WJHS Weekly News and Notes
October 16, 2026
As we head into another busy week—which started off wonderfully thanks to the Wilmette Police and Fire Departments joining us for a morning 'High Five' greeting—I want to highlight some important upcoming events and key reminders. Community partnership is essential to our students' success, and we deeply appreciate everyone's continued support.
Key Updates & Information
Week in Review
A huge shout-out to Mr. Harper'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!
Attention 7th Grade Families: We Value Your Feedback!
As we move further into the school year, we want to ensure our 7th-grade students and families feel supported, informed, and connected to our school community.
Please take a few minutes to complete our brief 7th Grade Parent Survey. Your insights help us understand what is working well and identify areas where we can continue to improve the student experience.
Survey Link: Complete the 7th Grade Parent Survey
Deadline: Please submit your responses by Friday, October 23.
Thank you for your partnership and ongoing support of our students and staff
SEL Screener
In the past, elementary students have participated in the INSIGHTS Social-Emotional Competency assessment to gauge their progress in several SEL Competency Areas, and 5th-8th grade students have participated in the MESH/Panorama assessment for the same purpose.
We have transitioned this year to a new tool that will act as a screener for social-emotional and behavioral risk called the SAEBRS/mySAEBRS. Using this tool will help MTSS teams to identify students in need of support, and provide interventions as needed. It is a different type of tool than used before, and will provide more actionable data for us to better support students.
The assessment tool is brief (20 questions) and at K-2 will be completed by teachers, while at 3-8 it will be completed by students. It should only take about 10 minutes total for 3-8 students to complete. Use of this tool supports our District 39 strategic priority of creating an inclusive student community that advances social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health.
Please note: Students will need headphones to complete this assessment.
After School Slime Experience
Join the Northwestern Undergraduate Chemistry Council along with science teachers Mr. Nelson and Dr. Ower on Tuesday, October 20th from 3:20-4:20 for a free after school activity at WJHS! We'll be making color-changing slime, talking about the chemistry behind it, what kind of matter it is (is it a solid, liquid, or something completely new), and talking about what chemistry in college might look like. If your student is interested, sign up here! The registration must be completed by a parent.
This event is limited to the first 45 WJHS students who sign up. Any additional sign ups will be put on a waitlist. You will be notified if you are on the waitlist. More slots may open up based on student attendance and the availability of Northwestern volunteers. This experience is completely free thanks to support from the WJHS PTO and Northwestern University.
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy Visiting WJHS!
Wilmette Junior High School is excited to partner with Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy to bring certified therapy dogs to our campus! Trained volunteers and their therapy dogs will visit WJHS about twice a month throughout the school year for one-hour sessions, bringing comfort, connection, and support to our school community.
How Visits Work:
Classroom Visits: Staff members may sign their entire classes up for 30-minute sessions during the school day. Individual students do not need to register.
Optional Participation: Student participation is entirely voluntary. Students can choose whether or not to participate, even if their class attends.
Opt-Out Option: If your child's class is scheduled to participate and you prefer they do not attend, please complete the Therapy Dogs Opt-Out Form 2026-2027. Students who opt out will work on schoolwork during that time. You only need to complete this form if you wish to opt your child out.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Panico at panicon@wilmette39.org.
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!
DO YOU HAVE YOUR TICKETS? WJHS FAMILY NIGHT @ THE CHICAGO WOLVES HOCKEY GAME 10/24
Come support your friends in the WJHS Jazz Band and Orchestra as they perform at the Chicago Wolves hockey game on Saturday, 10/24. Game time is 7:00pm and our musicians will be playing before the game starts inside the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. A special ticket price of $23.36 (including taxes and fees) has been offered to our WJHS families. Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.
This is not a drop off event, so children should be accompanied by an adult.
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.
PLEASE SIGN UP TO SERVE LUNCH & HANG IN THE COURTYARD!
Have an hour to spare during the school day? We would love to see you at lunch & in the courtyard during recess - SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE STARTING IMMEDIATELY! Please use these links to sign up for your spot today! Thank you for your time!
Cafeteria - SIGN UP HERE:
Courtyard: SIGN UP HERE
