Summer Notes – August 14, 2025
From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – You’re Invited!
You’re invited to Wheaton Christian Grammar School’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on August 19, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Join us at the NEW junior high entrance for a brief program to pray, celebrate, and dedicate the new space to the Lord. Supervised children are welcome. You’ll also be invited inside to tour the building with us! We believe the Lord will be glorified in this new space and that the next generation will be equipped in immeasurable ways. Let us know you are coming! RSVP HERE if you know you’ll be joining us. See you there!
2025-2026 Year Verse
I am excited to introduce you to this year’s year verse, Mark 1:17 (NIV) – “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” This verse will allow us to focus directly on Jesus’ words and his invitation to his disciples. We will run toward a better understanding of what it means to follow him and then to live a life that overflows the truth of the gospel to others. This verse calls us to be on mission, and it is one that we pray will greatly influence our community this year.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
Our 2025-2026 Team
I am grateful to the Lord for His provision in putting together our faculty and staff for the 2025-2026 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 and Schedules
Today is an exciting day…class lists and schedules will be released! You should have all received an email today from Debbie Cairncross about how to access class lists and schedules for your child(ren). They will be available for viewing after 5:00 p.m. today. Please reach out to Debbie Cairncross (Registrar) directly if you have any problems accessing your account.
All-School Open Houses and Orientations – Wednesday, August 20
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 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.
Students should come to school on Wednesday in attire that fits our appearance code. We take a lot of special pictures on that day, and we appreciate your support of our guidelines. Here is a great refresher on Appearance Code Guidelines, with pictures and descriptions included!
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 consistently, 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 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 Recess Supervisor time commitment is from 11:40am –1:10pm. 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!
Notable Notes
All-School Open Houses and Orientations – Wednesday, August 20
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 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 21, 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.)
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 2025-26 form for everyone participating in Extended Care (even if you used it previously) by Tuesday, August 19. 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 Kate Lindstedt 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 20. Click for the 2025-2026 Classroom Supply List.
School Pictures
Picture Day is Friday, September 5, during normal school hours. We will again be using JostensPix to capture smiles. JostensPix offers 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! Reminders and additional information will be provided as the date approaches. 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 10.
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 Monday, August 18.
To access these forms, follow the instructions below:
Go to the school website (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.
WCGS Kindergarten Questionnaire
Please complete this form for your kindergarten student. Any questions regarding the Kindergarten Questionnaire can be directed to Kim Norbeck.
Fall 2025 Grades K-8 Chess Club
Registration for the 2025 Fall Season of the WCGS Chess Club is now open for interested students in grades K-8. This club will meet Thursdays after school from 3:30-4:30 p.m. We plan to split the students into two groups according to ability level/experience. To sign up, email wcgschess@gmail.com with your student’s name and grade. We are excited that our previous chess coach, Mr. Jeff DiOrio, will be teaching again. Jeff DiOrio is the owner of Elite Chess and has been coaching chess for many years. The first Chess Club session begins Thursday, September 18. The club will meet for the following 12 sessions: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, and 12/18. Cost to participate: $100.
Backpack Donations
Are you looking to donate your gently used or new backpacks? Please bring them to WCGS and place them in the utility tote labeled Serve for Hope Uganda located just inside Door #1. The utility tote will be available for donations until mid-September. Leonard and Lauren Matovu (parents of Joelle, 3rd grade) founded and lead a ministry called Serve for Hope Uganda located in Namungoona, Uganda. Through a variety of programs, the Matovus and their team in Uganda aim to share the love of Christ and provide quality education to students in need. One way this is accomplished is by providing backpacks filled with school supplies which will be distributed at the start of the Ugandan school year (late January/early February). Thanks for your partnership in sharing the love of Christ and providing quality education for students in need!
Nurse Notes
Physicals
All new students, kindergartners, and sixth graders are required to have a current physical turned in prior to the first day of school. If you have yet to turn this in, please email a copy to nurse@wheatonchristian.org or bring a copy into the front office.
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 sport 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 (except for grade 6, which is required), 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:
Grade 6 Summer Reading Log (REQUIRED)
The summer reading celebrations will take place on Friday, September 5, 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, September 4, or help at the event on Friday, September 5. We will need several parent helpers on both days. Please sign up HERE if you are available.
Summer Reading Assignment for Incoming 7th and 8th Graders
Parents of all 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 22, and students will need to return summer books before they can check out additional books for the new school year. A great day to return them is on the open house day on Wednesday August, 20.
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 21.
Volunteers Needed During Open House
We need volunteers to assemble 500 reward bags and dog tags 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 20. 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
Tuesday, August 19 – 4:30 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Wednesday, August 20 – 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Open Houses for Grades K-5
Wednesday, August 20 – 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Orientation for Grades 6-8 (New students arrive at 9:50 a.m.)
Thursday, August 21 – 8:50 a.m.
First Day of School
AM Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten – 8:50 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Grades 1-8 – 8:50 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
Thursday, August 21 – 8:50-10:00 a.m.
First Day Parent Welcome
Thursday, August 21
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Open
Friday, August 22
Summer Reading Logs are Due / Summer Library Books are Due
Frozen Treats on the Playground at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 26 – 6:30 p.m.
Back to School Night (Grades 6-8)
Thursday, August 28
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Due
Thursday, August 28 – 6:30 p.m.
Back to School Night (Grades K-5)
Friday, September 5
Summer Reading Celebrations
School Pictures
