This week our Grade Level Administrators, Mr. Batt and Mr. Miller, began meeting with students in their Social Studies classes to conduct an expectations lesson with students. During these lessons, students reviewed classroom, hallway, and lunch/recess expectations to help ensure our students are safe, responsible, respectful, and inclusive.
It feels much too early to be thinking about transitioning to high school, but we wanted to share the date of the New Trier Placement Test with our eighth grade families so that they can plan ahead. This year the placement test dates are Saturday, November 9th and Saturday, November 16. Families will be able to choose one of the two test days. You will receive a communication from New Trier in early October with a link to sign up for one of the November test dates. New Trier shared with us that they will not accept any test date selections until early October when their testing letter is sent to families. Please do not contact their testing office until the link is sent in October.
📸2024-2025 WJHS YEARBOOK UPDATE 📸
Good news! WJHS technology teacher Michael Donhost has volunteered to be the Yearbook teacher advisor this year - thank you! Information on when to pre-buy on www.wjhspto.com will be announced shortly. Stay tuned!
đź“ŁWJHS SPIRITWEAR đź“Ł
Thank you to all the parents who stopped by our PTO table during Curriculum Nights! Don’t forget to view all the great spiritwear options and personalize your own WJHS SpiritWear by visiting the HumanKind website HERE. HumanKind is owned by a fellow Wilmette mom!
🍔VOLUNTEER IN THE CAFETERIA 🍕
Our lunchroom staff could really use some extra hands serving food to students. There are two spots per day designated for parents to help hand out food as kids go through the lunch line. Can you be available for an hour and half during the day? Sign up HERE as many times as you’d like!
🌳VOLUNTEER IN THE COURTYARD 🌳
The courtyard is a quiet place that’s open during lunch recess for students who want to take a break during the day to relax in a peaceful space. In order for the courtyard to be open during lunch recess it requires an adult to supervise the kids while other classes are in session in the surrounding classrooms. Are you available 11:45am-1:15pm? Sign up HERE to volunteer either Wednesdays (7th graders) or Fridays (8th graders). Questions? Contact volunteers@wjhspto.com
đź“ŁSHOUT-OUTS đź“Ł
One goal of the PTO’s Hospitality Committee is to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate them throughout the school year. One way is by delivering monthly bagels breakfasts and these have been well received on 8/27 and 9/24. THANK YOU, HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE, for making sure our teachers/staff know we support them!
The WJHS PTO has been asked to pass along some relevant community information:
D39 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Save-the-Date for the D39 College Paddle Party on November 16th from 6:00-11:00pm! Dress for the courts in your alma mater’s gear. Enjoy food, drinks and raffle prizes. All skill levels welcome! TICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 1ST AT 10:00AM at www.d39foundation.org and proceeds benefit all D39 schools.
FALL NEW TRIER CHEERLEADING CLINIC
Attention WJHS Parents- do you have an energetic and outgoing 7th-8th grader? Level up your skills- cheers, dances, stunts, jumps and tumbling- at the 2024 Fall Junior High Cheerleading Clinic sponsored by New Trier Cheer! Two practices held Monday 10/14 and Tuesday 10/15 4:30-6:00pm before performing in front of a packed New Trier Varsity Football pregame crowd Friday 10/18 6:20-7:00pm! $45 includes sweatshirt, bow, poms and pizza. Register HERE.
8TH GRADE *PARENT-LED* WASHINGTON D.C. TRIP
A parent-led Washington D.C. trip is an option for current 8th Graders! This trip is not sponsored by the WJHS PTO but is being coordinated by a WJHS parent. The trip will take place February 14-17, 2025 and no school will be missed. For more information click HERE or contact Stephanie Crocker at crocker.l.stephanie@gmail.com.
Trip Code: wilmette25
Password: wastrip25
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.
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.
Wilmette Junior High School
Email: office-wjhs@wilmette39.org
Website: http://wjhs.wilmette39.org/
Location: 620 Locust Rd, Wilmette, IL, USA
Phone: 847-512-6600
Instagram: @wjhswolves39
Twitter: @hawkwolf39