Thursday Notes – August 17, 2023
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From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
First Day of School
We were so excited to welcome students and families to campus this morning to launch the first day of school. As we begin, we are asking God to guide students toward knowing God, loving God, and loving others in a transformational way. It is such an honor to partner with families who seek to raise their children to be Christ-centered, critical thinkers, who build community for God’s glory and only by His grace. Thank you for the privilege of engaging with your family this school year.
Year Verse
The youngest student in each family will bring home a Jeremiah 29:11 verse card this week. Please place this around the house, in the car, or in a place that allows your family to reflect on this verse throughout the year. If you need extras, please don’t hesitate to stop by the front office.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
MAP Growth Testing. Over the next few weeks, your child will take an online test called Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) on a school computer. Wheaton Christian Grammar School gives the MAP test to students in order to measure their progress in reading and math throughout the year, and from year to year. The MAP Growth Assessment will be given to all of our students in the fall and again in the spring. Teachers will use the MAP results to identify which skills your child needs to work on in reading and math. MAP tests are unique in that they adapt to your child’s level of learning. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit. Our 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. It is extremely important that your children are in attendance on these days so that they take the test with their class. Monday, August 21-Wednesday, August 23: Grades 6-8 Thursday, August 24-Friday, August 25: Grades 4-5 Monday, August 28-Tuesday, August 29: Grades 2-3 Wednesday, August 30-Thursday, August 31: Grades K-1 We value the incredible partnership that we have with all of you and consider it a blessing to work alongside your children on a daily basis.
Back-to-School Night. Please save these dates! Grades K-5 Back-to-School Night: Thursday, August 24, at 6:30 p.m. Grades 6-8 Back-to-School Night: Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m. These evenings are planned for you to meet and hear from your child’s teacher. Please make them a priority. More details will be sent out next week. As a reminder, these events are for parents, and childcare will not be available. Thanks for your understanding!
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, August 17
Girls’ Volleyball, Boys’ Soccer, and Co-Ed Cross Country Tryouts
Friday, August 18
Summer Reading Logs are Due / Summer Library Books are Due
Girls’ Volleyball, Boys’ Soccer, and Co-Ed Cross Country Tryouts
Monday, August 21
MAP Growth Testing (Grades 6-8)
Tuesday, August 22
MAP Growth Testing (Grades 6-8)
7:00 p.m. – Beginning Instrumental Night
Wednesday, August 23
MAP Growth Testing (Grades 6-8)
Thursday, August 24
MAP Growth Testing (Grades 4-5)
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Due
6:30 p.m. – Grades K-5 Back to School Night
Friday, August 25
BIRTHDAY: Delena Ollila (Music Teacher)
MAP Growth Testing (Grades 4-5)
Summer Reading Celebrations
3:30 p.m. – Frozen Treats on the Playground
Saturday, August 26
10:00 a.m. – Jr. High Praise Team Auditions
Nurse Notes
Accurate Emergency Contact Information
Please make sure that the school has the most up-to-date emergency contact information on file for your student. It is important that we have the best contact phone number(s) where a parent/guardian can be reached at all times.
Up-to-Date Health Information
Please make sure all medications and forms are turned into the Nurse’s Office ASAP. If your child is self-carry for inhalers or epi-pens, please make sure the medical forms are turned into the office so nurses are aware.
P.E. Class Medical Excuse Notes
All notes requesting your student be excused from P.E. due to a medical reason go directly to the Nurse’s Office. A licensed healthcare provider’s note is required if a student needs to be excused from P.E. due to a medical reason. Students who do not participate in P.E. will not be permitted to participate in after-school athletics (practices or games). All missed assignments are required to be completed to make up the missed point for that day’s activities. Please see the Parent Handbook for clarification.
Library News
Summer Reading Program All Reading Logs for Grades 1-6 are due tomorrow, August 18. 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.
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 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.
Notable Notes
Extended Care Forms
If you plan to utilize our Extended Care Program, please download or pick up a copy of the registration form from the front desk. We will need a new 2023-24 form for everyone prior to or on the first day your child attends. Please either send it to the front office or email it to Extended Care. Thank you!
School Pictures
Picture Day is Thursday, August 31, during normal school hours. We will be using JostensPix to capture smiles this year. Please see the attached flyer for more details about what to wear and how to order. Parents will receive emails directly from JostensPix to the addresses you provided to WCGS with reminders and notifications. Photos will be shipped directly to your home! Previewing, personalization, ordering, and payment will all take place online at jostenspix.com. 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.
Forms on the FACTS Family Portal – Due Now!
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 forms this week.
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
Thursday Notes Archives
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 is accessible on the website under the “Parents” Tab
Community Corner
Phil’s Friends House Walk Fundraiser
Phil’s Friends, a local Christ-centered nonprofit that supports cancer patients and their families, is hosting a HOUSEWALK FUNDRAISER in ST CHARLES, IL on Friday, September 15, 10:00 am-2:00 pm and 4:00-8:00 pm. Tickets are available at https://philsfriends.org/event/inaugural-house-walk/. If you and friends would like to volunteer as tour guides, welcome participants at the registration table, or serve at the event missions booth, please reach out to Tia Anders at tia@philsfriends.org or 815-501-6313 to learn more. Free tour tickets available to all volunteers! Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information see this flyer.
Family Worship Night
Start the school year right with a Family Worship Night. Kids, teens, parents, and grandparents are invited! Visionary Family Ministries is sponsoring this event on Saturday, September 16, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Marengo Farm, 5107 Thorne Road, Marengo, IL. $40/family which includes dinner and s’mores, games, bounce house, outdoor worship, and a bonfire. BYO blankets and chairs. Space is limited. Register at [//visionaryfam.com/fall]visionaryfam.com/fall. Email info@visionaryfam.com with questions.
FCA Basketball 2023-24 Winter Season
Each year many of our players participate in both FCA Basketball and their school team basketball. FCA Basketball is a great way to prepare for your upcoming season and our current schedule should allow for players that are interested to participate in both. Most FCA basketball players, particularly at the older levels, have been successful in playing for both school and FCA. We are excited to announce we are bringing back FCA Warrior boys’ basketball in the DuPage Youth Travel Basketball League (DYTBL) this fall/winter. FCA will have teams in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade divisions. Given demand, we are holding tryouts for each grade level and will have at least one team in each grade level with the potential for up to two teams at each grade level (coach availability dependent).
Dates and Times by grade for evaluations:
· 3rd Grade Boys: Monday, August 28, and Tuesday, August 29, from 6:30-7:30 pm (Open to all 3rd graders)
· 4th Grade Boys: Monday, August 28, and Tuesday, August 29, from 7:30-8:30 pm (Open to all 4th graders)
· 5th Grade Boys: Monday, August 28, from 6:00-7:30 pm and Wednesday, August 30, from 7:00-8:30 pm (Open to all 5th graders)
· FCA Basketball is NOT currently offering 7th or 8th grade basketball for the 2023-24 season.
Complete Information is available – CLICK HERE
Direct link to registration for evaluations – CLICK HERE
FCA Basketball – Girls Only!
This camp is designed to help the girls prepare for the upcoming season.
Ball handling, shooting, and team play will all be a part of the program.
Coaches – Kurt Vahle (Girls Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach and FCA Basketball Co-Director) and staff
Dates: Mondays (9/18, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23. 10/30) 6 sessions
Times:
3rd-5th grades will be 6:30-7:30
6th-8th grades will be 7:30-8:30
Location: Wheaton Academy Field House courts
Registration Page – CLICK HERE
