HEHS Principal's Newsletter
February 2025
From the Principal's Desk
Parents and Guardians:
During the month of April, students across Illinois participate in Illinois State Board of Education required assessments. This school year we will be transitioning from the College Board and their SAT suite of assessments to the American College Test or ACT.
● Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (Grade 11 and select grade 12) - School-day ACT with writing
● Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (Grade 10) -PreACT Secure
● Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (Grade 9) - PreACT9 Secure
This important information continues here…
Community Connections
HEHS Music - ENCORE…ENCORE!
Our music department held an Honors Chamber Recital at Encore Village in Schaumburg for the third consecutive year. On February 5th, band, choir, and orchestra soloists and small groups performed for the residents at Encore Village. Students chose the best performers in each class to be musical representatives at this event. We look forward to continuing this musical outreach and bringing our musical talent out into the larger community.
HEHS Hawk Boosters
Let’s Get Involved!
The purpose of the Hawk Boosters is to support school curricular and extracurricular activities, bringing home and school into a closer relationship.
Thank you to our many Booster volunteers for their time running the concession stand, spirit wear tent and membership table at our first 3 home football games!
Learn more about Boosters and how you can be involved here.
HEHS Classroom Focus
Who's Running the Show?
Culinary Independent Study Students Are Career Ready!
Student Activity Spotlight
In each edition of this newsletter, a student extracurricular group(s) will be put in the spotlight for the HEHS Community to meet students from our various clubs and activities.
NHS Supports Our Very Own Hawk’s Nest
At the January 22nd NHS meeting, the members brought in over 200 food items. All of these food items were then donated to the Hawks’ Nest to provide food for the HEHS community. One of the major goals of the members of the National Honor Society is to continually seek opportunities to provide service and give back to the HEHS and the surrounding community. We are very proud of the spirit of service that our NHS students repeatedly exhibit.
Senior Class Plans Senior Skate 2025
A tradition that began in 2021, our Seniors hit the ice at the Scott R. Triphahn Community Center & Ice Arena on February 8, 2025. It’s incredible to see so many Senior Hawks enjoy this special experience. A huge thank you to our Senior Class and Hawk Boosters for making this a memorable event!
Athletic Spotlight
A Career of Excellence Recognized!
Our Head Girls' Gymnastics Coach, David Calisch, has received the Coach of the Year Award many times, but this year Coach Calisch is receiving the highest honor a coach can receive: Induction into the IHSGGCA HALL OF FAME! Coach Calisch was voted in unanimously by his peers, and will be recognized for his many accomplishments in his 33 years of coaching! Besides celebrating all of his coaching achievements, Coach Calisch is an incredible role model for other coaches and gymnasts and has contributed much to the sport of girls gymnastics.
Senior Specific
PROM 2025 - Save the date
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Senior 2nd Semester Final Exam Exemption
Seniors and parents of seniors…District 211 and HEHS allows its graduating seniors to exempt from their second semester final exams if they meet the following criteria:
have at least a “C” average in the course
have less than six absences from the class
have no truancies from the class
have not been suspended from the class
are not incomplete on required assignments
Seniors not qualifying for the exemption will be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies but will not receive a diploma on that day. Senior finals will be administered concurrently with all other scheduled final exams on May 21, 22 and 23. Diplomas will be given to students required to take final exams following the processing of final grades. An email will be sent to your senior student asking for their understanding of the Senior Final Exam Exemption Policy.
Senior Scholarship Opportunities
Many of the scholarships available to students at Hoffman Estates High School are provided through this link. The listing is not complete as scholarship information is updated all of the time.
If you have any questions, please contact your student’s school counselor.
Junior Specific
State Testing
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (Grade 11 and select Grade 12) - School-day ACT with writing.
Sophomore Specific
State Testing
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (Grade 10) -PreACT Secure
Freshman Specific
State Testing
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (Grade 9) - PreACT9 Secure
We Want Your Input! 5Essentials Survey
The annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey is open through March 1 and available for families.
We encourage you to participate, as your input will help guide our school’s improvement efforts. The survey assesses the following five components of success:
Effective leaders
Collaborative teachers
Involved families
Supportive environment
Ambitious instruction
Please note that each parent or legal guardian may complete one survey for each student.
This short survey is administered by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. It is important to us that each student’s family complete this survey, as we are then provided helpful information and feedback for improvement.
If you have questions, contact our school's survey coordinator, Jason Stevens, at 847-755-5690.
Parking Lot Safety
Parking Lot Safety is Everyone's Responsibility
Please Read to Understand HEHS Parking Lot Guidelines and Expectations - parking enforcement is underway!
Student Drop-Off Reminder
Morning student drop-off prior to 7:15am - I’d like to encourage parents to drop off in the designated parent drop-off lanes near the media center (the drive north of Higgins). Parents should not drop off along the curb near the marquee as it provides a safety hazard both for pedestrians and other vehicles entering the parking lot off Higgins.
At 7:15am student drop-off by bus concludes and you may use the bus lanes to drop your student on the sidewalk nearest the building.
On late start days the bus lane will be open at 8:40am and I strongly encourage drop-off using the bus lane to avoid creating traffic congestion at the entrance to the main lot.
Student Pick-Up Reminder
After school pick-up I’d like to encourage parents to pick up in the designated parent pick-up lanes near the media center (the drive north of Higgins). Parents should not pick up along the curb near the marquee as it provides a safety hazard both for pedestrians and other vehicles entering the parking lot off Higgins. After buses depart (typically at 2:57pm), the bus lane may be used for pick up.
Evening student pick-up can occur in the bus lanes except for the following times:
3:50 – 4:10 p.m.
5:05 – 5:25 p.m.
*Athlete pick-up is preferred at Door 9 (Athletic Entrance)
Illinois Mandated Assessment Information
Preparing your student for academic success means staying informed about required assessments. This mandated assessment document provides essential details about upcoming assessments, including the ACCESS for ELLs, DLM, PreACT Secure, ACT assessment and Illinois Fitness Assessment. These support your student’s learning and fulfill state and federal requirements under the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
We encourage you to review this information.
Together, we can ensure your child is well-prepared and continues to thrive academically.
Student Voter Registration Information
The State Board of Elections has prepared a one-page document for high school students explaining the process to register to vote. Please take a moment to review it as applicable.
Important Events
February 25 Student Late Start (8:50AM)
February 28 Amy Rudolph Basketball Tournament
HEHS Main Gym - 6PM
March 6 Early Dismissal (11:50AM)
College Night @ Palatine High School - 6-8PM
March 11 Student Late Start (8:50AM)
March 13-15 HEHS Musical - Big Fish
HEHS Auditorium - 7PM
March 18 Band and Orchestra Pops Concert
HEHS Auditorium - 7PM
March 19 Dancing with the Hawks
HEHS Auditorium - 7PM
March 21 Spring Vacation begins at close of school
March 31 Opening day after Spring Vacation
April 1 Student Late Start (8:50AM)
April 15 State Testing
See “From the Principal’s Desk” for more information
April 16 State Testing
See “From the Principal’s Desk” for more information
April 16 Incoming Freshmen Activities and Athletics Fair
HEHS Main Gym - 6:30-8PM
April 18 Non-Attendance Day (No School)
April 22 The Future Begins Today - Special Education Resource Night
Harper College - 6-8PM
April 24 D211 Senior Job Fair @ Schaumburg High School
April 25-26 HEHS Spring Play - Peter and the StarCatcher
HEHS Auditorium - 7PM
April 30 Orchestra Concert
HEHS Auditorium - 7:30PM
May 2 Jazz Concert
HEHS Cafe - 7:30PM
May 5-16 Advanced Placement Testing
May 6 Honors Convocation
HEHS Auditorium - 7PM
May 7 Band Concert
HEHS Auditorium - 7:30PM
May 9 Early Dismissal (11:50AM)