What's Up at Whittier
Week of September 26
Mr. Krugman's Weekly Message
As we continue through the 2022-23 school year, there is so much happening in each of our classrooms. All of our Specials are in full swing! Students are enjoying their Art, Library, Music and PE classes. Lunch and Recess routines are continuing to strengthen and improve. We have even had a few Picnic Lunches outside, which is always a huge hit! Our second Fun Lunch is scheduled for this Friday. Band and Orchestra lessons have begun for our intermediate grade students. And finally, some of the After School PTA enrichment and enhancement activities have begun - see the PTA Corner below for more information. It sure does feel like we are finally back to normal.
On Friday, all Whittier students (as well as all K-6 students throughout DG58) received their Fall Assessment packet. Included in this packet was a cover letter from Justin Sisul, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, with an overview of the DG58 assessments; NWEA/MAP Student Progress Reports; AIMSweb Progress Reports for primary and some intermediate students; IAR Assessment Reports (from last year's state assessment for students in grades 4-6); and ACCESS Reports for our ELL students. We hope this information was both informative and helpful in sharing the achievement and progress your student has accomplished. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher.
As always, thank you for sending your children to us each day - ready to take on new adventures and learn all they can!
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong!
Michael Krugman - Whittier Principal
School Hours for 2022-23
Kindergarten Half- Day:
8:15-11:20am (Monday-Friday)
Grades 1-6 and OKEEP:
8:15am-2:00pm (Monday)
8:15am-3:00pm (Tuesday-Friday)
Whittier Office Hours:
8:00am-4:00pm
Click the link below for the approved District 58 school calendar for 2022-23.
Student School Supply Lists
Reporting Student Absence from School
As a reminder - we ask that parents report their child(ren)'s absence to the school office. Please call the school office at (630) 719-5865 (24 hours a day), and leave a message regarding your child's absence from school. You can also email the Whittier secretaries (ccasella@dg58.org and adunbar@dg58.org). It is important to notify the office of any student absence from school.
While many parents contact the classroom teacher with absence information, the school office MUST also be notified. Thank you for your assistance!
Elementary Student Entry Time
Students and staff have done a nice job building routines at the start of the school year. Routine building is very important this year as many well-established practices were changed due to the pandemic. Now that schools have returned to normal operating procedures, the District is reestablishing many past practices.
To start the school year off, elementary students were permitted to enter the building early at
8:10am, in order to provide more time to prepare to start the school day. Since we have been in school for approximately four weeks, well-established entry routines are now in place. As we shared earlier this year, entrance times would likely change once routines were established (see August newsletter).
Starting this Monday (September 26th), students will enter the building at 8:15am. This aligns with our previous practice prior to the pandemic. Morning announcements will continue to take place at 8:20am. Please note that while students will enter at 8:15am, supervision will still start at 8:05am as usual. Bus route pick-up time will also remain the same. Allowing students adequate time to enter the building will be monitored closely throughout the year. In the event students are not able to be ready to go by 8:20am, we will evaluate entry time once again.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
School Safety Message from Dr. Russell
Dear Staff and Families,
District 58’s number one priority is ensuring that all our students and staff are safe. Last December, I sent this letter to all families outlining how seriously we take threats to our schools. The purpose of this letter is to be proactive in terms of safety and ask for your assistance. Preventing school violence is the responsibility of the entire community and we need your help.
Last school year, the United States once again experienced senseless acts of school violence. School shootings in Oxford, Michigan, and Uvalde, Texas, underscore the urgent need for all of us to be vigilant. I am asking all families to once again speak with their child (ren) in an age-appropriate manner regarding school safety. Please emphasize with your child(ren) the following:
If you see something, say something.
Making any kind of joke about violence toward someone else or the school is not permitted.
Making a threat against someone else or a school (in-person or online) is not permitted.
Possessing a weapon or a look-alike weapon is not permitted.
Talking about a weapon or a look-alike weapon is not permitted.
Please remind your child(ren) that if he/she makes a threatening statement or brings a weapon or lookalike weapon to school, they will immediately be referred to the Downers Grove Police Department. Police consequences may include arrest, referral to the State’s Attorney, and the Juvenile Court System. Further, your child(ren) will receive significant consequences at school, which may include expulsion (see Board Policy 7:190). We will not take any chances when it comes to the safety of our students and staff. District 58 is also here to help any student or family that is struggling with mental health issues. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us right away.
I am once again asking for your assistance to help ensure the safety of our students and staff. Please speak with your children about the importance of being safe at school. As I shared last year, I view every student and staff member in our District as a part of my family. Let’s continue to be proactive and collaborate with one another, as the safety of our students and staff is the highest priority. If you see something, say something. District 58 staff are ready to assist anyone in need and we are grateful for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin Russell
District 58 Superintendent of Schools
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. During this month we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, this week we recognized Jaime Escalante. In 1988 a movie was released titled Stand and Deliver. This movie celebrated the achievements of teacher Jamie Escalante. Through his efforts 18 underachieving Latino high school students in an extremely poor east Los Angeles, California school were able to beat the odds and pass the Advanced Placement Calculus Exam, one of the hardest college credit courses to take. In recognition of his incredible achievement and devotion to students, he was awarded the United States Presidential Medal.
PTA Reflections Contest - Show Your Voice
Register is Re-opened for Language Labs After School Program
Earlier, we paused the registration process for the Languge Labs After School Program due to lack of adult volunteer supervision. We now have secured a volunteer for this program, so registration has re-opened. Please click on link below or see the PTA Corner later in this newsletter for more information. Language Labs is hosting a fee-based Spanish program on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00pm starting October 5th (ending May 31)!! More information and registration HERE.
Whittier Family Book Club
Hello Whittier Families!
The Whittier Library is coordinating a new program called the Whittier Family Book Club. For those that participated in One Book, One School during the pre-pandemic times, this is similar, with two main differences. We will be offering multiple books/reading opportunities throughout the year, and we will have different book clubs for Primary and Intermediate grades.
Our first Whittier Family Book Club will run from Monday, September 19th-Wednesday, October 5th. We invite families with children in grades K-3 to read Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina. For more information, please see the short video explaining the process, or check out the Google Slide Deck.
Families with intermediate students–stay tuned! Whittier Family Book Club for grades 4-6 will start in mid-October!
All information can also be found at our new library web site: http://whittier58library.weebly.com.
I hope many families will join us! Be sure to have your child pick up their Juana & Lucas bookmark with a suggested reading schedule in the library.
Happy Reading!
Kelly Coleman
Teacher Librarian
District 58 Referendum
District 58 will place a proposal on the November 8, 2022 ballot to issue $179 million in bonds to improve District 58’s facilities. To learn more about the District 58 referendum, please visit www.dg58.org/referendum.
This website contains helpful information, including the District’s Master Facility Plan, frequently asked questions, ballot language, voter information, tax impact, facility presentation and videos, and much more. If you have any questions about the referendum not answered on the website, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Please know, as a school district, we can provide factual information about a referendum, but we cannot advocate for or against it.
A Request from the Health Services Office
Order Your 2022-23 Whittier Yearbook
Health/Physical Examination & Immunization Record DUE October 15
As required by law, all new students, as well as students entering grades K, 2 and 6, must receive health examinations and immunizations and submit completed health forms by October 15th. To learn more check out the Health Services page on the District 58 website.
Thank you to many of the families who have already completed and submitted these forms. If you have not already scheduled your appointment this is a good time to plan ahead! Failure to comply with these requirements by the end of the day on October 15, or 30 days following registration for first-time registrants, of the current school year will result in the student's exclusion from school until such requirements have been met according to Illinois law. All sections of the child examination form must be completed including the health history, which must be completed by the parent.
District 58 communicates frequently regarding these requirements as it is our hope to avoid school exclusion for all of our students. If you are in need of additional assistance, our school nurse, Laura Monyek (lmonyek@dg58.org), would be happy to assist you in accessing resources or assisting in removing other barriers to completing this requirement.
Fruit/Snack Break
Phone/Wearable Technology Use
Gym Shoes for PE Class & Shoes at Recess
It is important for students to be prepared for PE class. In order to participate safely in PE class, we ask that ALL students wear closed-toe gym shoes during each PE class. This allows for maximum safety during PE activities, and does not mark up the gym floor. Students can keep a pair of gym shoes at school to change into, or wear gym shoes on PE days. If a student arrives to PE class without the appropriate shoes, he/she will be given an alternate activity to complete. He/she will not be able to participate in the regular class activity that day, due to safety concerns. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe during PE class.
In addition, we want to maintain safety at recess, too; and having students wear the proper shoes to play outside is very important. Please make sure that your child wears closed-toe shoes for outdoor recess. While sandals and flip-flops are cute and comfortable, they are not always safe for kids when they are playing. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in keeping kids safe!
District Health Requirements
Please note the Health Requirements at different grade-levels below. Any documents may be
Kindergarten - Completed physical dated within the past year (no earlier than August 25, 2021), full immunization record and vision exam by October 15. Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
Second grade - Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
Sixth grade - Completed physical dated within the past year (no earlier than August 25, 2021), and proof of the Meningococcal and Tdap vaccinations are due by October 15. Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
District 58 invites families to voluntarily share an electronic image of their child’s vaccination card with their building’s health office. Providing proof of vaccination is not required. However, current CDC guidance excuses fully vaccinated individuals from having to quarantine unless symptomatic.
By sharing a copy of your child’s card, if your child is a close contact, having the vaccination card on hand will expedite the school’s investigation process. Copies of proof of vaccination will be kept in each student’s individual health file and treated in the same way as all health records.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedure 2022-23
Student safety is always at the forefront of our mind when planning at school. It is extremely important for all individuals who are driving students to and from school to follow all the rules of the road, along with our Whittier procedures. Please share this information with anyone transporting students.
Arrival
Students may arrive at Whittier beginning at 8:05am each day when adult supervision begins. In order to assist with a timely and safe arrival process, the school playground will be closed before school. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door. Students will be directed to enter the building beginning at 8:15am, beginning Monday, September 26. Anyone arriving after 8:15am should enter through Door One for an office pass.
Dismissal/After School
Following daily dismissal at Whittier (2:00 pm on Monday and 3:00 pm Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
Students may return to the playground after school hours and/or on the weekends. This will be done at family discretion, as our district playgrounds also function as community parks outside of school hours.
Hill Street traffic - travels WEST ONLY from 8:00am-4:00pm (One Way Street)
- Hill Street will be used as a Student DROP OFF ONLY during school hours.
- Hill Street will be used as a Student PICK UP ONLY during school hours.
- Car drivers will need to travel west down Hill Street entering the Drop-off/Pick-up Lane.
- As you enter the Drop-off/Pick-up Lane, please pull all the way up to the white street
markings and drop-off or pick-up. The car does not need to be at the ramp to drop-off
or pick-up students. Driver stays in the car. Students should exit the vehicle from the
passenger side.
- If car drivers want to park and walk their child(ren) to their designated area, they may do so after parking in a designated parking space at the west end of Hill, or on Blodgett or Grand. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk.
Grand Crosswalk at the Intermediate Playground
- Students should cross the street at the Grand crosswalk at the Intermediate Playground.
- Car drivers who travel south on Grand, may drop off intermediate-level students on Grand.
- If car drivers want to park and walk their child(ren) to their designated area, they may do
so after parking in a designated parking space at the west end of Hill, or on Blodgett or
Grand. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk.
Hill & Blodgett Crosswalk
- A crossing guard will be stationed at Hill & Blodgett to assist students in crossing to
school.
Blodgett Street
- We continue to ask parents NOT to drop off students on Blodgett.
Staff Parking Lot
- Please do NOT use the Staff Parking Lot as a drop-off or pick-up location.
- Students should NOT walk through the parking lot, they should only use the sidewalks.
Student Entrance and Exit
- Each class has been assigned to a specific door for entrance and exit to the building. (See the article below for specifics for each class).
- Please follow these guidelines to assist us in maintaining safety for all.
You may also review this information in the attachment below.
Student Entrance and Exit from the Building
Student Arrival
Parents may not escort their students to entry doors. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk, at which time students will join the line to enter the building.
Students may arrive at Whittier beginning at 8:05am each day when adult supervision begins. In order to assist with a timely and safe arrival process, the school playground will be closed before school. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door. Students will be directed to enter the building beginning at 8:15am. Teachers will direct students to their cubby area. Anyone arriving after 8:15am should enter through Door One for an office pass.
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Main Entrance (Door 1):
1Q - Mrs. Quill
1R - Mrs. Richards
2Su - Ms. Sullivan
2Sw - Mr. Swade
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Primary Entrance at the west end of the building off the Staff Parking Lot (Door 2):
KB - Miss Boehm
KL - Mrs. Hedman
3K - Miss Karius
3M - Mrs. Modine
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Intermediate Entrance off the Intermediate Playground (Door 4):
4M - Mr. Miller
4S - Mrs. Smitley
5H - Mrs. Hodkowski
5L - Mrs. Lyons
6M - Mrs. Miller
6Z - Mrs. Zagorski
Student Dismissal
Following daily dismissal at Whittier (2:00 pm on Monday and 3:00 pm Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
Students may return to the playground after school hours and/or on the weekends. This will be done at family discretion, as our district playgrounds also function as community parks outside of school hours.
Primary Students will dismiss from their exterior classroom doors.
Intermediate Students will dismiss from Door 4 off the Intermediate Playground.
Safety and Security at School
The District and School Emergency Management Plans are reviewed with all staff at the start of the school year, as well as re-visited throughout the school year.
Safety Drills are held throughout the school year.
- Intruder/Lock Down Drills are practiced in coordination with the DG Police Department.
- Fire Drills are practiced in coordination with the DG Fire Department.
- Tornado/Take Cover Drills are practiced.
A Parent Guide, developed in conjunction with MAVinS (Mothers Against Violence in Schools), on talking to children about safety drills is sent home in early fall.
We do our best each and every day to maintain the safety of all who are in our school.
Whittier PTA Corner
OUR MISSION: To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Our mission requires that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) be central to our work and used in our day-to-day decisions and actions.
The Whittier PTA strives to create a kind, responsive culture where all feel welcome.
★ MINUTES TO SEPT 20, 2022 PTA GENERAL MEETING ★
Thank you to all who attended the first meeting of the year! The minutes are posted HERE.
REMINDER: In order to vote at meetings, you need to be a member - sign up HERE.
MEETINGS: Typically last around an hour. Last Tuesday was quite atypical - Dr. Russell presented, we had many committee/board updates, an unplanned discussion on the inclusive naming of events and a vote to support the referendum.The topic of inclusive naming will also be on the Tues, Oct 25th meeting agenda - we urge all to attend for a respectful discussion within our community. HERE is more information on inclusion from the National PTA.
★ LANGUAGE LABS IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION - HURRY! ★
Language Labs is hosting a fee-based Spanish program on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00pm starting October 5th (ending May 31)!! More information and registration HERE.
★ YOUNG REMBRANDTS IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION - HURRY!★
Young Rembrandts is hosting a fee-based Art program on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00pm starting Oct 4th (ending Dec 13th). More information and registration HERE.
★ FALL EXPERIENCES★
Sessions are still open! Sign-up HERE.
★ HOT CHOCOLATE FUN RUN - REGISTRATION IS OPEN!★
Join in on the fun and many family activities! Sign-up HERE.
★ REFLECTIONS★
The National PTA Reflections Arts Program invites all Whittier students (grades K–6) to create an original creative work in this year’s theme: Show Your Voice! More info HERE.
★ SHOP LOCAL AND RAISE MONEY FOR THE PTA!★
The Downtown Downers Grove Management Corporation is hosting a fundraiser event that supports DG businesses and local PTAs. Come shop on Sept 29th from 10am-8:00pm. More info HERE.
Calendar of Events
Monday, September 26 - Choose Happy Orange Day - wear orange
Tuesday, September 27 - Family Book Club Event, 3:00-3:45pm, Whittier Library
Thursday, September 29 - BAM Theater, 3:00-4:00pm
Friday, September 30 - Whittier Spirit Day - wear your favorite Whittier Spirit Wear or our school colors - blue and yellow or gold; PTA Fun Lunch
Monday, October 3 - Choose Happy Orange Day - wear orange
Tuesday, October 4 - Young Rembrandts, 3:00-4:00pm
Wednesday, October 5 - PTA Walking Club, Lunch Recess; Family Book Club Event, 3:00-4:15pm, Whittier Library; Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm
Thursday, October 6 - Grade 5 Field Trip - Art Institute; BAM Theater, 3:00-4:00pm
Friday, October 7 - Whittier Spirit Day - wear your favorite Whittier Spirit Wear or our school colors - blue and yellow or gold
Whittier Vision Statement
Whittier strives to develop lifelong learners within a caring, safe, and healthy learning environment. Our staff will be responsive to each student and collaborate with families and community. Our students will solve problems with perseverance, and develop a social conscience which enables them to contribute to their school, family, and community. Together we will be respectful of diversity and inclusivity, and we will positively impact the world.
Whittier School
Email: mkrugman@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org/wh
Location: 536 Hill Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 6307195865
Twitter: @MKrugmanDG58