TONIGHT IS FREAKY FRIDAY! We are looking forward to seeing our students all dressed up and ready to haunt from 5:00 - 6:30 PM at HMS tonight! THIS EVENT IS FOR HIGHCREST STUDENTS ONLY.

Tickets are no longer available online. They are available at the door for $25 CASH ONLY. An adult must accompany a child to purchase a ticket on-site. (They do not need to stay for the event)

• Students who pre-ordered their tickets will receive bracelets TODAY. That is their entry for the event. There will be no entry without a valid wristband - A valid wristband should have the student's name and their guardian contact information.

• Freaky Friday takes place ENTIRELY OUTSIDE in the parking lot and surrounding areas on the west side of the school. Students are permitted to wear their costumes, but please keep in mind that there will be inflatables, games, and a dance area. The ground may be muddy and the weather may be chilly, so you will want to help your child dress appropriately.

• COSTUMES ARE LIMITED TO CLOTHING/MAKEUP ONLY. Students who bring along additional props will be asked to leave them at the check in for pick up after the event. It is better to leave these items at home so they do not get lost.

• During the event it is expected that all students stay in the party area, and they stay for the entire event. Students found outside of the party area, acting dangerously or causing a disruption to the event will be required to call home and be picked up immediately. This is necessary to ensure everyone’s safety and positive engagement during the event. Thank you for helping us to reinforce this with your child.
• Similarly, we want to provide safety for our vendors who are working the event, especially the DJ. Students will be asked to stay a distance away from the DJ booth, and will need to adhere to the designated area for dancing, or will be asked to leave.
• Students may only arrive and be dismissed to the Freaky Friday Event by walking or by car. Bike racks will not be available so bike riding is not permitted.

FOLLOW THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THE SECTIONS BELOW FOR ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL INFORMATION.

Students may only arrive and be dismissed to the Freaky Friday Event by walking or by car. Bike racks will not be available so bike riding is not permitted.

Fifth grade students will arrive in the south parking lot/bus lot next to the playground, and will wait on the playground for the doors to open. They will enter the building through the back doors (Door I), and will proceed along the guided route out to the party area.

Sixth grade students will arrive at the main office doors to the school, and will wait under the awning and on the sidewalks before entering through door O. At that point they will proceed through the building and out the side doors to the party area.

There will be check in tables for students to show their bracelets and sign in for the event. All students must show their bracelets to gain entry into the building and out the doors the party area. Students will not be allowed to cross into the parking lot to gain entry to the event through a different route.

Please see the visual diagram below for drop off.

STUDENTS ARE PICKED UP AT THE SAME ENTRANCE WHERE THEY WERE DROPPED OFF. (see map above) Please adhere to these directions, as we often have parents arrive at the incorrect location and they are not able to locate their child as a result.

If you are picking up your child or your child is to go home with a friend, this should be clearly communicated and planned with your child prior to the event.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU ARE THERE AT 6:30 TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD. Our volunteers will need to begin clean up as soon as possible because the parking lot will become dark, so prompt pick up is helpful to make this happen.

Take some time to clean out your closets and storage areas this weekend!

Next Saturday, October 26, is Make A Difference Day (MADD), sponsored by the Volunteer Center. At Highcrest we annually support this day by asking students and their families to bring in items to donate to MADD on Friday, October 25, and then delivering them to the Indian Hill Train Station in Winnetka on Saturday morning. Our Student Council is helping to organize this effort and has prepared a packet to help guide your collection. CLICK HERE for the packet.

Please have your child bring any donations on FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 to Highcrest, and we will take care of the rest!

We are still looking for a few additional drivers. If you are able to help drive donations on Saturday morning, please email Kelly Jackson at jacksonk@wilmette39.org.

We have had increased issues with gum chewing at school lately. We aren't able to allow gum chewing because of the damage the gum does to our floors and especially our gym floors and carpets. Please help us to keep our school clean and looking nice by reminding your child to refrain from chewing gum during the school day.

Highcrest Middle School is excited to welcome award-winning author Christina Soontornvat on Thursday, November 14th. Ms. Soontornvat will talk with students about her career as an author and discuss her new book, The Squad.

Students can purchase a personalized, autographed copy of The Squad and The Tryout. Please return the linked order form with payment (cash or check payable to Highcrest MS) by Tuesday, November 12th to the LC.

All 5th and 6th graders are invited to compete in the Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle School competition (MOEMS). Students will meet after school (3:40 - 4:40pm) once a month from October to April.

The club dates are Oct 28, Nov 11*, Dec 9*, Jan 13*, Feb 24*, March 17* and April 7. It is important for students to attend all starred dates as these are the dates of the competitions.

Parents, please fill out this form by October 21 if your student is interested in MOEMs. The first club date is Oct 28 when the rules of MOEMs will be discussed and students will practice a past competition.

Please email Jess Radcliffe (radclifj@wilmette39.org) if you have any questions.

On Sunday, October 20th, at 1 pm, families are invited to Northwestern’s fall baseball game against Notre Dame. Families are also invited for a special field access pre-game tour at noon. On tour, families will hear from players, tour the lounge and practice facilities, and wrap up by 12:40 to allow everyone to take their seats before the game. Also, students are encouraged to make signs for the game, and the winning sign will get a signed ball from the entire team!

There are no tickets to this FREE event. If you are interested in the tour, plan to meet at the entrance to the baseball stadium (along Ashland Ave) at 12:00 PM. We will hear from a player for a few minutes, tour the lounge, then tour the practice facilities and wrap up by 12:40 to allow everyone to take their seats before the game.

The baseball stadium (Rocket and Berenice Miller Park) is at 2750 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL 60201. For the noon tour, you can meet at the entrance to the baseball stadium (along Ashland Ave).

Please click here to see when and where clubs are offered during the week at HMS.

Below are some club descriptions to help you and your child discuss which clubs they might attend! Most clubs follow a drop in structure, so there is flexibility if they decide a student decides they don't like something or want to try something else at the same time.

October Hawk Hut Pop-Up: Taffy Apples!

On October 24 and 25, HMS students will have the opportunity to purchase Taffy Apples and chocolate/caramel-covered pretzel sticks at the Hawk Hut after school! For information about the ingredients and nuts, please refer to the Affy Tapple website

Pricing: Cash only, singles appreciated!

Taffy apples: $3 each or two for $5 (plain caramel, triple chocolate, and caramel with sprinkles)

Chocolate/Caramel Covered Pretzels: $2

Volunteers needed to help sell at a few different locations around the school on Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25 right after school. Sign up here!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AA9AB2BA4F5C16-52383134-hawk#/

Book Fair October 21 - 23 (Food Truck 10/21)!

It's no trick— it's a treat to read!

Anderson Book Fair will be coming to HMS Learning Commons 10/21 - 10/23 from 9am- 4pm each day. (**10/21: 9am-4pm + Family Night 5-8pm)!

Cash, Check, Credit card and Apple Pay accepted at the fair.

10/21 is Family Night - Bring the whole family for an evening filled with books, fun, and delicious food!

When: Monday, 10/21 5pm- 8pm

Where: Enter through the west side of the building by the parking lot

Who: La Cocinita Food Truck 5pm- 7pm

PREORDER La Cocinita: Click here or use the QR code on the photo to the right!

Want to volunteer at the fair? Please click HERE to sign up for a shift.

Pre-Order Yearbooks! Price will Increase October 31

Spiritwear - Available at Humankind!

Questions? Reach out to PTO President Laurel Nelson: president@highcrestpto.org

See you next week!