Wescott Word
February 2, 2024
Important dates
Wednesday, February 7
Parent -Teacher Conference registration opens
Friday, February 9
Author Natasha Yim's visit
Wednesday, February 14
PTO Ice Cream Day
Tuesday, February 13
Order your PTO Special Lunch by noon
Wednesday, February 21
PTO Special Lunch
Parent-Teacher Conferences Feb. 21- 22
This winter, we will again offer parents live, online interactions with our teachers during Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, February 21 (4:30-8:00 p.m.) and Thursday, February 22 (12:00-8:00 p.m.). Conferences are one of the most valuable tools we have to foster our strong partnerships between home and school. We will continue to use Zoom and a Zoom Directory will be shared with you closer to the start of conferences. If you wish to meet with your classroom teacher in-person, please contact them directly via email.
Conference registration will open on Wednesday, February 7, at 6:00am and will continue through Friday, February 16, at 3:00pm.
Conference scheduler login information will be sent to the primary contact email for your student, along with step-by-step instructions for registering. Please keep an eye open for this information. Registration codes and directions are also available in Parent Portal on the form called Student Information for the 2023-24 School Year.
During conferences, your classroom teacher will discuss academic and social-emotional goals, discuss how the learning experience is progressing at school and at home, and share details about the classroom community with you. This is a collaborative meeting between families and teachers when we can answer your questions. We are so proud of our students and their strong start. Thank you so much for your ongoing support and partnership.
Take Illinois 5Essentials Survey
You input will impact Wescott's success!
Now through March 29, parents, students and teachers are asked to participate in the 11th annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This anonymous survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school and allows you to share your thoughts on important elements of school effectiveness.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to the five indicators below that can affect and predict school success:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
Your participation will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
Click here or below to take the survey please visit and select the appropriate survey to begin.
For more information or to view previous years’ reports, please click here. If you have questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Survey Support at 866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
Intramural Sports Club
Intramural Sports Club is a place where 4th- & 5th-graders will learn new sports and games that we might not get a chance to play in PE. They will also engage in small sided game play while working as a team. Please note, the sign up for the form will open at 8:00 am on Monday, February 5.
Dates:
4th Grade - Tuesday session February 13- April 16
5th Grade - Thursday session February 15 - April 18
District 30 Strategic Plan Data Retreat
The District 30 Strategic Plan Team participated in a Data Retreat on Thursday, February 1 to continue work on our Strategic Plan, "Dream, Believe, Achieve - Together in 30." The team reviewed data on stakeholder perceptions of District 30, which was gained from a Community Survey and Student Surveys conducted in January. Superintendent Dr. Emily Tammaru also presented a data overview of the district; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Melissa Hirsch reviewed academic achievement data; and Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Mr. Dale Falk presented District 30 financial data.
The team then utilized the data to work toward creating a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. Materials from the meeting are linked below for our community to review. You can click here or below to review their work and follow as it progresses. The next meeting of the Plan Team is a Vision Retreat on Monday, March 18.
Erin's Law presentations
Programs set for Feb. 5 at Wescott
Erin’s Law, House Bill 6193 was signed by Governor Pat Quinn on January 24, 2013. This law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades Pre-K through 12. District 30 has purchased the “Be Seen and Be Heard 2.0” video program from Victor Pacini, a survivor of sexual abuse, an author, songwriter, singer, and motivational speaker. Mr. Pacini has assisted our schools in implementing this mandate for the past nine years.
Mr. Pacini’s program is developmentally appropriate, interactive, and aligned with learning standards. The focus of his presentation is to teach children basic skills to keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations. Parents may wish to view an overview of the program at victorpacini.com/peace-of-mind-2
Maple students will view Mr. Pacini’s recorded program on Monday, February 5.
Wescott students will view Mr. Pacini’s recorded program on Monday, February 5.
Willowbrook (Preschool) students will have a variation of Erin’s Law made specifically for Kid Connection on Tuesday, February 6.
Willowbrook (Kindergarten through Grade 5) students will view Mr. Pacini’s recorded program on Wednesday, February 7.
Requests to Opt-Out for Wescott/Willowbrook: If you prefer that your child opt-out of this prevention education session, please email your child’s classroom teacher.
Requests to Opt-Out for Maple: If you prefer that your child opt-out of this prevention education session, please address your email to Asst. Principal, Angela Jaeger (at ajaeger@district30.org).
February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month, when our country honors and highlights the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape this nation. As we recognize the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of our country's history, you can click below to discover more, including online exhibits from the National Museum of African American History, historical photos and videos.
Please also stay tuned to District 30 social media to see what learning on Black History unfolds in our classrooms this month and year-round.
Author Natasha Yim visit Feb. 9
Author Natasha Yim will be visiting Wescott students on Friday, February 9 to discuss her newest book, "Lunar New Year." The visit will take place via Zoom and will be in conjunction with our annual Lantern Festival at Wescott. Book order information is coming soon. If you have questions, please get in touch with Mrs. Janavicius at mjanavicius@district30.org
Attention 5th Grade Parents !
Help build the Maple PTO Executive Board by Feb. 23
The Maple PTO is seeking three members of our community to join the 2024-26 Executive Board. This is a great way to make a meaningful difference! To nominate yourself or others, please click here or on the button below. All nominations are anonymous.
The open positions are Co-President, VP of Communications, and Co-VP Committee Liaison. Nominations are due by Friday, February 23.
After the nominations are closed, the Nominating Committee will reach out to discuss the roles with the nominees, gauge interest, and answer any questions. The 2024 Nominating Committee members are Indu Agarwal, Tricia Brown, Janelle Duthie, and Reem Given. If you have questions in the interim, please feel free to contact maplepto@district30.org. Thank you!
K & Pre-K intake now open!
KINDERGARTEN INTAKE
District 30's full-day 2023-24 Kindergarten Program will be held at both Willowbrook and Wescott Schools. Kindergarten Intake for the 2024-25 school year is now open.
To be eligible for kindergarten, your child must have been born on or before September 1, 2019, as evidenced by an official birth certificate or passport. Proof of residency in District 30 is also required, as well as the filling out of an affidavit form.
Important links:
- Wescott Intake
- Willowbrook Intake
- Enrollment (links and info on establishing District 30 residency)
Questions? Please call Willowbrook at 847-498-1090 or Wescott at 847-272-4660.
PRESCHOOL INTAKE
The 2024-25 District 30 Kid Connection Preschool will be held at Willowbrook School only. The preschool program is days a week for 2.5 hours a day and follows the District 30 school calendar.
Three-year-old students attend the morning class and the 4-year-old students attend in the afternoon. Preschool Intake for the 2023-24 school year is now open.
Please visit our District 30 Preschool page for the intake link, tuition information, and a list of documents needed to register.
Wescott Madness
From the PTO
Wescott Madness
Wescott Madness Fundraiser is Back!! Looking for parent volunteers to host parties and events per grade! Please commit by Monday 2/5!
What is a parent hosted party?
Volunteers will:
- Choose the venue, date & time
- Choose how many students participate
- Attend the event with other volunteers
All payment will be collected by the PTO, all you need to do is plan the party!
We are looking for as many parties to cover the entire Wescott School student body!
Any questions? Please contact wescottpto@district30.org
Congratulations to two Wolves in the news!
The Character Counts! 2024 Art & Video Contest winners include two Wescott students. Read all about it in Glenview Patch and Glenview Journal & Topics below!
Bus riders
Dear Parents,
Please help us keep our bus lines moving smoothly and follow these guidelines. We ask that all of the changes in bus practices for your student(s) are called in by 3 p.m. the day of the expected schedule shift.
Summer School signup starts Feb. 15
Save the date!
Mark your calendars for the 2024 District 30 Summer School Program! Important dates:
- Registration opens for in-district families - February 15
- Program dates - Tuesday, June 11 through Friday, July 12
- Holidays - No Summer School :June 19, July 4-5
To explore course offerings, FAQs and learn about the registration process, please visit our website. Additional questions? Please email Summer School Co-Principals Ms. Ashley Grosshuesch and Mrs. Lainie Levin and Administrative Assistant Mrs. Nancy Lifshitz at summerschool@district30.org.
Health reminder
Northbrook Library Winter Reading!
The Northbrook Public Library has brought back its Winter Reading Program! It runs from Dec 1 - Jan 31. Check out the flyer below for more information, or visit northbrook.info/winter-reading.
Club Corner
Drop-off
Help support the Wescott PE Program!
Make a difference
The Wescott Helping Hands Committee is collecting pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. The pop tabs will be recycled and the money is used to help support the families that stay there. Students can bring their pop tabs to their teachers for collection. Classes are collecting pop tabs all year long!
Learn about community events!
Want to know what's going on around the community? District 30 uses a "Virtual Backpack" to share community information while saving paper, costs, and lightening the loads our students bring home. Please click the button below to view upcoming Community Events.
Wescott School
Main office: 847-272-4660
Health/Attendance Office: 847-400-8760
Location: 1820 Western Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062, USA
Website: district30.org/wescott