Thursday Notes – January 29, 2026
View This Week’s Photos
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
Outdoor Recess is Coming!
This was a cold week, and it caused us to remain indoors for recess every day this week thus far. We will see how Friday turns out! When the temperature is below 15 degrees (factoring in the windchill), we typically keep the students indoors for recess. Occasionally in the winter, teachers will take the students outside for a morning recess briefly to get some fresh air for 10 minutes or less if the temperatures are hovering around or just below 15 degrees. While I don’t expect you to check the weather every day before school, I would like to encourage you to continue to send your children with cold weather gear during these winter months. The cold streak this week was certainly unusual, but I don’t want our students to get in the habit of not bringing their hats, gloves, snowpants, and boots to school. If in doubt, it is always best to send the gear, in case the teachers do choose to go outside for even a brief moment of fresh air. We always prioritize their safety, while at the same time acknowledging that fresh air and playtime outside is highly beneficial to them. I know transporting the gear to school can be a hassle, but they will certainly appreciate it when they are outside! Thank you for your help in this area.
Important Upcoming Dates
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)
3:30 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)
Monday, February 2
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)
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ 5th/6th Grade BBall @ Timothy Christian
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV BBall @ Timothy Christian
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ 5th/6th Grade BBall @ Timothy Christian
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V BBall @ Timothy Christian
Tuesday, February 3
Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s/Augustino’s
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)
Wednesday, February 4
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta
8:00-8:40 a.m. – MathCounts (Room 807)
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)
Thursday, February 5
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. Benjamin MS (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V BBall vs. Benjamin MS (WCGS)
6:00 p.m. – Girls’ 5th/6th Grade BBall vs. Benjamin MS (WCGS)
Friday, February 6
BIRTHDAY: Rachel Brooke (Art Teacher)
100th Day of School
Sunset Slush Day
Zero Waste Day
8:50 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – 2C & 2R Trip to Legoland (Schaumburg)
6:30-8:00 p.m. – Daddy/Daughter Event (Commons)
STEAM+ Notes
Congratulations to WCGS’s two Robotics Teams!
Peculiar People BLUE Team and Peculiar People GOLD Team competed with 28 teams this past Saturday, January 24, at Rotolo Middle School in the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE challenge sectionals, #Unearthed. Teams presented innovation projects that focused on how to help archaeologists in the field and competed running their robot through 15 missions/challenges on the robot game board. Both teams scored an amazing 330 points on the robot table. The Peculiar People BLUE Team won the “Robot Design Award” and is moving on to the State Competition in February. Congratulations to Eric Johnson and the Peculiar People GOLD Team for an incredible season: Brendan Lutz, Evangelina Romanovich, Cora Bickford, Zoe Regan, Connor Lutz, Jack Johnson, Jude Larson, Noah Roth, and Rowan James.
Notable Notes
Your Help is Needed!
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), 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.
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 March 13 in Orland Hills, IL? Although today after school is the final day to choose selections in Room 803 between 3:25 and 4:15, reach out to Mr. Huttenlock at dhuttenlock@wheatonchristian.org to receive digital copies of selections to choose from. 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 with any questions about this opportunity. If you are unable to come after school today, information can be sent via email.
Old Fashioned Bicycle Needed
The Wizard of Oz Cast Needs Your Help! We are looking for an old-fashioned bicycle to use in our upcoming production. If you or someone you know have one we can borrow, please email Lauren Fortosis. Thank you for helping to make this show a success!
Community Corner
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
