Wildcat Chat
Washington School: December Issue 2017
Letter from Mrs. Daly
Dear Washington Families,
I am hoping everyone had a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving Holiday and break. Are you always asking your child(ren) what they learned or did in school? Here are other questions you can ask instead of "How was your day?"
- What made you smile today?
- Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw or showed?
- What did you do that was creative?
- Was anyone in your class gone today?
- Tell me something you know today that you didn't know yesterday.
- What was the hardest rule to follow today?
- If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be?
- What made your teacher smile?
- What kind of person were you today?
- Who did you sit with at lunch today?
- What is something that challenged you today?
- How did someone fill your bucket today?
- Whose bucket did you fill today?
November is a time intended for giving thanks. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for taking the time to read with your children, check homework, communicating with your child’s teacher and countless other things you do as a parent to encourage and support the education of your son or daughter.
Thank you so much to all of the wonderful volunteers and staff members who helped make our V-show a huge success. Thank you also to the families that supported our V-show and brought their families to enjoy our wonderful talent. We are looking forward to next year.
Parent Teacher Conferences were in the beginning of November. During your conference I hope you enjoyed discussing your child’s progress with his/her teacher and learned about the individual academic goals your son or daughter set.
We will begin Winter MAP testing the week of December 11. Please make sure your students get a great breakfast and a well night's sleep.
Please pay close attention to the new Holiday Sing schedule. This will help with occupancy in the gym and a more organized process. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
Warmly,
Mrs. Daly
Washington Principal
Drop off and Pick up Safety Reminders
Holiday Sing Note: Tuesday, December 19th, 2017
In order to better accommodate the families of Washington School and to help alleviate overcrowding, the Holiday Sing schedule of performances will be different this year. We will be going to a model used by other schools within the district.
The Holiday Sing will take place on Tuesday December 19th 2017. If the student's last name begins with A - L, or they are an AM kindergartener, then the parent/guardian performance will be in the AM.
If the student's last name begins with M - Z or they are a PM kindergartener, then the parent/guardian performance will be in the PM.
Please see the schedule of performances below. In addition to this change, we will also be asking every person to exit and re-enter the gym between each performance. This gives us an opportunity to reset for the next performance. We will have staff members stationed by doors to help parents know where to go and help them with exiting at the end of each show.
Tuesday December 19, 2017 Schedule of Holiday Sing Performances
9:15 am - Families of students with last name A-L grades 3, 4, All AM K families
10:15 am - Families of students with last name A-L grades 1, 2, 5
1:15 pm - Families of students with last name M-Z grades 3, 4, All PM K families
2:15 pm - Families of students with last name M-Z grades 1, 2, 5
Parent Teacher Book Club - Duct Tape Parenting by Vicki Hoefle
There's a new set of 3Rs for our kids-respect, responsibility, and resilience-to better prepare them for life in the real world. Once developed, these skills let kids take charge, and let parents step back, to the benefit of all. Casting hover mothers and helicopter parents aside, Vicki Hoefle encourages a different, counter-intuitive-yet much more effective-approach: for parents to sit on their hands, stay on the sidelines, even if duct tape is required, so that the kids step up. Duct Tape Parenting gives parents a new perspective on what it means to be effective, engaged parents and to enable kids to develop confidence through solving their own problems. This is not a book about the parenting strategy of the day-what the author calls "Post-It Note Parenting"-but rather a relationship-based guide to span all ages and stages of development. Witty, straight-shooting Hoefle addresses frustrated parents everywhere who are ready to raise confident, capable children to go out in the world.
Looking forward to this opportunity for staff and parents to discuss this book to help all of our students become respectful, responsible, and resilient kids!!!
Amazon Smile. Did you know that you can earn money for Washington PTO by shopping on amazon? #StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/35-2298679 for your holiday gifts and Amazon donates to Washington School PTO.
Lost and Found
Dress for the Weather
December Social Emotional Tip: Practice Mindfulness
The holiday season is upon us bringing changes in routine, celebrations, and colder weather. Breaks in the schedule can make transitions to and from school increasingly difficult for some students. Students can manage stress and anxiety by practicing mindfulness, or being aware of their feelings and senses. At Washington this year, students can take time to reflect on their days, calm their bodies and minds, and practice self-control by using GoNoodle and MindYeti, both free for teachers and families. Mindfulness tips for the holiday season from the Child Mind Institute: Find quiet time and space Be thankful Stay active Focus on the senses (smells, sounds, feelings of the season)
Message from PE
Hello from the PE Department!
Click on the link below for our PE Newsletter!
Mrs. Cichon - @mrscichonpe on Twitter and Instagram
Mr.Engeriser - @mrengeriserpe on Twitter and Instagram
Ms. Pater - @mspaterpe on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Mrs. Daly on Twitter
District Mission Statement
Spelling Bee Information
Washington Spelling Bee Permission Slip
4th Grade Girls Human Development Letter
Letter From Superintendent
5th Grade Human Development Letter
Washington School
Email: sdaly@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: @dalytalk