THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

• No School October 14
• Save the date for our Homecoming Game, October 18
• Be sure to encourage your students to buy tickets for Homecoming and join the fairy tale on October 19

As Homecoming approaches, I want to take a moment to express our deep gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received from the community. Thanks to our local businesses, the PTO, Giants Club, and our dedicated staff, our students had the opportunity to "Paint the Town Blue" and proudly spread their Giant spirit throughout the town. We are so fortunate to have such strong community partnerships that help make these moments possible.

In addition to Homecoming, I want to highlight another incredible community partnership: our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, planned and hosted by Luisa Espinosa-Lara. This event welcomed over 100 students and community members to our school for a vibrant evening of connection and culture, featuring a potluck, Latin rhythms, a Latin Dance Club performance, and even a bachata class. It was a beautiful way to celebrate the rich diversity in our community and create meaningful bonds through shared traditions.

A special thank you goes to the many caregivers who volunteered their time to clean, supervise, hand out materials, or simply enjoy the creativity of our students during these events. Whether you helped with the "Paint the Town Blue" initiative or joined us and created a dish to share for the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, your involvement strengthens the connection between our school and the wider community.

These partnerships are essential in building a healthy culture of belonging for our students. When our adolescents see the town and school coming together to support them, they feel valued and appreciated. It reinforces that they are an important part of this community and gives them a sense of pride in who they are and where they come from.

I encourage you to visit the local stores that graciously partnered with us for Homecoming. Together, we can foster an environment where every student feels connected, celebrated, and proud to be part of this wonderful community. One day at a time.

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

Holly Fleischer

Happening next week

ACTIVITIES

ATHLETICS



September Athletes of the Month

Sadie Benjamin - Girls Golf

Jolie Cherpak - Girls Field Hockey

Hayden Coleman - Boys Soccer

Henry Gamson - Boys Cross Country

Maddy Kashy - Girls Field Hockey

Eli Moore - Football

Katelyn Rosen - Girls Cross Country

Cole Rosenbloom - Boys Golf

Thanks to all of our teams that participated in the Paint the Town event on Saturday. Shoutout to the PTO and Dr. Stephenson for their work in making this a special day for our community.

Highland Park High School hosted a satellite coaching clinic for the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association last Saturday. A big thank you to our boys and girls basketball coaches for their work in putting this event together. We welcomed Jordan Townsend, Head Men’s Coach, Illinois Benedictine University; Jeremy Schoenecker, Head Girls Coach,  Loyola Academy; and Vince Doran, former Head Coach at York HS and Founder of Three Level Basketball Training.  Special thanks goes to our athletes, who gave up sleeping in on a Saturday morning to volunteer and be demonstrators for the coaches who presented

HPHS celebrated National Coaches Day this week. This day was established in 1998 as an opportunity to honor and recognize the hard work, dedication and influence of coaches across all sports. It’s also a great way to thank those mentors who have provided guidance, taught valuable life lessons and helped shape athletes into future leaders. 

DEANS

Each year, schools must conduct state required safety drills, including a "law enforcement drill" otherwise known as an active threat drill. This year, prior to conducting the active threat drill, we will once again be utilizing homeroom time to review the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) response protocol.

This year, our first discussion about active threat protocol will take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 during homeroom. During that period, students will watch a video created by our former School Resource Officer, outlining the ALICE response protocol.  The video will explain the steps individuals can take in the event of an active threat within our building. The video will help prepare students and staff for the active threat drill which will occur during the homeroom period the next day on Wednesday, October 23. 

In taking a more trauma-responsive approach to this drill, we are hopeful that students have an opportunity to address their questions and concerns with their homeroom teacher(s). If students need additional support, they are encouraged to see their counselor or go to the Drop-In Center. If you anticipate that your student may need additional support during any of the aspects of the drill, please contact your student’s counselor or dean.  Students may also opt-out of this drill, and can do so by contacting your student’s counselor and/or dean by Friday, October 18.

HOMEROOM @ HOME



This week has been an extra fun-filled one in Homeroom as we’ve started decorating our doors for Homecoming next week! Students also had the chance to weigh in and vote for which charity will be the recipient of this year’s Charity Drive.