From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn

January 11, 2024

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

1. Please review Happening Next Week, as there are a number of special schedules next week
2. Registration for the 2024-2025 school year starts this month.  For related information look in the Academics section.
3. We are getting excited for the start of Charity Drive 2024.  Read about what’s happening during this month in Activities.

Happy New Year to everyone in our Giant community!  We are back in business at HPHS and a lot is happening,  before, during and after school, this month.  We hope your Giant spirit is in gear and ready to cheer on our students as they begin 2nd semester.  

Next week on Monday, we will not be present at school in memory of and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  In keeping with Dr. King’s message, MLK Day is often referred to as a “day on, not a day off” as it is intended to promote service to others and our community.  To see what is taking place in the City of Highland Park, visit this site. 

Monday, January 15 - No School, MLK Jr Day

Tuesday, January 16 - Special Giant Schedule Day, Extended

Homeroom - Counseling/Registration

Wednesday, January 17 - Blue Schedule Day

Thursday, January 18 - White Schedule Day

Friday, January 19 - Special Giant Schedule Day, Charity Drive 3A/3B Opening Assembly

Course Registration

It is Registration Time! Course Registration for SY 24-25 begins on January 12 and runs through February 16. Please review the Course Registration for SY 2024-2025 website for details regarding course placements, grade level meetings, and individual meetings with counselors. Make sure to review the letter that went out via email on 12/11 which is linked on the website. There will be no changes after February 16, 2024. 

Be reminded, next year we are implementing the DHS schedule at HPHS linked here. While we are still finalizing the start/end times of the school day, students considering taking an early bird class should expect the start time to be earlier than this year.

Study Hall Waiver Form

With the beginning of semester two, students may have seen study hall added to their schedules as well as a change in lunch periods. Parents/guardians have the ability to request a study hall waiver for their student if they have a study hall scheduled at either the beginning or the end of the day. Please complete this form if you would like your student to waiver from study hall.

Seal Of Biliteracy and Commendation Toward Biliteracy

Township High School District 113 students have the opportunity to be recognized by the State of Illinois for earning proficiency in English and one additional language.

• This is a list of the "Approved Assessments" that can be used to qualify.
• This is a list of "Post-Secondary Benefits" for the Seal of Biliteracy. 
• This is a list of "Course Credit for the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy at Public Colleges and Universities in Illinois"
• This is a "Parent Guide" to the Seal of Biliteracy. 
• This is a list of "Frequently Asked Questions".

Two honors are available:

• The Seal of Biliteracy: is awarded to junior and senior students whose proficiency level is equivalent to the Intermediate High scale set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
• The Commendation Toward Biliteracy: is awarded to junior and senior students whose proficiency level is equivalent to the Intermediate Low or Intermediate Mid scale set in a second language.

Spring 2024 "Seal of Biliteracy" testing is available for students who would like to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. To schedule testing, please contact Jeff Handley at jhandley@dist113.org.

Please note, students who take the AAPPL test or an AP Language and Culture exam on their current course of study do not need to schedule additional testing. Scores will be processed and students will be notified in the event that they qualify for either "The Seal of Biliteracy" or "The Commendation Toward Biliteracy" during the Fall or Spring semester.

For those awaiting an ACT/SAT score to qualify, please contact Jeff Handley at jhandley@dist113.org once your score is available. For more information or questions, contact Janel Jacobs at jajacobs@dist113.org. 

FOCUS on the Arts is looking for parent volunteers! Click here to learn learn more about the plans for Focus on the Arts 2025 and how to get involved. 

ACTIVITIES

Charity Drive 2024 is almost here! This year we will be coming together as a Giant community in support of the Cancer Wellness Center. Our opening assembly is scheduled for Friday, January 19 where we will learn more about this exceptional institution and how HPHS can help to promote their mission. 

We always look forward to Charity Drive and all the festivities that take place during the month. The calendar of events is continually being updated, so check it regularly. There is something for everyone, so all students are encouraged to participate and join in on the fun. Long-time favorites like Pie in the Face, Giants Got Talent, 24-Hour Run, Chili Cook-Off and Sports Day are back again this year. Food sales galore will happen throughout the month, so no need to pack a lunch or make dinner. Make sure to check out the Silent Auction and visit the Vintage Pop-Up Shop new this year. Visit HPCharityDrive.org for detailed information and to donate to a wonderful cause. 

Our Giant Life News is a great resource for all Giant information.  Use this link to see the current  and all prior issues.  The Giant Life News is sent via email to students, staff and families each Monday afternoon.  All newsletters are archived on the HPHS website.  

Check out the fun Snowcoming themes and events the week of January 22!

Looking for a way to spend MLK Day? Many HPHS students will be spending this day in service to others. For example, SaLT will be supporting local migrants.

ATHLETICS

The HPHS Athletic Hall of Fame will be welcoming three new inductees. Norm Parker (1960 - wrestling), Josh Wexler (1985 - basketball), and Emily Feldman (2011 - cross country, basketball, soccer) make up the 2023-24 Hall of Fame Class. All three individuals will be recognized at a ceremony on Friday, February 2nd at 5:30 pm in the HPHS student cafeteria and also at the Girls Basketball game that evening.

Our Varsity Girls Basketball Team participated in the Grow the Game Showcase over winter break. The tournament features girls basketball teams coached by women, and all the officials for the tournament are females. Our team and coaches are incredibly proud to represent Highland Park in this event. Our Giants went 1-1 beating Elk Grove and losing to Naperville North.

Boys Varsity Basketball played in the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic over winter break. This 32 team tournament is one of the top events in the state of Illinois. The team lost to state ranked Downer Grove North in game one. Our Giants battled hard throughout the tournament and earned a win against Glenbard East after two close losses to Wheaton North and Andrew.  

Boys Swimming hosted the Don Davis Invitational over winter break. We welcomed swim teams from around the Chicagoland Area to honor the legacy of Don Davis who spent his career teaching and coaching at HPHS.  

Our Boys and Girls Wrestlers were busy over the break competing in multiple events. It was great to put the IM Gym on display when we hosted Kaneland and Crystal Lake South on December 28th. The Boys ended the break on a high note at the Leyden Invite. Dmitry Derbedyenyev won the 165 weight class and was voted wrestler of the meet. Our Girls had a great performance at the Conant Invitational. The Girls went 6-1 as a team. Dana Holt won 3 matches to win her bracket. Riley Moore won her 2 matches to take her bracket and Lexi Rosenthal took 2nd, and earned her first career victory, winning by fall in her 2nd match of the day. 

Our Girls Gymnastics team earned a nice conference win against Niles West on Tuesday. The team has a busy few weeks coming up including Senior Night tonight at 5:30pm against Maine East.

DEANS

Missing a coat, water bottle or book? Our Lost & Found is overflowing with items that have been located throughout the building this past semester. Please visit the Deans’ Office before the end of the month if you are in search of a missing item. On February 1, 2024, we will donate items that have not been claimed.

CATCH (Community Action Together for Children’s Health) is hosting a warm, engaging and informative evening for parents/guardians. 

Turning Your Child's Setbacks into Success

WHO: Michelle Icard, Author, "8 Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success"

WHAT: Turning Your Child's Setbacks Into Success

WHEN: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Northbrook United Methodist Church, 1190 Western Ave. 

WHOM: Appropriate for parents of children of all ages

Michelle will also take questions and sign books to be sold at the event by The Book Bin. Registration is encouraged.

Deerfield Parent Network (DPN)



Thank you to everyone who attended Julie Lythoctt-Haims's presentation, "How to Raise a Successful Kid" on November 30, 2023.. If you attended and would like more information about Julie's one week cleanse, click here. Inspired by Julie's presentation, DPN encourages you to join us the week of January 21-28, 2024 for our Inaugural Community Cleanse. We look forward to working together as a community of parents to reconnect with our kids. After the weeklong cleanse, we invite all participants to meet on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7:30 pm at Rosati's in Bannockburn for our Community Cleanse Conversation. We hope you are motivated to join us in this opportunity to change our parenting narrative!