From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn
Issue 1 January 7, 2021
School News You Can Use
THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

  1. Upcoming Schedule for week of Jan. 25, 2021
  2. January 11 GIANT Community Day
  3. Semester 2 Attendance Selections via Infinite Campus coming Monday, January 11
Message from the Principal
In case you missed Monday’s announcement, this issue unveils our new format and delivery day, arriving each Thursday afternoon to provide you with enough time to plan for the week ahead. At the top of each issue is a short list of the most important things you need to know for the coming week in “School News You Can Use.” Note that the information from this section, a link to this issue, along with a link to the archives of all previous issues, can now be found on the HPHS homepage just under the photo gallery. 

I hope you enjoy the new format and delivery day, and that both help make life a little easier.

Principal Debby Finn
Happening Next Week
Monday, January 11
GIANT Community Day
Tuesday, January 12
White Day Schedule
Wednesday, January 13 
 Blue Day Schedule
Thursday, January 14 
White Day Schedule
Friday, January 15 
Blue Day Schedule
Academics
GIANT COMMUNITY DAYS
For our January 11 Community Day, we will have a nine-period schedule with teachers offering asynchronous lessons. 
Here’s some additional information:
  • Some teachers will elect to offer optional synchronous activities. 
  • If a student needs support to work on first-semester incomplete work or is struggling with the beginning of a second-semester class, they may be required to attend classes/office hours on this day. 
  • Virtual services on this date will include the Drop-In Center and remote teacher and staff office hours.
  • Additional virtual opportunities will be shared with students as they become available.

More information will be coming soon about upcoming GIANT Community Days. Our plan for these days will be determined by the state of the pandemic and the official tier in which we are in at any given time. We look forward to offering diverse opportunities for students to come together with staff both online and in person.
FINAL WEEK IN JANUARY SCHEDULE
Monday, January 25 White Day Schedule
Tuesday, January 26 Asynchronous Giant Day Schedule & PSAT (Juniors)
Wednesday, January 27 Blue Day Schedule
Thursday, January 28 White Day Schedule
Friday, January 29 Blue Day Schedule
Student Life
RECOGNIZING SENIORS
We will be recognizing our Seniors - Class of 2021 for the remainder of the year on the 21st of each month. Check out this flyer and stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.
Seniors - Class of 2021!  
  • Make sure you have completed diploma name verification and cap/gown size reservation for graduation! Use the Graduation 2021 link to verify your information.    
  • The yearbook baby ad submission deadline has been extended until January 8th. Please use the link to purchase your ad and submit a photo. This purchase is optional.
YEARBOOK
Yearbook purchases have been extended until January 8th. If you have yet to make a purchase, please do so via Infinite Campus. CLICK HERE to access the purchase link. 

CHARITY DRIVE
Charity Drive 2021 begins January 19th. HPHS will be raising funds for Saving Tiny Hearts! Check out our website in the next couple of weeks to see how you can donate or participate in one of the many virtual events!
  
  • Students wishing to participate/perform in HP Idol, Poetry Night, and/or Comedy Night should submit their virtual entry by January 11th. https://flipgrid.com/charitydrive21  Links to these events will be posted soon!  
  • HPHS Charity Drive is still looking for silent auction items. Please use the link above to submit your donation.

Don’t forget to check out GIANT LIFE NEWS or HPTV for the latest information about HPHS. Both are emailed and/or texted to students multiple times each week.

ATHLETICS
As of January 4, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health has made no changes to its COVID-19 mitigations tier status. IHSA sports remain on pause as a result. The IHSA is scheduled to meet again as a Board on January 13th and the Governor has indicated that beginning January 15th any region meeting IDPH metrics may move out of Tier 3. We are keeping our fingers crossed that our region meets those guidelines. HPHS will continue to post any new information on the Athletics Homepage.
Services and Supports
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HPHS Counseling Department

HPHS Counseling Department is available to assist students with academic, social/emotional, and post-secondary counseling. Please visit the Counseling page and select Meet our Staff for contact information.  

The Learning Center is open and available daily if you need help with any of your classes.  CLICK HERE to find out how to connect with a peer tutor today!

Drop-In Center is open for students who are feeling out of sorts, need to process how they are feeling or just want a trusted adult to talk to. The Drop-In Center is a safe, friendly, comfortable, informal environment available to all Highland Park High School students. Visit the Drop-In Center site for more information.
District News
Coming to Parent/Guardian Inboxes Monday, January 11
Infinite Campus Portal Opens for Changes to Semester 2 Selections

Please watch your email on Monday for a notification that the Selection Form has opened in the Infinite Campus portal.
Parents will receive an email for each student. The email will contain a confirmation of the selection you made in November. No action is required for parents who wish to continue with the selection made in November. Regardless of the option selected, students’ schedules and teachers will not change. Change requests must be completed by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19. Click here for more information. Questions? Email Semester2@dist113.org.

Wishing you and your family much happiness in 2021,
Debby Finn