Thursday Notes – September 7, 2023
View This Week’s Photos
From Mr. Brooke’s Desk
Patriot Day
Next Monday will mark the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, which is now referred to as Patriot Day. One of the 3000 people who perished during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania was a 1983 graduate of WCGS, Todd Beamer. Todd is remembered in part for his heroism and the words, “Let’s Roll!” We as a Wheaton Christian Grammar School community, pause to remember and honor the many who lost their lives or were impacted by the events 22 years ago. Please join us in prayer for those families and for the many who defend our freedom on a daily basis.
From Mr. Painter’s Desk
Traffic Adjustment for Friday
Due to our Family Fun Night starting after school tomorrow on the blacktop, we will be closing off the 2 lanes of traffic that run along the blacktop and playground for after school pick-up. These are daily used as pick-up lanes, so since these are going to be closed, you will instead need to park in the parking lot and meet up with your children (if this interferes with your usual pick-up location). You may continue to use the pick-up lanes on the front side of our building and by the junior high doors. As you come to enjoy the festivities, please consider parking in the front parking lot and walking around to blacktop area. There should be plenty of parking spaces available in both our front and side parking lots. Thank you!
Continuing the Discussion
Thank you!
We want to thank the parents who took the time to join us today to learn more about exciting initiatives of this school year, to share how their family was successful in launching the start of school, and to fellowship with the administrative team over coffee and sweets. Your feedback is so valuable for the mission of our school. If you have any suggestions for ways WCGS can support your family this year or topics you would like us to address, please contact an administrator.
SAVE THE DATE to join us at our next event on Tuesday, October 3, at 6:30 p.m. for a dynamic evening of equipping conversation, collaboration, and connection. More details will be coming as the date draws near.
Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, September 8
Zero Waste Day
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – 8th Grade Challenge (Fox Valley Christian Action)
3:30-6:00 p.m. – Family Fun Fair
Monday, September 11 – Patriot Day
Hot Lunch – Chick-fil-A
Fall Fellowship Gatherings
9:00 a.m. – Moms in Prayer (Commons)
3:30-4:00 p.m. – Grades K-1 Chess Club Begins (Room 604)
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall vs. Elgin Academy (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall vs. Elgin Academy (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV Soccer vs. Cornerstone (WCGS)
7:30 p.m. – Board Meeting (Library)
Tuesday, September 12
Hot Lunch – Jersey Mike’s
Fall Fellowship Gatherings
3:30-5:30 p.m. – Robotics Team
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall vs. Aurora Christian (WCGS)
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ V Soccer @ Stratford (Springfield Park)
4:15 p.m. – Co-Ed Cross Country @ Timothy Christian (Eldridge Park)
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall vs. Aurora Christian (WCGS)
5:00 p.m. – Boys’ JV Soccer @ Stratford (Springfield Park)
7:00 p.m. – Kids Alive Intl. Mission Trip Informational Meeting (Commons)
Wednesday, September 13
Hot Lunch – Barone’s Pizza
Fall Fellowship Gatherings
3:30-4:00 p.m. – Yearbook Club (Graphics Lab)
Thursday, September 14
Fall Fellowship Gatherings
9:00-11:00 a.m. – Women’s Bible Study (Gospelife Church)
IESA Golf State Finals @ Metamora Fields
3:30-4:30 p.m. – Grades 2-8 Chess Club (Room 604)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Robotics Team
4:00 p.m. – Girls’ JV VBall @ Harvest Christian
4:00 p.m. – Boys’ V Soccer @ Harvest Christian (ES Complex)
5:00 p.m. – Girls’ V VBall @ Harvest Christian
Friday, September 15
NO SCHOOL – Teacher In-service
Nurse Notes
How to Prevent Back-to-School Illnesses
Your student experiences many new things as they head back to school: New Teachers, New Classrooms, New Germs ☹. Here are 3 helpful tips to help prevent back-to-school illnesses.
- Explain that germs are always hiding, and our best defense against them is frequent handwashing. Remind them to wash their hands before eating lunch or a snack and when they get home from school.
- Know how to support your child’s immune system. Try to prioritize nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables. Help your child to drink plenty of water, refilling their water bottle during the day is a good sign! Encourage good quality sleep. Setting consistent bedtime (even on weekends) is one of the most helpful sleep tricks for your student.
- Keep your child home when sick. Sometimes we cannot prevent illness and your student might need a day at home to rest and recover.
Athletics Announcements
Boys’ Golf Sectional E Champions
Yesterday, Clayton Barnett (8), Keith Castle (8), Connor Hayes (7), Hunter Levon (7), Stephen Lindquist (7), and Brady Schaubroeck (8) participated in the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) State Golf Sectional in Pontiac, IL. Since the State Golf Tournament’s inception in 2011, we’ve had a number of individuals medal and make All-State (top ten finish). Last year, Owen Coniaris (Class of 2023) placed second at State. For the first time, the IESA has added a Team Championship this year. Eight teams from across the State advanced. We’re happy to announce that our team won their Sectional and will be playing at the IESA State Golf Tournament at Metamora Fields Golf Club near Peoria on Friday, September 15. Congratulations to the boys on this special accomplishment. Praise God for this wonderful opportunity before them. We should also note that Clayton Barnett shot a 78 and placed second individually at the Sectional. Go Spartans!
New Athletic Games Calendar
We have an exciting new feature on our website that we hope will be a helpful resource and tool for you! Here is our new Athletic Games Calendar. You can also find it on our website by going to the athletics page and clicking the yellow button right at the top that says “View the Athletics Calendar”. With this calendar, you are able to select a specific sport and download just that sport’s game schedule. You can do this by selecting the sport in the top left corner of the calendar page in the button titled “Filter by team/group” and then clicking the top right button that reads “Subscribe to Calendar”.
We hope this is a helpful resource for your family and friends to cheer on the Spartans!
Notable Notes
Family Fun Night is Tomorrow!
Please join us for an evening of games, food, fellowship, and the ever so popular cake walk! You won’t want to miss this wonderful annual back to school celebration on Friday, September 8, from 3:45-6:00 p.m. at the WCGS Playground/Blacktop. All food items (hot dogs, chips, water, and ice cream) will be sold for $1 each. We will accept cash and credit card payments. There is still additional help needed for some of the activities. Please click here to sign up!
As you come to enjoy the festivities at the Family Fun Night, please consider parking in the front parking lot and walking around to the blacktop area. There should be plenty of parking spaces available in both our front and side parking lots. Please have your children put their backpacks in the car or using the backpack zone.
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.
Junior High Schedules
Looking for your junior higher’s schedule to know when each class period is beginning and ending? The times are published in the Junior High Handbook which is available on the Forms and Links Page of the school website.
Math Counts
Are you a junior high student who loves games, learning new challenging things, and most importantly MATH? Do you wish you could do math for fun?! Come to Math Counts on Wednesdays from 7:55-8:40 a.m. in room 616 starting on September 13. Math Counts is a club that meets most Wednesday mornings until February. We study fun and interesting mathematics and end the year at the Dukane Math Counts Competition.
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.
Fathers’ Prayer Breakfast
On Saturday, September 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 September 23, please RSVP to Lauren Fortosis by Monday, September 18, to help with breakfast planning.
Community Corner
Phil’s Friends House Walk Fundraiser
Phil’s Friends, a local Christ-centered nonprofit that supports cancer patients and their families, is hosting a HOUSEWALK FUNDRAISER in ST CHARLES, IL on Friday, September 15, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tickets are available at https://philsfriends.org/event/inaugural-house-walk/.
If you and friends would like to volunteer as tour guides, welcome participants at the registration table, or serve at the event missions booth, please reach out to Tia Anders at tia@philsfriends.org or 815-501-6313 to learn more. Free tour tickets available to all volunteers! Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information see this flyer.
Family Worship Night
Start the school year right with a Family Worship Night. Kids, teens, parents, and grandparents are invited! Visionary Family Ministries is sponsoring this event on Saturday, September 16, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Marengo Farm, 5107 Thorne Road, Marengo, IL. $40/family which includes dinner and s’mores, games, bounce house, outdoor worship, and a bonfire. BYO blankets and chairs. Space is limited. Register at visionaryfam.com/fall. Email info@visionaryfam.com with questions.
