Thursday Notes – September 26, 2024

View This Week’s Photos

From Mr. Brooke’s Desk

See You at the Pole

I was so encouraged to see over 200 people at See You at the Pole this past Wednesday morning.  I want to applaud our student leaders who helped guide the event.  It was such a privilege to see so many in prayer together before the school day began.  Please continue to be in prayer for our students and that God would be glorified at WCGS!

 

Fathers

I want to invite you to our first Father’s Prayer Breakfast this Saturday.  This has become a time that I truly love.  If you have never come, we would love to have you, and if you are a regular, I look forward to seeing you again.

 

The breakfast will be held this Saturday, September 28, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Commons. Join us for this rich time together. We will dismiss by 8:30 a.m. so that you can continue on with your weekend. So that we can plan for breakfast, please RSVP to Lauren Fortosis if you will be attending. I look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday!

 

Scholarship Auction and Trivia Night

With great anticipation, we are excited to announce the Scholarship Auction and Trivia Night on Friday, November 15! If you missed the fun last year, you’ll want to be sure to attend this year!  Watch for your invitation, but in the meantime, think about what you might contribute to this year’s silent auction to make it a success. Here are just a few ideas!

• Tickets to sports events or concerts are always popular items!
• Have a craft?  Sewing, knitting, pottery, cooking/baking, woodworking, homemade games or toys, etc.  People love handcrafted items or…consider giving a lesson in your craft.
• Getaways!  Have a vacation home, Timeshare or Airbnb you can donate?
• Business services.  Accounting, Carpentry, Dental, Financial Counseling, Home Design Services, Housecleaning, Music or Dance Lessons, the list is endless!  Not sure?  Just ask!
• Other ideas?  We would love to hear them!  Contact: jdegroot@wheatonchristian.org

Nothing to donate?  We would still love for EVERYONE to come and enjoy a great dinner and dessert (no charge!), browse the auction items, enjoy music from our students, and have some Trivia fun!  You might also find great auction items to bid on!  All funds benefit the Scholarship Fund – a great cause because you are providing tuition assistance for children who might otherwise not be able to receive a Christ-centered education.

 

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 2024-2025 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!

 

Important Upcoming Dates

Friday, September 27

BIRTHDAY: Mike Cherry (Jr. High Bible Teacher)

Fall Fellowship Gatherings

Junior High Spiritual Life Days

Zero Waste Day

Mid-Quarter

Popcorn Day

8:15-11:45 a.m. – 1st Grade Trip to Kuiper’s Farm

3:30-5:00 p.m. – Junior High Worship and Pizza Night

Saturday, September 28

BIRTHDAY: Kim Norbeck (Admissions Director)

7:30-8:30 a.m. – Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast (Commons)

Monday, September 30

Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A

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

4:00/5:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall vs. Aurora Christian (WCGS)

6:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall vs. Aurora Christian (WCGS)

Tuesday, October 1

Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s

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

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

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

4:15 p.m. – Co-Ed Cross Country Meet @ Wheaton Academy

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

Wednesday, October 2

Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza and Pasta

8:00 a.m. – MathCounts (Room 616)

9:00-10:00 a.m. – Fire Safety Presentation (KS/KL/KO)

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

10:00-11:00 a.m. – Fire Safety Presentation (1st Grade)

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

Thursday, October 3

BIRTHDAY: Marc Painter (Principal)

9:00 a.m.-2:40 p.m. – 7th Grade Trip to Fermilab

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’ V Soccer @ Westminster Christian

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

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

Friday, October 4

BIRTHDAY: Lisa Zanke (Teacher Support)

Zero Waste Day

8:50 a.m-3:10 p.m. – 6th Grade Trip to Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)

9:00-10:00 a.m. – Fire Safety Presentation (2B/2S)

10:15-11:15 a.m. – Fire Safety Presentation (2C/2R)

12:30-1:30 p.m. – Fire Safety Presentation (KE)

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

 

STEAM+ Notes

LEGOS, LEGOS, Magna-tiles 

The STEAM Lab is always accepting LEGO bricks and Magna-tiles for our K-8 students and Junior High Exploratories, LEGO Masters Build Competition. We are looking for any type of LEGOs, LEGO sets, or Magna-tiles that people no longer want. If you are willing to donate, please drop them off in the STEAM Lab, room 607, or drop them off in the office to be delivered to Jacqueline Lauriat. Thank you!

 

Zero Waste Day is tomorrow! 

Plastic silverware will not be available at lunchtime on Fridays.

 

Nurse Notes

Change of Clothes and Extra Socks

With the weather changing, now is a great time to make sure your child has an extra pair of clothes, including socks in their backpack. The nurse’s office keeps a limited supply of extra clothes for emergencies, and with winter approaching kids often need to change pants or socks.

 

Notable Notes

School Directory

While the most current place to find 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

 

Backpack Donation

Tomorrow is the final day for the backpack collection benefiting Serve for Hope Uganda. Thank you for your generous donations! The Matovu family and their team in Uganda are looking forward to filling each backpack with school supplies and distributing them to children in need. Thanks for sharing the love of Christ with boys and girls in Uganda!

 

School Pictures are Ready! 📸

You should have received an email from Jostens School Photography with ordering instructions. If you haven’t seen the email, try searching for the following subject: “School pictures of (your students name) are ready”. Using the link from the email will be the easiest way for you to access your gallery and order your pictures. You will also be able to sign up for retakes through the site. Photos are shipped directly to your home. Class composites will be available to view and purchase after retakes. If you cannot find the email after running the search for “School pictures of (your students name) are ready”, please contact Shannon McDonald.

 

Picture Retakes on Monday, October 7

• 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 hours on October 7. 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.

 

 

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.

 

2025-2026 Admissions Applications

We love welcoming siblings of our current students! Applications for admissions for 2025-2026 are available on FACTS Family Portal. Current WCGS families will have priority in admissions if the application is submitted by September 30, 2024. Please contact Admissions Director, Kim Norbeck, if you have any questions about the admissions process.

 

Community Corner

Get to Know Wheaton Academy

Wheaton Academy invites middle school students and their parents to Get To Know Wheaton Academy on October 10 or November 7 at 6:45 p.m. This evening will provide an opportunity for families to learn about the 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.

Time together will include:

• Opening Welcome from Mrs. Hockett, 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

 

Wheaton Academy Cheer Camp

Wheaton Academy is hosting their annual cheer camp on October 16 and 17 (rescheduled from September). This camp includes a halftime performance at the senior night game on October 18. For more information see wheatonacademy.org/camps. Registration is open.

 

Meet the Author and Book Signing

Join Phil Zielke, founder of Phil’s Friends and WCGS parent, on October 20, 2024 as he celebrates the release of his debut book, “Seeing the Good in It.” The Open House will be at The Moment on Main in Wheaton, 122 N. Main Street, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The evening will include refreshments, entertainment, giveaways, testimonies, a reading by Phil, and book signings. Come hear Phil’s incredibly inspiring story of surviving cancer twice. Books will be available for purchase at the event. Cash, check, or credit cards accepted. Everyone is welcome!

 

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/. 

CYT Presents “The Sound of Music”

Come see “The Sound of Music” and watch many of our WCGS students perform in this production. WCGS students in this incredible production are Anna Abernethy, Hayley Barlow, Kaylee Beyerle, Penny Floeter, Hazel Hansen, Seanna Mazzarella, Selah Redelman, and Dylan Shields. Show times are Friday, October 11, at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, October 12, at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 13, at 2:00 p.m. The production is being held at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre (1250 W. Wilson St., Batavia). Tickets are $19.00 when purchased ahead and $21.00 at the door.  To purchase tickets: The Sound of Music (cytchicago.org)

 

Mother/Daughter Evening Together

On Monday, October 7, Christ Presbyterian Church of Wheaton will partner with Visionary Family Ministries to host a Mother/Daughter Evening Together for mothers and daughters 6th grade and older.  The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the chapel at Crossway-Good News Publishers (1300 Crescent St, Wheaton, IL).  A light dinner is included.  Guests can register here.

 

FCA Impact Baseball

Attention boys in grades 5-7, Impact Baseball is conducting private tryouts for 1-2 additional roster spots for their 12u Team.

• Must be 12 years old or younger, may not turn 13 before May 1, 2025
• Please check out our website for more information and to schedule a private tryout: https://www.fcaimpactbaseball.org/who-is-impact
• For more information, contact: (630) 384-9447 or impact@fcaimpactbaseball.org