WJHS Weekly News and Notes
September 4, 2026
Principal Update
It's hard to believe we're already wrapping up our third week. What a great three weeks it's been! Our students have done an amazing job of settling into their new routines, building new friendships, and tackling their studies with incredible energy and focus. As we head into the long weekend, we also want to send our very best wishes to all of our fall sports teams as they kicked off their seasons. Let's make sure we show up and cheer loud for our student-athletes and coaches!
We encourage everyone to show their WJHS pride by wearing either WJHS Spirit Wear or the color blue every Friday a day to celebrate our amazing school community.
Key Updates & Information
Theatre Assistance Needed
The 8th grade Technical Theatre classes are seeking volunteers to supervise set design projects for Finding Nemo JR that include backdrop painting and working with construction foam. The classes take place during Periods 2, 7, and 8, and the workshop runs from Tuesday, September 8th- Friday, September 25th. No experience with any of the materials is required, and any help is much appreciated. Please sign up using this Sign Up Form, and feel free to contact Nico Mugnolo, the drama teacher, with any questions at mugnolon@wilmette39.org. Thank you!
Join the 2026 Science Olympiad Team!
Is your student passionate about STEM? The Science Olympiad team is calling all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to explore exciting science and engineering topics, connect with peers who share similar interests, and compete in team tournaments!
Key Details:
Eligible Grades: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students only
Registration Deadline: September 16
Tryouts: September 23, from 3:45 PM – 5:45 PM at HMS
Practices: Wednesdays, from 3:30 PM – 4:40 PM at WJHS
How to Register & Contact Info:
Sign up easily using the online Science Olympiad Sign-Up Form (or scan the QR code on the flyer).
For any questions about the program, feel free to reach out directly at tatecia@wilmette39.org.
Picture Day is Coming to Wilmette Junior High School!
Mark your calendars! Picture Day for Wilmette Junior High School will take place on Wednesday, September 16th (Rain Date: Thursday, September 17th).
No advance submission needed: Every student will have their photo taken on Picture Day at school—there is no need to send anything in beforehand.
Do NOT return forms to school: All ordering will happen directly with the photography company.
Online Viewing & Ordering: Photos will be available to view and order online at www.srphoto.com about 2–3 weeks after Picture Day.
Free Shipping: Keep an eye out for a limited-time free shipping offer once photo galleries go live!
For questions, contact Stuart-Rodgers Photography directly at 847-864-7322 or info@srphoto.com.
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy Visiting WJHS!
Wilmette Junior High School is excited to partner with Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy to bring certified therapy dogs to our campus! Trained volunteers and their therapy dogs will visit WJHS about twice a month throughout the school year for one-hour sessions, bringing comfort, connection, and support to our school community.
How Visits Work:
Classroom Visits: Staff members may sign their entire classes up for 30-minute sessions during the school day. Individual students do not need to register.
Optional Participation: Student participation is entirely voluntary. Students can choose whether or not to participate, even if their class attends.
Opt-Out Option: If your child's class is scheduled to participate and you prefer they do not attend, please complete the Therapy Dogs Opt-Out Form 2026-2027. Students who opt out will work on schoolwork during that time. You only need to complete this form if you wish to opt your child out.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Panico at panicon@wilmette39.org.
Early Student Pickup: If you need to collect your child before the end of the day, please inform the main office as early as possible so a pass can be issued during their lunch period.
Email: office-wjhs@wilmette39.org
Phone: 847-512-6600
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Safety Procedures: To keep our students safe and traffic moving efficiently, please strictly follow these traffic rules:
- Designated Zone: Drop off and pick up students only in the WJHS circle drive.
- No Left Turns: Traveling south on Locust Rd.? Left turns into the circle drive are prohibited and actively enforced by local police.
- Restricted Areas: Do not drop off or pick up on Locust Rd., in the WJHS staff lot, or at neighboring lots (Regina Dominican or Mikaelian Education Center).
- Stay Alert: Many students walk or bike to school.
- No Cell Phones: The drop-off/pick-up area is a strict cell-phone-free zone.
Go Wolves!
Jon Baffico
District Updates
Parent Education
Last week, District 39 hosted its first Parent Education event of the academic year titled “Responding to School Safety Incidents: The Standard Response Protocol.” A recording of this presentation is available now.
This important safety presentation detailed the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) that D39 adopted for school safety. Under this framework, our learning community will use clear and consistent language so that students, staff, and families know what to do in an emergency situation. By using common and consistent terminology, everyone will know what to do and how to respond to different situations. More information regarding our 2026-27 Parent Education schedule will be shared next week.
Transportation Waitlist Information
All families who were placed on our transportation waitlist have now been notified of their updated transportation status for the 2026-27 academic year. Students who received a spot on the bus may pick up their bus pass next Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 8, in their school office and may begin riding the bus on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Please contact Michelle McGregor, District 39 Transportation Liaison, with questions.
Late Activity Bus Serving Highcrest and WJHS
District 39 is also providing Late Activity Bus service for students who participate in after-school sports and clubs at Highcrest and/or WJHS. Buses will depart from WJHS at 4:45 pm and proceed to Highcrest to pick up students at HMS. You do not have to be signed up for D39 transportation to utilize the late activity bus. However, since there will not be any staff present at drop-off locations, these buses are to be used by independent riders. The Activity Bus schedule is below:
Bus #1: Drops off students at Central Elementary School (9th St. entrance)
Bus #2: Drops off students at McKenzie Elementary School (15th St. entrance) and then proceeds to Harper Elementary School (front entrance)
Bus #3: Drops off students at Romona Elementary School (front entrance) and then proceeds to the Community Recreation Center, Indian Rd. and New Glenview Rd. Students who take this bus will NOT have to cross Glenview Rd.
Follow District 39 on Social Media!
Make sure to follow our District 39 social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for fun and engaging content and events from around the District! Additionally, all of our D39 schools are also active on social media. Please reference principal newsletters to follow social media accounts for your child(ren)’s school.
7th & 8th Grade Updates
Fall MAP Testing
Students will take the MAP Reading test this coming Wednesday, September 9. There is nothing specific that students need to do to prepare for the test, other than getting a good night's sleep and making sure to charge their iPads. The MAP Math test will be Wednesday, September 16.
Bike Parking Reminder & Respecting Our Community
We love seeing so many of our students riding their bikes to school! To help us keep our campus and surrounding neighborhood safe and tidy, please keep these expectations in mind:
Use Designated Racks: Always lock and store your bike using the official bike racks provided on school grounds.
Respect Private Property: Do not lock bikes to private fences, trees, or non-designated structures. Fastening bikes to these areas can cause damage and vandalize private property.
Keep Pathways Clear: Avoid leaving bikes where they can block walkways, gates, or emergency access points.
Thank you for celebrating our new bike facilities with us and doing your part to keep our school and neighboring community looking great!
Important date reminder (8th grade only): New Trier placement testing will take place on November 7 and November 14. Families will select one of these two dates. Additional information about the test and the registration process will come directly from New Trier in early October.
Curriculum Night: Save the date! Curriculum Night will be Thursday, September 17. More information is coming soon.
Go Wolves!
Anne Bishop
Important Upcoming Dates
September 7: No School (Labor Day)
September 16: Picture Day
September 17: 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night
September 21: No School (Yom Kippur)
Athletics Updates
We are excited that all of our athletic programs are now up and running! All athletes are hard at work in preparing for the first games and meets to get underway next week. We look forward to great seasons!
Fall athletic registration will be closing early next week. For any last minute registrations, please go to the WJHS athletics website and follow the steps below to register your child if they are interested in participating in a fall sport.
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 log-in trouble
- Choose Forms on the left side
- Select Athletics Registration Form
- Complete the form for each child, including Concussion, Conduct, and current Physical from the past 13 months.
Please visit the athletics website for more information on practices and Coaches emails."
Thanks so much and please let us know if you have any questions.
Sarah Meier + Kirsten Best
Wilmette Jr. HS (WJHS) /Highcrest MS (HMS) Athletic Directors
HAVE YOU PURCHASED A PTO MEMBERSHIP YET?
Even if you have a student at another D39 school, in order to access the WJHS Directory you will need to purchase a WJHS PTO membership. This can be done HERE, on the wjhspto.com website. We use a platform called Membership Toolkit to make it easy for our parents to make and track purchases and get important information about school activities. Don’t miss out!
A $25 membership fee goes towards student programming throughout the year such as the 8th Grade Graduation Party, stipends for teachers who oversee the Student Council, Yearbook and any after school clubs (like Latin Club) and monthly staff appreciation efforts. Any questions or have trouble logging in? Email directory@wjhspto.com. YOU MUST UPDATE YOUR HOUSEHOLD CONTACT INFORMATION FROM A HOME COMPUTER TO BEGIN, NOT A PHONE.
IGNITE FUND FOR ENRICHMENT
The PTO's iGNITE Fund for Enrichment pays for field trips, author visits, traveling exhibits or experiments, cultural experiences and educational school assemblies. The suggested amount is $85 per WJHS student but ANY amount you can contribute is appreciated. The iGNITE fund covers the cost of enrichment for ALL students. At the top of the wjhspto.com website there is a button called “STUDENT PROGRAMS” followed by the Ignite Enrichment Fund link where you can make your contribution. Thank you!
LUNCH VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED
You don’t know what you’re missing if you haven’t volunteered to serve lunch yet! At WJHS, volunteers are HIGHLY VALUED and APPRECIATED! It is just over one hour of your time, from 11:30-12:45pm on any day of the week. If your student is worried about running into you at school, please be assured that you may not even see them! If you want to sneak a peek at your student in their natural environment, then this is a perfect opportunity for you! Sign up HERE!
DEBATE REGISTRATION OPEN - FIRST CLASS OCTOBER 5
Learn research, writing and oral argumentation in one of WJHS’s most popular clubs! Programs for beginning and experienced debaters. All programs consist of weekly class sessions held at WJHS for 60 minutes with supplemental debate activities. The program concludes with a 2-hour session to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their new skills in full debates. Registration NOW OPEN - use the following link to register…
www.acesdebateclub.com/register
YOUR PTO IN ACTION
A HUGE THANK YOU to Noela Scarano for putting the beautiful front planters together to welcome everyone back this fall - they are fabulous!
STAY CONNECTED!
Follow @WJHS.PTO on Instagram for PTO news, reminders, upcoming events and a peek at what’s happening around WJHS.
Join WJHS PARENTS on Facebook to connect with other current WJHS families, ask questions, share information and stay in the loop.
Visit WJHSPTO.com throughout the year for PTO news, volunteer opportunities, after-school clubs, meeting information, important links and more.
SHOW YOUR SPIRIT FRIDAYS! Wilmette Junior High School Wolves spirit wear is offered through our partner and fellow Wilmette moms’ business HumanKind. Check out all the great items HERE that can be personalized! BE READY FOR SPIRIT FRIDAYS THIS YEAR!
