Huntley 158 Newsletter

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The Stay Up-to-Date in D158 district e-newsletter is published once a month following regular board meetings. Interested in receiving the district's e-newsletter but don't have students in D158? Email Denise Barr, director of communications and public engagement, at dbarr@district158.org to be added to the district's email distribution list.

Hello, Huntley 158! I hope this summer you have all found time to relax, explore a new place, accomplish fun summer bucket list activities, read along with Raider’s Read Together, or just “be” as a family. Summer provides many opportunities to refresh and re-energize our personal batteries. But do not fret, summer's not over quite yet. We continue to have a busy summer here in the district preparing for your student’s return to school. In a few short weeks, watch for an official welcome back from both myself and your building principals. Until then, please dive into this newsletter to find out many important dates and information to ensure you and your students are prepared for our back-to-school events, along with where and when you can access important information like “Who is my teacher?”, “What’s my schedule?”, “When can I access my bus route?”, etc. And please remember, when in doubt, reach out….we are always here to help. See you all August 14th, 15th and 16th.

Go Huntley!

~Jessica Lombard

The final Raiders Read Together (RRT) read-aloud of Charlotte’s Web will occur on Monday, July 22 at 1pm at the Huntley Area Public Library. We’ve had a great turnout this summer, with a number of families across the district in attendance each week! In addition to the weekly read-alouds, students and families have been invited to participate in the Charlotte’s Web scavenger hunt; look for our RRT posters as you visit local restaurants and other recreational hot spots in Huntley this summer! The RRT summer reading initiative will conclude with our movie night and showing of Charlotte’s Web on the HHS football field on Friday, August 9th @ 7 p.m. Movie will start at dusk. All Huntley 158 staff and families are invited to attend. We hope to see you there!

The Huntley 158 Education Foundation and the Village of Huntley will host its 7th annual Hootenanny 5K run/walk in the heart of downtown Huntley on Saturday, September 7, 2024! All Huntley 158 staff and families are invited to participate. The event starts at 7:15 p.m. For more information and to register, go to http://www.runreg.com/hootenanny.

Tune into Huntley Community Radio's "Around the Town" segment where host Ron Giordano interviews Superintendent Jessica Lombard and Board President Andy Bittman about highlights from the 2023-24 school year and previews for the upcoming school year. Note: The interview was recorded in May but did not air until mid-July; therefore, some of the information may no longer be timely.

Don’t miss the third annual Enjoy Huntley Week (August 4th-10th), where Huntley 158 students, families and residents are invited to participate in FREE family fun activities, such as outdoor movie nights, a family bike outing, summer olympic games, and more. Visit the Enjoy Huntley website for more information. Passports can be picked up at any Enjoy Huntley event. Enjoy Huntley Week is a partnership between the Village of Huntley, the Huntley Area Public Library, the Huntley Fire Protection District, the Huntley Police Department, the Huntley Park District and Huntley Community School District 158.

The Huntley 158 District Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday (June 3-July 26). The office will be closed on Fridays, except for those with appointments. Regular office hours (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday) will resume on Monday, July 29.

The Huntley 158 Human Resources Department is looking for a district wide float nurse (daily nursing sub) and substitute school nurses for the 2024-25 school year. The awesome thing about either of these positions is that the hours are very closely aligned to student attendance hours. If you’re interested in applying to either of these positions please visit our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Karrie Baughman, Director of Human Resources, at kbaughman@district158.org or at 847-659-6178.

This summer, we invite all Huntley K-5 students to join our 10-week asynchronous summer adventure and explore the seven wonders of the oceans! We will travel around the world learning about undersea wonders while continuing to practice our reading and math skills! Scan the QR code or visit this webpage to join the adventure!

Huntley 158 middle school students (grades 6-8) are invited to join our second book talk on Monday, July 22nd from 2:30-3:30 PM at the Huntley Area Public Library. The July book will be "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. We hope to see you there!

School calendars for the upcoming school year and the 2025-26 school year have been posted to the website. Student attendance is important! We encourage all families to check our calendars and try to schedule appointments, vacations and trips during breaks so we can keep kids in school! Thank you in advance for helping us educate and support ALL STUDENTS ALWAYS.

School supply lists for the 2024-25 school year have been posted to the district website and on school websites. Please note that elementary lists may differ by school this year. Also, Huntley High School and ECC do not have formal school supply lists. High school students are encouraged to come prepared with materials they are comfortable with to help them best learn in their own style. ECC will provide all needed materials.

NEW THIS YEAR: Huntley 158 is utilizing TeacherLists to offer an opportunity for families to shop online for school supplies. Supplies can be purchased from any retailer and brands on supply lists may be swapped out for similar items from other brands.

If you haven’t yet registered your child for the 2024-25 school year, please do so as soon as possible. Early registration helps the district ensure appropriate class sizes and staffing support. You will need a SNAP code to register, so please check your spam folder if you did not receive the registration email or contact studentupdate@district158.org.

Kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year is now open! Click the links below to register.

English: https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=39120&culture=en

Spanish: https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=39120&culture=es

Note: The registration links above are only for new students entering kindergarten. Students currently enrolled in the district’s early childhood program (ECC) received a link to register for kindergarten via email on 4/8/24. If you did not receive this email, please email studentupdate@district158.org and include your student’s name and ID number.

Children must turn 5 years old by September 1, 2024. For more information, visit the Huntley 158 website.

Class schedules can be viewed by logging into PowerSchool on or after August 7, 2024. For help logging into PowerSchool, click HERE. Note: This information cannot be accessed until registration for the 2024-25 school year is complete and until required medical forms have been submitted. Visit the D158 website for information on registration and see below for required health information.

Physical and Immunization Requirements

Per the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois School Code, all students entering Kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade, or students entering an Illinois school for the first time are required to submit a physical exam form (including required immunizations) prior to the first day of school (August 14, 2024). The Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination (school physical) form is available under Forms (see Health Services) on the District website.

Interscholastic Sports Physical Exam Requirement

Middle school and high school students interested in interscholastic sports are required to submit a physical exam form prior to tryouts or participation. The IHSA/IESA Pre-Participation Examination (Sports Physical) form is available under Forms (see Extracurricular Activities) on the District website.

Dental and Vision Exam Requirements

A dental exam must be provided to the Health Office before May 15, 2025 for students in Kindergarten, second, sixth, and ninth grades. A vision exam must be provided to the Health Office for students entering Kindergarten or transfer students entering Illinois schools for the first time. The vision exam form must be submitted prior to the first day of school. Dental and Vision Exam Forms can be found under Forms (see Health Services) on the District website.

Medical Forms

Additional medical forms (medication administration, asthma, diabetes, etc.) are available on the Forms page of the District website. Families are encouraged to submit completed health forms electronically to the appropriate school Health Office via the Medical Records Submission page of the District website or via the email addresses below:

• Heineman Middle School: heinemanmedical@district158.org

• Huntley High School: huntleymedical@district158.org

• Marlowe Middle School: marlowemedical@district158.org

Please note: All physicals and immunizations must be submitted prior to the first day of school or students will not be allowed to attend school. If you feel you have an extenuating circumstance that will prevent you from meeting the first day of school deadline for submitting the required forms, please contact the school nurse as soon as possible.

Bus Route Posting

Bus routes will be available to view in PowerSchool starting July 26, 2024. For help logging into PowerSchool, click HERE. Please continue to check route information as it will change as more students register. No changes will be made to routes from August 5, 2024 until September 2, 2024 in order to ensure consistent route assignments. Questions about transportation can be directed by phone to (847) 659-3000 or by email to transportation@district158.org.

Transportation Request Forms (also found on the district website under Forms)

If you have not yet turned in one of the transportation request forms below, please do so no later than Friday, July 26. Please note that HHS students with parking passes should NOT request bus transportation.

• Dual Custody Busing Request: Please remember both households must be located within the same boundaries of your child's school.

• Busing Request to Sitter: Please remember the sitter must reside within the boundaries of your child's school. Note: Sitter information needs to be 5 days a week at the same location. Morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) can be listed at different locations (i.e. morning pick up can take place at home and afternoon drop off can take place at a designated sitter location or vice versa).

Forms need to be completed and returned to the transportation department EVERY YEAR and can be sent via email, fax or regular mail as stated on the form. Should you have any questions, please contact the Huntley 158 Transportation Department at (847) 659-3000 or transportation@district158.org.

Starting in September of the 2024-25 school year, breakfast and lunch will be available to all D158 elementary, middle and high school students. Breakfast is new this year at D158 elementary schools (grades K-5) and will be served in the school cafeteria. See below for elementary breakfast details:

• Breakfast is optional, but will be available to all students.

• Breakfast will be served daily when school is in session from 8:20 a.m. to 8:35 a.m. (Chesak, Leggee, Conley, and Mackeben) and 7:50 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. (Martin)

• Breakfast will be a cold item kit consisting of a bowl of cereal or cereal bar, an additional grain, fruit juice and milk.

The cost of meals is based on a student’s fee status. Standard meal prices for the 2024-25 school year are as follows:

• Breakfast: $1.75

• Lunch: $3.35

Meal applications and fee waivers must be filled out annually. See links below to access these documents electronically. Paper copies are also available at the District Office. For more information, please contact Michelle Escudero at mescudero@district158.org or 847-659-6155.

• Meal applications: Free and Reduced Meal Applications are available online. Note: Meal applications must be submitted prior to submitting a fee waiver form.

• Fee waiver forms: Fee waivers are available for eligible students once a meal application has been submitted. Applications for fee waivers can be downloaded from the Forms page (see Food Services) of the District website. Forms can be dropped off at the District Office (Attn: Food Service Department, Michelle Escudero).

Families can set up (or continue to use) a MySchoolBucks account to manage food purchases. MySchoolbucks allows you to make online payments, monitor account balances and student purchases, and replenish accounts. To learn more about MySchoolBucks, visit the D158 website.

Middle school: Parents/guardians interested in learning about and/or registering their child for a D158 middle school fall sport should visit the 8to18 website (see links below). Parents/guardians will need to log into or create an 8to18 account to register their child for a D158 fall sport. If you have any questions about 8to18 or fall middle school sports, please contact Donna Nowak (Heineman) at dnowak@district158.org or Sangeeta Gourikrishna (Marlowe) at sgourikrishna@district158.org.

8to18 - Heineman Middle School Athletics

8to18 - Marlowe Middle School Athletics

High school: Parents/guardians interested in learning about and/or registering their child for a D158 high school fall sport should visit the rSchool website (see link below). Parents/guardians will need to create an rSchool account to register their child for a D158 fall sport. From the landing page, click on the Click Here to Register button and follow the prompts to register as a new user. If you have any questions, please contact Rita Castans, HHS athletic director, at (847) 659-6518.

rSchool Today - Huntley High School Athletics

New Mass Notifications System - Test message to be sent on 8/6

The district and schools will transition to School Messenger/Communicate for mass notifications (email, text, phone) prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year. Staff, parents and students (middle and high school) will receive a test message on the new system on Tuesday, August 6.

Huntley 158 Website

Launch of the district’s new website via Finalsite will occur in September. More information will be shared with staff and parents as the launch date draws near.

July

7/22 - Raiders Read Together @ Huntley Public Library; 1:00 p.m.

7/22 - Middle school book talk @ Huntley Public Library; 2:30 p.m.

7/24 - LIGHT orientation: 4:45pm to 6:00pm (incoming students/families); 6:15pm to 7:30pm (returning students/families)

August

Enjoy Huntley Week (August 4-10, 2024)

8/1 - Committee of the Whole Board Meeting: 6pm (open session) @ District Office

8/9 - Raiders Read Together / Charlotte’s Web movie night at HHS football field; doors open at 7pm; movie starts at dusk

8/15 - Regular Board Meeting: 7pm (open session) @ District Office

8/20 - Parent Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC) meeting

See below for important back-to-school dates in August!

Elementary

Mon., 8/5 - Kindergarten Sneak Peek (Mackeben, Chesak and Leggee); 3pm to 6pm

Mon., 8/12 - Elementary Open House; 2:30pm to 4:30pm (with teachers); 5pm to 6pm (without teachers)

Wed., 8/14 - First day of school (grades 1-5)

Thurs., 8/15 - First day of school (kindergarten)

Middle School

Mon., 8/5 - 6th Grade Jump Start; 8am to 11am (MMS only)

Tues., 8/6 - 6th Grade Jump Start; 8:30am to 11am (HMS)

Tues., 8/6 - 6th Grade Jump Start; 8:00am to 11am (MMS)

Wed., 8/7 - 6th Grade Jump Start; 8:30am to 11am (HMS)

Wed., 8/7 - 6th Grade Jump Start; 8:00am to 11am (MMS)

Thurs., 8/8 - Material pick-up at HMS (9:00am to 11:30am; 4:30pm to 7pm)

Thurs., 8/8 - Material pick-up at MMS (9am to noon; 4:30pm-7pm)

Fri., 8/9 - Material pick-up at HMS (9:00am to 11:30am)

Fri., 8/9 - Material pick-up at MMS (12pm-3pm)

Mon., 8/12 - Open house / meet and greet; 5pm to 7pm (HMS and MMS); Note: Marlowe families are encouraged to visit during the appropriate time slot: 5pm-5:45pm (last names A-L); 6pm-6:45pm (M-Z)

Wed., 8/14 - First day of school (grades 6-8)

High School

Tues., 8/6 - HHS material pick-up; 12pm to 6pm

Wed., 8/7 - HHS material pick-up: 7:30am to 1:30pm

Fri., 8/9 - Freshman Raider Rally: 8:00am to noon

Wed., 8/14 - First day of school (grades 9-12)

Tues., 8/27 - HHS back-to-school night; 6pm to 8:30pm

ECC

Tues., 8/13 - Open house for Session 1 students and families; 3:30pm to 4:15pm

Wed., 8/14 - Open house for Session 2 students and families; 4pm to 4:45pm

Fri., 8/16 - First day of school

LIGHT

Wed., 7/24 - LIGHT orientation @ District Office, rm 180 (incoming students/parents: 4:45pm to 6pm; returning students: 6:15pm to 7:30pm)

Wed., 8/14 - First day of school

The Huntley 158 Board of Education meets twice monthly. Regular board meetings are held the third Thursday of each month and Committee of the Whole (COW) meetings are held the first Thursday of each month. All meetings are held at the Huntley 158 district administration building, 650 Dr. John Burkey Drive in Algonquin, unless otherwise noted. Meetings are live streamed and archived on the Huntley 158 YouTube Channel. Visit the D158 website for more information:

July 18, 2024 Regular Board Meeting: Click the link for the agenda and supporting documents or watch the meeting via YouTube.

June 20, 2024 Regular Board Meeting: Click the link for the agenda and supporting documents. Student highlights from the meeting are below:

• Pledge of Allegiance: Joseph Zawacki, Marlowe Middle School

• Student Recognition:

  • The Huntley High School Girls Track and Field Team had another successful year, taking 2nd place at the IHSA State Track Meet in May. The following athletes earned medals:

  • Sienna Robertson – 5th place in Discus

  • Dominique Johnson – 3rd place in Long Jump and 1st place in Triple Jump

  • Sophie Amin – 2nd place in 100 Hurdles

  • 4x100 Relay team – Sophie Amin, Emmy Byers, K’Leigh Saenz, and Vicky Evtimov – 1st place

  • 4x200 Relay team – Dominique Johnson, Emmy Byers, K’Leigh Saenz, and Vicky Evtimov – 1st place

  • Huntley High School Junior Miriam Archer took 3rd place at the Illinois Design Educators Association competition for 3D Architecture after taking 1st place in the regional competition at MCC in March.

  • The Huntley Hurricanes competed at the state Special Olympics Illinois competition on Saturday, June 8th. Congratulations to the following athletes: Luis Martinez – 4th place in division M15 softball throw; Parker Goering – 2nd place in division M16 softball throw; Chase Goering – 4th place in division M17 softball throw; and Gabbi Ford – 2nd place in division F6 50M run and 1st place division F8 softball throw

The links and resources below are intended to provide important and timely information for families and shortcuts to frequently visited places on the district website. These links will appear in every district newsletter.

School Attendance Lines

Chesak: (847) 659-5711

Conley: (847) 659-3711

ECC: (847) 659-5411

Heineman: (847) 659-4311

Huntley High School: (847) 659-6611

Leggee: (847) 659-6211

Mackeben: (847) 659-3411

Marlowe: (847) 659-4711

Martin: (847) 659-5311

Misc. Resources

Bullying

Care Solace

2024-25 School Calendar

Guidelines for Keeping Kids Home from School

Smart Social

Student Helpline

Virtual Bulletin Board

Visitor Procedures