From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn

October 12, 2023

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

1. The City Of Highland Park wants you to know about their Golden Apple Award and encourages nominations.  See Academics below for more information.
2. Club photos and other important information can be found in Activities.
3. Our Giant Athletes have been strong competitors.  Take a look in Athletics to hear all about their achievements

Today I read this message to all students over the PA at the end of period five.  As I shared in my email on Monday, our thoughts are with all those affected by the Israel Hamas war, and we fervently hope for safety and peace during these trying times.  Please remember that support is always available to students in our Drop-In Center (B303) or the counseling office. If you are parents, guardians and/or caregivers looking for resources, please refer to the Anti-Defamation League Website or the San Diego County Office of Education website.

Also, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has provided an excellent resource to support youth affected by the violence in Israel and Gaza.  Some important ways caregivers can help are to reaffirm safety, make time to talk and check-in with your children, acknowledge and normalize feelings, maintain a normal routine, limit and/or monitor exposure to media and social media, keep aware of emotional states, know the signs of more serious trauma reactions, and finally teach and model adaptive coping strategies.  For more detailed information about these steps, please visit the NASP’s Supporting Youth Affected by the Violence in Israel and Gaza: Tips for Families and Educators

Finally, in case you missed it, the district shared this message earlier today with our community regarding additional security precautions for tomorrow, October 13, 2023.

Monday, October 16 -Giant Schedule Day

Tuesday, October 17 - Giant Schedule Day

Wednesday, October 18 - Blue Schedule Day

Thursday, October 19 - White Schedule Day

Friday, October 20 - Giant Schedule Day

The City of Highland Park celebrates educators grades PreK - 12 through their Golden Apple Award. This year they will be honoring a District 112 teacher.  HPHS students fondly speak of their teachers from elementary and middle school and are welcome to nominate a teacher if they would like them to be recognized. Click here for more information and to access the nomination form.  Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, November 16. 

ACTIVITIES

New and Existing Clubs

In our pursuit of enriching student engagement and nurturing a strong sense of belonging, we're starting a new initiative aimed at establishing more extracurricular clubs/activities that elevate the diverse passions and new ideas of our student body.  We extend a warm invitation to all enthusiastic students to inspire and guide their peers in either founding a new club or joining existing ones.  If students would like to create a new club based on an unfulfilled need at our school, please read more about this opportunity here.  If any assistance is needed with the application, please reach out to Dr. Joaquin Stephenson, Student Activities Director (JStephenson@dist113.org). 

Student IDs

Students who did not receive an ID in Homeroom should go to the Attendance Office and have an ID made for the 2023-2024 school year.

Seniors/Class of 2024 - Upcoming dates

• HPHS is offering a last chance opportunity to have a senior portrait taken for the yearbook at HPHS on FRIDAY, October 20, 9 AM - 1 PM.  Students should come to the Giant Conference Room (next to the cafeteria) to have their portrait taken for the yearbook.  The sitting is free.  Use this link to schedule an appointment now.  We do not use student ID pictures for the yearbook. 
• Baby Ads for our yearbook are now on sale!  If you would like to celebrate and commemorate your senior with a baby ad and quote, use this link to upload and submit your photo and well wishes. One ad per family please.  CLICK HERE to see the postcard that will be in your mailbox soon.  The deadline to submit is December 15.

Club Photos

Make sure to check out the date for your CLUB PHOTO DATE. Photos start on 10/18.

It is not too late to purchase your Activity Ticket! An Activity Ticket gets you free entry to football, basketball, student run shows like STUNTS, a 23-24 yearbook and much more (this does not include a homecoming or prom ticket). Please see our website for details.

The Chess Team came out ahead this weekend at the Niles Chess Tournament!

Also this past weekend Hispanos Unidos had a successful and wonderful turn out for their Annual Clean the Beach event.

ATHLETICS

It was an exciting weekend for HP Athletics. Here are some of the highlights:

• HP Girls Tennis captured the CSL North Conference Championship. Good luck to the team at Sectionals this weekend.
• It was an exciting win for the HP Football Giants over Niles West on Friday Night. The final score was 21-17. The team travels to Maine East on Friday Night looking to earn their 5th win of the season.
• Senior golfer Kalin Patel finished in 61st place at the IHSA Class 3A Boys Golf State Finals.

• Girls Varsity Volleyball had a big win over Lake Forest on Saturday at the Lake Forest Tournament. Dunja Savic made the All Tournament Team.
• Boys and Girls Cross Country participated in the prestigious Flight Night Invitational hosted by Loyola Academy. Our Boys team finished in 2nd place overall. Brian Hatoum finished in 3rd place with a time of 15:09.80.
• Our Girls Swim & Dive Program had a great day at Rob Lindgren Jamboree at Prospect High School on Saturday. Brooke Eliacin came in 1st in the 50 free and 1st in the 100 breaststroke, Marisa Miller 6th in the 50 free and 6th in the 100 fly, Brooke Eliacin, Marisa Miller, Emily Fraser, and Megan Kim 3rd in the 200 free relay, 4th in the 400 free relay.
• Our new stadium scoreboard at Wolters Field was unveiled on Friday Night. Thank you to our booster club for helping to make this dream a reality. There are some finishing touches to add, but it is clear the scoreboard will enhance the game experience for athletes and spectators and allow us to be more inclusive of all sports that compete on the stadium field and on the track.

Homeroom @ Home

On Tuesday this week the entire student body experienced our first ALICE drill.  Students and staff engaged in conversation about potential scenarios and practiced deciding whether to stay in their location or evacuate. We are thankful to our Giant family for their seriousness of purpose and sensitivity during the drill.

Today’s homeroom provided an opportunity to learn more about the three different charities who seek to become this year’s Charity Drive recipient.