Thursday Notes – September 21, 2023
View This Week’s Photos
From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
See You at the Pole
SYATP is Wednesday, September 27, at 8:00 a.m. Our eighth graders are planning and organizing this school-wide prayer time. There will be singing, large group prayer times, and small group prayer times by grade level. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated and student-led movement that started in Burleson, Texas, in 1990. SYATP brings students to their school flag poles to intercede for their leaders, schools, and families, asking God to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and countries. Faculty and parents will gather around the students at the flagpole in the front of the school. Parents who drive by the front of the school need to drive slowly and carefully. We will have 1-2 lanes blocked off to make room by our flagpole for those praying. We hope to see you there!
Auction Trivia Night Coming Soon!
You won’t want to miss this fun evening with a new twist! Look for your invitation coming soon via e-blast.
Auction Items Needed
Have a business, service, or craft? The auction is a great way to promote your company, service, or craft! By sponsoring or donating an item to this event, you will be promoting your business to school families and friends, AND you will be supporting the WCGS Scholarship Fund! Please contact Joanne DeGroot at jdegroot@wheatonchristian.org.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
Mid-Quarter Progress Reports
As noted on our school calendar, tomorrow marks the midpoint of our 1st quarter of the 2023-2024 school year. A number of wonderful activities have taken place both inside and outside this building. There is also a lot of great learning taking place inside our classrooms! All homeroom teachers in grades 1-8 will be sending mid-quarter reports to our families Friday evening. These reports are designed to give you a snapshot of some of the work that your child has accomplished thus far. Please keep in mind that there may not be many grades in the gradebook this early in the school year. Rather than looking at the overall grade, please review the progress that your child has made. There are still a number of weeks before our first quarter concludes. We provide these progress reports as a way to keep you informed and maintain clear communication between the school and home. Thank you for your continued partnership in the education of your child!
Habits of the Household
“The greatest spiritual work happens in the normal moments of domestic life.” Do you agree? Author, speaker, and lawyer Justin Whitmel Earley believes parenting happens in habits and out of ordinary routines where we encounter extraordinary opportunities to live out the love of God in profound ways. Join us on Tuesday, October 3, from 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the library, as we unpack this question and talk through specific ways to cultivate a missional home where each family member can practice the story of God in new habits and intentional rhythms around everyday routines such as waking, mealtimes, discipline, work, play, and conversations. Click here to register. We will be giving away two copies of the book, Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley. Mandy Jasper, WCGS Social Worker and Eric Johnson, WCGS Sixth Grade Teacher will be facilitating the event. Questions about the WCGS Parent Series? Email Sue Macaluso at smacaluso@wheatonchristian.org
Junior High Life
Spiritual Life Emphasis – Junior High
We have had a fun and successful launch to our school year thus far and want to make you aware of some exciting events ahead for our junior high students. This is our 2nd year setting aside time to facilitate “Spiritual Life Emphasis” for our students in grades 6-8. This will be a time of focusing on students’ individual walks with God and their spiritual growth. During this time we will discuss the topics of prayer, time in scripture, and worship at home. I am hopeful that these few days at school will help shape what our students believe and develop a culture that is focused on following what the Lord would have for them.
Here are some highlights of what this time will look like:
Wednesday, September 27
- 8:00 a.m. – See You at the Pole (student led event, K-8 students, front of school by flagpole)
- 10:45 a.m. – Jr. High Chapel (Theme: Individual Walk & Spiritual Growth)
Thursday, September 28
- 10:45 a.m. – Jr. High Chapel (Theme: The Impact of Time in the Word)
Friday, September 29
- 3:30-5:00 p.m. – Jr. High Worship Night (Commons)
This will happen right after school in the Commons. Pizza will be served, and we will enjoy worshipping the Lord through music together. The event will run until 5:00 p.m., so please make plans to have your students picked up at that time.
I am grateful for your participation and partnership in this time ahead as we continue to guide our students towards Jesus Christ.
Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, September 22
Popcorn Day
Mid-Quarter
Fall Fellowship Gatherings
Zero Waste Day
8:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – 1st Grade Trip to Kuiper’s Farm
4:00 p.m. – Girls V VBall Tournament @ Stratford MS
Saturday, September 23
7:30-8:30 a.m. – Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast (Commons)
9:00 a.m. – Girls JV VBall Tournament @ Stratford MS
Monday, September 25
BIRTHDAY: Ingrid Seager (Marketing Specialist)
Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A
9:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer (Commons)
3:30-4:00 p.m. – Grades K-1 Chess Club (Room 604)
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall vs. Timothy Christian (WCGS)
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ V Soccer vs. Timothy Christian (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall vs. Timothy Christian (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV Soccer vs. Timothy Christian (WCGS)
Tuesday, September 26
Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s
3:30-5:30 p.m. – Robotics Team
Wednesday, September 27
BIRTHDAY: Mike Cherry (Jr. High Bible Teacher)
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza
Junior High Spiritual Life Days
8:00 a.m. – See You at the Pole
10:45 a.m. – Grades 6-8 Chapel
3:30-4:00 p.m. – Yearbook Club (Graphics Lab)
3:30-4:45 p.m. – Helping Hands Service Project – Grades 4-5 (Commons)
4:30 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall @ Elgin Academy
5:30 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall @ Elgin Academy
Thursday, September 28
BIRTHDAY: Kim Norbeck (Admissions Coordinator)
Junior High Spiritual Life Days
8:00 a.m. – Honors Orchestra
9:00-11:00 a.m. – Women’s Bible Study (Gospelife Church)
10:45 a.m. – Grades 6-8 Chapel
3:30-4:30 p.m. – Grades 2-8 Chess Club (Room 604)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team
Friday, September 29
Zero Waste Day
Junior High Spiritual Life Days
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Grades 6-8 Worship and Pizza
Nurse Notes
Change of Weather
Fall has arrived and the weather is changing. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for outside play every day.
Spare Clothes and Socks
Sometimes the field is wet, and kids get muddy. If your child enjoys playing in the field, please make sure his/her backpack has extra socks and even a change of clothes. We try to use the clothes in the nurse’s office for other emergencies.
Water Bottles
PLEASE send a water bottle with your child to school each day so that he/she can refill it throughout the day. We have bottle filling stations at each of our drinking fountains to encourage hydration. This is a crucial step in your child’s brain function and development that is often overlooked. Along these same lines, this is a reminder to continue to send those healthy lunches and snacks.
Notable Notes
IESA State Boys’ Golf Tournament Recap
This past Friday, Clayton Barnett (8), Keith Castle (8), Hunter Levon (7), and Brady Schaubroeck (8) represented WCGS in the first-ever Illinois Elementary School Association State Boys’ Golf Tournament team competition in Metamora, Illinois. The boys shot a combined 360 and placed sixth out of eight teams. They cut 14 shots off of their Sectional Championship score of 374. They missed fourth place and a State trophy by 9 strokes. The individual winner shot a -1 (70). 24 boys (one being Clayton Barnett) shot 79 or better for 18 holes.
We had a wonderful showing of siblings, parents, and grandparents support the guys. We’re grateful for this experience and opportunity that stretched, challenged, and grew the boys. Thanks to those of you who encouraged and supported our team. We’re excited to build on this experience in the future with our up and coming golfers. Go Spartans!
School Pictures are Ready!
You have likely received an email from JostensPIX informing you that “Your Photos Are Ready”. The message would have come to whatever email address WCGS has on file for you (be sure to check you junk folder). If you have not seen the email come through, you can also access your student’s photos online at JostensPIX using EVENT CODE: FE164523. Photos are shipped directly to your home. Class composites will be available to view and purchase after retakes.
Picture Retakes on Friday, October 6
- IF YOUR CHILD WAS ABSENT ON PICTURE DAY… he/she has been automatically added to our retake list, which will take place during normal school on October 6. No need to do anything further.
- IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH HOW PICTURES TURNED OUT… you have the option to sign up for retakes on the JostensPIX website. Be warned that the retake will be the picture that is used for the yearbook. (While you have the option to select which pose you would like to purchase, yearbook poses are selected by Jostens). To sign up, look for the link at the top right of the JostensPIX site that reads “SIGN UP FOR RETAKES,” and your student will be added to the list.
Admissions for 2024-2025
It is a joy to welcome siblings of our current students to WCGS, whether entering kindergarten or an upper grade. Applications are open now for the 2024-2025 school year for all grades K-8. Due to our current enrollment and high level of interest from prospective families, all applications from current families for new incoming students must be received by September 30 for priority consideration. The Application for Admission can be accessed in FACTS Family Portal under the Apply/Enroll tab. Please email Kim Norbeck with any questions or to schedule a visit for your incoming student.
Community Corner
Wheaton Academy Youth Cheer Camp
Wheaton Academy cheer is hosting the annual youth cheer camp for students in grades K-8. The clinic will be held October 2-4 in the Wheaton Academy Field House, and includes a halftime performance at the Homecoming football game on October 5! Registration is open at wheatonacademy.org/camps. Contact Coach Melody Berendt at melodylberendt@gmail.com with any questions.
Wheaton Academy Applications Open
Wheaton Academy is excited to announce that the Application for the 2024-2025 School Year is open! We invite you to APPLY NOW by visiting wheatonacademy.org/apply. Applicants who apply this fall will be considered for an early decision. (before Christmas time)
Get To Know Wheaton Academy
Wheaton Academy also invites middle school students and their parents to Get To Know Wheaton Academy October 12 or November 9 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 Mrs. Hockett, Principal
- Individual FamilyTours
- 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.
