Thursday Notes – August 24, 2023

View This Week’s Photos

From Mr. Painter’s Desk

K-5 Back to School Night

I am looking forward to connecting with many of you this evening for our K-5 Back to School Night.

A few brief reminders:

You may park and enter at Door 1 (front door) or Door 14 (by the playground/blacktop).

We will begin the group session at 6:30 p.m. in the Commons, so please go directly there when you enter.

Classroom sessions will be held at 7:00 p.m. and 7:35 p.m., and the two sessions will be identical. If you only have one child in grades K-5, you are welcome to leave after the first classroom session.

Please review the schedule that I attached in my email on Tuesday for specific times for both evenings.

Morning Drop-Off

I have been grateful for the dry start to our school year, even though it has been quite hot!  We will continue to have students meet at the outside locations we designated for the start of the year, but after Labor Day, we will allow students to go directly into the building each morning. However, prior to that change, if the weather is poor in the morning, students will be allowed to go directly into the building. They may utilize whichever door is closest to their drop-off location.

Traffic Safety Reminders

Traffic has been running very smoothly this first week of school! Thank you for your patience and your follow-through with the guidelines that we have shared. Below are a few reminders to help things to continue to be efficient and safe:

Please drive slowly and cautiously while on campus, especially while you are driving through parking lots and along our driveways. We do our best to supervise the crosswalks, but there are students who are walking along sidewalks and through parking lots without adult supervision. Please check frequently for children as you back out of parking spaces or pull forward along our driveways.

Students should never leave the vehicle from any lane of traffic except the drop-off lane, which is the lane closest to the curb. Also, when they exit, they need to exit on the curb-side, not into the flow of traffic.

Parents should always remain in their vehicles if they are in a moving lane of traffic, including the curbside lane. If you need to get out of your vehicle to help your children exit the car, please use the parking lot to park your vehicle and then escort them across the crosswalk.

If you are in a moving lane of traffic and you see space in front of your vehicle, please pull forward. Even if it is just a few feet, the collective effort of all of our vehicles will tremendously help with the flow of traffic.

Thank you for your help in these areas to ensure the safety of our students!

Continuing the Discussion

Coffee with the Administrators

Please join us for our first Parent Series event, Coffee with the Administrators, on Thursday, September 7, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. outside in the courtyard west of the playground. Come, enjoy an informal time with administration, meet other parents, and launch a great school year. Please sign up here if you plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you as we launch into another great school year!

Important Upcoming Dates

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

Monday, August 28

MAP Growth Testing (Grades 2-3)

9:00 a.m. – Room Parent Orientation (Grades K-1)

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

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

5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall vs. Schaumburg Christian (WCGS)

Tuesday, August 29

MAP Growth Testing (Grades 2-3)

 9:00 a.m. – Room Parent Orientation (Grades 2-5)

3:30-4:30 p.m. – Robotics Team

6:30 p.m. Grades 6-8 Back to School Night

Wednesday, August 30

MAP Growth Testing (Grades K-1)

9:00 a.m. – Room Parent Orientation (Grades 6-8)

Thursday, August 31

MAP Growth Testing (Grades K-1)

School Picture Day

3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team

4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall vs. Christian Liberty (WCGS)

4:00 p.m. – Boys’ V Soccer vs. Christian Liberty (WCGS)

5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall vs. Christian Liberty (WCGS)

Friday, September 1

MAP Growth Testing (Grades K-3)

2:00 p.m. – Auxiliary Used School Clothing Sale

3:30 p.m. – Frozen Treats on the Playground

Nurse Notes

Meet Your School Nurses

Danette Farrell, RN

This is Mrs. Farrell’s 7th year here at WCGS. She mostly works on the administrative side doing much of the paperwork needed. She has been a nurse for 25 years, and still works in the hospital setting outside of WCGS. Her specialty is Critical Care Medicine. Mrs Farrell has been married 27 years, has three kids and a dog named Vito. She loves Starbucks, hockey, and any time when her family is together. All three of her children attended WCGS for grades K-8 and now live in California, Chicago, and Colorado. The Farrells live in Wheaton and go to church in Naperville.

 

Bess Paull, RN

This is Mrs. Paull’s 2nd year at WCGS. She works most days in the clinic. She has been a nurse for 17 years with her nursing background in Oncology. Bess and her husband have been married for 17 years and have four girls, three are here at WCGS and one is a freshman at Wheaton Academy.  She has a dog named Pancake and she loves coffee, flowers, and summer, especially swimming in her pool. She lives in Winfield and goes to church in Carol Stream.

Notable Notes

Chess at WCGS!

Fall 2023 Grades K-1 Chess Club

WCGS will hold a Chess Club for grades K-1 students for the Fall 2023 Season.  This club will meet on Mondays after school from 3:30-4:00 p.m.  WCGS school mom Mrs. Gisela Wicks will be running this club.  To sign up, email wcgschess@gmail.com with student name and grade by Friday, September 8.   Unfortunately, due to limited space, there is a maximum of 10 students for the club.  The first session begins Monday, September 11.  This club will meet for the following 12 sessions:   9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/27, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18. Cost to participate:  $75

 

Fall 2023 Grades 2-8 Chess Club

Registration for the 2023 Fall Season of the WCGS Chess Club is now open for interested students in grades 2-8.  This club will meet Thursdays after school from 3:30-4:30 p.m.   To sign up, email wcgschess@gmail.com with the student’s name and grade by Friday, September 1.  Maximum limit for chess club is 23 students.  We are thrilled that our previous chess teacher, Mr. Jeff DiOrio, will be teaching again.  Jeff DiOrio is the owner of Elite Chess and has been coaching chess for over 15 years.  He coached the Naperville North Chess Team for 12 years where they captured a record 12 consecutive DuPage Valley Conference Titles and in 2015, Naperville North won the IHSA State Championship.  Jeff was named the Illinois Chess Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2017.  The first session begins Thursday, September 7.  This club will meet for the following 14 sessions:  9/07, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/05, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21. Cost to participate:  $75

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.

Have You Completed the Forms on the FACTS Family Portal?

It is very important that you complete these forms this week. 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.

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. This needs to be completed each year.)

Master Field Trip Form

(To be completed for each child granting permission for participation in grade level field trips listed. This needs to be completed each year.)

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

Asbestos Inspection and Management Plan

To the best of our knowledge and that of our architects (Legat Architects), our school was not built nor constructed with any asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. As required by law, we are to inform you that we have an Asbestos Management Plan (Click here for more information.)

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. 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