From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn

October 5, 2023

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

1. HPHS has earned a place on the AP/College Board School Honor Roll - please read all about it in Academics!
2. This Monday, October 9 there is no school and Tuesday, October 10 is a Special Giant Schedule Day.
3. With the weather changing, we want to support students with efficiently entering the building each morning - please see details in Message from the Principal.

Thank you to everyone for making our Homecoming celebrations fantastic! The week was so much fun and the pep rally, football game and the dance were equally spirited and successful.

It’s hard to believe that it’s October already and fall weather is just around the corner.  I am looking forward to the trees changing color and other aspects of the season.  I also want to make sure that our students are well prepared for the colder weather and the upcoming precipitation (of all forms).  We want to remind everyone of behaviors that will help building entry be as efficient as possible so that no one has to wait outside.  Please review the following to make entry through our Weapon Detection System (WDS) as easy as possible.: 

• Students should enter the building with their IDs ready to scan.  
• We recommend that students do not rely on waiting for Infinite Campus to load and that instead use their ID stickers on the back of their chromebooks.  
• If students still need scanning stickers, they should reach out to their homeroom teacher.
• Chromebooks and calculators must be removed before a student goes through the WDS.
• Students should not wait to pull out their chromebooks and calculators.  This should be done prior to scanning so that they are not holding up the line for scanning or processing through the WDS.  
• When walking through the WDS unit, backpack straps must be worn on both shoulders.  We are finding backpacks hanging off one shoulder can cause the system to activate.

Monday, October 9 - No School, Indigenous Peoples day

Tuesday, October 10 - Special Giant Schedule Day (Extended Homeroom ALICE Prep and Drill)

Wednesday, October 11 - Blue Schedule Day

Thursday, October 12 - White Schedule Day

Friday, October 13 - Giant Schedule Day

Congratulations HPHS! Highland Park High School which was named to the 2023 AP School Honor Roll! The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP program is delivering results and broadening access for students. Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition annually based on their ability to increase their school’s college-going culture, to provide opportunities for students to earn college credit, and to maximize college readiness. 

Highland Park High School offers

• Over 20 AP exam subjects
• Over 40 sections of AP classes
• Over 30 qualified AP instructors

HPHS Yearbook would like to share a few dates for everyone’s calendar if needed. We encourage everyone to have a picture in our yearbook. All pictures are taken in the Giant Conference Room (next to the coffee bar).

• Friday, October 20 - Last chance for a senior portrait. Pictures will be taken at HPHS for free! Students generally dress up for this portrait. This picture is the one that appears in the yearbook, we do not use student ID photos.
• Wednesday, November 8 - Make-up and retake picture day for juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.
• Club photos begin October 18 and continue for several Wednesdays. Please use this link to find when your student should attend. Students are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes prior to the picture time. The time listed is when the picture will be taken. 

ACTIVITIES

Homecoming week was a special one this year! Check out the photos of our HP HOCO Week 2023! To stay up to date on events as they are happening feel free to follow up @hphsactivties on Instagram!

ATHLETICS

It was a packed house last Friday night for our Homecoming Football game versus Niles North.  Our Varsity Giants came away with a 30-6 victory.  Thanks to our HPTV students for livestreaming the game and to our student section who brought great energy from start to finish. The team takes on Niles West on Friday at 6:30pm.  Come out to Wolters Field to recognize our senior members of the Football Team and Marching Band.  Senior Night Festivities begin at 5:40pm.

We have a busy weekend of athletic events, including our Boys and Girls Cross Country teams competing in the exciting Flight Night Event hosted by Loyola Academy on Friday.  You can see the entire schedule of events here.  Some of our sports have moved into post season play.   Good luck to HP Golfer Kalin Patel who will be representing our school at the IHSA State Finals in Bloomington, IL this weekend.  Also, good luck to our Girls Tennis team as they compete in the CSL North Conference Tournament on Friday and Saturday. 

Our Boys Soccer Team and Girls Field Hockey team have shown grit and resilience all season long.  It was great to see the Soccer team earn a hard fought win on Senior Night.  Girls Field Hockey Senior Night is on Wednesday, October 11th at Wolters Field.

DEANS

Each year, schools must conduct state required safety drills, including a "law enforcement drill" otherwise known as an active threat drill. Our first active threat drill will occur during the extended homeroom period on Tuesday, October 10, using ALICE (A- Alert, L-lockdown, I-inform, C-Counter, E-Evacuate) protocols. Given that it isn’t possible to predict all emergency situations, teachers will be asked to practice making decisions implementing ALICE protocols given the information provided. If students need additional support, they are encouraged to see their counselor or go to the Drop-In Center. If you anticipate that your student may need additional support during any of the aspects of the drill, please contact your student’s counselor or dean.  Students may also opt-out of this drill by contacting Ms. Brenda Maravilla in counseling (by the  end of the day on Friday 10/6) at either bmaravilla@dist113.org or by phone at 224.765.2040.  

Homeroom @ Home

To prepare for the active threat drill on Tuesday, students viewed a brief video in homeroom today explaining and reviewing the ALICE protocol. Before and after watching, students had the chance to get their nervous systems calm and regulated through some breathwork. This trauma-responsive approach; that is, one focused on what students need to increase calmness in their minds and bodies during times of stress,  will also guide our approach for the drill on Tuesday.

As always, the Family Action Network offers wonderful opportunities for parents, guardians and caregivers.  Click here to learn about upcoming events.

 CATCH Documentary Screening - "Chasing Childhood

Tuesday, October 24th at 7:00 p.m., 

United Methodist Church,

1190 Western Ave., Northbrook

This film is appropriate for parents of kids of all ages. 

Our relentless pursuit of perfection is hurting our children. It is truly more important to prioritize their free play and independence. This is an encore presentation of this award winning film. Bring a friend! 

Discussion to follow with Dr. Lisa Novak, Illuminate Psychological Assessments: REGISTER here