Falcon Update

Dear HMS Families,

We had another great week at Heritage Middle School! As we continue settling into our routines and getting into the rhythm of the school year, our students are doing a wonderful job.

This week, students started bringing their school-issued iPads home. Students should bring their iPad to school every day, fully charged and in their district-provided messenger bag. Please help your child establish a routine of charging their iPad each night so it is ready for learning the following day. Students are responsible for taking good care of their iPad, charger, and messenger bag throughout the school year. Students must bring USB-C headphones to school every day. Here is an example, but this exact pair is not required.

Over the next several weeks, we will begin conducting our required safety drills. These drills are an important part of keeping our students and staff safe and ensuring that everyone knows how to respond appropriately in an emergency. Teachers will review expectations and procedures with students before each drill. Drills are always announced and the dates of them are listed in our upcoming important dates.

This past week, we have been reviewing our expectations, the handbook, and more so that students are successful in the classroom and throughout the building. We have started writing Falcon Fouls for students. Falcon Fouls is our universal behavior system that reminds students of what the expectations are when in the building for minor behaviors. Students will earn fouls if they are not responsible, respectful or safe. When a student receives a foul, they have time to reflect on the behavior and have a conversation with the staff member. After a student earns 4, they receive a 25 minute detention. Please know that our staff will provide reminders for students to stay on task, use appropriate language, etc. Our staff is consistent about writing fouls for the following things: out of dress code, including ID, cell phones, and tardiness to class.

This week, it is important that students purchase a lock from Heritage if they have not done so already. All students will need a school lock to ensure their belongings are secure throughout the day. PE uniforms, sweaters, and locks are still available for purchase in the main office. You are welcome to call the main office to purchase these items, or your student can stop by the office.

PE shirts: $15.00
PE shorts: $15.00
Locks: $9.00
Sweaters: $25.00

Additional Important Future Dates

9/3: Fire Drill

9/7: No School

9/8: No School - Teacher Institute Day

9/9: NWEA MAP Testing for Reading

9/10: NWEA MAP Testing for Math

9/11: NWEA MAP Testing for Spanish (Dual Language Students only)

9/14: Fire Drill with the Berwyn Fire Department

9/16: Lockdown Drill with the Berwyn Police Department

9/17: Curriculum Night - 6:00-8:00 PM

9/18: Picture Day

Help us start the school year strong! We are excited to announce our September Attendance Incentive Program to celebrate and reward students for coming to school every day ready to learn.

Here is what your student can earn this month:

• Weekly Dress Down Fridays: Students who are present every day from Monday through Thursday earn the privilege to dress down on Friday!

  
  

• 500 PBIS Points: Students who miss 1 or 0 days of school in September will receive 500 PBIS points to spend at the school store.

  
  

• 250 PBIS Points: Students who miss only 2 days in September will earn 250 PBIS points.

  
  

• Raising Cane's Gift Card Raffle: Any student with 2 or fewer absences during September will be entered into a raffle to win Raising Cane's gift cards!

  
  

Every day counts toward your student's learning and rewards. Thank you for your partnership in encouraging daily attendance! If you have any questions or need support with attendance, please feel free to reach out to the school office.

The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) is now accepting applications for current 8th graders entering high school in the 2026–2027 school year. DMSF provides high school scholarship assistance and ongoing educational support to Chicago area students demonstrating academic promise, leadership potential, and financial need. Nearly 500 Murphy Scholars currently attend over 80 partner high schools, including parochial, independent, and boarding schools.

Key Details & Next Steps:

• Application Link: Apply at dmsf.org/aspiring-scholars. Families can save their progress and complete the form at their own pace.

• Financial Need: Generally defined as a family of four with an annual income of no more than $82,500 (families must also qualify for financial aid directly through DMSF partner schools)

• Recommendations: Once the student section is submitted, recommendation requests are automatically sent to teachers and counselors/principals.

• Application Deadline: October 1, 2026

  
  

Upcoming DMSF Event – September 9, 2026

Location: Hope Athletic Center (2641 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612)

• 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Boarding School Panel (Learn about student life, boarding options, and affordability)

• 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: High School Fair (Connect with representatives from 60+ partner high schools)

Student safety is our top priority. We ask families to remind students that they should never cross train tracks when the gates are down or signals are flashing, and always to stop, look, and listen before crossing. We would rather a student be late to school than cross the tracks when the gates are down.

Some motorized bikes, including certain e-bikes and motorized bicycles, may require a specific license, registration, or minimum age requirement. In many cases, our middle school students may not meet these requirements. Illinois has also passed legislation establishing age requirements for certain e-bikes that will take effect in January 2027.

For these reasons, students should not ride motorized bikes or e-bikes to or from school. These bikes are also not permitted on Heritage Middle School property during the school day.

Students are permitted to ride traditional bicycles to school. However, once students enter school grounds, they must dismount and walk their bikes to ensure the safety of all students, families, and staff. For students who ride bikes to and from school, helmets are strongly encouraged, and riders should follow all posted traffic rules.

Please fill out this form so we can directly reach out to you about upcoming meetings and opportunities to get involved. Meeting date will be decided later this week.

Arrival

Students may arrive no earlier than 7:45 AM to HMS unless they have a morning practice or a club meeting. All students should arrive at school by 8:10 AM. The first class begins at 8:15 AM. All students will enter through the main entrance and go to their designated area in the building.

Dismissal

Students leave their last class of the day (Period 9) at 3:17 and then leave the building through the following doors

• MPR/Back Parking Lot Door: Students in 8th Grade

• Front Entrance: Students in 6th grade

• Side Alley Entrance: Students in 7th grade

If students ride the bus they will wait with the supervisor(s) inside the main hallway entrance area.

Students at Heritage receive free breakfast and lunch each day if they choose to participate, or they may bring their own lunch from home. As a healthy school, we ask that students do not bring pop, energy drinks, or large bags of snacks.

Breakfast will be served each morning in students Period 1 class. Lunch will take place at the scheduled time according to the bell schedule, and students will also have the option to participate in recess during their lunchtime.

Below will be where you can find the menus for Heritage through OrganicLife.

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.

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