From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn
Issue 10, March 11,2021
School News You Can Use
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

  1. Next week we will have two days of special schedules in order to have our state-required emergency drill practices and for students to take the 5Eseentials survey. Please see Happening Next Week for details.
  2. Following spring break, the first day back is Monday, March 29. This day will be a blue day schedule (there will be no asynchronous Monday on this day as there is no school the following Friday, April 2). There will also be a special schedule on Wednesday, March 31 for another round of state-required emergency drills. Details below in Happening Next Week.
  3. Parents/Guardians- don’t forget to take the 5Essentials Survey - we need your feedback! The HPHS Parent Survey will be conducted from March 8, 2021 to April 2, 2021. To take the survey please click here.  
Message from the Principal
As we get closer to spring break, I know many of us are looking forward to a week of rest. Please be respectful of other Giant families and follow all safety guidelines during our time apart. This includes limiting non-essential travel and being sure to quarantine for the required number of days if and when you do travel. Please be sure to consider classmates and the greater community as you make decisions for yourselves and your families.

In their first update since July 2020, new joint guidance from IDPH/ISBE came out on Tuesday and we are reviewing our plans for the fourth quarter in light of this update. Communication from the District will be coming on Friday.
Happening Next Week
Monday, March 15 - Fully Remote Giant Day Schedule
Tuesday, March 16 - White Day Schedule
Wednesday, March 17 - Blue Day Schedule (see below for special schedule)
Thursday, March 18 - White Day Schedule (see below for special schedule)
Friday, March 19 - Blue Day Schedule

Here are the special schedules for next week:

Wednesday, March 17 - Emergency Drill Practice Special Schedule (Blue Day Schedule)
Period 4 9:15 - 10:05
Period 2 10:20 - 11:30 (Fire Drill) - Students who are remote should log into class at 10:37 AM
Lunch 11:30-12:45
Period 8 12:45 - 1:55 (Fire Drill) - Students who are remote should log into class at 1:02 PM
Period 6 2:10 - 3:00

Thursday, March 18 - 5Essentials Special Schedule (White Day Schedule)
Period 5 8:00 - 8:50
Period 1 9:05 - 10:30 (students will take the 5Essentials at the start of period)
Period 3 10:40 - 11:30 
Lunch 11:30-12:45
Period 9 12:45 - 1:45 
Period 7 2:00 - 3:00 

Here are the special schedules for the week following spring break - please note the hybrid cycle highlighted next to each date with a change:

Monday, March 29 - Blue Day Schedule (Hybrid A (AM), Hybrid B (PM))
Tuesday, March 30 - White Day Schedule (Hybrid A (AM), Hybrid B (PM))
Wednesday, March 31 - Blue Day SPECIAL Schedule (Hybrid B (AM), Hybrid A (PM))
Thursday, April 1 - White Day Schedule (Hybrid B (AM), Hybrid A (PM))
Friday, April 2 - No School, Good Friday

Wednesday, March 31 - Emergency Drill Practice Special Schedule (Blue Day Schedule)
Period 4 9:15 - 10:05 
Period 2 10:20 - 11:30 (Severe Weather Drill)
Lunch 11:30 - 12:45
Period 8 12:45 - 1:55 (Severe Weather Drill)
Period 6 2:10 - 3:00
Student Life
ACTIVITIES

Congratulations Math Team! The HP Mathletes finished their regular season competitions last week. The team took 1st place in the division for the Conference meet and finished in 2nd place for the season (cumulative results)! We have Regionals next week on Tuesday and Thursday night to wrap up the season. For all Activity Achievements, check out our blog!  

The Stage and Screen Choir Concert will feature all of the vocal ensembles from Highland Park High School, as well as solos and duets, performing music from a variety of movies and Broadway musicals, from Annie to Skyfall to La La Land to The Greatest Showman. CLICK HERE to reserve your link.

Please join the PTO Grad Night committee in helping to support end of the year activities for the HPHS Class of 2021, by purchasing Lou Malnati's frozen pizza coupons. Each coupon is good for a frozen 9 inch pizza, varieties vary by location. The cost is $13.00 each. Click here to order. Even though celebrations for our Seniors will look different this year, amazing events are in the works!



ATHLETICS 

More spring sports are beginning. Boys Soccer, Girls Field Hockey and Football are already underway. Girls Volleyball joined the action this week. Next week, Boys Gymnastics and Boys and Girls Water Polo get started. All of these athletes have waited a long time to play the sport they love. We are excited to offer so many opportunities for students to get involved and find a niche. Check out this document for all the offerings.
 
There was a spectator attendance update from the IDPH for OUTDOOR SPORTS. Illinois high schools in regions that have reached Phase 4 can increase spectators from 50 persons to 20% venus capacity. The capacity for INDOOR SPORTS remains at 50 if the location meets guidelines for spectators. ALL SPECTATORS MUST WEAR A MASK AND REMAIN SOCIALLY DISTANT. Head coaches will communicate spectator information at their respective parent meetings.
 
Many of our winter sports conclude this week. We are so proud of how our student-athletes continue to handle the challenges of the 20-21 school year. Our Giants have shown grit and resilience all year.  
 
Just a reminder, this weekly newsletter will now include the latest version of the GIANT Life News (GLN), instead of sending separately to parents/guardians twice a week. Click here to access our website and the most recent GLN links. GIANT Life News contains specific details about student life at HPHS and will continue to be emailed to students twice a week as their main source of HPHS happenings.  
Services and Supports
Quest Food Services will still be making food available over spring break. They will have remote pick up as usual on Monday, March 22 from 9am-12 pm which will provide 7 days of meals. They will not have pick up on Thursday of that week. Also, please remember that there is free breakfast and lunch every day that students are in school that are distributed as they leave for the day (AM and PM).
District News
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Please be on the lookout for a communication from Superintendent Dr. Bruce Law tomorrow about implications from the new guidance on in-person learning for the fourth quarter.