WJHS Highlights

Students at WJHS have attended a Mobile Learning Orientation with the Technology Integration Specialists. During this session, students are reminded of the D39 policies and procedures of using their iPads for school purposes only. Below are some important reminders that were covered.

1. iPad Oath - All students should have the iPad Oath on the lock screen of their iPads. This helps students to remember to be safe, responsible and respectful while using their school issued iPad. There is a Mobile Learning Orientation folder in each Homeroom Schoology Course that all students should complete. Inside this folder are directions and a template students can use to create their iPad Oath. Students are allowed to decorate the oath any way they would like as long as it is appropriate and the oath is readable.

2. Mobile Learning Handbook - Along with the D39 Handbook, there is a mobile learning handbook. Inside this handbook, there is information about safe, responsible and respectful iPad use. The handbook introduces the device, directions for care and some frequently asked questions are answered. This video is an overview of the Mobile Learning Program. There is a Contract at the end of the handbook that WJHS students signed during their Orientation. You can find all of the handbooks here.

3. District 39 uses a content filtering system to keep our students safe while using digital tools at school. Along with the content filtering, communication through school accounts is also monitored. These communication tools are monitored for appropriate use, such as language, where they will get flagged if anything inappropriate is happening. If they are sent messages with inappropriate language or content, they will also get flagged. We teach, model and guide students to use appropriate language and communicate respectfully when using these tools. We also remind them that they should be doing this in their daily life, whether digitally or face to face. Recently, you received information about Securly, a filtering system you can use at home with the iPads. Please refer to that email to follow directions on how to set it up and use it.

Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring that our students are staying safe, respectful and responsible while using technology.

2023-24 WJHS YEARBOOK

The WJHS 2023-24 Yearbook site is now ready to take your orders! Yearbooks are $28 each and can be purchased HERE. As in the past, the yearbooks will be delivered to the school and distributed to your child the last week of school. ORDER EARLY because any extra copies available for in-person sales will be very limited this year. NOTE: When asked to “Search Name List”, your child’s name will not come up! Just click “Add a Name” and enter your child’s name. If you have multiple students at WJHS you can “Choose Your Quantity” and you will be able to enter each child’s name separately before check out. Our school code is 8211. Any questions? Contact yearbook@wjhspto.com.

DEBATE CLUB REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Learn how to think fast and speak well! Study research, writing and oral arguments. Aces Debate Club is offering an after school 8-week class beginning 10/2 at WJHS (Advanced Debate) or 9/29 at Highcrest Middle School (Intro to Debate). Cost is $280. For more information click HERE or email instructor Aaron Vinson at acesdebateclub@gmail.com.

IS YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION UPDATED?

You do NOT have to join the PTO to get important emails and communication BUT your contact information has to be correct to get them! Please verify your family’s information using a URL and not through the app at Membership Toolkit. If you did not receive the email from The WJHS PTO on 8/21/23, check that you opted into PTO/directory emails when you filled out your student registration form. Please direct any questions to directory@wjhspto.com.

Once there you can click on “WJHS STORE” to:

• Renew your PTO Membership, which gives you access to the online Directory

• Contribute to the iGNITE! Fund (Enrichment)

• Donate to the Teacher/Staff Appreciation Gift

WHAT IS THE iGNITE! FUND?

It’s what Enrichment is called in D39. The iGNITE! Fund raises money to pay for enrichment programs such as field trips, school assemblies and traveling speakers, along with contributing to enhancements to our schools which are directly related to our students, such as outdoor learning environments and athletic equipment. In D39, parents pay for enrichment opportunities not the district, so we ask families to make a donation on behalf of their student. ANY amount is appreciated. A complimentary car WJHS Magnet will be distributed in the Fall to all who have contributed to iGNITE! These will come home with your student. Log into Membership Toolkit and click on “WJHS STORE” to contribute to iGNITE.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Cafeteria Lunch Volunteer SignUp Genius 11:15am-12:45pm

• Graduation Committee (2 year commitment, for 7th Grade parents)

• School Supplies (plan/coordinate next year’s order (Feb/Mar ‘24), receives/manages distribution of supplies to homerooms at WJHS in mid-Aug ‘24

• Civic & Safety WJHS PTO Rep (liaison to D39 Civics & Safety (minimal time commitment)

For more information about any of the above openings, please email volunteers@wjhspto.com or president-elect@wjhspto.com.

WJHS SPIRITWEAR AVAILABLE ONLINE

https://humankind.shop/pages/wilmette-junior-high-spiritwear

Curriculum Nights

Thank you to all the parents who joined us at our schools this week for our elementary and 6th grade Curriculum Night presentations. As a reminder, we ask WJHS families to mark their calendar for their upcoming Curriculum Nights (7th grade: Thursday, Sept. 14; 8th Grade: Thursday, Sept. 21)

D39 Communication Survey

District 39 is committed to providing timely and relevant communication in ways that fit your needs. In alignment with Goal 4 of our strategic plan, we are gathering feedback from families on District- and school-level communication preferences. Please take this brief survey to help us learn how to continue to effectively and efficiently communicate. Note: this survey does not include classroom-level communication from teachers.

Parent Education Events

Join us next Wednesday morning (Sept. 13, 11 am) for our next Parent Education event titled “Supporting your Neurodivergent Learner: Strategies for Success.” This presentation will be hosted at Central School and participants can join either in-person or via Zoom. This is the second of an outstanding lineup of family-focused programming throughout the year geared towards providing tips, guidance, and support for our parents! Our opening event of the year, “Feeling Safe in District 39 Schools,” is available for your review via the recorded or slide deck presentation. Please check out our Parent Education page for our full schedule of Parent Ed events and registration links.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

District 39 is committed to providing a safe and equitable learning environment that fosters a mindset of empathy, respect, and belonging for all district students and staff. One way to develop and enrich that mindset is increasing our knowledge of religious and cultural holidays of importance for those in our learning community. This calendar provides dates and information on many celebratory dates for students and staff of District 39.

Information from New Trier High School for Upcoming Football Games

New Trier High School is proud to welcome middle school and junior high school students to their home football games. These events are wonderful opportunities for community-building! As you plan for your child to attend this Friday’s first home football game, please take a moment to review New Trier’s new procedures for K-8 students:

• Students in grades K-8 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian to enter and remain in the stadium.

• Tickets must be purchased using New Trier’s GoFan account. Cash will not be accepted at the gate.

New Trier High School Open House and Dedication

All community members, friends, and family of all ages are invited to New Trier High School’s Winnetka Campus TOMORROW (Saturday, Sept. 9) from 2-4 pm for an open house and dedication ceremony. New Trier recently opened its new East Side Academic and Athletic Facility featuring new gyms, a new six-lane indoor track, 14 new classrooms, a climbing wall, cardio and strength training areas, a spirit shop, and more! Come check out the new spaces during this community celebration featuring student performances, self-guided tours, demonstrations, and refreshments. The event begins at 2 pm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the doors to the new Competition Gymnasium, followed by a brief dedication ceremony. The building will be open for self-guided tours until 4 pm. Parking is available in the lots along Essex Road and Trevian Way. New Trier’s Winnetka Campus is located at 385 Winnetka Avenue.

Looking to start the school year out with service? Attend a "Sip and Sort" on September 13th at 6pm where you can sort baby and toddler items that will go to families in need while socializing with other North Shore families. Children ages 6+ welcome! Event registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sip-sort-with-share-our-spare-tickets-628547371107 More info about the organization, Share Our Spare, here: https://shareourspare.org/ Please contact Lauren Swift at laurenswift10@gmail.com with any questions.

September 19 is School Night for Scouting! Stop by your local elementary school on Tuesday, September 19 from 6:30-7:30 pm to learn about Cub Scouts (Grades K-5) and Scouts BSA programs (ages 11-17). Join Scouts at BeAScout.org

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.