Summer Notes – August 8, 2024
(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
Welcome!
On behalf of our entire team, we are so excited for the launch of the 2024-25 school year. Whether you have been at WCGS for years or are just beginning your journey, we look forward to all that the Lord will do in and through this year. We consider it a remarkable privilege to partner with your family in the training of your children!
2024-2025 Year Verse
I am thrilled to introduce you to this year’s year verse, Romans 12:2. We are praying this verse will take root in our community as we seek to know Christ deeply. Our chapel theme will revolve around the word, “Transformation.” I look forward to unpacking this verse more with you at Back to School Night and with our students at upcoming chapels. Please join us in praying for the minds and hearts of our students as we present this powerful New Testament verse to them.
Romans 12:2 NIV – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
Our 2024-2025 Team
I am grateful to the Lord for His provision in putting together our faculty and staff for the 2024-2025 school year. I am confident that this team will help advance our mission and, ultimately, bring glory to God through the lives impacted on a daily basis! Please read this article to meet our new hires, as well as read about the transitions to new roles for some of our faculty and staff.
Class Lists
Class lists will be available for viewing on the FACTS Family Portal on Thursday, August 15, 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!
Notable Notes
All-School Open Houses and Orientations – Wednesday, August 21
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. (Please note that AM Kindergarten open house will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. and PM Kindergarten will be from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.) This is an informal drop-in time to meet the teacher and drop off school supplies. Feel free to come in any time during this timeframe.
Grades 6-8 Orientation
All students in grades 6-8 should plan to attend the entire hour of their respective grade level orientations from 10:00-11:00 a.m. New students in grades 6-8 are invited to come early from 9:50-10:00 a.m. to meet their student ambassadors ahead of time.
First Day Parent Welcome
Plan to join us on the blacktop by the playground on the first day of school, Thursday, August 22, from 8:50-10:00 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 26, 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 27, 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 26, 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.
Extended Care
If you plan to utilize our Extended Care Program please download the registration form from the school website or pick up a copy at the front office. We will need a new 2024-25 form for everyone participating in Extended Care (even if you used it previously) by Tuesday, August 20. This is very important for our new registration process. Please either drop the form off at the front office or email it to Extended Care. For questions, please contact Jennifer Pierson at Extended Care. Thank you!
School Supplies
It’s time to shop for your school supplies! Make sure you have your items to bring to school on Wednesday, August 21. Click for the 2024-2025 School Supply List.
School Pictures
Picture Day is Friday, September 6, 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 Monday, October 7.
Forms on FACTS Family Portal
Information regarding the following web forms can be found on the FACTS Family Portal. If you have any specific questions regarding these forms, email Debbie Cairncross.
Please complete these forms by Wednesday, August 21.
To access these forms, follow the instructions below:
Go to the school website (www.wheatonchristian.org)
Click the tab, FACTS Family Portal, at the top of the screen
Log into FACTS Family Portal
Click on “School” at the left of the screen
Click “Web Forms”
Complete the forms described below (only as needed)
Click on one form at a time, returning to complete the other forms
Criminal History Background Check Form
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
This form is 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. This form needs to be completed each year.
Master Field Trip Form
This form is to be completed for each child granting permission for participation in grade level field trips listed. This also needs to be completed each year.
Sports Forms
These two forms are to be completed for your grade 5-8 child for participation in athletics this school year. (Any questions regarding these forms can be directed to Bess Paull, the school nurse.)
Paid Positions Still Available
Substitute Teaching. When our teachers are away, we want the very best to fill that role on a short-term basis! Are you intrigued by the idea of getting back into the classroom? We know that many of our parents are former teachers, so if you are interested in serving in this way, please contact Beth Wright. Also, if you know of anyone outside our community who would be interested in substituting, please encourage them to reach out as well. Thank you!
Crossing Guard. WCGS is hoping to hire several crossing guards for morning arrival and afternoon dismissal, and we need your help to find the right people for the job! We are looking for kind and conscientious individuals with great interpersonal skills to interact with our families and broader community either one day or several days each week. Our hope is to have a team of individuals who have flexible schedules. If you are interested in helping once a week or taking this on more permanently, we would love to connect with you. If you or someone you know would be interested in serving in this paid position, please contact Beth Wright. Our Administrators and Staff will still be a part of the crossing guard team, but a few extra individuals will help us round out the group.
Recess Supervisors: We still are seeking 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! The first recess is for K-2 students and is from 11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m. The second recess is for grades 3-5 and is from 12:13-12:35 p.m. So in summary, we would ask that our recess supervisors are on campus from approximately 11:40 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 contact Beth Wright so that we can provide you with more information about this opportunity. Thank you!
Nurse Notes
Medication Forms
A new form is required each school year for any prescription medications that are administered during the school day. Please turn in a completed Student Medication Administration Authorization (SMAA) that is signed by both the prescribing physician and the parent. A new Asthma/Allergy Action Plan is also due each year. All forms, found on the school website, can be dropped off at the front office once completed. Please plan to drop off any medication for your student prior to the first day of school.
Medical Requirements – Wheaton Christian
Athletics
If your child in grades 5-8 is planning to participate in an extracurricular sport this year, they MUST have a current physical on file and the two sports web forms signed. Your student will not be allowed to try out without a current physical and the signed forms completed. Please turn your physical form into the front office or email it to nurse@wheatonchristian.org.
Library News
Summer Reading Program
There is still time to finish up the summer reading program for incoming students in grades 1-6! 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 celebrations will take place on Friday, August 30, 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 29, or help at the event during the morning of Friday, August 30. 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 23, and students will need to return summer books before they can check out additional books for the new school year.
Shelving Volunteers Needed
The library is in need of some weekly shelving volunteers. If you could give even an hour on a weekly basis right after drop-off or right before pickup, that would be very helpful. Please email Mrs. Brown if you are interested in this opportunity, or we will also have a sign-up at the First Day Welcome event on August 22.
Volunteers Needed During Open House
We need volunteers to assemble 400 reward bags for our summer reading program during the open houses. We will be doing this assembly-line style in the library from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on August 21. If you are a junior high parent and need something to do for an hour, we would love to have you! Other families are welcome, too, and older children are welcome to help. Please email Mrs. Brown if you can participate.
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, August 15 – 7:00-8:00 p.m.
New Parent Welcome Reception
Wednesday, August 21 – 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Open Houses for Grades K-5
AM Kindergarten – 10:00-11:00 a.m.; PM Kindergarten – 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Wednesday, August 21 – 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Orientation for Grades 6-8 (New students arrive at 9:50 a.m.)
Thursday, August 22 – 8:50 a.m.
First Day of School
AM Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten – 8:50 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
PM Kindergarten – 12:30-3:25 p.m.
Grades 1-8 – 8:50 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
Thursday, August 22 – 8:50-10:00 a.m.
First Day Parent Welcome
Thursday, August 22
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Open
Friday, August 23
Summer Reading Logs are Due / Summer Library Books are Due
Tuesday, August 27 – 6:30 p.m.
Back to School Night (Grades 6-8)
Thursday, August 29
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Due
Thursday, August 29 – 5:00 p.m.
Groundbreaking Event
Thursday, August 29 – 6:30 p.m.
Back to School Night (Grades K-5)
Friday, August 30
Summer Reading Celebrations
Frozen Treats on the Playground at 3:30 p.m.
