HMS Headlines
September 16, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Dear HMS Families,
As a part of our continued focus on HAWKS, we want to highlight the "A" in HAWKS for "ACCOUNTABLE." Students are expected to be accountable during the day, which includes being prepared for class, completing assignments on time, and reading and studying on a regular basis.
While this is the expectation, we completely understand that many of our students are busy with after school activities, and that things come up once in a while that prevent homework assignments from being completed. We have two supports at Highcrest to help remind students and parents of missing assignments, and to give students the opportunity to get their homework completed before leaving the school building for the day.
Missing Assignment Notification System: Teachers may use the Missing Assignment Notification System to notify families and students of a missing assignment for a class, what that assignment is, and when it was due. This system will also remind students that they are able to participate in Homework Club in order to have a time to get their work completed in a timely fashion. This notification serves two roles: one to inform parents when assignments are missing, and the second being to help identify any students who may be struggling with work completion on a regular basis so we can put a support plan in place.
Homework Club: Beginning MONDAY, Homework Club will be meeting four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 3:45 - 4:45. Homework Club is a drop-in opportunity for students where they can go to the Learning Commons after school and have a quiet place to complete their work. They can also use this time to meet with a partner or classmate to work on a group project or just to have time to read quietly. Students do not need to sign up to attend, they just need to show up after school. One of the supervisors will have them sign in so we know who has attended in case of emergency. Students may then be picked up at the main entrance at 4:45 or they may take one of our late buses home.
As always, if your child has questions about an assignment, please encourage them to email their teachers. Be sure to share these new opportunities with your child this weekend, and we will have announcements next week as well to let them know about Homework Club!
Take care,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
BIKE SAFETY
PLEASE HELP by reviewing bike safety with your child. Remind them to wear a helmet, stop at intersections, and be aware of cars. They should ride on sidewalks and paths to and from school, and pay attention to stop lights, stop signs, and crossing guards. They should also be aware of students who are walking, and make room for all on the path.
This weekend with the prediction for nice weather, you are encouraged to review a safe route to Highcrest from your home, so your child is aware of the dangers on their route, and can be reminded of safe practices throughout their journey.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE!
6th Grade Physical Reminders
**PLEASE NOTE PARENTS MUST FILL OUT THE PARENT SECTION BEFORE TURNING THE FORM INTO THE OFFICE***
HERE is a link to find the required forms.
PICTURE DAY MAKEUPS - 10/12/22
PASS39 UPCOMING EVENTS
Welcome Back from PASS39!
PASS39 stands for The Parent Association for Student Services in District 39. It’s a district-wide parent organization that works in collaboration with Administration to help provide education and support for families who have children with learning, behavioral, emotional and developmental challenges.
September Newsletter/2022-2023 Calendar of Events
https://mailchi.mp/9693188905d3/pass39-new-year-welcome-8674951?e=52c41ff362
PASS39 Email List
Join our email list to receive information on area and district events related to children with learning disabilities and/or special needs. Email us at pass39@wilmette39.org to be added to the PASS39 group e-mail. All addresses are blind copied for confidentiality.
PASS39 on the Web
The PASS39 website below provides more information about Wilmette D39 Student Services and contains educational, therapeutic and recreational resources for parents with children with specialized needs.
http://www.wilmette39.org/cms/one.aspx?portalid=360930&pageid=899243
PASS39 also has a private Facebook Group. To receive access, open the “Upcoming Events” link listed above, scroll to the bottom and click on Facebook.
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
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
HIGH FIVE 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
YOUR PTO IN ACTION - OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
Come join the outdoor classroom for its first session. Help the kids plant cold season crops before the Equinox on Thursday, learn to identify weeds and pull a few while at it and help us organize the awesome outdoor classroom closets and tools. Sign up HERE to help out THIS Monday, September 19th.
HAWK HUT UPDATE
The Hawk Hut is open!!
Every Wednesday, students can visit the Hawk Hut during lunch hours. The Hawk Hut is the student store where students can purchase pens, bracelets, keychains, etc. All items run $1-$5. Cash only.
The Hawk Hut is run by parent volunteers so please consider volunteering! Sign up HERE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
A much deserved shout out to all the parents who helped make Picture Day at Highcrest a complete success! Thank you!
There are many more ways to get involved at Highcrest! See links below to sign-up:
School Store - Hawk Hut sign-ups are available on Wednesdays during lunch
Outdoor Classroom - Looking for volunteers this Monday 9/19 during lunch
PTO Positions - We have openings for Environmental Awareness, School Supplies, & After School Club Liaison
VILLAGE WIDE PTO OPENINGS
Are you interested in joining the Village Wide PTO? There are a few positions open to choose from, including 2nd Vice President (Enrichment), Communications and Outdoor Classroom. The positions require that you communicate with the D39 school representatives and report back to the Village Wide PTO at their meetings. The Village Wide PTO meetings are as follows:
9.21.22 at 9:15 am
11.16.22 at 9:15 am
3.15.23 at 9:15 am
5.17.23 at 10:00 am with luncheon to follow TBD
Please contact the President of the Presidents’ Council, Barb Bentivenga, at bentivenga4@icloud.com for more information. Thank you!
FALL AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Volleyball - Volleyball will be HMS’s first team sport, joining several individual sports (Cross Country, Wrestling, Track and Field), and will be piloted in 2022-23 as an Intramural Club Sport to test student interest, work through logistics, and establish the program. Each session will be a mix of individual and team drills, and scrimmages. A maximum of 18 students can register, following first-come, first-serve registration: This fall, we have Sam Piecoro, a Curriculum Coordinator from D39, coaching the girls’ team, and will be looking to support her with parent volunteers. INTERESTED PARENTS, please reach out to Dan Magestro studentprograms@highcrestpto.org about volunteering. Season Starts on Tuesday, September 27 (10 sessions) Registration is open!
High Five 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! 7th and 8th grade registration opens on 9/7. Note: There will be NO REFUNDS given for clubs after 1 week of each program. Registration is open!
FREAKY FRIDAY SAVE THE DATE
Freaky Friday is set for October 21st from 5 - 6:30pm. More details to come…
SPIRITWEAR
Show your Hawks pride with a variety of spiritwear options! Please contact Jen at spiritwear@highcrestpto.org if you would like to make a purchase.