WJHS Weekly News and Notes

Dear Wolves,

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.

Upcoming Events and Key Reminders

Week in Review

A huge shout-out to Mrs. Wood'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!

Staying Safe on Our Campus

As a reminder to our own community, please ensure you are using the designated carpool line and official crosswalks for all drop-offs and pick-ups. These established routes are the most effective way to manage traffic flow and keep our students visible and safe.

Safety Alert: Neighboring Parking Lot Usage

We would like to share an important safety reminder from our neighbors at Regina Dominican High School.

To ensure the safety of their students and staff, please adhere to the following guidelines regarding their campus:

• No Cut-Throughs: Please do not use the Regina Dominican parking lot as a shortcut between Romona Road and WJHS. This creates a significant safety risk for students walking through that area.

• Avoid Turnarounds: We ask that parents refrain from using their front parking lot as a turnaround point. Minimizing extra vehicle traffic helps keep their campus secure and predictable for their community.

Thank you for being a respectful neighbor and helping keep all local students safe!

Lunch Volunteers Needed

Please consider donating an hour of your time to help serve lunch in the cafeteria, on any day, from 11:30-12:30pm. Your help is greatly appreciated! Sign up HERE!

Allow Extra Time for Travel

As the weather begins to change and we move into the colder months, we want to send a friendly reminder to all parents and students to allow a little extra time in the mornings to ensure a timely arrival at school.

Changing weather conditions—such as frost, fog, rain, or early snow—can sometimes affect traffic and travel times, whether you are driving, taking the bus, or walking. Our goal is for every student to start their day focused and on time!

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a smooth start to the school day.

Weekly Reminders

Just a quick reminder that Fridays are Spirit Fridays! We encourage everyone—students, staff, and parents—to show their WJHS pride by wearing either WJHS Spirit Wear or the color blue. Let's make every Friday a day to celebrate our amazing school community.

Sincerely,

Jon Baffico, Principal

We're proud to announce this month's Leaders of the Pack for November, students who have truly shown what it means to be an outstanding member of our 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.

These students are the heart of our school, and we are so proud to celebrate them.

Black History Month Contest

The Village of Wilmette Human Relations Commission is sponsoring the 2026 Black History

Month Contest. This contest is a poster, essay/poetry, multimedia/music contest. Submissions

should be based on the theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” which seeks to

explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the

status of Black peoples in the modern world.

The contest will run from Monday, January 19, and entries must be submitted by 4:30 pm on

Friday, February 20; winners will receive a gift card, be presented a certificate of recognition at a

Village Board meeting, and have works displayed online and at Village Hall.

Visit wilmette.gov/BlackHistoryMonth for more information.

8th Grade - New Trier Articulation Meetings

New Trier Articulation meetings will be held in the WJHS library (learning commons) on Wednesday, February 4th and Thursday, February 5th. The entrance to the library is to the left of the auditorium entrance. There will be someone to check you in at doors 20 and 21 on the west side (Locust facing) of the building. Parents do not need to check in at the main entrance. Parking will likely be limited during the school day so please plan accordingly. Parents will likely find more open spots along Locust Road. Please review the information below to sign up your student for their articulation meeting with a New Trier counselor.

Select the date that works best for your family. On the following screen, choose Manual scheduling and then click the "Continue to Book Appointments" button leaving the checkboxes next to all 9 counselors checked. Then, you can choose an available time under any of the counselors. If you have more than one child in eighth grade, please sign up for individual conferences for each child.

Remember to bring your course selection materials. The counselors should have access to your student’s materials as well, however, it is always best to bring a second set.

Students with conferences during the school day will receive a pass during homeroom. However, it is the responsibility of the student to make it to their conference on time. They should also inform their classroom teacher when they need to leave. Students with a scheduled conference outside of the school day will not receive a pass or reminder from WJHS staff.

Feel free to reach out with any questions. Please be advised that course selection and placement suggestions are completely handled by New Trier. WJHS teachers and staff do not participate in, nor have access to student placement suggestions for freshman year. Kindly refrain from reaching out to your student’s teachers directly with placement and/ or articulation questions and concerns.

Click here to login and book appointments

January 30: Early release

February 16: President's Day (No School)

February 17: Teacher Institute Day (No student attendance)

Morning Drop-Off and School Entrance Updates

The school doors at WJHS open at 8:10 AM daily. Students can enter through the front lobby doors or the back entrance near the bike racks. Bike racks are available at both locations.

Please take a moment to review the updated morning drop-off procedures document. Following these guidelines is essential for a smooth and safe morning for everyone.

Morning Bell Schedule

To ensure students are ready to learn and to maximize instructional time, we ask that students be on campus by 8:15 AM.

Staying Safe on Our Campus

As a reminder to our own community, please ensure you are using the designated carpool line and official crosswalks for all drop-offs and pick-ups. These established routes are the most effective way to manage traffic flow and keep our students visible and safe.

Avoid the Regina Dominican Parking Lot

We want to address a serious safety concern regarding students walking or biking through the Regina Dominican High School parking lot. The Regina Dominican parking lot is private property. Many student drivers there have limited experience and may not see students on bikes or on foot when backing up.

For the safety of all our students, please review the designated walking and biking paths and instruct your student to avoid using the Regina Dominican lot as a shortcut.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and ensuring a focused start to the school day!

Registration for 7th and 8th Grade Boys' Volleyball is now open! Tryout dates are as follows:

Monday, February 2nd and Tuesday, February 3rd from 3:20 to 5:15 pm at WJHS

How to Register:

Using a desktop or laptop - sign in to wilmette39.powerschool.com

1. Choose Forms on the left side
2. Select Athletics Registration Form
3. Please read through the D39 Athletics Registration Form including information on concussions, expectations, and fees.
4. Check each box at the bottom of the screen to indicate that you have read and understand the D39 Agreements.
5. Upload a current physical (must be from the past 13 months)

Please let us know if you have any questions or visit the athletics website for more information.

Go Wolves!

Sarah Meier + Kirsten Best

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

TEACHER/STAFF SOUP LUNCH

During February each year the PTO plans a “Soup Lunch” for teachers and staff. Please help us warm up our amazing teachers and staff with homemade soup/chili for lunch on Wednesday, 2/25. Don’t want to cook? That’s ok- we need donations of bread/crackers, cheese and desserts. Please visit the SignUp Genius HERE for more information.

HAVE YOU PURCHASED YOUR 2025-2026 YEARBOOK?

The 2025-2026 WJHS Yearbook can be purchased online through Membership Toolkit on the WJHS PTO website www.wjhspto.com. YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT IN ORDER TO PURCHASE. Yearbooks are $34 and will be distributed during the last week of school. Please purchase HERE and cross this off your list of things to do! Not sure if you already bought one? Just check your Membership Toolkit account! (You do not have to buy a $25 PTO membership to purchase a yearbook.)

SAVE-THE-DATE: SCHOOL DANCE

The Student Council is planning a school dance for Friday, 2/27. Details and more information coming soon once we hear more!