Dear Sixth Grade Parents,
All of us at Herrick and O'Neill Middle Schools are excited to meet our new students for the 2020-2021 school year. We invite our current sixth grade parents to join us for our Sixth Grade Parent Night this May and our current sixth grade students to attend Sneak Preview this summer!
Sixth Grade Parent Night Parents, please attend Sixth Grade Parent Night at your child’s future middle school:
- Herrick Middle School: Monday, May 4 from 6-7:30 p.m.; www.dg58.org/he
- O’Neill Middle School: Tuesday, May 5 from 6-7:30 p.m.; www.dg58.org/on
We will start with an informational presentation about the seventh grade curriculum, orientation and registration. Seventh grade classes at the middle school level are mixed-level classes with two exceptions. Students are placed into leveled math classes. More information regarding math placement placement and qualifications can be found here: MS Math Placement. We also offer a Gifted Language Arts class. This is a combination grade 7-8 class, and approximately 3% of our grade 7 students qualify for this program. More information is available here: MS Gifted ELA. Feel free to contact the counselor who will be working with your child if you have any questions about middle school.
- Herrick Seventh Grade Counselor: Julie Quinlan, jquinlan@dg58.org and 630-719-5810
- O’Neill Seventh Grade Counselor: Venessa Jeris, vjeris@dg58.org and 630-719-5815
After the presentation, parents are welcome to tour the building. Please note that this evening is for parents only. All sixth grade students will be visited by our counselors as the first step in their transition process. We also encourage students to participate in the summer Sneak Preview program. We hope that these visits will help you feel more comfortable about your student's transition to middle school in August!
Sneak Preview Sneak Preview is our annual middle school transition program for incoming seventh grade students. We highly recommend all incoming seventh graders to attend this free, two-day event!
This year, Sneak Preview will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 19 and Thursday, Aug. 20. Students should attend both days. Sneak Preview offers three sessions, and students may choose one to attend: Session 1 is from 8-9:30 a.m.; Session 2 is from 9:45-11:15 a.m.; and Session 3 is from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Each session has a maximum number of students who may attend; spaces will fill up on a first-come, first-served basis. Sneak Preview registration opens today and goes through June 1. View Sneak Preview frequently asked questions, including registration directions, on the next page.
Sneak Preview FAQs How do I register for Sneak Preview?
- Visit https://dg58.info/SneakPreview/, click “Register Student” and enter “preview” as the password.
- Select your child’s name from the drop-down menu; if it’s not listed, select “other” and type in name.
- Select school.
- Select a session.
- Click “Register” to submit (or “Add” to register a second child).
- Email confirmation will be sent to the email address provided.
Why should my child attend Sneak Preview?
- Be prepared for the first day of school
- Learn how to open lockers, find classrooms and navigate class schedules
- Participate in fun scavenger hunts and locker relays
- Meet other students and get to know teachers
- Learn about clubs, activities and sports offered by your new middle school
- Get a free T-shirt! (if registered by Aug. 1)
Is busing provided for Sneak Preview? District 58 will provide busing to Herrick during Session 1 and to O’Neill during Session 3. Please review the bus schedule at https://dg58.info/SneakPreview/bus.php for pick up and drop off times and locations.
Other information/questions: Sneak Preview is proudly sponsored by the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58. Learn more about the Education Foundation at www.58foundation.org.
If you have any questions regarding Herrick Sneak Preview, please contact Julie Quinlan at jquinlan@dg58.org. If you have any questions regarding O’Neill Sneak Preview, please contact Krissy Scapellato at kscapellato@dg58.org or Danielle Saenz at dsaenz@dg58.org.
View the Herrick Welcome Flyer and the O’Neill Welcome Flyer for more information.
Sincerely,
Amy Read, Herrick Principal
Stephanie Dornan, HMS Assistant Principal
Matt Durbala, O’Neill Principal
Haley Vermeer, OMS Assistant Principal