Thursday Notes – August 22, 2024
View This Week’s Photos
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 Romans 12:2 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. We will focus on the word, “Transformation” all throughout the year and I am excited to see this theme take root in our community.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
Morning Drop-Off
It was a beautiful morning for the first day of school! 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.
Back-to-School Night.
Please save these dates!
- Grades 6-8 Back-to-School Night: Tuesday, August 27, at 6:30 p.m.
- Grades K-5 Back-to-School Night: Thursday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m. (following our Groundbreaking Event)
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!
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.
- Tuesday, September 3 – Thursday, September 5: Grades 6-8
- Friday, September 6 & Monday, September 9: Grades 4-5
- Tuesday, September 10 & Thursday, September 12: Grades 2-3
- Friday, September 13 & Monday, September 16: 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.
Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday, August 22
Q1 Hot Lunch/Popcorn/Slush Ordering Open
Friday, August 23
Summer Reading Logs Due
Summer Library Books Due
Saturday, August 24
9:00-10:00 a.m. – Junior High Praise Team Auditions
Sunday, August 25
BIRTHDAY: Delena Ollila (Music Teacher)
Monday, August 26
7:45 a.m. – 6th and 8th Grade Spanish Begins
Tuesday, August 27
7:45 a.m. – 7th Grade Spanish Begins
5:30-6:15 p.m. – DR Missions Trip Information Meeting
6:30 p.m. – Grades 6-8 Back to School Night
Wednesday, August 28
7:00-8:00 p.m. – Beginning Instrumental Night
Thursday, August 29
Q1 Hot Lunch/Popcorn/Slush Orders Due
5:00 p.m. – Groundbreaking Event
6:30 p.m. – Grades K-5 Back to School Night
Friday, August 30
Summer Reading Celebrations
3:30 p.m. – Frozen Treats on the Playground
Nurse Notes
Nurse Reminders:
- Please do not send any medication in your child’s backpack or lunch box unless it has been approved by the nurse
- It is helpful to place a change of clothes in your child’s backpack to have just in case, and if they ever get wet or muddy at recess
- Make sure your student has a water bottle (with water only) each day with them
Library News
Summer Reading Program
Summer Reading Logs are due tomorrow. 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 celebrations will take place on Friday, August 30, 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 29, or help at the event during the morning of Friday, August 30. 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 23, and students will need to return summer books before they can check out additional books for the new school year.
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 22.
Notable Notes
FACTS App
We want you to know that there is an app for FACTS. It is titled FACTS Family Education app. It is white with lines of color. (Do not select the purple app that is titled FACTS School App.) This app comes with a charge of $4.99 per year. All forms can be signed on this app, grades and missing work are visible, the directory is viewable, and tuition can be paid from it. It is very user friendly!
Fall 2024 Grades K-8 Chess Club
Registration for the 2024 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 student name and grade by Friday, September 6. 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 Coach of the Year by the Illinois Chess Coaches’ Association in 2017. The first Chess Club session begins Thursday, September 12. This club will meet for the following 12 sessions: 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5, 12/12, and 12/19. Cost to participate: $100.
Zero Hour Spanish
For those who enrolled in Spanish for grades 6-8, classes will begin on the following dates:
- Grade 8 will start on Monday, August 26, and will meet in Room 614. Class will meet on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:45-8:40 a.m. and be taught by Mrs. Sharenda Barlar.
- Grade 7 will start on Tuesday, August 27, and will meet in Room 610. Class will meet on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:45-8:40 a.m. and be taught by Mrs. Michelle Clousing.
- Grade 6 will start Monday, August 26, and will meet in Room 611. Class will meet on Monday and Wednesday from 7:45-8:40 a.m. and be taught by Mrs. Michelle Clousing.
School Pictures
Picture Day is Friday, September 6, during normal school hours. We will again be using JostensPix to capture smiles. JostensPix offer 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! You will receive a flyer and an email with more specifics in the coming days. 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 Monday, October 7.
Forms on FACTS Family Portal
Have you completed your forms yet? 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 ASAP!
To access these forms, follow the instructions below:
Go to the school website (www.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, the school nurse.)
Additional Recess Supervisors Needed
We still 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 first recess is for K-2 students and is from 11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m. The second recess is for grades 3-5 and is from 12:13-12:35 p.m. So in summary, we would ask that our recess supervisors are on campus from approximately 11:40 a.m-12:40 p.m. We are still looking for someone to serve on Wednesdays and/or Fridays. If you are interested in serving, please contact Beth Wright so that we can provide you with more information about this opportunity. Thank you!
