What's Up at Whittier
Week of October 24
Mr. Krugman's Weekly Message
Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the Whitter PTA Hot Chocolate Fun Run this past Friday! It was a great event! Enjoy the pictures below.
Another thank you to all our parents who came in for a Parent/Teacher Conference this past week. Conferences are always a great opportunity for us to connect with parents as we discuss student progress and support.
As we continue to focus on safety in school, this week we will discuss and practice our Intruder in the Building Drill, and next week, we will practice with the Downers Grove Police Department. Teachers will share with students that this is just practice for us to make sure we are safe and ready to respond in an emergency. Please help us by reinforcing this at home, as well. Thank you!
As always, thank you for sending your children to us each day - ready to take on new adventures and learn all they can!
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong!
Michael Krugman - Whittier Principal
School Hours for 2022-23
Kindergarten Half- Day:
8:15-11:20am (Monday-Friday)
Grades 1-6 and OKEEP:
8:15am-2:00pm (Monday)
8:15am-3:00pm (Tuesday-Friday)
Whittier Office Hours:
8:00am-4:00pm
Click the link below for the approved District 58 school calendar for 2022-23.
Reporting Student Absence from School
As a reminder - we ask that parents report their child(ren)'s absence to the school office. Please call the school office at (630) 719-5865 (24 hours a day), and leave a message regarding your child's absence from school. You can also email the Whittier secretaries (ccasella@dg58.org and adunbar@dg58.org). It is important to notify the office of any student absence from school.
While many parents contact the classroom teacher with absence information, the school office MUST also be notified. Thank you for your assistance!
Elementary Student Entry Time
Just a reminder that students now enter the building at 8:15am. Supervision still begins at 8:05am, but if your child(ren) do not want to stand in line for 10 minutes, please plan your arrival to school in the morning accordingly. Students arriving after all have entered the building will need to enter through the Main Entrance and go to the office for a tardy slip.
PTA Hot Chocolate Fun Run!
Whittier Picture Re-Takes
It's Cold and Flu Season
Fall is here and cold and flu season is upon us and we are seeing students with cold and flu symptoms. To prevent the spread of these common viruses in the close confines of the classroom, we are cleaning daily and encouraging handwashing in the class. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines.
Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
· Very stuffy or runny nose and/or a cough
· Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
· Headache
Definitely keep your child at home and consider seeking medical attention if he or she has any of these symptoms:
· Fever (greater than 100 degrees by mouth. Your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours without medication)
· Vomiting (even once)
· Diarrhea
· Chills
· General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
· Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
· Shortness of breath
· Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
To help prevent the flu and other colds, encourage good hygiene habits:
· Wash hands frequently
· Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
· Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick
The flu shot is one of the best ways to prevent illness from the seasonal influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults and children receive the flu vaccine each year. Yearly flu vaccination is needed because immunity against the flu wears off over time. In addition, the flu virus strains often change, so the vaccine also changes from year-to-year in order to match the flu viruses expected to be circulating in the community.
Whittier Spirit Wear Online Store Now OPEN
Whittier Spirit Wear orders are now being taken through Wednesday, November 2nd, and can be accessed here: https://www.selectspiritwear.com/v5store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=1689
Check out the fall/winter selections which feature a 2022-23 “Jaguar logo” designed by Whittier Dad Jeremy Ruiz, alongside some of the classic Whittier logos we all know and love. School Theme/Field Day “Be the Dream” shirts are also available for purchase with each grade represented by a different shirt color. The Whittier store will reopen in the Spring with warm weather apparel, providing another opportunity to order school theme shirts in time for Field Day.
Items will be delivered approximately 3 weeks after the close of the store and will be shipped to the school. Orders will be sent home with the oldest child in the family unless it is noted at check out that office pick-up is preferred.
Thanks and happy shopping!
PTA Reflections Contest - Show Your Voice
The Reading Games Registration
The Reading Games will return for its ninth year on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at O'Neill Middle School. The Reading Games is a fun and friendly reading competition open to District 58 students in grades 3-8.
Start forming teams now! Team and individual registration is open now through November 2. Please click here for general Reading Games information, including team and individual registration links. Visit www.readinggamesdg58.com for detailed information.
The Reading Games also seeks question writer volunteers! Click here to learn more information and to sign up to volunteer.
Gaga Pit Platform - Help Needed
We now have 7 individuals who have volunteered to help. We will be forming our team soon to start planning and working. Let me know if you are interested in joining.
If we had a wooden platform around the outside of the Gaga Pit, we could leave it open after it rains or snows. We have money in our PTA Outdoor Improvement Projects Fund for the materials, but we need a committee of volunteers to draw plans and then build the platform. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Mr. Krugman (via email at mkrugman@dg58.org or by phone 630-719-5865) to have your name added to our committee. If you have any questions, please direct them to Mr. Krugman. Once we have our group assembled and ready to start, Kevin Barto and Geoff Neustadt (Director and Asst Director of Buildings & Grounds) will assist us in organizing this project.
Thank you for your help!
Halloween at Whittier
This year, our Whittier Spooktacular Halloween Experience will take place on Monday, October 31. Students may wear their costumes to school or bring them to change into after lunch. Our Halloween Parade will begin in the building at 12:30pm, and make its way outside around 12:45pm. Halloween Room Parties will follow at 1:00pm, and end by 1:45pm, in order to dismiss students at 2:00pm. AM only Kindergarten students will be invited back for the afternoon activities, if they wish to participate. Please review the information below and help us maintain a safe Halloween experience at school.
Costumes
- Costumes will be allowed, and can be worn to school or changed into after lunch.
- Costumes should allow for safe classroom navigation and participation in all regular activities during the day.
- Costume/Look Alike Weapons of any kind are NOT allowed at school.
- Costume should not glorify violence and/or be offensive to any culture/group.
- Costume should not impair vision or ability to walk (costume masks will only be allowed during the outdoor parade).
- Costume should allow child to be comfortable in the weather/temperature, as students will go outside for recess, as well as the Halloween Parade.
Halloween Parade
- The Whittier Halloween Parade will be held outdoors (weather depending), beginning at 12:45pm, with spectators allowed to view along the outer sidewalk surrounding the Intermediate (East) Playground.
- Visitors will not be permitted if the parade is held indoors.
Halloween Room Parties
- Halloween Room Parties will begin, following the Halloween Parade, at approximately 1:00pm. Only approved room parents will be allowed to enter the building.
- Room Party activities may include a healthy snack (fruit and vegetable creations, along with bottled water or 100% fruit juice), crafts, story/read aloud, and appropriate games.
- Please remember - NO candy or candy treat bags will be distributed.
Students will be dismissed at the regular 2:00pm dismissal time for Monday.
District 58 has a rich and diverse population in our learning community. District 58 staff members recognize that many families have different beliefs; and because of religious, cultural, or personal reasons, some families may choose to not be involved in Halloween activities. If you would not like your child(ren) to participate in Halloween activities, please communicate this with your classroom teacher and principal(s). We will then find an alternative location and activity for your child during the Halloween activities.
Order Your 2022-23 Whittier Yearbook
Fruit/Snack Break
Phone/Wearable Technology Use
Gym Shoes for PE Class & Shoes at Recess
It is important for students to be prepared for PE class. In order to participate safely in PE class, we ask that ALL students wear closed-toe gym shoes during each PE class. This allows for maximum safety during PE activities, and does not mark up the gym floor. Students can keep a pair of gym shoes at school to change into, or wear gym shoes on PE days. If a student arrives to PE class without the appropriate shoes, he/she will be given an alternate activity to complete. He/she will not be able to participate in the regular class activity that day, due to safety concerns. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe during PE class.
In addition, we want to maintain safety at recess, too; and having students wear the proper shoes to play outside is very important. Please make sure that your child wears closed-toe shoes for outdoor recess. While sandals and flip-flops are cute and comfortable, they are not always safe for kids when they are playing. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in keeping kids safe!
District Health Requirements
Please note the Health Requirements at different grade-levels below. Any documents may be
Kindergarten - Completed physical dated within the past year (no earlier than August 25, 2021), full immunization record and vision exam by October 15. Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
Second grade - Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
Sixth grade - Completed physical dated within the past year (no earlier than August 25, 2021), and proof of the Meningococcal and Tdap vaccinations are due by October 15. Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
District 58 invites families to voluntarily share an electronic image of their child’s vaccination card with their building’s health office. Providing proof of vaccination is not required. However, current CDC guidance excuses fully vaccinated individuals from having to quarantine unless symptomatic.
By sharing a copy of your child’s card, if your child is a close contact, having the vaccination card on hand will expedite the school’s investigation process. Copies of proof of vaccination will be kept in each student’s individual health file and treated in the same way as all health records.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedure 2022-23
Student safety is always at the forefront of our mind when planning at school. It is extremely important for all individuals who are driving students to and from school to follow all the rules of the road, along with our Whittier procedures. Please share this information with anyone transporting students.
Arrival
Students may arrive at Whittier beginning at 8:05am each day when adult supervision begins. In order to assist with a timely and safe arrival process, the school playground will be closed before school. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door. Students will be directed to enter the building beginning at 8:15am. Anyone arriving after 8:15am should enter through Door One for an office pass.
Dismissal/After School
Following daily dismissal at Whittier (2:00 pm on Monday and 3:00 pm Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
Students may return to the playground after school hours and/or on the weekends. This will be done at family discretion, as our district playgrounds also function as community parks outside of school hours.
Hill Street traffic - travels WEST ONLY from 8:00am-4:00pm (One Way Street)
- Hill Street will be used as a Student DROP OFF ONLY during school hours.
- Hill Street will be used as a Student PICK UP ONLY during school hours.
- Car drivers will need to travel west down Hill Street entering the Drop-off/Pick-up Lane.
- As you enter the Drop-off/Pick-up Lane, please pull all the way up to the white street
markings and drop-off or pick-up. The car does not need to be at the ramp to drop-off
or pick-up students. Driver stays in the car. Students should exit the vehicle from the
passenger side.
- If car drivers want to park and walk their child(ren) to their designated area, they may do so after parking in a designated parking space at the west end of Hill, or on Blodgett or Grand. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk.
Grand Crosswalk at the Intermediate Playground
- Students should cross the street at the Grand crosswalk at the Intermediate Playground.
- Car drivers who travel south on Grand, may drop off intermediate-level students on Grand.
- If car drivers want to park and walk their child(ren) to their designated area, they may do
so after parking in a designated parking space at the west end of Hill, or on Blodgett or
Grand. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk.
Hill & Blodgett Crosswalk
- A crossing guard will be stationed at Hill & Blodgett to assist students in crossing to
school.
Blodgett Street
- We continue to ask parents NOT to drop off students on Blodgett.
Staff Parking Lot
- Please do NOT use the Staff Parking Lot as a drop-off or pick-up location.
- Students should NOT walk through the parking lot, they should only use the sidewalks.
Student Entrance and Exit
- Each class has been assigned to a specific door for entrance and exit to the building. (See the article below for specifics for each class).
- Please follow these guidelines to assist us in maintaining safety for all.
You may also review this information in the attachment below.
Student Entrance and Exit from the Building
Student Arrival
Parents may not escort their students to entry doors. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk, at which time students will join the line to enter the building.
Students may arrive at Whittier beginning at 8:05am each day when adult supervision begins. In order to assist with a timely and safe arrival process, the school playground will be closed before school. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door. Students will be directed to enter the building beginning at 8:15am. Teachers will direct students to their cubby area. Anyone arriving after 8:15am should enter through Door One for an office pass.
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Main Entrance (Door 1):
1Q - Mrs. Quill
1R - Mrs. Richards
2Su - Ms. Sullivan
2Sw - Mr. Swade
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Primary Entrance at the west end of the building off the Staff Parking Lot (Door 2):
KB - Miss Boehm
KL - Mrs. Hedman
3K - Miss Karius
3M - Mrs. Modine
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Intermediate Entrance off the Intermediate Playground (Door 4):
4M - Mr. Miller
4S - Mrs. Smitley
5H - Mrs. Hodkowski
5L - Mrs. Lyons
6M - Mrs. Miller
6Z - Mrs. Zagorski
Student Dismissal
Following daily dismissal at Whittier (2:00 pm on Monday and 3:00 pm Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
Students may return to the playground after school hours and/or on the weekends. This will be done at family discretion, as our district playgrounds also function as community parks outside of school hours.
Primary Students will dismiss from their exterior classroom doors.
Intermediate Students will dismiss from Door 4 off the Intermediate Playground.
Safety and Security at School
The District and School Emergency Management Plans are reviewed with all staff at the start of the school year, as well as re-visited throughout the school year.
Safety Drills are held throughout the school year.
- Intruder/Lock Down Drills are practiced in coordination with the DG Police Department.
- Fire Drills are practiced in coordination with the DG Fire Department.
- Tornado/Take Cover Drills are practiced.
A Parent Guide, developed in conjunction with MAVinS (Mothers Against Violence in Schools), on talking to children about safety drills is sent home in early fall.
We do our best each and every day to maintain the safety of all who are in our school.
Whittier PTA Corner
OUR MISSION: To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Our mission requires that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) be central to our work and used in our day-to-day decisions and actions.
The Whittier PTA strives to create a kind, responsive culture where all feel welcome.
★ THE NEXT PTA MEETING is on TUES, OCT 25th at 7:00pm! ★
This meeting will include a typical agenda, as well as a continued discussion on Whittier’s existing inclusive naming policy for school/PTA events that was adopted in 2018. A Representative from the IL State PTA will be present to assist in answering any questions from Membership. We look forward to seeing everyone!
Meeting ID: 766 377 1114
Passcode: 536Hill
Meeting Link: HERE
The agenda will be posted on the website shortly HERE.
Remember: In order to vote, you need to be a member. JOIN NOW HERE.
★ LAST CALL: JOIN THE PTA!★
JOIN YOUR PTA NOW!
Membership supports your child and amplifies your voice - You Belong in PTA!
We are just 21 memberships away from meeting our goal of having 80% of Whittier families!
HERE IS THE LINK TO JOIN YOUR PTA
★ FALL EXPERIENCES★
Sessions are still open! Sign-up HERE.
★ REFLECTIONS★
The National PTA Reflections Arts Program invites all Whittier students (grades K–6) to create an original creative work in this year’s theme: Show Your Voice! More info HERE.
The Deadline is NEXT FRIDAY, OCT 28th! SUBMIT THOSE ENTRIES NOW!
★ WHITTIER SPIRIT WEAR IS OPEN UNTIL WEDNESDAY, NOV 2nd! ★
Check out the fall/winter selections which feature a 2022-23 “Jaguar logo” designed by Whittier Dad Jeremy Ruiz alongside some of the classic Whittier logos we all know and love. School Theme/Field Day “Be the Dream” shirts are also available for purchase with each grade represented by a different shirt color. The Whittier store will reopen in the Spring with warm weather apparel, providing another opportunity to order school theme shirts in time for Field Day.
Items will be delivered approximately 3 weeks after the close of the store and will be shipped to the school. Orders will be sent home with the oldest child in the family unless it is noted at check out that office pick up is preferred.
Check out the fall/winter selection HERE.
Calendar of Events
Monday, October 24 - Choose Happy Orange Spirit Day; BOE Curriculum Workshop, 7:00pm, OMS
Tuesday, October 25 - Young Rembrandts Program, 3:00-4:00pm; PTA Meeting, 7:00pm via ZOOM
Wednesday, October 26 - Student Council Spirit Day - Dress Up Day (dress up for your day at school); PTA Walking Club, Lunch Recess; STEM Club, 3:00-3:45pm; Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm
Thursday, October 27 - BAM Theater Program, 3:00-4:00pm
Friday, October 28 - Whittier Spirit Day (wear your favorite Whittier Spirit Wear or our school colors - blue and gold or blue and yellow to show your school spirit); School Picture Re-take Day; PTA Fun Lunch
Monday, October 31 - Happy Halloween!; Halloween Costume Parade begins around 12:30pm, Intermediate Blacktop; Halloween Room Parties begin around 1:00pm following the parade
Tuesday, November 1 - Young Rembrandts Program, 3:00-4:00pm; Baseball Intramurals, 3:00-4:00pm
Wednesday, November 2 - Student Council Spirit Day - Disney Day (wear your favorite Disney items); STEM Club, 3:00-3:45pm; Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm
Thursday, November 3 - BAM Theater Program, 3:00-4:00pm; Chess Scholars, 3:00-4:00pm; Baseball Intramurals, 3:00-4:00pm
Friday, November 4 - Whittier Spirit Day (wear your favorite Whittier Spirit Wear or our school colors - blue and gold or blue and yellow to show your school spirit)
Whittier Vision Statement
Whittier strives to develop lifelong learners within a caring, safe, and healthy learning environment. Our staff will be responsive to each student and collaborate with families and community. Our students will solve problems with perseverance, and develop a social conscience which enables them to contribute to their school, family, and community. Together we will be respectful of diversity and inclusivity, and we will positively impact the world.
Whittier School
Email: mkrugman@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org/wh
Location: 536 Hill Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 6307195865
Twitter: @MKrugmanDG58