Proud Hawk Community-September 2025

Hello, Proud Hawk Community!

We’ve had a strong start to the 2025–26 school year! Thank you for helping us get into routines and supporting your children as they adjust to new classrooms, teachers, and schedules. The first few weeks are always a big transition, and our students are showing great responsibility and focus.

Our students are doing an excellent job respecting the new Technology Agreement this year. As a reminder, all teachers are equipped with radios, and before school began, every classroom was provided with a phone to ensure safety and communication.

Please be on the lookout for the Balanced Technology Agreement if you have not yet received it. We ask that you review it, sign it, and have your student return it to the classroom or office. Your support helps us maximize student engagement and learning in our classrooms. Hear more from our high school students in Issue #2 of the Wingspan.

Our very first Parent & Student University was a big success with nearly 150 people attending! Students loved the STEM activities, and families found the mental health and SEL sessions especially valuable.Our next event is Tuesday, October 28 at Heritage High School. We’re excited to welcome all K–12 families and will kick things off with a family meal before the sessions begin.

We’re watching attendance closely this year. Our goal is for every student to maintain 95% or better attendance. A few illnesses have made the numbers dip, but families are doing a great job communicating and providing doctor’s notes when needed. Thank you for helping us keep our Hawks healthy and present in school! To date, our elementary/junior attendance average is 95% and high school attendance is 95%.

Families can now download our bus tracking app on Google Play (Android).

Download the app on the App Store or Google Play to obtain real time bus information

1. App Store

2. Google Play

Roadwork near the Elementary/Junior High is ongoing. Please allow extra time and use caution during drop-off and pick-up.

Thank you for your continued collaboration in making Heritage a place where students thrive. We value our partnership and commitment to maximizing student learning with you.

With gratitude,

Dr. Kimberly Norton

The Heritage CUSD #8 Board of Education has been recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) with the School Board Governance Recognition honor. Heritage was one of 42 districts in Illinois to receive this distinction, which highlights the board’s strong governance practices, ongoing commitment to professional growth, and dedication to ensuring student success.

IASB’s recognition program acknowledges boards that demonstrate effective governance behaviors as outlined in the Foundational Principles of Effective Governance. The two-year honorary distinction celebrates boards that prioritize continuous learning, community engagement, and leadership practices that strengthen schools and improve outcomes for students.

At the September meeting, the Heritage CUSD #8 Board of Education approved the FY 2026 budget. The Board also reviewed Bullying Policy 7:180, which, although approved this past June, is required by the Illinois State Board of Education to be discussed explicitly every two years as districts provide ISBE with the current policy.

The Board granted Dr. Norton approval to apply for the School Maintenance Grant once released. If awarded, the district could receive $50,000 toward a capital project, with matching funds provided locally.

Dr. Norton shared updates on strategic planning initiatives, including developing new community partnerships with the Sidney Dairy Barn. This builds on earlier partnerships with Philo Exchange Bank, Loman Ray Insurance, and the Homer Sports Commission (HSC), all of whom have provided financial support this school year.

As part of the district’s focus on a safe and welcoming environment, all drills have been practiced and refinement is being made after debriefing with staff and students. Custodial and maintenance requests continue to be managed through the electronic reporting system. Under Achievement and Curriculum, the district remains committed to improving student attendance. Teachers in grades K-12 are getting acclimated with the new Into Math curriculum, and at the high school, Character Strong has begun through student-led sessions twice per month. The district is also exploring the possibility of offering a Pre-K section at Heritage.

Staff professional development on September 26 will focus on AI tools to support differentiated instruction as well as Recognizing Mental Health Warning Signs.

The Board also discussed the potential use of bonds to support future district needs, including improvements to parking lots, the possibility of updating the tracks, or increasing the amount in working cash.

Additional items discussed included:

• Student Ambassadors’ first report

• Employee insurance plan options

• IASB Delegate Assembly resolutions under consideration

• Principal updates

• Roofing project status and upcoming bus deliveries

For more information the September 15, 2025 Heritage Board Meeting may be viewed here.

Our Student Ambassadors, Ethan Lyons and Tatum Morgan, delivered their first report at the Heritage Board Meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Tatum highlighted the work of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). The group decided not to attend Capitol Leadership in Washington, D.C. this fall but will continue fundraising for Nationals, which will be held July 6-10 in D.C. Numerous opportunities to fundraise are planned. Tatum also emphasized the importance of family and community in their efforts.

Both Ethan and Tatum shared that the school year has had a smooth start. Ethan noted that while drills have gone well overall, improvements can be made by ensuring all radios are functioning properly, as a few staff experienced issues receiving messages.

Dr. Norton emphasized the value of conducting drills early in the school year so that staff and students can debrief, identify issues, and make corrections to strengthen safety practices.

Every day of learning matters! Regular school attendance is one of the most important ways families can support student success. Missing just a few days each month adds up quickly and can cause students to fall behind academically and socially. Good attendance not only improves grades and graduation rates, but also builds positive habits that last into adulthood.

Parents play a powerful role in supporting strong attendance. Simple steps like planning ahead for appointments, keeping morning routines consistent, and talking with your child about why being at school matters can make a big difference. Together, we can help all students stay on track and thrive. Excused absences include:

• Illness (including up to 5 days per school year for mental or behavioral health)
• Observance of a religious holiday or event
• Death in the immediate family
• Family emergency
• Circumstances causing reasonable concern for the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or safety
• Attendance at a military honors funeral
• Other reasons approved by the building principal

Illinois law requires students to have current health records on file. Please turn in the following by October 15 to avoid school exclusion:

• Physical + Immunizations: Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th, 9th, and all new students (exam within the last 12 months).

• Tdap (whooping cough) & Meningococcal: 6th grade (Tdap), 12th grade (2 doses meningococcal; 1 dose if first given on/after 16th birthday).

• Dental Exam: K, 2nd, 6th, 9th grades.

• Eye Exam: Kindergarten and students new to Illinois.

Please send forms to the school office/nurse or your child’s teacher.

Thank you for helping us keep students healthy and in class!

Heritage CUSD #8 is currently exploring the possibility of hosting a Spectrum Pre-K classroom at Heritage for the 2026-2027 school year. In order to plan accurately for future programming and services, we need your feedback.

If you think you may have a child who would be eligible for Pre-K next year, please take a few moments to fill out our Pre-K Interest Survey. Your responses about eligibility, preferred schedule, transportation needs, and more, will help us determine whether to move forward with this option.

Click here to access the survey

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, feel free to include them at the end of the survey, or contact us directly at norton.kimberly@heritage8.org.

Thank you for your time in providing this information.

On Friday, November 1st, Heritage High School will host Meet the Hawks, a community event and fundraiser celebrating all of our High School and Junior High students involved in 2025 IHSA and IESA activities, including recognition of Spring activities from last school year. The evening will also feature interactive student-led stations designed to build connections, highlight student talents, and foster community spirit. We hope this special night not only celebrates our Hawks but also inspires even stronger community support for our athletes and activities.

We have been blessed with generous support so far this school year: Philo Exchange Bank, Loman-Ray, Homer Sports Commission (HSC), Elevate Trampoline Park, University of Illinois, Beckman Institute, and now Sidney Dairy Barn!

Thank you to the Sidney Barn for providing incentives for our students for celebrating positive character focus traits as they exhibit positive leadership!

This year marks our district's second year implementing the Character Strong program for our K-8 students, and our first year for grades 9-12! Character Strong's overarching goals for student development are to Be Kind, Be Strong, and Be Well. These goals are achieved by teaching social-emotional and character skills that help students foster better relationships, improve self-management, handle emotions, and gain a sense of purpose, leading to a more positive and supportive school culture.

We kicked off the year with a focus on Kindness and Respect. Our littlest Hawks are learning about whole body listening. Students in upper elementary are learning how to identify the size of their problems, correctly identify their emotions, and how to solve conflicts peacefully. Our JH students are learning about their personal values, and ways to live them out through their actions. This week JH students were given their first Character Dare called "The Initiator" which encourages students to start a conversation with someone they don't normally talk to, and learn something about them. High School students were introduced to the Character Strong program and will be focused on the importance of social belonging.

Our first service project at the Heritage Elementary/Junior High is Caps for Cancer! Each Friday in September, students may wear a hat for a $1 donation to the American Cancer Society. It is fun to see our students come together for this worthy cause.

If you have concerns about your child's social and emotional needs, please feel free to contact: Mrs. Desmond, Social Emotional Learning Facilitator, megan.desmond@heritage8.org,

Ms. Kelsi, Social Worker, kelsi.walters@heritage8.org,

or Mrs. Knott, Heritage School Counselor patti.knott@heritage8.org

A Strong Start to the School Year
The school year is well underway, and our students have already accomplished a great deal in a short time. We have successfully concluded the seasons of Junior High Boys Baseball and the Homer Youth League Girls Softball program. In addition, our Junior High Cross Country season is already past the halfway point, with student-athletes continuing to demonstrate dedication and perseverance. Looking ahead, the Junior High Girls Basketball season will begin in just a few weeks. We are proud of the commitment our students have shown and look forward to continued success throughout the year.

Beyond athletics, our teachers and students have also embraced the challenge of implementing a new math curriculum. While it has presented some difficulties, both staff and students are rising to the occasion with perseverance and collaboration. It is inspiring to witness their dedication as they work together to achieve their new math goals.

We are also making great progress with our Character Strong curriculum. Although we have only been using this program for one year, its impact is already evident. Our students are putting their learning into practice by helping others, spreading kindness, and setting healthy boundaries with confidence. We are equally excited to see this curriculum continuing with our students as they enter high school, ensuring that the values of compassion, respect, and resilience remain a part of their journey.

Looking ahead, we are excited for the many events that bring our school community together, including Heritage Homecoming, the Hawk Walk, Parent/Teacher Conferences, and the celebrations yet to come. Most importantly, we remain focused on our school’s mission and this year’s goals—improving attendance and strengthening RtI interventions—both of which contribute to building better, stronger learners within our community.

Here’s to a school year filled with learning, growth, and endless possibilities for all of our Heritage Hawks.

We are taking time to learn expectations, get into the groove with our schedule, and getting to know each other.

During our 3 week Smart Start Unit in reading we’ve been practicing writing letters with shaving cream/ making the letters with our play doh, we learned how to use our scissors by making our own scissor salads, Had a gingerbread man hunt to learn about all of the important places and expectations around the school, and brought in our “Whoooo Are You bags.” Each child brought in 5 items that are special to him/her.

Thank you, Mrs. Unser and Ms. Rothermel for helping our littlest Hawks learn their routines and get acclimated to Heritage!

Second grade learned a Classroom Community Building Song to the tune of “Better When I’m Dancin’” by Meghan Trainor. It is titled: “Better When We’re Learnin’”

Second grade created a collaborative poster in honor of Patriot Day.

At the end of the month, second grade will be making homemade applesauce together with Mrs. Izard and Mrs. Struck.

Heritage High School continues to celebrate student success and engagement across academics, activities, and athletics. Congratulations to Josh Stierwalt, who received the prestigious College Board School Recognition Award for his outstanding AP and SAT performance. We had multiple quality performances on the AP tests last Spring. For those that do not know what scoring well on AP tests can do, a student that scores a 3 or higher could receive college credit. Our new class, AP Seminar, had 5 students score a 3, which is amazing for a first year AP class. All students in our AP English class scored a 3 or a 4. We are very proud of our students for their performances on these exams.

Our FFA students were busy this month, shucking and selling nearly 2,000 ears of corn at the Riggs Sweetcorn Festival, representing Heritage at the Farm Progress Show, and hosting a Kickoff Cookout for the high school. FCCLA members held a pancake breakfast, while our students also began their first Character Strong sessions, focusing on building social-emotional learning and leadership.

Families joined us for Financial Aid Night, gaining valuable resources for future planning. In addition, safety remained a top priority as staff and students participated in drills, including a reunification drill that provided excellent practice and identified areas for improvement. Student Council also represented Heritage at the District Fall Picnic.

Our fall athletic season is well underway. Homecoming is scheduled for Thursday, September 26, with the Grand March at 7:00 PM followed by the dance at 10:00 PM. In golf, congratulations to Anthony Happ on his victory at Marshall. The conference matches are September 24 for girls and September 25 for boys, with regionals on September 30 and October 1. In cross country, Clark Roland earned top 10 finishes at both the Doc Acklin and Cow Chip Classic meets, while Greyson Guevara was named top freshman at the Cow Chip Classic. The team also competed in Peoria for the first time, with every runner achieving a personal best. The conference meet is set for October 7. In volleyball, the team holds a record of 3-13-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play, with the conference tournament scheduled for the week of October 6.

The welding students have begun their first assignment of cutting metal and laying five identical beads.

Several students have finished their cutting boards in Intro to Industrial Tech. The Construction class has been working hard on their custom forms to pour their concrete into. Special thanks to Mr. Frost for providing our students with these experiences!

The Intro to Art students learned about Still Life traditions in western art history. Students learned about how contemporary artists use similar imagery, lighting, and composition to create meaning in their artwork. They picked items to represent "this moment in time" and included at least one item from art history to inform the meaning of their artwork.Thank you, Mrs. Hermosillo, for your guidance and inspiration! We are so proud to showcase our students' talent and dedication!

All student-athletes in grades 9–12 are encouraged to attend with Mrs. McGarigle! Join us as we focus on leadership, energy, attitude, toughness, and culture.

📅 Tuesday, September 30th

📍 Library – During Homeroom

We are excited to highlight one of our Parent & Student University partners, the Cancer Center at Illinois, which is offering a tremendous opportunity for high school seniors passionate about science and research.

Through the Cancer Ambassadors Program, seniors can:

• Build science communication skills

• Collaborate with peers and mentors

• Advocate for cancer research and awareness

Ambassadors will be paired with a University of Illinois undergraduate mentor, attend engaging sessions throughout the school year, and complete a community outreach project.

This is a unique chance for our students to explore future pathways in science while making a difference!

Interested students should reach out to Stephanie Dietrich (sdietrich@illinois.edu for application details.

Parent and Student University is returning on Tuesday, October 28th, from 5:15–7:00 PM at Heritage High School. Families will enjoy a meal together (for those who register early) followed by exciting sessions designed to engage students and parents alike. From hands-on activities to valuable resources, this evening is a chance to learn, connect, and grow as part of our #ProudHawkCommunity.

Stay tuned...more details will be revealed soon!