HIGHCREST HEADLINES
October 2, 2024
PICTURE DAY IS COMING
Picture Day is happening at HMS on October 10 during PE classes. Linked here are the picture day order form and the picture day brochure for more information. We will send reminders as we get closer to the 10th.
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
Please disregard this message if you have already submitted your student's health forms.
Exclusion day is coming in October! 6th grade physicals and immunizations must be submitted to the nurse, Mary McLone, to ensure that all of the State of Illinois requirements have been completed and documented. Starting Tuesday October 15th, students who have not submitted completed 6th grade State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health forms will be excluded from class until the required form has been submitted and reviewed by the nurse.
Please email Mary McLone at mclonem@wilmette39.org if you have any questions.
SEL NEWS - OCTOBER
Beginning October 7 and running through October 18, students in grades 5-8 will be participating in the Panorama MESH (Mindsets, Essential Skills and Habits) assessment of social-emotional competencies and school environment. The MESH is comprised of a series of questions that cover the areas of Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Emotion Regulation. It also looks at Supportive Relationships at school, School Safety, Sense of Belonging, and Valuing of School.
This assessment aligns with the SEL competencies taught using our Wayfinder curricular materials, and results from the assessments are used to help us as we continue to gauge the effectiveness of our social-emotional supports and programming in the district. For more information about the social-emotional objectives at your child’s grade level, and other general information about SEL in District 39, please visit the D39 Social Emotional Learning Website.
DISTRICT 39 UPDATES
Traveling Safely To and From School
With school back in session, traveling safely to and from school is very important. Whether traveling by car, bus, bike or foot, we remind everyone to be cautious and aware of surroundings as you travel. Please review these safety practices with your children.
Obey traffic laws, signals and crossing guards – stop at all stop signs and crosswalks.
Be alert – watch for others around you and avoid using cell phones and earbuds/headphones while moving.
Adhere to bike safety – wear a helmet and watch for pedestrians, cars and other bikers.
Review village walking/biking routes – check out the Village-approved walking/biking paths for your school, which includes locations of crossing guards.
Travel with a friend - when possible, travel to and from school with a friend.
Have a plan – talk with your children about safety, what to do if approached by a stranger and where/how to get help, if needed.
Parent Education Events – Let’s Play Series
District 39 is proud to be partnering with the Alliance for Early Childhood, Wilmette Public Library, and BackYard Nature Center for a series of Parent Education events designed to highlight the benefits of free play for our students. These events are meant to be a family adventure into creative, child-led free play that sparks imagination and fuels growth. This experience is designed for you and your child(ren) to explore a variety of fun-filled activities designed to flex your “play muscles” and strengthen your bond. The schedule for these events is listed below.
LOCATION DATE TIME
McKenzie TODAY, Oct. 2 3:30-4:30 pm
Romona Monday, Oct. 7 3:30-4:30 pm
Harper Friday, Oct. 18 2:30-3:30 pm
Central Monday, Oct. 21 3:30-4:30 pm
Highcrest Monday, Oct. 28 3:50-4:50 pm
Parent Education Event – Researched-Based Mathematics
D39 is offering a Parent Education event, titled “Researched-Based Mathematics Teaching and Learning,” on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 11 am. This event will be held virtually via Zoom. Dr. Jen Munson, an assistant professor of learning sciences at Northwestern University, with a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Mathematics Education from Stanford University, will help our families gain insight into the ways children understand and engage with math. Learn what research suggests students need in order to develop strong mathematical skills. Registration is open for this event.
Principal Appreciation Month
October is Principal Appreciation Month and we are very proud to honor our building leaders in District 39. Being a school administrator is both rewarding and challenging. It is one of the toughest jobs in education and, yet, our leaders rise to the challenge every day. The principals, assistant principals and grade-level administrators in each of our buildings are dedicated to caring for and assisting our students and staff to reach their full potential. We thank them for their hard work, expertise, dedication, care, flexibility and perseverance. Please take a moment to thank your child(ren)’s building administrators for all they do.
Book Fair October 21 - 23 (Food Truck 10/21)!
Anderson Book Fair will be coming to HMS Learning Commons 10/21 - 10/23 from 9 am- 4:15 pm each day (open until later on 10/21). 10/21 is Family Night - details on Family Night coming soon! The La Cochinita Food Truck will be on site on 10/21 from 5 - 7:30 pm, so come to the fair and cross dinner off your to-do list that night! Want to volunteer at the fair? Sign up for a shift here.
Pre-Order Yearbooks! Price will Increase October 31
Take advantage of early bird pricing for the 2024-25 yearbook. The price will increase on October 31. To purchase your yearbook, log on to the PTO website and then visit the Back-to-School 1 Stop Shop tab. If you're unsure if you've already ordered your yearbook, check Previous Orders under My Account.
Freaky Friday- Buy Tickets NOW for $17! And Volunteer!
WHEN: Friday, October 18, 5-6:30pm. (Rain day is Oct 25).
WHERE: Outdoors at Highcrest
TICKETS: Visit the PTO website for more information on the event and to purchase tickets. You will need to LOG IN to see the ticketing link. $17 online tickets available until noon on Oct 17. (Tickets will be $25 CASH only at the event - students will need to be accompanied by an adult to purchase).
VOLUNTEER: To make Freaky Friday a success, we need the help of lots of parent volunteers. Click HERE to volunteer for this year's event!
Trunk or Treat! October 16
Wilmette D39 schools are invited to a Wilmette police-sponsored Trunk-or-Treat event!
When: Wednesday, October 16 from 5pm-7pm (Rain date October 23)
Where: Dependent on number of volunteer vehicles. Current location
plan - Wilmette Poplar parking lots - south of Greenleaf, that border the Metra
tracks.
How to Participate: Want to decorate your car and hand out candy? Click here to volunteer!
Save the Date: Mom’s Comedy Night Out on Nov 7
Join the Highcrest PTO for a 5th/6th grade mom's night out. It will be an evening of fun and laughter. Lite bites and wine/beer will be served. Ticket sales will open on Friday, Oct 11.
- Date: Thursday, November 7
- Schedule: Doors Open at 6:30pm Show: 7:30pm-8:45pm
- Location: Woman’s Club of Wilmette | 930 Greenleaf Ave, Wilmette
- Cost: $50 (limited to 100 tickets)
All proceeds will go toward Highcrest Enrichment.
PASS 39 Coffee Hour - Oct 11 (Date changed!)
PASS39 (Parent Association of Student Services) is a parent organization committed to supporting parents of children with learning, behavioral, emotional and developmental challenges. PASS39 Coffee hour is now scheduled for October 11th 9:30-11:30AM. Come meet the representative and other parents of PASS39. RSVP to PASS39@Wilmette39.org for the location. Preschool kids and younger are welcome too!
Parent Volunteer Opportunities at HMS
Highcrest is in need of volunteers for lunch duty. Sign up here!
FREAKY FRIDAY
Friday, Oct 18 is Freaky Friday. To make Freaky Friday a success, we need the help of lots of parent volunteers. There are lots of jobs from setup, chaperones, to fortune telling and cleanup. Different time slots are available. Click HERE to sign up!
BOOK FAIR
Anderson Book Fair will be coming to the HMS Learning Commons on 10/21 - 10/23 from 9 am- 4:15 pm (until 8pm on 10/21). We need the help of volunteers to run this event. Please sign up for a shift here.
STOCK THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE
Help the PTO stock the teachers' lounge this school year! Each month, a different house will bring items to the teachers' lounge so it stays fully stocked year-round. Click here to sign up!
November: 6th Grade House 3 (Flintz, Eakley, Heyde, Facchini)
Looking for PTO Volunteers
The PTO is looking for volunteers in the areas below. Interested in learning more? Email PTO president Laurel Nelson: president@highcrestpto.org.
BOOK FAIR COMMITTEE: The HMS Book Fair with Anderson Books is October 21-23. We are looking for committee members to support our Book Fair chairperson. As a committee member, you will help the chairperson market the fair, set up and break down, create SUGs for volunteers, coordinate a food truck and work with the librarian to ensure correct books are ordered. Email PTO president Laurel Nelson: president@highcrestpto.org.
Spiritwear - Available at Humankind!
HMS has spirit days throughout the year--show your Hawks pride with some swag! Available online at Humankind!