August 22, 2025

Hello Hawk Families,

This was such a fun way to launch the 2025-2026 school year! Thank you for your enthusiasm and support as we started our work together! Here is an overview of our headlines this week:

• Upcoming Events, highlight 5th Grade Curriculum Night!
• New to Highcrest, Mr. Will!
• HMS Instrumental Music
• D39 Athletics
• Highcrest Helpful Hints
• D39 Updates
• HMS PTO Updates
• Community News
• Hawk Handbook Highlights

We have noticed your care and caution during arrival and dismissal! Thank you for continuing to be mindful of traffic patterns, student crossings, and moving continuously through our parking lots. Together, we will make sure we get to and from school safely!

Go Hawks!

Anthony, Susie, + Linda

Please join us for our 5th Grade Curriculum Night scheduled for Thursday, August 28!

• 5:45 - 6:00 pm: Band, Orchestra, and Choir Presentation [Optional, but recommended!]
• 6:00 - 7:10 pm: Speed-Walk a Day in Your Child's Shoes

We are still finalizing the schedule of events, but we will communicate the detailed schedule to 5th Grade Families early next week! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more!

• Monday, September 1 - No School in recognition of Labor Day
• Thursday, September 11 - 6th Grade Curriculum Night at 6:00 pm
• Wednesday, September 17 - HMS Picture Day
• Tuesday, September 23 - No School in recognition of Rosh Hashanah

Mr. Will is our new HMS Crossing Guard! He has a welcoming and fun energy, and we are so fortunate to have him looking after our students before and after school. If you have the chance, please give him a welcoming wave or a kind hello!

5th grade students will have the amazing opportunity to learn an instrument in the band or orchestra AND sing in the choir this year! Enrollment is easy and can be completed by clicking the link below. You can also visit the Highcrest Music Department website for more information. Here are some important dates:

• Music Presentation to 5th grade students- Tuesday, August 26
• Information packet will be distributed and sent home
• Instrument Tryouts- Wednesday, August 27-Monday, September 8
• All students will have the opportunity to try several instruments with the expert guidance of our music teachers
• Students interested in learning an instrument this year can make an instrument selection during this process
• Instrument rental information will be distributed and sent home
• 5th Grade Choir AM Rehearsals begin (8:00 AM)- Monday, September 15
• 5th Grade Band & Orchestra Technique Classes begin- Week of September 15-19
• 5th Grade Band & Orchestra AM Rehearsals begin (8:00 AM)- Week of October 20-24

Please contact Mike Holden- band (holdenm@wilmette39.org), Anne Huynh McTighe- orchestra (mctighea@wilmette39.org), or Marissa Barnette- choir (barnettm@wilmette39.org) for more information!

Highcrest Music Enrollment Form

We are excited for our returning musicians to get started in Hawk Band, Choir and Orchestra! Here are some important dates:

• 6th Grade Band, Choir, Orchestra Information Meeting (homeroom)- Monday, August 25
• 6th Grade Hawk Band & Orchestra AM Rehearsals begin (8:00 AM)- Monday, September 8
• 6th Grade Hawk Choir AM Rehearsals begin (8:00 AM)- Tuesday, September 9
• 6th Grade Band & Orchestra Technique Classes begin- Week of September 15-19

If your child did not participate in one of these ensembles last year, but is interested in joining, please contact Mike Holden- band (holdenm@wilmette39.org), Anne Huynh McTighe- orchestra (mctighea@wilmette39.org), or Marissa Barnette- choir (barnettm@wilmette39.org) for more information!

Our athletics program is still looking for a WJHS soccer and 6th grade (HMS) girls volleyball coach. If you or someone you know is interested, please apply here and reach out to the athletic directors via email (athletics@wilmette39.org) as soon as possible. Go Wolves!

Fall athletic registration is now open. Please go to the HMS athletics website and follow the steps below to register your child if they are interested in participating in cross country or 6th-grade girls' volleyball:

How to register:

• Parents should use a desktop or laptop to sign in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal
• Choose Forgot Username or Password? If you have login trouble
• Choose Forms on the left side
• Select Athletics Registration Form
• Complete the form for each child, including Concussion, Conduct, and the current Physical from the past 13 months.

Please visit the athletics website for more information on practices and Coaches' emails.

• 8:00 - Instrumental Music + Choice [Period 0]
• 8:38 - First Arrival Bell, student entry to the school
• 8:45 - Second Arrival Bell, start of Homeroom [Period 1]
• Lots and lots of fun + learning happening here!
• 3:37 - End of Day Bell
• 4:15 - Front Office Closed

All students can be dropped off at school between 8:15 - 8:38, when the first bell rings. Students can report to the back playground for supervised arrival.

• Do: Email or call our front office before 3:25. Communication received after this time may not reach your child before dismissal. office-hms@wilmette39.org or (847) 512-6500
• Don't: Email or call teachers, as they may not receive it before dismissal.
• Don't: Communicate on personal devices like cell phones and smart watches. These are off and away for the day in backpacks.

Our school does not need to be informed of all changes in dismissal plans; students can manage this on their own. However, if you need assistance in communicating, use these procedures.

• Do: Call our attendance line at (847) 512 - 6550.
• Don't: Let the absence go without communication. It is important to us that we know our students are safe and accounted for.

Pro Tip: Remember, we aspire for students to be in attendance 90% of the school year or more. To achieve this, a student should have 8 or fewer absences during the school year. 10 or more absences in a single school year is considered chronically absent according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Let's get our students here for learning and fun!

• Do: Email "office-hms@wilmette39.org" to communicate date/time and brief details about the absence. This helps us categorize the absence in Power School.
• Do: Create that plan with your child. They can also manage the time they need to go to the front office to be picked up early. This way, they can let their teacher(s) know and request a pass to the office at their pick up time.
• Don't: When possible, don't show up unannounced and expect to pick up your child quickly. Students are learning all around the school, and it takes time to locate your child, for them to gather their materials around the school, and then meet you at the front office. This process typically takes 15 minutes. Advance notice using the strategies above can make this more efficient for all.

• Do: If your child is not feeling well or sick at school, they should request a pass to go to the nurse. The nurse will provide necessary care and inform your family as appropriate.
• Don't: Students should not get their device and contact their parents to pick them up. If this happens, please direct your child to ask a teacher to go to the nurse and use our health and safety systems.

You're welcome to contact Nurse Mary McLone at "Nurse-HMS@wilmette39.org".

• Do: Drop your child off in the circular drive at the front of the school.
• Do: Have your child ring the bell at the main office, sign in, and head to their locker + class.
• Don't: Your child should not try to enter through other doors of the school. Before going to any class, they should be checked in at the front office. For example, if they arrive late and see their P.E. class outside, they should go to the main office, sign in, and then proceed to P.E.

• Do: Your family can drop off lunch at our front office, and we will deliver it to your child.
• Do: Your child can purchase lunch from the cafeteria using their student number.
• Don't: Send food delivery services or restaurants with food, it won't be accepted by the office.

As we launch the school year, there will be more helpful hints. Stay tuned!

Technology Update and Securly Home

Parents received an email from our D39 Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Safety on Tuesday afternoon. Please review this message for in-depth updates regarding technology and technology safety for the 2025-2026 school year. Below are a few highlights from this important message.

Technology Use in D39 Classrooms

Please review this new graphic, which showcases how our faculty, staff and students use digital resources within our classrooms. Useful terminology is provided to help explain the type of technology use that takes place in D39 when paired with impactful instructional strategies.

• Active Learning/Use emphasizes higher-level engagement and participation in student centered activities. We are mindful about active use/learning when using technology with instruction.

• Passive Learning/Use involves receiving information with limited interaction and engagement. Although you may see this at times when reading an e-text or viewing video content, it is used in a targeted way.

Will student iPads be sent home?

One change that District 39 is making for the 2025-26 academic year for our elementary school students is that District-issued iPads will, primarily, remain at school. Student iPads will not be brought home on a daily basis. Storage/charging solutions are available within each elementary classrooms to charge these devices overnight at school.

• Kindergarten: IPads remain at school with limited use.

• Grades 1-4: IPads will only be sent home if assigned homework is an example of Active Learning/Use.

• Grades 5-8: District-issued iPads are sent home daily to charge and to complete assignments with the goal of Active Learning/Use.

Securly Home

In order to continue D39’s efforts to provide support for parents to help manage the use of District-issued iPads at home, we have renewed our subscription to Securly Home. Securly Home is a filter that works on the iPad outside of the D39 network and can be managed by parents. With Securly Home, families will be able to do the following:

• Pause internet access with a single tap

• Check online activity by viewing your child’s recent searches, sites visited, and videos watched

• Customize rules, such as blocking specific sites

• Opt-in for notifications to receive flagged activity, including self-harm or violence

• Create an offline schedule to decide when you want the internet to be accessible

Parents will begin receiving weekly emails from Securly Home on Monday, August 25 with instructions on how to login. If you would like instant access, please enter the email we have on file for you (the parent) in PowerSchool into the Securly website. There is a downloadable pdf with details on what you will experience when using the app along with a short video. For support, you can utilize Securly’s FAQs or go through their Support Form and select “Home Ticket Form.”

Please reference the email that you received on Tuesday afternoon from Tony DeMonte, Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Safety, for more information on technology use and Securly Home.

Student Lunch Account Information

Adding money to your child(ren)’s lunch accounts is done through the PowerSchool ParentPortal. After logging into the portal, click “Balance” and then “Make a Payment.” You will be directed to RevTrak, where you will see the names of the students linked to your account. You can make a one-time deposit to a child’s account, or you can login to your RevTrak account and set up auto-replenish. Keep in mind that each child has their own balance which must be maintained separately. Please visit our Food Services webpage for more information.

Looking For Fulfilling Work? Join Our District 39 Team!

District 39 is looking for caring and qualified individuals to join our D39 team! We are accepting applications for paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, teaching assistants, and a school nurse. Additionally, we are also accepting applications for two open coaching positions – WJHS Soccer (co-ed) and 6th Grade Girls Volleyball. If you are interested, or know of someone who may be interested in working as part of a dynamic team in a vibrant and welcoming setting, please visit our D39 employment webpage.

Parent Education Event – School Safety

Last year, District 39 hosted a Parent Education event titled “Feeling Safe in District 39 Schools.” The information presented still holds true as we begin the 2025-26 academic year and contains valuable information for families. We encourage everyone to watch the recording to learn more about how we work together to maintain a high level of building security and work with community partners to create a feeling of safety for all. Please visit our Parent Education webpage for more information on our Parent Ed program and recordings of many of our previous presentations.

Bike and Scooter Safety Tips

District 39, in partnership with the Village of Wilmette, the Wilmette Police Department, the Wilmette Park District and Avoca District 37, is sharing safety tips with our Wilmette families throughout our community. These tips are important for all bike/scooter riders, and especially important for those considering e-bikes/scooters. We encourage parents to review these safety tips with children regularly.

• Wear a helmet. The best way to protect yourself is to wear a helmet.

• Wear other protective gear. Protect the rest of your body with elbow pads, knee pads, and closed-toe shoes.

• Be visible. All equipment should have lights and reflectors.

• Look both ways before riding through any kind of intersection. Stop and look for cars when crossing the street or a driveway. Be careful at crosswalks and intersections.

• Walk your bike/scooter in crowded areas. To avoid collisions with pedestrians and parked vehicles, the Village asks riders to walk scooters/bikes in crowded areas like downtown and school drop-off areas or walking routes.

• Avoid distractions. Do not use electronic devices, including ear buds, headphones or phones, while operating your bike/scooter.

• Use both hands. Don't carry anything that prohibits you from having both hands on the handlebars.

• Ride solo. If your bike/scooter is only intended for one person, ride solo.

• Be respectful of others. Exercise care when passing a pedestrian or another rider.

• Be mindful of speed. Some bikes/scooters can operate at very fast top speeds. Parents are encouraged to consider the speed and operability of any device before allowing younger riders to use them.

Board of Education Meeting

The Board of Education will gather on Monday, August 25 at 7 pm for its monthly meeting. The evening will begin with a public meeting on budgets before the Board moves into its regular business meeting. During the meeting, the Board will be presented with both the district’s enrollment and tax compliance notification reports, hear committee reports, and conduct a first reading of several Board policies. Additionally, the group will be presented with the district’s response to the Community Review Committee’s (CRC) final report titled “Belonging & Connection in the Digital Age” and is expected to adopt both the District 39 and Wilmette Community Special Education Agreement (WCSEA) budgets for FY26. Agendas, materials and additional meeting details for all Board of Education meetings are posted online Friday afternoon prior to the meeting.

Join Our District Strategic Advisory Team

The District 39 Strategic Advisory Team (DSAT) reviews, informs, and evaluates implementation of the strategic plan as well as the related annual action planning and performance. The team is charged with making recommendations regarding adjustments to action plans, implementation and progress monitoring, and reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs) while ensuring voice, agency, and representation in decision-making.

This team is composed of representative stakeholders from district administration, teacher and support staff union leadership, parents, educational professionals, and members of the Board of Education and its work is vital to our District’s success. The group meets 3 times per year, from 7:15-8:15 am via Zoom with each member serving a two-year term on the team. If you are interested in joining this valuable and important District team, please fill out and submit this brief application. Dates for this year’s meetings are listed below:

• Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025

• Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

• Thursday, May 28, 2026

Register/update your information on the PTO website.

You can access the updated 2025-2026 Highcrest PTO Website at highcrestpto.org. Please login under MY ACCOUNT to verify your family information using the email this was sent to as your username. You must update your information through the URL and not the mobile app. This must be done every school year. You can also reset your password through the URL but not the app.

PTO Membership, iGNITE and Yearbooks

Once you have verified, please use this SALES FORM to purchase your PTO membership today! The Sales form can be seen below your family information and can only be used ONCE so make sure you purchase everything that you need. (A store will be available at a later date but some items will increase in price).

Online and app access to the 2025-2026 Highcrest Directory is included with your $25 PTO membership (in the link at #2 above). You will also be able to donate to the teacher/staff holiday fund, buy a birthday book and yearbook for your child(ren), and make the yearly iGNITE contribution (See more information about iGNITE below).

Did you know the price for the yearbook increases later in the school year? Purchase your yearbook now to avoid the additional cost.

Questions? Contact us at directory@highcrestpto.org

The Highcrest PTO is offering After School Clubs this fall! Clubs are limited in space, so please register ASAP. These clubs will be offered again for the winter and spring. Additional details on clubs, including registration links, can be found here.

Chess Ed: Thursdays, starting Sept 18, 3:45-4:45. Registration is open

IDEATE Math: Mondays, starting Sept 15, 3:45-4:45. Registration is open

ACES Debate: Intro to Debate - Fridays, starting Sept 19, 3:45-4:45; Advanced Debate - Thursdays, starting Sept 18, 3:45-4:45. Registration opens on August 29.

High Five Choir: Thursdays, starting Oct 9, 3:45 – 4:45. Registration is open

Skyline Theater - Frozen Jr.: Wednesdays OR Thursdays, starting Aug 27. Registration is full but waitlist available

Yearbook Club - Mondays, starting Oct 20, 3:45-4:45. Registration is closed (full)

Questions about after-school clubs? Contact us at afterschoolclubs@highcrestpto.org

Did you know your iGNITE contribution pays for ALL field trips? With the increased cost in bus fees, our iGNITE fees make it possible for our children to experience going on a field trip. The PTO ensures that all funds are used each year so your children are benefiting from your donation. Thank you for supporting these experiences. You can pay iGNITE fees through the SALES FORM.

Please join PASS39 (organization for families of children who receive support services in D39) for a get together at the McKenzie School playground on August 24 at 1 PM. For more information click HERE. Questions? Email margie.swain12@gmail.com.

We want to extend our gratitude to all the incredible volunteers who worked many hours behind the scenes to bring our website and after school activities to life. We are so grateful for the time you spent in your last few days of summer to help make the start of the year for our children smooth and fabulous - Catherine Tatlock, Erica Zuhr, Janet Hubbard, Laura Butts, Ruth Chieng. And thank you to Amanda Houde and all the volunteers for organizing all the Edukits - THANK YOU!

The PTO cannot run without the help of many parents. Please consider joining the PTO! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact president@highcrestpto.org. More information about our PTO and our committees can be found HERE.

Highcrest is in need of volunteers for lunch duty. It is a great opportunity to see your child at school! Sign up HERE.

HMS has spirit days throughout the year--show your Hawks pride with some swag! Available online at Humankind!

The Wilmette Rotary plans to resume our Big Book Drive this fall, October 1 through November 14, 2025. They request that, as you consider weeding out your library collection this summer, you save gently used books (excluding textbooks, old atlases, encyclopedias, dictionaries) for our Book Drive in the fall, 2025. The Wilmette Rotary Club encourages you to consider donating children’s gently used trade books, K-6, so that we can donate them in the fall.

Ahead of the school year, it may be helpful to take a moment to review the following handbooks:

• HMS Student Handbook
• D39 Parent + Family Handbook
• D39 Mobile Learning Handbook

In particular, we emphasize taking time to review the following from the HMS Student Handbook:

• HAWKS Expectations
• Smartwatches + Personal Devices
• D39 Disciplinary Measures + Restorative Practices
• HMS Health & Safety

As we progress into the school year, we will request that students sign and return the letter of agreement and D39 Mobile Learning Contract.

Hawk Headlines will be sent weekly on Fridays!

Next Edition Scheduled for Friday, August 29

Anticipated Topics: Getting Students + Families Involved at HMS!