HF FYI

November 15 is #SchoolBoardMembers Day, a day to "build community awareness and understanding about the essential role of volunteer school board members who provide a local voice for community education decisions." This year, the Illinois Association of School Boards' theme is "Learn Together. Lead Together." We want to take the time to thank our HF Board Members for their passion and work for our students and school community. Here's a message from Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School's Board of Education

President Gerald Pauling (‘85)

Vice President/Secretary Nathan Legardy (’89)

Steve Anderson

Michelle Hoereth

Pam Jackson

Chris Riedel

Cynthia Turnquest

Our Board also took the time at this week's meeting to recognize our SPOLY Unified Soccer Team after their championship win earlier this month, making them back-to-back champs!

Exploring how you're going to pay for college? We're here to help! Join our Post-Secondary Counselors Kevin Coy and Brad Kain for a Virtual Financial Aid Night on tonight from 6:30-7:30 p.m. You'll have the chance to hear expert advice from Mary Nucciarone, Financial Aid Director at the University of Notre Dame.

We're back with another episode of our "Profile of a Viking" video series, this week featuring Junior Ahmad Powell. Ahmad is a member of our Strategic Planning Committee, and here he talks about Reflection & Resilience. "It's really a day to day routine, and it's really a day-to-day task where we need to constantly look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what you can improve on and what you can do to become a better person," he says. Check out the video here.

Student wellness is a main focus at HF. Last week, we launched our new student program: Bring Change 2 Mind! Bring Change 2 Mind will be a place for students to promote and discuss mental health, as well as plan mental health awareness events throughout the school year.

At the first meeting, we were pleased to have over 40 students attend! Bring Change 2 Mind will meet again on Tuesday, November 28 at 3:15 p.m. in Room G5. All students are welcomed! We'll be doing vision boards and planning for the remainder of the school year. Be sure to bring a friend! Contact Mrs. Cowan jcowan@hf233.org or Mrs. White lwhite@hf233.org with any questions.

Students are also invited to sign up for Wellness Wednesdays throughout the semester, where they can discuss a variety of wellness topics such as stress management and participate in wellness activities like cardio drumming and more. The next Wellness Wednesday for students is Wednesday, November 29 during 4th Period in Room G5. Mrs. White will be hosting a discussion on Relationship 101! Sign up here.

In Season 2, Episode 3 of our Walking the Path series, Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley talks with Director of Operations and Maintenance Jim Patterson for an update on the Net Zero Science Building construction and the Design and Culinary remodel. "Our goal is to protect the first impression. When we have somebody come on campus, what are they going to see? They're going to see HF, they're going to see our 92 acres. We want that to be perfect," he says. Watch the episode here.

Walking the path between the north and south buildings is a unique experience for Homewood-Flossmoor High School students. Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley walks the path with a member of our school community to learn about their Viking voyage and how the competencies of the Profile of a Viking are evident in their lives. Catch up on previous episodes and more here.

This month, seven HF students attended the Multicultural Student Achievement Network's (MSAN) "You Belong Here" Conference with HF's DEI Coordinator Catherine Ross-Cook at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After a tour of the university, they had the chance to engage in data analysis of the Illinois School Report Card utilizing demographic and student achievement data to guide their action planning. The students will also have the chance to share their ideas and takeaways with HF Administration in the coming months.

Last year, HF joined the prestigious MSAN Network, a national coalition of multiracial school districts that share a history of high academic achievement and connections to major research universities. MSAN districts come together to understand and eliminate racial opportunity gaps that persist in schools. HF is the fourth Illinois high school district to join MSAN including Evanston Township High School District 202, Niles Township High School District 219 and Oak Park River Forest High School District 200. MSAN districts work collaboratively to conduct and publish research, analyze policies, share promising practices and lift up student voices in pursuit of the network’s mission.

HF's Guidance Department was well-represented at the Illinois School Counselor Association's (ISCA) "Aspire to Inspire" Fall conference last week. Department Chair Dr. Kizawanda Olowe and Counselor Dr. Karen Olson attended an exceptional presentation by one of our own, Counselor Dawn Edwards (pictured here). Ms. Edwards shared strategies for reducing student stress. We appreciate you sharing the invaluable work you do for our students with other counselors at schools across the state! #GoooVikings

Round of applause to these Vikings on signing their college commitments last week! We'll be sad to see our Seniors go, but super excited about their futures in collegiate athletics.

Na'Relle Cotner-Triton College, Softball

Amani Johnson-Hampton University, Softball

Toni Purchas-Alabama A&M, Softball

Rebecca Urbaniak, Roosevelt University, Softball

Tori Chaney-Miles College, Baseball

Kendall Ellis-Prairie State College, Baseball

Gianni Cobb-Columbia University, Basketball

Mac Hagemaster-Lewis University, Basketball

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.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School distributes the caps and gowns for graduates at the graduation rehearsal in May. In preparation for distribution and the ceremony, we are collecting gown sizes and colors. If you haven't done so already, please fill out your cap and gown form here.

It's time to order your custom Homewood-Flossmoor Class Ring! The Viking experience deserves to be honored and there is no better way than through a handcrafted custom Class Ring! We are proud to partner with Jostens to offer families this long-standing tradition.

Class Ring catalogs and ring sizers are available in the Activities Office (South Building near the Cafeteria) and orders can be placed on Jostens.com. Orders placed and paid in full by November 24th will ship before the holidays. Payment plans are also available.

SPECIAL OFFER: $40.00 OFF & Free Class of 2024, 2025 or 2026 Hoodie! If you order by the November 24th deadline, you can use code GWPMTL40 for $40.00 off your order and select your free hoodie size at checkout.

Here are a few helpful links:
How to Design a Class Ring
Class Ring Catalog
Why Design a Class Ring? Student Stories!

HF Custom Letterman Jackets

Get all your questions answered with Josten's Top 5 Parent Questions . Feel free to reach out to our Jostens rep at cranley.office@jostens.com or 708-620-8634.

Sponsored by HF's Friends of Rachel, Just Like You Club and Unified Sports, students are encouraged to help make a difference for those in need by bringing canned food items to their Viking Compass classes now through this Friday, November 17. Donations will benefit the Serena Hills Food Pantry. Thank you in advance for showing that Viking Spirit!

It's getting chillier outside--now is the time to stock up on some HF gear! The Viking Shop is available now through November 20, featuring hoodies, joggers, seasonal shirts and more. Shop here.

Voyage to Excellence is just around the corner, happening Thursday, November 30! We're excited to welcome our local 8th graders as they prepare to journey into Viking Country. Stay tuned for more details.

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Session 1:

8th Graders from Parker and Infant Jesus of Prague

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Dinner Break

7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Session 2: 8th Graders from Hart and Brookwood

The holiday season kicks off in Flossmoor on Saturday, November 25 with Small Business Saturday! Area businesses will open early and will close late that day on one of the busiest shopping days of the season. Shoppers can look for specials and great deals all day long for shopping and dining in Flossmoor’s downtown retail area, as well as at Flossmoor Commons.

“Combining the magic of the holiday season with Small Business Saturday creates the perfect opportunity to embrace cherished traditions and light up the season with unique gifts from your favorite Flossmoor businesses,” says Stephanie Wright, Flossmoor’s Community Relations Manager. Learn more here. We hope to see you around town!

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 with Consolidated High School District 230 is hosting a Planning Is Essential (PIE) Presentation on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). PDA is an emerging profile for individuals with autism, characterized by a strong desire to avoid demands. Strategies for PDA differ than those widely considered effective for individuals with autism. The presentation is Wednesday, December 13 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Reserve your spot here.

The Homewood Public Library now offers a non-resident punch card for use in The Makery. The Makery houses equipment such as a sewing machine, laminator, VHS-to-DVD converter, 3D printer and more. Non-Homewood residents with a SWAN library card in good standing may purchase a punch card for the following: 5 visits for $25; 10 visits for $40; and 20 visits for $70. Appointments are required. Contact makery@homewoodlibrary.org with your interest.

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