Highcrest Middle School Parent Teacher Orgnaization

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HMS Student Variety and Talent Show 2023

HMS Student Variety and Talent Show – Buy your tickets!

Tickets are on sale for the HMS – “Show Us What You Got” Student Variety and Talent Show on Friday, March 17 at 5:30pm!

We have an amazing lineup of acts from 5th and 6th students including dance, music, comedy and more! Come on out to support these courageous students. The show is sponsored by the HMS PTO and organized by parent volunteers.

The show will be held on the big stage in the auditorium at Wilmette Junior High School. Why this location? Because the venue is twice the size of HMS! Tickets are $5 online in advance or $7 at the door (cash only). Ticket sales are open to students, parents, friends and family. So grab your tickets now!

Purchase your tickets

Questions? Please email varietyshow@highcrestpto.org.

Highcrest Lunch Schedule

This year we will be back to having all students eat in the cafeteria for lunch! Fifth graders will eat during 4th period (11:20 – 12:00) and sixth graders will eat during 5th period (12:03 – 12:43).

What’s for lunch?

All students may purchase a lunch daily, and the lunch menu will be available online monthly on our HMS website. To start the year students will be learning lunch processes, how to go through the lunch line, and how to purchase items.

Lunches will be limited to one option to start the year, and as we continue through the year, we are hopeful we will be able to add our a la carte line and additional options for lunch.

Students are always welcome to bring a lunch from home.

To add money to your child’s lunch account and for more information about lunch in District 39, please see the instructions HERE. Cost for lunch is $3.75.

Spring After School Clubs

Aces Debate Club – Registration opens on 4/5 at 9am!

Where you’ll learn to think fast and speak well! Learn research, writing, and oral argumentation. Programs for beginning and experienced debaters, 5th thru 8th grade! All programs consist of weekly class sessions held at HMS for 60 minutes with supplemental debate activities. All programs conclude with a 2-hour session to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their new skills in full debates.

  • Club dates/times: 8 Week Spring Session begins April 13th – Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm (Advanced Debate), Fridays 3:45-4:45pm (Intro to Debate)
  • Location/room number: 109-111
  • Club fee: $275
  • Register here (opens on April 5th at 9am)

Chess-Ed – Registration opens on 3/17 at 9am!

Chess-Ed will continue to provide this unique, exciting and dynamic chess instruction which lifts each student to a new level of expertise. Each week students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play classmates. Students will grow their knowledge of the game – from the basics through opening theory, middle game tactics and end game combinations. Students’ vocabulary and math skills will continue to advance.

Studies confirm that the student who plays chess does better academically. Playing chess increases IQ performance, improves memory, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving, responsibility, sportsmanship, social skills and more. The chess program is open to all students in all grades and of all playing levels. JOIN TODAY!

  • Club dates/times: 10 Week Spring Session begins April 6; Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm
  • Club fee: Early bird registration (prior to 3/23): $170; On time registration (prior to 3/30): $180; Late registration (4/1-4/21): $200
  • Register here
  • Other: Chess-Ed. does not pro-rate classes. Questions? Please contact info@chess-ed.com and include Highcrest in the subject line. A full refund, less a $20 administrative fee, guaranteed if notified before the third class. Contact Chess-Ed directly at info@chess-ed.com.

High School Musical 2 Jr. – Registration opens on 3/17 at 9am!!

What Time is It?! Join Skyline Studios, Highcrest School, and the East High crew for a fun filled spring session! You can be the basketball player, brainiac, or drama queen. Get ready to sing, dance and act in the scene. Sign up now and Get’cha Head in the Game. It’s going to be Fabulous — You can Bet on It!

  • Club dates/times: Wednesdays 3:45-5:45; First Class: April 5; Last Class/Performance: June 7
  • Directed by Ms. Heidi
  • Club Fee: $365
  • Register here

Environmental Awareness

It’s April and that means it’s Earth month!  The Highcrest PTO Environmental Awareness Committee suspects that you are doing a great job reducing plastic, but if you’ve still got some plastic bags, good news.. you can now upcycle them in our lobby! Simply review the types of bags being collected in the attached list and you or your child can drop off CLEAN bags in the box in the Highcrest lobby.  We will be collecting these clean plastic bags through the end of the school year.  Thanks for helping keep the environment beautiful for our students, families and communities!  Click here to for more details.

Teacher/staff Appreciation

During the week of May 6th- 10th, the PTO has planned some wonderful events for our hardworking teachers and staff at HMS. We need your help! Please consider donating something from the list that they could enjoy to show our appreciation for their dedication to our kids.  Thank you in advance!  Click here to view the SUG.

PASS39

Please join PASS39 parents for a special evening education event “Light on Anxiety” followed by a parents’ night out at Fred’s Garage in Winnetka on Monday, April 29th. The parent education presentation will be from 7-8:30 pm at the Mikaelian Education Center (615 Locust Road, Wilmette).  The parents’ night out will begin at approximately 8:30 pm at Fred’s Garage.  Click here for more details.

Variety Show

Are you a fan of America’s Got Talent? Do you dream of winning a Tony? Well, the PTO has the opportunity for you. We’re looking for parent volunteers to chair the spring Variety Show. This student talent show has auditions and rehearsals in April and an after school show in early May.

If interested, please contact Peggy Prescott at studentprograms@highcrestpto.org.

Teacher/Staff Appreciation

Please help us stock the teachers lounge during parent teacher conferences. The teachers and staff have long days during conferences and really appreciate having goodies to munch on to keep them going. Sign up and donate at least one item below and deliver it to the Highcrest front office on the designated day.

May 6-10 the PTO has planned some wonderful event for our hardworking teachers and staff at HMS. We need your help! Please consider donating something from the list that could enjoy to show our appreciation for their dedication to our kids. Thank you in advance!  Click here to view the SUG.

Amazon Smile

SUPPORT HIGHCREST FROM YOUR KEYBOARD WITH AMAZON SMILE

Want to help the Highcrest PTO from the comfort of your home?  Then choose Highcrest Middle School PTO as your donation organization when shopping on Amazon.  Use our unique link to make sure contributions come to the Highcrest PTO every time.  Your selected charity will receive 0.5% of eligible purchases.  Happy Shopping!  Click here to create an account.

Recycle Your Plastic Bags at Highcrest

The national Trex Challenge to recycle the most plastic bags is back at Highcrest, and this year we know we can win. (We came so close last year!) Bring your plastic bags to the school lobby collection boxes.

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Back to School Checklist – Start Here!

Hopefully back-to-school will feel a little less overwhelming with this handy checklist:

✔️ Read the Back to School Note from the Highcrest Administrative Team.

✔️ Familiarize yourself with arrival and dismissal procedures.

✔️ Order your 2022-2023 Highcrest yearbook.

✔️ New Highcrest Spiritwear is coming soon! Please check back here for updates.

✔️ After School Clubs at Highcrest schedule is coming soon! Please check back here for updates on these awesome activities for Highcrest students.

✔️ Don’t forget to visit the D39 Highcrest home page for your school-related documents including the D39 handbook, school and lunch fees, payments and medical forms.

PTO Bylaws

Please note the 2018 Highcrest Middle School PTO Bylaws have been updated.   In accordance with our charter the revised bylaws were voted on and approved  at the  general PTO board meeting, Wednesday, February 10 at 7pm, at the Wilmette Junior High School.  Refer to Article VII 1.b for revision.

HMS Bylaws

Cafeteria Signup

Volunteer for a shift (or more) at the Highcrest Cafeteria. Not only is it a great way to get in to see your child, even if they don’t come through the lunch line, but the cafeteria workers cannot get these kids fed in a timely fashion without our help. We have enough families at Highcrest, so if each family works just two shifts then we are more than covered for the year. The shift is no more than two hours.

School Store

The school store is open every Wednesday during all lunch periods. Students may purchase (using cash) items such as erasers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, rainbow pens, sharpeners and more.

Sign up here to volunteer.

If you have any questions, please contact store@highcrestpto.org.

Highcrest PTO

The PTO has many different ways for you to get involved throughout the year. This is a great way to meet new people and become more engaged with the HMS community.

Sign up here to volunteer.

If you have any questions, please contact Megan Gemp at mpgemp@icloud.com.

Picture Day Volunteers Needed

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

Volunteers will receive a free Photo Package C for their help.

Sign up here to volunteer.

Civics and Safety

The Highcrest Civics and Safety Chair coordinates civics and safety programs for Highcrest and helps coordinate safety components of other PTO programs.
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PTO Calendar – Important Dates 2019-20

View Highcrest Calendar

August 22nd PTO Coffee & Fair/5th Grade School Orientation
August 22nd New Family Welcome Night (Families new to District 39 only)
August 21st PTO Welcome Email with Important Dates
September 5th 5th Grade Curriculum Night
September 6th 5th Grade Connections (Field Day) (Rain date September 11th)
September 11th Room Parent Meeting (9:15 am HMS cafeteria)
September 12th 6th Grade Curriculum Night
September 25th Joint PTO Meeting/State of the School/New Superintendent
October 18th Freaky Friday (6-7:30 pm)
October 26th Make a Difference Day
March 2nd- 4th  HMS Book Fair
April 17th Aloha Spring (6-7:30 pm)
April 22nd Budget and slate posted to PTO website
TBD General PTO Transition Meeting

PTO Communications Guidelines

The Highcrest PTO provides a variety of fun and important activities and events at Highcrest and we want to make sure our families and students know about them all!

These guidelines were developed to aid you in promoting your event or program through the PTO’s communication channels. If you have any questions, email communications@highcrestpto.org.

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Pledge to Reduce Food Waste

Last May, the PTO contracted with a firm to collect and compost food waste. They collected approximately 750 pounds of food waste in four days, or 187.50 pounds of food waste per day, or .22 pounds per student per day.

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Bell Schedule

HOMEROOM 8:50-9:15
PERIOD 1 9:17-9:57
PERIOD 2 9:59-10:39
PERIOD 3 10:41-11:21
PERIOD 4 11:23-12:03 Lunch Period
PERIOD 5 12:05-12:45 Lunch Period
PERIOD 6 12:47-1:27
PERIOD 7 1:29-2:09
PERIOD 8 2:11-2:51
PERIOD 9 2:53-3:35