Proud Hawk Community Newsletter

Dear Proud Hawk Community Members,

It is hard to believe we’re already approaching the final month of the school year! As we reflect on the past few weeks, we’re proud to share some exciting milestones and updates.

We achieved 100% participation in state testing — a major accomplishment! This includes IAR testing for grades 3–8 and both the Pre-ACT and ACT for our freshmen through juniors. A huge thank-you to our students, staff, and families for making this possible.

We’re also excited to announce the adoption of a new K–12 math curriculum. Starting next year, we will be using Into Math by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Teachers will receive a brief overview of the program at the end of this school year to help prepare for implementation in the fall.

As part of our commitment to innovation and responsible use of technology, staff engaged in Artificial Intelligence (AI) training on Friday, April 25. This session helped us explore the benefits of AI in education, as well as important considerations for setting appropriate boundaries for student use.

Our Anxious Generation Book Study is also gaining momentum, with over 50 participants signed up for this summer. These discussions will help guide our policies around screen time and cell phone use in schools. It’s shaping up to be a must-have resource for families navigating today’s digital challenges.

We also appreciate your continued support and feedback during our strategic planning process. Through surveys and listening sessions, we’ve gathered valuable insights that will help shape our future direction. We’ll be presenting a proposed strategic plan to the Board on Tuesday, May 20, and we would love for you to join us.

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community as we finish the year strong!

Dr. Norton

At our April Board Meeting, we recognized and expressed our sincere appreciation to outgoing Board member John Lannon for his 28 years of dedicated service, as well as to Andy Lubben for his commitment during his most recent term. Following this recognition, the Board held its reorganization meeting, during which newly elected members took the Oath of Office and were officially seated. We are pleased to welcome Darin Riggs and Chris Kirschner to the Heritage CUSD #8 Board of Education.

The Board also received first readings of two important policy updates: the Wellness Policy and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy. The revised Wellness Policy includes new provisions to support student health and well-being, such as limiting cell phone use during the school day, eliminating energy drinks and soda, and promoting access to healthier snack options.

The draft AI Policy outlines guidelines for responsible and ethical use of AI in schools. It includes parameters for student use, teacher integration, and the importance of data privacy, academic integrity, and digital literacy as AI tools become more widely used in education.

We were honored to have Madelyn Soder, a high school student, speak during public comment. Maddie presented a thoughtful update on her petition to delay the implementation of the Energy Drink Ban. Her petition, which included 83 student signatures, was supported by research on adolescent caffeine intake. Maddie cited the recommended daily limit of 100 mg of caffeine and suggested establishing specific limits rather than a full ban. She also provided helpful comparisons of caffeine content in common beverages. We commend Maddie for her respectful approach, well-researched presentation, and her engagement in the policy process.

This discussion also served as a meaningful example of student voice in action, as we announced the launch of the Student Ambassador Program for the Board of Education. As part of our commitment to increasing student voice and leadership, this initiative will allow selected high school students (incoming sophomores through seniors) to serve as non-voting representatives, attending board meetings and offering a student perspective on district matters.

Student Ambassadors will:

• Share updates on school events, student concerns, and accomplishments
• Learn about governance and decision-making processes
• Serve as a liaison between the student body and the Board
• Provide input on policies and initiatives that impact students
• Applications are currently open, and the deadline to apply is Friday, May 2.

Since the implementation of our caffeine/energy drink ban, our students have been exceptional in following the new guidelines. We truly appreciate the continued support from families in encouraging healthy choices at home.

As part of our ongoing efforts to promote wellness, Mrs. Graham will be offering fruit-infused water to high school students starting this Monday in the Multipurpose Room. Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to enjoy this refreshing and nutritious option.

Thank you for helping us create a healthier environment for all our students!

5/5-9 Staff Appreciation Week-Shower Heritage staff with thanks!

5/8 PTC Meeting 6:30 @ Homer building, Fun Day planning etc.

5/23 Fun Day! Sign up to volunteer here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA9AC28A2F4CE9-55936452-funday

As this school year is coming to a close we want to thank Heritage staff for another wonderful year of collaboration, and making memories! Thank you to all of our PTC helpers that make each of our events possible! Don't miss an opportunity to volunteer at either school; follow us on Facebook @heritageptc or email us at heritageptc@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list!

The Heritage CUSD #8 community is proud to honor three outstanding alumni as our 2025 Heritage Hall of Fame inductees. Each honoree represents the values, dedication, and impact we hope to inspire in every Heritage graduate.

Brad Wilson – Class of 1998

Brad Wilson is a beloved coach, youth pastor, and mental health advocate. Since joining the Heritage coaching staff in 2012, Brad has positively influenced countless student-athletes, most recently leading the Heritage High School Girls Basketball team to a 20-12 season alongside his wife, Lisa. Brad is also the founder of Heritage’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter and an associate pastor at Homer New Life Church of Faith. His ongoing advocacy for mental health and his passion for mentorship continue to leave a lasting legacy in our district and beyond.

Elizabeth Jenkins Morgan – Class of 1998

Elizabeth Jenkins Morgan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, speaker, and mental health advocate with a private practice in Normal, IL. Her professional journey includes extensive work in elder care, hospice support, and therapy focused on trauma survivors and identity development. In addition to her clinical work, Elizabeth is a church musician and dedicated volunteer with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Her commitment to healing and advocacy has made her a respected voice in the field of social work.

Heidi Craddock – Class of 1990

Heidi Craddock serves as a senior academic advisor and leader at the University of Illinois in the Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering. A proud Heritage alum, Heidi’s journey is one of perseverance and growth, from support staff to award-winning advisor and STEM outreach leader. She holds a Master’s in Education and has earned multiple honors for her contributions to student success and inclusive leadership.

Congratulations to our honorees! We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments and contributions at this special event.

On Thursday, April 24th, Heritage High School students participated in a powerful mock crash simulation to highlight the dangers of driving under the influence and distracted driving. Timed just before prom, the event served as a sobering and impactful reminder of how one decision can change lives in an instant.

We are incredibly grateful to the Broadlands, Homer, and Longview Fire Departments, School Resource Officer Alex James, Carle Airlift, and the Illinois State Police for making this event possible. A special thank you to students Kashton, Madi, and Gabe for their respectful and thoughtful participation in this emotional reenactment.

This experience underscores our ongoing commitment to student safety and informed decision-making.

We had a great time hosting the K-4th graders for RIFF here at the library. We love being able to send each student home with a book to keep, and it makes our day when a student finds, "THE PERFECT BOOK!"

Now, we are gearing up for our Summer Reading Program. Our six-week activity program, which runs June - mid-July, is geared toward kids going into K-5th grade next Fall. However, this year we are hoping to add activities for older kids and teens. This summer's theme is "Level Up at the Library", so we are planning a lot of game-related fun - and of course, incentives for the kids to keep reading all summer. We can always use extra help prepping for each weekly program and extra hands to help during the program. If there are any parents or teenagers out there who would like to volunteer, we'd love to have you! Just contact Christine at the library for more information.

Did you know most of the money we bring in during fundraisers goes to RIFF and our other programs? We could not continue to have such great programs without the support of our community. One way you can support us is by eating out during our Monical's Community Day on May 14th. We will have the necessary flier available on our Facebook page and in the Library.

Courageous people make our world a better place! This month we've focused on what it means to show courage- which we define as "doing what is helpful, right, and kind - even when it's hard or scary". To be courageous, we must choose to do what's right- even when others around us aren't, speak up for ourselves and others, try new things knowing we'll likely fail many times along the way, and push ourselves to do things that challenge us and take us out of our comfort zone. We learned about courageous people throughout history such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman, also, people in our community such as police officers, firefighters, and community leaders.

Our younger students can tell you about how Humpty Dumpty's story didn't really end with his infamous fall. "After the Fall" is an adorable story about his courageous journey to conquer his fear of heights and get back to enjoying his favorite place! Our 2nd-4th graders learned about the power of YET. Using YET changes the way we think about our goals and challenges. The students made goals to accomplish things they can't do or haven't done...YET!

We also had some very honest conversations with our Jr. High students about needing to strengthen their skills in this specific area. The middle school years are such a challenge because many of our students feel a strong desire to be liked and accepted by their peers. Sometimes those feelings cloud their judgement or entice them to go along with the crowd, or do something to get a laugh (attention), instead of making the more courageous choice to do what's right.

We want to remind our Hawk families to keep these types of conversations going beyond the school walls, and to reinforce how important it is for our students to use their courage when making decisions!

On Thursday, April 24th, a refreshment break was brought to us by the cutest team of entrepreneurs in town — our brilliant 1st graders! With big smiles and even bigger hearts, they served up ice-cold lemonade and freshly baked cookies that were just as sweet as they are.

The Highlights:

• The lemonade was the perfect mix of tangy and sweet — clearly made with lots of love (and maybe a little help from grown-ups).

• The cookies? Soft, chewy, and absolutely delicious. We’re still dreaming about those chocolate chips!

• Service was top-notch — each customer got a cheerful greeting, a careful pour, and a cookie hand-picked with care.

The best part? Watching our young students learn teamwork, money skills, and the joy of sharing something they’ve made. This wasn’t just a stand — it was a full-on heartwarming experience.

We give it 5 out of 5 stars — and we’re already in line for the next one!

April was an incredibly busy month for students and staff at the elementary and junior high school. Our students were able to participate in numerous events that fostered not only academic achievement but also, community involvement.

We kicked off the month with IAR and Science State testing for grades 3rd-8th. Our students and teachers displayed remarkable dedication and resilience as they navigated the new state testing platform while continuing to ensure every child’s needs were met. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making testing week a resounding success!

Following the testing, our 4th and 5th graders had the fantastic opportunity to attend a STEM Open House at the University of Illinois Beckman Center, where they engaged in hands-on activities and discovered various facets of science and engineering. Meanwhile our 8th graders visited the high school for lunch and participated in their annual Career Day, gaining valuable insights into future opportunities. What a whirlwind of experiences!

On April 10th, the Elementary and Junior High School hosted its annual Book Fair, turning the evening into a celebration of literature, games, activities, and prizes. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Lemmon and her team for their hard work in making this night unforgettable for our families.

We are also grateful to the Homer Library for hosting our annual RIF program for our K-4th grade students. Each class enjoyed a delightful book reading and then were allowed to select a book to take home. It’s heartening to see such strong community support for our young readers!

As we began to wrap up the month, we took a moment to celebrate our dedicated bus drivers and secretaries. Their unwavering support ensures that our school runs smoothly, enabling our students to thrive in all their activities.

Looking ahead, we want to remind you, our community, of some important upcoming dates:

• 8th grade Promotion Night hosted at the High School: will be on May 19th

• Junior High and Kindergarten Orientation Night: May 20th from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
• Fun Day at the Elem./JH: May 23rd
• Last Day of School: May 27th with an early dismissal of 11:15 a.m.

Thank you for your continued support as we finish this school year strong!

Mrs. Sanders

Check Out the FFA Plant Sale this week!

High School students have had multiple chances this month to learn about different careers. We held our annual career fair during lunch and homeroom. Twenty different presenters were available to answer student questions and explain what their career entails.

The week before a group of students went to Parkland College to explore the Health Profession programs that Parkland offers. These students were interested in becoming nurses, doctors and veterinarians.

All school testing took place as a switch from the SAT to the ACT was made this year. Juniors took the ACT while Freshmen and Sophomores took the PreACT Secure. After some technology setbacks at the beginning, students were able to take the test online. Freshmen and Sophomores after lunch on testing day went out to pick up trash on the roadsides as part of the community service the school provides. We have adopted several sections of highway that we have maintained over the years.

The FFA held their annual banquet. Current officers were retired and new officers were set along with an exciting live auction and great food.

The FCCLA attended their State Convention in Springfield.

The Senior Class went to Chicago for their Senior Trip. They took a train up and visited the Sky Deck, Navy Pier and tasted some local cuisine before taking the bus home. Loran Tate and Alex Tatman were invited to attend the Lincoln Prairie Conference Senior Luncheon. Maddie Soder was our Student of the Month for April.

Finally, congratulations to our Band and Chorus for finishing runner-up in the IHSA Sweepstakes for Music. Both groups performed at IHSA Organizational and came home with three 1st place ratings (2 for Chorus and 1 for Band) to help secure the runner-up finish.

The welding students have been working hard on their coat rack projects using only stick welding techniques. Two pictures are Mr. Frost's second hour students while they were welding parts of their coat rack frames together. The third is of a student who welded a two foot chain together in a circle making it solid and taking away any flexibility.

Students are now assembling the coat racks and then painting them before donating them to the Hawks Nest!

Prom was a great success at The Mill at Sugar Grove! A special thank you to Ms. Julie Pearman for coordinating a wonderful meal and dedicating her time to decorating, creating a truly memorable evening for all. We also appreciate the support of our staff chaperones—Mrs. Kirk, Mr. Boyer, Mr. Frost, and Mrs. Knott—for spending the evening with our students.

Congratulations to Kashton and Gracie, our newly crowned Prom King and Queen!