From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn

December 14, 2023

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

1. First semester of the 2023-2024 school year is over and there is no school tomorrow, Friday, December 22, 2023.
2. Winter break is December 25, 2023 through January 5, 2024.  School resumes after winter break for students on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
3. Please have your student check their schedule in Infinite Campus before Tuesday, January 9 for any changes including study hall and lunch periods.  If a student has  a study hall in their schedule, they must report to one of these locations and scan in:  A343 (silent study), Library (all resources), TLC, Testing Center, CRC. 

The last week of the semester brings up a lot of emotions-excitement, stress, pride, exhaustion, etc. But what I saw in the hallways consistently this week were staff and students celebrating a successful term. I was able to join a celebration in an academic resource center (The Village) after final exams on Wednesday. Sixty students and twenty staff members came together to celebrate hard work and personal and academic growth. In one moment, students surprised a staff member with a birthday song and I was filled with joy as I witnessed this demonstration of love and appreciation. This week was filled with so many staff members stopping by to celebrate student successes and growth and to see students demonstrating appreciation right back reminds me of living our GIANT values.  

From my HPHS home to yours, wishing you and your family a restful, fun-filled holiday and a healthy, happy new year!

Second Semester First Week Back 2024

Monday, January 8 - No School, Teacher In-Service Day

Tuesday, January 9 - Classes Resume, Giant Day Schedule

Wednesday, January 10 - Blue Schedule Day

Thursday, January 11 - White Schedule Day



Friday, January 12 - Giant Schedule Day

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT MAKE-UPS

If your student missed a summative assessment during the week of December 18, 2023 they can attend a make-up session after winter break.  As soon as they return, students should discuss with their teachers when they will attend a make-up assessment session.  Make-up sessions will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (1/9 - 1/11) from 3:15 - 5:15 in room A342.

COURSE REGISTRATION

You should have received a letter the week before last from the counseling department with more information on the process. A follow-up message will be sent on January 9.  Please see the course registration website for more details.

ACTIVITIES

Thank you to Maria Barnhill and the talented MadCap carolers for bringing holiday cheer to those dining out in Highwood on Saturday. It may have been a little rainy, but there was beautiful music in the air. Our student singers were terrific and we are grateful for all of the families who came out to support.

Lindsey Choy and Joseph Brysiewicz would like to congratulate the 2023-24 Highland Park High School Model UN team and team presidents Ella Bernstein, Emma Eisenberg, Miles Provus for their hard work and second place (Outstanding Delegation) finish at last weekend’s twentieth annual Chicago International Model United Nations (CIMUN XX) Conference. This was Highland Park’s return year to the CIMUN conference after five years away. Our team faced tough competition against 800 top delegates from across the Midwest, the nation, and countries from around the world. At all times, HPHS Model UN students dedicated themselves to exhaustive research, spirited and gracious competition, and deep appreciation for the nuances of international relations. These amazing students continue to set the standard for Model UN both regionally and nationally.

ATHLETICS



Need to do some last minute shopping for your friends and family members for the holiday season?  Click here to purchase your spirit wear and support the Giants Club.  

Team and individual portraits from Winter Sports picture day are now available to view and order online.  To order photos from your picture day:

1. Go to: https://www.vipis.com/group/6ca666a5/highland-park-high-school
2. Select "View now" on the green Sports Team & Individual tile
3. Enter your information in the search fields
4. Select the school year (July 1st to June 30th) during which your photos were taken and click "search"
5. Follow the instructions to select your package or products and choose your background for your individual photos if applicable
6. You will receive a confirmation email

If you can't find your team, it may have been photographed at a later date.  You will receive another email when new images are posted, or you can check back in a few days.

Highlights

Congratulations to diver Noam Kulbak.  Noam set a HPHS pool and school record last Friday night.  He followed that up with another great performance at the Lake County Invitational on Saturday, setting a pool record at Libertyville.  Congratulations to Noam!

Girls Gymnastics had a nice win on Friday night against Niles North.  Amelie Gerber and Maddyn Cohen led the Giants to victory with strong performances.

Congratulations to Dmitry Derbedyenyev who had a great week of wrestling.  Dmitry was a state qualifier last year and hopes to make it to Champaign again this year.

Our new Girls Wrestling Program continues to make strides.  Shout out to Kaleb Carter, Steve Moore and our entire wrestling coaching staff for their vision and leadership.