The Walden Way
School News You Can Use
Thanks for a Great Week and a Great Year!
This was a wonderful final week at Walden concluding the 2021-2022 school year! We had so many activities to celebrate our students at the end of the year as we came together as a school community for many of our favorite events. Field day was a huge success and we couldn't have gotten luckier with the weather! Thank you to Ms. Walker, Mr. Rendl, all of our staff, and the fabulous parent volunteers who made this day possible. We also finished our GO WILDCATS countdown which has been lots of fun!
This year we have learned to solve problems, persevere and learn in ways that were unique somewhat challenging. Despite the need to distance ourselves, eat in tents, and perform for family and friends at times behind a mask, we continued to take steps to return to a more normal school atmosphere; and we did it all with a smile. I want to thank our staff, parents, and students for coming together to overcome the many obstacles we faced and for reminding me of how fortunate I am to be the principal of Walden School and a part of this community.
I want to congratulate Ms. Lacefield and Mrs. Levin on their retirement. We will miss them next year!
I also want to wish our 5th graders success as they begin their next chapter as middle schoolers at Shepard! I am confident that they will thrive as their journey continues, and we will miss them all so much!
Enjoy your summer! I am looking forward to a wonderful 2022-2023 school year!
- Stephanie Strenger
Summer Reading @ Deerfield Public Library!
Summer reading at the Deerfield Public Library is back again! This event will take place for all students. You do not need to be a Deerfield resident or have a library card to participate. The theme this year is Read Beyond the Beaten Path. The event runs from June 4 - July 30. All students who complete the program will receive a free book for participating and will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize! Sign up on the Deerfield Public Library website.
Summer ☀️ 2022 Digital Tool Access Information
The digital tools in the table below can be accessed on a personal (home) device by going to clever.com and entering the student’s dps109 email address and animal password (school-issued) OR by using a Clever badge if you have one. Students should know their animal password. On your personal iPad, you can install the Clever app as well if you would like. Other digital tools used throughout the year (not listed in the table) that require a Google sign-in with a dps109 email may be used as well (i.e. WeVideo, CoSpaces Edu, Worldbookonline, etc.)
Please note: some features of the individual digital tools may become disabled throughout the summer as the companies make updates to their product in preparation for the 2022-2023 school year.
Information regarding student emails, passwords, and graduation years:
Students' emails are their first name + last name + graduation year @ dps109.org
- Example: henryjones2022@dps109.org
Exceptions are longer name combinations. For those, it would be first initial + last name + graduation year @ dps109.org
- Example: hjones2022@dps109.org
All passwords are an animal + 4 digits
Graduation year:
K: 2034
1st: 2033
2nd: 2032
3rd: 2031
4th: 2030
5th: 2029
SUMMER 2022 DIGITAL TOOLS
- Reading Eggs - K-1
- RAZ PLUS - K-2
- ST MATH - K-5
- IXL Reading - 2-8
- IXL Math - K-8
- Exact Path - 2-5
- Newsela - 3-8
- Big Ideas Math Skills Trainer - K-8
IXL Summer Math Challenge
Students entering grades 3-8 will be given the opportunity to participate in our optional IXL summer math challenge. This work is not mandatory, nor should it be considered new learning, however, we encourage students to give it a try. The math challenge has been designed to include specifically chosen skills that will offer a review of previously taught standards and extra practice with the standards that build a foundation for the following year.
All students who participate will receive a small prize in the fall of 2022.
Report Cards
Note for 5th Grade Families
District School Fees
Fees for the 2022 - 2023 school year are posted to Family Access and are due July 1. Please see detailed fee information here.
Save the Date
- August 14 - Kindergarten Playdate on the Walden playground @ 10am
- August 10 - Class placements are posted in Family Access
- August 17 - First day of school for all students- early dismissal at 11:40
- September 5 - Labor Day - No school
- September 13 - Picture Day
- September 26 - Non-attendance Day
- October 5 - Non-attendance Day
- October 10 - Columbus Day - No school
- November 11 - Veterans Day - No school
- November 21 - Parent conferences - Evening
- November 22 - Parent conferences - Daytime