Thursday Notes – November 7, 2024

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From Mr. Brooke’s Desk

REMEMBER TO RSVP soon for the TRANSFORM Scholarship Auction on November 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m. There is still room! 

Enjoy a buffet dinner and desserts from MyChef while you browse the auction items, bid on your favorites, and hear some great music from students – and don’t forget the Trivia game!  We are all looking forward to a very fun evening and especially to being with all of you! We would love to have all RSVPs in by Monday, November 11 so we can give a final count to the caterer.

Here are a few reminders:

• Auction will open this Saturday, November 9.  You will be sent a link so you can register and begin bidding!
• There is absolutely no charge to attend the dinner and program on Friday, November 15.
• If you are unable to attend, you can still bid on auction items – but we really would love to share the evening with you in person.

We’ve Saved a Seat for You!

Please join us for our next WCGS Parent Series event next Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. Back by popular demand, we welcome WCGS school dad and licensed Clinical Psychologist and Executive Coach, Chris Mazzarella presenting, The Anxious Resilient Generation: Fostering Attachment with God through Identity & Purpose.  Join us as Chris walks through the conversation of stress and anxiety and the impact it has on children and families.  You will learn what research is discovering, along with practical tools to lead your child with confidence and resiliency. Sign up here if you plan to attend.

Important Upcoming Dates

Friday, November 8

BIRTHDAYS: Kendra Bratt (1st Grade Aide; Speech Therapist), Alicia Guevara (1st Grade Teacher), and Annie Rhoads (5th Grade Teacher)

NO SCHOOL – Parent-Teacher Conferences

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – Parent-Teacher Conferences

4:00 p.m. – JV Boys’ BBall @ Schaumburg Christian

4:00 p.m. – 6th Grade Boys’ BBall @ Schaumburg Christian

5:00 p.m. – V Boys’ BBall @ Schaumburg Christian

Sunday, November 10

BIRTHDAY: Julie Jones (MML Teacher, Education Technology Support)

Monday, November 11

BIRTHDAY: Brenda Johnson (3rd Grade Teacher)

Veterans Day

Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A

9:00-10:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer (Room 605)

10:45 a.m. – All School Veterans Day Assembly (Gym)

7:00 p.m. – Board Meeting

Tuesday, November 12

BIRTHDAY: Debbie Cairncross (Registrar)

Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s

11:00 a.m. – Prospective Family Visit Day (Commons)

3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (Room 607)

5:00 p.m. – Boys’ 5th Grade BBall @ Aurora Christian

6:00 p.m. – Boys’ 6th Grade BBall @ Aurora Christian

6:30 p.m. – Parent Series Event (Band Room)

7:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall @ Aurora Christian

8:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall @ Aurora Christian

Wednesday, November 13

Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta

7:45 a.m. – FCA Huddle (Gym)

8:00 a.m. – MathCounts (Room 616)

9:15 a.m. – Women’s Bible Study (Amy Paglia’s home)

3:30-5:15 p.m. – Helping Hands Raking Event (Grades 5-8)

3:30-4:00 p.m. – Yearbook Club (Graphics Lab)

5:15 p.m. – Boys’ 5A BBall vs. St. Petronille (WCGS)

6:15/7:00 p.m. – Boys’ 5B BBall vs. St. Petronille (WCGS)

7:50 p.m. – Boys’ 6B BBall vs. St. Petronille (WCGS)

Thursday, November 14

Junior High Read-In

3:30 p.m. – 6th Grade Bake Sale (Playground)

3:30-4:30 p.m. – Chess Club (Rooms 604 & 608)

3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (Room 607)

4:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall @ Christian Liberty

5:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall @ Christian Liberty

Friday, November 15

Popcorn Day

Zero Waste Day

1:15-3:00 p.m. – 5R and 5S Trip to Wade Center (Wheaton College)

3:30 p.m. – 6th Grade Bake Sale (Playground)

6:30 p.m. – Transform Scholarship Benefit Auction and Trivia Night

Saturday, November 16

BIRTHDAY: Nicole Todd (Jr. High Math Teacher, Academic Specialist)

8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – ILMEA Music Festival (Streamwood HS)

Library News

The Book Fair Is Coming!

This year’s Jungle Book Fair will again be provided by I-55 Book Fairs. It is a Christian company that sells both Christian products and pre-reviewed secular products. A flyer with more information will be coming home next week and is also attached here. This will be a great time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping!

Fair Dates

Set-Up: Tuesday, November 19

Sales: 

Wednesday, November 20     8:30-12:00, 1:00-4:30

Thursday, November 21         8:30-12:00, 1:00-4:30, 5:30-7:30 (Family Night)

Friday, November 22               8:30-12:00, 1:00-4:30

Monday, November 25           8:30-12:00, 1:00-4:30

Tuesday, November 26           8:30-1:00, 3:00-4:30 (Grandparents’ Day)

Pack-Up: Monday, December 2

Shop Online! You can shop from our book fair online from November 17-30 and get free shipping on orders over $50. Access our online fair at www.i55bookfairs.com/IL013

We Need Volunteers!

We will need many parent volunteers during all parts of the fair, including set-up, pack-up, and our Family Night on Thursday, November 21. If you are able to volunteer, please go to our Signup Genius page. Volunteers will receive a $5 coupon to use at the fair.

Family Night

We will have a Family Reading Night on Thursday, November 21, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The food truck from Wheaton Academy, The Shack, will be here, and activities will include shopping at the fair, story-times, and a craft and coloring table. We hope to see you there!

Jungle Book Fair Contest—Entries Due Tuesday, November 12

Students have two options to enter this year’s book fair contest where they can win a gift certificate to the book fair. All the details are in the attached flyer, and the deadline is next Tuesday. Teacher voting will take place from November 13-15, and winners will be announced on Monday, November 18.

Other Important Information

• Book Checkout: The library will be closed for usual activities like book checkout or AR tests from Tuesday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 26. Students may check out one extra book beginning on Tuesday, November 12. No books will be due during the fair, but all books checked out before the fair will be due on Tuesday, December 3.
• Class visits to the fair: All K-5 classes will come through the fair during their regular library time from Wednesday, November 20-Monday, November 25. Tuesday library classes and grades 6-8 will be told the time of their book fair visit by their teachers. When students come to the fair, they will be able to shop at that time if you send them with cash, OR they can make a wish list and shop with you during other open hours. You are of course welcome to come sooner than their library day during the before and after-school hours.
• Teacher Wish Lists: Buy a book for your teacher’s classroom library! Teachers will be making wish lists of items that they would like to add to their collections, so be on the lookout for that when you visit the fair.

STEAM+ Notes

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 February 11 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 fourth STREAM FAMILY FAIR on February 11 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.

Notable Notes

Lost and Found 

Wondering where your child’s new fall coat or sweater could be? It’s probably in the lost and found! We’ve accumulated hundreds of items over the first quarter of the school year and are displaying these items in the main hallway during parent-teacher conferences. Please stop by and check for your missing belongings. All unclaimed items will be donated by Thanksgiving.

Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast 

On Saturday, November 23, 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 November 23, please RSVP to Lauren Fortosis by Monday, November 18, to help with breakfast planning.

Community Corner

Camerata Chicago Orchestra and Choir Present Handel’s Messiah

Enjoy the outstanding musical artistry of Camerata Chicago and its choir performing the Messiah (Part I – Christmas) by Handel with Zadok the Priest and the Hallelujah Chorus featuring:

• Four wonderful soloists, conducted by Maestro Drostan Hall, including Michelle Arezaga, Lauren Decker, Martin Luther Clark and Laureano Quant
• Sing along with the Hallelujah Chorus
• Family friendly performance
• Elite orchestra and choir with top Chicago area musicians
• Generously supported by Tyndale House Foundation and Deby and Jamie Fellowes.

Performances:

November 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Fourth Presbyterian Church, CHICAGO
Parking only $9

November 16 at 3:00 p.m.
New Covenant Church, NAPERVILLE

November 17 at 4:00 p.m.
St Michael Catholic Church, WHEATON

Use coupon code CCLG for a 25% DISCOUNT (Discount available online only – not at the door)

Website | Tickets

VFM Thanksgiving Ball

All the generations of your family are invited to a unique event sponsored by Visionary Family Ministries, a local ministry that encourages families and marriages.  The VFM Thanksgiving Ball will take place on Sunday, November 10, at the Abbington in Glen Ellyn from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Join us for dinner, games, dancing, and family worship! For more details see flyer here or to purchase a family ticket, visit https://visionaryfam.com/event/2024-thanksgiving-ball/. 

Fox Valley Ballet Nutcracker

Looking to do something festive during the upcoming holiday season? Come see the Fox Valley Ballet Nutcracker November 29-December 1 at the Batavia Fine Arts Center! WCGS students Isabel and Hannah Wilding, Pennie Barr, and Libby Cate Green will be performing in it. Get your tickets here.