Jack Hille Middle School
From the Principal… 
December Calendar 2008
December_2008_Calendar.pdf (69 KB)
December Lunch Menu
Hille_Lunch_Menu_for_December_2008.pdf (106 KB)
December Newsletter
December_2008_newsletter.pdf (561 KB)
Dear Hille Middle School Families,
The 2007-08 school year has come to a close. While we are sad to see our 8th graders leave us to begin their next journey in high school, we are excited about the arrival of our new 6th grade students.
Our last year has been filled with many successes for our students, staff and school community. Just a few of our 2007-08 highlights include:
· Illinois Academic Honor Roll for Academic Improvement
· Social and Emotional Grant Award Winner (2 years in a row)
· BP Grant Winner (2 years in a row)
· Connections program (Advisory)
· Catch Up Club Homework Program
We will continue these invaluable programs in the 2008-09 school year and will continue to seek new opportunities for our student body.
At Hille Middle School, we believe in the middle school concept and philosophy. As a faculty, we participated in a collaborative process to create and write our school's mission statement. The emphasis of our mission is providing an education for all children that is defined by high standards and supportive practices that will enhance learning for all children. Our mission statement reads:
"The mission of Jack Hille Middle School is to provide every student an opportunity to master grade level skills and achieve to his or her highest potential. It is our purpose to empower students to become lifelong learners, while fostering positive growth in social and emotional behaviors and attitudes. The entire staff pledges itself to these student outcomes."
At Hille, your student is a part of either the 6th grade team, the 7th grade team or the 8th grade team. In maintaining the middle school philosophy, teams of grade level teachers meet daily to discuss your child's academic, social and emotional needs.
As a result of our continued commitment to the social and emotional needs of our students, the "Connections program" began last year. "Connections" is an Advisory program for our middle school students. Advisory forges connections among students and the school community, creating conditions that facilitate academic success and personal growth. "Connections" contributes to a positive school climate in several ways, including:
- Improved relationships between students and teachers
- An increased sense of trust and belonging
- Better communication among all members of the school community
- A strong atmosphere of equality
Each month, the entire student body focuses on a particular theme. Themes are related to the Social and Emotional Learning Standards and include: Respect, Bullying, Diversity, Stress Reduction, Honesty/Trust, Fairness, Communication Skills and Friendship; Connections activities are different at each grade level to meet the needs of the students involved.
As a school, we continue to focus on teaching and learning. A continuous improvement model is the foundation of our work with the school's mission and vision; we continue to work and collaborate in order to improve our school in the areas of academics, procedures and communication. With that said, schools must establish effective communication and collaboration among the people at each level of decision-making to effectively implement classroom instructional activities.
The middle school philosophy practices that communication between school and home is essential to teaching and learning. We will make a conscious and continuous effort to communicate regularly with parents and the community. The new implementation of the Parent Portal through PowerSchool is a wonderful communication tool to check your student's grades, attendance and assignments. If you have questions regarding accessing the Parent Portal, please contact our main office. Additionally, please check our website on a regular basis for school updates and information. Finally, if you are currently not on the parent e-mail list, please e-mail me at corzel@d142.org to be included in my parent e-mail list for the 2008-09 school year.
I would like to cordially invite you to attend our Hille Middle School OPEN HOUSE which will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2008 from 6:30-9:00pm. Parents should meet in the gymnasium at 6:30pm to meet our new staff members and share ideas on how we can improve our school.
On a final note, we will be implementing a new computerized Parent/Teacher Scheduling System for our Parent/Teacher Conferences this year. The program will be called D142PTC and will be located on the District 142 and Hille Middle School pages on the website. In September, we will be sending home user names, passwords, and instructions on how to use the P/T Conference scheduling system.
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, November 3rd from 1:00-8:00pm and Wednesday, November 5th from 8:00-3:00pm. 1st Quarter report cards will be distributed at P/T Conferences this year. Parents should pick up their student's report card on either of these P/T Conference days.
We are looking forward to another wonderful year at Hille Middle School. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at (708) 687-5550 or at corzel@d142.org.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Courtney L. Orzel