HMS - From the Principal's Desk (4/12/12)

Thursday, June 20, 2013

From the Principal’s Desk

Greetings, Parents,

With the blooming of the tulips and the chirping of the robins, so comes progress reports. Over the course of the past several years, the district has implemented a comprehensive progress reporting system. The goal of the system is to give parents a clear picture of how their child is growing as a learner. The system is differentiated to provide accurate information about each child at his/her particular grade level. In the elementary schools, this means report cards twice a year and conferences twice a year. Additionally, students do not receive formal grades but rather performance indicators.

Fast forward to HMS. Here, students receive formal report cards twice a year, there is a fall conference, and a progress report (or snapshot) are distributed twice a year. Fifth grade is also the first time students are receiving formal grades.

As students move from the elementary schools to HMS and WJHS, it is our goal to have them start to be responsible for their grades. This is one of those informal and all-important learning experiences. To facilitate this experience, please allow me to make a suggestion. If you feel the need for a spring conference, wait to contact the teacher until after progress reports have been distributed and you have talked with your child. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to have meaningful conversations about school with their children. It sets the stage for goal-setting for the remainder of the year and can be an opportunity to teach lessons about perseverance and problem solving. The goal is to focus the conversation less on achievement and more on the process and hard work.   As you begin to frame this conversation with your child, I encourage you to read this NY Magazine article on talking to your kids about success.

Thanks, and have a great weekend,
Dave    

Headlines

For the Week of April 15 - 21, 2012    

 Please join Highcrest Social Workers Hilary Harvey and Pam Katz  for a parent coffee talk on April 26 at 9:15am.  Hilary and Pam will be joined by Anita Gerber, LCSW, from Family Service Center to lead a discussion on family dynamics and sibling rivalry.  Please contact Hilary at harveyh@wilmette39.org or Pam at katzp@wilmette39.org with any questions.

Questions about bus transportation for next year?? At the March Board meeting, the D39 School Board approved the outsourcing of student transportation beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. Get all of your questions answered by reading the “FAQ” by clicking here or by going to www.wilmette39.org and clicking on “Outsourcing Student Transportation – Information”.

Important: Parents needed in the Outdoor Classroom! The Spring Outdoor Classroom is now open during lunchtime but we do not have enough parent volunteers to keep it open to the students during this time. Any time you can spare over the next few weeks would be greatly appreciated! To sign up, go to: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A9AF2BA57-spring/1307303.

The Highcrest LMC also needs a few parents! We are looking for several volunteers to help with shelving books in April and May, and to help with final inventory the last three weeks of school. We just need one hour, one day a week for as many weeks as you would like; the time on your day is totally up to you. Interested? Please contact Ellen Hummel at efjummel@comcast.net. Thanks!

The Highcrest PTO Nominating Committee has posted the approved slate for the 2012/2013 PTO Executive Board at www.highcrestpto.org. The slate will be voted on by all members at the PTO meeting on Wednesday, May 2.

However -- It’s not too late to get involved next year! The Highcrest PTO has the following positions available for the 2012-2013 school year:

- Book Fair (two positions);

- Room Parent Reps for 6^th Grade (two positions);

- After School Clubs (three positions); and

- Yearbook Editors (two positions).

All of these positions are perfect for two or three friends to share the job! Go to the Highcrest PTO home page for more information (www.highcrestpto.org) or contact Rhona DiCamillo at rkd@dg-cg.com.

And for even more opportunities: Attention 6^th grade parents! The WJHS PTO has open positions in Art Awareness (help with spring art show); Civics and Safety (coordinate two bike-to-school days); Environmental Awareness (2 people); Yearbook (orders and distribution only); Youth Connection Liason (Battle of the Bands); and Youth Connection Liaison (Spring Musical). Interested? Go to http://www.wjhspto.com/PTO%20open%20positions.html or email Sarah Jacobs at wjhsptopresident@gmail.com.

PASS 39 presents “Raising Children with Special Needs: Understanding When to Normalize a Child’s Behaviors and When to Link it to Their Disability”, on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mikaelian Education Center, 615 Locust Road. For more information, go to www.highcrestpto.org. The presentation will last one hour with a Q&A period immediately following.

Looking for the perfect way to appreciate a teacher? There is a gift that not only honors that extra-special teacher, administrator, or staff member who has made an incredible difference in your child’s life, BUT it also give back to District 39 schools. For more information, or to order a certificate, go to www.d39foundation.org and look for the Wall of Honor/Certificate of Appreciation links. Thank you!

Youth Connection: Don’t forget that tonight (Thursday, April 12) is the Domino’s Pizza “Dough Raising Night” for Youth Connection. A portion of the money for every medium, large, and extra-large pizza you order at retail price will be donated by Domino’s (Wilmette location) to Youth Connection. To participate, simply place your order tonight with Domino’s in Wilmette in person, over the phone, or online and give the coupon that was given to your child during homeroom to the cashier (if you pick up) or to the driver (if you opt for delivery). If you don’t have the coupon, don’t worry – just mention the “Youth Connection Dough Raising Event” and Dominos will honor the order. Dominos’ phone number in Wilmette 847-256-9020.

Please make your reservation for the youth Connection Spring Fiesta to be held on Saturday, April 21 from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. at the Lakeview Center at Gilson Park. Go to www.youthconnectionwilmette.org to learn more and to buy tickets.

Youth Connection is looking for donated silent auction items for its Spring Fiesta fundraiser. Please contact Karen Funari, Executive Director, at 847-254-2224 if you have something to contribute.

For more information on this week’s news and other PTO activities, please visit www.highcrestpto.org.

What’s Happening This Week

Wednesday, April 18

Grade 6 Parent/Child Book Club, 7:00 p.m., LMC

Wednesday, April 18

PASS 39 Presentation, 7:00 p.m., Mikaelian Center

Friday, April 20

No School – Professional Development Day

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 2

PTO Meeting, 9:15 a.m., HMS Auditorium

Lunch Menu

Monday, April 16

Beef hot dogs on whole wheat bun, pickles, veggies, baked fries, fresh fruit (Roast beef)

Tuesday, April 17

Turkey sandwich, asiago cheese bialy, lettuce & tomato, celery, soup, fresh fruit (Turkey/cheese wrap)

Wednesday, April 18

Waffles, strawberries, carrots, turkey sausage, yogurt, oranges (Salami)

Thursday, April 19

Multi-grain, French bread pizza, salad, soup, fresh fruit, Italian ice (Egg salad)

Friday, April 20

No School – Professional Development Day

The only way to teach respect is to model it ~ Todd Whitaker