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The Weekly Update #4

September 24th, 2025

The Weekly Update #4 September 24th, 2025
The WeeklyUpdate #4September 24th, 2025

Notes from the Hickory Creek Administration Team Notes from the Hickory Creek Administration Team

Thank you for taking time to read this monthly newsletter. One of our goals is to ensure that our families have all of the information needed to help support your children as they make the most of their middle school years! In addition to our building monthly newsletter, each grade level team will send a weekly newsletter on Friday afternoons.


Our doors are always open should you have questions, compliments or concerns. We know that in order to provide the best education for the "Whole Child" our partnerships with caregivers and parents are essential. You will find our email addresses below.


Sincerely,

Tricia Dotson - Principal (tdotson@fsd157c.org)

Jason Crockett- Assistant Principal (jcrockett@fsd157c.org)

Tyler Sinclair- Assistant Principal (tsinclair@fsd157c.org

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2025-2026 School Theme 2025-2026 School Theme

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2025-2025 Hickory Creek Middle School Goals 2025-2025 Hickory Creek Middle School Goals

Academic Goal:

  • We will continue to provide rigor and opportunity for academic growth to all students in grades 6th- 8th.

Social/Emotional Goal:

  • We will support staff and student social and emotional needs and enhance the opportunity for growth in relationships with one another.

Communication Goal:

  • We will increase opportunities for family engagement both during the school day and through extra-curricular activities.

Safety Goal:

  • We will provide a safe learning environment for staff and students in our learning community.

Important Dates Important Dates

  • 10-1 Hot Lunch - Athletic Boosters
  • 10-3 Education Foundation - Nothing Bundt Cakes Sale
  • 10-7 Fall Sports Pictures after school
  • 10-8 Hot Lunch - FSP
  • 10-10 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Institute
  • 10-13 NO SCHOOL - Holiday
  • 10-15 Hot Lunch - Band Boosters
  • 10-20 School Picture Retakes during school
  • 10-22 Hot Lunch - Education Foundation
  • 10-24 Hot Lunch - Student Council
  • 10-24 End of Quarter 1
  • 10-27 thru 10-31 - FSP Book Fair
  • 10-29 Hot Lunch - Chorus Boosters
  • 10-31 Early Dismissal 10:45 a.m. - School Improvement
  • 10-31 Power School Grades for Quarter 1 Updated and Honor Roll Certificates sent home

Important Reminders Important Reminders

Dropped off Lunches

As a reminder- Students may only have lunch dropped off by a parent or guardian. We are unable to accept food from others, including Uber eats or deliveries.

  • Any dropped off food must be for an individual student, not for friends or lunch tables.
  • Any dropped off food must not have drinks that have straws- screw tops only please.

Attendance and Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities

Students who plan to participate in extracurricular activities must be in attendance at school for at least 1/2 a day. The Hickory Creek 1/2 day time is 11:00 A.M.

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Photos from the Past Month Photos from the Past Month

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Tiger Time Advisory Updates Tiger Time Advisory Updates

6th Grade

We are off to a great start for our advisory! We have been watching Tiger TV episodes on Monday and team building activities on Friday. Tuesday and Thursday are dedicated to executive functioning skills. These are skills that will help our students manage homework and projects on time,

follow multi-step instructions, and strategies to organize materials and thoughts. On Wednesday, or our W.I.N. day (WHAT I NEED), students are using the time to check grades, study, work on IXL, or conferences with teachers.

7th Grade

As advisory for the year continues to roll out, we will continue to watch Tiger TV on Mondays. On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, students will begin our Civil Discourse lessons this month. Additionally, we will also begin our SEL and Digital Citizenship lessons. The SEL lessons begin with teaching students how we can create new pathways in our brain to assist us in overcoming any obstacles or challenges they may face. During the last week of October, Tuesday and Thursday will include Red Ribbon Activities. Wednesday’s will remain W.I.N (What I Need) Days, and Friday’s will continue to be Team Building activities. We are excited to continue these lessons throughout the school year!

8th Grade

This month, on Mondays, we will continue to watch Tiger TV episodes. On Wednesdays, we will continue our “What I Need” (W.I.N.) days. On Fridays, we will continue our Teambuilding activities. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we will explore Growth Mindset, Civil Discourse, Digital Citizenship, and Red Ribbon Week activities.

Notes from Nurse Tammy Notes from Nurse Tammy

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October 14th is the due date for all IL Health Exams and Immunizations for all 6th graders & new students. The Health History/parent portion must be completed and signed as well. Please forward these to the nurse's office as soon as possible if you have not done so already.

  • Students not in compliance will be excluded from school starting on October 15th. All medical forms can be found on the district website.

Reminder, medications cannot be carried at school without proper medical orders from provider on file. If you still need to update forms or health care plans, please call.


Vision and Hearing screenings will start in November for all 8th grade students.

Library News from Mrs. Gujral Library News from Mrs. Gujral

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We are getting off to a great start in the library. This week we introduced the 2026 Rebacca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award that is given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by middle school students at participating Illinois schools. All students are encouraged to take part in this fun reading program.


The FSP Book Fair will be the week of October 27th.

Social Work Corner Helpful Info Social Work Corner Helpful Info

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As we transition from the lazy days of summer back to school, it is important to establish healthy back-to-school sleep habits for your child. Sleep is essential for a teenager’s body and mind so they can grow and function at their best. Most teenagers need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night.


To help establish a good nighttime routine, have your child avoid using any form of electronics or caffeine at least an hour before bed. Engaging in a quiet, relaxing activity—such as reading, listening to music, drawing, or journaling—can also help release any stress and slow down their mind. Prioritizing good sleep habits now is a skill that will benefit your child’s overall well-being and success well into adulthood.

Extra-Curricular Updates Extra-Curricular Updates

Band and Orchestra

  • Band and Orchestra are off to a great start! As always, make sure you stay on top of the schedule by checking our Google Calendar to see everything coming up!
  • https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=157cinstrumentalmusic%40gmail.com&ctz=America%2FChicago

NJHS

  • This has been a great beginning to the school year so far. We already have many students getting service hours in the classroom, from library help, and helping in the homework club. Students can continue getting service hours in all these different places. This year we are striving to hit our goals and accel academically. If you need more school service, we will be running concession stands for our indoor home games. If you want to do concessions for your service hours you must sign up at the NJHS Teams page. You can also ask your teachers if they need help with anything. If you have any questions Teams chat Mrs. Fredrick or Mrs. Caruso!

Student Council

  • The HCMS student council kicked things off with an informational meeting on September 30th. This meeting was an opportunity for interested students to learn more about the roles and activities associated with student council. Looking ahead, the student council will begin promoting and organizing activities for our annual girls basketball “Pink Out” game in October. Hope to see you all there!

Best Buddies

  • Best buddies had their first official meeting on September 22nd. It was a huge success! We have over 65 members, who are ready and willing to spread our message of inclusion. Our next meeting will be on Monday, October 6th. Spirt Store closes on October 6th as well.

Mathletes

  • Hickory Creek Mathletes have officially kicked off the 2025 season! Participants were arranged into cross-grade level teams and have engaged in three competitions: a written team competition, grudgeball, and a written individual competition. Which team will accumulate the most points by the end of the season? Our competitions for the month of October will be held on October 6th, 20th, and 27th

Drama Club

  • Drama club is off to an outstanding start. Our actors and actresses have been busy picking out scripts and running lines. We are looking forward to the IESA Speech contest on November 14th. It will be here before we know it!

Intramural Soccer

  • Intramural soccer is off to a fantastic start! With over 30 participants, our students are engaged in competitive games that showcase their skills and sportsmanship. It has been a joy to witness their enthusiasm and teamwork! Soccer Intramurals meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:15-3:15 running until the end of October.

Fitness Room

  • The fitness room is accepting rolling admission through SNAP manage. Click the “Register for...” tab on the HCMS website to sign your student up. They need to have a current physical on file with our nurse. The group meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until 3:15pm.

Intramural Dance

  • Dance intramurals start this month! Dance is a fun way to stay active, build confidence, and connect with others who enjoy movement and music. This program will focus on hip hop and jazz styles, blending energy, creativity, and teamwork. Students will learn choreography, develop new skills, and have opportunities to perform in a supportive environment. We are so excited to begin! Sign-ups open up on Wednesday, October 1st at 3pm. Please be ready to sign up through the FSD website or the QR code that is posted around the school. We will take the first 30 applicants – they usually fill up quickly so be ready to sign up right at 3pm!

Varsity Baseball

  • The baseball team showed great resilience and heart throughout a challenging season, finishing with a 5-8 record. Despite falling in a tough regional game, their determination and teamwork were undeniable. Each player grew stronger, gaining valuable experience that will fuel their success in the future.

JV Baseball

  • Despite facing a tough schedule, the JV baseball team showed heart and steady improvement throughout their 3-7 season. Several close games highlighted the team’s grit and potential, with younger players stepping up in key moments. Strong leadership and a positive team culture kept spirits high, laying a solid foundation for future success. The team is poised to come back stronger next season.

Varsity Softball

  • The Hickory Creek Tiger Softball Team are IESA State Champions. The girls had a historic season by going 27-1 capped off by a State Title. Throughout the season, the girls won the Manteno Invite in August and were DPVC Tournament Champions earlier in September. These athletes were dominant all season with immaculate pitching and an explosive offense. All athletes played a part in the success of the team. Above all, these are amazing young ladies who truly care about each other. They showed sportsmanship and became a family with each other. This is a season we will never forget. Go Tigers.

JV Softball

  • JV softball wrapped up their impressive season with a 10-7 win over Summit Hill. The Lady Tigers finished off the season with a record of 6 wins and 2 losses. Stein and Nemeth look forward to the future of HCMS softball and if you see any of these athletes in the hallway, congratulate them on an amazing season!
  • Erynn Bingham
  • Adalyn Edwards
  • Makenzie Frantz
  • Piper Frederich
  • Avery Gaughan
  • Brynna Gebhardt
  • Darcy Kilkus
  • Emerson Kirkman
  • Evelyn Nelson
  • Aubri Stevens
  • Anna Tiffy
  • JJ Zdanek


Cross Country

  • The team of 60 athletes have been keeping the program running strong. The team has had multiple 1st place finishes and many athletes have achieved medals. Some of the leaders on the team so far have been Cooper L. Leighton L. Lexie S. and Tegan S. Nolan T. Colt F. Gavin M. Luke T. They will be completing 11 meets/invites on the season and look forward to having another team head to state for the 9th year in a row.

Boys Golf

  • The golf team had an impressive season highlighted by Quinn R., who earned a well-deserved spot at state with outstanding play. Additionally, five other golfers delivered strong performances at sectionals, showcasing the depth and talent of the squad. Their hard work and dedication this season set a high standard and promise even greater achievements ahead.

Girls Golf

  • The girls golf team had an amazing season. The first milestone was a first-place finish at the Sectional meet. Our top four golfers from the sectional then advanced to the IESA state meet in Metamora. Aubrey Domzal, Nalani Flores, Harper Petrow, and Elle Shannon comprised the state squad. The girls showcased their golf skills on a very challenging course in Metamora. Congrats on a stellar season – these girls have a promising golf career ahead.

Varsity Boys Volleyball


  • The Varsity Boys Volleyball team is off to a strong start this season with an impressive record of 4-2. They have really come together as a team and are looking sharp as they head into the upcoming DPVC tournament. Their teamwork and determination have been evident on the court, and we’re excited to see how they perform.


JV Boys Volleyball

  • The boys JV volleyball team has had an outstanding season so far, boasting a strong record of 6-1. They’ve demonstrated excellent teamwork, skill development, and consistent effort on the court. Their hard work and dedication have paid off, making them a formidable opponent and a source of pride for the program. With such momentum, they’re poised for continued success as the season progresses!

Cheerleading

  • Both HCMS cheer teams have been working hard to learn the basketball game cheers and halftime performance. We are also starting to learn our competition routines!

6th Girls Basketball

  • The Lady Tigers are off and running and getting ready for a fun season. The girls are learning fundamentals and basketball concepts to help them compete this season. We have an A and B team, and both will play over 20 games this season starting September 29th. All the girls are working hard and practicing their jump shots. Go Tigers.

7th Girls Basketball

  • The 7th Grade Girls Basketball Season is just under way. We had a fantastic tryout process, and the girls are practicing hard for the start of the season. The season begins on September 29th and there are home games almost every week. Come on out and see a game!

8th Girls Basketball

  • The 8th grade girls’ basketball season has officially started, and the team has been working incredibly hard! Our Lady Tigers are gearing up for a fantastic season that kicks off next week on Monday, September 29th.
  • October will be packed with many exciting games, especially at home. We invite all families, friends, and fans to come out and support our Lady Tigers as they bring their energy and skills to the court! Let’s cheer them on to a great season!

Intramural Yoga

  • The intramural Yoga program started this month with great enthusiasm! HCMS students in grades 6-8 have been learning essential Yoga poses to maximize the benefits of this fantastic exercise. Every Tuesday after school, students gather for an hour, forming friendships while practicing partner yoga moves. Mrs. Clousing and Ms. Drwiega are thrilled to witness how this program supports students in developing strength, flexibility, and effective strategies for managing everyday stress.

Getting Involved at Hickory Creek Getting Involved at Hickory Creek

We encourage all students to get involved with extra-curriculars at Hickory Creek!

Throughout the year, we will provide all sign-up information through our Tiger Time Advisory Teams page to students. There will be announcements on Power School and Tiger TV to notify students of when new activities are starting up.


  • Please be sure to look at the list below with your child and encourage them to keep their ears out for upcoming activities that they may want to be a part of this year.
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Link for descriptions of Extra-Curriculars
Hickory Creek Middle School
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