August 15, 2025

Hello Hawk Families,

We are so excited to welcome our Hawks back for the 2025-2026 school year! This headline focuses on the first few days of school so that you can plan for success:

• Nurse Notes
• Logistics: 5th Grade Orientation
• Logistics: August 20 [First Half-Day of School]
• Logistics: August 21 [First Full-Day of School]
• Arrival, Dismissal, + Transportation Services
• D39 Updates
• HMS PTO Updates
• Community News
• Student Handbook Highlights

Additionally, be sure to check out the updates from our Highcrest Band, Choir, and Orchestra team! There are numerous opportunities here; we can't wait to further connect your children with their interests and hobbies!

Go Hawks!

Anthony, Linda, + Susie

All Illinois children entering the sixth grade are required to submit a Certificate of Child Health Examination form by August 29, 2025. The exam must have been performed within one year prior to the date of entry. Documentation that students have received the Tdap and meningococcal conjugate vaccines is required. Don't forget to complete and sign the health history section of the physical exam form! 6th grade dental exam forms are due by May 2026.

Please submit all health forms to Mary McLone, RN at mclonem@wilmette39.org.

Who?: 5th Grade Students + Families

When?: Tuesday, August 19, from 8:45 - 9:15 am

Where?: Highcrest Playground

Why?: We want to ensure our students have confidence and excitement as they head into their first days of the school year. This event aims to bolster that in each of them!

What?: 5th Grade Families! Walk over to the back playground so that your child can have the opportunity to enter the school, meet their homeroom teacher, and visit their classroom. Parents, stick around on the back playground to mingle and visit our PTO booth. HumanKind will be available for apparel purchase. We will bring your child back out to the back playground at the end of orientation. We hope that this gives each student that much more confidence.

Recommended: If you'd like your child to bring their school supplies on this day, so they don't have to bring them later this week, you are welcome to do so! If you ordered an EduKit, those will be in the classroom awaiting your child's arrival.

Schedule of Events:

8:15 | Supervised Student Arrival Begins

8:38 | First Bell, 6th grade students enter first followed by 5th grade students.

8:45 | Start of Homeroom

11:46 | Dismissal Bell

Helpful Tips:

• Bus service begins today!
• There is no lunch service today.
• Confirm your dismissal plan with your family before arriving at school.

Schedule of Events:

8:15 | Supervised Student Arrival Begins

8:38 | First Bell, 6th grade students enter first followed by 5th grade students.

8:45 | Start of Homeroom

Student schedule continues through the day

3:37 | Dismissal Bell

Helpful Tips:

• Lunch service and recess begin
• Confirm your dismissal plan with your family before arriving at school.

Beginning at 8:15 am, supervised student arrival will begin. All students should report to the back playground for entry to the school beginning at 8:38 am. 6th Graders enter the school first, which helps alleviate hallway traffic. 5th Graders enter just a moment or so after. All students should be seated in homeroom by 8:45 am.

Please note, only buses are permitted in the upper lot. All other arrival methods should use the outlined routes/maps below.

If you are driving through the carline, please ensure you are off of your phone or electronic devices. There are many students arriving by bike, scooter, or on foot. Please proceed through the school zone with caution.

Students who arrive by bus are dropped off at our upper-level parking lot, near the back playground. Students can exit the bus and walk directly to the back playground, where they will enter the school at the first bell.

If your child travels to school via walking, biking, or scootering, please consider using our safe paths. This way, you can avoid paths used by cars and buses. Please take the extra moment to ensure your bike or scooter is locked prior to entering school. If you are late to school, you'll need to walk to the front of the school and enter through the front office.

While we aim to be at school early and on time each day, we recognize that every so often a tardy could occur. If this happens, please ensure your child enters through the front office. Begin by walking to the front office door located in the circular drive, ring the bell, sign in, and go directly to your locker and next class.

Students are dismissed at 3:37 pm. Students are responsible for managing their dismissal plan. Students are not required to inform the front office of a change in their dismissal route or procedure. For example, if a student signs up to take the bus but decides to bike instead, they can make that decision without communicating with the school. If your family ever needs to communicate a change in dismissal plan to your child, please contact our front office before 3:25 pm. Any contact after that time, we cannot guarantee the message will get to your child.

There are some slight changes in the afternoon carline compared to the morning. Students who are picked up by car should exit through the front of the school. Students will wait in the circular drive for their car to pull up. Drivers should follow the path outlined on the map below.

If you are a PM bus rider, watch our student training video. Essentially, your child will be dismissed and walk to Gym C. Once there, they will find their cone labeled with their bus name. They will sit and wait for their bus to arrive. A supervisor will signal them to stand up and walk them to the bus.

For more information regarding busing, please follow this link to our D39 Transportation page.

• 8:00 - Instrumental Music + Choice [Period 0]
• 8:38 - First Arrival Bell, student entry to the school
• 8:45 - Second Arrival Bell, start of Homeroom [Period 1]
• Lots and lots of fun + learning happening here!
• 3:37 - End of Day Bell
• 4:15 - Front Office Closed

All students can be dropped off at school between 8:15 - 8:38, when the first bell rings. Students can report to the back playground for supervised arrival.

• Do: Your family can drop off lunch at our front office, and we will deliver it to your child.
• Do: Your child can purchase lunch from the cafeteria using their student number.
• Don't: Send food delivery services or restaurants with food, it won't be accepted by the office.

• Do: Email or call our front office before 3:25. Communication received after this time may not reach your child before dismissal. office-hms@wilmette39.org or (847) 512-6500
• Don't: Email or call teachers, as they may not receive it before dismissal.
• Don't: Communicate on personal devices like cell phones and smart watches. These are off and away for the day in backpacks.

Our school does not need to be informed of all changes in dismissal plans; students can manage this on their own. However, if you need assistance in communicating, use these procedures.

• Do: If your child is not feeling well or sick at school, they should request a pass to go to the nurse. The nurse will provide necessary care and inform your family as appropriate.
• Don't: Students should not get their device and contact their parents to pick them up. If this happens, please direct your child to ask a teacher to go to the nurse and use our health and safety systems.

You're welcome to contact Nurse Mary McLone at "Nurse-HMS@wilmette39.org".

As we launch the school year, there will be more helpful hints. Stay tuned!

• Thursday, August 14 - Final 5th Grade Hangout on HMS playground from 3:00 - 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, August 19 - 5th Grade Orientation from 8:45 - 9:15, more details to come.
• Wednesday, August 20 - First Half-Day of School at HMS from 8:38 - 11:46 am
• Thursday, August 21 - First Full-Day of School at HMS from 8:38 - 3:37 pm
• Thursday, August 28 - 5th Grade Curriculum Night at 6:00 pm
• Monday, September 1 - No School in recognition of Labor Day
• Thursday, September 11 - 6th Grade Curriculum Night at 6:00 pm
• Wednesday, September 17 - HMS Picture Day
• Tuesday, September 23 - No School in recognition of Rosh Hashanah

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.

Student and Parent Handbook

We encourage all of our District families to review our D39 student/parent handbook for details on all District policies and procedures. This informative document was also available to you during the registration/enrollment process. Our Lechner Early Education Program (LEEP) handbook is also available with information for our youngest D39 learners.

Important Dates

The District 39 calendar for the 2025-26 academic year is available online for both K-8 families and our Lechner Early Education Program (LEEP) families. Below are some important dates to note for the start of the new school year:

• Wednesday, August 20 – First Day of Student Attendance (Grades K-8; Early Release)

• Thursday, August 21 - First Full Day of Student Attendance (Grades K-8)

• Monday, August 25 – Board of Education Regular Business Meeting

• Tuesday, August 26 - First Full Day of LEEP Student Attendance

• Monday, September 1 – Labor Day (No School)

Bike and Scooter Safety Tips

District 39, in partnership with the Village of Wilmette, the Wilmette Police Department, the Wilmette Park District and Avoca District 37, is sharing safety tips with our Wilmette families throughout our community. These tips are important for all bike/scooter riders, and especially important for those considering e-bikes/scooters. We encourage parents to review these safety tips with children regularly.

• Wear a helmet. The best way to protect yourself is to wear a helmet.

• Wear other protective gear. Protect the rest of your body with elbow pads, knee pads, and closed-toe shoes.

• Be visible. All equipment should have lights and reflectors.

• Look both ways before riding through any kind of intersection. Stop and look for cars when crossing the street or a driveway. Be careful at crosswalks and intersections.

• Walk your bike/scooter in crowded areas. To avoid collisions with pedestrians and parked vehicles, the Village asks riders to walk scooters/bikes in crowded areas like downtown and school drop-off areas or walking routes.

• Avoid distractions. Do not use electronic devices, including ear buds, headphones or phones, while operating your bike/scooter.

• Use both hands. Don't carry anything that prohibits you from having both hands on the handlebars.

• Ride solo. If your bike/scooter is only intended for one person, ride solo.

• Be respectful of others. Exercise care when passing a pedestrian or another rider.

• Be mindful of speed. Some bikes/scooters can operate at very fast top speeds. Parents are encouraged to consider the speed and operability of any device before allowing younger riders to use them.

Parent Education Event – School Safety

Last year, District 39 hosted a Parent Education event titled “Feeling Safe in District 39 Schools.” The information presented still holds true as we prepare for the 2025-26 academic year and contains valuable information for families. We encourage all families to watch the recording to learn more about how we work together to maintain a high level of building security and work with community partners to create a feeling of safety for all. Please visit our Parent Education webpage for more information on our Parent Ed program and recordings of many of our previous presentations.

Join Our District Strategic Advisory Team!

Composed of representative stakeholders from district administration, teacher and support staff union leadership, parents, educational professionals, and members of the Board of Education, the District 39 Strategic Advisory Team (DSAT) reviews, informs, and evaluates implementation of the strategic plan as well as the related annual action planning and performance.

The team is charged with making recommendations regarding adjustments to action plans, implementation and progress monitoring, and reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs) while ensuring voice, agency, and representation in decision-making.

This group meets 3 times per year, from 7:15-8:15 am via Zoom with each member serving a two-year term on the team. If you are interested in joining this valuable and important District team, please fill out and submit this brief application. Dates for this year’s meetings are listed below:

• Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025

• Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

• Thursday, May 28, 2026

Follow District 39 on Social Media!

Make sure to follow our District 39 social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for fun and engaging content and events from around the District!

Greetings from the HMS PTO!

On Monday, you will receive an email from the PTO with a back-to-school checklist that includes information on how to register for Membership Toolkit, how to donate to Ignite/enrichment and the holiday teacher gift fund, how to purchase Birthday Books and how to sign up for after school clubs.

Below are a few important events/dates:

Lunch Duty Sign Up: Sign up for lunch duty at HMS HERE

EDUKITS: There are a few 5th and 6th grade EduKits left. Contact Amanda Houde if interested to see if still available.

The Wilmette Rotary plans to resume our Big Book Drive this fall, October 1 through November 14, 2025. They request that, as you consider weeding out your library collection this summer, you save gently used books (excluding textbooks, old atlases, encyclopedias, dictionaries) for our Book Drive in the fall, 2025. The Wilmette Rotary Club encourages you to consider donating children’s gently used trade books, K-6, so that we can donate them in the fall.

Ahead of the school year, it may be helpful to take a moment to review the following handbooks:

• HMS Student Handbook
• D39 Parent + Family Handbook
• D39 Mobile Learning Handbook

In particular, we emphasize taking time to review the following from the HMS Student Handbook:

• HAWKS Expectations
• Smartwatches + Personal Devices
• D39 Disciplinary Measures + Restorative Practices
• HMS Health & Safety

As we progress into the school year, we will request that students sign and return the letter of agreement and D39 Mobile Learning Contract.

Hawk Headlines will be sent weekly on Fridays!

Next Edition Scheduled for Friday, August 22

Anticipated Topics: First Full Week of School, planning for success!