Thursday Notes – November 14, 2024
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From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
TRANSFORM Scholarship Auction
We are excited and honored to be hosting many of you tomorrow evening at our annual Transform Scholarship Auction. If you haven’t RSVP’d yet. we would still love to have you join us. Please RSVP by emailing Lauren Fortosis.
Bidding is now live and many new items have been added to the website. We encourage you to take a look at this year’s many wonderful offerings by visiting our Transform Scholarship Auction website. Whether you are able to attend in person or not, bidding is open to everyone and is a wonderful way to support our scholarship families. Thank you for the many ways you partner with our WCGS community!
Grandparents’ Day 2024
Tuesday, November 26, will be the 48th Annual Grandparents’ Day at WCGS. We are thankful for the opportunity to host so many guests on our campus just prior to Thanksgiving Break.
Winter Weather Update
The realities of another Chicago winter are upon us, so we wanted to review with you the many ways in which you can find out if WCGS is closed on a given day because of the weather or for any other emergency.
- EMAIL – After consulting with other local school administrators, should the decision be made to close school OR to start school late, an email will be sent around 6:00 a.m. via FACTS advising families of the change in school status.
- SCHOOL WEBSITE – A message explaining any change in school status will be placed on the front page of our school website.
- SCHOOL PHONE MESSAGE – A message explaining any change in school status will be recorded and placed on the school’s phone system.
- EMERGENCY CLOSING CENTER – Go to the Emergency Closing Center website and search for our school by typing the school name (Wheaton Christian Grammar School) and city (Winfield) or the school phone number (630-668-1385)
Important Upcoming Dates
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)
8:30-11:30 a.m. – Robotics Team (Gold) Practice (Room 607)
8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (Blue) Practice (Room 607)
Monday, November 18
Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A
8:00 a.m. – Praise Team Rehearsal (Commons)
9:00-10:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer (Room 605)
Tuesday, November 19
BIRTHDAY: Lisa Kainer (Student Services Coordinator Grades K-5)
Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (Room 607)
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall vs. Westminster (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall vs. Westminster (WCGS)
6:00 p.m. – Boys’ 6th Grade BBall vs. Westminster (WCGS)
Wednesday, November 20
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta
8:00 a.m. – MathCounts (Room 616)
8:00 a.m. – Praise Team Rehearsal (Commons)
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Book Fair Open (Library)
1:00-4:30 p.m. – Book Fair Open (Library)
10:45 a.m. – Chapel (Grades 6-8)
3:30-4:00 p.m. – Yearbook Club (Graphics Lab)
5:30 p.m. – Boys’ 6A BBall vs. St. Petronille (WCGS)
6:30 p.m. – Boys’ 6B BBall vs. St. Petronille (WCGS)
Thursday, November 21
BIRTHDAY: Joanne King (Reading Specialist)
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Book Fair Open (Library)
1:00-4:30 p.m. – Book Fair Open (Library)
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 vs. Benjamin MS (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall vs. Benjamin MS (WCGS)
6:00 p.m. – Boys’ 5th Grade BBall vs. Benjamin MS (WCGS)
5:30-7:30 p.m. – Family Night (Library)
Friday, November 22
Sunset Slush Day
Zero Waste Day
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Book Fair Open (Library)
1:00-4:30 p.m. – Book Fair Open (Library)
1:15-3:00 p.m. – 5S2 Trip to Wade Center (Wheaton College)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – YA Battle of the Books Year-End Party
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall vs. Glencrest MS (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall vs. Glencrest MS (WCGS)
Saturday, November 23
7:30-8:30 a.m. – Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast (Commons)
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 is 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!
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
Peculiar People Robotics Team
Is your child interested in the WCGS Robotics Team? Do you want to learn about what the Robotics Team has been researching, building, and coding this season? ALL parents, supervised students, and teachers are welcome to come to hear their presentations on Thursday, December 5, from 3:45-4:30 p.m. in the STEAM+ Lab, room 607. This presentation is helping them prepare for their qualifier on December 7. Hope to see you there!
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 Tuesday, 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 Tuesday, 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.
Zero Waste Day Every FRIDAY.
Thank you for supporting Zero Waste Day every Friday. Please continue to help your child pack a lunch with reusable containers and avoid plastic bags and other single use items. Students are still encouraged to compost and recycle.
Notable Notes
Planning to Extend Thanksgiving Break?
If your family is planning to leave early OR return late from Thanksgiving Break due to travel, please be sure to communicate this to school ASAP by submitting a Pre-Arranged Absence Form. You can use the online form through the FACTS Family Portal, or grab a printed hard copy from the front office. Pre-Arranged Absence Forms should be submitted to the office as soon as plans are made. Please do not request schoolwork unless you intend to have your student complete it during your holiday. For more information regarding our Attendance Policy, please refer to page 9 of the Parent Handbook.
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
WA Team Unveiling
Join us for the UNVEILING of the 2024-25 Boys and Girls Basketball teams on Saturday, November 16, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Our basketball programs invite future warriors to join us for this winter’s first team practice! Watch them practice and get ready for the season. There may be select times where our middle school guests can compete with our players in three-point and slam dunk contests.
Where: The Wheaton Academy Warrior Dome
Who: Everyone is invited! Current students, parents, and members of our community.
Registration Link – It’s FREE – CLICK HERE
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)
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.
