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Highland Park High School
Principal's Weekly Update
November 2, 2020. Issue 11
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Dear Giant Families,
As positivity rates climb throughout our state, I want to share my deep concern for each and every member of our Giant community. I hope that you are all staying safe! As we move into the holiday season, please continue to be vigilant about adhering to the 3W rule (wear your mask, wash your hands, watch your distance). Our staff are excited about connecting with students through our ever increasing in-person and remote services, but we need to remain healthy to make this happen. To see options as they become available, please review the services calendar on the HPHS website.
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THIS WEEK - DAILY SCHEDULE AND COMMUNITY DAY INFORMATION
As you know from last week’s letter, this Wednesday is our first Community Day. On Wednesday and subsequent Community Days (upcoming dates 11/16, 11/30 and 12/7), teachers will post on Schoology by 8:00 am a lesson, assignment, or update for classes in a Giant Day Schedule. These days are at the discretion of the teacher and may be used for an opportunity to review, catch-up, meet with peer groups or begin new material. Students are expected to sign into Schoology on these days by 3:00 pm and complete work as indicated. However, students do not need to complete their classwork during the regularly scheduled period; rather students have flexibility in using their time during the day.
If you did not have an opportunity to review the 11/4 Community Day options, please click here to read all about them (including the link to sign up for an activity). Please remember that the last chance to sign up for an in-person activity is today, Monday, November 2 at 9:00 am. Students will be contacted on 11/3 to confirm their 11/4 sessions.
As a reminder, our schedule for this week is as follows:
- Monday, November 2 - Synchronous Giant Schedule
- Tuesday, November 3 - Election Day, No School
- Wednesday, November 4 - Community Day
- Thursday, November 5 - White Schedule
- Friday, November 6 - Blue Schedule
Students attending certain Special Education classes should refer to the communication on 10/31 from Dr. Rowe, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, regarding their class schedules on all Community Days. Please click here to see that communication. If you have any questions, please contact your case manager.
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MOCK ELECTION
Today, Monday, November 2 as we are holding a district wide virtual mock election. All students and staff of District 113 are invited to participate by going to this District 113 Mock Election link. Polls will be open at 8:00 AM and accepting ballots until 3:30 PM on Monday afternoon. Make sure to let your voice be heard by filling out your ballot and voting in the Mock Election!
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CLASS OF 2024 - NOVEMBER 16 COMMUNITY DAY
Planning has already begun for our second Community Day! On 11/16 we will be inviting our Class of 2024 (freshmen) in to meet with their Link Crew groups and tour the building. More information will be out soon with all the details. So mark your calendars and get excited to walk the halls of HPHS!
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Celebrations and Recognitions
Science classes have been working on a variety of remote learning lessons including labs, simulations, and models. Several classes have encouraged students to collect lab data and observations in their home and local natural areas. The slides linked here highlight several of the remote learning activities students have been participating in this fall.
Also, please join me in congratulating our very own Alex Pataky, HPHS Visual Arts Teacher! Ms. Pataky has been honored for her participation in this year's Chicago Collections Consortium (CCC) Program, presented as part of Art Design Chicago Now. Ms. Pataky will participate in a diverse and elite panel leading the discussion on Chicago Music Poster History. We're so proud to have her represent the Highland Park High School Visual Arts Department at this super cool and informative event!
Freshmen in Patterns in World History classes took to the street to “Chalk the Vote” and encouraged community members to vote in the election. Students posted pictures of their artwork and street location on a class padlet for all to see.
Finally, please join me in welcoming the newest member of the HPHS administrative team. Mr. Paul Harris will serve as our Interim Athletic Director for the remainder of the year. We are so glad to have him leading our Athletic Department!
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ACTIVITIES & ATHLETICS
We want to share our pride for our amazing students! Have you checked out our Facebook or Twitter pages lately? Don’t miss exciting news and pictures about Debate, Key Club, Poms & Jammers and the 24/7/365 Hispanic Heritage Mural and more! Just a sample of the great pictures here:
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DROP-IN CENTER
We all need a little extra help every now and then. If students are feeling out of sorts, need to process how they are feeling or just want a trusted adult to talk to, please consider visiting the Drop-In Center. The Drop-In Center is a safe, friendly, comfortable, informal environment available to all Highland Park High School students. If you need to share, problem solve, or vent, there are plenty of people to talk to in the Drop-In Center! Due to remote learning, all Drop In Services will be offered remotely.
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GRADUATION
We have begun planning graduation for the Class of 2021. As a first step, we are asking for you and your student to fill out the cap and gown order form. If you have completed this already, thank you. We will be providing updates regarding graduation throughout the year.
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CTAD
CTAD and students in Delta HP are teaming up on the new digital media campaign “You Got This!” which celebrates student strength and resiliency during challenging times. Read more about it in CTAD’s November newsletter – PLUS:
Tips for staying active
Apps for emotional health
An update on marijuana stores in Highland Park
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POP-UP COVID TESTING
The Lake County Health Department is announcing that free Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) testing is coming to Deerfield, Highwood, Libertyville, and Round Lake over the next month. A mobile testing unit managed by the Illinois Department of Public Health will be stationed in the county according to the following schedule. CLICK HERE for dates and locations.
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With Giant Pride,
Debby Finn
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Highland Park High School 2020-21
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