Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Junior High

The Harper Bulletin

  Harper Junior High School Bulletin  

December 1 - December 5, 2025

On This Day in History

• On Dec. 1, 1959, representatives of 12 countries, including the United States, signed a treaty in Washington setting aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, free from military activity.

• Lucy Liu (born December 2, 1968) is an American actress, model, artist, and occasional film producer and director. Lui has traveled to Pakistan and Lesotho as an Ambassador for UNICEF, and has donated profits of her art shows directly to UNICEF.///On December 2, 1970, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed by President Richard Nixon to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment, began operation.

• December 3rd is Illinois Admission Day. Illinois became the 21st U.S. state on this date in 1818. Springfield is the state capital and the home of the National Historic Site of the home of President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.

• On December 4, 1978, Dianne Feinstein became San Francisco's first woman mayor when she was named to replace George Moscone, who had been assassinated.

• Walter Elias "Walt" Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, and philanthropist. He was co-founder of Walt Disney Productions, which later became one of the best-known motion picture producers in the world. 

• David Warren "Dave" Brubeck (December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist and composer, considered to be one of the foremost exponents of progressive jazz. He wrote a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". 

Student News

Math Club

DHS Math Club will be here after school MONDAY DECEMBER 8th from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in room F38 (Mrs. Rocha's Classroom) hosted by DHS Math Club.

Harper Book Club Announcement
Did you know Harper has a Book Club? We’ve just wrapped up our first read, Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer, and we’re excited to begin our next book: STAMPED: Racism, Anti-racism, and You by Jason Reynolds.

📚 Join us every Wednesday at lunch in the library conference room!
Everyone is welcome—come read, discuss, and connect with fellow book lovers!

Lost and Found
Please check Lost and Found for any missing jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc.  Lost and Found will be donated to charity on December 19th.

Save the date- Take out Tuesday, December 16th

Our next Take-Out-Tuesday is at Woodstock Pizza at 215 G Street. From 12:00pm to 9:00pm for every full priced order—dine-in, takeout, and yes, even drinks—counts toward your fundraiser! (Discounted items don’t qualify.)

You  just need to mention your Harper Fundraiser when ordering.

Ordering online? Use the code Fundy5 in the coupon section so it’s included in your totals.

Davis Parent University (DPU)

Reserve FREE Tickets Now! Davis Parent University (DPU) Hosts Jacob Ward on Jan 8, 7 PM

Is your brain ready to talk AI?  Are you eager for guidance as a high school student, parent, or educator?  Let’s separate our anxiety from all that is AI and talk about how we can understand its risks and amplify the best parts of being human.  Please join Davis Parent University (DPU) on Thursday, January 8 at 7 PM at Brunelle for a fireside chat (new format!) between Jacob Ward, award-winning technology journalist and former NBC news correspondent, and Pamela Wu, Director of News and Media Relations for UC Davis Health.  Jake welcomes high school students to attend!  

Jake is the author of The Loop: How AI Is Creating a World Without Choices and How We Can Fight Back.  Check out Jake’s quick video about his event HERE.  For more information about Jake and for FREE tickets, please visit davisparentuniversity.com.  You can also watch a recording of DPU’s recent event with Dr. Tovah Klein here.  Listen, laugh, and learn with DPU!

Upcoming Dates 

Here is what is coming up at Harper in December:

• Friday 12/5 - First Friday with the Principal - Join us during 1st period (from 8:20-9:20) in the Harper Den (room K63) every first Friday of the month for coffee and a social hour to connect with Principal Sluis and Vice Principal Nero along with other Harper families and staff.  We would love to hear more from parents about our Harper climate and check in about what is on top for you as junior high parents.

• Friday 12/5 - Remember that 8th grade basketball paperwork is due tomorrow 12/5! Practice begins on Monday

• 12/8-11 - Musical Auditions are next week after school.  See the bulletin for more details

• Wednesday 12/10 - Harper Music Fall Concert 7pm in the MPR

• 12/16 - Take Out Tuesday -  Take a night off cooking and support our PTO by eating at Woodstock’s Pizza and 20% of your bill will be donated to Harper (Make sure to mention Harper when you order). 

• 12/20-1/4 is Winter Break

• Monday 1/5 - Junior High and Elementary schools are in session - There is a teacher work day for high schools only

• Save the Date for our Parent information Nights in January - See the bulletin and our Harper Website for more information as we plan for the 2026-27 school year.

  • January 14 - Incoming Sophomores - DSHS Parent Night (6pm Brunelle Hall)

  • January 20 - Incoming 7th Grade Family Information Night at Harper (5:15 - English, 6:30 - Spanish)

  • January 27 - Incoming 8th/9th Family Information Night at Harper (5pm English, 6:30 Spanish)

Athletics

Harper 8th Grade Basketball begins on Monday.