From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn
Issue 15 November 18, 2021
School News You Can Use
THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
  1. Monday and Tuesday next week are Giant Schedule Days and school is closed the remainder of the week for Thanksgiving break - see Happening Next Week for more details.
  2. GrandGIANTs Day registration closes tomorrow, Friday, November 19th. See Activities below for more info.
  3. There won’t be a weekly email during our two days next week - stay tuned the following week (12/2) for the next edition.
Message from the Principal
Next week is Thanksgiving - a time to rest with a few days off of school and a time to reflect on the things for which we feel grateful. This past week we celebrated Giant Week of Gratitude (see below for more details) recognizing all the good fortune we share at HPHS and remembering how important it is to give thanks. My family will sit around the dining room table next Thursday and we’ll be so grateful to be together. I know not everyone is so fortunate, but I am taking this opportunity to express my gratitude to the HPHS student body, their families and our exceptional staff. HPHS is an amazing school because of the people - I am so proud to be a Giant.  
 
Please be aware that due to next week’s schedule, Covid testing will ONLY be available next week on Monday (11/22). Also, please keep in mind that COVID-19 breakthrough cases are real and happening. Please remember to wash your hands, stay your distance, and wear your mask. SHIELD testing is available to all students regardless of vaccination status. Please see our SHIELD website for more information regarding locations, times, and consent that is needed. It is vitally important you stay home when sick. If you have any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, please stay home no matter your vaccination status and get a COVID-19 test. Students with any symptoms will be asked to go to health services.  
Happening Next Week
Monday, November 22 - Giant Day Schedule (Hot Cocoa)

Tuesday, November 23 - Giant Day Schedule 

Wednesday, November 24 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, November 25 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Friday, November 26 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

 
Academics
Our last week of school before winter break is our Final Summative Assessment week. Though the semester does not end until January 14, 2022, we will be having an alternative schedule the week of December 13. Please click here for more information. 
Student Life
GIANT Life News is a weekly newsletter that contains specific details about student life at HPHS and is our main source of HPHS happenings.  CLICK HERE for the latest version. If you are interested in reading about what is happening at HPHS, archives are posted on the school website.  
ATHLETICS 
Congratulations to our Girls Swimming and Diving Program. The team had 6 state qualifiers (Angelina Eliacin, Alex Goldin, Sydney Lewis, Miranda Ludington, Marisa Miller, Kayla Newman).  

Along with our swimmers listed above, the following individuals were IHSA State Qualifiers this Fall: 
  • Alex Finger - Boys Golf
  • Nate Wehner - Boys Cross Country
  • Molly Murphy, Rae Cohen, Sookie Drabla, Cece Batt - Girls Tennis. 

Good luck to our Girls Basketball teams as they begin competitions this week. Boys Basketball, Wrestling and Girls Gymnastics are all preparing for their first contests in the coming days. Boys Swimming and Diving begins practicing on Monday, 11/22. Remember that individuals need to be registered in order to participate. Click here to register.

ACTIVITIES
Our Giant Week of Gratitude will wrap up this week with our final collection for Stuff-A-Bus and a Friendship Photo Booth during lunch periods. Many thanks to every family that was able to contribute something for the Moraine Township Food Pantry this year.  

PTO Elegant Farmer Pie orders will be distributed via drive-thru on Monday, November 22, 7:30 - 9 AM and 2:30 - 4 PM via our HPHS West Parking Lot. You will see PTO members along the library canopy entrance waiting to greet you and deliver your pies. Please follow the signs and the cones.  

GrandGIANTs Day registration closes Friday, November 19th. This event is for members of the Class of 2022 and their VIP GrandGIANTs. We look forward to hosting you!  CLICK HERE to register.

Lights, Camera, STUNTS is this weekend. STUNTS is a student directed original musical. Tickets can be purchased online to attend. Show times include: Friday, November 19, 7 PM and Saturday, November 20, 2 PM & 7 PM. CLICK HERE to place your order. 
District News
The SHIELD testing centers at Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School will be closed on Thursday, November 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Students and staff can test on Monday, November 22 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.