Falcon Update

Dear HMS Families,

This upcoming week, students will take the NWEA MAP test, which is a valuable tool for our staff to use in guiding their instruction and pushing students forward to ensure they receive the support they need in the classroom. Students are required to have USB-C headphones. Please ensure that they have this school supply item by Tuesday, September 9th, when we begin testing.

We will also be starting our emergency drill practices this week. We will be starting with fire drills and will complete one on Monday, September 8th, and also next Monday, September 15th, with the Fire Department.

We will have our first PTSS (Parent Teacher Student Staff) meeting on Wednesday, September 10th, from 5:00 to 5:45 in room 107. Please remember that this is an open meeting to all Heritage families. We will be discussing upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and brainstorm ideas for the 2025-2026 school year. We hope to see you there!

Our school is excited to provide each student with an iPad to support learning both in and out of the classroom. In order to ensure that devices are used responsibly and remain in good condition, we ask families and students to review the Digital Agreement by filling out this Google Form.

Thank you,

Michelle Hauer

708-303-4805

mhauer@bsd100.org

Additional Important Future Dates

9/8: Practice Fire Drill

Week of 9/8: NWEA MAP Testing

9/10: First PTSS Meeting from 5:00 to 5:45 in Room 107

Week of 9/15: Book Fair

9/15: Fire Drill with the Berwyn Fire Department

9/18: Curriculum Night; 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Doors will open at 5:45 and the book fair will be open

9/24: Bus Evacuation Drill

9/30: Late Start

10/1: Parent Teacher Conferences; 4:00 to 7:30

Purchase Friday spirit wear by using the link below.

Our school is excited to provide each student with an iPad to support learning both in and out of the classroom. In order to ensure that devices are used responsibly and remain in good condition, we ask families and students to review the Digital Agreement by filling out this Google Form.

As we kick off another exciting school year, we’re thrilled to share an incredible opportunity for your 8th grade student to begin thinking about their future in high school and beyond.

The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) is accepting applications for current 8th graders who will be entering 9th grade in the 2026–2027 school year. DMSF offers high school scholarship assistance and ongoing educational support to Chicago-area students who demonstrate: academic promise, leadership potential and financial need.

If your student fits this description, we’d love for them to apply. Today, nearly 500 Murphy Scholars are thriving at over 80 partner high schools, including private, parochial, independent, and boarding schools.

Applications are open and can be found at www.dmsf.org/aspiring-scholars. Families can create a login to save their progress and complete the application at their own pace. Once a student submits their portion of the application, recommendation requests will automatically be sent to their teachers and counselor or principal. Please let the individuals know you have submitted it so staff can be on the lookout.

All completed applications are due by October 1, 2025. Visit www.dmsf.org to learn more about the scholarship and upcoming events and updates.

The first BPAC meeting is this week. Register below.

This school year, all students received an assignment notebook. The purpose of the assignment notebook is to help students stay organized, keep track of their work, and build strong study habits. Students will be expected to write down their assignments in every class (except PE) each day and bring the notebook to and from school. Using the notebook regularly will help students stay on top of their responsibilities and feel more prepared for each day.

Families can also use the assignment notebook as a tool to check in with their child about daily homework and upcoming assignments, projects and assessments.

Student safety is our top priority. We ask families to remind students that they should never cross train tracks when the gates are down or signals are flashing, and always to stop, look, and listen before crossing. We would rather a student be late to school than cross the tracks when the gates are down. For students who ride bikes to and from school, helmets are strongly encouraged, and riders should follow all posted traffic rules.

We have been reviewing our expectations, the handbook, and more so that students are successful in the classroom and throughout the building. We will be starting to write Falcon Fouls for students this week. Falcon Fouls is our behavior system that reminds students of what the expectations are when in the building for minor behaviors. Students will earn fouls if they are not responsible, respectful or safe. When a student receives a foul, they have time to reflect on the behavior and have a conversation with the staff member. After a student earns 4, they receive a 25 minute detention. Please know that our staff will provide reminders for students to stay on task, use appropriate language, etc. Our staff is consistent about writing fouls for the following things: out of dress code, including ID, cell phones, and tardiness to class.

We utilize an app called PBIS Rewards where students earn points throughout the school year for being Responsible, Respectful and Safe. We have a PBIS store that we open for students to purchase fun items with their points. We also do raffles, field trips and a winter extravaganza that students can utilize their points throughout the year. We encourage students to use their points by the end of the year as they do not roll over!

This week, students will download STOPit to their iPads. This is an online application that Heritage students have access to. This application allows students to anonymously report incidents of bullying, misconduct or general concerns. All reports go to the support service team and administration, which allows us to act quickly and in real time to any concerns or incidents.

School locks are $9 and are needed for the student lockers. They can be purchased at the Supply Drop Off Event on August 21st or from the main office.

Los candados de la escuela cuestan $9 y son necesarios para los casilleros de los estudiantes. Se pueden comprar en el evento de entrega de suministros el 21 de Agosto o en la oficina principal.

Students may arrive no earlier than 7:45 AM to HMS unless they have a morning practice or a club meeting. All students should arrive at school by 8:10 AM. The first class begins at 8:15 AM. All students will enter through the main entrance and go to their designated area in the building.

Students leave their last class of the day (Period 9) at 3:17 and then leave the building through the following doors

• MPR/Back Parking Lot Door: Students in 8th Grade

• Front Entrance: Students in 6th grade

• Side Alley Entrance: Students in 7th grade

If students ride the bus they will wait with the supervisor(s) inside the main hallway entrance area.

Students at Heritage receive free breakfast and lunch each day if they choose to participate, or they may bring their own lunch from home. As a healthy school, we ask that students do not bring pop, energy drinks, or large bags of snacks.

Breakfast will be served each morning before students head to their Period 1 class. Lunch will take place at the scheduled time according to the bell schedule, and students will also have the option to participate in recess during their lunchtime.

Below will be where you can find the menus for Heritage through OrganicLife.

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 21, 2025. The school physical form from a Doctor’s Office must be submitted to the school by Monday, 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.

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