The WJHS Panther Update
December 15, 2023
Dear Panther Families,
As we approach the end of the school year and the beginning of the holiday break, I would like to invite you to take the time to celebrate your accomplishments, share joy with friends, and express gratitude for the experiences you've had during the semester. It's a wonderful time to reflect on the year, connect with classmates, coworkers and prepare for a well-deserved break. With one week left of school, lets make it a great one!
Great news! The data shows that the majority of WJHS students come to school every day! Our Attendance Hero incentive is happening and students are excited to be at Westmont Junior High. We appreciate the partnership with you and everything you do to support and share the message that being in school every day is imperative in the educational process.
Our kids need to be in school every day in order to be available for instruction, establish consistency day to day in education, and access their teacher experts for help.
We are in a season where student absences are going to happen. That being said, it is imperative that students are in school when they are healthy and able. The district sent out communication outlining the illness symptoms that should keep students home. Our goal as a district is for student's to miss 5 or less days all year. If students have to miss school due to an illness, it makes it even more important that they are in school the rest of the year.
Please be mindful of scheduling appointments, and having students stay home for reasons outside the ones outlined in that district communication. We encourage families to schedule appointments outside the school day, or at the beginning or end of the day, with students attending school for as many hours as possible. Mention to providers that your student's attendance in school is important when you call. Try to schedule vacations during planned school breaks as much as possible.
The benefits of our unified efforts and message are paying off. Thank you for helping echo this at home.
Media Center Logo Design Contest Winners Congratulations to our 6th graders Haley J. and Eva C. The girls merged their designs and are the winners of our Media Center Logo contest. Great job girls!
Thank you to all our Panthers who submitted a design for our contest. We definitely have a lot of creative panthers at WJHS!
Local Authors Book Clubs Opportunities. Illinois Reads and Westmont CUSD201 have partnered to host Illinois Reads in Westmont, IL on February 3, 2024. Ahead of that amazing event, we will be hosting virtual and in person book clubs to celebrate and enjoy the books from local authors. If you or your child is interested sign up HERE . Once sign up is closed, book club leaders will communicate with you about the meetings.
A Message from the Nurse: Parents, please remember students are not to use their phones during the school day. If they are texting you, please direct them to a staff member or the nurse for assistance. If they are ill, do not come to school to take them home until you have spoken with an adult at the school. This is important for student's safety.
Graduation
Ms. Quattrone and Mr. Lipinski will be speaking with parents/guardians of students who are currently in jeopardy of not participating in graduation activities due to requirements for academic standing or SSLC hours.
By working together as a team to create a plan both with and for your student, we will provide them with the tools and direction necessary to succeed.
Service Learning Information As you know, Student Service Learning Commitment (SSLC) is a graduation requirement for all students earning a Westmont Junior High School diploma at the graduation ceremony. Students perform this community service with an approved not-for-profit organization, and must include the phases of preparation, action and reflection.
Students at WJHS are required to earn:
9 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of May of their 6th grade year.
12 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of May of their 7th grade year.
15 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of April of their 8th grade year, or a total of 36 hours over the course of their 3 years at WJHS.
Credit for Student Service Learning Commitment can be earned starting the summer after Grade 5 and must be completed by junior high school graduation. Students may earn SSLC hours in the following ways:
Active membership in approved school clubs; Early Act, SMART Service, Seeds of Hope/Sprouting Seeds, Outdoor Environmental Science, Recycling, Student Council. Other clubs may be eligible for SSLC hours after administrative approval is given.
Students will have opportunities inside and outside of school to fulfill this commitment.
For more about SSLC, and Frequently asked questions, click on these links:
Ideas for Earning SSLC Hours (Slideshow)
6th Grade SSLC Log 7th Grade SSLC Log 8th Grade SSLC Log
SSLC Partner Organizations
This list will grow as our relationships locally, statewide, nationally, and globally grow. If you have a question about a service opportunity that is not on this list, check the link above "SSLC Program Description" or call/email the office.
St. Baldrick's Foundation- 1 hour will be awarded for 5 or more donations. An additional hour is awarded for being at the event and having head shaved. Any student that collects over $250 in donations will be given an additional hour.
Westmont Park District - P: 630.963.5252
Giving DuPage - A fantastic new website connecting DuPage County residents to volunteer opportunities:
Outdoor Education Trip (a.k.a O.E.) In February, The Panther Path will lead to Taft! We are preparing for our favorite WJHS tradition–6th grade Outdoor Ed! All 6th grade students are invited to attend our Outdoor Education trip on Feb. 21-23, 2024. Paperwork is available at school (outside the front office). The cost is $160.00. We don’t want the cost of the trip to be the only thing that keeps students from participating. Scholarships are available (applications are in the front office). Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jen Burisek with questions or concerns (jburisek@cusd201.org). We want students to experience–and love–OE as much as we do! Please see the document below for additional information.
Three Pillars Donations: Students who display the three pillars of expectations (Safety, Respect, and Responsibility) earn tickets that are entered into our weekly raffle drawings . If you are able to partner with us in this positive behavior initiative and donate a prize, it would be greatly appreciated. Items that have been donated already are snacks, $5 giftcards, teenage items from the Dollar Store (notebooks, gel pens, Etch A Sketch, Rubics Cubes) and monetary donations for us to purchase items. Huge THANK YOU to those of you that have already brought in donations!!
Remember to check the WJHS calendar for up-to-date information on Clubs, Events, & Athletics.
Sincerely,
Amy Quattrone
WJHS Principal
WJHS Presents Alladin Jr.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As you may know, we are currently preparing for our upcoming production of Aladdin Jr. in April 2024. To achieve this vision, we are seeking donations of musical props, building materials, and other supporting items for the production. If you happen to have extra supplies at home that you would be willing to donate, we would greatly appreciate it!
The specific items we are looking can be found by clicking on the Aladdin link above.
A general summary can be seen below:
Musical props such as stage decorations, actors props, and thematic objects that will communicate the settings in Aladdin Jr.
Building materials like cardboard, paint, large paint brushes/rollers, spray paint, and equipment to construct stage sets.
Crafting materials like hot glue sticks, duct tape, spray adhesive, etc.
Any contribution will directly impact the success of our project, allowing us to bring this unique musical experience to life for our community.
If you would like to contribute or discuss potential donations further, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Kirkwood, Mr. Koprowski, or Mr. Troyer. Thank you for considering our request!
Warm regards,
Meagan Kirkwood
WJHS
Student Council's 12 Days of Christmas Spirit
Upcoming 8th Grade Field Trip To Tivoli Bowl
Illinois Reads Festival ~ February 3, 2024
Executive Function Workshop
We invite your middle school students to attend Prep Academy Tutor’s Executive Functioning Workshop beginning January, 2024. We’re thrilled to offer this program to 6th-8th grade students to help them enter the new year with a more organized and motivated school outlook. Please see the attached flyer below. All interested families can reach out directly to kathleengannon@prepacademytutors.com or 630.503.6361.