HF FYI

We're back with another episode of our "Profile of a Viking" video series, this week featuring Class of 2022 Alum William Brooks. Will currently works as a diesel technician, a career path that was fostered by the Innovation & Problem-Solving skills he learned during his time at HF. "I remember being in their shoes just two years ago; I'm very blessed to be in the position that I am--I have HF to thank for that," he says. "If it wasn't for HF, I don't know where I would be in life if I'm being honest. It taught me a lot of values." Check out the video here.

Student voice is incredibly important at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. The Strategic Planning process includes opportunities for students to share their thoughts and ideas through focus groups, an upcoming survey, and being part of the Planning Team alongside school staff, administrators, Board members, parents, and community representatives.

The committee is pleased to be joined by Junior Ahmad Powell. Here he shares how his voice has an impact for his fellow committee members and for the future of his high school and community. "You need to take into account the student view and the student perspective in order to get a good grasp of how our community needs to evolve in order to benefit the student," he said. "By having my input, it will help the adults within the committee to see our side of the situation, so they can make informed opinions and takes that will ultimately help our community out." Here what Ahmad had to say here.

Keep up with all the news as we Chart a Course for the future of HF through Strategic Planning. This dedicated webpage is updated regularly to ensure timely, transparent and two-way communication with our community.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are happening online Thursday, October 26. Parents will receive a letter on next Wednesday, October 11 with links to teacher sign-ups. We look forward to you having the chance to touch base with your student's teachers as they will mark the end of 1st Quarter.

Illinois School Code requires that:

• All freshmen and transfer students provide proof of a high school physical and a record of required immunizations. All students, including those from out of state, must provide a health physical documented on the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination form.

• All seniors provide proof of a second dose of the Meningitis Vaccination (MVC) on or after the 16th birthday.

The deadline to submit documentation is Sunday, October 15, 2023. After that, students not in compliance will not be allowed to attend classes until these documents are received, per state law.

Communication of this deadline to all families began last Spring and continued throughout the registration process this summer to assure families are aware of the requirements. Individual letters, emails and phone calls have been sent to families who still need to submit the paperwork throughout the past month.

Documents can be emailed to medicalrecords@hf233.org or faxed to 708-335-6993 (South Nurse) or 708-914-7240 (North Nurse).

Physicals and immunizations are available from your personal health provider, commercial medical providers such as Walgreens, CVS, and Meijer. The Cook County Health Department has a wide network of expert physicians who can help families. To schedule an appointment for your child or to find a CCH provider close to you, contact the CCH Patient Support Center at 312-864-0200.

Questions, or if you need confirmation that your child’s records are up to date, can be directed to School Nurse Lottie Parker at 708-335-5536 or lparker@hf233.org.

Varsity Debaters traveled to Southern California last weekend for the Cal State Long Beach Invitational. Senior Kevin Gibek made it all the way to the semi-finals and finished 4th place out of 72 teams. In the process of achieving 4th place, Kevin defeated last year's Lincoln Douglas NSDA National Champion.

The team is coached by Katie Cole, Beverly Lenore, Emily Carroll, Dan Bush & Tiana Sharpe.

Since 1981, HF has hosted Operation Snowball, a program focusing on prevention through educational growth by promoting personal social development. This year's Snowball is back at Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort from Thursday, November 16 through Sunday, November 19. Students participate in large group sessions, mini workshops and small groups in which feelings and concerns may be openly discussed in a confidential atmosphere.

Learn more about Operation Snowball and register here.

October is filled with plenty of opportunities to help you and your students plan for their next chapters post-HF. Be sure to mark your calendars for:

• Monday, October 16: Career Day in the Fieldhouse/North Gym 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Monday, October 16: College Night in the Fieldhouse/North Gym 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. See what schools will be at College Night here.
• Wednesday, October 18: Historically Black Colleges/Universities Night in the Auditorium 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.

#DadSquad is just a few weeks away, happening on Monday, October 30, 2023. Dads and legal guardians of current HF students are invited to share encouragement and a positive presence in hallways, tour the school, and learn about their child's high school. Register by Monday, October 9, 2023 at https://bit.ly/HFDadSquad23.

Participants can volunteer for one of the following shifts, depending on their availability:

• Half-day AM (7 a.m.-11:30 a.m.)
• Half-day PM (11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)

There will be an Orientation Meeting via Zoom Tuesday, October 24 at 7 p.m. Thank you for your participation in supporting your students!

HF's Theatre Department hosted this year's children's play, Still Life with Iris by Steven Dietz. Iris was played by Satiya Viner (Class of 2027). We also welcomed local elementary students to witness the production on Monday--and many students said it was their first play!

Girls' Volleyball served up some astounding wins: Varsity took 1st Place at Tinley Park, going 4-0 and winning the championship! For our Seniors, this was their last tournament as Vikings! In Thursday's win over Stagg, Junior LaDonna Trantham recorded her 500th career kill!

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.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and HF is showing its support by wearing pink on Friday, October 13. "Fight Like a Viking" t-shirts are on sale now through the 13th in the Campus Store for $10.

P.S. Last month's Homecoming Dunk Tank raised $91 that will be donated to Breast Cancer Awareness, along with additional funds that will be raised at the PINKtober Football Game on that Friday, October 13!

Do you have any faux trees laying around your basement or in the garage? Donate them to HF's Theatre Department for their upcoming shows. Drop them off this Friday, October 6 from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at the north end of the the Theatre Circle Drive. Questions? Email Theatre Teacher Mrs. Anne Calderón at acalderón@hf233.org. We appreciate the donations!

Flossmoor residents are invited to close out the summer season with a cleaning spree at Recyclepalooza this Saturday, October 7 from 9 a.m.-noon at Parker Junior High School's parking lot (2810 School Street in Flossmoor). Sponsored by the Village of Flossmoor Green Commission and Homewood Disposal, participants are encouraged to stay in their vehicle with items sorted by category, clearly marked, and placed in the trunk so volunteers can unload their items. Learn more about the event and what items you can bring here.

The Homewood Fire Department is hosting its annual open house on Saturday, October 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Homewood Fire Department (17950 Dixie Hwy). The free event features interactive exhibits like how to survive a fire inside your home, an opportunity for children to see the trucks up close, and more. Learn more about the open house activities here.

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