As a reminder for parents, the spring (second) window for the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) will be held February 13 through March 3, 2023. The BESS is a district-wide, universal screener which was initially implemented during the 2021-22 school year. The purpose of this screener is to gain a better insight into our students’ social-emotional and behavioral needs as a means of better supporting them. For more information about the BESS universal screener and your student(s)’ screening information, please visit our website here.

If you would like to Opt OUT of the BESS universal screener for your child, please complete this electronic Opt Out form for EACH student by Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Please note, if you have already opted your child(ren) out for the fall screening window, they will automatically be opted-out for the spring screening period, as well. If you have any questions about the BESS or the opt out process, please reach out to your building principal.

RAD IS BACK! RAD’s next community event celebrating Black Americans will take place on Friday, February 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Huntley High School. Our celebration will include free admission for students and community members of all ages. This will be a time to celebrate Black History Month while recognizing the culture, identities and experiences of Black Americans, and the stories that follow, through the arts and artistic expression. We will have sweets & eats, hot cafe drinks, student work, live jazz music, books to purchase, and more. Event details will be posted on our website: https://huntley158.org/rad/

The goals of Huntley 158’s Recognizing American Diversity (RAD) initiative are to recognize, celebrate and discover diverse perspectives and identities that have historically been underrepresented. Each month, we host one community event that celebrates diverse voices and provides us with opportunities to discover more about the community and cultures all around us. You can learn more about the Recognizing American Diversity initiative and monthly events by visiting our website here.

We invite you to follow #RADat158 on social media, as well!

Facebook: Huntley RAD

Twitter: @RADatHHS

Instagram: @RADat158

Huntley 158 is excited to announce that 105 students from the Huntley High School graduating class of 2023 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, more than 17,340 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958. Visit our website to see a list of students across HHS who earned this exciting distinction!

Shilo DeYoung, an MTSS facilitator at Heineman Middle School, is one of 336 teachers to re-certify as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). Huntley 158, alongside the National Board Resource Center at Illinois State University, is excited to celebrate and congratulate Mrs. DeYoung along with thousands of other educators currently pursuing Board certification – seen as the profession’s mark of accomplished teaching. While state licensing systems set the basic requirements for teaching in each state, National Board Certified Teachers have demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills, and practices. NBPTS certification identifies qualified teachers as leaders in their field, while ensuring they have the tools to provide the quality of education that families want for their children.

“The renewal process allowed me to engage with ways to prioritize my students’ well being as learners, which has been a passion of mine for a long time. I was able to expand on strategies to help struggling learners and also see the impact of my work to engage students and address their needs. I’m looking forward to continuing to improve my contributions to student learning in and outside of the classroom,” said Mrs. DeYoung.

On Friday, January 13, Huntley High School held the district’s first-ever “Duck Toss” fundraiser in order to raise money for families of both Lucas Gidelski and Madison Roberts, two Huntley High School students who are currently battling cancer. Freshman Lucas Gidelski was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in November 2022. Prior to his diagnosis, Lucas was on the Huntley High School football team and planned on transitioning to the basketball team in the spring. Although his plans have been put on hold, he still fosters a love for both sports and Huntley High School. Freshman Madison Roberts was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the end of her eighth grade year. Although her lifestyle has changed, Madison doesn’t allow her positive attitude and friendly disposition to falter.

The fundraiser, which sold rubber ducks for $5 each to be thrown onto half court during halftime of the HHS varsity basketball game, engaged HHS families, community members and local sponsors in the effort to raise money for Lucas and Madison in their fight against cancer. In total, the event raised nearly $20,000 to benefit both the Gidelski and Roberts families. Thank you to everyone who purchased a duck and participated to support these incredibly deserving members of our Red Raider family. We are stronger together!

If you are a parent of a secondary (grades 6-12) student, you have probably heard of Huntley 158’s new college and career readiness platform: SchooLinks. This digital resource allows students and parents to stay connected to the college and career planning process, identify interests based on individualized assessments and explore opportunities for learning after high school. In service of this goal, SchooLinks also offers a robust career and employment network for students to engage with. To strengthen this network and benefit our community, Huntley 158 would like to invite our local partners, businesses and industry representatives across the McHenry County area to join Huntley 158’s Industry Partner network on SchooLinks.

As an Industry Partner on SchooLinks you can:

• Schedule events with schools
• Post internships and scholarships for students
• Record short selfie videos answering student questions

For more information on signing up, adding education and employment details and becoming a mentor, click this link. We look forward with connecting with you as our students prepare for their next steps in life and learning.

Calling all Huntley 158 alumni! Are you interested in connecting with us? Huntley 158 continues to leverage our relationships with community partners, industry representatives and successful graduates, and we’re looking for YOU to help build our network. If you are a graduate of Huntley 158 schools and would like to be a part of our alumni network, click the link below and share your destination with us. You’ll be added to our alumni mailing list for important district updates and opportunities to connect. We seek to offer our alumni a rich network of fellow graduates and a meaningful connection to our schools. Join our network today!