HF FYI

• Sunday, 11/2: Daylight Savings Time Ends (Fall Back)
• Thursday, 11/6: Early College Awareness Program at 6:30 p.m. in E1 (South Building)
• Thursday, 11/6: The Bergstein's Series, Quarterly Fine Arts Show at 6 p.m. (Bergstein's Deli)
• Monday, 11/10: No School (Veterans Day) (Grab pizza at Aurelio's to support Educators Rising!)
• Wednesday, 11/26-Friday, 11/28: Thanksgiving Recess

We're proud to celebrate Seniors Caleb Stamps, Douwe Groen, Mahal Reyes, and Oreoluwa Owolabi as they have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. In addition, two of our Seniors, Alexander Wettstein and Julian Grisius, have been named Semifinalists. We hosted a recognition breakfast for the students and their families yesterday, led by their school counselors who honored them with congratulatory words.

Approximately 34,000 Commended Students nationwide are recognized for their exceptional academic promise. While they will not continue in the 2026 competition, they placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT.

Semifinalists are among 16,000 students nationwide. These high school seniors may advance to the Finalist level, competing for one of approximately 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million. About 95% of Semifinalists are expected to become Finalists, and about half of Finalists will earn a National Merit Scholarship and the Merit Scholar® title.

We are incredibly proud of these students and their dedication to academic excellence!

Just in time for Halloween, join HF Theatre for its Fall Play, Frankenstein. Directed by HF's own Mrs. Annie Calderón, we invite you to witness the classic story brought to life by our talented Vikings.

Frankenstein is happening:
Tonight, Thursday 10/30 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, 11/1 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Congrats to the HF Mathletes for some outstanding performances at the SWSC Meet II at Lockport last week! The team was led by Freshman Mateo Garcia, who scored a perfect 10 out of 10 on all three of his contests. Freshmen Kekeli Amekugee, Henry Eisenberg, and Christian Poku also earned perfect scores.

Senior Gregory Mitchell, Junior Oreoluwa Sarah Owolabi, and Sophomore Inioluwa Stephen Owolabi scored almost 30% of the team's points with their oral presentations on Number Theory and Linear Programming, The entire Freshman Team took 2nd Place on the Sets & Venn Diagrams competition!

The team competes again on November 12th at Lincoln-Way East. Go Vikings!

Join Homewood-Flossmoor High School for our Early College & Career (Post-Secondary) Awareness Workshop, happening on Thursday, November 6th from 6-8 p.m. in Room E01 (South Building)! This program will feature college and career representatives as well as HF school counselors to help you learn more about making your post-secondary plans. Be sure to bring your Chromebooks and sign-in when you arrive. This program benefits all students but is geared toward 9th and 10th graders. Hope to see you there!

At last week's Board Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Norrell and Principal Dr. Clinton Alexander presented our Special Olympics State Basketball Team with their championship rings!

At last week's Board Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Norrell and Principal Dr. Clinton Alexander presented our Special Olympics State Basketball Team with their championship rings!

Congratulations to the athletes:

Marco Agting, Gigi Bucci, Alyson Harris, Jasmin Harris, Jordan Jones, Faustin Kelly, Hannah King, Anaya McCoy, Quinn McNellis, Beverly Nwachukwu, Conner Peterson, Jeremiah Richardson, Nehemiah Richardson and Eliakim Taylor.

To the coaches: Katie Rice, Brian Garland, Tiffany Mucha, Katie Nieckula, Jen Olumstad and Aimee Veal.

And to the leaders: Jackie Bailey, Dave Dore and Gail Smith.

The rings were donated by Duke and Sarah Cranley from Jostens.

Congrats are in order to our 27 Vikings who have been selected (by audition) into the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) District 1 Senior Festival! This designation is awarded to the highest achieving high school student musicians in our area. In all, there are nine music districts in the state. ILMEA District 1 encompasses more than 60 participating high schools in Chicago, South and Southwest Suburbs. These students were selected into performing ensembles led by collegiate faculty members in their respective disciplines. The festival will take place at Elmhurst University on Saturday, November 8th.

Senior Band
Luke DeBruin (Bb Clarinet)
Kent Flores (French Horn)
Sophie McManus (French Horn)
Charlie Wachtel (Euphonium)

Senior Jazz Band
Rocco Bonanotte - Jazz Band 1 (Trumpet)
Ahlier Velasquez - Jazz Band 1 (Baritone Sax)
S A Davis - Jazz Band 3 (Alto Sax)
Collin Morrow - Jazz Band 3 (Trombone)
Cameren Jordan - Jazz Band 4 (Trombone)

Senior Orchestra
Ian Arseneau (French Horn)
Annie Ford (Trumpet)
Jordi Pesce (Cello)

Senior Chorus
Isabelle Asche (Soprano 2)
Gina Bonanotte (Soprano 2)
Zen Cambric (Bass 2)
Adelai Easter (Alto 2)
Sydney Gregory (Soprano 1)
Elhanan Jenkins (Bass 2)
Elisha Kline (Tenor 1)
Marcus McGhee (Tenor 2)
Courtney Moore (Alto 2)
Anaya Mootry (Alto 1)
Sophia O'Quin (Alto 2)
Eleanor O'Shea (Soprano 1)
Harrison Schmidt (Bass 2)
Brooklyn Thomas (Alto 2)
Luke Wagner (Bass 1)

1st Semester Exams are just a few weeks ahead, and now is the time to plan accordingly so you can ease into Winter Break!

Exams will take place the week of Monday, December 15th:

Monday, 12/15: Period 1 Exam from 7:30 a.m.-8:50 a.m. (followed by a modified Viking Day)

Tuesday, 12/16: Period 2 Exam 8:35 a.m.-9:55 a.m. & Period 3 10:10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, 12/17: Period 4 Exam 8:35 a.m.-9:55 a.m. & Period 5 10:10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, 12/18: Period 6 Exam 8:35 a.m.-9:55 a.m. & Period 7 10:10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Friday 12/19: Marking Day/Makeup Exams

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized test that helps people determine their eligibility for military service and job training, and identify careers that may be a good fit for them. It's administered to students in grades 1012 and applicants to the U.S. Air Force, Army, and National Guard.

The test evaluates a person's knowledge and their ability to learn different subjects. It's designed to help people find a job that matches their strengths and where they're most likely to succeed.

The ASVAB also provides a post-test interpretation that shows students how their interests match careers in terms of salary, occupational outlook, and education pathways. This information can help students prepare for college and careers.

HF is excited to offer the ASVAB during the school day to any interested student on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Students must register in advance as seats are limited. Please register here.

Huge thank you to the +80 dads and dad-figures who joined us Monday for our 4th Annual Dad Squad! Your presence and support of our Vikings truly makes a difference in our school community.

To learn more about Dad Squad, check out the HF Parent Association. The HFPA is a group of volunteer parents dedicated to enriching communications with families, staff, administration and community for the overall success of our student body. Check out the below opportunities to get involved yourself.

We couldn't be more excited to celebrate our staff who have been nominated for the Illinois State Board of Education's Those Who Excel Awards! Individuals were nominated by their colleagues and, in the Teacher of the Year category, by their students. Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Norrell and the Board of Education congratulated these Viking staff members at last week's board meeting.

Teachers: Crystal Perez, Kanoa Mulling and Steve Sifner

Early Career Educators: John Manthey, Mylan Reeves and Cody Rudnick

Administrator: Gail Smith

Student Support Personnel: Heithon Hurdle Jr. and Christina Clark

Educational Service Personnel: Bobbi Ferree

Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School has been named a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IB CP), a significant step in expanding the school’s long-standing tradition of academic excellence and global learning opportunities. This milestone builds on HF’s status as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and reflects the district’s commitment to ensuring IB for All. IB CP will complement the long-standing IP Diploma Programme already established at HF.

The IB CP combines rigorous IB courses with real-world career pathways — including Health Sciences, Finance & Business, Arts & Communications, Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology & Trades, Informational Technology, and Human & Public Services. Students will graduate prepared for both college and career success, with the opportunity to earn state-recognized College and Career Pathway Endorsements alongside internationally respected IB credentials.

Earlier this week, we welcomed IB evaluators for a comprehensive site visit as part of the candidacy process. During their time at HF, the evaluators met with leadership, toured our facilities, and engaged with families, community partners, teachers and students through classroom observations, collaborative discussions, and a look at our career-focused programs. This visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase our dedication to providing students with rigorous academic and career preparation through the IB CP framework.

A hallmark of the IB CP is experiential learning through service projects, reflective research, and internships. HF invites local businesses, nonprofits, alumni, and community partners to collaborate by offering internships, job shadow experiences, and career-related projects. These partnerships will help students connect classroom learning to authentic professional experiences and contribute meaningfully to the workforce of tomorrow. Organizations interested in supporting HF students are encouraged to visit the webpage and complete the interest form here.

HF's Cross Country Coaches Mr. Brian O’Donnell and Mrs. Hailey Baumstein both ran the Chicago Marathon this month. In true Viking Spirit, our Girls' Cross Country Team showed up to cheer them on!

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.

Honest Game’s school-sponsored webinar series empowers students and families with the roadmap to navigate the college athletic pathway. Each webinar offers expert insights on key topics, keeping you one step ahead of the competition in college recruiting. You can watch previous webinars and stay tuned for upcoming ones here.

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