Falcon Update

Dear HMS Families,

We can’t wait to welcome our students to Heritage for the 2026-2027 school year. We know everyone is excited to be back in the building, see who their teachers will be, make new friends, and maybe see some old friends too! We wanted to share important information about the 2026-2027 school year and will continue to do so moving forward.

We have made some updates to our dress code expectations for the 2026–2027 school year. Please review the updated guidelines below so that students are prepared to start the year following the new expectations. There are more options that students will be able wear everyday.

Heritage is excited to see new and familiar faces at the Back to School Picnic on Sunday, August 16th, from 12 to 2 PM at Freedom Park. We are also excited to welcome families and students into the building at School Supply Drop Off on Tuesday, August 18th, from 1:30 to 3:00. We will have PE uniforms, sweaters and locks available for sale.

Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 19th. It is a half day for students with a dismissal time of 11:15 AM. Students will spend the day participating in different activities throughout the half day. Thursday, August 20th, is our first full day, and students will be dismissed at the normal time 3:17 PM.

Heritage doors will open at 7:45 AM everyday. Students are expected to be in their classrooms ready to learn at 8:15 AM. Arriving on time is essential for setting a positive tone for the day and ensuring students don’t miss important instructions. On the first day of school 6th graders will go to the gym and 7th and 8th graders will go to the MPR. 6th graders will always be dismissed out the front doors, 7th grade will be dismissed out of the side door closest to the alley way, and 8th grade will exit through the back doors.

We are looking forward to working with the amazing Heritage community, families, and students this school year.

Thank you,

Michelle Hauer

708-303-4805

mhauer@bsd100.org

Additional Important Future Dates

8/16: Back to School Picnic at Freedom Park 12:00-2:00 PM

8/18: Supply Drop Off 1:30-3:00

8/19: First Day of School; Dismissal at 11:15 AM

8/20: First Full Day of School; Dismissal at 3:17 PM

9/7: No School

9/17: Curriculum Night

Students are required to wear school uniforms on all days they are in the building unless it is a special spirit day or they have purchased a dress down from the PBIS school store. The dress code policy from the student handbook is as follows:

The dress code is mandatory and applies to all 6th -8th graders on the first day of school.

• All students shall wear a school approved plain/solid collared polo shirt in navy, white, or black. The polo may be long or short sleeve and must be properly fitted. Any t-shirts worn underneath polo shirts should either match the polo or be black or white.

• Students shall wear plain, solid khaki or black colored pants, skirts or shorts. Pants may be sweat pant material. Leggings, bike shorts, and oversized pockets are not allowed.

• Plain, solid navy, white, or black sweaters/sweatshirts (non-hooded) or school-branded sweaters/sweatshirts are allowed.

• IDs should be worn and visible at all times if required by school. Students must wear school-appropriate lanyards.

• For safety reasons, shoes must have backs. Flip-flops and slippers are not allowed. Crocs may be worn with the back strap in place.

• Items of clothing or jewelry that display images or text portraying illegal substances, weapons, or vulgar messages are not permitted. Additionally, attire that identifies or promotes gang activity is prohibited.

• Unless otherwise communicated by school staff, hats, caps, sunglasses should not be worn inside the building.

• Jeans and other approved attire may be worn during out of uniform days and spirit days at the discretion of the administration.

Students will start changing for Physical Education class during the second week of school. Uniforms are available for purchase and can be done so on Supply Drop Off. Uniforms and spirit wear will also be for sale throughout the school year.

All families are invited to stop by the Back to School picnic on Sunday, August 16th from 12:00-2:00 PM at Freedom Park. Please note that it is a different location this school year. Look for the HMS table and come say hi!

Any HMS student is welcome to come to Heritage Middle School on Tuesday, August 18th from 1:30-3:00 PM to pick-up their school schedule, see and set-up their assigned locker (if you have a school lock), purchase any items needed, submit additional paperwork to the main office, and meet the HMS staff. Please enter through the main entrance! Please check the link below to view the school supply list for the current school year.

School locks are $9 and are needed for the student lockers. They can be purchased at the Supply Drop Off Event on August 18th or from the main office.

All sixth grade and new students are required to have a school physical and copy of their updated immunizations in order to start the school year on August 19, 2026. The school physical form from a Doctor’s Office must be submitted to the school by Tuesday, August 18th. The forms can be dropped off to the main office. If you have questions for the nurse, please contact her at maria.torres@bsd100.org or 708-303-4810.

Dear D100 Families,

Governor Pritzker signed a new law requiring all school districts to have policies banning cell phones during the school day. To help all students stay focused and succeed at school, District 100 will continue to maintain a cell phone-free learning environment through our Phones Off & Away All Day initiative.

Students in all D100 schools are expected to keep their phones turned off and out of sight from the start to the end of the school day.

Phones must be stored in lockers or backpacks, not in pockets, and cannot be used during lunch, passing periods, or in restrooms. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call the main office.

If a student uses their phone during school hours, it will be confiscated and held in a secure location until the end of the day. In situations involving repeated offenses or gross violations, a parent/guardian will need to pick the phone up from school staff.

Exceptions for medical or individual learning needs will be made in partnership with school staff and families.

The academic success and overall well-being of students is our top priority. Limiting distractions helps students remain focused, engaged, and ready to learn, while also preventing potential issues such as cyberbullying or conflicts between peers related to cell phone use. As we approach the start of the school year, please take a moment to talk with your child about these expectations. If you believe your child may have difficulty following these expectations, we recommend keeping their phone at home during the school day.

Thank you for partnership in creating positive learning environments where students can thrive academically and socially. We look forward to a successful 2026-2027 school year!

Email: mhauer@bsd100.org
Website: https://heritage.bsd100.org/
Location: 6850 31st Street, Berwyn, IL, USA
Phone: (708)749-6110
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeritageMiddleSchoolBerwyn
Twitter: @HeritageD100