhspto.com. For more information, visit our Membership page.
Thank you for your help in keeping this space open and available to the kids!
DONATE TO iGNITE! ENRICHMENT
The iGNITE! Program raises funds to pay for enrichment programs, such as field trips and school assemblies, along with contributing to enhancements to our schools, which are directly related to our students, such as outdoor learning environments and athletic equipment.
We are excited to offer iGNITE! again this year and are asking families to make a contribution to this wonderful cause. Contributions can be made via the school website and through Membership Toolkit. With these contributions, we are looking forward to providing enrichment to the students this year!
A complimentary WJHS Magnet will be distributed in the Fall to all who have contributed to iGNITE! These will come home with your student. Should you want to purchase them through the school’s Spiritwear site, you are welcome to at: https://humankind.shop/collections/wilmette-junior-high
WJHS SPIRITWEAR IS NOW ON SALE!
It’s never been easier or more fun to show your school spirit! Once again, we’re partnering with humanKIND to provide you with new designs and old favorites, fully customizable with an option to ship OR pick up locally!
Order now with this link! Please direct Spiritwear questions to spiritwear@wjhspto.com.
D39 COMMUNITY REVIEW COMMITTEE (CRC) SEEKING A PARENT REP
The CRC is an advisory group that researches a topic of interest for D39. Our group then makes recommendations to the D39 Board of Education that will enhance learning for students in D39. We are looking for a parent to represent WJHS on the CRC.
Here is a link for more information. The CRC meets once a month for two hours from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (typically the first Tuesday of the month). Our first meeting will be in October so we are hoping to recruit a new WJHS member ASAP. Please reach out to Katie Magrino at kmagrino@gmail.com if interested.
District Update
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Save the Date
Please save the date for our fall parent-teacher conferences on Nov. 16-18, immediately preceding fall break (Thanksgiving week). Conferences will be held via Zoom, with in-person appointments available by request. More details, including sign-up information, will be provided in the coming weeks.
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education will hold its regular monthly business meeting on Monday, Sept. 19 at 7 pm at the MEC. The meeting will open with a public hearing to review our e-Learning Plan, which is updated for its original purpose of creating flexibility to make up an emergency closure day (ie. a snow day). The Board will also hear a presentation on the 2022-23 action steps for our D39 Strategic Plan and receive a report on our Summer Enrichment Program before continuing its review of Board policies. Click here for access to the complete meeting agenda and materials posted this afternoon.
Shine on 39
Please enjoy the second installment of our Shine on 39 series! We shine the spotlight on our 8th grade science teachers and students, who recently wrapped up their energy unit by creating solar cars and engaging in some friendly competition by racing them on the WJHS black top. This project ties in with Goal 1 of our strategic plan centered on student achievement and growth and supports the engaged learning and empowered mindset that are tenets of our D39 mission. Great job!
Parent Education Event
District 39 held its most recent parent education event this past week titled “Setting Goals with Students”. You can find a recording of the presentation by clicking here. Please click here for the full schedule of 2022-23 parent education events and registration links.
Community News
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Destination Imagination (DI) is a creativity competition for teams of 3-6 kids led by parent leaders. In DI, kids put together a skit and practice for an spontaneous instant challenge. Sign up to join a team at https://bit.ly/3qByE6a or sign up for a Wilmette DI information session: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4da5ad2ea75-destination4
Good Fest: Good Music, Good BBQ, Good Cause: Join the concert/bbq on Saturday, October 1st at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 1235 Wilmette Ave. Fest features Tributosaurus, Acoustic Fight Club & Backyard BBQ. Portions of the proceeds go to Family Promise Chicago North Shore. Get tickets here.
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 hosts Open House on September 25 at Erickson Woods from 2:00 - 4:00 pm for boys & girls grades 6-10. email: bsatroop2wilmette@gmail.com
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