Weekly Update

January 23, 2025

School News You Can Use

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

  • Support Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation  during Charity Drive
  • Online Course Registration will close Feb 12
  • Ask students about how the pep assembly was on Friday!
Message from the Principal

Dear Giant Families,



Last night, we had the immense pleasure of welcoming new Giants during our 8th Grade Welcome Night. It was an exciting opportunity to showcase the incredible beauty and boundless opportunities that exist here—everything from our robust academic programming to our vibrant activities and athletics. We also shared our continued commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion, which we define as a mindset, an attitude, and a belief that embraces the fact that everyone has value to add.


As I spent much of this past weekend at the high school, I was once again struck by the extraordinary spirit of our students. Their generosity of time, willingness to take risks, and passion for nurturing their talents and interests are truly inspiring. Whether it was at basketball games, the wrestling tournament, the swim meet, the Poms and Jammers clinic, the Debate Tournament, rehearsals for Legally Blonde, or the many Charity Drive events fueling our philanthropic identity as a community, our students consistently demonstrate what it means to be engaged, thoughtful, and dedicated.


Youth are powerful agents of change and community, and I’m honored to know your children and watch them shine in all they do. Thank you for your partnership in supporting their journeys and for helping to make our school a place where every Giant has the opportunity to grow, lead, and contribute.


As always, thank you for sharing your students with us this week and beyond,


Holly Fleischer



WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Student Life

CHARITY DRIVE


Next week is another jammed pack week of events for Charity Drive! We have the return of favorites like the annual chili cook off and 24 hour run along with some new events like slime making and tie dying. 

ATHLETICS

Winter Sports Updates


  1. Girls Basketball earned four wins over the weekend.  The team defeated Vernon Hills on Friday night in an important CSL matchup.  They then beat Rockford Jefferson, Johnsburg and Wheeling at the Round Lake MLK Tournament before losing to Lake Forest Academy in the Championship game.  The team followed up the successful weekend with a big win over Deerfield yesterday.
  2. Boys Basketball had a productive weekend as well earning victories against Vernon Hills and Chicago Lake View.  The team is now 4-2 in conference play and 12-6 overall.
  3. Girls Wrestling had a nice Senior Night win on Friday versus Vernon Hills.  Saturday our Girls Program hosted a mega dual.  Dana Holt and Riley Moore continue to lead the way, but all of our girls are making contributions.
  4. Boys Wrestling was defeated by Vernon Hills on senior night.  Very special to see seniors Nate Ferrari and Eli Moore be recognized with their dad’s, who coach on our staff.  The team traveled to Carmel Catholic on Saturday.  Alex Gudgeon (3-0) and Daniel Derbedyenyev (2-1) performed well.
  5. Boys Swimming and Diving had a solid Saturday in the pool.  Wins in the frosh/soph 200 medley and 400 free relay.  Andrew Blauer, Patryk Nowak, Peter Trakas, Max Rocha and Nicholas Prokos played a big role in the team's success.
  6. In gymnastics, our Varsity Girls finished 5th on Saturday at Niles North.  Maddyn Cohen took 2nd on vault, 10th on floor and 8th all around.  Jillian Mangione and Amelie Gerber placed 4th on 9th on vault respectively.  Our team also was presented with the Sportsmanship Award.  The JV competed at New Trier and finished 3rd overall. On Tuesday versus Maine east the Varsity team scored 131.55.  This is the best team score for the program in the last 15 years!
  7. Poms and Jammers hosted a successful youth dance clinic on Saturday.  The turnout was incredible and all proceeds benefited The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation.


Photos of the Week

Team and individual portraits from picture day for Winter Sports are now available to view and order online. To order photos from your picture day:



  1. Go to: https://www.vipis.com/group/6ca666a5/highland-park-high-school
  2. Select "View now" on the green Sports Team & Individual tile
  3. Enter your information in the search fields
  4. Select the school year (July 1st to June 30th) during which your photos were taken and click "search"
  5. Follow the instructions to select your package or products and choose your background for your individual photos if applicable
  6. You will receive a confirmation email


The next Giants Club Meeting is on Wednesday, January 29th at 7:00pm in the Giant Conference Room at HPHS.  All are welcome!

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