Highcrest Headlines | 8.11.2025
Hello Hawk Families,
I hope your family is having a wonderful end of summer! My name is Anthony Haduch, and I serve as your Principal at Highcrest Middle School. I am so looking forward to our partnership ahead! Highcrest Middle School serves as an important step in your child's education in District 39. You started up the staircase in your home elementary school and are now halfway through your journey! Here at Highcrest we help your child time-travel to their future selves, to a world in which they see their future successes. Highcrest is about further strengthening your child's academic skills while growing their sense of self as it relates to their interests, hobbies, college, and career goals. At this step, we get to play with a multitude of ideas to keep your child excited about growing toward their future. As they continue up the staircase of success toward Wilmette Junior High, they develop a strong sense of self and a passion that anchors them in deeper and more focused learning.
Together, in fifth and sixth grade, we will ensure every child can communicate their hopes and dreams for the future. At Highcrest, every child is capable of success.
With so much Hawk Pride,
Anthony Haduch
Mrs. Linda Moric
Mrs. Moric is our incredibly talented 5th Grade Level Administrator [GLAd]. Her enthusiasm, sense of humor, and deep care for students are visible every day here at school. I am so grateful to have her on this administrative team!
Mrs. Susie Carlson
Mrs. Carlson is our wonderfully skilled 6th Grade Level Administrator [GLAd]. Her presence is felt throughout the school, her laughter is heard through the halls, and students are at the center of everything she does. I am also so grateful to have her on this administrative team!
Mrs. Beth Barbin
Mrs. Barbin arrives bright and early to help make sure our school is staffed and ready for student arrival! The early bird may get the worm, but no bird can beat this hawk!
Mrs. Rebecca Motsinger
Mrs. Motsinger may have been a huge support to your family during the registration process! It is because of her attention to detail, our hawks are ready for learning each day!
Mrs. Senada Dibra
Mrs. Dibra is the incredible welcoming committee for our school! Her bright smile and supportive presence help make sure your questions are answered when stopping by our front office.
Mrs. Mary McLone
Mrs. McLone is the resident expert to all things health here at Highcrest! Not only does she ensure the students and staff here are cared for, but she is also the lead nurse here in District 39! We are so grateful for her expertise and leadership. Stay tuned for our next headline for Nurse Notes, a section with information to make sure you have all of your forms up to date here at the school.
Ms. Zena Abdelhamid
Ms. Abdelhamid is joining our Highcrest community by stepping into the exciting teaching role of Health, Fitness, & Team Building. Ms. Abdelhamid joins us from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She demonstrates a strong passion for health and wellness and we can't wait for our students to engage in this work with her! Outside of the classroom, she coaches cheerleading, enjoys running, reading, listening to music, yoga sculpt, and spending time with her family and friends. Welcome to the team!
Ms. Callie Killduff
Ms. Killduff is joining our team by stepping into the amazing teaching role of 5th-Grade Math, Science, & Social Studies. Ms. Killduff joins us from Loyola University Chicago. Those who know her best say that she values a strong sense of community, collaboration, and creativity the most. Ms. Killduff cannot wait to bring these values to our school! Outside of school, she loves to watch sports, read at home, and cook anything under the sun. Welcome to the team!
A Note from D39 Athletics
Fall athletic registration is now open. Please go to the HMS athletics website and follow the steps below to register your child if they are interested in participating in cross country or 6th-grade girls volleyball:
How to register:
- Parents should use a desktop or laptop to sign in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Choose Forgot Username or Password? If you have log in trouble
- Choose Forms on the left side
- Select Athletics Registration Form
- Complete the form for each child, including Concussion, Conduct, and current Physical from the past 13 months.
Please visit the athletics website for more information on practices and Coaches' emails.
There are some incredible PTO collaborative events + projects set to take place this school year. Stay tuned as we communicate more this fall! In the meantime, jump over to Instagram and follow their account: "@PTOHighcrest"!