Wildcat Chat
Washington School: February Issue 2020
Letter from Ms. Brito
Dear Washington Families,
I hope everyone had a safe, relaxing and enjoyable Winter Break! I personally enjoyed the opportunity to connect with family and friends, but am equally excited to be back with our students and staff and back in the routine of school.
I would to thank everyone for your continued support of our students, staff, and school community. I would also like to take a moment to welcome our new families to Washington, and hope that you find a home in this outstanding and supportive learning community.
As we move into February, we know that winter weather has officially set in. With the winter weather comes additional challenges to our normal routines, and we are grateful for your continued flexibility and patience. We have recently received a number of concerns about student and staff safety at arrival and dismissal.
A friendly reminder that our staff parking lots are reserved for District employees only. For the safety of our students, staff and parents, please refrain from walking through or parking in the lots during school hours, as we have many staff entering and exiting at these times. Additionally, please defer to the guidance of our crossing guards and always use the crosswalk to safely pass through intersections. Finally, please be mindful of parking restrictions and "attended vehicle" zones when dropping off and picking up students.
We serve as powerful role models for our students in how we adjust to challenges and work with one another, and we appreciate your support. Thank you again for helping to make Washington such a special learning community. I hope everyone enjoys a warm, safe and wonderful end to the week!
Warmly,
Ms. Brito
Washington Principal
Washington Construction Update
The City of Park Ridge has issued the permit for the foundation for the new addition at Washington Elementary School. The Metro Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is now reviewing the project and will issue their permit within the next few weeks. Once the District receives this permit, construction of the foundation will begin.
The Washington staff and families will be notified prior to the start of construction so that any changes in recess, etc. can be addressed. The administration is currently working with District 64's environmental consultant to finalize the asbestos abatement project. As has been done at other schools in District 64, asbestos abatement will take place while staff and students are away on spring break. When they return to school, the hallways will be concrete and will remain in this state through the end of the school year.
Save the Date: Washington V-Show
WHAT: Students perform a short (2 - 3 minute) variety act. In the past we have had singing, dancing, lip syncing, comedy, musicians playing instruments, tumblers, cup stackers and more. Most people form their own groups, and many are age-based; however, we have also had sibling acts, solos, or multi-grade level groups. If you would like to participate and are interested in joining an act, the producers of the show are happy to help.
WHEN: Saturday, March 14th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m and Sunday, March 15th at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Roosevelt Elementary Auditorium
WHO: All Washington students are invited to participate
WHY: It is SO much fun and a time-honored school tradition!
Winter Weather Reminders
Parent Teacher Conferences
Message From Lincoln's Principal
Future Lincoln Families,
Welcome to Lincoln Middle School! As students transition to sixth grade, world language education becomes part of your child's everyday life. All sixth-grade students will choose to study either Spanish or French in sixth grade.
In sixth grade, Spanish and French classes meet on a daily basis for half of the school year. Both classes will build upon your child's world language foundation from elementary school and prepare students to continue their studies in seventh and eighth grade. After sixth grade, students may elect to take a two-year Spanish or French course that is aligned to District 207's Spanish I/French I course.
To assist us in scheduling for the upcoming school year, please complete the short Foreign Language Elective Survey prior to February 1, 2020.
On a related note, if you were not able to join us last Thursday for Lincoln’s Incoming Student & Parent Info Night, please click HERE for the handout and presentation from that event.
Please contact me at dszwed@d64.org if you have any questions.
Looking forward to next school year,
David Szwed, Principal
Congratulations to Our Spelling Bee Winners!
Congratulations to all of our 2020 Washington Spelling Bee participants! All of our spellers did an excellent job, and we are so proud of their preparation, determination, and hard work!
A special recognition goes to the following students for placing as finalists. Our top three spellers proudly represented Washington at the District Spelling Bee on January 21st.
1st place: David M.
2nd place: Cecilia P.
3rd place: Sophia I.
4th place (tie): Ajay D. and Sarah W.
Thank you to all of our parents and teachers who supported the event and helped to make it such a success!
Preschool Screenings
On a monthly basis the Early Childhood Diagnostic Team conducts screenings of children ages three to five. Additionally, twice a year they conduct developmental screenings of children birth through three. The screenings are conducted by a team, consisting of an occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, psychologist, and social worker. The areas assessed include motor, communication, play skills, pre-academic and thinking skills.
The next Preschool Screening is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Additionally, a screening for children birth through age three is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2020. If you have concerns about your child's development in any of these areas please call 847-318-5360 to schedule an appointment for the screening.
Washington ROARS Winners!
Required Health Forms
Dear Fifth Grade Parent/Guardian:
Please read all of the following information carefully regarding health requirements for students entering 6th grade in 2020-21.
Students entering Sixth Grade are required to meet certain health requirements, and must submit written documentation as proof. The following required forms are available on the District 64 website. Completed forms should be returned to your child’s middle school health office.
1 - Illinois Department of Public Health Certificate of Child Health Examination
According to state legislation, all children entering Sixth Grade must present a Certificate of Child Health Examination.
The physical examination must be conducted by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, an advanced practice nurse, or a physician assistant within one year preceding the first day of school. The parent/guardian portion on the reverse side of the form must be completed and signed in order to meet the state requirement.
All required immunizations must be documented on this form. A physician’s note of medical explanation must be provided for any missing immunizations, or for those not administered at appropriate intervals. School districts are required to submit notes of explanation to the Illinois Department of Public Health for review and recommendation.
The diabetic screening portion must be completed by the healthcare provider at the time of the examination. Proper documentation includes completion of the Diabetes Risk Assessment and the Body Mass Index (BMI) on the Certificate form.
In order to facilitate the processing of forms, the preferred deadline for submitting the Certificate of Child Health Examination is July 31, 2020. Students not in compliance with this regulation on or before October 15, 2020 will be excluded from school attendance beginning on October 16, 2020.
Please note and share with your child’s healthcare provider:
State legislation requires that children entering kindergarten, sixth grade, or ninth grade for the first time must show proof of having received 2 prior doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
In addition, children entering school at any grade level must show proof of having received two doses each of mumps and rubella vaccine. (The latter requirement will likely only affect students who received vaccines outside the country.)
Any child entering sixth grade must show proof of receiving one dose of Tdap (defined as tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last DTaP, DT or Td dose.
Finally, any child entering the sixth grade shall show proof of having received one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine on or after the 11th birthday.
2 - Illinois Department of Public Health Proof of School Dental Examination Form. State law also mandates that students entering Sixth Grade have a dental examination performed by a licensed dentist. Proof of the examination must be presented by May 15, 2021 and must have been completed within 18 months prior to this date.
3 - District 64 Interscholastic Athletics Permission Form/Health Form
Students interested in Interscholastic Sports must provide separate documentation of a physical exam performed within 12 months prior to the start of the sport and must be valid for the duration of the season. Therefore, scheduling an exam appointment after school dismissal in June of 2020 will meet the requirement for all school sports. The District 64 Interscholastic Athletics Permission Form/Health Form will be required for each school year that your child chooses to participate in sports.
4 - District 64 List of Local Medical & Dental Resources
This is for your information only, and does not need to be returned.
For prompt review and approval of your child’s health records, please deliver or mail them to your child’s middle school as soon as possible. It is recommended that you keep copies of your child’s physical examination forms for your own records.
For any questions, please call your child’s school health office.
Sincerely,
Margaret Temari, R.N., PEL-CSN
Facilitator, School Health Services
To District 64 Parents/Guardians:
District 64 school health offices are always busy, but we tend to see an increase in illness-related visits at this time of year. Please review these important updates about what we are experiencing:
Temperature guideline: To ensure that students recuperate adequately at home, and to minimize the spread of infection to others, students with an oral temperature of 100 degrees or above will be sent home, and will not be allowed to return to school until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. In addition, students who feel ill but who do not have a fever may be sent home from the health office, based on presenting symptoms. In these cases, students should remain home until it is determined by the parents and students that they have sufficiently recovered to return to school.
Influenza, or the “flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. Illness can range from mild to severe, infecting the nose, throat, and lungs. Winter is generally the time for influenza, with activity peaking in January or later, but outbreaks can occur as early as October or as late as May. General signs and symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. The flu can be spread to others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop to 5-7 days after becoming sick. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting an influenza vaccine each season. Vaccines don’t completely guarantee against getting sick, but those who have been vaccinated and get the flu will have milder symptoms. Please consult with your primary care provider regarding whether the vaccines are appropriate for you and your family members. For more information on seasonal influenza visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm
We typically also notice an increase in other illnesses such as upper respiratory infections (“common cold”) and strep throat. To learn more about the differences between the flu and colds, click here. For information about strep throat and sore throats, visit the KidsHealth website.
Cough drops are considered over-the-counter medication, and are treated as any other medication in school. If your child is coughing enough to require lozenges for relief, he or she may be unable to focus on academic work, and may be contagious to others. Please discuss this need with your child’s physician/practitioner and provide the required documentation to administer medication at school. All medications, including cough drops, will be administered in the health office. A water bottle is often an effective substitute and is safer and healthier than cough drops.
GOOD HEALTH HABITS offer other ways to help prevent illness:
Wash hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth
Cover mouth and nose with tissue while coughing or sneezing, or cough/sneeze into inner elbow
Avoid close contact with those who are ill; avoid sharing cups, utensils
Stay home when sick
Get plenty of rest, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, and remain physically active
Margaret Temari, R.N., M.Ed.
Facilitator, School Health Services
Young Authors Guidelines
Parent University
Worlds of Wonder
District Mission Statement
Washington School
Email: abrito@d64.org
Website: http://www.d64.org/wes/
Phone: 847-318-4360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Washington-Elementary-School-Park-Ridge-Niles-1390702047844919/?fref=ts
Twitter: @WashingtonD64