|
|
Highland Park High School
Principal's Weekly Update
November 23, 2020. Issue 14
|
|
Dear Giant Families,
This time of year helps me pause and realize how grateful I am for the entire HPHS community. Our students amaze me with their dedication, energy, and commitment to remote learning. Our staff continue to offer outstanding instruction even as they continue to build and revise remote curriculum as it is happening. Parents and guardians continue to support their students in every way possible. This is also a time to remember the little things in life that can bring joy, like a sunny, balmy November day, a great cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream, a package on the front stoop or a walk in the park. As it has been said, take time to smell the roses, especially during this pandemic. Wishing you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving break and hoping you will join me in following the guidance of the IDPH and CDC so we can be back together soon.
|
|
SCHEDULE AND COMMUNITY DAY UPDATE
We only have classes this week on Monday 11/23 (Blue Schedule) and Tuesday 11/24 (White Schedule). School is closed Wednesday 11/25 through Friday 11/27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
As you are aware, the District has transitioned to remote learning only, as of this past, Friday, November 20. This transition means that, until further notice, we will not be able to offer any in-person services at the school, such as classes meeting on-campus, the Lyceum, activities, or athletics. With that said, since we will not be able to have students come to campus for in-person opportunities, we will be postponing our upcoming Community Days until further notice.
The two Community Days were planned for Monday, November 30 and Monday, December 7. Instead of hosting these Community Days, we will transition back to general remote Giant Schedule days, as long as we are in remote learning only. As we transition back to general, remote Giant days, students will be required to attend each of their classes, either asynchronously or synchronously - as determined by the teacher. To be clear, some teachers may still choose to have asynchronous days with office hours. Teachers will update their students with their plans for these days, just like they do for regular remote school days. Please be aware that teachers will take attendance.
Please note the following about 11/30 and 12/7:
- Students already slated to attend an approved virtual meeting that conflicts with a synchronous class will be allowed to miss the necessary portion of that class and adequate time to make up the work.
- Students who need extra support in any given class may be expected to attend that class(es) even if the class is meeting asynchronously. For this as well, teachers will share expectations with students with adequate advance notice.
|
|
CELEBRATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
We had an amazing Blue Carpet Tour Day for our Freshman Class of 2024 (check out the pictures)!
|
Our Jazz Concert was also tremendous due to the outstanding talent of our HPHS students! |
The HPHS Congressional Debate Team finishes 2nd in last weekend's tournament! CLICK HERE to read more about their success!
Immigrant Voices classes welcomed Lia Kim-Yi, the Director of Immigration Law Services at the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic to their virtual sessions. Students prepared questions for Lia based on The Book of Unknown Americans (which they just finished reading) and their own experiences, and engaged in a rich discussion about challenging single stories of immigrants by learning all about immigration law, sharing personal experiences, and relating it all to not just the characters in the book, but our current world. Students learned about the visa process - work visas, student visas, U visas, and about status in the U.S., about DACA; about citizenship, and so much more. Thank you to teachers Melissa Cyrwus and Elizabeth Perlman for providing this very meaningful opportunity for our students.
|
ATHLETICS
Our state moved to Tier 3 COVID-19 mitigation measures on Friday, November 20th. These new restrictions, meant to help slow the state’s ongoing spike in COVID-19 cases, prohibit all group sporting activities. As a result, all athletic opportunities are on pause until further notice. We are hopeful this is a temporary setback. Our coaches are committed to doing everything we can to support our athletes during this time. While we wait for a December update from the IHSA, we encourage everyone to do their part in remaining safe.
|
The Moraine Township Food Pantry is in desperate need of brown paper grocery bags with handles. They are going through 1000 a month. The bags can be dropped off in the blue bin in front of the pantry. If you know of a family in need, please share this flyer with them.
|
With Giant Pride and Gratitude,
Debby Finn
|
Highland Park High School 2020-21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
