Thursday Notes – January 22, 2026
View This Week’s Photos
From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
Calling All Volunteers!
On Saturday, February 21, our school will host the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) Solo and Ensemble Contest. This event 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, Homeroom Monitors, Contest Office Workers (full day), Hospitality Volunteers, Medal Distribution Workers, Floaters, Lunchroom/Concessions Workers, Restoration Crew, and Student Runners. If you are willing to serve in any of these capacities, please sign up on the Sign-Up Genius Page. Willing to help wherever needed, there is a space for that as well. If you have any questions about any volunteer roles, please reach out to Beth Wright.
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
Reports Cards Issued Tomorrow
Teachers spent time this past Tuesday during our in-service preparing your child’s report card for 2nd quarter. These report cards will be emailed to you on Friday after school. Much prayer, thought, and time goes into these reports. We hope that they give you a snapshot of the growth of your child over the past nine weeks. Please take note of their academic progress, but also their development socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We desire to see them make gains in each of these areas as they head into the second half of the school year. Thank you for your continued partnership in working towards this goal. It is a team effort, and God is doing great things at WCGS!
Important Upcoming Dates
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
Saturday, January 24
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team Competition (Rotolo MS, Batavia)
TBD – Boys’ V IESA Regionals (WCGS)
Monday, January 26
Hot Lunch – Culver’s
9:00-10:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer (Room 308)
4:00-4:30 p.m. – Battle of the Books Meet (Wheaton Library)
Tuesday, January 27
Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s/Augustino’s
5:30-7:30 p.m. – STREAM Fair
TBD – Boys’ V IESA Regionals (WCGS)
Wednesday, January 28
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta
8:00-8:40 a.m. – MathCounts (Room 807)
8:00-8:40 a.m. – Creation Club
9:00-10:00 a.m. – 4th Grade Wax Museum (Commons)
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)
3:30-4:30 p.m. – Spartan Spellers Club (Innovation Hub)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ V IESA Regionals (WCGS)
7:00 p.m. – 5th Grade Parent Meeting (Room 615)
Thursday, January 29
3:30-4:30 p.m. Chess Club (Rooms 714/716)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV BBall vs. Harvest-Westminster (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V BBall vs. Harvest-Westminster (WCGS)
6:00 p.m. – Girls’ 5th/6th Grade BBall vs. Harvest-Westminster (WCGS)
Friday, January 30
Zero Waste Day
8:50 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – 2B & 2S Trip to Legoland (Schaumburg)
9:00-10:00 a.m. – New Parent Breakfast (Innovation Hub)
3:00-4:00 p.m. – Children’s Christmas Fire Sale (Blacktop)
3:30 p.m. – Hot Cocoa Auxiliary Social (Blacktop)
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV BBall vs. Christian Liberty (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V BBall vs. Christian Liberty (WCGS)
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
Christmas Trees Needed
As the Christmas season comes to a close, would you consider donating an old artificial Christmas tree to WCGS? With the addition of the new building and beautiful atrium, we would love to fill the space with a Christmas tree or two next year!
2026 Orland Hills Speech Meet Information
Do you want to have your student practice his or her public speaking? Looking for your student to have the opportunity to present at an area speech meet on Friday, March 13, in Orland Hills, IL? Interested students and/or parents may stop by Mr. Huttenlock’s classroom (803) Monday through Thursday of next week (1/26, 1/27, 1/28, and 1/29) between 3:25 and 4:15 to find out information and preview selections for this upcoming competition. Students will then be allowed to work on these selections to memorize and present at a mini-meet with grade levels here at school between February 9-12.
If needed, grade level mini-meets will determine who qualifies to go on to the main competition on March 13. If our numbers allow (as they have the past few years) everyone who is interested may be able to progress to the meet. Note that the final competition in March is limited to the top two speeches in each category for each class (6 or 8 total depending on the number of classes at a grade level). Participants are welcome in the following categories:
Grade 1:
Bible Memorization
Poetry
Grades 2-4:
Bible Memorization
Poetry
Fable and Folklore
Grade 5-6:
Bible Memorization
Poetry
Patriotic Oration
Dramatic Bible Prose
Original Speech
After a final roster is determined, an optional weekly practice schedule will be sent out for students to work to refine these presentations. Reach out to Daniel Huttenlock dhuttenlock@wheatonchristian.org with any questions about this opportunity. If you are unable to come after school next week, information can be sent via email.
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.
