Upcoming Events
8/13: Information Day (3:30-6:30pm) 
8/13: Block Party (4:30 – 6pm)
8/15: 1st day for 7th graders
8/16: 1st day for 8th graders (all students in attendance)
8/20: Curriculum Night @ 6pm
Dear Addams Community,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Jane Addams Junior High! We hope everyone is having a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. Each year, it seems that the summer flies by more quickly! Once again, August is here and it’s time to start thinking about “back to school”. We are excited for another highly successful year. Our number one priority this year is to make sure that school is a safe and positive experience for all of our students. Included in this email is information that will be helpful to you and your child in preparing for the first day of school.
Information Day:
Information Day is Tuesday, August 13th from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. If families choose to attend Information Day, students will receive a copy of their schedule, be given the opportunity to buy PTA spirit wear and can take self-guided tours of the building. Parents must accompany their student to Information Day.
What happens if you cannot attend Information Day?
We realize that many families may be out of town or not available on August 13th. This is perfectly OK! As long as residency is up-to-date, you can log on to the Infinite Campus parent portal on August 7th to view your child’s schedule. All 7th grade students will receive a tour of the school and be on-boarded on August 15th (and 8th graders will receive refreshers on August 16th) so it is not essential that they attend Information Day.
Proof of Residency/Registration (REQUIRED for all families)
Families must have both portions of their 2024/2025 registration complete in order to have their student schedule released, including review of registration and annual verification of residency. District 54 has moved to an electronic residency verification process to verify the residency for the majority of families. Families whose residency we were unable to verify electronically were sent a letter providing details of the additional information needed. If you did not receive a letter then your residency was most likely verified. Review of registration information can be completed through your parent portal account. For families who do not have a portal account, a paper registration form was mailed.
Schedules will be withheld if residency is not current or you have not proved residency. If you are planning to attend Information Day, bring residency documents with you. Click here for a list of information needed. If you cannot attend Information Day, you can stop by our office any day before the start of the school year with documentation.
Addams PTA
During Information Day, you will also have the opportunity to sign up for our PTA. We have an absolutely amazing and dedicated PTA that works diligently to support our students. Please stop by the PTA tables to receive hot lunch forms and learn more about how you can help this organization that provides meaningful learning opportunities for your children.
Jane Addams Annual Block Party
On Information Day, we will be holding our Annual Block Party from 4:30 p.m – 6 p.m. This will provide an opportunity for our Addams students and parents to mingle with some of the Addams staff. Old Town Pizza and Culvers on Wise Road will be generously donating some pizza, water and custard. Bring a blanket and enjoy some DJ music and good friends. See the flyer at the top of this email or the attached document for more information about the block party.
Supply Lists
Click here to find the 2024-25 school supply list. Teachers would like your student to bring all supplies with them on the first day of school. Remember to mark your student’s personal items with his/her name to avoid confusion if an item is misplaced. In addition, if any parent would like to donate extra boxes of Kleenex, it would be greatly appreciated. Kleenex can be dropped off when you come for Information Day.
Student Schedules
The process of scheduling a junior high school of over 700 students is extremely complex. All students were given the opportunity this past winter to pick two elective choices, but were told that their choices were not guaranteed. While we tried to honor these requests, not all students will receive the elective they chose. As such, we will not be able to change schedules if students did not receive their first choice for electives. Doing so would create unbalanced classes and upset the instructional environment for all. Thank you in advance for understanding.
Bus Passes
Families will be sent bus passes and pick up/drop off locations in early August. Please contact our office if you have not received a bus pass by the morning of Wednesday, August 14.
PTA Fun Lunch
This year we will be working with Marlas Lunch to offer:
- Fun Lunch options available every Friday, starting September
- Fresh, daily deliveries from both national and local restaurants
- Great vendor rotation and a wide menu variety
- Convenient online ordering, making it easy to shop, order, and pay
- Flexibility to order weekly, monthly, or for the entire session
Registration and ordering for the upcoming session will open in early August. Stay tuned for more details! For more information, please visit our website
First Day of School
The first full day of school is Thursday, August 15 and will be for 7th grade students ONLY. This day is designated for seventh grade students to get acclimated and comfortable with Jane Addams Junior High. Then, all students should come on Friday, August 16.
Backpacks/lockers
Students can use backpacks to carry all possessions with them throughout the school day. Students will also be encouraged to use school lockers before and after school to store coats, gym shoes, etc. During the first days of school, teachers will discuss what items students should bring for class each day and what can be left at home, in lockers or in the classroom.
School Hours
School hours are 7:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. with first period beginning at 7:40 am. Please note: beginning Wednesday, August 21, every Wednesday is designated for staff development. Students are dismissed 30 minutes early at 1:45p.m.
Office Hours
School office hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Remember that our student absence line (847 357-5900) is available 24 hours a day. Please call by 7:00 a.m. if your child will be absent from school.
Fall Sports
Girls basketball tryouts will begin on August 22. In addition, all students are welcomed to join the Addams Cross Country team. Cross Country also begins on August 22. In order to participate in these or any sport, an approved physical examination must be on file with the school.
Physical Examinations
If your child plans to try out for one of our athletic teams and/or participate in intramurals, per School Board Policy, current physicals are required of all students to be on file prior to try-outs and/or participation in any inter-scholastic or intramural sport. All new students entering our district must present proof of immunizations and a health examination prior to the first day of attendance. Please note that physical examinations are good for one year from the date of the exam. If you have any additional questions about your child’s physical, please contact our school nurse.
This year promises to be a great one! Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer and prepare yourself for what is sure to be an exciting school year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the coming school year, please feel free to contact our assistant principal, Tricia Leong or me at any time at (847) 357-5900. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Regards,
Bill Musselman Tricia Leong
Principal Assistant Principal
Addams Junior High