From the desk of Principal Deborah Finn

December 1, 2022

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

1. Don’t forget tomorrow’s (12/2) Special Giant Schedule for our Fine Arts Showcase.  Please note that early bird classes start at 8:00 am.
2. Friday is our first Hot Cocoa Friday - staff will be serving up warm-drinks and donuts in the cafe starting at 8:00am.  Whipped cream included!
3. FOCUS 2023 is looking for students.  Read below to see how to get involved as a performer.

December has arrived and there is a lot of excitement at HPHS.  The next few weeks will fly by and then winter break will be here.  Now is a great time for students to touch base with teachers, review progress in their classes or visit the TLC (in our brand new library space) for a little extra help.   

Additionally, this past week we have been celebrating the arts with All City Choir, Band and Orchestra concerts.  Tomorrow, we will culminate the week with our Fine Arts Assembly.  As we begin to think about course registration for the 2023-2024 school year, we hope students will consider taking one of the many courses offered by our outstanding Fine Arts teachers.

Community families and businesses, living around our campus, have asked for our help.  Please follow the pick-up and drop-off procedures as outlined on the HPHS website.  To avoid ticketing from the HP Police, never use apartment/commercial parking lots for this purpose.  We appreciate your cooperation and respect for those living and working around our school building.  

Monday, December 5 - Special Giant Schedule Day

Tuesday, December 6 -  Giant Schedule Day

Wednesday, December 7 - Blue Schedule Day

Thursday, December 8 - White Schedule Day

Friday, December 9 - Special Assembly Giant Schedule

Registration 2023-2024 

Believe it or not, course registration for the 23-24 school year begins after winter break.  Students will meet with teachers to discuss course placements/recommendations before meeting with counselors to register for classes.  We ask that parents/guardians work with your students to make thoughtful course selections because it is highly unlikely that any changes will be possible.

Summative Assessment Schedule

Just a quick reminder of information provided a few weeks ago with regard to wrapping up the 1st semester. 

• Click here for the First Semester Summative assessments schedule and bus schedule
• Click here for the bus schedule for the week of December 19, 2022.  Bus routes will be posted to the District 113 Transportation webpage the week of December 13, 2022.
• Classes resume from Winter Break on Monday, January 9, 2022. 
• First semester grades in Infinite Campus will be considered final on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

Student Focus Auditions are December 2 in the auditorium.

Students can sign up using the QR code or this link. Want to know more about FOCUS? Visit their site. 

Charity Drive is right around the corner (January 20 - February 17) and Charity Drive 2023 apparel is on sale NOW! This is your only chance to buy apparel. HERE is the link to get your super cute and cozy Charity Drive apparel. Store closes on 12/7.

ACTIVITIES

Congratulations to our Debate Team on an extremely successful November tournament month!  Use this link to learn more from our Activity Achievements Blog. 

Hot Cocoa Fridays begin tomorrow!  Students are encouraged to arrive early and join us in the cafeteria for a FREE cup of Hot Cocoa, visit with teachers and listen to the musical talents of their peers.  Hot Cocoa will be served every Friday in December 8:00-8:30! 

Snowcoming “BE GIANT” Week begins December 5th.  Use this link to see the week at a glance.  The pep rally is on Friday, December 9th. Much of this info was shared during homeroom this week.  Other highlights include:



• Monday 12/5 (Extended Homeroom) - Be Prepared: All School Bingo starts,  Senior Class Portrait during homeroom.  The special schedule will be texted on Sunday night! 
• Tuesday 12/6 - Be Kind: - Photobooth for Friend Photos during lunch periods, Movie Night sponsored by Girl UP, 5:30 - 8.  Come in your pjs to watch Hidden Figures, optional donation $5, concessions sold. 
• Wednesday 12/7 - Be Engaged:  Community/Volunteer Engagement Fair during lunch periods, Club HP sponsored by DJ Club after school will feature veteran and upcoming DJ’s at HP! 
• Thursday 12/8 - Be Giving:  Stuff A Bus via Homeroom (you will be given directions on Dec 1 homeroom), Poetry Night sponsored by Sojourn, more info to come.  We will be looking for students to share their poetry! 
• Friday 12/9 - Be You, Be Giant:  Hot Cocoa Friday & Pep Rally.  Come early for Hot Cocoa.  The special schedule will be texted Thursday night! 

Special Event for Families

All of HPHS is invited to join this exciting free event coming up this Saturday in the Ravinia District.  Darian Sanders (Simba) and Khalifa White (Nala) from Disney's The Lion King, currently playing at the Cadillac Palace in Chicago will be on site to perform two numbers from the show, along with a performance by four cast members of Cabaret ZaZou presents Luminaire. 

The show begins promptly at 11 am on Saturday on Dean Avenue alongside Jens Jensen Park. The performances will be followed by the annual Ravinia District Cookie Crawl, with music supplied by the HPHS DJ Club.  Use this link to learn more! 

ATHLETICS

There is still time for parents to join the Giants Club.  Our volunteer Parent Booster Organization meets once a month from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Giant Conference Room at HPHS.  Here is the link to the Giants Club Website.  The remaining meeting dates are January 25, February 22, March 22, April 26, and May 17.   All are welcome!

Congratulations to our Fall Season All-Conference athletes and IHSA state qualifiers.

All-Conference

Boys Cross Country - Alex Bradshaw, Barak Goldstein, Noah Jackson, Nate Wehner

Girls Cross Country - Mia Fruge, Annie Isaccson, Bella, Oviedo, Shayna Zavell

Field Hockey - Natalia Piacenza

Football - Nicholas Blumer, David Finfer, Alexander Knight, Jacques Munkhjargal, Emmet Pulte, Davis Risko-Juarez, Nicholas Rosenbloom, Eli Secher

Boys Golf - Alex Finger, Aiden Landes, Kalin Patel, Luck Rhoads

Boys Soccer - Erick Chavez, Emiliano Guzman-Vega, Alec Peters

Girls Swimming and Diving - Angelina Eliacin, Emily Fraser, Brooklyn Henderson, Megan Kim, Sydney Lewis, Marisa Miller, Kayla Newman, Apple Wojtowicz

Girls Tennis - Jenna Adelman, Nadia Barbieri, Molly Murphy

Girls Volleyball - Bailey Byrnes

Fall IHSA State Qualifiers

Nate Wehner - Boys Cross Country

Alex Finger - Boys Golf

Angelina Eliacin - Girls Swimming 

Sydney Lewis - Girls Swimming

Marisa Miller - Girls Swimming

Kayla Newman - Girls Swimming

Adriana Mendoza - Girls Swimming - alternate

Alyssa Zejer - Girls Swimming - alternate

HPHS and DHS students in the Delta program spent Sunday, November 20 joint action planning to make a positive difference in our schools. They learned about drug prevention strategies and alcohol/marijuana facts through interactive, team building activities. Together, the students brainstormed ways to inspire their peers to make drug-free choices and provide parents with teen-approved suggestions. More info at bit.ly/delta113.