May 2026

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 4-8

May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week.  Please take a minute to send a positive note to your child's teachers.  We are lucky to have an awesome staff at Harter and they make our building an amazing place to learn and grow.  #ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek2026

Student Chromebook Exchanges

KHMS students will receive a new chromebook and rather than waiting until next school year, we are exchanging students' old chromebooks for a new one May 11 through 13.  What you need to know:

• The chromebook must be in working condition
• The chromebook must be the original chromebook assigned to your child
• The power adapter (charger) needs to be turned in
• The protective case needs to be turned in 
• A new device cannot be issued unless the old chromebook and charger are returned
• If a student has lost their charger, please contact the school's tech office prior to the scheduled exchange dates 

WordMasters Celebration

In the most recent WordMasters Challenge, the 8th grade team of students, taught by Kerri Jass & Marisa Nichols, placed 10th in the nation.  Wow!!!!  A 7th grade student taught by Kari Pitstick, achieved outstanding results in the Blue Division.  Congratulations to our students and staff (Miss Nichols, Mrs. Jass, Miss Pitstick, Miss Miller) for being so amazing.  #kanelandpride  

KORT Hours

For students completing KORT hours, if you are using a paper form, please submit the hours by May 11th.  If you are using the app, we will use the hours that have been submitted.     

Lunch Accounts

Please check your child's lunch account as the school year wraps up to ensure they are not in the negative.  If the account is in the negative, please bring the account back to a zero balance.  Unused funds will transfer and can be used next year in Kaneland schools.        

Last Day of School & 4th Term Report Cards

The last day of school is Thursday, May 21st.  Please note that Wednesday, May 20th and Thursday, May 21st are early release days.  School ends an hour earlier on these days (1:40 p.m.).    

4th Term Report Cards will be available for viewing on Friday, May 22nd.   

Important May Dates

May 4-8 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

May 5 - 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Choir Concert (KHS Auditorium) 6:30 p.m.

May 11-13 - Student Chromebook Exchange During Lunches

May 12 - 6th Grade Band Concert (Harter Cafeteria) 6:30 p.m.

May 13 - Spring Jazz Showcase (Harter Cafeteria) 6:30 p.m.

May 18 - 8th Grade Promotion & Dance (Harter Gymnasium) 6:30 p.m.

May 20 - Early Release Day - Students Released at 1:40 p.m.

May 21 - Last Day of School/End of 4th Term (Early Release Day) 1:40 p.m.

May 22 - 4th Term Report Cards Available in Infinite Campus

Proud to be a Knight!!!

 April 2026

PTO Happenings

The next No Cook Knight will be held on Tuesday, April 14th at Open Range in Sugar Grove (www.openrangegrill.com) from 5:00-9:00 p.m.  For the first time ever, No Cook Knight will also include a trivia night at Open Range.  It's family fun for everyone!    

The next PTO meeting is Thursday, April 23rd at 6:30 p.m.  It is a virtual meeting and you can join by using this link.

The Harter PTO needs your help to make our upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8) a success.  We are searching for sponsors and donations to help us spoil our staff.  

Sign up to donate items by using this link.   

Promotion & 8th Grade Dance Information

8th Grade Promotion and the 8th Grade Dance will be held on Monday, May 18th.  Promotion will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium.  The 8th Grade Dance will follow the ceremony and be held in the cafeteria from 7:30-9:00 p.m.  More information will be shared with 8th grade families through email.

The PTO is in need of donations to cover pizza costs and decorations for the 8th Grade Dance.  To donate or volunteer, please click here.  

i-Ready Testing

All students will take the i-Ready math and reading assessments the week of April 27th.  We have a special schedule that we will follow, but our students will still attend all of their classes each day.  Please take note of the important information below.

• Testing will take place from 8:04-9:04 a.m. each day April 27-May 1.  
• Students should make sure their chromebook is charged the night before each day of testing.
• Students should eat a good breakfast before coming to school. 
• Students need earbuds for the assessments.
• These assessments, along with other criteria, help us place students into appropriate classes (i.e., Accelerated Math, Challenge ELA, etc.).  These tests should be taken seriously. 

Important April 2026 Dates

Monday, April 6 - School Improvement Day - No School for Students

Tuesday, April 7 - School Resumes

Wednesday, April 8 - Friday, April 10 - IAR Math Testing

Tuesday, April 14 - No Cook Knight @ Open Range (Sugar Grove) 5:00-9:00 p.m. 

Friday, April 17- Sunday, April 19 - 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip

Thursday, April 23 - PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. (virtual link)

Friday, April 24 - Spring Musical (cafeteria) 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 25 - Spring Musical (cafeteria) 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 26 - Spring Musical (cafeteria) 2:00 p.m.

Monday, April 27 - Friday, May 1 - i-Ready Testing 

Thursday, April 30 - 7th & 8th Grade Band Concert (KHS Auditorium) 7:00 p.m.

Proud to be a Knight!!!

March 2026

Student Showcase

Our Student Showcase is set for Wednesday, March 18th from 6:00-7:45 p.m.  Our students and staff are ready to show off all of the amazing learning that has taken place this school year.  You will be able to enjoy the following:

• Core Team Activities 
• PE/Exploratory Activities
• The Student Art Show

We hope to see you on March 18th!

PTO Happenings

St. Patty's Game Day

The annual St. Patrick's Day PTO Gameday will be held on Friday, March 13th after school from 2:45-4:15 p.m.  It is $5 to enter or $3 if a student is wearing green.  Snacks and concessions will be available for purchase.    

The PTO is looking for parent volunteers to help at game stations and at the concession stand.  If you are able to help, you can sign-up using this link. 

No Cook Knight

The next No Cook Knight will be held at Culver's in Sugar Grove on Tuesday, March 24th from 5:00-8:00 p.m.  When you order from Culver's, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to our fabulous PTO.  Volunteers are needed and you can use this link to help on March 24th.      

End of 3rd Term and Report Cards

The last day of 3rd Term is March 13th.  Report cards will be ready and available to review in Infinite Campus after 4:00 p.m. on March 20th.  Directions on how to view your child's report card will be sent via email on March 20th.  

5Essentials Survey

All students and staff have taken the 5Essentials Survey.  

Parents are also encouraged to take the 5Essentials Survey.  Click here to learn more about the 5Essentials Survey.  

Link to parent survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/  

IAR/ISA Testing

All 8th grade students will take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) on March 17th, 18th, and 19th.  8th grade students will take one test a day.  For more information regarding the Illinois Science Assessment, please click here.    

All students grades 6-8 will complete IAR testing on April 8th, 9th, and 10th.  

We've been working and will continue working with our students on how to navigate the assessments, along with reviewing some of the practice items provided to us.  We want our students to do their best on the IAR assessments and preparing them ahead of time will help.  Please encourage your child to do their best!  

To access important information from Kaneland 302 regarding IAR testing, please click on the following links:

• IAR Parent Video (Spring 2026)
• IAR Parent Night Key Information

  Once we get closer to our testing dates, more information will be shared.       

Student Appreciation Week

Our annual Student Appreciation Week is scheduled for the week of March 23rd.  We have fun activities planned each day to help celebrate and highlight our awesome students.  This annual tradition has become one of our favorite weeks of the school year.    

March Important Dates

March 3 - 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Chorus Concert (KHS Auditorium) 6:30 p.m.

March 13 - End of 3rd Term

March 13 - PTO Game Day (Harter gymnasium) 2:45-4:15 p.m.

March 17-19 - 8th Grade Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)

March 18 - Student Showcase 6:00-7:45 p.m.

March 20 - 3rd Term Report Cards Available in Infinite Campus

March 23-27 - Student Appreciation Week

March 24 - PTO No Cook Knight at Culver's (Sugar Grove) 5:00-8:00 p.m.

March 30 - April 3 - No School Spring Break

Proud to be a Knight!!!

 February 2026

WordMasters Success at Harter 

KHMS achieved Highest Honors in the 39th annual WordMasters Challenge, which is a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 125,000 students from around the country.  Congratulations to our students and fabulous teachers (Kari Pitstick, Kelsey Miller, Marisa Nichols, Kerri Jass) that oversee WordMasters. 

Kane County Judges Presentation

In an effort to continually help our students further develop and navigate digital citizenship skills, which includes cyber-bullying, KHMS is hosting presentations provided by a Kane County judge and the Kane County State's Attorney for 6th and 8th grade students.  The 6th and 8th grade presentations are different and to avoid repeating presentations, 7th graders will not receive a presentation.  A student's 3-year cycle at the middle school will include a presentation when they are in 6th and 8th grade.    

Both presentations are middle school appropriate and fully align with the Social-Emotional Learning Standards and the Digital Literacy Standards the State of Illinois requires all schools to implement.  Both presentations will be given on February 4th during the school day.      

Scheduling for the 2026-2027 School Year

Students and parents will be emailed information about registering for exploratory classes for the 2026-2027 school year the week of February 2nd.  All current 6th and 7th grade students will register for classes the week of February 9th during the school day.  Please review the information carefully after it is sent.  Students will need to fill out the class registration form and bring it with them when it's their day to schedule their classes.  

IAR Testing

IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) testing will take place on April 8, 9, and 10.  In addition to IAR testing, 8th grade students will also take the ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) March 17-19.   

We have been and will continue to work with our students on how to navigate the assessments, along with reviewing some of the practice items provided to us.  We want our students to do their best on the IAR & ISA assessments and preparing them ahead of time will help.  Please encourage your child to do their best!  Once we get closer to our testing dates, more information will be shared.       

Important February 2026 Dates

Feb 7 - 7th Grade Girls Basketball Harter Invitational 

Feb 10 - 6th Grade Winter Band Concert (KHMS Cafeteria) 6:30 p.m. 

Feb 12 - Current 7th Grade Scheduling Day

Feb 13 - Current 6th Grade Scheduling Day

Feb 16 - No School Presidents' Day

Feb 19 - Current 6th & 7th Grade KIPLA Scheduling Day

Feb 24 - 7th & 8th Grade Band Concert (KHS Auditorium) 7:00 p.m.

Feb 27 - No School Teacher Institute Day

Proud to be a Knight!!!

January 2026

2025-2026 Yearbook

Yearbook orders are being accepted for this school year.  Below is the link to order a yearbook.

yearbookordercenter.com

Harter's school code: 14512

Please don't hesitate to purchase a yearbook if your child would like one.  The purchasing deadline is January 30th.  We typically have upset students at the end of the year when we tell them there aren't extra yearbooks available for purchase.   

KHMS is Hiring

Do you or someone you know want to work in an amazing middle school?  Harter Middle School is searching for a paraprofessional and a lunch monitor.  Come join a 4-time designated School to Watch in Illinois and learn more about how gratifying it is to work in our learning community.  Apply today!   

Paraprofessional Link 

Lunch Monitor Link

PTO Happenings

The next PTO meeting is Wednesday, January 21st at 6:30 p.m.  It is a virtual meeting and you can attend by using this link.  

The next No Cook Knight will be held at Paisano's (both Elburn & Sugar Grove locations) on January 22nd and they will accept orders all day.  Please mention the KHMS PTO when ordering.  We appreciate your support!  

Bowling: Boys & Girls - 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade

As a member of the Illinois Elementary Association (IESA), we have the opportunity for students who participate in competitive bowling to compete at the State level.  Bowers should have a series of 3 game averay of 375+.

At this time, bowling is not one of our interscholastic sports at Harter.  This means we do not have an official team.  There is no daily practice or interscholastic schedule.  We have a volunteer coach who loves to bowl and wants to share the opportunity with our students.  After we determine who is interested in participating (sign-up form), the coach will reach out with additional information and some optional playing opportunities.  

8th Grade Promotion & Dance Information 

As a follow-up from a previous communication, the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony and the 8th Grade Dance are scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026.  This date may change if emergency days (snow or cold days) are used.  Typically, the ceremony and dance are held the night before the last day of school.  More specific information will be shared in April.     

Scheduling for the 2026-2027 School Year

Starting in February, students and parents will be emailed information about registering for classes for the 2026-2027 school year.  All current 6th and 7th grade students will register for classes during the month of February.  Please review the information carefully after it is sent.  Students will need to fill out the class registration form and bring it with them when it's their day to schedule their classes.  

Important January Dates

January 5 - School Resumes

January 5 & 6 - Girls Basketball Tryouts 2:45-4:45 p.m.

January 6 - KHS Open House for Current 8th Grade Students 5:30-

January 9 - 2nd Term Report Cards Available in Infinite Campus

January 19 - No School MLK Day

January 21 - PTO Meeting (virtual link) 6:30 p.m.

January 22 - PTO No Cook Knight at Paisano's (both locations) - all day

January 31 - 8th Grade Girls Basketball Harter Invite 

Proud to be a Knight!!!

December 2025

2025-2026 Yearbook

Yearbook orders are being accepted for this school year.  Below is the link to order a yearbook.

yearbookordercenter.com

Harter's school code: 14512

Please don't hesitate to purchase a yearbook if your child would like one.  The purchasing deadline is January 30th.  We typically have upset students at the end of the year when we tell them there aren't extra yearbooks available for purchase.   

KHMS is Hiring

Do you or someone you know want to work in an amazing middle school?  Harter Middle School is searching for a paraprofessional and a lunch monitor.  Come join a 4-time designated School to Watch in Illinois and learn more about how gratifying it is to work in our learning community.  Apply today!   

Paraprofessional Link 

Lunch Monitor Link

PTO Happenings 

The next PTO meeting is Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m.  It is a virtual meeting and you can join the meeting using this link.  Don't forget that the homeroom with the most parents that attend will win a special prize.

The December No Cook Knight is Thursday, December 18th at Open Range in Sugar Grove.  When you dine at Open Range during the hours of 5:00-9:00 p.m., a portion of the proceeds will be donated to our fabulous PTO.  Thank you for your support!  

i-Ready Testing

All students will take the i-Ready math and reading assessments the week of December 1st.  We have a special schedule that we will follow, but our students will still attend all of their classes each day.  Please take note of the important information below.

• Testing will take place from 8:04-9:04 a.m. each day Dec 1-5.  
• Students should make sure their chromebook is charged the night before each day of testing.
• Students should eat a good breakfast before coming to school. 
• Students need earbuds for the assessments.
• These assessments, along with other criteria, help us place students into appropriate classes (i.e., Accelerated Math, Challenge ELA, etc.).  These tests should be taken seriously. 

e-Learning Information

Now that the winter season is upon us, we wanted to share our plan in case an e-learning day is called in lieu of a non-attendance day.  You can find more information on e-Learning by clicking here.  

Early Release Days

Please note that we have early-release days on Thursday, December 18th and Friday, December 19th.  Students will be released one hour earlier than usual (1:40 p.m.).  

End of 2nd Term - Report Cards 

The end of the 2nd Term is Friday, December 19th.  Report cards will be ready for viewing on January 9th after 3:00 p.m.  

Veterans Day Assembly Thank You

We had over 30 veterans attend our Veterans Day Assembly and our guest speaker, Sergeant Major Bryan Goff, shared a special message for our students and veterans in attendance.  Thank you for making this day so special year after year.  #kanelandpride 

Important December Dates

Dec 1-5 - i-Ready Testing

Dec 5-6 - 7th Grade Kaneland Boys Basketball Invitational

Dec 9 - 7th Grade Band/Choir Concert (KHS Auditorium) 7:00 p.m.

Dec 11 - 8th Grade Band/Choir Concert (KHS Auditorium) 7:00 p.m.

Dec 16 - Holiday Jazz Showcase (Harter Cafeteria) 6:30 p.m.

Dec 17 - PTO Meeting (virtual link) 6:30 p.m.

Dec 18 - PTO No Cook Knight - Open Range, Sugar Grove 5:00-9:00 p.m. 

Dec 18 - Early Release Day (1:40 p.m. Dismissal)

Dec 19 - Early Release Day (1:40 p.m. Dismissal)

Dec 22-Jan 2 - No School Winter Break

Jan 5 - School Resumes 

Proud to be a Knight!!!

November 2025

Fall Fundraiser

The pick-up date for all fundraising items from the fall fundraiser is November 5th starting at 3:00 p.m.  All frozen items, no matter if sold online or in person, will need to be picked up on that day unless the customer chose a ship to home product online.  Customers that purchased popcorn online had a choice between paying extra and having them shipped to their home or shipping them to school for free.  Those items sent to school will also be available for pickup at that time.  Please keep in mind that we do not have freezer space to store frozen product.  If you are unable to pick up the items on November 5th, please make arrangements for someone else to pick it up for you.

 An effort will be made to get all physical prizes to students on pick-up night.  

Field trip prizes (Portillo's Limo Lunch & Main Event) will occur sometime in November or December.  Once we finalize the event dates, an email will be sent.  

Parent-Teacher (Student-Led) Conferences

Parent-Teacher (Student-Led) Conferences will be held on November 5th & 6th.  Please click here to sign up for a conference if you haven’t done so.  The link will close on Tuesday, November 4th.   

Book Fair

Harter's annual Book Fair is here (October 31-November 7).  Students will attend the Book Fair during the school day and it will be open during Parent-Teacher (Student-Led) Conferences.  Don't forget to visit the Book Fair in the library while you are here for conferences.  #KanelandReads

Veterans Day Assembly

The KHMS Veterans Day Assembly is being held on Tuesday, November 11th from 8:04-9:04 a.m.  Veterans are invited to attend our assembly and we ask that you RSVP with Ms. Rudo at: 84289@kaneland.org

Your RSVP should include the Veteran's name, branch of service, relation to Harter student(s), and any other special notes you would like us to have.  

As we did last year, we are working with a company to line our school roads and walkways with American Flags.  We are looking for extra help to put up the flags.  You can find the dates and also sign up by using this link.   

KIPLA Informational Night

To learn more about the Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy (KIPLA), please join us at our upcoming informational night on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, from 6:00-7:00 p.m.  More information on the event can be found here.  

2025-2026 Yearbook

Yearbook orders are being accepted for this school year.  Below is the link to order a yearbook.

yearbookordercenter.com

Harter's school code: 14512

Please don't hesitate to purchase a yearbook if your child would like one.  The purchasing deadline is January 30th.  We typically have upset students at the end of the year when we tell them there aren't extra yearbooks available for purchase.   

PTO Happenings

The next PTO meeting will be held on November 12th at 6:30 p.m.  It's a virtual meeting and you can join using this link.  

McTeacher Night is back!  The PTO is hosting their annual McTeacher Night on Tuesday, November 18th at the Sugar Grove McDonald's from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  KHMS staff will be in attendance helping in a variety of ways.  Please bring cash to buy some cookies and to tip the Harter staff, which will all be donated to the PTO.  

  

Important November Dates

Nov 5 - Parent-Teacher (Student-Led) Conferences 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Nov 6 - Parent-Teacher (Student-Led) Conferences 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Nov 7 - No School

Nov 11 - Veterans Day Assembly 

Nov 12 - PTO Meeting (virtual link) 6:30 p.m.

Nov 13 - 6th Grade Choir Concert (KHMS Cafeteria) 6:30 p.m.

Nov 14 & 15 - Harter 8th Grade Boys Basketball Invite 

Nov 18 - McTeacher Night @ Sugar Grove McDonald's 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Nov 24 - No School for Students (Teacher Institute Day)

Nov 25 - No School for Students (School Improvement Day)

Nov 26-28 - No School Thanksgiving Break

Proud to be a Knight!!!