WJHS Weekly News and Notes

As we head into another busy week, I want to highlight some important upcoming events and key reminders. Your partnership is essential to our students' success, and we appreciate your continued support. We hope you and your family have a wonderful and Happy Halloween!

Key Updates & Information

Week in Review

A huge shout-out to Mr. Nelson's homeroom and the Broadcast Club! Monday's video and weekly announcements were fantastic. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make it a success!

Sock Drive

WJHS is sponsoring a new sock drive to benefit Mimi’s Closet in Highland Park. Mimi’s is a place where families with foster children can go to shop for free. Through donations, they have all kinds of supplies – clothes, baby gear, toys, books. Most of the items are used, but for dignity reasons, Mimi’s Closet only provides foster families NEW packages of socks and underwear for the children in their care.

We are hoping that every family at WJHS can donate at least one package of NEW socks to help out kids in foster care. Mimi’s Closet is asking for packages of 1 – 10 pairs and to avoid the big bulk packs since those are difficult to distribute to families. All sizes from toddler to adult are needed. All homeroom classes learned about the sock drive this week. Please help us stock the shelves at Mimi’s Closet. Thank you!

Bravo to Our French Students!

Our French students recently represented our school and World Language program with excellence during their trip to the Alliance Française. Thanks to their outstanding behavior and engagement, the organization warmly expressed how impressed they were and has officially invited us back for future visits. Félicitations to our students for being such fantastic school ambassadors!

Go Wolves!

Jon Baffico

We're proud to announce this month's Leaders of the Pack—students who have truly shown what it means to be an outstanding member of our school community!

This award recognizes students who exemplify our core values: leadership, compassion, service, responsibility, self-awareness, and integrity. These students are more than just academically strong—they consistently demonstrate exceptional character. They are the ones who lend a hand without being asked and act with kindness and honesty every day.

Please join us in celebrating this month’s honorees:

7th Grade: Lizzie Berlin, Allison Cappiello, Audrey Dahl, Lucas Davis, Paree Gupta, Phoebe Hecht, Janessa Janvier, Etta Kluss, Emma Lyman, Logan Nguyen, Thomas Parker, Mae Robinson, Owen Rundall, Mikaeel Shaikh, Joseph Young

8th Grade: Elsie Anscomb, Ellis Becker, Ava Bennett, Lucy Braatz, Arden Casteel, Scout Davis, Clara Fishbeck, Charlie Hart, Annika Henry, Dawei Ho, Charlotte Klug, Leonid Kyiko, Duncan Miller, Lena Nelson, Bea Quinn, Aria Raval, Nora Turnbull

These students are the heart of our school, and we are so proud to celebrate them. Congratulations to all of our Leaders of the Pack!

Important 8th Grade Dates Reminder: Please keep these upcoming 8th-grade dates on your radar and calendars:

• November 7 & November 14: New Trier Placement Testing (Families will select one of these two dates. Additional information regarding the test and registration process will come directly from New Trier).

• Friday, May 28: 8th Grade Party

• Tuesday, June 1: Six Flags Great America Trip

• Thursday, June 3: Graduation, 5 PM

Bike Parking and Riding Reminders

Now that student bike parking has transitioned to the front of the school between the Learning Commons and the Auditorium, we appreciate everyone's cooperation in making morning arrivals smoother and safer.

A few quick reminders as we adjust to the new layout:

• Fill Racks Center-Out: When you arrive on campus, make an effort to park your bike toward the middle of the rack first and work your way outward. This optimizes space and keeps bike storage organized for everyone.

• Use Secondary Racks if Full: If you typically park closer to the main office and those bike racks are full, please head toward the other set located near the parking lot.

• Stay on Designated Paths: When leaving campus for the day, DO NOT CUT THROUGH THE PARKING LOTS. Always stay on the designated paths and crosswalks.

• Use Designated Racks Only: Always lock your bike to official school racks. Do not attach bikes to private fences, trees, or non-designated structures.

• Keep Pathways Clear: Avoid leaving bikes where they can block walkways, gates, or emergency access points.

October 30: Early Release Students (11:20 AM)

November 3: Election Day (No School)

November 19 & 20: Parent Teacher Conferences (No School)

November 23 - 27: Thanksgiving Break (No School)

November 30: School resumes

Winter Sports Tryouts Wrap-Up

Our winter sports season is officially underway! Following Girls Basketball tryouts, Boys Basketball and Dance tryouts have now concluded as well.

Thank you to all student-athletes who registered on PowerSchool and attended tryouts and clinics. We are looking forward to a fantastic winter sports season!

Open Mat Wrestling

The Wilmette Wrestling Team will hold open gym practices on Mondays and Thursdays after school for the month of November. Practices are held in Gym A at HMS from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come out and try wrestling. The first practice will be next Monday, November 2nd.

Girls Wrestling

Come be a part of something new! Girls wrestling is the fastest-growing sport in the country. Wilmette wrestling has had girls compete on our team for many years, but we are gauging interest to see if we have the numbers to start an official girls team. Please reach out to Coach Lee if your daughter is interested. wjhswrestlingcoaches@wilmette39.org

Go Wolves!

Sarah Meier + Kirsten Best

Wilmette Jr. HS (WJHS) /Highcrest MS (HMS) Athletic Directors

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Thanks Noela Scarano for the creepy crawly front planters!

LET’S STOCK THE SHELVES FOR THE TEACHERS NEXT WEEK!

School is back in swing, let's show our appreciation for our WJHS teachers & staff by stocking the shelves in the staff lounge with treats & refreshments to bolster their days! Our goal is to Stock the Shelves NOVEMBER 2-6. These grab and go snacks/beverages are greatly appreciated by the 115+ staff who drop into the Staff Lounge each day! Here's how you can help: SIGN UP HERE. Questions? Email hospitality@wjhspto.com.

2026-2027 WJHS YEARBOOKS NOW ON SALE

Yearbooks can be pre-ordered through the WJHS PTO website this year HERE. Order today and be worry-free next spring when you wonder if you’ve already bought one for your student!

WJHS MAGNETS

A complimentary car WJHS Magnet will be distributed in the Fall to all who have contributed to the iGNITE Fund! ANY contribution to the iGNITE (Enrichment) Fund is appreciated! These will come home with your student in November. Log into Membership Toolkit to contribute to iGNITE.

WE NEED YOU! SEE YOUR KIDS AT LUNCH!

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!