On Saturday, May 2, Sunnybrook participated in the annual Lansing Good Neighbor Day Parade. As usual, it was a great time walking through the community and seeing so many smiling faces. The weather was great this year for an afternoon parade. We had administration, staff, and of course, the great Heritage Marching Band with Drumline providing music along the way. This is one of our can't-miss events each year.
Don't Forget to Register
Just a reminder that registration is open for all students for the 2026 - 207 school year. Please log into PowerSchool and complete the registration process as soon as you can as it truly is a big help to the District. If any additional information is needed, your child's main office will reach out to you. Should you need any technical assistance, please email support@sd171.org.
Nathan Hale Updates:
1st Graders at the Shedd
First graders were excited to dive into an unforgettable learning adventure at the Shedd Aquarium! They were able to explore many colorful fish, huge sharks, marine animals, and incredible underwater habitats! The students really loved the live animal show featuring a blind sea lion named Cruz who came to Chicago from California! They deepened their love and appreciation for ocean animals and had a day full of fun, curiosity, and discovery!
Nathan Hale Farm Night
Nathan Hale hosted the third annual Farm Night on May 6. Students have been working on a farm and agriculture unit throughout the school year. Each kindergarten class became experts on two animals and shared their knowledge through artwork, writing, science and motor exploration and peer collaboration. The evening began with a musical performance of farm songs and led to activities like goat yoga, herding farm animals, hay rides, sensory exploration, a visit from the Chick fil A cow and viewing our newly hatched live chicks! The hard work and creativity put forth by the kindergartners was nothing short of amazing and a fun night was had by all!
The Chickens Have Hatched!
We had another successful year of hatching chicks with the EL classes at Nathan Hale! We had a total of 46 chicks hatch! We were excited to share this experience with the entire school who had opportunities to come into the EL teachers' rooms to learn all about the incubation and hatching process! Some students even earned or won special play time with the chicks! Our chicks are bilingual, and here are some of our favorite chick names... Vader (born on May the 4th Be with You Day), Bigote (mustache in Spanish), Rosie, Ayo (joy in Nigerian) and Dulce (sweet in Spanish)! The chicks are returning to the farm this week, but we look forward to having chicks again next spring!
Nathan Hale at the Math Bowl
Our Nathan Hale students did an AMAZING job at the 2026 South Cook Regional Math Bowl! We are so proud of the time, effort and commitment they showed! To celebrate, the Math Bowl students received a pizza party!!! Way to go, team!
Sewing Club!
The students in Sewing Club have been hard at work learning beginner sewing skills while creating fun and useful projects. Students made colorful handmade pillows using patterned fabric and practiced important skills such as cutting fabric, pinning, and sewing by hand. In addition to sewing pillows, students also decorated tote bags to personalize and take home. The club encourages creativity, patience, and teamwork while helping students build confidence through hands-on projects. Students were excited to show off their finished creations.
Nathan Hale Soccer Club
Fourth grade soccer club is "kickin" at Nathan Hale! The students are learning the game of soccer while practicing dribbling, passing, and shooting through friendly scrimmages, games, and challenges. Whether they're brand new to soccer or already love the sport, everyone in the club is learning, growing, and having lots of springtime fun. It looks like we have a lot of potential Heritage soccer team stars in the group!
Heritage Updates:
Eighth Graders Teaching Science
On April 15, eighth grade science students spent the day teaching younger students science concepts. Those chosen as student mentors spent class time preparing a lesson and a hands-on activity to get others excited about science.
Fifth Graders Take On Activate for an Action-Packed Field Trip
Last month, our fifth graders visited Activate for a lively and memorable field trip. Students stepped into the role of active gamers, racing, jumping, and climbing through a variety of challenges. Teams used quick thinking and problem-solving skills as they competed, cheered one another on, and shared plenty of laughs.
The interactive technology tested both physical and mental abilities, turning each activity into an exciting, fast-paced experience. Teachers noted strong teamwork and good sportsmanship throughout the day. Many students said it was one of their favorite trips this year — a perfect
mix of fun, fitness, and friendly competition.
Band Visits the Orchestra
The 6th-8th Grade Band attended a performance of "Harmony and Hogwarts" by the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra that featured their Youth Symphony Orchestra members. Students were introduced to string instruments and enjoyed hearing a professional ensemble. The experience gave students the opportunity to observe advanced musicianship and an ensemble performance in a live concert setting. It also encouraged students to make connections between the music they perform in class and professional musical experiences beyond the classroom.
Spring Music Concert
The Heritage Band and Chorus put on a stellar performance for our friends and family on Thursday, May 7. The event was a wonderful celebration of the hard work, growth, and talent of our students. Performers in grades 5-8 showcased a variety of musical selections that highlighted their dedication throughout the year. The finale, "We're All in This Together", was the perfect way to close the concert - a reminder that through music, teamwork, and shared experiences, our students have grown together and finished the year united as one school community. We are so proud of our student performers!
Fourth Quarter House Day
Valentía – the House of Bravery – closed out the fourth quarter in style with an energetic and memorable House Day on Friday, May 1. Students and staff came together for a full day of friendly competition, facing off against Amamihe, Àtinúdá, and Dosti in a variety of spirited challenges.
The day was packed with activities that encouraged teamwork, school pride, and a little healthy rivalry. From start to finish, the halls and competition spaces were filled with excitement, laughter, and determination as participants gave their best for their houses.
It may have been a busy day, it was also a meaningful one—a day that brought the school community together and celebrated the courage, connection, and camaraderie that define Valentía.
The Green House of Wisdom—Amamihe —also showed up and showed off! We had everything from a "Just Dance" room to a Nacho Bar with fun "outdoor" games. Green House Leaders put together a lineup of amazing activities that showcased House collaboration and good-spirited fun. The most amusing Amamihe-inspired Houses race was done on scooters with (new) toilet plungers - students were required to only use the plungers to move themselves across the gym floor. It was absolute mayhem out there!
Heritage Soccer Team Wins Big
On Monday, May 4th, on an overcast day in Calumet City, the Heritage Soccer Team defeated Schrum 6-0 for their first-ever victory. Fueled by confidence and momentum, the team now sets its sights on finishing the season with the same intensity and pride. Vamos! Nacionales!
Upcoming Events
No School - Friday, May 15
No School on Friday, May 15, 2026, due to a Teacher Institute Day.
School Board Meeting
Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Middle School
No School - Memorial Day
No School on Monday, May 24, 2026 in honor of Memorial Day
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
On Wednesday, May 27, at 6:00 p.m. at Heritage will be the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony. A live stream of the event will be available on the District YouTube page.
Last Day of School
Friday, May 29, 2026 will be the last day of school for the 2025 - 2026 school year. This is a full day of school.
