Thursday Notes – October 30, 2025
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From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
Follow and Fish
As we conclude the end of the 1st quarter, I just want to say thank you for your investment in this place. I continue to be passionate about our theme for the year, Follow and Fish, and am praying our students at all ages understand the importance of walking with Jesus and making Him known. Many students and families have taken the challenge to read through the book of Mark this year or this semester. I would encourage you and your family to consider reading through it together to engage with the character of Christ through the pages of Scripture. I am praying for our community as we walk into the 2nd quarter and am grateful for the families the Lord has intentionally placed at WCGS. May we follow Him closely and share the good news of Jesus Christ with a world in need.
LAST CHANCE! Scholarship Auction & Trivia Night – 2 Weeks Away! November 14, 6:30 p.m.
Excitement is building for our Scholarship Auction & Trivia Night on November 14! It’s shaping up to be a vibrant evening of fun, fellowship, and friendly competition – all to support making Christ-centered education available!
Online bidding opens November 8! You’ll love the awesome variety of items up for bid! A big thank-you to everyone who has donated items, offered sponsorships, contributed to a homeroom basket, or invited friends to join the fun.
Tables are filling up, so please R.S.V.P. now to secure your spot! You can reserve a table with friends or come ready to meet new people. Dinner and trivia will be enjoyed in groups of eight, and there’s no charge to attend.
We want to recognize and THANK our current event sponsors (most within our WCGS community)! Strategic Navigators / Electric Conduit Construction / Antoniolli, Cerny & Winthers, P.C. / Blue Peak / Central DuPage Orthodontics / Compass Mortgage / Curtis Climate / Dental Care of Glen Ellyn / Hillary Jarvis Fitness / Hoogendoorn & Talbot LLC / Olivet Nazarene University / Orleans Home Fragrances / Ozinga / Project World Impact / Promus / Sunset Services / Taylor University / Wheaton Eye Clinic / Wheaton Lighting
Donations are due tomorrow (if possible!) and we only have a couple of table sponsorships left, but it’s not too late to contribute or promote your business if you reach out right away.
Remember, even if you cannot donate everyone is welcome to enjoy dinner, browse auction items, hear stories of God’s goodness, and test your knowledge in trivia. Your participation truly makes a difference!
Become a Dinner Sponsor (while promoting your business!)
Questions? Contact Shannon McDonald, Development Coordinator, at smcdonald@wheatonchristian.org.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
WCGS Security Officer Update
We want to begin by saying “thank you” to Officer Andrew for serving our community as interim School Security Officer since Officer Jim’s departure a couple of weeks ago. Additionally, I want to thank all of you for the way you honored Officer Jim on his final days at WCGS. He was deeply touched by the community’s loving response and reflection of Jesus. After several interviews and much prayer, we are excited to share the hiring of Craig Gunty to serve as our WCGS Security Officer. Craig has over 30 years of law enforcement experience in the Bolingbrook Police Department where he held various Sargeant leadership roles. He has training and experience in security, conflict management, and firearms instruction. Craig also holds national certifications in active shooter training and First Aid/CPR, and is a Certified Safety Professional. As a Christ-follower who is heavily involved in his church as a deacon, Craig is an answer to prayer in our search for a mission-minded School Security Officer. On Friday, October 31, Officer Craig will be on campus shadowing John Koslosky (our Director of Security) and Officer Andrew. He will be formally introduced to students as our new WCGS Security Officer on Monday, November 3, and will work closely with John Koslosky in the days ahead. When you see Craig around campus next week, please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome him to our community. Thank you!
Report Cards and MAP Results
As I referenced last week in Thursday Notes, first quarter report cards will be sent electronically to parents at around 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, October 31. MAP Growth Assessment results will also be sent home tomorrow with your child in an envelope. Please be looking for this information. There will be a letter inside the envelope explaining more about the data, so please take time to read it prior to reviewing the results. We felt it was important to get you these results on the same day as the report card since the MAP results are just one piece of information about your child as a learner.
Parent-Teacher Conference Registration
Registration for Parent-Teacher Conferences is now open. You received specific instructions on how you are able to sign up last Friday from Beth Wright. Conferences are being held on Thursday, November 6, from 1:00-8:00 p.m. and on Friday, November 7, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. There is no school on these two days. We look forward to seeing all of you at your children’s conferences as we seek to gain a more complete picture of who your children are and what they need as individuals. Click here for instructions.
Save the Date!
The next WCGS Parent Series event is Tuesday, November 11, at 6:30 p.m., we welcome Rev. Jon Nielsen (WCGS dad), who will be presenting, Discipleship for the Long Run: Equipping Lifelong Followers of Jesus. This evening will seek to equip Christian parents with some practical tools for discipling their kids, with an eye toward lasting love for Jesus, engagement with God’s Word, and involvement in the local church. Dinner is provided and registration is requested by November 7. Register here. If you have questions for Jon which you would like answered that evening, please email Mandy Jasper.
Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, October 31
BIRTHDAY: Amber Snoeyink (5th Grade Teacher)
Report Cards Issued – 3:30 p.m.
Zero Waste Day
Sunday, November 2
BIRTHDAY: Jennifer Fraser (Reading Specialist)
Daylight Saving Ends
Monday, November 3
Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A
9:00-10:00 a.m. – Mom’s in Prayer (Room 308)
Tuesday, November 4
Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)
Wednesday, November 5
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta
8:00-8:35 a.m. – Creation Care Club
8:00-8:40 a.m. – MathCounts (Room 807)
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. – YA Battle of the Books Meet (Wheaton Library)
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV BBall vs. Glencrest MS (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ V BBall vs. Glencrest MS (WCGS)
Thursday, November 6
NO SCHOOL – Parent-Teacher Conferences
1:00-8:00 p.m. – Parent-Teacher Conferences
Friday, November 7
NO SCHOOL – Parent-Teacher Conferences
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – Parent-Teacher Conferences
Saturday, November 8
BIRTHDAYS: Kendra Bratt (Speech Therapist), Alicia Guevara (1st Grade Teacher), and Annie Rhoads (5th Grade Teacher)
Library News
The Book Fair is Coming!
This year’s Adventure Awaits Book Fair will again be provided by I-55 Book Fairs and will take place in our new Innovation Hub. I-55 is a Christian company that sells both Christian products and pre-reviewed secular products. A flyer with more information will be coming home soon. This will be a great time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping!
Fair Dates
Set-Up:
Monday, November 17 6:00-8:30 p.m. – Pizza and box-moving party (dads needed!)
Tuesday, November 18 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., plus afternoon if needed
Sales:
Wednesday, November 19 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 20 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 1:00-4:30 p.m., 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Family Night)
Friday, November 21 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Monday, November 24 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 25 8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. (Grandparents’ Day)
Pack-Up:
Tuesday, November 25 1:15-3:00 p.m.
Monday, December 1 7:30-8:30 a.m. (stack boxes on pallets—dads needed!)
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 20. If you are able to volunteer, please go to our Signup Genius page. Volunteers will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.
Family Night
We will have a Family Reading Night on Thursday, November 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Activities will include shopping at the fair, story-times, and a craft and coloring table. We hope to see you there!
Adventure Book Fair Contest—Entries Due Monday, November 10
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 November 10. Teacher voting will take place from November 11-14, and winners will be announced on Monday, November 17. Book Faith Contest Instructions.
Other Important Information:
Class visits to the Book Fair: All K-5 classes will come through the fair during their regular library time from Wednesday, November 19 through Monday, November 24. 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.
Library Book Checkout: Students will not come to the library with their classes during the week of the book fair, but we will advertise shorter open hours when students can get new books if they need to. No books will be due during the book fair.
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.
Notable Notes
Lost and Found
Spring Musical Open Positions
Wheaton Christian Grammar School is excited to begin preparations for our upcoming school musical in March. We are looking for a few creative individuals to join our production team this year and would love your help! It’s also a lot of fun and a great way to use your creative gifts! Both positions will also be paid on a stipend basis.
Our open positions include:
Costume Coordinator
- Organize, design, and source costumes for cast members.
- Coordinate fittings, alterations, and costume storage.
- Work closely with the director and cast to ensure costumes enhance the storytelling and reflect the show’s vision.
Props Coordinator
- Source, organize, and manage all props used in the production.
- Ensure props are available, maintained, and ready for each rehearsal and performance.
- Work with the director and stage crew to support smooth scene transitions.
If you or someone you know is interested in being a part of this year’s production team, please email Lauren Fortosis for more details!
Veterans Day Assembly
We look forward to our annual Veterans Day Assembly each November. We believe it is important that we pause and remember all that this day represents. Our assembly will be taking place in the gym on Tuesday, November 11, at 9:00 a.m. We’d love to honor the veterans in our school community by showing their picture in a slide show that students will see during the program. Any student with a parent, grandparent, or other family member who IS or HAS BEEN a member of the Armed Forces is invited to email a picture of that individual to Lauren Fortosis by Friday, October 31, so that it can be included in a tribute video. (If you have submitted information for the video in the past, we will automatically include it in this year’s video unless you contact us indicating that it needs to be removed). Please include the following information with your picture:
- Student Name:
- Veteran’s/Active Duty Soldier’s Name:
- Relationship to Student:
- Branch of Service:
We would also love to invite veterans who are family members of current students to attend the assembly (in uniform if possible) to be introduced. Our guests of honor and their families will have a reserved seating section that is easily accessible. A short reception with refreshments will follow the assembly. If you have a veteran who can attend, please RSVP to Lauren Fortosis by Friday, October 31.
Community Corner
Thanksgiving Ball and Fundraiser
You are invited to attend a unique evening of worship, food and fellowship, at the Visionary Family Thanksgiving Ball. This event will take place on Sunday, November 16, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Abbington in Glen Ellyn. Adults – $40 / Children (12 & under) – $20 and will benefit Visionary Family Ministries. Reserve your spot here.
Ready…Set…Register!
Join Team Phil’s Friends for the 48th Bank of America 2026 Chicago Marathon. Registration for a guaranteed spot is open NOW! Phil’s Friends has limited spots available for runners who are passionate about serving the Lord with their gift of athleticism and about bringing hope to cancer patients.
Registration Fee: $250 (nonrefundable)
Eligibility: Age 16+; able to complete the 26.2 miles within 6 hours and 30 minutes
Minimum Fundraising Goal: $2,200 to benefit Phil’s Friends
Marathon Date: October 11, 2026
If you are interested in running for charity, go to www.chicagomarathon.com/apply/, visit the Charity Index, and select Phil’s Friends to join the team! Learn more about Phil’s Friends at philsfriends.org.
