Thursday Notes – December 4, 2025
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From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
Christmas Season
It is a joy and a privilege to enter the Advent season together at WCGS. What a blessing it is to share the true meaning of Christmas and to celebrate our King who races towards us.
Over the next few weeks, I will include a verse in Thursday Notes to help prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Recently, the Lord has continually brought John 14:6 to my mind: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” My prayer is that our students will firmly know Christ as the way, the truth, the life, and the only way to the Father. I hope this verse brings encouragement to you and your family as we step into December.
May we be people who eagerly and openly share the hope and truth found in Christ this Advent season.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
Christmas Spirit Week (December 15-19)
We are planning on having some fun Christmas dress-up days as a WCGS community during our final week of school before break. To help you plan accordingly, please reference the schedule below. The appearance code will be relaxed to accommodate these special days, but modesty guidelines still apply in all situations. It is acceptable for students to dress down and wear casual clothing with their Christmas spirit items during this week as long as it fits with the theme of that day. We look forward to seeing all of the creativity that week!
Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, December 5
Mid-Quarter
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – Children’s Christmas Sale (Commons)
11:00 a.m.-3:20 p.m. – Jr. High Christmas Social (Innovation Hub)
4:00-6:00 p.m. – Jr. High Musical Callbacks (Rooms 714/716)
Saturday, December 6
7:30-8:30 a.m. – Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast (Commons)
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Chess Tournament (Benjamin MS)
11:00 a.m. – Boys’ JV BBall Tournament Game vs. Stratford MS @ Jay Stream MS
12:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall Tournament Game vs. Stratford MS @ Jay Stream MS
1:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall Tournament Game vs. Holy Angels Catholic @ Jay Stream MS
2:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall Tournament Game vs. Naperville Christian @ Jay Stream MS
TBD – Boys’ JV & V BBall Tournament Games @ Jay Stream MS
Sunday, December 7
BIRTHDAY: Lori Bode (Academic Specialist)
Monday, December 8
Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A
9:00-10:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ 5B BBall @ Westminster Christian
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ 5A BBall @ Westminster Christian
6:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall @ Westminster Christian
7:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall @ Westminster Christian
7:00-8:00 p.m. – 8th Grade Imago Dei Parent Meeting (Innovation Hub)
Tuesday, December 9
Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s
9:45-10:45 a.m. – Prospective Family Visit Day (Innovation Hub)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)
6:00 p.m. – Beginning and Intermediate Band Christmas Concert (Commons)
7:30 p.m. – Concert and Symphonic Band Christmas Concert (Commons)
Wednesday, December 10
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta
7:45-8:30 a.m. – FCA Huddle (Gym)
8:00-8:40 a.m. – MathCounts (Room 807)
8:00-8:35 a.m. – Creation Care Club
9:15-11:30 a.m. – Women’s Bible Study (Amy Paglia’s home)
3:30-4:00 p.m. – Yearbook Club (Tech Lab 106)
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall vs. Timothy Christian (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall vs. Timothy Christian (WCGS)
6:00 p.m. – Boys’ 6A BBall vs. Timothy Christian (WCGS)
7:00 p.m. – Boys’ 6B BBall vs. Timothy Christian (WCGS)
Thursday, December 11
3:30-4:30 p.m. – Chess Club (Rooms 714/716)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)
7:00 p.m. – Christmas Orchestra Concert (Commons)
Friday, December 12
Popcorn Day
Sunset Slush Day
Zero Waste Day
Junior High Read-In
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall @ Benjamin MS
4:45 p.m. – Boys’ 6th Grade BBall vs. CrossRoads (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall @ Benjamin MS
5:30 p.m. – Boys’ 5th Grade BBall vs. CrossRoads (WCGS)
Saturday, December 13
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team Qualifier (Oswego East HS)
STEAM+ Notes
Peculiar People Robotics Team
Is your child interested in the WCGS Robotics Team? Do you want to learn about what the Robotics Team has been researching, building, and coding this season? ALL parents, supervised students, and teachers are welcome to come to hear their presentations on Monday, December 8, from 3:45-4:30 p.m. in the Innovation Hub. This presentation is helping them prepare for their qualifier on December 13. Hope to see you there!
Family Reading Night + STEM Fair = STREAM Fair
The Family Reading Night and STEM Fair are combining for ONE epic night! Mark your calendar for the STREAM Fair on Tuesday, January 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. You will not want to miss the opportunity for students of all ages to ignite their passion for reading and science through the integration of science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and mathematics. This event will allow preschoolers through eighth graders to enjoy story times, reading to dogs, crafts, games, hands-on science experiments, demonstrations, and discovery exhibits, while also shopping for amazing science books, STEM kits, and take-home experiments provide through the SciZooka STEAM shop.
Calling All Parents who work in STEAM Fields
WCGS will have our fifth STREAM FAMILY FAIR on Tuesday, January 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. If you have a passion and expertise in STEAM related areas, would you be willing to host a table, demonstration, or interactive activity? Families would attend representing children in ages from kindergarten through eighth grade. Please email Jacqueline Lauriat if you are interested in participating.
LEGOS, LEGOS, Magna-tiles
The STEAM Lab is always accepting LEGO bricks and Magna-tiles for our K-8 students and Junior High Exploratories, LEGO Masters Build Competition. We are looking for any type of LEGOs, LEGO sets, or Magna-tiles that people no longer want. If you are willing to donate, please drop them off in the STEAM Lab, room 708, or drop them off in the office to be delivered to Jacqueline Lauriat. Thank you!
Zero Waste Day Every FRIDAY
Thank you for supporting Zero Waste Day every Friday. Please continue to help your child pack a lunch with reusable containers and avoid plastic bags and other single use items. Students are still encouraged to compost and recycle.
Notable Notes
Free HDMI Cables!
Due to the extensive re-wiring we did over the summer, we have a plethora of HDMI cables that need a home (rather than in the tech trash heap). There are lengths ranging from 12’ to 25’. Feel free to take as many as you need! They are great for connecting that new TV you are getting for Christmas especially when the box says, “HDMI cable not included.” Stop by the front desk to grab what you need.
Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast
On Saturday, December 6, we will host our Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Commons here at school. Whether you have attended before or this is your first time, we look forward to sharing a meal, hearing a devotional, and praying together as fathers in the WCGS community. It is a rich time and one that I hope you will consider joining. We will respect your time and dismiss by 8:30 a.m. so that you can continue on with your weekend. If you are able to attend on December 6, please RSVP to Lauren Fortosis to help with breakfast planning.
Planning a Trip?
If your family is planning a trip that will cause them to miss a day or a few days from a school, please be sure to communicate this to school ASAP by submitting a Pre-Arranged Absence Form. You can use the online form through the FACTS Family Portal, or grab a printed hard copy from the front office. Pre-Arranged Absence Forms should be submitted to the office as soon as plans are made. Please do not request schoolwork unless you intend to have your student complete it during your holiday. For more information regarding our Attendance Policy, please refer to page 9 of the Parent Handbook.
Community Corner
WCGS Mom Cheri Farina’s First Concert
Join Cheri Farina, mom of Ethan and Charlie Farina, for her first concert at Mission Church in Bloomingdale tonight, Thursday, December 5, from 7:00-9:00 p.m.! Come celebrate her EP release with an evening of Christian music and worship — featuring both new songs and familiar favorites. Tickets are free, and children are welcome! Get your tickets here: Eventbrite link.
Behold, an Interactive Christmas Experience
Join us for an interactive Christmas experience…Behold! This is a live production with live animals, incredible music, and most importantly, a clear gospel message. It’s an incredible way for families to celebrate the season together. This event is being held at Gospelife Church on Gary Avenue in Carol Stream, December 11-14. Get your tickets now by clicking here!
