HMS Headlines
December 10, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Dear HMS Families,
With one more week until winter break, our students are working hard and are engaging in exciting things to end this calendar year. This week in ELA our fifth graders have been working on suspense stories and book trailers, and our sixth graders had fun with their "Rumble" in ELA to celebrate the culmination of The Outsiders.
Next week we are looking forward to our annual pre-winter break Spirit Week! Print out the list and post it somewhere convenient...we can't wait to see the creativity and fun our students bring to school!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
It's Getting Cold Out There!
UPCOMING UNIT IN PE!
BIKE SAFETY
MATH AT HOME!
PARENT EDUCATION EVENTS
Our next parent education event is NEXT Wednesday, December 15th at 11am. It is titled Making Room for Ambivalence/Sadness and Silver Linings of COVID. Please Register Here.
**NEW**There are multiple ways to participate - onsite at the district office, live over Zoom, or watch the recording on our YouTube channel. We look forward to seeing you next month!
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
COVID Safety Precautions
New Trier Township, like much of the rest of the country, has experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. We encourage all students and families to continue to carefully monitor symptoms and to take advantage of free COVID testing options. For additional information, families are encouraged to review our updated D39 Response to Illness Booklet, the CCDPH list of COVID-19 symptoms, and the D39 COVID-19 Testing Page.
SHIELD Testing Continues
Thank you to all who are participating in the SHIELD Illinois testing program which allows the district to offer free COVID-19 PCR testing. SHIELD testing is available at Wilmette Junior High School on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3:30-6:30 pm and on Saturdays from 8:00-11:00 am. Anyone who has registered for the program is welcome to access testing. During winter break, we are pleased to continue to offer SHIELD testing on a limited schedule. SHIELD testing will be available during winter break on Tuesday, Dec. 21 and Tuesday, Dec. 28 from 3:30-6:30 pm at Wilmette Junior High School. Please note that processing times may be impacted by the holiday.
Travel Guidelines from CCDPH
With winter break approaching, all families should remain apprised of the regular updates provided by the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) regarding travel restrictions. Families are expected to review and follow these guidelines. D39 COVID-19 Testing Page offers a variety of options for testing. Regardless of vaccination status, anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home from school, isolate and seek testing. Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy, in-person school environment for students and staff.
Student Vaccination Submission
With children in the 5-11 age group continuing to receive their COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage families to upload their child(ren)’s vaccination card via PowerSchool. Instructions were sent out in an email titled “Student COVID Vaccine Information” on Monday, Nov. 29. With more students becoming eligible for vaccination, we anticipate a review of health and safety protocols in January.
Cold Weather Preparations
As the last week has shown, colder weather is upon us! Please help your children prepare their clothing so that they can comfortably and safely enjoy outdoor experiences and play. Students go outside for recess daily and are also outdoors during other portions of their day, unless extreme weather prevents this. To help keep our students safe and able to fully enjoy their outdoor time, students are encouraged to dress warmly. Hats, gloves, winter coats, snow pants and boots are strongly encouraged. In addition, information regarding the district’s plans and procedures for extreme weather and weather related school closure preparedness can be found here. Although we always try to avoid cancelling school due to severe weather, the health and safety of students and staff are a priority.
Board of Education Meeting on Monday
The D39 Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting next Monday, Dec. 13 at 7 pm. Click here for access to the complete meeting agenda and materials.
COMMUNITY NEWS
LINK: http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
PASS39 Parent Get-Together on December 16th at 7:30 pm at THE SHACK, 1717 Chestnut Ave., Glenview. An area has been reserved to meet and eat. If you wish to reserve a T-time: https://clients.uschedule.com/theshackgolfclub/booking
The Wilmette Fire Department joins in sponsoring a toy drive to benefit children hospitalized at North Shore Evanston Hospital. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Wilmette Fire Department located at 1304 Lake Avenue through December 20th.
DCFS Foster Child Gift Drive: Families wishing to participate in a gift drive for foster children this December should contact Amy Bowen or Dana Drummer. See flyer for details.
PICKLES EMPOWER is hosting a virtual event on December 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Kids supporting kids through their parent/guardian cancer journeys. contact@picklesgroup.org for more information.
The Volunteer Center is offering many volunteer service opportunities. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Event will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022. Participate in a variety of service projects in support of over a dozen area nonprofits. Good for all ages and abilities.
The Trevian Girls Softball Association is adding 8-10 year olds to their spring and summer teams. Contact Kelsey Farmer 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.
Appreciation Certificates Available
Looking for a holiday gift to say thank you to a special teacher, staff member 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 D39 Educational Foundation's Gripp Grant program. Purchase your Appreciation Certificate here.
Highcrest Spiritwear Makes the PERFECT Holiday Gift for your Hawk!
Show your Hawks pride with a variety of spiritwear options! Please contact Jen at spiritwear@highcrestpto.org to get your holiday orders in!
Highcrest After School Clubs
⏰ After School Clubs at Highcrest: MARK YOUR CALENDARS… CLICK HERE to register!
The Highcrest PTO has worked with several vendors to offer a variety of fun and educational clubs. Registration for Winter Session for the following clubs will open on the Highcrest PTO site on Monday, December 6th at 9am:
• Aces Debate Club
• Chess-Ed
• High Five Junior Choir Club
• Skyline Theater
• Yearbook
PASS39 Upcoming Events!
Pass39 is hosting an evening to connect parents and to provide support for one another. This social gathering is for any parent of a child who has an IEP, 504 plan or is concerned your child may need one.
Thursday, December 16th at 7:30pm
The Shack Indoor Golf Golf
1717 Chestnut Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
847.904.2905
If interested in reserving a tee time, please reserve here:
https://clients.uschedule.com/theshackgolfclub/booking
Hope to see you there!
Trex Plastic Bag Challenge
The Trex Plastic Bag Challenge is happening from November 15, 2021-April 15, 2022. Students, teachers and families (and the community at large) are asked to dispose of their plastic bags at conveniently located bins by the front office. Collections will be weighed and logged each week and will help HMS to compete against other middle schools nationwide. Plastic MUST be clean and dry. Questions? Please contact EnvironmentalAwareness@highcrestpto.org.
Order your 2021-22 HMS Yearbook!
CLICK HERE to order today!
Membership Toolkit
AtoZ Connect is now powered by Membership Toolkit to bring you the best directory experience available. PTO memberships, directories, communications, online store, and more will all run through the newly improved online software. Click here if you haven’t already signed up!
To access the new 2021-2022 Highcrest PTO Directory, please visit https://highcrestpto.membershiptoolkit.com/. Bookmark this site now!
All announcements to be included in Headlines must be submitted via the Communications Request Form by Wednesdays at 2pm.