Proud Hawk Community Newsletter

Dear Proud Hawk Community Members,

I hope everyone had a restful and refreshing spring break! As we return, it’s exciting to kick off our outdoor sports season, including junior high and high school track, as well as high school softball and baseball.

Our strategic planning efforts are well underway, with subcommittees actively working in the following key areas:

• Academic Programs & Extracurriculars
  
• School and Community Collaboration
  
• Pathways to Success
• Safe & Welcoming Environments
  
• District Finance
  

The next two months will be filled with important celebrations and events, including:

• Heritage High School Hall of Fame: April 30th
  
• FFA Banquet: April 9th
  
• Prom: April 25th
  
• Honors Night: May 6th

State Testing Information

📌 March 31st – Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) for grades 3-8
📌 April 8th – PRE-ACT for Freshmen and Sophomores, ACT for Juniors

🚨 No School on April 18th and Monday, April 21st

📖 Upcoming Book Study for Heritage Families and Educators

Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation explores the rise in youth anxiety, depression, and mental health challenges, linking them to the effects of social media, screen time, and changes in childhood experiences. The book provides research-based insights on how families, schools, and communities can help children build resilience and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

To support Heritage families in navigating these challenges, we are offering a book study to equip parents with strategies for fostering healthier, more balanced childhood experiences. Join us in this important conversation as we prioritize the health of our students and and promoting an engaged learning environment.

📚 If you’d like a copy of the book and are interested in participating in this study, please reach out to Dr. Norton at Norton.kimberly@heritage8.org. More details to come as we gather interest to plan further!

Dear Students and Families,

As superintendent, I feel a deep responsibility to ensure our students are not only learning and thriving academically, but also making healthy choices that support their long-term well-being. One growing trend that has raised concern is the regular consumption of highly caffeinated energy drinks, which are becoming increasingly popular among our students.

Take a look at the graphic below, which shows the amount of caffeine in common drinks. You’ll notice that Alani, second only to Celsius, ranks among the highest—with 230 mg of caffeine in a single 16 oz can. That’s more than a 5-Hour Energy shot, and significantly more than a Monster or Red Bull. For context, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 100 mg of caffeine per day for adolescents—meaning just one Alani drink more than doubles the safe daily limit for teens.

Why It Matters

Many students turn to energy drinks to stay awake during early classes, late-night study sessions, after-school activities, late night scrolling, or gaming. But these drinks come with real risks:

• Disrupted sleep

• Increased anxiety and irritability

• Difficulty focusing in class

• Heart palpitations and elevated blood pressure

• Dependence on caffeine at a young age

Even students who feel “fine” after drinking them may be unaware of the cumulative effects this level of caffeine can have on their developing brains and bodies.

What We Can Do Together

I encourage families to talk with their students about their caffeine intake—especially if they’re drinking high-caffeine beverages regularly. Ask questions, read labels together, and explore healthier alternatives. Our school staff is also committed to educating students about how their daily choices affect their energy, mood, and academic performance.

What’s Changing

Due to the high levels of caffeine in energy drinks and the potential health risks they pose, beginning Monday, April 14th, sodas and energy drinks will no longer be allowed during the school day. This step is part of our commitment to prioritizing student well-being and creating a healthy learning environment. Water will always be an acceptable beverage and encouraged throughout the day, along with regular milk and juice offerings provided at lunch. At this point, students can bring their favorite water bottles. We will monitor this and plan accordingly if there are any issues.

Student and Staff Involvement

Before making this decision, we gathered input from students, many of whom voiced concerns about the potential effects of suddenly stopping caffeine intake. We appreciate their thoughtfulness and honesty in this conversation. Caffeine withdrawal is real—with symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and irritability typically lasting two to nine days. To support a smoother transition, we also discussed this with staff and chose to begin the new policy after the ACT, on April 14th.

We’re proud of our students for engaging in this discussion and advocating for what they believe in. Our goal is not only to limit harmful choices but also to support better ones—so students can feel their best, physically, mentally, and academically.

Thank you for your continued support in building a healthy and focused school environment.

Warmly,
Dr. Norton

Our recent Meet the School Board Candidate Night was a great success! We appreciated the strong turnout and the thoughtful questions asked by community members.

Some of the questions included:

• What are your thoughts on curriculum?

• How will you learn educational pedagogy?

• What are your individual goals?

• How would you address Board conflicts if they were to occur?

• Would Heritage be interested in volunteer tutoring?

• What is the biggest issue or concern that you have for Heritage?

Candidates shared their support for the research-based work already underway at Heritage. This includes the new math curriculum being explored for kindergarten through 12th grade—Into Math by HMH—and the ongoing literacy study, Shifting the Balance, supported by the Regional Office of Education. This study focuses on literacy development aligned with the Science of Reading.

Candidates emphasized their commitment to learning educational pedagogy by listening to our professionals and staying engaged in professional development opportunities. These include regional board meetings, the Joint Annual Conference, and ongoing learning through the Illinois Association of School Boards.

When asked about individual goals:

• Mr. Darin Riggs shared his desire to see learners challenged academically.

• Mr. Curt Elmore expressed interest in the continued growth of Industrial Arts through additional equipment.

• Mr. Chris Kirschner mentioned a goal of expanding parking lots.

• Mrs. Courtney Montgomery highlighted the importance of the strategic plan and emphasized adding clear metrics and timelines.

• Mr. Blake Young also focused on the strategic plan and the value of adding specific, actionable tactics as it matures.

In response to a question about potential Board conflicts, all candidates agreed on approaching differences through mutual respect and professionalism.

Regarding volunteer tutoring, candidates were open to exploring the idea, noting that proper training and background screenings would be necessary before moving forward.

When asked about the most pressing issues facing Heritage, the candidates emphasized the importance of increasing enrollment and ensuring our educational practices remain relevant and future-focused.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this event. Your engagement and questions help keep our district strong and moving forward. Don’t forget to cast your ballot! Vote by mail or in person by April 1st to make your voice heard in the upcoming school board election.

5/5-9 Staff Appreciation Week-Shower Heritage staff with thanks!

5/8 PTC Meeting 6:30 @ Homer building

5/23 Fun Day! Sign up to volunteer here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA9AC28A2F4CE9-55936452-funday

Thank you to everyone who supported the students in "The Wizard of Oz" and came to see the show! It was awesome to have to pull out more chairs! Proud Hawk Community!

Heritage is proud to host the annual Hall of Fame Banquet on April 30, where we will honor three outstanding alumni who have made remarkable contributions to their communities and professions.

2025 Inductees:

• Brad Wilson (Class of 1998): A local pastor who also serves as a dedicated coach for Heritage High School girls basketball and track teams.

• Heidi Craddock (Class of 1990): Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs and Chief Advisor at the Department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering for the University of Illinois.

• Elizabeth Jenkins Morgan (Class of 1998): A licensed clinical social worker and therapist in private practice in the Bloomington-Normal area.

Congratulations to our honorees! We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments and contributions at this special event.

National Library Week, April 6–12, 2025, is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning.

The Homer Community Library would like you to join the celebration of public libraries! Whether you're a longtime patron or haven’t ever visited us, now is the perfect time to explore all the library has to offer. We are so much more than just books on shelves! Our library provides quite a few services, such as free Wi-Fi, public computers, digital collections, STEM kits and programs, free movie nights and other programming, ensuring that everyone has access to resources that educate, inspire, and connect.

Did you know that having a library card can save you money? In the last year our patrons saved over $160,000 collectively by borrowing materials from the Library instead of purchasing them. That doesn’t even include the value patrons receive from our programming, use of our computers and internet, or services such as our Notary service or subscriptions to ABC Mouse, Ancestry.com, and Mango Languages.

From books and digital resources to access to the internet and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities. Come see what we have to offer!

This month our focus is Cooperation. One way to think about Cooperation is “working together to reach shared goals.” Cooperation also requires active listening, respecting differences, handling wins and losses appropriately, finding ways to calm our emotions, and making others feel included. Kindergarten-2nd graders completed many different types of games & challenges, while working on their cooperation skills. 3rd graders set off in "teams" to do different projects around the school including picking up trash and cleaning some of those hardest to reach places in our school. Our Junior High students are learning about the different parts of well-being; physical, mental, social, and emotional, along with strategies to use when they are needing a well-being boost. Reading, listening to & making music, prioritizing sleep, socializing with friends, exercising, journaling, and connecting with nature are some of the tools we discussed and practiced in our groups. Our 7th and 8th graders ventured outside to soak up the sunshine and practiced journaling on one of the warmer days this month! I was impressed with the amount of creativity that stemmed from distraction free, quiet time with paper and a pencil, from our students.

Due to a multitude of factors, research indicates that the current generation of students is experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before. It is important for them to learn about those contributing factors, along with healthy ways to reduce stress and boost their well-being!

I am both proud and grateful to be part of a school district on the cutting edge of prioritizing the health and well-being of our students!

As I reflect on our school’s journey since last month, we are thrilled to share the exciting developments of our students with you, our school community!

First, our outstanding JH girls’ volleyball teams finished their season strong. I cannot say enough about how these girls have grown, as we witnessed, in both their skills and confidence! It’s been inspiring to see all our athletes grow throughout their seasons! While we bid farewell to one sport, we eagerly welcome the new beginnings with the launch of JH Scholastic Bowl and Track. Our Scholastic Bowl varsity team is off to a great start, while our JV team brings an element of excitement and raw talent to the competition. Their focus on building confidence and taking risks is commendable. Mark your calendars, because on April 30th, we will host the Scholastic Bowl regional competition, and we would love for you to come out and show your support for our outstanding team. In addition to Scholastic Bowl, our Track team has successfully completed their first meet of the season and we are eagerly looking forward to watching them move throughout the season.

Since our last communication, we also enjoyed a successful Parent-teacher Conference week, just prior to Spring Break. It was heartwarming to see students engaging with their teachers, sharing their accomplishments with their parents, and celebrating their academic journey together.

We celebrated a wonderful production of The Wizard of Oz! Our elementary and junior high students gave an excellent performance, and we’re so proud of their hard work. A huge thank you to the PTC for sponsoring this event through Missoula Children’s Theatre, and to Jess Sands for her outstanding leadership in bringing the show to life.

Looking ahead, we have some important events lined up. Beginning on March 31st and lasting until April 4th, our 3rd through 8th graders will be participating in their IAR State testing. We encourage you to support your child during this time by ensuring they get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, and receive positive encouragement. Their performance reflects not only their personal learning this year but also highlights our school and the support of our entire communities.

Next, on April 4th our 4th and 5th grade students will embark on an exciting trip to the University of Illinois, Beckman Institute, while our 8th graders will participate in a lunch and career fair at the high school. These experiences are designed to enrich our students’ learning and broaden their horizons. Kindergarten through fourth grade will enjoy Reading is Fundamental Day at the Homer Community Library on April 10th.

Finally, we are excited to invite you to our annual Book Fair on April 10th from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Mrs. Lemmon has been working diligently to organize a fun and fantastic evening for everyone. We hope to see everyone come out and support this amazing event.

As we look forward to next month, I will have more updates as we big to wrap up the 2024-25 school year and prepare for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. We are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and partnership in educating our children. Thank you all for being an essential part of our awesome school community!

Mrs. Sanders

Even with Spring Break over the last month, a lot of things have been going on at the High School as we prepare for the end of the school year. We were very excited to find out that English teacher, Ashley Knowles, received the Empowering Education Grant from Eastern Illini Electric. The grant will be used in Mrs Knowles' Journalism class to help possibly live broadcast news and announcements for the school. 6 students attended Parkland College on a Saturday to participate in a Math Competition. On the same day, we hosted the Masonic Scholastic Bowl tournament. 8 schools participated in the event as Heritage finished in a 5-way tie for 3rd place. Due to the tiebreaker rules, Heritage's official place in the event was 4th so the team received a plaque and medals.

National Honor Society was able to host their Blood Drive after the original date was postponed due to weather. We were very pleased with the number of donors.

Heritage High School hosted the IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest. 18 schools were assigned to our contest. Our students performed well and we are currently in 2nd place in the Sweepstakes competition in the state.

The Junior class took a field trip to the Homer Historical Society and Urbana Free Library to gather information for a Podcast project. The Senior class visited Parkland College to help learn the layout of the campus.

The Science Club and FFA participated in the Envirothon competition at Lake Land College. The FFA placed 2nd overall for FFA teams. Student Council attended the District Hospitality Night and Convention. The Lincoln Prairie Conference hosted the Honor Band Festival at Cumberland High School. Our student of the month for March is Emilia Lysohir and we were also able to honor our 3rd quarter Breakfast Club. The Spring Sports season is just getting started with Baseball, Softball and Track already having meets and games. Bass Fishing will be joining in soon.

All calendars and menus may be accessed here.