Thursday Notes – January 15, 2026
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From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
2nd Quarter
As we conclude the second quarter of the school year tomorrow, I am deeply grateful for the many moments that have marked the first half of this year. One of my greatest joys has been seeing the momentum surrounding our year verse. I have had the privilege of engaging in meaningful conversations with students, faculty, and staff about the great work the Lord does as we follow Him.
Our students have been challenged to fish for people and to carry the gospel into a world in need. While I am passionate about many things at WCGS, the call to follow Christ and fish for others has been especially close to my heart this year. Thank you for the role each of you plays in shaping this community and helping this vision come to life in the lives of your kids.
As you move into the second half of the year, I encourage you to continue seeking opportunities to open God’s Word together as a family, to spend time in prayer, and to gently redirect one another’s attention toward our King—the One who rescues and redeems.
Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast
On Saturday, February 7, 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 if 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 February 7, please RSVP to Lauren Fortosis by Wednesday, February 4, to help with breakfast planning.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
Smartwatches
Our students have done a great job with our cell phone policy again this year, and I continue to be grateful for the community and culture this creates at WCGS. I would appreciate your help in reinforcing our policy on smartwatches, as we have seen a number of students wearing them to school. To be clear, smartwatches may not be worn during school hours, even if they are in “school mode.” Although some of the smartwatches may not have a data plan to be able to make calls or receive messages, if they have a touchscreen interface, they cannot be worn during the school day. Please be sure that smartwatches are either left at home or taken off and placed in the backpack/locker until after school. For your reference, here is our policy on cell phones and smartwatches: Students’ personal cell phones and smartwatches must be kept turned off and in lockers during school hours. A smartwatch can be defined as a wearable computer in the form of a watch, often with a touchscreen interface. Simple pedometers may be worn, but smartwatches that can receive text messages or other alerts, or have apps associated with them, may not be worn. Students should remain off cell phones and smartwatches at all times while inside the building. Before and after school use of these devices should be confined to transportation and other logistical arrangements between students and their families or carpools. If students need to reach a member of their family during the school day, they can request permission to use the student phone in the main office. Any violation of these expectations may result in having the student’s phone or smartwatch taken away and retained by the Principal until the student and a parent come to claim it. Repeated offenses of this rule will be met with increasingly severe consequences. This policy applies to field trips unless otherwise communicated by the teacher.
Patience in the Parking Lots
We recognize that with the colder weather, more parents are wanting to drop their children off along the curb before school and pick their children up along the curb after school. Although this is certainly warmer for everyone involved, it does generate more of a backup both before and after school. Please be mindful of this natural impact on our traffic pattern. There are a few things you can do to help ensure that safety is our top priority:
- Be patient. Please don’t speed at any point in our parking lots or lanes of traffic. Always be on high alert and exercise patience with other drivers, our crosswalk supervisors, and our students. If you accelerate quickly to get to a particular location while you are on campus, you are putting others at risk in the process.
- Leave your home earlier during these winter months. If you arrive at school earlier during these winter months, you will see that it is much easier to get on and off campus. Students may be dropped off as early as 8:30 a.m., and they may enter the front lobby (K-5 students) or the Jr. High Atrium (Grades 6-8) at that time. Additionally, if you have a junior high student, remember that you may drop off and pick up your child at Door 4 (on the West side of our building) any time between 8:40-8:50 a.m. and then again after school. This area is usually wide open and provides a very quick “drop and go” or “pick-up and go” location for parents of junior high students.
- Use the parking lots. Even though you may want to drop your child off along the curb, the parking lots are still a great option for families. You may park, escort your children to the crosswalk (or if they are older, they may walk themselves), and we will take them from there!
Thanks for your help in these areas!
Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, January 16
End of 2nd Quarter
Popcorn Day
Zero Waste Day
Saturday, January 17
TBD – Boys’ JV IESA Regionals (WCGS)
Monday, January 19
NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 20
NO SCHOOL – Teacher Inservice Day
7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting (Library)
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV BBall @ Schaumburg Christian
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V BBall @ Schaumburg Christian
5:15 p.m. – Girls’ 5th/6th Grade Blue/Gold BBall Game (WCGS)
Wednesday, January 21
Q3 Hot Lunch Begins
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta
8:00-8:40 a.m. – MathCounts
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)
Thursday, January 22
3:30-4:30 p.m. Chess Club (Rooms 714/716)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)
Friday, January 23
Report Cards Issued – 3:30 p.m.
Sunset Slush Day
Zero Waste Day
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ 5th/6th Grade BBall @ Benjamin MS
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV BBall vs. Aurora Christian (WCGS)
6:00 p.m. – Girls’ V BBall vs. Aurora Christian (WCGS)
Saturday, January 24
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team Competition (Rotolo MS, Batavia)
STEAM+ Notes
Family Reading Night + STEM Fair = STREAM Fair
The Family Reading Night and STEM Fair are combining for ONE epic night! Plan to attend the STREAM Fair on Tuesday, January 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Please click here to see more details about this event. Click here to RSVP to attend and/or read to a dog AND click here to give one hour of time to volunteer. 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 provided through the SciZooka STEAM shop.
Notable Notes
Help Needed!
On Saturday, February 21, our school will host the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) Solo and Ensemble Contest. This event, which we host approximately every 9–10 years, provides students with a valuable opportunity to perform either as a soloist or in an ensemble for an adjudicated rating.
To accommodate this large event, we will be utilizing most of our school building and will need approximately 100 volunteers. Volunteer roles include: Set-Up Crew (Friday), Volunteer and Welcome Table Hosts, Contest Room Monitors, Contest Office Workers (full day), Medal Distribution Workers, Floaters, Lunchroom/Concessions Workers, Restoration Crew, and Student Runners.
Volunteers may serve during the morning shift (8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.), the afternoon shift (12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.), or for the full day. If you are willing to help, please email Beth Wright and indicate your availability.
Community Corner
Grad Gig
Grad Gig is a platform connecting our WCGS families directly with the students at Wheaton College. From one Christian school to another, this initiative allows you to hire young adults for gigs like tutoring, babysitting, pet care, sports lessons, yard work, snow removal, and moving. We encourage you to utilize this resource to support these college students while gaining peace of mind that your home and family are in good hands. Visit their website at gradgig.co or email gradgig2@gmail.com to get help for your next gig.
An Evening for Wheaton Academy Moms: Trusting God in Every Season
Monday, January 26, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
WA Student Union
Join WA Moms for a meaningful evening of connection, community, and encouragement. Together we’ll hear testimonies from women in our own WA family who, like Job, can say: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)
The night will also feature a pop-up bookstore with curated resources for women—books that point our hearts toward Jesus in every season of life. There will be music led by the Wheaton College Chapel Worship Team. Sign up here!
Contact Jodi Bauer with any questions at jodisuebauer@gmail.com or 630-465-1596.
Student Showcase Night
Wheaton Academy invites middle school families to our Student Showcase Night on Thursday, February 12. Whether your student is already enrolled, or your family is still considering Wheaton Academy for high school—this night is for you!
During Student Showcase, Wheaton Academy’s Leadership Team will outline their vision for your student’s freshman year, providing valuable insights to help you feel informed and ready for this exciting new chapter. You’ll explore a typical freshman schedule, receive guidance on class placement and registration, and gain a clear understanding of the steps needed for a smooth transition into high school.
Join us at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, and discover what it is like to be a Wheaton Academy Warrior!
Questions? Contact Amy Burdett, Admissions Coordinator, aburdett@wheatonacademy.org
FCA Winter Lacrosse SKILL Clinics, 2026
FCA Lacrosse is excited to offer a skill-building series for lacrosse players (grades 3-8) who have a season or more of playing experience. There are only 30 available spots, so once we are full the clinic registration will close.
Once the stick becomes easier, the game becomes more fun! – Coach Weisenborn
Who: Open to boys, grades 3-8, who have played organized lacrosse for at least 1 season. This clinic series is open to all players regardless of spring- or Club-team affiliation. Players will be divided each clinic by age and ability. All players need to provide their own equipment. K – 2nd graders should sign up for the Winter Intro clinic.
When:
Friday, 1/23/2026 – 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, 1/30/2026 – 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, 2/6/2026 – 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, 2/13/2026 – 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Midwest Sports Training indoor @ 1187 W Hawthorne Ln, West Chicago.
Fee: $100 per player for all 4 clinic-sessions (6 hours of training)
Registration (Winter SKILLS): REGISTER HERE
FCA Lacrosse: 2026 Spring Team Evaluations
Evaluations are at the Midwest Sports Training indoor facility on Saturday, February 21, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
• Junior 3rd and 4th grades Eval fee: $25
• Minor 5th and 6th grades Eval fee: $25
• Major 7th and 8th grades Eval fee: $25
Register for Evals: https://www.warrioryouthathletics.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2753939
FCA Lacrosse – more information and registration are available Warrior Youth Lacrosse – partnered with FCA Lacrosse and www.warrioryouthathletics.org under the lacrosse tab.
