WMS Friday Forecast

Dear Parents:

This week we are sharing an article written by a middle school teacher and father of five. He offers some interesting perspective in his article, To raise independent kids, treat middle school like a dress rehearsal for life. This article is written as his fifth - and last, - child is entering middle school. We hope you find some good food for thought in his plan for parenting his own middle schooler through the "almost always messy" process.

National Nutrition Month begins on March 1st

This is a great time to set nutrition goals for your family. In addition to choosing what to eat more of or less of, think about your goals around food acquisition or preparation. Some examples might be including your kids in the menu planning or starting an herb garden together. Visit Parents for Healthy Kids for more ideas.

Juanita Gryfinski RN MSN MS MA PEL CSN NCSN

Dept. Chair for Health Services

It is time for the Annual Operation Snowflake event!

This year, the event for all D303 middle school students is scheduled for April 18, 2019 at Wredling. The event itself will run from 3:30 pm until 9:00 pm.

What is Snowflake?

Operation Snowflake is a leadership organization which focuses on building leadership capacity in middle school students. Snowflake also has a prevention focus, which helps adolescents and teens to help themselves, their peers and their community. The focus on attitudes, feelings and education provides the basis for personal growth.

Who can attend?

The event is open to any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student at Thompson and Wredling. Transportation from Thompson to Wredling will be provided the day of the event.

What is the cost for the students?

The total cost for Operation Snowflake is $25. This fee includes dinner, snacks, workshop materials, a t-shirt and hours of fun and games. There is an early registration fee of $20 if forms are turn in by March 8th! Scholarships for this event are available.

Why do we have an event?

More and more, we are hearing that many of the most difficult situations that teens face stem from middle school. Operation Snowflake is an opportunity for students to make connections with positive peer and adult role models.

If you have any questions, please contact Jolene Weir at Jolene.Weir@d303.org or call 331-228-6717.

Registration forms for the event can be found in the main office at Thompson and Wredling Middle School Campuses. There's a copy below for your convenience!

Registration forms can also be found linked here as well.

From the Wellness Team:

Next Monday, March 4 we will be doing a locker check during P.E. classes. Every student must have a locker and a lock. This is to ensure that each student's belongings are safe and secure. It would be helpful if you could talk to your student at home to ensure that they have both of these things. If they do not have a lock they will need to bring $5 to purchase a new lock from the main office

RE: Handicap Parking Spaces

Please remember that these spaces are reserved for those vehicles which display either a valid Handicap "hang tag" or license plate. The police will be called for any cars not displaying either of those identifiers while parking in our designated handicap spots.

We understand that parking here can be challenging but those spots are clearly marked and are not for general use - even for a quick pickup or drop off.

Thank you!

The Back Lot Off Dunham is Reserved - Including After School!

Please help us out by following the established pickup procedures for your students. The number of parents who are picking up students from our back lot area has caused significant issues so we are asking you to cease this practice immediately. We understand that pickup time is congested, but we have busses that need to get in and out, as well as staff who need to get to meetings and other commitments.

Bus riders will be picked up on the circle in front of the school or at the back of the school for some
Car pickup will take place at East High School (See Cold Day Pickup note below)
Walkers will depart at the bell
Parents should not be using the back lot as a pickup point

Thank you for your cooperation. The safety and well-being of our students and staff are at the forefront of this policy update.

Cold Day Pickup!

On very cold days, when it is too cold to walk to the East HS parking lot for parent pick-up, we encourage kids to wait until buses leave to get to their parents. On these extreme cold days, parents can access the WMS parking lot at about 3:50 PM once buses are gone. This is earlier than normal to allow for kids to get safely to their parents safely.

Jarrett Payton to Present to 8th Graders!

Jarrett Payton, son of the late, great, Walter Payton, will be visiting Wredling on March 5, 2019, to share his anti-bullying program with our 8th Graders. Jarrett is a sports anchor on WGN who brings positive energy to his craft. We are so excited to have him join us and share his message with our students. Special thanks go out to our PTO for covering the costs of this program!

Middle School Transfer Requests

Families who wish to submit Middle School Transfer requests may do so beginning February 4. This request form will be available on the District 303 website through February 28. Families must complete a separate form for each student they want to be transferred. Requests are granted based on space available so siblings are not guaranteed placement. A written decision will be communicated to families before spring break.

Once the request is approved, a student may remain at that middle school throughout his or her middle school career, as long as the student resides in District 303.

Families of students granted permission to attend a school outside of their assigned attendance are responsible for their own transportation.

Students will return to their assigned attendance area high school regardless of the middle school attended.

Preventing & Addressing Bullying: Lessons Learned & Resources for Parents

RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 4, 2019 , from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Thompson Middle School 6th Grade Center in the Cafeteria

Faculty from the Psychology Department at Northern Illinois University will present practical information from their research and their work as part of a U.S. Department of Education training grant “Project Prevent and Address Bullying.” Thompson Middle School is partnering with NIU on this grant project, bringing resources that will be shared throughout the district. The faculty will present helpful knowledge, tips, and resources parents can use when navigating bullying situations.

La interpretación en español estará disponible durante la presentación.

SIGN UP USING THE GOOGLE FORM BELOW!

Angst Follow-Up Session # 3

Join us on April 16 to learn strategies to assist and respond to your child when they are feeling anxious. A representative from Tri-City Family Services, along with D303 staff will offer insight on how to help your child deal with anxiety.

SIGN UP USING THE GOOGLE FORM BELOW

PLEASE consider helping the St. Charles Education Foundation this year by:

Purchasing tickets to our 2019 Gala on April 6th at the Hotel Baker (see image below for details!)

- choosing a sponsorship option in which we can help promote your business in various ways (see email below for details or contact me personally to discuss at 773-988-7130)

create a basket or giveaway that we can auction off during our live and silent auction (contact me personally to discuss at 773-988-7130)

pass this email on to someone you know who may be interested in helping the children and teachers of all schools in the St. Charles D303 school community.

The St. Charles Education Foundation is an incredible organization in which ALL PROCEEDS go to teacher requested grants and college scholarships!! We absolutely depend on the kindness and generous donations from others in our community to make this happen. Please, please consider helping me raise funds for this cause. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss details, please let me know!

ALSO...I apologize if you see this request again from me via Facebook! It's an incredible organization!

-Cheryl Greenspan

EMAIL KEVIN PHILLIPS our Sponsorship Coordinator!

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? COMPLIMENTS?

CONTACT MONICA CORBETT, Gala Coordinator