WMS Friday Forecast
February 16, 2018 ~ Volume 22
Hello RedHawk Parents:
Each year many students, parents, and staff complete our district survey at gives us feedback on what we are doing well and where we need to improve. I take your feedback seriously. Below are some notes and takeaways from those parents that responded.
Overall: The percentage of parent satisfaction is about the same as in past years at Wredling. Some areas have had slight increases, and some have had slight decreases.
A general note: In just about every area, there were parents who really liked something we were doing, and some who were dissatisfied. For example, there are people who think we give too much homework, and those who believe we don’t give enough. Some think one teacher is the best, while some don’t care for that teacher’s style. Keep this in mind as you read my interpretation of your responses.
Communication: One of the most challenging areas to hit the “sweet spot” with parents is communication. How much is not enough and how much is too much? Having read parent comments, I have some adjustments to make. With that in mind, you should have already noticed less overall communication, but with more information included in each communication. I will also not send a voicemail asking you to look at an email. ParentLink is meant to be used for multiple types of communication, not just for emergencies, so I will continue to use ParentLink, but will scale back on my use. I have also encouraged some teams to work on increasing their team or teacher level communication when it comes to academics.
Working with teachers: As I read through parent comments, some comments were directed to a specific teacher or staff member, positively or negatively. I have talked with a few teachers, and in general, parents had not contacted them about concerns or issues, though some had. I would always encourage you to reach out to our staff to inform them about how to best work with your student, and to pass on positive messages when things are going well.
A few miscellaneous notes:
A few parent comments did not like the “fun” I had in messaging. While school certainly is serious business, it can and should also be fun sometimes. When a topic is serious in nature, I will send it with that tone. But when a topic is light, I am still going to have some fun.
There were some other specific issues that were raised in the survey comments that I am working on with our admin team to make some improvement here at Wredling.
I truly do appreciate honest feedback. Never be afraid to give me a call to talk about an issue that is concerning you. The only way we become better is when we take a critical look at our school and make changes based on honest feedback.
Tim
A NOTE ABOUT MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
Medications, either prescription and/or non-prescription (over-the-counter), MAY be administered at school, but there are limitations that we place on procedures and practice in order to keep our student body safe.
Students may not carry any medication or keep it in their locker, gym bag etc. with the exception of inhalers and/or Epi-Pens. All other medications (prescription and/or non-prescription) are to be brought to the health office by the student’s parent/guardian in the original medicine bottle. Additionally, all medications given in school, including non-prescription drugs, shall be prescribed by a licensed prescriber on an individual basis as determined by the student’s health status. Such written documentation will be maintained in the student’s individual medication record utilizing the medication authorization forms that can be found on the D303 website on the Health Services page.
If your child is experiencing symptoms at school but does not have medication in the health office to alleviate those symptoms, a parent or designated adult may come to the school setting and give their child medication under the supervision of the health office nurse.
Juanita Gryfinski RN MS MA PEL CSN NCSN
Dept. Chair for Health Services
Wredling Families
Enjoy some photos below from our Wredling foyer windows. Our WMS students decked them out with words of inspiration to remind all of us that we are in this crazy world together. Hope can be found in the most unusual of places, within each of us, and is best when shared with others. Enjoy!
Parent Letters Regarding Youth Survey
Community Unit School District 303 is working with Center for Prevention Research and Development at the University of Illinois to conduct a survey of Illinois middle and high school students. The purpose of the Illinois Youth Survey is to better understand Illinois youth risk and protective behaviors as they relate to student problems and academic success. The survey will be given to 8th grade students only, and it will be conducted the week of March 19th, 2018.
- CLICK HERE for downloadable English version
- CLICK HERE for downloadable Spanish version
Our Winter Choir Concert; Rockin' Thru the Decades
Click the Box Tops tag for more information!
JUST SHAVE IT!
CHICK CHAT UPDATE
The Chick Chat by HGNA Geneva workshop that was scheduled for 2/10/18 was cancelled due to severe weather. After exhausting all options, the decision was made to reschedule the Geneva Chick Chat to Saturday, 2/24/18 at Geneva Middle School South. When two Chick Chat locations are planned, they must be on different dates because of the staff and supplies they share. Due to the number of experienced volunteers and staff available for the Geneva Middle School South location and the largest amount of Chick Chat registrants coming from Geneva, the decision was made to RELOCATE the previously scheduled 2/24/18 Chick Chat by HGNA from Wredling Middle School to Geneva Middle School South, 1415 Viking Drive, Geneva, IL 60134. The Mom & Dad Chat/Parent Presentation offered in conjunction with Chick Chat will also be relocated to Geneva Middle School South on 2/24/18.
CLICK HERE for downloadable copy of the updated flyer.
CLICK HERE to go to the TriCity Services website Chick Chat page!
Upcoming February Parent Universities - register using links below!
February 19, 2018-Parent University brought to you by Centennial Counseling
6:00-7:00 p.m. – Arcedium Coffeehouse (Please note the time and location change)
Depression, Anxiety & Suicide Awareness: Supporting Children to Improve Resiliency
District 303 Middle and High School Student Services Team Staff members will hold a panel discussion on depression, anxiety, and suicide awareness efforts taking place in the District. The discussion, in partnership with Centennial Counseling, will also include ways parents can support their children to improve resiliency and keep conversations about mental health issues going.
February 28, 2018-Parent University
6:30-8:30 p.m. – Wredling Middle School Cafeteria
Social Media & You: A Parent’s Guide
Have you ever wondered what your children do on their phones? How are they communicating and with whom? What’s a streak? Do they need both an Instagram account and a Snap Chat account? How can you monitor their use and keep them safe? How much screen time is too much screen time?
District 303 has assembled a panel of local experts to help answer these questions and more. The evening will include the basics of social media outlets being used by teenagers, tips on how to monitor your child’s use of social media, legal ramifications with inappropriate use of social media, as well as student’s perspectives. Social media can be overwhelming for parents and it’s important for you to understand what’s available to students and how they’re using it.
Panel members include:
Circuit Court Judge Clint Hull
Rich Wistocki, retired Naperville PD and national speaker
Chuck Pierce, SCPD
Representative from the State's Attorney's Office
A parent
D303 High School students
Carol Smith, D303 Director of Communications and Community Relations
Megan Mkrtschjan, D303 Assistant Director of Curriculum
East HS McTeacher Night to Benefit Former Student
Support East’s McTeacher Night
Tuesday, February 27th
5:00-8:00 PM
WEST SIDE McDONALD'S - 1915 W. Main St.
Becky Carlson, an East graduate, is just 31 years old and has just gone though her second heart transplant. As a baby, Becky was diagnosed with Cardio Myopothy, which is an enlarged heart. As a child, she had issues throughout her life and at 16 years old, she underwent her first heart transplant. Now, she just underwent another heart transplant along with a kidney transplant. Shown below are Becky and her younger brother Mitch, who serves in the US Marines, and her yougest brother Adam, who will graduate later this year from St. Charles East and has also decided to serve in the US Marines. This family still resides in St. Charles and could use our support with the mounting medical bills. Come on out and enjoy some McDonald's while supporting a great cause!