Weekly Update

April 17, 2025

School News You Can Use

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

  • No school Tomorrow in celebration of Good Friday!
  • Next week is a normal cycle day week
Message from the Principal

Dear Giant Families,


This week our community came together to observe Genocide Commemoration Day on April 15th. It was an opportunity to honor the victims, survivors, rescuers, and upstanders of genocides throughout history.  I want to thank Mrs. Lindsey Meyer, Mr. Joe Brysiewicz, and all the student leaders of Education for Remembrance for planning such a meaningful day. 

 

We were privileged to hear powerful and moving stories that underscored the importance of resilience, healing, hope, and our collective responsibility to stand against hate in any form.


In the morning we heard from Mr. Kizito D. Kalima, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. He shared his personal journey of survival, marked by unimaginable loss and incredible strength. His story, from enduring dehumanization as a child to surviving a horrific massacre and finding refuge through basketball, ultimately led him to the United States. Today, Kizito is the Founder and Executive Director of the Peace Center for Forgiveness & Reconciliation, a public speaker, and an advocate for genocide survivors. 

 

We were also honored to hear from Dr. Raab, who paid tribute to his mother's survival of the Holocaust. He shared videos that highlighted powerful stories of resilience and survival from that era.  His story paid homage to his mother’s strength and longevity.  


These personal narratives served as profound lessons in the human capacity to endure and the vital need for remembrance. We hope that these experiences have provided valuable insights for our students and reinforced the importance of empathy, understanding, and our shared commitment to creating a better world.


Thank you for sharing your students with us today and beyond!


Holly

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Student Life

ACADEMICS


The Class of 2025 graduation ceremony is quickly approaching!  Below are a few important pieces of information.  You can also visit our Class of 2025 webpage for more information.

  • Seniors interested in being the student speaker at the ceremony should fill out this Google Form and follow the instructions.  The form is only accessible to District 113 accounts, so they must access it from their school account.
  • Each graduate receives 5 tickets.  The tickets are handed out at the graduation rehearsal which will take place at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, 5/28.  The rehearsal will last 2-2.5 hours and is mandatory.  The ceremony will start promptly at 5:00 PM on 5/28 and will last approximately 90 minutes.
  • Seniors will receive their cap and gown at the Senior Sendoff event on Monday, May 19 after school.  If they cannot attend, they can make arrangements to pick up in room A233 after May 19.
  • Seating is only allowed in the pavilion of Ravinia.  Information regarding parking, when gates open, etc. can be found on the Class of 2025 webpage.


ACTIVITIES


Attention Seniors! Grad Night Registration is Now Open!

HPHS Class of 2025 graduates are invited to Grad Night sponsored by the PTO on Wednesday, May 28th from 10 PM to Thursday, May 29th at 2 AM at Enchanted Castle! Please register by May 26th. www.hphspto.org/gradnight

Leave Your Mark on HPHS! Buy a Brick!

Brick sales are now open! Bricks will be installed near the Athletic entrance over the summer. Purchase a commemorative brick honoring your student today! www.hphspto.org/bricks

ATHLETICS


Varsity Highlights



  1. Our Varsity Girls Track and Field Program competed at GBN on Friday. Congrats to the 4x800 relay team on their 1st place finish. The shuttle relay also had a strong performance, finishing 2nd. Shoutout to Emma Sitati broke the school Triple Jump record on Monday night at Lake Forest.
  2. Varsity Baseball defeated Buffalo Grove 9-6 on Friday and got off to a great start in CSL North play with two wins over Maine East.
  3. Varsity Softball earned a non-conference win against Chicago Amundsen on Friday. The team lost to GBN on Tuesday but looks to get back on track tonight against GBS.
  4. Varsity Boys Lacrosse traveled to the south side to take on Brother Rice and came home with a big non-conference victory on Saturday. The followed that up with a win against Northside College Prep on Tuesday.
  5. Varsity Boys Track and Field had a solid performance at the Prospect Invite on Saturday. The 4x100 meter relay team broke a school record that was set in 1990. The team was proud to host their only meet of the season at Wolters Field against Evanston and Loyola.
  6. Girls Varsity Soccer had the opportunity to play in the prestigious Body Armor Tournament held at the Waukegan Sports Complex. The team lost to a very good Marist team, but represented well on a very big stage. On Monday, the girls earned their first win of the season over Round Lake in PKs.
  7. Boys Volleyball played in the two-day Warren Invite over the weekend and showed they are a team to watch this Spring. On Tuesday the team defeated Vernon Hills in conference play.
  8. Girls Badminton hosted a four team “Birdie Bash” on Saturday morning. Our young group represented well against TF South, Maine South and Hinsdale South. The team lost to Maine West on Tuesday but continues to make strides.
  9. Boys Water Polo played at GBS and our junior players stepped up in a big way both offensively and defensively. The team started the week well with a road victory over Maine East.
  10. Boys Varsity Tennis finally got some good weather on Saturday.  The team finished 3rd out of 4 teams at Evanston and got some strong performances in both singles and doubles. The team has had a busy week of matches and take on GBN today.




A big shoutout to all of our lower level athletes and coaches. It is so rewarding to see our younger athletes make progress over the course of the season. Our Freshman, Sophomore and JV athletes and coaches do an amazing job and are the lifeblood of every athletic program. Overall we have 32 teams competing in 13 different sports and 530 total athletes participating this Spring. 

DISTRICT NEWS


Upcoming FAN Event: 


Greg Walton, Ph.D


Join FAN on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7:00 PM CT on Zoom featuring Greg Walton, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. Interviewed by award-winning writer Jacqueline Woodson, Greg will be discussing his latest book Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Change with Small Acts.



Click here for more info and to register!

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