WJHS Highlights

Dear WJHS Families,

The two months after spring break are incredibly busy and always go by in a blink! We hope that you have some fun planned for spring break but are also able to rest and relax as we prepare for the last couple months of school!

Please note that upon return, the fourth quarter begins on Friday, April 4. This is the last quarter in our school year and a great time to check in with your child about their learning and how that is currently reflected in their grades. The progress report that families will have access to on April 16 is just that - an update on progress. Second semester grades are not final until June 6. While we hope you are off resting during spring break, for some students this can be a less stressful time to catch up on some reading or complete an assignment that they lost track of during the school year. If this is something that your family or child has planned, please encourage your child to reach out to their teachers today or tomorrow for more information.

If you are headed off somewhere on vacation, safe travels! We will see our students back at school on March 31.

Sincerely,

Kate, Jeff and Rob

Attention D39 Families - Track registration is now open. If your child is interested in participating in track and field this spring, please go to PowerSchool to register them prior to the start of the season on April 1st.

WJHS Orchestra students shared beautiful music at their recital last week!

On Wednesday, March 12th, a group of our 8th grade students participated in holding their own mock village board meeting and it was a huge success! The students have been working for the past few months learning how our local government operates and current capital projects occurring in our village right now. Students also had to meet with village leaders, including elected and department officials, to learn more about their roles and how decisions are made. They accomplished all of this to prepare for a mock board meeting where our student board members voted on each of the capital projects based on presentations from their peers. Our students did an amazing job and should be very proud of their accomplishment!

Across the grade levels, the SEL lessons students engage in help them learn about themselves, their emotions, and their families and traditions. These lessons help students understand other perspectives and develop their sense of belonging in the larger community.

Learning about many different traditions that are the same as, and different from your own helps your child increase their understanding of the world around them. This month we have the opportunity to learn more about Ramadan, which began at the start of March and ends at the end of the month with the holiday of Eid-al-Fitr. During this holiest and most important month for Muslims around the world, many practice fasting during daylight hours. Enjoy reading a book together about Ramadan to learn more! District 39 staff are aware that many students will be celebrating Ramadan, and are prepared to make accommodations for students to be able to participate. Please make sure you reach out and let us know if your child is participating so that we can support them as needed.

As a reminder, this calendar provides dates and information on many celebratory dates for students and staff of District 39.

🌷Happy Spring Break from all of us at WJHS PTO! 🌷

🗣️SPRING DEBATE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN🗣️

The 6-week Debate after school class through ACES DEBATE CLUB begins the week after Spring Break. The shorter session is perfect for beginners and returning debate students because it allows the opportunity to learn and grow without a tournament at the end. Newcomers can choose from taking classes Thursdays OR Fridays at Highcrest Middle School 3:45-4:45pm. Returning WJHS debaters can take the Monday class 3:30-4:30pm at WJHS. Cost is $180. To register and for more information click HERE.

🍪SNACKS-FOR-STAFF SIGNUP GENIUS🍪

Every spring the PTO stocks the shelves in the staff lounge with fun snacks to give the staff a little treat to get them through the end of the year. Our goal is to have everything ready for the week of April 11-17. Please consider signing up to drop something off or Amazon direct-ship and thank you! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A4A62FA2FCCE9-55413945-april#/

🌳DID YOU KNOW WJHS HAS A COURTYARD? 🌳

Actually, we have two! And one of them is open during lunch recess for students who want to take a break during the day to relax in a quiet peaceful space. In order for the courtyard to be open during lunch recess it requires ONE adult to supervise the kids while other classes are in session in the surrounding classrooms. Are you available for 45 minutes? Sign up HERE to volunteer either Wednesdays (7th graders 12:15-1:00pm) or Fridays (8th graders 11:30am-12:15pm). Questions? Contact volunteers@wjhspto.com

🍔VOLUNTEER TO SERVE LUNCH🍕

The lunchroom staff needs 2 parents each day to help serve lunch as students go through the lunch line. Can you help us out just once? These days have ZERO parents signed up- Wednesday 4/2 and Tuesday 4/8. Check out ALL available dates HERE and thank you so much! It’s truly appreciated!

✋2025-2026 WJHS PTO POSITIONS🤚

Be in the know. Make a difference. Have fun while supporting our teachers and staff. Enrich our student’s school experience. Make friends! There are so many reasons to serve on the PTO. Please consider sharing your talents for the 2025-2026 WJHS PTO. For more information on the following positions please email president@wjhspto.com.

Secretary: attends Exec Board meetings once a month in person, takes notes and writes minutes

VP Community/Hospitality: attends once a month Exec Board meeting, manages team of volunteers for monthly staff bagels/coffee, teacher appreciation week, receptions for newcomers and 7th grade parents, holiday gift fund

Civics & Safety Rep: attends community meetings and reports to VP Legislation

Outside Front Planters Rep: perfect for someone who likes plants/gardening, responsible for front sidewalk planter flowers/beautification with seasonal decorations

Newcomers Welcome Committee: Serves as contact for new families to Wilmette/D39

Graduation Party Committee: Help plan end of year party for 8th graders

President-Elect: attends once a month Exec Board meetings, commits to 2-years: shadows President the first year then becomes President next year

Register Now for the 2025-26 Academic Year

Registration remains open for the 2025-26 academic year. Registering your child(ren) now helps us to staff our schools with the correct number of class sections and the very best teachers around! Please help us plan to continue this excellence by completing your registration now.

• ALL students must register, including new and returning students. Additional information regarding returning and new student enrollment is available online.

• Registration for returning students can be completed via the PowerSchool Parent Portal and choose “registration.”

• Registration for our new full-day kindergarten program is open now, as well. Kindergarten registration numbers are crucial to our planning for kindergarten sections and staffing. If you have an incoming kindergartener or know someone who does, please encourage completion of the registration process as soon as possible.

• Registration is also open for our Lechner Early Education Program (LEEP) for three- and four-year-old preschool program.

• Our 2025-26 academic year calendar is available online.

Parent Education Events

If you missed our most recent Parent Education event titled “Parenting Kids with Big Emotions and Big Behaviors,” a recording of this outstanding presentation is now available online. At the request of the presenter, this recording will only be available for one more week.This presentation, which is geared towards parents with children in grades PK-3, helps equip parents with tools to parent with respect, respond rather than react to your child(ren)’s upsets and tantrums, and support your child(ren) without losing patience.

Mark your calendar for our next Parent Ed presentation, “The Play Paradox: Why Raising Brilliant Kids Is Easier and Harder Than We Realize,” set for Wednesday, April 9 at 11 am. Registration for this event is open now. Please visit our Parent Education webpage for our full schedule of events as well as archived recordings of past events.

District 39 Summer Enrichment Program Registration – CLOSES TOMORROW

The registration window for our D39 Summer Enrichment Program remains open until Friday (March 21)! Families who register before the March 21 window will be guaranteed a spot in their preferred course(s). Those who register after the Friday deadline will be placed on a waiting list.

This fun and educational program runs from July 2-31 and offers a variety of academic and interest-based courses for students currently in grades K-7. This year, courses for students in grades K-3 will be held at McKenzie Elementary School while programs for students currently in grades 4-7 will be held at Highcrest Middle School. Please view our list of offered courses and visit our D39 Summer Enrichment Program website for more details on this wonderful summer option.

Board of Education Meeting

The Board of Education gathered on Monday evening for its monthly business meeting. During the meeting, the Board approved Mr. Anthony Haduch, as the next Principal of Highcrest Middle School. The Board also welcomed preschoolers from the District 39 LEEP program to lead the Pledge, celebrated the accomplishments of our Highcrest and WJHS MathCounts teams, and heard committee and liaison reports. Agendas and materials for Board of Education meetings are posted online the Friday prior to the meeting.

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