WJHS Highlights

Hi WJHS Families,

As is to be expected, we had a lovely, mild summer, and then 100 degrees hit the first day of school - isn't that always the way it goes?!

Despite the heat, we hope that your children had a great first few days of school and are excited for the year ahead! The energy in the building was palpable and everyone seemed ready to be back in school! We hope that like many of us, your children sleep well this weekend and we will see you on Monday. In the meantime, you can find some photos below from our first week of school - enjoy!

Please reserve the following evenings for Curriculum Night at WJHS:

7th Grade: September 14

8th Grade: September 21

We are finalizing the schedule and we will communicate it next week.

Have a restful weekend!

Sincerely,

Kate Dominique, Principal

Eric Resis, 7th grade level administrator

Nicole Ryan, 8th grade level administrator

As your children have likely shared, they will be changing into P.E. uniforms as the year gets under way. The P.E. teachers have walked students through this process and will begin supplying 7th grade students with uniforms. 8th grade students should have their uniforms from last year. If your child needs a new P.E. uniform and is an 8th grade student, please contact the main office for purchase.

Cross Country started with an informational session on 8/24. It is a non-cut sport so athletes can still register until Tuesday. Athletes have until Monday night to purchase a Jersey at this link.

Soccer, Field Hockey, and Girls Volleyball all started Friday, Aug 25th. Soccer is non-cut while the final tryout date for Field hockey and Girls Volleyball is Monday the 28th.

Please reach out to the coaches listed on the Athletics website for more information.

Doors to WJHS will open at 8:15 AM daily. There is one entrance in the front lobby of the school and one entrance in the back of the school by the gym. On Wednesday, August 23, students will follow an early release schedule. School begins at 8:25 and students are dismissed at 11:20 (even at this age, they'll be ready for a nap!). The regular bell schedule, beginning on Thursday, August 24, is linked here on our web site.

We love it that so many of our students ride their bikes and walk to school! There are bike racks in both the front and back of the school. You can find the D39 School Walking Routes Map at this link. Adult supervision begins at 7:55 AM.

If you are dropping off your child via a vehicle, please follow the route linked here to help keep our students safe and drop-off and pick-up efficient.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY IS NOW OPEN

The PTO sent out emails this week with information on how to update your current contact information in Membership Toolkit, our online WJHS Directory. You must verify your family’s information using a URL and not through the app. Use this link and you will be able to complete your back-to-school PTO Checklist:

- Update your current contact information so you can get email notifications about after school clubs, graduation and/or other social events.

- Renew your PTO Membership, which gives you access to the Directory and provides student support throughout the year.

- Make a contribution to the iGNITE Fund (Enrichment) on behalf of your student. Remember that parents, not the district, pay for field trips, traveling exhibits and guest speakers. ANY amount is appreciated!

- Donate to the Teacher/Staff appreciation yearly gift

https://wjhspto.membershiptoolkit.com/

If you did not receive the email from The WJHS PTO on 8/21/23, check your spam folder OR that you opted into receiving PTO/directory emails when you filled out your student registration form. Please direct any questions to directory@wjhspto.com.

CAFETERIA LUNCHTIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The cafeteria needs volunteers to serve lunch for 1.5 hrs during 11:15am-1pm (check the times on the SignUp for each day). View your child in their natural habitat, the lunchroom(!), while providing needed support in the kitchen serving the day’s menu items. No cooking required- only giving it to the kids! Click HERE to volunteer in the Cafeteria! Thank you!

WJHS SPIRITWEAR IS ON SALE ONLINE

📣 It’s never been easier or more fun to show your school spirit! We’ve partnered with humanKIND to sell WJHS spiritwear that is fully customizable with an option to ship OR pick up locally. Click HERE to visit the vendor’s online site. 📣

LOOKING TO FILL A FEW MORE PTO POSITIONS FOR THIS YEAR

Please consider sharing your talents as a volunteer for the 2023-2024 WJHS PTO! We’re looking to add volunteers to the following teams:

- School Supplies (plan/coordinate for next year starting in Jan/Feb 2024, receive/distribute at WJHS in August 2024)

- Civics & Safety (minimal time commitment)

- After School Clubs Committee (join the team and help manage listings, schedule/room reservations, budget and announcements)

- 7th Grade Graduation Chair (shadows 8th grade chair this year, to fill that position next year)

For more information, please email volunteers@wjhspto.com or president-elect@wjhspto.com.

Thank you for your flexibility and support as we navigated the heat and the opening of the 2023-24 academic year. It was so nice to see smiles on the faces of our students and staff this week as we raised the curtain on another school year. We hope that it is a wonderful year for all, filled with joy, progress, and growth.

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 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.

Parent Education Events

We are proud to host a variety of Parent Education Events for our D39 families throughout the school year. 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! Make plans now to join us for our next event titled “Supporting your Neurodivergent Learner: Strategies for Success” on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 11 am. This presentation will be hosted at Central School and parents can join us via Zoom or in-person at Central. Our first Parent Education 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.

Board of Education Meetings

Our Board of Education will come together for its first regular meeting of the 2023-24 school year on Monday, Aug. 28 at 7 pm at the Mikaelian Education Center. The evening will start with a Budget Hearing before transitioning to its traditional business meeting. The Board will hear presentations on FY24 budgets for both D39 and WCSEA (Wilmette Community Special Education Association) and will also hear updates on Summer 2023 construction projects and Summer 2024 construction planning. Materials for the meetings will be posted here on the Friday prior to the meeting.

Looking For Fulfilling Work? Join Our District 39 Team!

District 39 is looking for caring and qualified individuals to join our D39 team! We are accepting applications for substitute teachers, substitute nurses, substitute cooks, and paraprofessionals! 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.

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!

Link: https://wilmette39.ss9.sharpschool.com/cms/one.aspx?portalId=360930&pageId=993841

Destination Imagination (DI) is open for registration. DI is a STEAM problem-solving competition for kids K-12. The teams of 4-66 kids have parent coaches and compete at a tournament. The teams create a skit with specific creative and technical components and also practice building and acting instant challenges. More information including info sessions and the sign-up form at Wilmette DI here

Central Elementary SchoolCub Scout Pack 5: Attention Kdg - 4th graders! Join the Rocket Launch event Sunday, September 10 at 4:00 pm at Central School field to learn about Cub Scouts and help build and launch a rocket. Upcoming events include First Cub Scout meeting - Tuesday, September 19 at 7:00 pm; Saturday/Sunday September 30 - October 1 - cub Scout Campout.Contact Pack 5 leadership with any questions: cubscoutpack5wilmette@gmail.com

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.

The Parent Association for Student Services (PASS) in District 39 is a parent organization comprised of parents of children with learning, behavioral and emotional challenges within District 39. This year marks PASS39's 25th year in existence and we continue to benefit from a strong and cooperative relationship with D39's Student Services Department and our families. For more information, please visit the PASS39 Website or to be added to a private Facebook group, email pass39@wilmette39.org.

Upcoming Events for PASS39

• August 27th from 12 pm – 2 pm – Kids Connect at Central Elementary Playground
• September 10th from 3 pm – 5 pm – Kids Connect at Central Elementary Playground
• September 13th from 6 pm to 8 pm – Ice Cream Social for Parents only at Mikaelian Education Center

See more events in our newsletter PASS39 2023 Welcome Back Letter.

The Wilmette Starts 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.

Email: office-wjhs@wilmette39.org
Website: http://wjhs.wilmette39.org/
Location: 620 Locust Rd, Wilmette, IL, USA
Phone: 847-512-6600
Instagram: @hawkwolf39
Twitter: @hawkwolf39