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WJHS Highlights

04/19/2024

WJHS Highlights04/19/2024

March Leader of the Pack Recognition

A Message from the Administrative Team

Dear WJHS Families,


Please see the note below from our WJHS Student Council:

Student Council is proud to partner with a student at New Trier High School enrolled in a leadership and philanthropy class called Leading with Heart. It is a branch of A Giving Heart Foundation that has partnered with Lurie Children's Hospital. Their mission is to eliminate invasive treatments for kids with congenital and structural heart disease. The funds they raise will help provide the resources necessary to purchase the equipment and care to eliminate or reduce the need for open heart surgery. We are partnering with an organization called GotSneakers? Which reuses and recycles sneakers and, in return, donates money to the chosen organization A Giving Heart Foundation.


We are asking WJHS community members to consider donating their used or gently used sneakers for this cause. A collection bin for sneakers will be set up in the front lobby at WJHS starting Tuesday, April 23rd and will be open to donations until Friday, April 26th. Students can drop off their sneaker donations themselves or parents can drop off sneaker donations at the Front Office. Go Wolves!



As shared previously, we have several fun assemblies ahead for our WJHS students! We had our first assembly yesterday and have included a photo and videos below for you to enjoy.


Have a great weekend and we will see your children on Tuesday!


Best,

Kate, Eric and Nicole

Tech Tidbit

Do you have an Alexa or Google Home? Does your child use Snapchat? Did you know that these are a form of AI - Artificial Intelligence?


AI is a technology that mimics human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities. Even though it might seem smart, it is just following directions and information from various sources to respond. Our students are growing up in a world where AI is a part of everyday life. There are pros and cons to using AI. For students, it can help with homework, language learning and research. It can inspire creativity and increase accessibility. But there are downsides including privacy concerns, academic integrity and increase in misinformation that can be harmful. At WJHS, we work on teaching students how to use AI appropriately. Included in the District Handbook, there is a section on AI to ensure that students are using it properly in school. As parents, you can confidently teach your child to appropriately use AI in their personal life by learning about the different tools, talking to them and encouraging them to use AI wisely and responsibly. Internet Matters has an Interactive Parent’s Guide to AI tools that provides an overview of different AI tools.

8th Grade Families: Upcoming Events

Is your student interested in saying the Pledge of Allegiance or giving a speech at 8th grade graduation? Info here!


Monday, June 3: 8th grade field trip to Great America. Information for families will be sent out at the end of April.


8th grade graduation will take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 5:30pm in the new Winnetka Main Gym, at the Winnetka Campus of New Trier High School on Wednesday, June 5, 2023. We are excited to offer one graduation ceremony this year for the entire 8th grade class, set to take place at 5:30 pm. Due to space in the gym, each student will be offered four tickets for family.


The New Trier incoming/new student web page is something to bookmark! Important information is now posted regarding registration and upcoming events. Click HERE to access.

April SEL

Beginning April 22 and running through May 3, 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 Responsive Classroom 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.

PTO Highlights

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8TH GRADE GRADUATION PARTY - SAVE-THE-DATE

Each year the PTO sends off the graduating 8th graders with a festive party to celebrate all their years in D39! This year’s party will be on a FRIDAY NIGHT, May 31st from 7:00-9:30pm. More information to come about this inside-only fun party!


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

✅Lunch server - 1 hour of your time to help serve food to students in the lunch line on any given day. Sign up HERE

✅Courtyard volunteer - 30 minutes of your time to take out games from the PTO’s shed and monitor the space during lunch recess on Wednesdays (7th Grade) or Fridays (8th Grade). Sign up HERE


D39 EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION NEWS

“IF” Family Movie Night

Join us for a fun family evening out on Friday 5/17 for OPENING NIGHT of one of the most anticipated movies of the year, IF starring Ryan Reynolds! IF is a live action/animated comedy written and directed by John Krasinski that tells the story of a young girl and her neighbor (Ryan Reynolds) who find themselves able to see imaginary friends. THREE SHOWINGS at The Wilmette Theatre: 4:30pm (for families with younger children) and two theaters will show it at 7:15pm. THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF EVENT. Tickets go on sale 4/24 at https://d39foundation.org/

Dinkin for a Cause/Pickleball Event

Are you ready to step into the world of Pickleball excitement? Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or curious to give it a try, mark your calendars for April 27th. There are still a few tickets left! Secure your spot before they are gone! Click HERE to purchase tickets!


NEW TRIER BOOSTER CLUB NEWS

The New Trier Booster Club is holding their annual benefit tonight, 4/19 at Sheridan Shores Yacht Club from 7-10pm and everyone is invited, click HERE to purchase your ticket on RevTrak! Auction items are online and bidding is open to ANYONE. You don’t have to attend to bid on the many great items available. Click HERE to register and bid! All proceeds go towards enhancing athletic programs and intramurals at New Trier High School. Go Trevians!

District News

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Joint Message on Senior “Paranoia” Game

We are aware that some New Trier High School seniors have been participating in “Paranoia,” a game in which players use toy guns to eliminate competitors, often using the element of surprise. Since the playing field for the “game” can often extend into local communities, we wanted to share a message in partnership with the Wilmette Police Department.


We want to take this time to remind our families that all weapons, including replica or toy weapons, are not allowed on school grounds at any time per District policy. Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Please reference Board Policy 7:190 Student Behavior for more information. District 39 and WPD share their concerns about “games” involving toy/replica weapons and the potential for tragic consequences that they carry.


D39 Solar Panels and Earth Day!

Over the past two years, all six District 39 school buildings were equipped with solar panels, courtesy of a grant received from the Illinois Clean Energy Community. In addition to providing solar energy to select areas of our schools, this project provided a wonderful teaching and learning opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff. As we think about Earth Day on Monday, please enjoy the dashboards from our buildings, which display the amount of solar energy produced by these solar panels.


Parent Education Event

Make plans now to join us virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, May 8 for our last Parent Education event of the academic year. This presentation, titled “Supporting School Transitions,” will give our families tips and information ahead of their child(ren) transitioning 4th to 5th grade and 6th to 7th grade. There is not an in-person option for this presentation. Register online to reserve your spot and visit our D39 Parent Education website for our full schedule of events, registration links, and archived recordings.

Kate Dominique
Kate is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters

Principal at Wilmette Junior High School; love being an educator and working with young people; value spending time with friends and family