Thursday Notes – January 8, 2026
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From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest Volunteers
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, January 9
Jr. High Exploratories
Zero Waste Day
Saturday, January 10
BIRTHDAY: Ella Colquhoun (5th Grade Teacher)
9:00 a.m. – Boys’ JV & V BBall SWAC Tournament @ Timothy Christian
11:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV & V BBall SWAC Finals @ Timothy Christian
Monday, January 12
Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A
Q3 Hot Lunch Ordering Closes
8:00-8:40 a.m. – Praise Team Rehearsal
9:00-10:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer (Room 308)
Tuesday, January 13
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)
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV (A) BBall Game vs. CrossRoads (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV (B) BBall Game vs. CrossRoads (WCGS)
6:00 p.m. – Boys’ Varsity (A) BBall Game vs. CrossRoads (WCGS)
7:00 p.m. – Boys’ Varsity (B) BBall Game vs. CrossRoads (WCGS)
Wednesday, January 14
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta
8:00-8:40 a.m. – MathCounts
8:00-8:40 a.m. – Praise Team Rehearsal
9:00 a.m. – Chapel (Grades K-2)
9:15-11:30 a.m. – Women’s Bible Study (Amy Paglia’s home)
9:45 a.m. – Chapel (Grades 3-5)
10:45 a.m. – Chapel (Grades 6-8)
3:30-4:00 p.m. – Yearbook Club (Tech Lab 106)
4:00-4:30 p.m. – Battle of the Books Meet (Wheaton Library)
Thursday, January 15
3:30-4:30 p.m. Chess Club (Rooms 714/716)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Worship Event (Commons)
Friday, January 16
End of 2nd Quarter
Popcorn Day
Zero Waste Day
Saturday, January 17
TBD – Boys’ JV IESA Regionals (WCGS)
STEAM+ Notes
Congratulations to WCGS’s two Robotics Teams!
Peculiar People BLUE Team and Peculiar People GOLD Team competed with 32 teams on Saturday, December 13, in the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE challenge qualifier, #Unearthed. Teams presented innovation projects on problems that archaeologist face and competed running their robot through 16 missions/challenges on the robot game board. Both teams were recognized for their outstanding teamwork! The Peculiar People GOLD Team, coached by Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Lauriat, won the Robot Design Award while the Peculiar People BLUE Team, coached by Mrs. Sorenson, Mrs. Wirsing, and Mrs. Lauriat won the Innovation Project, Alliance Round, and Robot Performance Awards. Both teams will advance to sectionals in January. Thank you for your prayers and support of these teams.
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. 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
Join the Spartan Spellers!
WHAT: We will play spelling games, examine word parts, and practice spelling words to prepare for a Spell-Off at the end of the club. You will receive a spelling list to take home for practice, but this is optional.
WHERE: Innovation Hub
WHEN: Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. (1 approved absence)
**Meeting Dates – January 21, January 28, February 4, February 11, February 18, February 25, and March 4
Spell Off Competition – March 11
**Students are expected to attend 6 of the 7 practices before the Spell-Off Competition. Families are welcome to
watch the Spell-Off. There may be a special guest “judge” or two! Stay tuned!
Please return the permission slip linked here to the Office or to Mrs. Linhardt (Room 204) by next Thursday, January 15. Any questions? Please email nlinhardt@wheatonchristian.org.
