HIGHCREST HEADLINES
September 27, 2024
A Message from the Administrative Team
Happy Friday, HMS Families!
As you may remember from Curriculum Night, District 39 is integrating monthly themes into our school day as a part of our efforts toward building an inclusive community where students feel a sense of belonging. September's theme is "Our Names Are Important." Our names: first, middle, last are all an important part of our identity.
You may have heard the story a few weeks back how the actor, Michael Keaton, was asked to change his original name, Michael Douglas, when he first became an actor since the Screen Actors Guild would not allow for two people named Michael Douglas. He chose a new professional name out of a phone book and became Michael Keaton. Now, after many years, he is choosing to add Douglas back onto his professional name (Michael Keaton Douglas) because it is such an important part of his identity and history.
Like this example, our names often provide historical, familial, and cultural connections, while often providing each individual a sense of self. It's always fun to hear about and connect with someone around how they received a name or nickname.
As you spend time together this weekend, take some time to share with your child about their names and how they came to be, and learn about how others were named. Check out some of these books to learn more about names and their significance to our sense of self, and make it a fun project for your family at home.
Have a great weekend,
Kelly, Linda, and Susie
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.
BUS RIDERS -- IMPORTANT INFORMATION
We have had several bus riders bring handwritten notes to get off the bus at a different stop. While bus riders may NOT change buses, disembarking at a different stop periodically is allowed WITH PARENTAL PERMISSION.
If you would like your child to get off at a different stop on their bus route one-time, please EMAIL Michelle McGregor (mcgregom@wilmette39.org) with this request and she will communicate it to the drivers. The bus supervisors and drivers are not able to accept handwritten letters for these requests.
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 - SEPTEMBER
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
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education came together this past Monday for its monthly business meeting. During the meeting, the Board approved action steps for the 2024-25 academic year in alignment with our D39 Strategic Plan, heard a review of the D39 Summer Enrichment Program and conducted the second and final reading of several Board policies. Agendas and materials for all Board of Education meetings are posted online the Friday prior to the meeting.
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. Registration is required and can be done online through the respective school links.
LOCATION DATE TIME
McKenzie Wednesday, 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.
Science Olympiad Coach Wanted
Want to mentor some of D39’s bright, scientific minds? Join our team as coach for our varsity Science Olympiad squad! We ask that this person be available for one practice per week plus regional competitions held on weekends. This position will receive a stipend of $3,213 for the year. If interested, please check out the job descriptions and apply online at your earliest convenience.
Partnership with Wilmette Public Library – “Our Names Are Important”
District 39 is collaborating with the Wilmette Public Library throughout the academic year to recognize and celebrate its students and community members. These monthly themes, which were the result of much work by D39 faculty and staff members, are intended to build community and deepen the sense of belonging among our students and staff. This month’s theme is “Our Names Are Important.” In partnership with this effort, the Library has set up a book display and an interactive bulletin board that highlights this theme. We are grateful for their community partnership and support.
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!
Parent Volunteer Opportunities at HMS
Highcrest is in need of volunteers for lunch duty. The job is easy and it’s a great opportunity to see your child at school. Sign up here!
We can recycle plastic bags at HMS! We have bins set up in the front entrance and in our teachers' lounge for families and staff. Twice a month, we need a parent volunteer to just pick up the bags and take them to the Jewel on Greenbay Rd. Be a part of our plastics project and sign up here for a shift!
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!
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.
EDUKITS LEAD VOLUNTEER: Edukit volunteer responsibilities include: confirming Edukit supply list with HMS principal and teacher representative (January), finalizing online ordering and publicizing EduKit ordering (spring), and manage delivery of kits and distribution to classrooms (August).
BOOK FAIR COMMITTEE: The HMS Book Fair with Anderson Books is October 21-23. We are looking for four or five 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.
VARIETY SHOW CHAIR: The HMS Variety Show takes place some time in the spring on a date determined by the Chair and HMS Principal. General duties include: Set a date, assemble a team of volunteers (PTO Exec board can help create a team). Hold auditions across 2-3 days, six to eight weeks before the show. Create a rehearsal schedule for the two weeks before the show. HMS/WJHS tech crew will be available for show date and dress rehearsal. (More detailed notes available to those interested).
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!
Art Grant for D39 Elementary Schools
Exciting news from the D39 Foundation Board and our elementary school art teachers! All fourth grade students throughout the district will be working with a local artist this school year!
The D39 Foundation Board approved an Art Grant, providing each of D39’s elementary schools, Central, Harper, McKenzie, & Romona, $5,000 in funding to work on a mural with a local artist. The funding was made available through the Sam Mikaelian Arts Fund and the Lechner Ray of Light Fund. The main theme for this project will focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Art teachers and students will work with the Evanston Mural Arts Program. A local artist will speak and present their work to the students. After presenting, the students will work with the artist to develop a unique image and project plan for the school using the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging theme. This unique, site specific artwork will be permanently installed in each school building.
Spiritwear - Available at Humankind!
HMS has spirit days throughout the year--show your Hawks pride with some swag! Available online at Humankind!