Welcome to Haven Middle School

Hello Rising 6th Grade Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and full of excitement as we get closer to the end of the month and the promise of warmer weather. I am thrilled to welcome you and your rising 6th grader to our vibrant and dynamic school community. I know that transitioning from elementary school to middle school can be daunting, but fear not, we have plenty of experience helping students (and their families) navigate this exciting time.

Throughout this year, we have remained intentional and laser-focused on strengthening relationships within our school community. We understand the critical role that positive relationships play in creating a safe and supportive learning environment, and we are committed to nurturing those connections in every possible way. From small classroom discussions to school-wide events, we prioritize opportunities for students, families, and staff to interact and engage with one another. We believe that this intentional focus on building relationships will not only improve academic outcomes but will also foster a strong sense of belonging and connection within our school community.

One of the ways that we hope to begin building relationships with you and your family is by hosting a number of middle school transition orientation sessions for you and your child. These transition orientations will offer insights into what to expect next year, including curriculum, extracurricular activities, individualized education services, and other important details.

We extend a warm welcome to all of the Rising 6th grade families to attend these informative sessions (attendance is not mandatory). Our faculty and staff are eager to meet you and your child, and these events are an excellent opportunity for you to get to know us, learn more about our school culture, and get answers to questions you may have.

Please save the following dates for our upcoming transition orientations for middle school:

• Orientation 1: Orientation for all Rising 6th Grade families. 5/14 @ 6:30pm - 7:30pm - We will meet in Haven Auditorium. Enter via Door #2 (near the statues on Prairie Ave)
• Orientación 2: Orientación para todas las familias que ingresan al 6.° grado - 15 de Mayo a las 6:30pm - 7:30 pm - Nos reuniremos en el Auditorio Haven. Ingrese por la puerta n.° 2 (cerca de las estatuas por la Avenida Prairie)

• Orientation 3: Orientation for all Rising 6th Grade families. 5/16 @ 6:30pm - 7:30pm - We will meet in Haven Auditorium. Enter via Door #2 (near the statues on Prairie Ave)

If your child is in 5th grade at Kingsley, Lincolnwood, Orrington, or Willard, they have been invited to come hang out with us at Haven Middle School for a cool field trip! They'll get to explore the school, meet some teachers, and learn a bit about what middle school has in store for them.

Can't make it to our evening events next week? No worries! I'll fill you in on all the fun details in our newsletters as we get closer to mid-July.

In addition to the orientation information, I have included some news and reminders for you below that I would like to make sure gets on your radar. Please take time to familiarize yourself with everything. Other than that there is nothing else for you to do at this time.

I look forward to seeing you next week.

Thanks!

• There are 675 students that attend Haven Middle School
• An administrator is assigned to each grade level. Grade level administrators serve as first points of contact and support for each grade's students, teachers, and families.
• Administrators "loop" with students each year. This means that your child's administrator will be with them (and you) for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
• Each grade level has its own school counselor and social worker. These teammates also loop with students throughout their middle school experience.
• Haven students have opportunities to engage in extracurricular D65 athletics, intramural sports, and clubs.
• Over the past year several staff members including all of the SEL teammates have attended professional learning in the implementation and maintenance in Restorative Practices by the IIRP.
• August 22 2024 – First Day of School for Students *SAVE THE DATE
  
• School Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year (Grades K-8) *BOOKMARK THIS LINK
  

Proof of your child receiving the following is needed prior to the first day of school:

• Physical exam performed on or after August 22, 2023

• Tdap Shot

• Meningitis Shot

• Hepatitis B Shots (series of three shots)

• Dental Exam performed on or after November 15, 2023

The School Based Health Center at ETHS offers physical exams and shots free of charge for students who have state insurance. For students who receive free/reduced lunch; Exams are $12.00 and shots are $3.00 per shot. Students who have private insurance are only eligible for a physical exam at full price ($33.00). Please call 847-424-7265 to set up an appointment.

Health documents should be mailed to Health Services, 1500 McDaniel Ave 60201 or they can be uploaded (PDF format preferred) during the registration process.

The answer is YES! In August 2024 we will host students and families for our Welcome Back to School event information students and families are able to tour Haven then.

Stay tuned for more information in July 2024

The Student Ambassador role stands as a prestigious beacon of student leadership within the vibrant community of Haven. Ambassadors convene frequently throughout the year and at times this includes collaborating with teacher leadership teams. During meetings students and staff members engage in meaningful dialogue aimed towards amplifying student voices and foster collaborative partnerships with teacher leaders.

This pivotal role empowers Ambassadors to offer invaluable feedback and insights on various facets of school life, including its culture, climate, and initiatives. Furthermore, Ambassadors play a pivotal role in shaping both new school initiatives and enduring traditions at Haven. This year, approximately 30 dedicated Ambassadors serve in diverse leadership capacities, contributing to the dynamic tapestry of our educational community.

Haven Middle School serves approximately 680 students in sixth through eighth grade in Evanston/Skokie School District #65. Our neighborhood feeder elementary schools consist of Lincolnwood, Kingsley, Orrington, & Willard.

Website: https://haven.district65.net/
Location: 2417 Prairie Avenue, Evanston, IL, USA
Phone: (847)859-8200