Walden Weekly
School News You Can Use
Dear Walden Families,
What an amazing week we had at Walden School! On Thursday, our philanthropy fair was a huge success with students selling their own creations to raise money for the Bounce Foundation. This morning, we had our wonderful Donut and Bagel Breakfast sponsored by our PTO. It was so special having our community come together with time to connect. We also began our GO WILDCATS countdown today with G day. Students brought their own games and were able to enjoy some game time fun!
We are excited for the next two weeks at school. It's normal that some students, in anticipation of the end of the school year, may begin exhibiting some new or different behaviors. This is very normal for students with the expected change in routines. Let us know if you have any serious concerns and we will continue supporting students throughout any new changes.
Have a wonderful weekend and we'll see you on Monday!
Stephanie Strenger
Fees for 22-23 School Year
Camp Duncan - Back on in '22-'23! (communicated March 29)
In past years, students have gone to the YMCA Camp Duncan in the fall of their 5th-grade year. The pandemic made the experience unavailable to our current 6th graders and resulted in a delay for our current 5th graders. The middle schools will begin sponsoring the Camp Duncan trip beginning with the 2022-2023 school year!
6th grade is a big time of transition for students. Not only do two elementary schools merge, but the schedule and school day also look different. The team-building activities offered at Camp Duncan will serve as a great kickoff to middle school as students and staff get to know one another! In 2022-2023, both the 6th and 7th-grade classes at Shepard and Caruso will go to Camp Duncan so all students will have had the opportunity. In future years (2023 and beyond), the 6th-grade class will continue this 109 tradition. More information will be shared by the middle school principals at the beginning of the school year.
MAP Reports
Today, we mailed out math placement letters and MAP reports to our 4th and 5th grade students. For families who are unfamiliar with our math placement process, we recommend that you revisit the communication sent in late April to understand how placement decisions are made.
The testing window for our kindergarten through 3rd-grade students was extended until next week. Therefore, MAP reports for our K-3rd grade students will be mailed out next Friday.
SHIELD TESTING
Looking to fill out the SHIELD consent form?
Please login to Skyward/Family Access and it should appear as a green box next to your child’s name. Contact the district's communications department (communications@dps109.org) with any Family Access questions.
Looking to opt-out of SHIELD testing next week?
Click here to access the form.
We share the same form each week. If you'd like to opt your child out each week, the form will need to be filled out on a week-by-week basis.
Forms are due by Tuesday at 3pm.
Upcoming Dates
May 25 - 5th Grade Music Show
May 27 - Field Day
May 30 - No School (Memorial Day)
June 1 - 5th Grade Visits Shepard in the AM
June 2 - 5th Grade Picnic
June 3 - Last day of school (11:40 dismissal)