Thursday Notes – April 4, 2024

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From Mr. Painter’s Desk

Witness God’s Glory through the April 8 Solar Eclipse 

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1 ESV).

This coming Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible across North America. This will occur when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking sunlight and casting a shadow on our planet. There will be a 115-mile-wide path stretching from Texas to Maine with a total solar eclipse, while the rest of the continental United States will have a partial eclipse. In Winfield, Illinois, the best time to view the partial solar eclipse, where 93% of the sun’s photosphere will be blocked by the moon, will be around 2:06 p.m.

WCGS teachers are excited to experience the partial solar eclipse with your child(ren)!  Each teacher will be taking his/her class outside to view this majestic occurrence, engaging in a specific, prepared learning activity reflecting on God’s creativity. Students will be outside for a specified amount of time and then return to the classroom for additional activities.

What do parents need to know for this event to be successful?

• Never look at the sun directly!
  Remember that it is never safe to look directly at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse.  Please remind your child of this, and we will do the same at school.
• Solar Eclipse Glasses:
  WCGS is providing all students with their own pair of approved ISO 12312-2 solar eclipse glasses. The provided solar eclipse glasses will be worn at all times by students while outside with the teacher.  Sunglasses, cell phones, cameras, binoculars, and telescopes are not to be used to view the sun during an eclipse due to risk of vision damage.
• Bring a towel to school!
  Students will be gathering as a class outside in assigned areas. Every student should bring in a (beach) towel to sit on during the activity.
• Cloudy Weather?
  If the weather is poor, WCGS students will remain inside and view the NASA live stream of the solar eclipse, so that a cloudy sky will not foil our plans! NASA TV Live – NASA

If you have questions, please reach out to Sue Macaluso, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at: smacaluso@wheatonchristian.org. We look forward to a great event together!

 

MAP Growth Testing Begins Monday

Students will be taking the MAP Growth Assessment the next two weeks. It is extremely important that your children are in attendance on these days so that they take the test with their class. All students will be taking one test in math and one test in reading. Each test will average approximately one hour and will be taken in their homeroom with their homeroom teacher. Below are the testing dates for students at the various grade levels:

• Monday, April 8 – Friday, April 12: Grades 4 – 8
• Monday, April 15 – Friday, April 19: Grades K – 3

 

Save the Date – Coffee with the Administrators

Please join us for our final Parent Series event, Coffee with the Administrators, on Tuesday, April 30, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. outside at the courtyard west of the playground. It will be a time to reflect on the school year, give feedback regarding our parent partnership, and share how we can support your family in the upcoming new school year. Please plan to grab a cup of coffee and join us! The registration link will be available in next week’s Thursday Notes.

 

Important Upcoming Dates

Friday, April 5

Zero Waste Day

ACSI Art Festival at Westlake Christian Academy (Grayslake)

 

Saturday, April 6

BIRTHDAY: Nicole Linhardt (4th Grade Aide)

 

Monday, April 8

MAP Growth Testing (Grades 4-8)

Staff Appreciation Week

Hot Lunch – Culver’s

9:00-10:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer (Commons)

 

Tuesday, April 9

BIRTHDAY: Susan Macaluso (Director of Curriculum and Instruction)

MAP Growth Testing (Grades 4-8)

Staff Appreciation Week

Hot Lunch – Shane’s Deli

3:30-4:45 p.m. – Grades 1-3 STEAM+ Club (Room 607)

4:00 p.m. – Co-ed Track Meet @ Timothy Christian

7:00 p.m. – 6th Grade Parent Meeting – Substance Abuse Unit (Room 609)

 

Wednesday, April 10

BIRTHDAY: Joanne DeGroot (Development Coordinator)

MAP Growth Testing (Grades 4-8)

Staff Appreciation Week

Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Sunset Slush

4:00 p.m. – Girls’ Soccer vs. Harvest Christian (WCGS)

Thursday, April 11

BIRTHDAY: Jon Gabriele (Curriculum Coordinator) and Jacqueline Lauriat (6th Grade Teacher, STEAM+ Coordinator)

MAP Growth Testing (Grades 4-8)

Staff Appreciation Week

9:00 a.m. – Women’s Bible Study (Gospelife Church)

3:30-4:45 p.m. – Grades 4-8 Robotics Club (Room 607)

4:00 p.m. – Girls’ Soccer vs. Schaumburg Christian (WCGS)

 

Friday, April 5

BIRTHDAY: David Wright (Music Teacher)

MAP Growth Testing (Grades 4-8)

Staff Appreciation Week

Zero Waste Day

6:30 p.m. – Faculty/Staff Appreciation Dinner (Cantigny Golf Club)

 

Library News

Used Book Exchange

Our annual Used Book Exchange will occur on Friday, April 19, for all interested students. This is a chance for students to trade in books they no longer want and get some books that are new to them. There is a $5 fee to participate (or max $12/family), which helps to fund the summer reading program prizes. We have the biggest selection for students in grades K-6, but older students are always welcome to participate, too. We are always in need of more chapter books and books for older students, so if you have any of those to donate, we would greatly appreciate it! See the flyer for details.

We will also need help with this one-day event—for set-up, supervision, assisting “shoppers,” and pack-up. Please use this link to sign up for a shift. Thank you!

 

STEAM+ Notes

STEAM Club (Grades 1-3) and Robotics Club (Grades 4-8) are FULL 

Thank you for the great response. If you would like to be put on the wait list, please reach out to Mrs. Lauriat.

WCGS Robotics Summer Camp is FULL 

Thank you for the great response. If you would like to be put on the wait list, please register here: Robotics Camp Registration.

Creation Walk 

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 17, from 3:30-4:00 p.m.! Join Mrs. Lauriat and Creation Care Club students as they take you on a Creation Walk on the WCGS property. All students must be accompanied by a parent. Be prepared to walk about ¾ of a mile. We will start our walk in front of the building by the flagpole.

 

Virtual STEMCOM is April 27, 2024 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 

STEMCON is a free, public outreach event designed to inspire and educate K-12 students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at the College of DuPage. This family-friendly event encourages scientific discovery through hands-on activities and demonstrations while providing the opportunity to learn about scientific careers from actual researchers, industry representatives and STEM educators. Click here for more information about the event: STEMCOM.

 

Notable Notes

Annie Tickets Available Next Week!

The WCGS Junior High is proud to be presenting the Broadway musical hit, Annie, on Thursday, April 25 (7:00 pm), Friday, April 26 (7:00 pm), and Saturday, April 27 (3:00 pm). Tickets are available to the general public beginning Tuesday, April 9, at 12:01 a.m. The tickets are $13.00 and will be available on April 9 for purchase online through the school website on the Fine Arts Page.

 

Spring Musical Program Advertising

Do you have a local business to advertise in the WCGS Spring Musical program? We are looking for many advertisers from our WCGS families and community to help support our program. There is room for full page ads all the way down to business-card size ads. We expect three sold-out shows for our production of Annie, with more than 1200 people in attendance. Ads range in price from $55.00 for a business-card size up to $320.00 for a full-page ad. See the Advertising Rate Sheet for all prices. Ads must be turned in by Monday, April 8. For more information or if you are interested in advertising, please contact Carly Brust (carlybrust@gmail.com) or Kendra Painter (kendrapainter@gmail.com).

 

WCGS Fine Arts Camp

Spotlight on Disney is this year’s theme for the WCGS Fine Arts Camp. Come join us for a weeklong adventure as we turn the spotlight on the magical music and stories of Disney. This week of camp will be filled with the characters, songs, and familiar tales from Disney’s films and stage. Your child will be able to experience artistry and creativity through engaging classes in Art, Dance, Drama, and Music. Our students will create art projects, be in dramatic skits, dance to their favorite Disney music, and sing familiar songs for the audience at the Friday night variety show. Each student will receive a camp T-shirt and a daily mid-morning snack. (Please note any food allergies on the registration form.) Brochures were sent home with your child this week or can be found here or in the school office. Camp will be held June 17-21, 2024, from 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. with a Variety Show on Friday, June 21, at 7:00 pm. This camp is for students entering grades 2-8 in the fall. Camp is filling up fast. There are only four spots left! Register soon!

 

Soccer Camp Held at WCGS This Summer 

Former US National team member, Marci Jobson, and former NCAA Division I head coach, Paul Jobson, bring their one of a kind, Warrior Way Soccer Camp, to Wheaton, IL…right here at WCGS on June 25 -28!  These camps provide a platform for young athletes to experience God in their game – where soccer training and kingdom training unite for an unforgettable experience.  The camps are designed for athletes ages 4-15.  There is a 1-hour option for students ages 4-9, and then a longer option for students ages 9-15.  Visit www.warriorwaysoccer.com/wheaton for more details and to register. Flyer available here.

Community Corner

Co-Curricular Expo at Wheaton Academy

Middle school students and their parents are invited to Wheaton Academy’s Co-Curricular Expo on Thursday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m.  This event will allow you to experience the many ways you can get involved and find a place to belong at Wheaton Academy.  You will have an opportunity to meet program leaders, hear from coaches, talk with other students who have the same interests, and participate in fun activities throughout the evening.

The schedule for the evening includes:

• Opening welcome and explanation of Co-Curriculars at Wheaton Academy
• Co-Curricular Expo
• Specialized Information Sessions

Register Today and discover how you can get involved at Wheaton Academy!

Questions?  Contact Amy Burdett, Admissions Coordinator, or Amy Hogan, Director of Admissions

 

Wheaton College Soccer Camp

Registration is available for the Wheaton College Soccer Camps. Camps are being held June 10-14, June 17-21, and July 15-19. Camp is held is day from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. for all K-8th Graders. This camp will be led by Wheaton College Men’s Soccer coaching staff. Come have fun and learn new soccer skills in a Christ-centered environment this summer. Contact Steve McCrath at (630) 752-5123 with any questions. For more information see the camp brochure.