David Gibek

Carter Langston

H-F is proud to announce that two members of its senior class — David Gibek and Carter Langston — have been named semifinalists in the 67th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program! They are two of approximately 16,000 students across the U.S. to receive this honor from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The H-F International Baccalaureate students — who are both interested in studying engineering in college — now have an opportunity to continue in the NMSC competition for some 7,500 scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered in the spring. 

High school juniors across the country entered the competition by taking the 2020 PSAT/NMSQT exam last fall. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. To move on to the finalist level, David and Carter must submit a detailed scholarship application — with help from H-F — in which they will provide information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. About 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level, and they will be notified of the designation in February 2022. Learn more at this website, and congratulations to these talented seniors!

HBCU Exploration Night: Sept. 29

Juniors & seniors, join Mrs. Leverson from the Guidance Office in the Mall Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, for the annual Historically Black Colleges & Universities Exploration Night at H-F! Represented colleges will include:

• Florida A&M University
• Howard University
• Kentucky State University
• Morehouse College
• Morgan State University
• Spelman College
• Tennessee State University

Please note: Attendance is limited. Registration is required — click here to sign up. Student must arrive with parent/guardian if they register with one. Masks will be required. Questions? Contact Mrs. Leverson at 708-335-5623, [email protected].

H-F's Annual College Night:

Monday, Oct. 18

Mark your calendars now for H-F's annual College Night, which will feature approximately 200 colleges and universities in the Fieldhouse! The event is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 18; this year there will be two separate attendance time blocks and pre-registration may be required.

Please stay tuned to your H-F FYI for complete details or contact Mr. Kain, College Consultant, at 708-335-5615, [email protected].

Juniors: Sign Up for October PSAT by Friday, Sept. 24

The previously scheduled All- School Test Day — Wednesday, Oct. 13 — has been changed to a regular school day at H-F. Traditionally on this day juniors would take the PSAT/NMSQT Exam (also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). This exam will now be given on a volunteer basis in October. There is no penalty for juniors who do not take the PSAT/NMSQT this October. However, the H-F Assessment Office strongly encourages all juniors to continue with their test prep for the spring SAT, utilizing the online guide developed through Khan Academy. Students will also continue to receive regular SAT prep throughout their regular course work at H-F. Additionally, Assessment staff will be using Viking Compass classes to deliver more specific prep and coaching throughout the year.

Juniors, to sign up to take the optional PSAT/NMSQT in October:

1. Log into your H-F student Gmail account.

2. Follow the link https://rb.gy/t9yfn1 

3. Complete the survey and click the "Submit" button by Friday, Sept. 24.

Questions? Please contact Ms. Bucci at 708-335-5584 or [email protected].

Register now for Little Vikings Preschool

Do you have a Little Viking in your home or on your block? Tell them about H-F's Little Vikings Preschool, offered both semesters this school year for ages 3-5 in the North Building from Oct. 19-May 17. Class will be offered most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:50-11:20 a.m. Children must be 3 years of age by Sept. 1, 2021, and they must be toilet trained. Fee is $360 for the year ($180/semester), and it includes the child's daily supplies, snack, special occasion crafts/celebrations and a t-shirt.

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Pesha at 708-799-3000, ext. 5773 or [email protected].

Fieldhouse Weight Room now open for students

H-F students can again use the Fieldhouse Weight Room for exercise and strength training before and after school!

The schedule through Oct. 29 is:

• Mondays & Wednesdays from 6-7:15 a.m. and 3:15-4:15 p.m. (Closed Oct. 13)
• Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m.

Please note the following:

• Students are responsible for their own transportation to school for the morning session (6-7:15 a.m.). Students have to check in with the Fieldhouse Weight Room Supervisor by 6:15 a.m.  

• For the afternoon session (3:15-4:15 p.m.), students have to check in with the Fieldhouse Weight Room Supervisor by 3:15 p.m. Students may utilize the 4 p.m. Activity Bus after the session with a pass given be request from the supervisor. Students must leave campus by 4:30 p.m.  

• Students are required to bring their own, labeled water bottle.

• Masks are required and appropriate social distancing is expected.  

• Participants will follow the proper weight training techniques as instructed by the Weight Room Supervisors.

• At the conclusion of the session, students are expected to return the weights to the weight racks.

• Beginning with the winter season in November, students will have to register on HF.8to18.com before utilizing the Weight Room.

Questions? Please contact Ms. Smith at 708-335-5525, [email protected].

STUDENTS, interested in attending the 6 p.m. Oct. 1 H-F Football game vs. Bolingbrook? The Student Section registration is now open at HF.8to18.com! All students in good standing will be able to attend the game; registration will be open until we reach maximum capacity. Reserve your seat today! We look forward to seeing you at the game. Note: Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

OTHER VIKING FANS

• JUNIOR HIGH BAND, CHEER BUDDIES, JUNIOR VIKINGS & KINGS FOOTBALL FAMILIES: Oct. 1 is Youth Night! Families of junior high band, cheer & football teams are invited to purchase pre-sale tickets at the Campus Store — located in the South Building Cafeteria — from 4-6 p.m. Sept. 28 & 29. Due to facility capacity and the size of the event, families will be limited to two tickets. Tickets are $5. Note: Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

• GENERAL PUBLIC: There are a limited number of tickets available to the general public. These general admission tickets must be purchased in advance by adults only via the Campus Store from 4-6 p.m. Sept. 28 & 29. Tickets are $5. General admission tickets can be used by H-F students as long as they enter the game with an adult and show their student ID. Note: Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

• FAMILIES of our Varsity Football, Varsity Cheer, Varsity Dance, Marching Band and Athletic Trainers will use the Family Pass that was distributed last week for the remaining regular season home games. Families must enter together at the gate.

Spectator Notes: If you are having any symptoms of COVID-19, please choose to stay home and watch the game online. No outside food or drinks will be permitted in the stadium. Please sit socially distanced in the bleachers and exit the stadium immediately after the event.

Questions about football tickets? Please contact the Athletics Office at 708-335-5003, [email protected].

COVID-19 Dashboard & Reporting Form

Vikings: Thank you for doing your part to keep our school safe by properly wearing a mask indoors, watching your distance and washing your hands frequently. Most importantly, thank you for staying home when you are feeling ill.

Parents & guardians: Please remember to complete the D233 COVID Family Reporting Form to report positive COVID-19 cases in your household, close-contact COVID-19 exposures and if your student is experiencing suspected COVID-19 symptoms. The form is available by clicking here... A Student COVID Flow Chart is shown below to help guide you this year.

Also, remember that you can track COVID-19 cases and quarantines at H-F, as well as see community data at the D233 COVID-19 Dashboard — click here...

Four U.S. Veterans — including three who served in World War II — visited campus last Wednesday, while on their way to a flag presentation at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club in Homewood. The four men — Berry Milliken, Bob Stetins, Jerry Vankus and Leo Wolfson (age 103!) — are currently residents at Sunrise Village in Olympia Fields. They were greeted by administrators and were treated to a performance by the H-F Marching Band as they drove through our front drive in vintage military vehicles. More local veterans came out to Friday night's H-F football game vs. Lockport, as the H-F Marching Band presented a Salute to Service during halftime.

Twenty-two Vikings initiated into Tri-M Music Honor Society

The H-F Music Department held its annual Tri-M Music Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Students who are selected for membership in this group exemplify the highest standards of music performance, scholarship, leadership, cooperation, character and service. The ceremony was led by Tri-M President Ellie Wojcikowski and Tri-M Vice President Destiny Turner; at H-F, Tri-M is sponsored by Mr. Sifner, Fine Arts teacher. Congratulations to the 22 new members of the H-F chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society:

Anna Arrivo • Ayiana Bymun • Avery Calhoon • Celeste Carrillo

Moises Contreras • Sha’Mya Cosby • Alex Ekstrom • Anly Flores

Naomi Fry • Charlotte Holly • Georgia Holt • Patience Jones

Taylor Leslie • Bradley Levant • Kamrie Lofton • Kaylin Matthews

Kaleel Morris • Sofia Searcy • Taleah Spurling • Cameron Thomas • Faye Wettstein

Kaylen Williams

Note: Oct. 13 is no longer All-School Test Day.

Please click here for the revised 21-22 At-a-Glance Calendar.

Note: Only home games & playoffs are shown below. For complete athletic schedules, click here...

Did you know that H-F sends out dedicated emails prior to every regular District 233 Board of Education meeting? Update your "H-F FYI" subscription by clicking here and add "District 233 Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting Preview" to your list of requested messages from our school. Thank you!