From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn

March 7, 2024

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

1. All Juniors (Class of 2025) will take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) this coming Monday, March 11.  See Academics for details.  
2. Because of the ISA, Monday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 12 are special schedules for all students. 
3. March is Women’s History Month and we are celebrating!

Hello Giant Community

March is National Women’s History Month and we are celebrating the Giant women in our HPHS community. The theme for this year is Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Our annual Girl Up National Women’s Day Symposium is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13. This has always been an inspiring event as incredible women share their stories with our students and staff. All students are welcome to attend, 7:30 - 9:00 AM in the auditorium.  

Tomorrow is Teach Day, a long-standing tradition at HPHS. On this day students work with staff to experience education from a different perspective. I really enjoy walking the building and seeing our students run the school and step into the shoes of an educator or high school employee.  

Finally, we will wrap up next week with our Charity Drive closing ceremony. Students and staff are invited to celebrate a month of our community coming together in support of the Cancer Wellness Center. The festivities will begin at 7:45 am in the student cafeteria.  

It is going to be a Giant week!

Monday, March 11 - Special schedule (ISA for juniors, afternoon classes for everyone - EB, 7, 8)

Tuesday, March 12 - Special schedule (Periods 1 -6 for everyone, plus extended homeroom)

Wednesday, March 13 - Blue Schedule Day

Thursday, March 14 - White Schedule Day

Friday, March 15 - Giant Schedule Day

ACADEMICS

This past Tuesday, we partnered with Endeavor Health (Highland Park Hospital) for a career education day. Staff from Endeavor shared their current positions in the healthcare industry as well as their pathways to their jobs.  The students were incredibly attentive, respectful and curious as they asked meaningful questions of the panel.   As was shared in the letter regarding this day last week, we will be providing information about potential internship experiences with Endeavor in the near future.

On 3/2, as an extension of the Rumbo a la Universidad Spanish-speaking parents series held each February, 46 people (students and parents) attended a visit to the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater where we had a tour and admissions presentation in Spanish.

ACTIVITIES

Seven HPHS debaters competed at the National Speech and Debate Association's Northern Illinois District Tournament, where two invitations to this summer's NSDA National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa were up for grabs.

The Giants had a superb day! By taking 1st place and 2nd place, junior Jim Shivak and freshman Callie Wu qualified for spots in the national House of Representatives. In addition, junior Kobi Silver and sophomore Rennie Smoler were named national alternates as a result of their 3rd and 4th place finishes.

Please congratulate these Giants for another outstanding job on the debate floor!

Takeout Tuesday helps support AfterProm!

Takeout Tuesday is a staple in a busy household, right? This Tuesday, March 12, 5-9 PM, Dine & Donate to HPHS AfterProm with takeout from Alex’s Washington Gardens. AfterProm is a free, fun, substance-free event for seniors who want to keep the party going after Prom. The event remains free thanks to the donations of parents, community members, and local businesses like Alex's Washington Gardens. Remember to mention AfterProm when you order! Takeout orders only.

Place orders online @ alexswashingtongardens.com or call (847) 432-0309 and mention HP AfterProm. *TAKEOUT ORDERS ONLY*

ATHLETICS

Our Spring Sports Parent/Athlete Meeting will be Wednesday, 3/13 at 7:00 pm in the HPHS Auditorium. After the event, the presentation slides will be posted on the HPHS website for the families that could not attend. Some of our programs will also be holding their program breakout meeting that same night. Coaches will be communicating that information with families in the coming days if they have not already.

Click here to see the upcoming events for our HPHS Athletic Teams. Best of luck to our teams starting their competitions this week.

Our Girls' Track & Field Team had a great day last Saturday at an invitational at Lakes Community High School. Highlights included Emma Sitati - 4th in the Triple Jump, Mori Oliver - 2nd in the Long Jump, and Grace Welhouse - 3rd in the 60m high hurdles.

This spring, the Ride 360 app that Township High School District 113 uses to provide our families with student transportation information will be retired as of May 1, 2024. An updated app will now be available to all users called My Ride K-12.  

My Ride K-12 is currently in the Apple and Android app stores. You will need to download the new app to access updated transportation information for your student(s). Usernames and passwords from Ride 360 will carry over into My Ride K-12. Additionally, you can use your existing log-in information to access a web version of My Ride K-12 at myridek12.tylerapp.com. 

If you have not already done so, please download the application as it will continue to be used by our transportation department to share student route assignments and send out notifications as needed. Here is a link for directions on how to register and download the My K-12 app: My K-12 App Registration Directions

Questions can be directed to the THSD 113 Transportation Department.