Falcon Update

Dear HMS Families,

The countdown is officially on! We are just days away from welcoming our Heritage students back for the 2026-2027 school year. There is a lot happening this week, and we want to make sure families know what is coming up.

Before the first day of school we hope to see families today, August 16th at the Back to School Picnic which will be at Freedom Park from 12:00 to 2:00 PM.

Tuesday, August 18th we will be hosting School Supply Drop Off from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. Bring your school supplies, get your bell schedule, check out your classrooms, and great ready for the first day! a look around, and get ready for the first day! PE uniforms, sweaters, and locks will also be available for purchase.

PE shirts: $15.00

PE shorts: $15.00

Locks: $9.00

Sweaters: $25.00

Wednesday, August 19th is the First Day of School! Students will have a half day and will be dismissed at 11:15 AM. Students will spend the morning participating in activities designed to help them reconnect, get comfortable, and start the year strong.

Thursday, August 20th is our first full day of school, with dismissal at our regular time of 3:17 PM. Students will follow their bell schedule on Thursday and learn more about what to expect in all of their classes and this upcoming school year.

Here are few important reminders about arrival and dismissal.

Heritage doors open every morning at 7:45 AM, and students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn by 8:15 AM. Starting the day on time helps students feel prepared and ensures they don't miss important directions and learning.

On the first day:

• 6th Grade: Report to the Gym
• 7th & 8th Grade: Report to the MPR

Dismissal locations everyday:

• 6th Grade: Front doors
• 7th Grade: Side door closest to the alley
• 8th Grade: Back doors

If you haven’t done so already, please take a moment to review the updated dress code expectations below, as well as the new cell phone law and our “off and away all day” policy for this school year. Students are expected to be in dress code and follow the cell phone policy beginning on the first day of school.

We are so excited to see our hallways filled with students again! Whether your child is joining us for the first time or returning to familiar faces, we are ready to make 2026-2027 an incredible year. At Heritage, we are more than a school - we are an Ohana. We can't wait to learn and grow together this year.

Thank you,

Michelle Hauer

708-303-4805

mhauer@bsd100.org

Additional Important Future Dates

8/16: Back to School Picnic at Freedom Park 12:00-2:00 PM

8/18: Supply Drop Off 1:30-3:00

8/19: First Day of School; Dismissal at 11:15 AM

8/20: First Full Day of School; Dismissal at 3:17 PM

9/7: No School

9/17: Curriculum Night

Students are required to wear school uniforms on all days they are in the building unless it is a special spirit day or they have purchased a dress down from the PBIS school store. The dress code policy from the student handbook is as follows:

The dress code is mandatory and applies to all 6th -8th graders on the first day of school.

• All students shall wear a school approved plain/solid collared polo shirt in navy, white, or black. The polo may be long or short sleeve and must be properly fitted. Any t-shirts worn underneath polo shirts should either match the polo or be black or white.

• Students shall wear plain, solid khaki or black colored pants, skirts or shorts. Pants may be sweat pant material. Leggings, bike shorts, and oversized pockets are not allowed.

• Plain, solid navy, white, or black sweaters/sweatshirts (non-hooded) or school-branded sweaters/sweatshirts are allowed.

• IDs should be worn and visible at all times if required by school. Students must wear school-appropriate lanyards.

• For safety reasons, shoes must have backs. Flip-flops and slippers are not allowed. Crocs may be worn with the back strap in place.

• Items of clothing or jewelry that display images or text portraying illegal substances, weapons, or vulgar messages are not permitted. Additionally, attire that identifies or promotes gang activity is prohibited.

• Unless otherwise communicated by school staff, hats, caps, sunglasses should not be worn inside the building.

• Jeans and other approved attire may be worn during out of uniform days and spirit days at the discretion of the administration.

Students will start changing for Physical Education class during the second week of school. Uniforms are available for purchase and can be done so on Supply Drop Off. Uniforms and spirit wear will also be for sale throughout the school year.

All families are invited to stop by the Back to School picnic on Sunday, August 16th from 12:00-2:00 PM at Freedom Park. Please note that it is a different location this school year. Look for the HMS table and come say hi!

Any HMS student is welcome to come to Heritage Middle School on Tuesday, August 18th from 1:30-3:00 PM to pick-up their school schedule, see and set-up their assigned locker (if you have a school lock), purchase any items needed, submit additional paperwork to the main office, and meet the HMS staff. Please enter through the main entrance! Please check the link below to view the school supply list for the current school year.

School locks are $9 and are needed for the student lockers. They can be purchased at the Supply Drop Off Event on August 18th or from the main office.

All sixth grade and new students are required to have a school physical and copy of their updated immunizations in order to start the school year on August 19, 2026. The school physical form from a Doctor’s Office must be submitted to the school by Tuesday, August 18th. The forms can be dropped off to the main office. If you have questions for the nurse, please contact her at maria.torres@bsd100.org or 708-303-4810.

Dear D100 Families,

Governor Pritzker signed a new law requiring all school districts to have policies banning cell phones during the school day. To help all students stay focused and succeed at school, District 100 will continue to maintain a cell phone-free learning environment through our Phones Off & Away All Day initiative.

Students in all D100 schools are expected to keep their phones turned off and out of sight from the start to the end of the school day.

Phones must be stored in lockers or backpacks, not in pockets, and cannot be used during lunch, passing periods, or in restrooms. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call the main office.

If a student uses their phone during school hours, it will be confiscated and held in a secure location until the end of the day. In situations involving repeated offenses or gross violations, a parent/guardian will need to pick the phone up from school staff.

Exceptions for medical or individual learning needs will be made in partnership with school staff and families.

The academic success and overall well-being of students is our top priority. Limiting distractions helps students remain focused, engaged, and ready to learn, while also preventing potential issues such as cyberbullying or conflicts between peers related to cell phone use. As we approach the start of the school year, please take a moment to talk with your child about these expectations. If you believe your child may have difficulty following these expectations, we recommend keeping their phone at home during the school day.

Thank you for partnership in creating positive learning environments where students can thrive academically and socially. We look forward to a successful 2026-2027 school year!

Email: mhauer@bsd100.org
Website: https://heritage.bsd100.org/
Location: 6850 31st Street, Berwyn, IL, USA
Phone: (708)749-6110
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeritageMiddleSchoolBerwyn
Twitter: @HeritageD100