From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn
Issue 11, March 18,2021
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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
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Check out Tuesday’s family webinar (3-16 Learning Options Webinar on Vimeo) recording here about the 4th Quarter selection process. If you have questions about the upcoming transitions, you will find answers in this slide deck as well.
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While we had two special schedules this week, don’t forget about the change of schedule the week we return from spring break. Different then shared previously, Monday, March 29 will still be a Blue Day BUT it will be remote and synchronous. Details can be found in Happening Next Week.
- Please remember to follow safety guidelines over spring break. Please be sure to quarantine per CDC and IDPH guidelines if you have travelled.
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Message from the Principal |
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Dear GIANT Families
Before we end this week and head into spring break, I feel compelled to acknowledge yet another tragedy in our country. Earlier this week, we were horrified by the news of the killings of eight people in Atlanta, Georgia. These shootings bring into focus a longer history of Anti-Asian practice and policies in America. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric, harassmant and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander persons, families and communities have increased.
We must continue to be united and work together to ensure our learning community is the best it can be. As we venture into the fourth quarter and hopefully have greater physical proximity, we have the opportunity to refocus our energies on learning and standing with and up for each other. Let our HPHS Community be stronger than ever. As always, we are here to work with students, families, and staff - please reach out at any time for conversation and support.
Speaking for myself, rest will be a primary focus over the next week. This is a time to rejuvenate our bodies, minds and souls as we start the last quarter of the 2020-21 school year. In spite of the many challenges we have faced, we have seen remarkable perseverance. I hope you will take a moment to reflect on all that you have learned this year, and return to HPHS ready to continue growing as a GIANT community.
Be well,
Debby Finn
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Remember, our schedule is different when we return from spring break:
Week of 3/29 Schedule (changes highlighted):
Monday - Blue Day Synchronous Remote
Tuesday - White Day - No change in hybrid rotation - Hybrid A - AM, Hybrid B - PM
Wednesday - Blue Day - No change in hybrid rotation - Hybrid A - AM, Hybrid B - PM (special schedule too)
Thursday - White Day - No change in hybrid rotation - Hybrid B - AM, Hybrid A - PM
Friday - No Classes, Good Friday
And, here’s the special schedule for 3/31:
Wednesday, March 31 - Emergency Drill Practice Special Schedule (Blue Day Schedule)
Period 4 9:15 - 10:05
Period 2 10:20 - 11:30 (Severe Weather Drill)
Lunch 11:30 - 12:45
Period 8 12:45 - 1:55 (Severe Weather Drill)
Period 6 2:10 - 3:00
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Students and teachers across Illinois now have the opportunity to participate in the ninth annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, you can share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. You can read more about this survey at this link: UChicago Impact
Additionally, our district has chosen to provide the optional Parent Supplement survey. If at least 20 percent of Highland Park High School parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted in March as well. The HPHS Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted from March 8, 2021 to April 2, 2021. To take the survey please click here and select the appropriate survey to begin.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please click here. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at via email (click here) or at 1-866-440-1874.
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ACTIVITIES
Attention Senior Students & Parents/Guardians: Help us honor your Class of 2021 grad and their past four years as students at Highland Park High School. Please send/email only one school related picture of your child to hpgiants@dist113.org (not your senior class pic). Please list your grad’s name in the subject line. In order for us to accommodate year end planning and celebrations, we are asking that you submit this photo by April 1st. There will be no extensions, so please find your photo and email now. Thank you in advance for helping HPHS create this memory for our students.
We hope to feature every senior with their peers. We must meet a minimum of 250 submissions to create and share. Submit here today (before April 1st).
ATHLETICS
Last week brought the end to a number of our sports. Boys Swimming and Diving, Girls Gymnastics and Boys and Girls Basketball had to navigate a November start, a November pause, December doubt, and then last minute word in January that there would be a season. Thanks to all our athletes and coaches for staying focused on the right things and making the most of the winter season. These programs have a lot about which to be proud.
There will be COVID-19 testing over spring break. Athletes who have practices and competitions over break will be tested on Tuesday, 3/23 and Friday, 3/26 between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Coaches will be communicating testing details to their respective teams in the coming days.
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COVID Testing - Spring Break and Friday, April 2nd at HPHS |
Spring Break Testing Hours
Below are the COVID testing hours during spring break. Please note, students who are on campus during the break (athletics and activities) are still required to be tested twice a week.
Monday - Testing Center is CLOSED
Tuesday - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (open hours)
Wednesday - Testing Center is CLOSED
Thursday - Testing Center is CLOSED
Friday - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (open hours)
Non-attendance day - Friday 04/02/2021
The CDC recommends that individuals traveling receive a COVID-19 test 5-7 days after travel. Therefore, the testing center will have open hours for any individuals (students and staff) that would like to receive a COVID-19 test this Friday (04/02/2021). The testing center will be open from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (open hours).
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COVID Testing - NorthShore |
While SHIELD testing is only for D113 students and staff, we know that others in our community may also be interested in testing. NorthShore is now offering same-day COVID-19 PCR testing to anyone. Please go to northshore.org/immediatecare for more information.
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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.
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It is never too early or too late to check out the postsecondary counseling website for college and career information. New this year are grade level links, updated information about career exploration, paths to the military, newsletter archives, and information about gap year options. Students planning to pursue a 2 yr or 4 yr degree are encouraged to check out the very comprehensive College Planning Handbook. Remember that we post recordings from all programs on the appropriate grade level page under Programs a few days after each event, so if you can’t attend a program please make sure to watch the recording. A Calendar of Postsecondary Programs is also available on the website.
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4Q Learning Preference Reminder |
Please remember to submit your preferences for each student for fourth quarter by 4 p.m. tomorrow, March 19. If you are confused on how to answer the lunch question, please see today's email from Dr. Law.
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