January Newsletter

Welcome back, and Happy New Year. As we begin January and return to classes, I am excited to welcome our students, families, and staff back to campus. I hope everyone enjoyed a restful winter break and is returning refreshed, recharged, and ready for a strong start to the new year.

Second semester officially begins on January 12th, and this marks an important milestone in the school year. January is a time for fresh beginnings and renewed focus. It is an ideal opportunity for students to reset, reflect on first-semester progress, and recommit to their academic goals. We encourage students to take this time to focus on learning, improve their grades, and work toward strengthening their overall GPA.

Our students return with new goals, energy, and determination, and it is inspiring to see their commitment to growth and achievement. I am proud of the hard work demonstrated by both our students and staff, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together this semester.

As we move forward, I encourage students to stay focused, challenge themselves, and take full advantage of the learning opportunities available each day. To our families, thank you for your continued partnership and support, which plays a vital role in student success.

I am excited for the months ahead and the achievements that await us. Here’s to a positive, productive, and successful start to the new year and second semester.

On Monday, December 15, 2025, all CYSP students participated in a Lincoln Park ZooLights outing. Students enjoyed exploring the festive light displays, taking in the holiday atmosphere, and spending time with peers and staff outside of the classroom. The experience offered a fun and engaging way to celebrate the season while building community and school spirit.

Good news! The deposit deadline for our 2026 international trips has been extended to January 9, 2026. Don’t forget to submit your application and deposit by then!

These trips are open to all students, staff, parents, and family members. CYSP students may qualify for a discount with a teacher referral.

Trip Highlights:

• Spain: June 6–13 | Deposit $1,000 | Total $3,300

• Peru: June 6–13 | Deposit $750 | Total $3,200

• Croatia (NEW!): June 6–13 | Deposit $1,000 | Total $2,950

For details and registration:
👉 2026 CYSP Trip – Parents/Staff Information Folder
👉 Application Form

Questions? Contact Mr. Oz at oz@hsamckinley.org.

Explore the world and make 2026 unforgettable!

As the new year begins, the HOTH 5125 Robotics team is gearing up for an exciting and demanding season. January marks the official start of the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition, with the global FRC Season Kickoff taking place on January 10. This event launches the six-week build period, during which students will design, prototype, wire, and program a competition-ready robot.

Throughout the preseason, team members have been hard at work refining designs, strengthening coding skills, and learning proper wiring and electrical systems. Students across subteams—CAD & Design, Java Programming, Wiring, Outreach, and Drive Team—have collaborated during focused work sessions to ensure they are prepared for the challenges ahead.

Beyond technical preparation, the robotics team continues to build a strong sense of community through team sync meetings, outreach efforts, and shared experiences that promote leadership, communication, and teamwork. With the drive team ready and goals set for upcoming competitions, HOTH 5125 is entering January energized, focused, and excited to turn innovation into action.

The Varsity Boys Basketball team has started conference play strong with wins over British International, Beacon Academy, Roycemore, and Waldorf. In the game against Waldorf, a 102-4 victory, the boys reached the 100-point mark in a game for the first time in school history. Sophomore Derrion Williams leads the team with 14.3 points per game.

JV Boys Basketball has begun the season strong with a 2-1 record, including a 91-19 win over the Israel School of Excellence.

Congratulations to Manny Cruz, our History Heroes Award winner! Manny is recognized for his leadership and for going above and beyond in his Social Studies class.

“Manny has an incredible work ethic and a natural curiosity for history and social studies! He is always asking about ways to improve his work. This week in class, he presented his global cuisine project about the origins of the dish known as Ropa Vieja. He is also active in Model UN and was a delegate at Latin School's Model UN conference in November.”

- Nominated by Andrew Tiwet

During Parent Teacher Conferences, our school came together to celebrate the season at our first-ever Holiday Bazaar, a festive event led by Ms. Dukes and Ms. Gonzalez. Held on December 9 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, the Holiday Bazaar transformed our campus into a vibrant space filled with creativity, culture, and community spirit.

Families had the opportunity to shop from local businesses run by HSA students and their families, highlighting the talent and entrepreneurship within our school community. The event also featured wonderful performances by our HSA Band and Mexican Folk Dance Class, adding music and tradition to the celebration. Holiday craft activities and seasonal fun made the afternoon enjoyable for students, families, and staff alike.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ms. Dukes and Ms. Gonzalez for their leadership, as well as to all the students, families, staff, performers, and vendors who helped make this event a success. Your time, effort, and participation truly brought this event to life. We look forward to continuing traditions like this that strengthen our school community and create meaningful experiences for all.

11th Ward Alderwoman Nicole Lee visited HSA McKinley Park High to speak with our students about the importance of pursuing higher education, civic engagement, and community building. We are grateful for her time and for sharing her experiences and insights, which encouraged our students to think about their future and the impact they can have in their communities.

A huge thank you to Embrace Relief, a non-profit dedicated to humanitarian aid, for their generous donations to our students this semester.

Through their support, we successfully hosted two major giveaways for our students:

• In September: 100 backpacks were distributed during Parent-Teacher Conferences.

• During Midterms: 15 winter coats were provided to keep our students warm.

We are grateful to Embrace Relief and their volunteers for helping our students stay prepared and focused on their education!

HSA is more than just a school, it’s an opportunity to become more. Throughout high school, HSA’s clubs and sports allowed me to explore new interests, challenge myself, and grow both academically and personally. Through these experiences, I met friends and teachers who supported me, pushed me to improve, and helped shape who I am today. HSA gave me more than an education, it gave me a home and the confidence to grow beyond the classroom.

During the month of December, our seniors began receiving college acceptance letters from their early applications. Top schools represented include the University of Illinois Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University, Northern Illinois University, and Illinois State University. Even more exciting, the Class of 2026 has collectively earned over $7 million in merit scholarships so far—an incredible achievement. Way to go, seniors! We look forward to celebrating many more acceptances as students prepare for Regular Decision deadlines beginning January 1st.

Looking ahead, college exploration continues with an upcoming UIC trip for freshmen on January 14th and 15th, a small group visit to Dominican University, and a Northeastern University visit for 10th graders. Exciting opportunities are ahead as students continue their college and career journeys.

Contact the Counseling Team

• Ms. Katie Fortman: fortman@hsamckinley.org

• Ms. Amra Imamovic: imamovic@hsamckinley.org

• JANUARY 6 – Classes Resume
• JANUARY 9 – Alumni Panel for Seniors (4th Period)
• JANUARY 9 – Deposit deadline for 2026 International Trips
• JANUARY 9 – 2nd Quarter Ends
• JANUARY 13 – Picture Day Retakes
• JANUARY 14 – Freshman UIC College Visit
• JANUARY 15 – Freshman UIC Collage Visit
• JANUARY 16 – Honor Roll Assembly (5th Period)
• JANUARY 19 – No School - Martin Luther King Day
• JANUARY 28 – Early Dismissal