HF FYI
February 13, 2026
Missed the Town Hall? Attend Our Morning Chat!
Next Week: New Faces Production of LOST GIRL
Long after returning from Neverland, Wendy Darling realizes she never truly moved on from the adventure or the promises of “the boy who wouldn’t grow up.” Poetic, funny, and heartbreaking, LOST GIRL reimagines the world beyond Peter Pan, weaving a rich tapestry of storytelling about memory, agency, and what it means to choose yourself after the magic fades. It is the story of the girl who had to grow up, and the woman she becomes because of it.
Get Your Tickets Today
Join us in the Performing Arts Center (South Building, enter Door 9) on Thursday, February 19th and Friday, February 20th at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, February 21st at 3 p.m. *Most suitable for audiences 14+
HF Educators Earn 11 ISBE Those Who Excel Awards-Most in School History!
Homewood‑Flossmoor Community High School District 233 is proud to announce that 11 HF educators and staff members have been named 2026 Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Those Who Excel Award recipients—the most honorees in the school’s history.
The Those Who Excel program recognizes outstanding educators and school personnel who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and service to students and communities across Illinois. HF’s honorees were recognized across multiple award categories, reflecting the depth and breadth of excellence throughout the school.
“This historic recognition speaks directly to the talent, dedication, and heart our staff bring to HF every day,” said Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Norrell. “These individuals represent the very best of our profession and the collective commitment we have to student success.”
2025 HF Those Who Excel Award Recipients
Award of Meritorious Service
Christina Clark — Student Support Personnel
Courtney Hendricks — Classroom Teacher
Kanoa Mulling — Classroom Teacher
Beverly Woods-Lenore — Classroom Teacher
Award of Special Recognition
Heithon Hurdle, Jr. — Student Support Personnel
John Manthey — Early Career Educator
Crystal Perez — Classroom Teacher
Mylan Reeves — Early Career Educator
Cody Rudnik — Early Career Educator
Gail Smith — School Administrator
Anna Tenny — Classroom Teacher
Gail Smith
Anna Tenny
“These awards affirm what our students and families experience every day — a school community where excellence is expected, innovation is encouraged, and relationships matter,” said HF Principal Clinton Alexander. “We are incredibly proud of each honoree.”
For more information about the ISBE Those Who Excel Awards, visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.
HF Students Inspire Future Vikings at Parker STEAM Night!
Our Vikings recently partnered with Parker Junior High School to inspire our #futurevikings during the school’s annual STEAM Night! Representing HF’s Engineering Technology Pathway, PLTW Engineering students facilitated an exciting Index Card Tower Challenge, where District 161 scholars worked in teams to build the tallest tower in just two minutes that could support an animal eraser for 10 seconds. Every participant received a red or white bracelet, making the fast-paced design challenge both rewarding and memorable.
Our Anatomy & Physiology students also shared their learning by showcasing detailed brain cap models and recently dissected specimens, giving families a glimpse into the hands-on experiences offered in the Sports, Exercise, & Health Pathway. The event highlighted both the Engineering Technology and health science opportunities available at HF. Special thanks to teachers Tiffany White, Caitlin Gallagher, and Corinne Zimmerman for coordinating, along with Career & Technical Education Department Lead Courtney Alexander for her support!
Exploring Your Course Options for the 26-27 School Year
We encourage rising Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors to thoughtfully explore course options and make selections that align with your goals and future aspirations. Completing this step is an important part of shaping your path to success.
Please review all links below carefully to ensure you have the information needed to make well-informed decisions when completing your 4-Year Plan:
- Career Pathways Guide
- 2026-2027 Course Book
- Course Offerings information can also be found in SchooLinks
- SchooLinks Login Information
Course Selection Timeline
- January 24, 2026: Virtual Presentation for Parents and Students & Course Planner opens in SchooLinks--watch them here:
- January 24- February 2, 2026: Students update their course plan in SchooLinks
- February 2 - March 13, 2026: School Counselor meetings to finalize course selections. Summer School Registration takes place during counselor meetings.
- March 16, 2026: Course selection closes
- May 11 - May 22, 2026: The window opens for students to make course selection changes. *Please note: Course selection changes will not be made over the summer
- August 2026: Student Schedules are available
Should you have any questions, please contact your student’s school counselor.
School Counselor Meetings
School Counselor meetings during students' math classes starting the week of February 2, 2026. During these meetings, school counselors will review course options, discuss post-secondary plans, and help students finalize their course selections.
Rest assured, all students will have equal opportunities to discuss and select their courses, regardless of the specific date or time of their meeting with their counselor. For those who wish to make changes to their course selections, the next opportunity to do so will be May 11- 22, 2026. Students will then gain access to their complete schedules, including the order of their courses, in August.
Get Ready for Summer School & Summer Driver's Ed
Summer School 2026
Incoming Freshmen Students
Incoming Freshman/School Counselor meetings will take place from February 21st-March 7th.
Summer School Registration will begin on March 16th.
Courses available are Honors Biology (by application only) and Summer Academy.
Summer Driver's Ed
HF is again offering Summer Driver's Education this year, with pre-registration opening online on Monday, March 2nd. We look forward to having our Vikings become safe and responsible drivers!
Take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey
Dear HF Families,
Students and teachers across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
Your participation in the parent survey will help us guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
To take the survey please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Survey Support at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
Sincerely,
Dr. Clinton Alexander
Principal
Congrats Student-Athletes! Viking Wins This Week
Congratulations to our Girls’ Wrestling Team! IHSA Regional Champions!
SWSC Girls’ Basketball Conference Champions!!!
Thinking About Playing Your Sport in College?
Homewood-Flossmoor High School and Honest Game have partnered to provide students and families with an easy-to-use College Athletic Pathway software and additional educational resources. We know that accessing scholarships and college athletics requires not only a commitment to athletic training and competition but also a commitment to academic success.
Honest Game’s online platform provides students and families with individualized tracking across FIVE college athletic opportunities, including NCAA DI, DII, DII, NAIA, and Junior College pathways. Learn more and get started by clicking the link below.
Catch Up on Honest Game Webinars
Honest Game’s school-sponsored webinar series empowers students and families with the roadmap to navigate the college athletic pathway. Each webinar offers expert insights on key topics, keeping you one step ahead of the competition in college recruiting. You can watch previous webinars and stay tuned for upcoming ones here.
HF to Offer the ASVAB Test on Wednesday, February 25th
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized test that helps people determine their eligibility for military service and job training, and identify careers that may be a good fit for them. It's administered to students in grades 10-12 and applicants to the U.S. Air Force, Army, and National Guard.
The test evaluates a person's knowledge and their ability to learn different subjects. It's designed to help people find a job that matches their strengths and where they're most likely to succeed.
The ASVAB also provides a post-test interpretation that shows students how their interests match careers in terms of salary, occupational outlook, and education pathways. This information can help students prepare for college and careers.
HF is excited to offer the ASVAB during the school day to any interested 10th-12th grade HF student on Wednesday, February 25th. Students must register in advance as seats are limited. Please register here.
Reminder Students: Wellness Wednesdays Are Back!
See the flyer below and sign up here. We hope to see you there, and remember: be kind to one another and don't be afraid to seek support when you need it.
For 7th and 8th Graders: Snowflake is March 14th
Operation Snowflake is a one-day program for 7th and 8th graders from Parker Junior High, James Hart Junior High and Brookwood Junior High that focuses on junior high and adolescent issues. The staff includes teens from HF who have been to Snowball and adult staff from both the junior high schools.
Sign up today for this year's Operation Snowflake, happening on Saturday, March 14th!
Volunteer with the HF Parent Association
The HFPA is a group of volunteer parents dedicated to enriching communications with families, staff, administration and community for the overall success of our student body. To learn more, check out the HF Parent Association and check out the below opportunities to get involved yourself.
Happening Around Town
2nd Congressional District Youth Opportunities Fair: March 14th
Save the date for Congresswoman Robin Kelly's 2nd Congressional District Youth Opportunities Fair, happening on Saturday, March 14th from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hillcrest High School (17401 Pulaski Road in Country Club Hills).
The Youth Opportunities Fair is designed for youth of all ages, including students under the working age of 16, as well as those seeking college-level and postsecondary opportunities. The fair ensures equitable access to information and resources that support academic success, personal growth, career exploration, and long-term educational pathways. Congresswoman Kelly is committed to strengthening partnerships with school districts to ensure that students and families are fully informed about the wide range of opportunities available to them.
Stay in the Know: Download the Parent Square App!
HF families and students are in control of how HF communicates with them. HF uses Parent Square | Student Square to communicate with families and students.