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Summer Notes – August 3, 2023
(For our new families, this is the first edition of our weekly newsletter sent out to school families each Thursday throughout the school year.)
From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
2023-24 Year VerseIt is my hope that these summer months have been a blessing to you and your family. While the WCGS building has been much quieter without our wonderful students and families, much has been done to prepare for the upcoming school year. I am honored to welcome all of you to the 2023-24 school year and am expectant for all that the Lord will do in and through WCGS. Our year verse continues to be a foundation for the year, and I am thrilled to share that this year’s focus will be on Jeremiah 29:11.
Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This verse teaches and reminds us that we serve a Sovereign God who is powerful and good. While the book of Jeremiah includes some challenging news for the Israelites, it is also filled with a picture of hope. We rest in the hope of Jesus Christ as our Savior. With each day at WCGS, it is my prayer that our entire community grows in our faith and trust in the One who had great plans for the Israelites and for us. I am overwhelmed by how good God is and I am so passionate about our students growing in their knowledge and understanding of Him. I would ask that you pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to our community in a way that causes us to sing His praises and worship His name in all that we do.
As we unpack Jeremiah 29:11 this year, we will focus on three key themes throughout our chapel program.
1. Sovereign God
2. Flourishing Kingdom
3. People of Hope
These three themes will be described in more detail throughout the year and I look forward to all that God will guide us toward as we study His Word together.
I can’t wait to see our faculty and staff engage with our students and families this year. May God alone be glorified by the 2023-24 school year.
Updated Thursday Notes
We hope you enjoy this new format for Thursday Notes. We have updated our format so that you are able to read the notes easily in your inbox and can search for keywords and announcements. In addition, we will be archiving Thursday Notes on our school website so you will have easy access to each week’s notes. The Thursday Notes archive will be accessible on the website under the “Parents” Tab and is also linked here. Additionally, we have added a weekly digital book of school photos for families to enjoy!
Notable Notes
Class Lists
Class lists will be available for viewing on the FACTS Family Portal on Thursday, August 10, after 5:00 p.m. Instructions on how to view class lists will be sent out that day. If your family has moved or changed phone numbers, please send that information ASAP to Debbie Cairncross (Registrar) to ensure that your correct contact information is shared with your new classmates!
All-School Open Houses and Orientations – Wednesday, August 16
Grades K-5 Open House
We are pleased to welcome our K-5 students for an open house from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. This is an informal drop-in time to meet the teacher and drop off school supplies. Feel free to come in anytime during this two-hour window.
Grades 6-8 Orientation
All students in grades 6-8 should plan to attend the entire hour of their respective grade level orientations from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. New students in grades 6-8 are invited to come early from 10:30-11:00 a.m. to meet their student ambassadors and teachers, as well as get acclimated to the junior high hallway.
First Day Parent Welcome
Plan to join us on the front field the first day of school, Thursday, August 17, from 8:45-10:00 a.m. for the Parent Welcome. Stop by at this open house to check out some of the many ways you can get involved at WCGS. This is also a great opportunity to meet and greet many other WCGS parents as well. Don’t miss it! (In case of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Commons.)
Zero Hour Spanish
For those who enrolled in Spanish for grades 6-8, classes will begin on the following dates:
Grade 8 will start on Monday, August 21, and will meet in Room 614. Class will meet on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:45-8:40 a.m. and be taught by Mrs. Sharenda Barlar.
Grade 7 will start on Tuesday, August 22, and will meet in Room 610. Class will meet on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:45-8:40 a.m. and be taught by Mrs. Michelle Clousing.
Grade 6 will start Monday, August 21, and will meet in Room 611. Class will meet on Monday and Wednesday from 7:45-8:40 a.m. and be taught by Mrs. Michelle Clousing.
School Supplies
It’s time to shop for your school supplies! Make sure you have your items to bring to school on Wednesday, August 16. Click for the 2023-2024 School Supply List.
School Pictures
Picture Day is Thursday, August 31, during normal school hours. We will again be using JostensPix to capture smiles. JostensPix offer the availability to preview pictures online before purchase, to personalize your background, to buy exactly what you want at an affordable price, and photos will be shipped directly to your home! Previewing, personalization, ordering, and payment will all take place online at jostenspix.com. No picture forms! You will receive a flyer and an email with more specifics in the coming days. Please note that all students will be photographed for the yearbook, but there is no obligation to make a purchase. If a student is absent on picture day, re-takes will take place on Friday, October 6.
Urgent and Exciting Need
We have a pressing need to hire additional Recess Supervisors for this coming school year. This is a paid position, and a wonderful opportunity to serve the school and your children on a weekly basis, with a minimal time commitment. Just think – you get to be outside, interacting and playing with our precious students (your children!) on days that work best in your own schedule! Also, as a change from last year, the supervisors will only be monitoring recess (there is no lunch supervision needed). The first recess is for K-2 students and is from 11:50 a.m.-12:10 p.m. The second recess is for grades 3-5 and is from 12:14-12:34 p.m. So in summary, we would ask that our recess supervisors are on campus from approximately 11:45 a.m-12:40 p.m. We would appreciate your help anywhere from one day a week to five days a week. If you are interested in serving, please reach out to Beth Wright so that we can provide you with more information about this opportunity. Thank you!
Forms on the FACTS Family Portal
Information regarding the following web forms can be found on the FACTS Family Portal.
If you have any specific questions about these forms, please email Debbie Cairncross.
Please complete these form by Thursday, August 17.
Criminal History Background Check
(This form is required for people who want to volunteer at school but have not completed the form previously. Please do not submit this form a second time! If you are unsure about whether or not you completed a form in the past, please email Debbie.)
Driver and Chaperone Form
(For volunteers who want to drive on school field trips and also for volunteers who would like to chaperone but not drive on field trips.)
Master Field Trip Form
(To be completed for each child granting permission for participation in grade level field trips listed.)
To access these forms, follow the instructions below:
Go to the school website (www.wheatonchristian.org)
Scroll and click on the FACTS Family Portal
Click “Web Forms”
Complete the forms described above (only as needed)
Click on one form at a time, returning to complete the other forms
Library News
Summer Reading Program There is still time to finish up the summer reading program for incoming 1st-6th graders! It is an optional program, but most students do participate, so don’t let your child be left out of the fun! Your child should have brought home a reading log. If you do not have the reading log, it can be accessed here or on the school website in the “Parents” section under Library Media Center:
The summer reading celebration will take place on Friday, August 25, in the library. Participating students from each class will come to the library to receive a dog tag (collect all six!), a goodie bag, and a free book. Please help your child continue to grow as a reader this summer!
Help at the Summer Reading Celebration! Please let Mrs. Brown know if you would like to help with decorating for the celebration on the afternoon of Thursday, August 24, or help at the event during the morning of Friday, August 25. We will need several parent helpers on both days. Email Mrs. Brown if you are available.
Summer Reading Assignment for Incoming 7th and 8th Graders Parents of incoming 7th and 8th graders, please make sure your child completes his or her summer reading assignment. Students received a hard copy at the end of last school year. It is also available here: Summer Reading Challenge / Summer Reading List. This will count for a grade in Literature class and is due on the first day of school. It is also available on our school website on the library page in the parents’ section.
Summer Book Checkout! Did your child check out books for the summer? All summer books are due on Friday, August 18, and students will need to return summer books before they can check out additional books for the new school year.
Nurse Notes
Medication Forms and Prescription Medications A new form is required each school year for any prescription medications that are to be administered during school hours. Please turn in a completed Student Medication Administration Authorization (SMAA) that is signed by both the prescribing physician and the parent/guardian. In addition, if applicable, turn in the completed and signed Asthma Action Plan or Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan. All forms can be dropped off at the front office. All forms can be found on the school website. If your child will require a medication on the first day of school, the medication and all required forms should be dropped off in the office no later than Wednesday, August 16. Also, please email the nurses ahead of time that your student will require a medication dose on the first day of school. All other medications can be dropped off at their earliest convenience.
Over-the-Counter Medications If you wish to opt in to authorize your student to receive OTC medications during the school year if necessary, please fill out the 2023-2024 Over-the-Counter Medication Authorization (OMAA) through the school website link referenced above.
Important Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, August 8 – 7:00-8:00 p.m. New Parent Welcome Reception
Wednesday, August 16 – 10:00 a.m.-Noon
Open Houses for Kindergarten through 5th Grade
Wednesday, August 16 – 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Orientation for Grades 6-8
(New students arrive at 10:30 a.m.)
Thursday, August 17 – 8:50 a.m. First Day of School
(Kindergarten dismissal at noon; Grades 1-8 dismissal at 3:25 p.m.)
Thursday, August 17 – 8:45-10:00 a.m. First Day Parent Welcome
Thursday, August 17
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Open
Friday, August 18
Summer Reading Logs are Due / Summer Library Books are Due
August 21-25
MAP Growth Testing (Grades 4-8)
Thursday, August 24
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Due
Thursday, August 24 – 6:30 p.m.
Grades K-5 Back to School Night
Please plan to meet and hear from your child(ren)’s teacher(s) during this special evening. Watch for more details coming soon.
August 28-September 1
MAP Growth Testing (Grades K-3)
Monday, August 28 – 9:00 a.m.
Room Parent Orientation for Grades K-1
Tuesday, August 29 – 9:00 a.m.
Room Parent Orientation for Grades 2-5
Tuesday, August 29 – 6:30 p.m.
Grades 6-8 Back to School Night
Please plan to meet and hear from your child(ren)’s teacher(s) during this special evening. Watch for more details coming soon.
Wednesday, August 30 – 9:00 a.m.
Room Parent Orientation for Grades 6-8
Thursday, August 31
School Pictures for Grades K-8
Tuesday, September 5
Hot Lunch Begins
