The 6th grade kicked off the year by learning the basics of science with a deep dive into atoms, molecules, and how to measure matter. We started by learning about the elements. Students made their own name tags with element symbols from the periodic table. Then they snapped together cubes to represent atoms and molecules. The culminating activity was to build an extended structure of either diamond or graphite out of gumdrops, toothpicks, or anything else they thought would best represent the real thing. Finally, we learned about the concept of density and how it impacts different kinds of matter, whether solids, liquid, or gas. What were those four mystery liquids? Ask a 6th grader.

"Hear ye, hear ye! Our colonial town hall meeting is now in session!" You might have heard these words along with the sound of a gavel if you passed by one of the 7th grade ELA/SS classes this past month. Students chose an authentic Colonial Era identity representing either a Patriot, Loyalist, or Neutralist, and then debated with their classmates about whether the colonies should give King George one last chance to make amends, or to declare our independence. *Spoiler Alert: After Patrick Henry declared, "Give me liberty or give me death," we chose Thomas Jefferson to draft a declaration of independence. Sadly, the King was not pleased with our decree. We then learned about the major Revolutionary War battles and their outcomes, all while reading the historical fiction novel, "Woods Runner," by Gary Paulsen, where a teen boy is tasked with saving his family from the Redcoats during the early days of the Revolutionary War. God Bless America!

This past week was a busy one for 8th grade. On Tuesday, the entire 8th grade went to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie to extend their Holocaust novel study of the book Night by Elie Wiesel. Students toured the museum with docents and many students had the opportunity to hear a speaker share the stories of her parents and her husband's parents, all survivors of concentration camps in Europe.

This week also was the culmination of a grade-level service project to give back to our community this holiday season. Thanks to the efforts of our 8th grade students, families, and staff, we were able to deliver 14 complete Thanksgiving meals (including grocery gift cards) to the Palatine Township Thanksgiving Basket program for local families in need. In addition, we were also able to donate an extra basket of assorted food items to the Township food bank.

Art has been off to a great start in the new trimester with 7th & 8th graders working on a "Get to Know Me" Hexagon. Each section of the hexagon displays their interests, hobbies, favorite genres, and more. With each common interest, hexagons are attached and connections are created. It keeps growing each day with connections!

Last Thursday, we celebrated Veterans Day within our MacArthur community! Students decorated the Theater walls and tables for our honored guests. Student Senate served them all breakfast while our Chamber Orchestra provided the background music!

It is always a special treat when our veteran guests are also part of the extended MacArthur family!

Our student speeches were the best

And we can't forget about our orchestra, band, and chorus! They were so good, the veterans requested an encore!

Special thanks to the administrative team from Hersey High School who were our guest interviewers for this most recent round of Mock Interviews!

And of course, Dr. Angelaccio!

One of our Strategic Goal areas is Communication, and we want to hear from you! We are gathering data on your thoughts and feedback on our building and district communication along with the communication method(s) you find most useful. As we have looked at our data, we see that our principal newsletters are opened by over 90% of our families. That's great! Still, we continue to enhance our communication to make sure important messages about learning and safety make it home to you. We have a short survey that will be open through the end of November. Thanks, as always, for your feedback and active participation. Together, we are #PROUD2BD23! 

In recent weeks, it has been our boys teams that have been at home while the girls have been. onthe road. The competition continues to be strong as they prepare for the second half of the season after Thanksgiving break! You can also check ou our poms and cheer performances at each home game! All home game and shows can be found on our YouTube channel.

December 7th

Class of 2028 Elective Night

@ your home school

(JHHS or (WHS)

Updates to 2023-24 Calendar

At the Board of Education Meeting, the following necessary changes to the current 2023-24 School Year calendar were made:

Tuesday, March 19 will now be a Day of Non-attendance for Teacher Institute Day.

Tuesday, April 2 will now be a day of attendance.

CLICK HERE to view the revised "At-A-Glance" Calendar

-Institute Days: 1/8, 3/19

-School Improvement Days: 5/10

-Holidays: No School

-Thanksgiving Break: 11/20-11/24

-Winter Break:12/25-1/5

-Martin Luther King Day: 1/15

-Presidents' Day: 2/19

-Spring Break: 3/25-3/29

-Memorial Day: 5/27

-Additional Non-Attendance Days: 2/16, 4/1

-8th Grade Promotion (tentative): 5/24

-Last Day of Student Attendance (if no emergency days used): 5