Wildcat Country News!
Jefferson Parent Newsletter - Week of Oct. 19, 2020
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PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Dear Wildcat Students & Parents,
As you are aware, we are in the process of building new schedules that will accommodate both in-person and remote instruction in a hybrid format. With a wide range of needs, we've prioritized several items we want to see happen for our kids. Although we can't guarantee that the following will happen for 100% of the students, our goal is to make this be true for the majority.
- Keep their same teachers
- Keep existing student cohorts
- Maintain families together in the same AM or PM session at both Jefferson and elementary schools
Additionally, we will provide the following for all students that need these items in both remote and in-person instruction.
- Provide accelerated programing such as Pre-Algebra, Algebra, etc.
- Provide intervention resources and classes for students that require them
- Provide specialized courses such as Spanish 1, Heritage Spanish, Spanish Lang. Arts, etc.
Due to all these factors and priorities, there is a need to change a few student schedules to make sure students get what they need. At this time we expect this to be a very small number of under 20 students total at Jefferson. Schedules will be posted on PowerSchool by Friday 10.23.20. Any schedules you see prior to this Friday are subject to change as we will be entering and making adjustments all day on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we develop all new schedules for all 401 Wildcats!
Best wishes,
Raul Gaston, Principal
OCTOBER 2020 SCHEDULE
8th Grade High School Placement
In the past, Willowbrook High School has worked with us to use various sources of information to place students in Freshman courses at WBHS. These items included the PSAT, MAP Fall in 8th grade, Teacher recommendation, GPA, and student/parent input. Given the current condition and limitations, the PSAT and MAP Fall tests are not being administered.
Due to this, Willowbrook Department Chairs and Administration has met with D45 8th grade Teachers, Department Leaders, and Admin to identify alternatives for these assessments in both Math and Language Arts. Our teams are now collaborating to identify those resources that will be used for placement considerations at WBHS. The WBHS administration will communicate in greater detail at a later time once everything is finalized, but this is a general overview of our work thus far.
What can your 8th grader do? The answer is simple. Just simply do their best on all their classroom assignments as we will identify items they are turning in through Eureka, Amplify, Savas, and other classroom assessments in Math and ELA as part of their WBHS placement. More details coming soon.
End of 1st Quarter
Flu shots and Groceries for families in need at Jefferson on 10.23.20
Does your student need a planner?
Q1 8th grade Rock Stars!!!
The Eighth Grade Team of Teachers has met and your child has earned the "Rock Star Award" for the first half of first quarter.
The students listed below have been selected for this award because they exhibited the following behaviors & attributes.
- Responsible for Learning by completing assignments and asking for clarification and help when necessary
- Respectful to teachers and peers while learning virtually
- Being a self-motivated and a self-starter
- Has been someone who has stood out as a person with a positive work ethic
The student's name will appear with the other award winners in the Newsletter, the Team Leader's Twitter account, the Wall of Fame in the 100 Hallway, an extra point added to the point system, and a certificate.
The recipients are:
- Feim A., Analise B., Nathalie C., Jennifer G., Joey G., Mike G., Nadia K., Kaleb M., Samuel M., Robert M., Ruby P., Scarlett P., Filip P., Oscar R., and Lupita R.
JOIN A CLUB AT JEFFERSON!!!
Book Club
- Are you looking for a place to relax and chat about some really good books? Come to Book Club with Mrs. Pakeltis on Mondays after school starting at 3:30 pm. We will find attention grabbing books to read and share! See you on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. You can Goggle Chat Mrs. Pakeltis with questions. The Google Classroom code is: HAAVBFK.
Broadcast Club
- Create the morning announcements. Learn to use WeVideo and other editing apps. Reach out to Mr. McDaniel and/or Mrs. Tarrant for more details and use code S43APTW to join.
Builders Club
- Builders Club is a service club that helps to "build" a better school, community, and world by helping others. This group works together on ways to help others who need support in a variety of different ways. Join the club using the code AXFFRLO and contact Mrs. Pakeltis if you have any questions.
Choir:
- All students interested in Choir. Join the Jefferson Middle School Choir google Classroom using the google classroom code: QD4SMZJ and contact Mrs. Vrchota with any questions.
Conservation Club
- Students that are interested in recycling and discussing ways to improve the environment. are welcomed to join us. See Mr. Johnson for more details and use code 4NWPI3I to join us.
Escape Room
- The Virtual Escape Room Club is now being offered at Jefferson on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15. What is an escape room? A virtual escape room is all about solving riddles, and puzzles to get out of a situation. There’s usually a theme and some questions you'll need to answer about that subject while others are just about figuring out clues that incorporate the theme. All interested students please join with the code is YJ3GUDY. Any questions please contact Mr. Kulovits or Mr. Peterson!
Fantasy Football
- Are you a sports fan? Then we have the club for you. Come join Mr. Kulovits as he sponsors a virtual fantasy sports club. The first sport that we are going to start with is football, the NFL season is upon us, so all interested students please join the Google classroom.
Photo Club
- Please join the Google Classroom with code "P5GNCB4" If you have any questions, please email Mr. Johnson or Mr. McDaniel! To join the Jefferson Photo Club. ope to see you there!
- 7TH GRADE: Can’t get that worry thought out of your head? Explore all 5 senses doing fun activities. Ms. Farfan will show you cool calming activities which she is learning in college. Club members will have access to borrow and practice with Mr. Schwiekert’s many calming tools and fidgets to reduce stress too. Go to 5QXBUDG to join the 7th grade mindfulness club.
- 8TH GRADE: What does it mean to make Mindful Choices? We all feel emotions, some are heavy and some are light. The focus of the group is emotional awareness and learning mindful practices to manage emotions. Use code LFV4XTA to join the 8th grade mindfulness Club.
Video Game Club
- Students who enjoy video games will have a place to meet up and discuss new games/consoles and even play against other students in mini tournaments. We will even discuss the history of video games and how they started and where they have gone since the beginning. Use code N7MUQHN and contact Mr. McDaniel for more details.
Curbside Book Pickup
Grade Level Links
DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Feel free to view the daily morning announcements for last week. Enjoy!
- Monday, 10.12.20 - No School
- Tuesday, 10.13.20 - Not Available
- Wednesday, 14.7.20 - Not Available
- Thursday, 10.15.20 - www.wevideo.com/view/1876264990
- Friday, 10.16.20 - www.wevideo.com/view/1878356953
If I have a tech issue, who do I contact?
Classroom teachers have experience with many common Chromebook or software issues. Contact your classroom teacher first with any problems. If they are unable to resolve the issue, they may direct you to contact our Technology Department through one of the other support options below or to the appropriate school or district personnel.
Other support options:
- Email support@d45.org
- Call (630) 516-7575
- Text (630) 454-7745
- View Support Videos on Return to School Website
Chromebook Support:
Drop off/pick-up hardware support is available daily at the District office between 8am and 4pm. Please utilize one of the remote support options prior to coming in.DISTRICT MEAL PICKUP
THE WILDCAT PTA
STAY CONNECTED
Join Remind and get weekly updates from the Principal. It's really easy.
- Take out your phone.
- Open a new text message.
- Enter the number 81010.
- Enter the message @e97chb for 6th Grade, @ea8eah for 7th grade, or @6ae9c4 for 8th grade.
- Then hit send. That's it! Easy!!!
2020-2021 Wildcat Newsletter Archieves
Week of...
- 10.19.20 www.smore.com/n05ev
- 10.12.20 www.smore.com/tk08e
- 10.5.20 www.smore.com/tws0q
- 9.28.20 www.smore.com/8tz2f
- 9.21.20 www.smore.com/z5ky0
- 9.14.20 www.smore.com/kevqg
- 9.7.20 www.smore.com/p09bs
- 8.31.20 www.smore.com/1jth6
- 8.21.20 www.smore.com/avem7
- 7.15.20 www.smore.com/b3pcm
Jefferson Middle School
- Mr. Wes Riley, 6th Grade Team Leader (Semester 1)
- Mr. John Bratko, 6th Grade Team Leader (Semester 2)
- Mrs. Carolyn Pakeltis, 7th Grade Team Leader
- Mrs. Kathleen Kocimski, 8th Grade Team Leader
- Mrs. Christine Zaccaro, PE Team Leader
- Mrs. Jackie Vrchota, Fine & Practical Arts Team Leader
- Mr. Ryan McDaniel, Special Education Team Leader
- Mrs. Kathy Gerber, Counselor
- Mr. Paul Schweikert, Social Worker
- Mrs. Christine Osterman, Psychologist
- Ms. Gabby Clow, Assistant Principal
- Mr. Raul Gaston, Principal
Website: https://www.d45.org/jefferson
Location: 255 W Vermont St, Villa Park, IL, USA
Phone: 630.516.7800
Twitter: @D45Jefferson