Dear Sixth Grade Parents,
All of us at Herrick and O'Neill Middle Schools are excited to meet our new students for the 2021-2022 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
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be able to hold our annual Sixth Grade Parent Night in person at your child’s future middle school. We will be sharing a virtual presentation with families instead.
- Herrick Middle School: Thursday, May 6 from 6 p.m.; www.dg58.org/he
- O’Neill Middle School: Thursday, May 6 from 6 p.m.; www.dg58.org/on
The virtual presentation is not live; therefore, families can access it at any time at or after 6 p.m. on May 6. The presentation will start with information 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: Steve Gross, sgross@dg58.org and 630-719-5810
- O’Neill Seventh Grade Counselor: Barry Kincaid, bkincaid@dg58.org and 630-719-5815
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 Tuesday, Aug. 17 and Wednesday, Aug. 18. 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. Information about Sneak Preview registration will be shared in early May. Sneak Preview frequently asked questions, including registration directions, are below.
Sneak Preview FAQs
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 Sneak Preview bus schedules 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 https://www.58foundation.net/.
If you have any questions regarding Herrick Sneak Preview, please contact Sarah McJoynt at smcjoynt@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
Matt Durbala, O’Neill Principal
Stephanie Dornan, HMS Assistant Principal
Haley Vermeer, OMS Assistant Principal