From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn
Issue 17, May 6, 2021
School News You Can Use
THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
  1. Class of 2021 Updates: We are looking forward to our Seniors last day on Monday, May 17, 2021. Click here for the SCHEDULE for that day. More information coming from the PTO soon.
  2. Here is for information about Graduation. Here is the letter from Principal Finn in case you missed it.
  3. Also, please look ahead and read this information about Book Buy Back.
Message from the Principal

Unbelievably, May is here and we are quickly coming to the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Though this year has been challenging, I am looking forward to supporting our students and staff through these last few weeks of learning and to celebrating our students these coming weeks. There is still a lot happening at HPHS, including celebrations of our fabulous Class of 2021! Please keep checking your email for updates as we wrap up this school year.

Thank you to all that helped to make our vaccination clinic run smoothly. And to those who participated, thank you for being part of the solution. We are getting closer to a more normal way of life and coming together as a school community. Don’t forget the second round of vaccines is scheduled for May 21 and May 24. If you attended the first clinic, you are scheduled for the same day (Friday or Monday) and time for round two.

Finally, this past week was Staff Appreciation Week. I am sure you will agree the staff at HPHS are amazing! It is never too late to send a quick email or note to say thank you - especially this year. As a teacher for 25+ years, I can tell you I have saved every message received from a student/parent/guardian that I keep in a folder to refer back to when I need a little pick-me-up. Your kind words mean so much! 
Happening Next Week

Monday, May 10 - Remote, Asynchronous Giant Day Schedule
Tuesday, May 11 - White Day Schedule 
Wednesday, May 12- Blue Day Schedule 
Thursday, May 13 - White Day Schedule 
Friday, May 14 - Blue Day Schedule
Academics
What to Expect the Final Week of School May 24-28
As we did first semester, the final week of the second semester/school is not a traditional final exam week. Rather we will have a Blue/White schedule (Friday’s Blue Day Schedule will be on Monday) allowing for teachers to meet with each class twice during the week (see below).   
During this final week (and those that precede it) teachers may be flexible with how they both assess and support students. During the final week of the semester, each teacher will still meet with students during each of their designated periods. Some teachers may give a traditional test or have a final assessment (paper, project, presentation, etc.). Teachers may use these class periods to assess students, teach a final lesson, or connect with the class as a whole, in small groups, or with individual students. If they have not already, teachers will inform students of the plans for their final class of the semester next week.
Schedule for the week of May 24:
Monday, May 24 - Synchronous, Remote Blue Schedule (and Student Vaccine Clinic)
Tuesday, May 25 - In-Person White Schedule
Wednesday, May 26 - In-Person Blue Schedule
Thursday, May 27 - In-Person White Schedule
Friday, May 28 - Final Staff Meeting, Remote/Individual Student Meetings 

Transportation: A bus schedule for Blue/White days will run as usual, however it will include busing on Monday. 
Student Life
ACTIVITIES

Senior Sendoff
Senior Sendoff Information has been emailed, texted, posted on Facebook and now is a part of the graduation materials linked here. Remote learners are invited to attend on this day and must pre-register to attend. Students attending on this day do not need to Covid test unless also attending Prom.  

Activities/Clubs Leadership
Calling all rising leaders in activities/clubs! We need your help in preparing for the 21-22 school year and for the Class of 2025! Students should speak with their sponsor(s) about submitting a video invite to their club! HPHS Student Activities will put together a site featuring each club and share this info with all members of the HPHS community! We will be waiting to see your creativity!   
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
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Our Highland Park Counseling Department is excited to be visiting PE classes the first week of May to deliver another activity from our series of SEL lessons. We encourage students and families to visit our DIY WELLNESS PAGE as there are a number of wonderful resources. Finally, if you didn’t get a chance to view our COUNSELING NEWSLETTER Q4 from last week, please take a look to see the exciting things happening in counseling, and also view the section on Metal Health Awareness.
District News
Vaccine Clinic for All District 113 Students
In anticipation of FDA EUA approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12-15, District 113 will be offering a vaccine clinic in partnership with Walgreens. Please see today's email from Dr. Law for more details.
Your Feedback Requested ~ Parent/Guardian Survey
Please watch your email early next week for a link to participate in a parent/guardian survey. Your feedback is important as we continually try to improve community engagement with our stakeholders.