Thursday Notes – October 2, 2025

View This Week’s Photos

From Mr. Brooke’s Desk

Veterans Day Assembly

We have always looked 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 10:45 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.

You’re Invited! Scholarship Auction & Trivia Night – November 14, 6:30 p.m.

We can’t wait to gather for this year’s Scholarship Auction & Trivia Night on Friday, November 14. Book your babysitter now! Invites should be arriving to your mailbox any day. You won’t want to miss this fun and meaningful evening! We are currently seeking silent auction donations such as event tickets, handcrafted items, getaways, gift baskets, professional services, etc., and are always open to new ideas! A unique feature of our Scholarship Auction & Trivia Night is that dinner is completely free for guests! However, we’d love to invite families or local businesses to sponsorship opportunities so that 100% of funds raised will go directly to the Scholarship Fund. By sponsoring the dinner, you’ll not only enjoy great visibility for your business, but you’ll also help eliminate overhead to maximize impact on the Scholarship Fund. Here are the levels of sponsorship to support the dinner and promote your business:

Program Sponsor – $250
A simple way to support! With the addition of a donated auction item, your business logo will appear in our event program throughout the night. It’s a great entry point to connect your brand with our community.

Table Sponsor – $500
Put your business right in the middle of the action! As a Table Sponsor, your logo will be featured in the program, plus a 5×7 sign with your logo will be placed at a table centerpiece. You can even provide flyers or coupons for the 8 guests seated at your table providing direct exposure to families and community members. We are seeking 25 table sponsorships.

Buffet Sponsor – $5,000
Be front and center at one of the evening’s highlights: dinner! Your logo will appear in the program, with large signage at the buffet tables seen by every guest. Verbal recognition and a newsletter recap will reach an even broader audience. This is a premier sponsorship that maximizes both visibility and impact. We are seeking three buffet sponsorships.

If you have an item to donate, interest in sponsorship, or new ideas, please contact Shannon McDonald, Development Coordinator, at smcdonald@wheatonchristian.org. Even if you don’t have an item to donate, come join us anyway! Everyone is welcome to enjoy dinner, browse unique auction items, hear stories of God’s goodness, and test your knowledge in trivia. Your participation truly makes a difference!

From Mr. Painter’s Desk

Calendar Updates

There are 2 updates to our calendar that I want to provide for all of you.  We are excited about these changes and appreciate your flexibility.  We believe these changes will be beneficial for our community.

1. Grandparents’ Day:  On Tuesday, November 25, we will be holding Grandparents’ Day from 10:00am – 12:30pm, rather than our former schedule from 1:00 – 3:25pm.  We will still follow the same format as previous years, with a program and classroom visits, but we are shifting it to the morning instead of the afternoon.  Students and grandparents will be dismissed at 12:30pm.  We hope this provides an opportunity for grandparents to enjoy lunch off campus with their grandchildren, or to simply allow families to have an earlier start to Thanksgiving break.

2. Jr. High Musical: In an effort to move some things out of the spring and into the earlier part of 2^nd semester, we will be shifting our Jr. High Musical to the month of March.  The performance dates will be March 19 – 21, with a student matinee planned on March 18.  Additionally, there will be a teacher in-service added on Friday, March 20, and there will be no school for students.  The Missions Chapel on March 20 will shift to March 19, and the quarter will end on March 19 instead of March 20.  Report cards will still be issued on March 27 prior to spring break.

Curbside Drop-Off Only

In recent weeks, we have noticed that some parents are stopping their cars on or near the crosswalks and letting their children out of the vehicle.  This is most frequently taking place in the front parking lot.  Since our parking lots are also moving lanes of traffic, this is extremely dangerous, and it also creates a backup for those who are trying to pass through.  If you want to drop your students off, please use the curbside lane closest to the building.  Otherwise, you are always welcome to park your vehicle and walk them to the nearest crosswalk.  Thank you!

Supervision on the Playground

With the beautiful weather that we have been experiencing since the start of the school year, we have noticed many students playing on the playground before and after school. We love that they are enjoying the playground and their friends! Please keep in mind that it is the parents’ responsibility to supervise their children before school and after school. We ask that if your child is playing on the playground or blacktop, you are visibly supervising them. I realize that some of you may be watching your children from your vehicles, but this is challenging for us to monitor. If we do not see a parent supervising a child before or after school, we may ask the child to join Extended Care, and the family would be billed accordingly. Please know that we are doing this because we take the safety of your children seriously. Thank you for your understanding and support.

​

Important Upcoming Dates

Friday, October 3

BIRTHDAYS: Marc Painter (Principal) and Mary Waterman (Kindergarten Aide)

Zero Waste Day

8:40 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – 6th Grade Trip to Griffin’s Museum of Science and Industry

9:00-11:30 a.m. – KE & KS Trip to Cosley Zoo

12:50-3:10 p.m. – KL & KO Trip to Cosley Zoo

3:30 p.m. – Auxiliary Treats on the Playground

Saturday, October 4

BIRTHDAY: Lisa Zanke (Teacher Support)

Monday, October 6

Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A

9:00-10:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer (Room 308)

4:00 p.m. – Boys’ V Soccer @ Schaumburg Christian

4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall @ Schaumburg Christian

5:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV Soccer @ Schaumburg Christian

5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall @ Schaumburg Christian

Tuesday, October 7

Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s

10:00-11:45 a.m. – 3rd Grade to Wheaton College Children’s Concert

3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)

4:00 p.m. – Boys’ V Soccer @ Christian Liberty

4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall vs. Christian Liberty (WCGS)

4:30 p.m. – Co-Ed Cross Country SWAC Championship @ Harvest Christian

5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall vs, Christian Liberty (WCGS)

Wednesday, October 8

BIRTHDAY: John Koslosky (Director of Security)

Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta

7:45-8:30 a.m. – FCA Huddle (Gym)

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)

5:15-6:15 p.m. – DR Trip Forms Meeting (Commons)

Thursday, October 9

Q2 Hot Lunch Orders Open

7:45-8:40 a.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)

9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – 7th Grade Trip to Fermi Lab (Batavia)

9:45-11:45 a.m. – 4th Grade to Wheaton College Children’s Concert

3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team (STEAM Room/Innovation Hub)

3:30-4:30 p.m. – Chess Club (Room 714/716)

4:00 p.m. – Boys’ V Soccer @ Benjamin MS

4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall @ Benjamin MS

5:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV Soccer @ Benjamin MS

5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall @ Benjamin MS

Friday, October 10

Picture Retakes

Zero Waste Day

3:30-4:45 p.m. – Junior High Kickball Tournament

Saturday, October 11

11:00 a.m. – IESA Cross Country Sectionals (Westmont HS)

Notable Notes

LAST CHANCE to sign up for Picture Retakes! 📸

Picture retakes will take place during normal school hours on Friday, October 10. Students MUST BE SIGNED UP through the JostensPIX website in order to receive a retake – unless they were absent in which they will be automatically added to the list. To sign up, look for the link at the top right of the site that reads “SIGN UP FOR RETAKES,” and your student will be added to the list. If you have any questions, please contact Christine Sheetz.

Chapel Date Change for October

We are excited to have Vic and Leslie Trautwein from Kid’s Alive International in the Dominican Republic with us this month for chapel. Because they were unable to be here on October 8, chapel has been moved from that day to October 15. Chapels will be held at their usual times on that day.

School Directory

While the most current place to find the family directory information is always through the Family Portal (since home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses change throughout the year), we have put together a school directory for your family’s use. This directory includes a staff directory, family directory, class lists, and Auxiliary information. We hope it is useful for your family. School Directory

WCGS Chapels

All of the WCGS Chapels are livestreamed to allow our school families to be able to view them. If you have the opportunity, feel free to join the livestream and learn along with your children. Missed chapel time? You can view the recorded chapel afterward. To join the livestream for the next chapel or to view previous chapels click here: Wheaton Christian Grammar School – YouTube.

Community Corner

Merriest Market Vendors Needed

The Merriest Market is back on a NEW date this year (November 22, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) — and we’re looking for talented vendors to join the holiday fun. Do you sew, weave, make pottery, melt candles, have a baking business, create jewelry or have any other handcrafted item? We are looking for creators and makers in the school community to make this a great market. Showcase your products, grow your business, and spread cheer this year! Vendor Applications are now open.

Wheaton Academy Family Picnic

Wheaton Academy is inviting all families to their Second Annual Family Picnic on Friday, October 3, as part of their Homecoming Activities. The event will be from 5:30-9:00 p.m. New things for the children have been added for this year. FREE pony rides, camel rides, petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting, and balloon sculptures. Burger 302, Billy Bricks Pizza, Dirty Dough Cookies, and The WA Shack will be serving from their food trucks! A live band will be performing 50’s and 60’s classics, and the football game will start at 7:30 as well.  We have it all for a night of family fun!! Come out for dinner, fellowship, and football!!

Fall Football Cheer Clinic

Registration is now open for our favorite fall football Junior Cheer Clinic! Practices will be held on October 8 and 9 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Wheaton Academy’s Field House (Court 3). We are excited to also invite our future cheerleaders to join us at our Cheer Legacy banquet from 4:30-5:45 p.m. on October 10, followed by a halftime performance at the football game! Registration includes a t-shirt and dinner. Visit wheatonacademy.org/camps to sign up and follow us on instagram @wheatonacademycheer for more information.

Get to Know Wheaton Academy

Wheaton Academy invites middle school students and their parents to Get to Know Wheaton Academy on October 16 or November 13 at 6:45 p.m. This evening will provide an opportunity for families to learn about our school’s commitment to academics, spiritual life, co-curricular activities, and college readiness, as well as experience the community, connection, and culture that Wheaton Academy offers our students and families. 

Our time together will include:

• Opening Welcome from Mr. Thornton, Principal
• Individual Family Tours
• Meet and Greet with Teachers, Coaches, and Program Leaders

Register online at wheatonacademy.org/visit and discover what it’s like to be a Wheaton Academy Warrior.

Questions? Please contact Amy Burdett, Admissions Coordinator or Amy Hogan, Director of Admissions.