Proud Hawk Community

Hello, Proud Hawk Community!

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! We’re excited to begin a new year rooted in community and growing together. As we welcome our students back, we want to share a few important updates and reminders for a successful start.

We’re excited to launch the Viafy transportation app this year. This new tool helps families track bus routes, receive updates, and communicate directly with our transportation team. If you haven’t already, please check your email or our website for download instructions. The app is available on the App Store and soon on Google Play.

To support focus, learning, and mental well-being, we’ve introduced a Balanced Technology Use policy across the district. For Kindergarten through 8th grade, personal devices such as phones, smartwatches, and earbuds must be powered off and stored during the school day. New this year, Kindergarten through 8th grade students will enjoy additional recess time before the school day begins. We will still gather for our traditional morning assembly, but this added movement time is designed to help students start the day with energized bodies and focused, healthy brains. This change supports our commitment to student wellness and sets a positive tone for learning each morning.

At the high school level, if you need to reach your child during the school day, we ask that you contact the school office directly.Please see the flyers at the end of this newsletter or the complete policy here.

In addition, we are continuing to prioritize student wellness through new nutrition guidelines. We will continue to not have students bring soda or energy drinks to school, and we are providing healthier snack options. These changes are designed to promote both physical health and academic focus.

Attendance is a key factor in student success. If your child is facing challenges in coming to school, we are here to help. Please contact Kelsi Walters at the Elementary/Junior High (217-896-2041) or Patti Knott at the High School (217-896-2421) to discuss support options.

We are also looking forward to a great lineup of events this fall, including Parent and Student University. See more information further in the newsletter.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We are proud of our schools, students, and staff, and we are grateful for your support in making Heritage a place where every child can thrive. Let’s make it a fantastic year...rooted in community and growing together.

Warm regards,

Dr. Norton

📅 View the 2025–2026 School Calendar

The Board approved the Balanced Technology Use Policy. In addition, Ethan Lyons and Tatum Morgan took the Oath of Office to serve as Heritage CUSD #8 Student Ambassadors. We look forward to their input at future meetings.

Here’s what you can do to help your student build good attendance habits:

1. Stay informed. Understand your student’s attendance to be sure absences aren’t adding up. TeacherEase can help you track your child’s attendance–and you can work with your school’s office team or administrator to correct attendance errors at any time. Visit the TeacherEase Family Portal to make sure your account is active and up-to-date, and make sure your phone and email are current to stay in the loop.
2. Talk about it. Start a conversation about the importance of showing up for success in school and life, and for building relationships with teachers and friends.
3. Set expectations. Unless your child is sick, they should be in school every day. Not sure if your child should stay home? See our guide to for early intervention with attendance and keeping your child on track in middle and high school.
4. Sleep matters. Set a regular bedtime and morning routine to help your student be rested and ready and keep devices outside of the bedroom.
5. Be prepared. Get ready for school day the night before, and build in a little extra time in case there is traffic or other delays.
6. Make a backup plan. If something comes up, have a family member, neighbor, or another parent help you get your student to school.
7. Schedule carefully. Try to plan medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session. Check the Heritage Calendar when setting dates.

Check out this one-minute TED Talk from Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation. Over the summer, a group of Heritage educators and parents participated in a book study of this influential work, exploring how changes in technology and childhood experiences impact student mental health and social development.

This study helped us reflect on how we can create learning environments that promote focus, connection, and well-being for our students. It also served as a springboard for our new Balanced Technology Use Policy, guiding our efforts to encourage responsible device use and support healthy screen habits across the district.

In this short clip, Haidt sums up the four major points of the book. Select the speaker in the top right to listen.

8/28 K-8 Hawk Walk packets go home

9/11 Hawk Walk packets due back

11/8 HS Meet the Hawks Event-fundraising event, family friendly/fun for all featuring our IHSA HS students.

11/10-14 K-8 Theater Week (Red Riding Hood)

Email is at heritageptc@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list or find us on FB @heritageptc

Thank You to Philo Exchange Bank!

Heritage CUSD #8 extends our sincere appreciation to Philo Exchange Bank for their generous support of our student incentive programs. Their continued partnership helps us recognize and encourage our students’ hard work and accomplishments throughout the school year. We are grateful for their commitment to our schools and community!

We are extremely thankful to the leaders that are sharing their time and expertise with us for our first Parent and Student University. This is just the beginning! We are listening to you to provide for your needs as a parent and to create engaging opportunities for students at the same time. Come join us at this first event...you will not be disappointed!

Students in Mrs. Friedmann's first grade class are checking off all that they are learning as they evaluate the tasks on their clipboards. We want our students to know how to access all their resources throughout the school!

We’re excited to grow our character together this year, starting with a focus on Kindness. Kindness means acting with understanding, generosity, and care. When we show kindness toward ourselves and others, we help make our classrooms, our school, and our community a better place. Let’s all look for ways to show kindness today and every day!

Class of 2026-Last First Day

Mrs.Cramer, Mrs. Zwilling, Mrs. James, Mr. Sorenson...Last First Day!