Thursday Notes – August 6, 2026
(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 2026-27 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! This school year marks a unique milestone as the 85th year of ministry for WCGS. We begin the year on our knees, asking the Lord to do His mighty work for His glory.
2026-2027 Year Verse
I am excited to introduce you to this year’s year verse, Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
I look forward to seeing the Lord use this verse to shape our community throughout the school year.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
New Staggered Start Schedule
As we shared in the spring, we will have a staggered start for grades K-5 and 6-8 this school year. Grades 6-8 will start school 10 minutes prior to K-5. This change will lower the number of early dismissals we have for sports and activities, supporting our Spanish and Music programs in a positive way, and also alleviating congestion with our traffic flow before and after school. The schedules for the staggered start are below:
6-8 Schedule
- 8:25 Jr. High Atrium opens
- 8:30 Hallways and classrooms open
- 8:40 Classes begin
- 3:15 Classes end (Jr. High Atrium is open with supervision until 3:30)
K-5 Schedule
- 8:25 Supervision provided for siblings of junior high students
- 8:40 Hallways and classrooms open
- 8:50 Classes begin
- 3:25 Classes end
Class Lists
August is here, and it is going to be a great school year! I appreciate how excited everyone is to view class lists and teacher assignments. Class lists will be available for viewing on the FACTS Family Portal on Thursday, August 13, 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.
Paid Positions. We Need Your Help!
Recess Supervisors – A significant need! We are seeking to hire several additional Recess Supervisors for this coming school year. 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! Recess Supervisors are paid employees of WCGS, helping at school from 11:30am – 1:00pm on days selected by the individual. WCGS Supervisors serve the students by playing a significant part in managing a safe and nurturing environment as well as teaching important social skills for the children. The supervisors also serve the teachers by taking on the care of their students to give each of them a much-needed mid-day break. It can be a great opportunity to connect with other parents as well, so reach out to a friend and sign up to serve together! Since we need 4 supervisors each day, there are a number of slots to be filled, so please consider 1 day a week or up to 5 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!
Crossing Guard. We are seeking to hire several crossing guards for morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. 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. 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. Thank you!
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!
Notable Notes
All-School Open Houses and Orientations – Wednesday, August 19
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 20, from 8:40-10:00 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
Extended Care is a service offered to our families with two working parents. We would respectfully ask that this service be reserved for families in this scenario. 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 2026-27 form for everyone participating in Extended Care (even if you used it previously) by Tuesday, August 18. This updated information is very important for our 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 19. Click for the 2026-2027 School Supply List.
School Pictures
Picture Day is Thursday, August 27, 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 Tuesday, September 29.
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 17.
To access these forms, follow the instructions below:
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.
WCGS Kindergarten Questionnaire
Please complete this form for your kindergarten student. Any questions regarding the Kindergarten Questionnaire can be directed to Kim Norbeck.
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 all 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. This form must be turned in for your student to receive any over the counter or prescribed medications during the school day. For returning parents, please refer to the medication policy update email from last spring for more information. 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 4, 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 and don’t forget to send in a picture of your child reading! This is optional, but pictures will be used in the party décor, and instructions are included on the reading log.
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 21, 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, 19.
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 20.
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, August 13 – 7:00-8:30 p.m.
New Parent Welcome Reception
Wednesday, August 19 – 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Open Houses for Grades K-5
Wednesday, August 19 – 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Orientation for Grades 6-8 (New students arrive at 9:50 a.m.)
Thursday, August 20
First Day of School
Half-Day Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten – 8:50 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Grades 1-5 – 8:50 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
Grades 6-8 – 8:40 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Thursday, August 20 – 8:40-10:00 a.m.
First Day Parent Welcome
Thursday, August 20
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Open
Friday, August 21
Summer Reading Logs are Due / Summer Library Books are Due
Frozen Treats on the Playground at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25 – 6:30 p.m.
Back to School Night (Grades 6-8)
Thursday, August 27
Q1 Hot Lunch / Popcorn / Sunset Slush Orders Due
School Pictures
Thursday, August 27 – 6:30 p.m.
Back to School Night (Grades K-5)
Friday, September 4
Summer Reading Celebrations
Community Corner
2026 Girls’ Pre-Season Prep Volleyball Camp
This pre-season camp will focus on instruction and reps with individual skills, as well as focus on team-based drills and scrimmage situations. This camp is designed to help girls prepare for their fall volleyball season.
Lead Coach: D.A. Nichols
Dates: August 17 and 18 (Monday and Tuesday)
Times: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. each day
Grades: 6th-8th girls
Information and Registration Link – Click Here
FCA Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Opportunities
Boys’ and Girls’ Winter Team Evaluations
Boys – Information and Registration – Click Here
Boys’ DYTBL teams’ evaluations will be Monday, August 24 and Wednesday, August 26
3rd / 4th / 5th grade evals 6:00-7:15 p.m. both nights
6th / 7th / 8th grade evals 7:30-8:50 p.m. both nights
Girls – Information and Registration – Click Here
Girls’ DYTBL teams’ evaluations will be Tuesday, August 25 and Thursday, August 27
3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th grade evals 6:00-7:30p both nights
2026 Boys Basketball Fall Elite Training – Information and Registration – Click Here
Take your game to the next level with Boys’ Basketball Elite Training. Throughout the training, players will build their fundamentals, grow their basketball IQ, and prepare for their upcoming seasons. Training will focus on skills and drills for most of the session but will finish with small- sided games to apply the skills in game situations.
Coaches: Paul Ferguson, Head Coach, WA Boys Varsity Basketball and FCA Coaches
Who: Boys entering grades 3-8
When: Mondays, August 31 – October 12, 2026 (7 sessions, including Labor Day)
Time: 6:00-7:15 p.m.
Where: Wheaton Academy Field House
Center for Lifelong Learning
Equip your student to thrive this school year! The Center for Lifelong Learning is here to help. Wheaton Academy’s Center for Lifelong Learning is a tutoring center open to ALL families, and we offer individual sessions, group classes, and parent workshops throughout the school year. Whether your child is just beginning to navigate the demands of middle school or needs targeted support in a specific subject, our team meets students where they are. Our most popular services for middle schoolers include subject-specific tutoring that provides individualized academic support across core subjects and student success coaching, which helps students build the executive functioning skills that make middle and high school manageable: organization, time management, study habits, and self-advocacy.
We would like to invite you to join us at our next free parent workshop to help your student prepare for the start of the school year with our certified Executive Functioning Coach, Holly Taritas, on September 12. Please RSVP here.
We work with students from middle school through high school, so as your child grows, the Center grows with them. Questions? Email us at thecenter@wheatonacademy.org or visit thecenterforlifelonglearning.org.
