HIGHCREST HEADLINES
August 18, 2023
A Message from the Administrative Team
We are looking forward to an exciting week ahead! Not only do we have fifth grade orientation coming up on Tuesday, August 22 (8:45 - 9:15 AM), we are ready to welcome all of our fifth and sixth graders back to school on Wednesday, August 23 (Half Day: 8:50 AM - 11:46 AM). Classrooms are clean and ready for students, and we are excited to see all of the growth that is made this year!
Please read the information below very carefully as there is information about arrival and dismissal (maps included), and information about 5th Grade Orientation.
We will see you soon!
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
MORNING ARRIVAL
ARRIVAL: Supervision at HMS starts at 8:20 am. The closer you arrive to 8:20, the better chance you have of your child getting to homeroom on time, and you exiting the car line quickly.
Students arriving by car should be dropped off at THE DROP OFF POINT by Gym C. There will be cones to indicate this drop off point (shown in a blue box on the map below). Pull up to the cone and drop your child off as quickly as possible to keep the line moving. PARENTS SHOULD REMAIN IN THEIR CARS during drop off.
Your child will be directed to head to the playground area of the school in back. In the event of inclement weather, your child will be directed to wait inside out of the weather. Staff will be on hand to direct your child to the correct spot and to ensure all students’ safety. In all cases, it is important to keep the line moving, and to maintain one line of traffic.
After dropping off your child, and exiting the car line, please turn right onto Hunter Road. This will help to keep traffic moving smoothly, and will ensure the safety of our students who might be walking to school. Also be aware of students crossing both at Hunter and Illinois, as well as at the crosswalk from the corner to the main walkway in front of the building.
Students who walk or bike to school should follow the path around the building to the supervised playground area (see map below). They will remain there until 8:40 am (6th grade) or 8:45 am (5th grade) when the bell rings, and students enter the building. In the case of inclement or cold weather, students will be brought into the building to wait for the first bell.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
School is dismissed at 3:35 pm. Students who are picked up by car, should exit through the front of the building and meet their car at the main entrance to the school. They should NOT meet their car in other areas of the parking lot due to safety reasons. The car line after school loops around the parking lot and utilizes the drop off area next to the visitor entrance. Please be patient in the line, and wait for it to move. We can not allow cars to bypass the line, as it creates an unsafe situation for our students.
For their safety, we ask that students stay on the sidewalk and wait for their car to advance to the front of the line. Crossing the parking lot causes opportunities for accidents and unsafe situations. PARENTS, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR IN THE CAR LINE.
When your child is safely in your car, and you are in the circle drive, please proceed efficiently out of the drive, waiting your turn in line. Exit the drive by turning right onto Hunter Road. Please also allow for the buses to enter and exit the upper lot, as it is important that they get on their routes efficiently.
Some families choose to meet their HMS students at a location away from the school drive. If this is your preference, please communicate that to your child clearly, and be aware of students who may be walking home or other cars who are traveling on the side streets. See the diagram below for more information about dismissal.
CURRICULUM NIGHT
Curriculum Night is an event for parents to visit the school, learn about classes, and meet their child's teachers. This year we will have a schedule where parents visit each class on their child's schedule. More information and schedules will be shared in the coming weeks.
5TH GRADE CURRICULUM NIGHT: August 31, 2023 from 6:15 - 8:15 PM
6TH GRADE CURRICULUM NIGHT: September 5, 2023 from 6:15 - 8:15 PM
LATE BUS
The bus picks up at Wilmette Junior High at about 4:40 and comes to HMS at 4:45 PM to bring students home. The students choose the bus for their area of Wilmette, share their address with the bus driver, who will then get them within a few blocks of their house.
The Late Bus will start its service on THURSDAY, AUGUST 24.
5th Grade Information
5th GRADE ORIENTATION is Tuesday morning, August 22, from 8:45 - 9:15 AM.
Students and families should plan to meet on the playground area behind the school. Parking will be limited as our staff will be in the building that day, so please plan to walk or ride your bike for ease of arrival.
Students should know the name of their HOMEROOM TEACHER when they arrive, and will look for a cone with that teacher's name near one of the three back doors. They will form a line by the cone and teachers will meet their students there.
ORIENTATION IS FOR STUDENTS ONLY. Teachers will bring their classes into the building, where they will have some get to know you activities and will receive locker information. Parents will be welcomed by the PTO, and tee shirt printing will be available during that time.
At 9:15, students will be brought back to the playground area to meet their parents, and will be dismissed for the morning. Teachers have a full day of meetings after orientation, so will have to return to the building, but look forward to meeting you all on Curriculum Night on August 31!
ALL VIDEOS, including the most recent webinar, are posted on the FIFTH GRADE WEBSITE. Please be sure to check it out before you come next week!
6th Grade Information
Forms may be dropped off during the first days of school or may be emailed to our nurse, at mclonem@wilmette39.org
LUNCH
For more information about lunch, please check out the District Food Services page HERE.
IMPORTANT DATES
- August 21 - New Family Welcome (5:00 PM) - for new families to District 39 and HMS
- August 22 - 5th Grade Orientation (8:45 - 9:15 AM)
- August 23 - First Day of School (dismissal at 11:46 AM)
- August 24 - First FULL Day of School
- August 31- 5th Grade Curriculum Night (6:15 PM)
- September 5 - 6th Grade Curriculum Night (6:15 PM)
- September 27 - PICTURE DAY
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
We are so excited to welcome our students back to school next week on Wednesday, August 23! We hope summer was fun and relaxing for you and your family, and that all are eager for a great new school year ahead. If you need anything as you prepare for the start of school, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school or our district office. We are here to help! We wish you a wonderful and joyful start to the school year.
School Safety
As always, the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Our schools have comprehensive plans in place that are reviewed and updated annually in partnership with the Wilmette Police and Wilmette Fire Departments. We are extremely proud of the strong, collaborative relationship that we have with both the Village of Wilmette and our Wilmette Police and Fire Departments. As part of these plans, please know that all exterior doors are locked at all times and visitors can only enter our school buildings by being buzzed in through the main entrance. In addition, review and training of our plans and protocol is an ongoing and critical part of our annual work. For more information and valuable resources on school safety and security measures, please review the message sent to families on Tuesday, the information provided on our School Safety and Security page, and/or watch the recording of our first parent education event of the year, “Feeling Safe in District 39 Schools.” School safety is a collective responsibility and we sincerely appreciate your support and partnership in helping to ensure our schools and communities are safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for all.
Student Attendance is Critical to School Success
We believe that students are most successful in achieving their personal and academic goals when they are present in school. Research supports this too! A successful school experience starts by supporting students in coming to school regularly and on time. This fall, we will be reminding families of the importance of attendance. Students and families will receive increased communication from the school as absenteeism increases. Attendance can be viewed by parents at any time by logging on to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and clicking ‘attendance history’. If you have specific questions about attendance records in PowerSchool, please reach out to your child’s school office. Additional information regarding student attendance and a variety of other important topics is available within the District 39 Parent Handbook.
Looking For Fulfilling Work? Join Our District 39 Team!
As we continue to make our final preparations ahead of the 2023-24 academic year, we are looking for caring and qualified individuals to join our D39 team. We are accepting applications for paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, substitute nurses, substitute cooks, maintenance/custodial associates, and a soccer coach for our coed 7th and 8th grade team (one team)! If you are interested, or know of someone who may be interested in working as part of a dynamic team in a vibrant and welcoming setting, please visit our D39 employment webpage.
Parent Education Events
We are proud to host a variety of Parent Education Events for our D39 families throughout the school year. These events target topics of interest specific to our D39 parent community and all are welcome to join us live or to watch the recordings as your schedule permits. We have compiled a fantastic lineup for our series this year and these sessions will be filled with great tips, guidance and support for our parents! Our first Parent Education event of the year, titled “Feeling Safe in District 39 Schools,” was held yesterday. The recording and slide deck are available for those who were unable to join us for this outstanding presentation. Please check out our Parent Education page for our full schedule of Parent Ed events and registration links.
Board of Education Meetings
Our Board of Education will come together for its first regular business meeting of the 2023-24 school year on Monday, Aug. 28 at 7 pm at the Mikaelian Education Center. Materials for the meetings will be posted here the Friday prior to the meeting.
Follow District 39 On Social Media!
Make sure to follow our District 39 social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for fun and engaging content and events from around the District!
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
The Wilmette Stars Special Olympics Team will have its first basketball skills practice on Tuesday, October 10 from 4:00 - 4:45 pm at McKenzie Elementary School. Practices will be held on Tuesdays through the second week of December. Students in grades 3-8 with an intellectual disability are eligible to participate at no cost. All athletes receie a uniform. The program is registered with Special Olympics of Illinois. Contact Joe Taylor at taylorjo@wilmette39.org or 224-220-4736 for more information.
Special Gifts Theatre presents High School Musical Jr. September 2023 - March 2024. This program is for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities ranging in age from 10-22 years. The musical theatre program held at The Skokie School in Winnetka on Mondays 4:15-5:30 pm has openings for students and peer mentors. See flyer for details.
GOODFEST~RIBFEST at St. John’s Wilmette: Backyard BBQ’s Ribfest will be held Saturday, September 23 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Goodfest featuring local bands will entertain from 5:00 - 10:00 pm. Portions of the proceeds go to Family Promise North Shore.
Wilmette Historical Museum presents Auto Historica XIX: Muscle Memories Sunday, September 24 12:00 - 3:00 pm 609 Ridge Road.
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.
Welcome Back!
Welcome to the Highcrest Middle School 2023-2024 school year! For those of you unfamiliar with us, the Highcrest PTO is an 80+ person volunteer organization whose purpose is to help link together parents, teachers, and students to further enrich HMS experiences for our kids. We accomplish this in close partnership with HMS Administration and District 39 Leadership.
What We Do
Highlights of our work include student-favorite events like 5th Grade Connections, Freaky Friday and the Beach Bash; Parent Speaker Series (in place of General PTO Meetings), After School Clubs (i.e. Skyline Theater, High-Five Choir/Debate/Chess/Yearbook), Fall Book Fair, Enrichment, Make a Difference Day, Environmental Awareness, and School Store.
How We Get Things Done
Much of what we do is based on volunteers. Looking to get involved? We have many different roles listed here: PTO OPENINGS
Also, more sign-up opportunities are coming for Freaky Friday and 5th Grade Connections. Watch future Headlines for sign ups!
PTO Spotlight - Thank you to our Custodians!
The HMS PTO thanked our building custodians with a breakfast last week. They’ve been working hard to get the building ready for students and staff. Special thank you to Melissa Stambor for organizing!
5th Grade Connections Day
5t h Grade Connections is a field day just for the 5t h graders, designed to provide the students with a fun way to meet and get to know each other better.
The event is volunteer driven and we need YOUR HELP heading up organized games and team building activities. The day will be divided up into two groups based on Houses. Please sign up for a slot based on the house your child is in.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AABAB2DA3FE3-5thgrade
When: Friday, September 1st
Where: Highcrest Middle School
Times:
House 1&2: 9:30am-12:30pm
House 3&4: 12:30pm-3:15pm
Thank you for volunteering! Courtney Cook & Jocelyn Shook will be reaching out to you the week of the event to provide further details.
Membership Toolkit Directory
Next week you will receive an email from Membership Toolkit Directory which outlines how to join the PTO and give you access to the school directory (including class lists). You will also be able to contribute to iGNITE (our main fundraiser), purchase Birthday Books and contribute to the Teacher's Holiday Gift Fund, which is a one-time gift given before winter break. If you don't receive this important email, please contact directory@highcrestpto.org
Volunteer Opportunities
There are so many ways to get involved at Highcrest! See links below to sign-up:
School Store - Hawk Hut sign-ups are available on Wednesdays during lunch
Lunch Duty - Volunteer to help with lunch on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays
PTO Positions - There’s lots of ways to get involved! Click to see open positions.
Fall After School Clubs
Chess-Ed
Chess-Ed provides unique, exciting, and dynamic chess instruction which lifts each student to a new level of expertise. Each week, students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play classmates. Students will grow their knowledge of the game from basics through opening theory, middle game tactics and end game combinations. Students’ vocabulary and math skills will continue to advance. Studies confirm students who play chess do better academically. Playing chess increases IQ performance, improves memory, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving, responsibility, sportsmanship, social skills and more. The chess program is open to all students in all grades and of all playing levels.
Club dates/times: THURSDAYS 3:45-4:45, Fall Session: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, (No School-11/16- PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES), (No class 11/23 Thanksgiving), 11/30, 12/7, and 12/14
Club fee: $198 through 9/7, $208 (9/8-9/15), $228 (9/16-10/5)
High Five Junior Choir
The Wilmette High Five Junior Choir provides an empowering 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 disabilities. This club was designed after the High-5 Choir 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 3:45-4:45 pm on the following dates: 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 1/11, 1/18. An afternoon concert will be held on 1/25. There will also be an evening choir concert in tandem with HMS & WJHS choirs in December, date TBA
Club fee: $125
Skyline Studios: Matilda Jr
Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and unforgettable characters, Matilda is a magical musical theater experience. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Skyline's Broadway Performers is a no-cut program designed for middle school actors. Performers will be challenged by a professional teaching artist, and level up by learning advanced performance skills such as solo vocal technique, sophisticated character development, complex blocking, and challenging musical theater choreography.
• Club dates/times: Wednesdays 3:45-5:45; 9/27-12/10 (no class 11/22), show is 12/20
• Club Fee: $370
• Registration opens 8/30 at 9:30am
Yearbook Club
Do you want to learn how to produce and promote our HMS Yearbook? Do you enjoy photography? Do you enjoy being part of a team? Then come be a part of the team that will organize photos for our annual yearbook and create videos for broadcast, promoting the sale of yearbooks. The 2023-2024 Highcrest Yearbook Club will record the events and activities of the school year. Your input will become a treasured memory of your time here at Highcrest Middle School!
• Club dates/times: Tuesdays at 8am, 10/10-12/19 (no meeting on 11/21)
• Club fee: $120
• Registration opens 8/30 at 9:30am
Aces Debate Club
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 (Intermediate/Advanced Debate), Fridays 3:45-4:45pm (Intro to Debate)
Club fee: $275
HMS Spiritwear
Your Highcrest PTO is thrilled to announce our new spirit wear partnership with humanKIND, locally owned by a D39 Alum! Order featured items OR create your own! Local pickup available at no additional cost. Check it out by scanning the QR code below or click here.