HPHS To Reveal Mockup of Renovations

The following information is provided by Township High School District 113.

DISTRICT 113 PREPARES MOCKUP CLASSROOMS AHEAD OF RENOVATIONS 

This spring, both Highland Park High School and Deerfield High School will have a mockup classroom available for use by teachers and students. 

The mockup classrooms are usable models of the renovations scheduled for about 70 rooms in both schools. The changes include new lighting, acoustic ceilings, HVAC systems, doors and high performance windows. Classroom renovations that fall within the scope of Phase 1 include Q and E Wings at DHS and the 3rd floor of A-Wing at HPHS. 

The renovation on the rooms that are a part of Phase 1 is scheduled for the summer of 2014. The classrooms are anticipated to be ready for students upon their return in the fall. 

The mockup classrooms slated for completion in early April will give users an opportunity to see what is coming, and also give District 113 an opportunity to receive real-time information from the users, said Dan Mortensen, Director of Facilities Management at District 113. 

At DHS, four social studies teachers currently utilizing the model classroom, which will be located in the Q Wing, will return to that room. The room also will be available to teachers through scheduled open-house events during spring, according to Audris Griffith, principal at DHS. She said she expects the improved lighting and ventilation systems to receive a particularly warm welcome. 

At HPHS, the 3rd floor model classroom is used by three English teachers. The mockup will illustrate the renovation work that is scheduled for 3rd floor A-Wing classrooms at HPHS over the summer. 

At a December 2 special meeting of the District 113 Board of Education, the Board approved bids for general trades, aluminum storefront and glazing work, mechanical work and electrical work for the mockup classrooms. 

In November, students from the DHS and HPHS environmental clubs met with architect and construction teams to discuss their ideas for environmentally friendly construction, and learned about the environmental and cost considerations that went into the selection of the lighting, HVAC systems and windows. Superintendent George Fornero requested that their studies be forwarded to him for consideration. The groups will meet again in spring.  Please go to dist113.org to view a video of that meeting.

DISTRICT ROBOTICS TEAM PERFORMS WELL IN CHICAGO TOURNAMENT 

The District 113 Robotics Club participated in the IIT Regional Robotics Tournament in Chicago on Saturday and 4 of the 5 participating teams made it into the final playoffs! 

Congratulations to the following teams: Team 6287 (#3) Warbots-from DHS;Team 5254 (#5) Robot to the Knee-from HPHS; Team 5451 (#10) Da Big Meks-from HPHS; Team 6429 (#12) Wired Ones-from HPHS; and Team 7996 (#15) Optimis Prime Rib-from DHS. 

Team 5452, “Robot to the Knee” was awarded the third-place Inspire Award and the PTC award for Computer Design. Team 6287 “Warbots” and Team 6429 “Wired Ones” were on the winning alliance for the tournament. 

CONSIDER GIVING A “CHECK AWARDS” GIFT CHECKBOOK 

Looking for a great gift giving idea for the Holidays this season?  Why not give a “CHECK AWARDS” Gift Checkbook while in turn helping out HPHS! These Check award books have instant cash savings to great local business’s like, E-Street Denim, Shoefly, Michaels, Running Right, Equinox, BloOuts DQ and so many more. 

All proceeds will go directly to student activities grants, faculty grants, classroom needs such as calculators and White boards along with the TPI program. The books are $35 and valid through September 2014. It is a Great holiday and teacher gift idea! The book pays for itself. For more information and or to purchase you can email Colleen Kelley at malka63@comcast.net or Sunny Felman at twins5575@aol.com. Come Get your Check Books now!

FINANCIAL AID MEETING FOR SENIORS & PARENT/GUARDIANS -- FAFSA, FORMS AND FINANCIAL NEED

District 113 is hosting a Financial Aid Workshop for seniors and their parents/guardians on Monday, January 13th at 7 pm in the Highland Park High School Auditorium. The workshop will provide critical information on completing the FAFSA, what comprises a financial aid package, and how and what to communicate with financial aid officers. The featured presenter is Mr. Jerry Cebrzynski, Director of Financial Aid, Lake Forest College.

DISTRICT 113 AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION INVITE ALUMS BACK 

District 113 is excited to be partnering with its Educational Foundation to bring alumni back into an active Highland Park High School community, where they can stay informed on current programs, sporting news, fine arts events, distinguished graduates and reunion announcements. 

The effort includes the creation of a Highland Park High School alumni directory, which will be available for purchase. Alumni will receive a postcard shortly from HARRIS CONNECT, the creator of our directory. 

Any HPHS alum wishing to sign up for a Constant Contact newsletter, which will keep alumni up to date on current events at the school and include invitations to be a part of the community and the connections, can go to HPHS.dist113.org and

click on the alumni page to sign up. Let the benefits of being a graduate of a top-tier high school continue on!

HPHS PTO LAUNCHES GRAD NIGHT FUNDRAISER  

Now’s the time to raise funds for our HPHS seniors! Stock up on Lou Malnati’s delicious pizza this year. Support our seniors by purchasing coupons good for 9” frozen pizzas at any Lou Malnati location. Buy them as holiday gifts! Or host a Super Bowl party in February: plan ahead and order coupons now. Orders are due Wednesday, December 11, 2013 (for holiday delivery); and due Wednesday, January 22, 2014 (for Super Bowl delivery). Our HPHS 2014 graduates appreciate your support.

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