Heritage Community Unit School District #8

The June Heritage CUSD #8 Newsletter is now available!

Inside you'll find important back-to-school dates, online registration reminders, district and strategic plan updates, introductions to our new principals, summer facility improvements, and information regarding school physicals and immunizations.

📅 Online registration closes July 2.

If you need assistance completing registration, please contact me at norton.kimberly@heritage8.org. We are happy to schedule a time and complete the process together.

Read the newsletter here:
https://app.smore.com/n/9cy31x

Thank you for being part of our Proud Hawk Community, and enjoy the remainder of your summer!

Dr. Norton

Calling all girls entering 6th-8th grade for the 2026-2027 school year! Join us this summer for Heritage Jr. High Open Gyms and get ready for an exciting season of basketball and volleyball.

🏀 Girls Basketball Open Gyms
📅 August 3 & August 6
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Heritage Jr. High Big Gym
➡️ Please use the north doors on the back side of the gym for entry and exit.

🏐 Volleyball Open Gyms
📅 July 13 & July 17
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Heritage Jr. High Multipurpose Room Gym
➡️ Please use the bussing doors on the west side of the multipurpose room for entry.

These open gyms are a great opportunity to build skills, meet teammates, and have fun while preparing for the upcoming school year!

📧 Questions? Contact Crystal Hurley at crystal.hurley@heritage8.org

#ProudHawkCommunity #HeritageCUSD8 ❤️💙

🥎 Heritage Junior High Softball Parents & Players! 🥎

If your student will be in grades 5–8 and is interested in playing softball this fall, please plan to attend our Parent Meeting:

📅 June 24
🕡 6:45 PM
📍 Junior High Ball Fields
🥎 Before the 8:00 PM Major Girls Game

This meeting will cover important information for the upcoming season and provide an opportunity to ask questions.

Can't attend but your child plans to play? Contact:
📧 ashley.knowles@heritage8.org
📧 megan.desmond@heritage8.org

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity 🥎❤️💙

📚 Want a Clean Slate for Summer? ❤️💙 Take a few minutes to complete your child’s 2026-2027 registration and cross one more item off your summer checklist! Completing registration now helps us finalize staffing, transportation, schedules, and planning for a great year ahead. 🏥 Need a school or sports physical? ROE #9 is offering FREE school and sports physicals on select dates TODAY and throughout June for students entering grades K-12. No insurance is required, and a parent/guardian must be present. See the flyer below for details. ✅ Complete registration ✅ Take advantage of a free school or sports physical if needed ✅ Enjoy your summer knowing you’re ready for the new school year Thank you to everyone who has already completed registration. We are so close and appreciate your help in preparing for another great year at Heritage!

Heritage CUSD #8 Families:

Thank you to the many families who have already completed online registration for the 2026-2027 school year! We are down to approximately 100 students who still need to register.

Please remember to complete registration by June 1. Registration fees do not need to be paid at this time, as the payment option in TeacherEase will not be available until July.

If you need assistance with registration, please contact Dr. Norton(217) 896-2041 ext. 132 or at norton.kimberly@heritage8.org. You may also contact Julie Pearman at Heritage High School at (217) 834-3016 or julie.pearman@heritage8.org. .

Thank you for helping us prepare for a great school year!

We had some dedicated supporters gather this morning to help send Clark off to the IHSA Class 1A State Track Meet at EIU!

Best of luck to Clark as he competes in the 800m and 1600m this afternoon. The Proud Hawk community is cheering you on all the way! ❤️💙

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity #StateBound #GoHawks

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness have safeguarded the freedoms we enjoy each day. As we spend time with family and friends, may we also take a moment to reflect with gratitude and remember those who gave all. Gone, but never forgotten.

📣 The latest Heritage CUSD #8 newsletter is here! As we wrap up another incredible school year, take a few moments to check out highlights, videos, celebrations, student accomplishments, important reminders, summer information, and updates from across our schools.

Thank you to our students, staff, families, Board of Education, and community for making this year so special. ❤️💙

Read it here: https://app.smore.com/n/p8tjz

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity

☀️ It is our final day of the 2025–2026 school year, Hawks! ❤️💙

As we prepare to wrap up another incredible year, we want to thank our students, staff, families, and community for your support, partnership, and the many memories created along the way.

Please remember it is an early dismissal day. Additional end-of-year information and updates will be shared soon in an upcoming newsletter.

If you have not yet completed online registration, please take a few minutes to do so. Early registration helps us prepare class lists, staffing, and transportation plans so we can begin next school year strong.

Thank you for being part of our Proud Hawk Community. We wish everyone a safe, fun, and relaxing summer break!

See you in August, Hawks! ❤️💙

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity

🎓 Celebrating the Heritage High School Class of 2026!

Graduation will be held Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m., with doors opening at 1:00 p.m. We look forward to honoring this outstanding group of seniors and celebrating this special milestone! ❤️💙

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity #Classof2026

Our littles are making the most of these final days of the school year and soaking up every moment of fun and learning! ☀️✨ Kindergarten students enjoyed an exciting trip to Staerkel Planetarium, First Grade welcomed guests for their lemonade stand activities, and Second Grade lit up the classroom with Glow Day fun! The smiles, memories, and special experiences continue as we celebrate the end of another amazing year together. More fun is still to come next week! ❤️💙 #ProudHawkCommunity

We are incredibly grateful for our continued partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Education.

We are proud of the work happening at Heritage and excited for what is ahead as we continue learning and growing together. ❤️💙

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Calling all future runners!

Heritage Cross Country is open to current 4th–7th grade students for next school year! Cross country is a great way for students to stay active, build friendships, challenge themselves, and be part of a supportive team. ❤️💙

Why join?
• Stay in shape for other sports
• Build endurance and strength
• Set and achieve personal goals
• Enjoy the outdoors
• Be part of an encouraging team atmosphere

📍 Informational Meeting
🗓 May 12th
⏰ 5:30 PM
📌 Old Gym at Heritage (Homer)
🚪 West doors will be unlocked

Questions? Contact Ariel Wells at ariel.wells@heritage8.org

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity ❤️💙

Thank you to all of our families that have registered so far online. It takes just a few minutes and we are about 1/3 completed!

Our goal is to have all returning students registered by the end of May. Early registration allows us to effectively plan staffing, class sections, and student supports to best meet the needs of our learners. If you are new to the district or know of a family planning to join Heritage, we welcome you and encourage you to reach out to our school offices for assistance with the registration process.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our offices. Any parent/guardian of a new or incoming kindergarten student may begin calling the school offices to set up a TeacherEase account starting May 1, 2026.

Kindergarten and new K–8 students: Please contact Shelley at 217-896-2421 ext. 1200

New high school students: Please contact Julie at 217-834-3393

Please be prepared to provide a frequently used email address, as this will be used to establish your TeacherEase account.

Congratulations to our 8th grade track athletes on an outstanding season so far! ❤️💙 Your hard work, dedication, and growth continue to make us proud. Keep competing, supporting one another, and finishing strong, Hawks! #HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity

These Heritage High School students were recognized through Breakfast Club for their positive character, leadership, and the example they set for others each day. ❤️💙

We are proud of our Hawks!

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity

Tonight, we proudly celebrated the induction of new members into the National Honor Society at Heritage High School. ❤️💙 National Honor Society recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These students have worked hard both inside and outside the classroom and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and commitment to making a positive difference in our school and community. Congratulations to our newest NHS inductees and thank you to the staff, families, and fellow students who continue to support and provide encouragement. #HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity ❤️💙

🐣🦆🦋 Things are coming to life in Mrs. Magsamen’s classroom! 🦋🦆🐣

From the excitement of ducklings hatching right before our eyes, to chicks making their debut, and even caterpillars beginning their transformation… learning is truly alive at Heritage!

These hands-on experiences give our students a front-row seat to the life cycle, sparking curiosity, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for the world around them and even our staff can’t help but stop by and watch the excitement unfold!

There’s nothing quite like seeing learning come to life in real time and the smiles say it all!

#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity ❤️💙