🎨🐝 Art Club is Coming! 🐝🎨
Calling all creative Hornets! Art Club is the perfect place to get creative, try new projects, and have fun with friends! ✨
📅 Starting: September 10th
🗓️ When: Every other Thursday
⏰ Time: 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 Where: Art Room 126
Grab your creativity and get ready to make something awesome! 🎨✂️🖌️
We can’t wait to see our Hornets in Art Club! 🐝💛🖤
Calling all creative Hornets! Art Club is the perfect place to get creative, try new projects, and have fun with friends! ✨
📅 Starting: September 10th
🗓️ When: Every other Thursday
⏰ Time: 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 Where: Art Room 126
Grab your creativity and get ready to make something awesome! 🎨✂️🖌️
We can’t wait to see our Hornets in Art Club! 🐝💛🖤
Dear Harvard Junior High School Families,
During the week of 8/24/2026, Harvard Junior High School students and staff will participate in a Bus Evacuation Drill to ensure our students and staff are prepared to respond to an emergency. The goal of the drill is to help students feel safe and as prepared as possible should an emergency arise. The Durham Bus Company will be on site to assist in this drill. Our safety department continues to work with police and fire across McHenry County to enhance the safety procedures, technology, response, communication, and training for our schools. Safety is a partnership between all involved – parents included.
Each student should understand the importance of drills and the intentions of the alerting devices sound and visuals, please talk to your student ahead of time about the safety protocols. You can view the attached parent guide with information to our 5 safety protocols - Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
During the week of 8/24/2026, Harvard Junior High School students and staff will participate in a Bus Evacuation Drill to ensure our students and staff are prepared to respond to an emergency. The goal of the drill is to help students feel safe and as prepared as possible should an emergency arise. The Durham Bus Company will be on site to assist in this drill. Our safety department continues to work with police and fire across McHenry County to enhance the safety procedures, technology, response, communication, and training for our schools. Safety is a partnership between all involved – parents included.
Each student should understand the importance of drills and the intentions of the alerting devices sound and visuals, please talk to your student ahead of time about the safety protocols. You can view the attached parent guide with information to our 5 safety protocols - Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
🃏 Trading Card Club is here! 🃏
Calling all collectors, traders, and card enthusiasts! Our Trading Card Club is a place for students to share their collections, learn about different cards, trade with friends, and connect with others who share their interest.
Whether you're into sports cards, Pokémon, or other trading cards, there's a place for you! 🙌
📚 Learn. 🤝 Trade. 🃏 Collect. 🎉 Have fun!
We can't wait to see what everyone brings to the table!
#HarvardRising #Clubs #GetInvolved
Calling all collectors, traders, and card enthusiasts! Our Trading Card Club is a place for students to share their collections, learn about different cards, trade with friends, and connect with others who share their interest.
Whether you're into sports cards, Pokémon, or other trading cards, there's a place for you! 🙌
📚 Learn. 🤝 Trade. 🃏 Collect. 🎉 Have fun!
We can't wait to see what everyone brings to the table!
#HarvardRising #Clubs #GetInvolved
📸 Interested in Yearbook Club? 📸
Do you love taking pictures, being creative, or capturing the moments that make this school year special? Then Yearbook Club might be the perfect fit for you!
🗓️ First Meeting: Wednesday, August 26
📍 Room 104
⏰ 2:50–3:30 PM
🏐⚽🏃 In a fall sport? You can still join! Just stop by Mr. Nicky’s room to learn more.
Come be part of the team that helps capture the memories of an amazing school year! 🐝📚📸
Do you love taking pictures, being creative, or capturing the moments that make this school year special? Then Yearbook Club might be the perfect fit for you!
🗓️ First Meeting: Wednesday, August 26
📍 Room 104
⏰ 2:50–3:30 PM
🏐⚽🏃 In a fall sport? You can still join! Just stop by Mr. Nicky’s room to learn more.
Come be part of the team that helps capture the memories of an amazing school year! 🐝📚📸
Harvard CUSD 50 will administer district-wide benchmark assessments from Monday, Aug. 24, through Friday, Sept. 11.
These assessments give teachers and families a clear picture of each student's academic growth throughout the year, helping educators tailor instruction to meet every child's needs.
Students will complete assessments on their Chromebooks based on their grade level:
Kindergarten - 1st Grade: MAP Reading Fluency and MAP Math Growth
2nd Grade - 5th Grade: MAP Reading Growth and MAP Math Growth
6th Grade - 8th Grade: NWEA MAP Reading Growth and i-Ready Inform Mathematics
Please note that students will not be testing every day during this time. Schools will schedule specific days and times for students to complete assessments within the Aug. 24-Sept. 11 window.
Families will receive letters with more details about each assessment and what results mean for their student's learning. Find those letters below:
K-5 NWEA MAP Parent Letter - https://aptg.co/gnRXPm
6-8 NWEA MAP/iReady Parent Letter - https://aptg.co/XRph9D
Questions about benchmark testing? Contact your child's school office.
Join the Harvard Junior High Minecraft Club starting September 14th. Minecraft Club is open to both students and staff. To express interest, please complete the interest form via QR code on the flyer. If you have already completed the interest form, you will receive an email with more information soon.
https://forms.gle/Y97riFVrqouh7drs8
Únete al Club de Minecraft de Harvard Junior High a partir del 14 de septiembre. El club está abierto tanto a estudiantes como al personal. Para expresar tu interés, por favor completa el formulario correspondiente utilizando el código QR que aparece en el folleto. Si ya has completado el formulario, recibirás un correo electrónico con más información próximamente.
https://forms.gle/Y97riFVrqouh7drs8
Únete al Club de Minecraft de Harvard Junior High a partir del 14 de septiembre. El club está abierto tanto a estudiantes como al personal. Para expresar tu interés, por favor completa el formulario correspondiente utilizando el código QR que aparece en el folleto. Si ya has completado el formulario, recibirás un correo electrónico con más información próximamente.
🎉 Student Council: Hornets Making a Difference! 🐝
Our Student Council members are more than just leaders—they’re the students helping make our school community fun, welcoming, and connected! 💛🖤
From planning school dances and assemblies to organizing spirit days, working the concession stand, and coming up with new ways to bring Hornets together, our Student Council students are busy behind the scenes making school events happen!
If you want to be part of this group, please come to a meeting and make Harvard Junior High a better place for everyone. 🐝👏
When: Tuesdays 3-4:30pm in Room 116.
Student voice + student leadership = a stronger Hornet community! 💛🖤
#HornetPride #HarvardRising
Our Student Council members are more than just leaders—they’re the students helping make our school community fun, welcoming, and connected! 💛🖤
From planning school dances and assemblies to organizing spirit days, working the concession stand, and coming up with new ways to bring Hornets together, our Student Council students are busy behind the scenes making school events happen!
If you want to be part of this group, please come to a meeting and make Harvard Junior High a better place for everyone. 🐝👏
When: Tuesdays 3-4:30pm in Room 116.
Student voice + student leadership = a stronger Hornet community! 💛🖤
#HornetPride #HarvardRising
Dear Parent/Guardian,
As part of our commitment to keeping families informed about their child’s learning and progress, we want to share information about an upcoming assessment your child will take at school.
During the weeks of August 24 - September 11, students in grades 6-8 will participate in two assessments on their Chromebooks:
NWEA MAP Reading Growth
i-Ready Inform Mathematics
These assessments help teachers better understand what students know, identify areas of strength and growth, and determine what students are ready to learn next. Results are used alongside classroom learning and other information to help teachers plan instruction, provide appropriate support, and set learning goals with students.
MAP Reading Growth measures students’ reading achievement and growth over time. The assessment adapts to each student’s responses. When a student answers correctly, questions may become more challenging; when a student has difficulty, questions adjust accordingly. This provides teachers with a more individualized picture of each student’s current reading skills and instructional needs.
i-Ready Inform Mathematics is also an adaptive assessment. Questions adjust based on each student’s responses to help identify mathematical strengths and areas where additional instruction or support may be beneficial. Students may encounter questions that feel challenging or cover content they have not yet learned. This is expected and helps the assessment determine what each student is ready to learn next.
Most importantly, these assessment results are one data point teachers use to understand and support your child as a learner. Following each testing window, families will receive information about their child’s performance and growth. We encourage you to connect with your child’s teacher if you have questions about the results or your child’s learning.
We value our partnership with families and look forward to keeping you informed throughout the school year as we work together to support your child’s growth and success.
For additional information, families may visit the NWEA Family Toolkit at NWEA.org/familytoolkit or the i-Ready Family Center at login.i-ready.com/central/family.
Sincerely,
Patrick Podgorski
As part of our commitment to keeping families informed about their child’s learning and progress, we want to share information about an upcoming assessment your child will take at school.
During the weeks of August 24 - September 11, students in grades 6-8 will participate in two assessments on their Chromebooks:
NWEA MAP Reading Growth
i-Ready Inform Mathematics
These assessments help teachers better understand what students know, identify areas of strength and growth, and determine what students are ready to learn next. Results are used alongside classroom learning and other information to help teachers plan instruction, provide appropriate support, and set learning goals with students.
MAP Reading Growth measures students’ reading achievement and growth over time. The assessment adapts to each student’s responses. When a student answers correctly, questions may become more challenging; when a student has difficulty, questions adjust accordingly. This provides teachers with a more individualized picture of each student’s current reading skills and instructional needs.
i-Ready Inform Mathematics is also an adaptive assessment. Questions adjust based on each student’s responses to help identify mathematical strengths and areas where additional instruction or support may be beneficial. Students may encounter questions that feel challenging or cover content they have not yet learned. This is expected and helps the assessment determine what each student is ready to learn next.
Most importantly, these assessment results are one data point teachers use to understand and support your child as a learner. Following each testing window, families will receive information about their child’s performance and growth. We encourage you to connect with your child’s teacher if you have questions about the results or your child’s learning.
We value our partnership with families and look forward to keeping you informed throughout the school year as we work together to support your child’s growth and success.
For additional information, families may visit the NWEA Family Toolkit at NWEA.org/familytoolkit or the i-Ready Family Center at login.i-ready.com/central/family.
Sincerely,
Patrick Podgorski
Dear Parents and Families of Harvard Junior High,
We are excited to have you join us and support our Harvard Hornets at our home games! 🐝🏐🏈⚽🏃
To ensure the safety and security of all students and guests, all Harvard Junior High students attending home games are required to:
- 🪪Bring their school ID.
- 👨👩👧👦Be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the game.
Students will not be permitted to attend home games without a student ID and a parent or legal guardian present.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us create a safe and positive environment for everyone. We look forward to seeing our Hornet families in the stands cheering on our athletes!
Go Hornets! 🐝💛🖤
We are excited to have you join us and support our Harvard Hornets at our home games! 🐝🏐🏈⚽🏃
To ensure the safety and security of all students and guests, all Harvard Junior High students attending home games are required to:
- 🪪Bring their school ID.
- 👨👩👧👦Be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the game.
Students will not be permitted to attend home games without a student ID and a parent or legal guardian present.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us create a safe and positive environment for everyone. We look forward to seeing our Hornet families in the stands cheering on our athletes!
Go Hornets! 🐝💛🖤
More Time to Eat, Play & Connect! 🐝💛🖤
This year, our Hornets are enjoying 40-minute lunches! 🎉 That extra time gives students the opportunity to finish their meals and then choose how they want to spend the rest of their lunch period.
⚽ Head outside for a game of soccer, volleyball, or football
🏐 Enjoy the fresh air and hang out with friends at the picnic tables
🃏 Stay inside for card games, board games, or a good conversation with friends
Our longer lunch periods are about more than just eating—they give students time to move, connect, relax, and build friendships during the school day. We love seeing our Hornets make the most of this extra time together! 🐝
#HarvardRising #HarvardJrHigh #JrHornetsRising
This year, our Hornets are enjoying 40-minute lunches! 🎉 That extra time gives students the opportunity to finish their meals and then choose how they want to spend the rest of their lunch period.
⚽ Head outside for a game of soccer, volleyball, or football
🏐 Enjoy the fresh air and hang out with friends at the picnic tables
🃏 Stay inside for card games, board games, or a good conversation with friends
Our longer lunch periods are about more than just eating—they give students time to move, connect, relax, and build friendships during the school day. We love seeing our Hornets make the most of this extra time together! 🐝
#HarvardRising #HarvardJrHigh #JrHornetsRising
Dear Harvard Junior High School Families,
During the week of 8/17/2026, Harvard Junior High School students and staff will participate in a Secure Drill to ensure our students and staff are prepared to respond to an emergency. The goal of the drill is to help students feel safe and as prepared as possible should an emergency arise. The Police Department will be on site to assist in this drill. Our safety department continues to work with police and fire across McHenry County to enhance the safety procedures, technology, response, communication, and training for our schools. Safety is a partnership between all involved – parents included.
Each student should understand the importance of drills and the intentions of the alerting devices sound and visuals, please talk to your student ahead of time about the safety protocols. You can view the attached parent guide with information to our 5 safety protocols - Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
During the week of 8/17/2026, Harvard Junior High School students and staff will participate in a Secure Drill to ensure our students and staff are prepared to respond to an emergency. The goal of the drill is to help students feel safe and as prepared as possible should an emergency arise. The Police Department will be on site to assist in this drill. Our safety department continues to work with police and fire across McHenry County to enhance the safety procedures, technology, response, communication, and training for our schools. Safety is a partnership between all involved – parents included.
Each student should understand the importance of drills and the intentions of the alerting devices sound and visuals, please talk to your student ahead of time about the safety protocols. You can view the attached parent guide with information to our 5 safety protocols - Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
Mrs. Chaparro and Mr. Partida's Spanish language arts class put communication and teamwork into action! 🕸️🤝
Students started by sharing their favorite foods with one another, then worked together to create a giant human spider web. The challenge? Untangle yourselves without letting go! 🕷️
It took communication, patience, problem-solving, and plenty of teamwork to make it happen. What a fun way to build connections and strengthen our classroom community! 💛🖤🐝
#HarvardRising #Teamwork
Students started by sharing their favorite foods with one another, then worked together to create a giant human spider web. The challenge? Untangle yourselves without letting go! 🕷️
It took communication, patience, problem-solving, and plenty of teamwork to make it happen. What a fun way to build connections and strengthen our classroom community! 💛🖤🐝
#HarvardRising #Teamwork
🐝 Hornet Happenings! 🐝
Every Friday, our Hornets come together for Hornet Happenings—a school-wide video chat designed to keep us connected and build our school community! 💛🖤
During Hornet Happenings, we:
📣 Share important announcements
📅 Talk about upcoming school events
🥗 Learn about healthy habits
⭐ Spotlight amazing students and staff
🧠 Test our knowledge with fun trivia
😂 And, of course, have a little fun together!
Hornet Happenings is more than just announcements—it’s a chance for our entire school to connect, celebrate one another, and strengthen the sense of community that makes HJH special.
#Harvard Rising #HornetHappenings #HornetPride
Every Friday, our Hornets come together for Hornet Happenings—a school-wide video chat designed to keep us connected and build our school community! 💛🖤
During Hornet Happenings, we:
📣 Share important announcements
📅 Talk about upcoming school events
🥗 Learn about healthy habits
⭐ Spotlight amazing students and staff
🧠 Test our knowledge with fun trivia
😂 And, of course, have a little fun together!
Hornet Happenings is more than just announcements—it’s a chance for our entire school to connect, celebrate one another, and strengthen the sense of community that makes HJH special.
#Harvard Rising #HornetHappenings #HornetPride
Announcement
Please be advised that Harvard Junior High School does not have any events scheduled at the High School this afternoon.
We apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding this may have caused.
Thank you for your understanding!
Please be advised that Harvard Junior High School does not have any events scheduled at the High School this afternoon.
We apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding this may have caused.
Thank you for your understanding!
🐝 Welcome Back, Hornets! 🐝
The halls of Harvard Junior High School are buzzing once again! 💛🖤
Today we welcomed our Harvard Hornets back for the first day of school, and what a great way to kick off a new year! From reconnecting with friends to meeting new teachers and making new memories, there was plenty of excitement throughout the building.
Welcome back, Hornets! Let’s make it a great year! 💛🖤
#HarvardHornets #HJH #FirstDayOfSchool #HarvardRising
The halls of Harvard Junior High School are buzzing once again! 💛🖤
Today we welcomed our Harvard Hornets back for the first day of school, and what a great way to kick off a new year! From reconnecting with friends to meeting new teachers and making new memories, there was plenty of excitement throughout the building.
Welcome back, Hornets! Let’s make it a great year! 💛🖤
#HarvardHornets #HJH #FirstDayOfSchool #HarvardRising
Harvard Junior High Families,
This message is to let you know that registration for fall sports it's now open!
If you have any questions please reach out at (815) 943-6466.
This message is to let you know that registration for fall sports it's now open!
If you have any questions please reach out at (815) 943-6466.
As the final buses pull away and the hallways grow quiet, we say goodbye to another unforgettable school year. 🚌💛
Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled summer! We can’t wait to see you again next school year. 🌞📚
Goodbye for now, Harvard Hornets! 🐝Enjoy your summer!!
Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled summer! We can’t wait to see you again next school year. 🌞📚
Goodbye for now, Harvard Hornets! 🐝Enjoy your summer!!
Good evening families,
Tonight is our Promotion Ceremony! Students will enter through Door 1, and parents and guests should enter through Door 19. Doors will open at 5:15 PM.
For those unable to attend in person, here is the livestream link once again:
https://www.youtube.com/live/LIhFsdciisY
Buenas noches, familias:
¡Esta noche es nuestra Ceremonia de Promoción! Los estudiantes entrarán por la Puerta 1, y los padres e invitados deberán entrar por la Puerta 19. Las puertas se abrirán a las 5:15 p. m.
Para aquellos que no puedan asistir en persona, aquí tienen nuevamente el enlace de la transmisión en vivo:
https://www.youtube.com/live/LIhFsdciisY
As the school year starts winding down, we are turning up the fun with SPIRIT WEEK! 🖤💛
From crazy outfits to themed days and lots of school pride, our students and staff are making the most of these final weeks together. Thank you to everyone participating and helping create so many great memories before summer break! ☀️📚
We can’t wait to see all the creativity, laughter, and school spirit throughout the week!
#HarvardRising #HarvardHornets #SpiritWeek
From crazy outfits to themed days and lots of school pride, our students and staff are making the most of these final weeks together. Thank you to everyone participating and helping create so many great memories before summer break! ☀️📚
We can’t wait to see all the creativity, laughter, and school spirit throughout the week!
#HarvardRising #HarvardHornets #SpiritWeek
🎶 Some highlights from our Choir Rehearsal Day! 🎶
Students in grades 6–12 came together to rehearse our group piece, “High Flight,” with Mrs. Sullivan in preparation for our Spring Concert on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 PM in the Harvard High School North Gym.
Each choir had the opportunity to perform for one another and receive constructive feedback—such a great way to grow as musicians! The 6th–8th graders also participated in a Q&A session with our high school choir members, asking questions about choir in high school, why they joined, and what makes it so enjoyable.
It was a fantastic morning filled with music, learning, and connection. We can’t wait to share it all with you at the concert! 🎤✨
#HarvardRising #ChoirConcert
Students in grades 6–12 came together to rehearse our group piece, “High Flight,” with Mrs. Sullivan in preparation for our Spring Concert on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 PM in the Harvard High School North Gym.
Each choir had the opportunity to perform for one another and receive constructive feedback—such a great way to grow as musicians! The 6th–8th graders also participated in a Q&A session with our high school choir members, asking questions about choir in high school, why they joined, and what makes it so enjoyable.
It was a fantastic morning filled with music, learning, and connection. We can’t wait to share it all with you at the concert! 🎤✨
#HarvardRising #ChoirConcert
