Wildcat Chat
Washington School: March Issue 2020
Letter from Ms. Brito
Dear Washington Families,
After spring break, our staff will collaborate on the important process of creating class lists for the upcoming school year. This process is quite structured, takes various factors into account and involves many stages.
Because the placing of students in classrooms is so important, we use a very specific and detailed process for all children. We consider six criteria in making our decisions, with no one being more important than another. The following criteria are considered before placements are made:
• The total number of children in all grade level classes needs to be equal.
• The ratio of girls and boys should be balanced in each grade level class.
• Ability levels of students need to be balanced in each grade level class.
• Leadership skills and other affective characteristics need to be balanced.
• Students’ learning styles should be matched appropriately with teachers’ instructional styles.
• Some student combinations should be split for social or academic reasons.
We will also be coordinating co-teaching opportunities that may dictate how we group and cluster students in all grade levels.
If you would like to provide specific information about your child to assist in the homeroom placement selection, please submit a letter by Thursday, March 19th. Pertinent information may include the parents’ view of how the child learns best, the environment that best suits learning, peer social matches to possibly avoid, and any other pertinent details. Such information will be considered as part of our process, but final decisions about class assignments are determined by administration and teachers.
Due to the nature and complexity of this task, we are unable to accept requests for specific teachers. We ask that you please do not put our teachers in an awkward position by requesting a specific placement to them. At times, they are unable to honor a request and we do not want them to feel responsible for not being able to follow through with considerations.
Please note, any letters received after Thursday, March 18th will not be considered in the process. Our staff will spend a significant amount of time on placements, and we take the process very seriously.
Lastly, please note that once homeroom assignments are made and notifications are shared in August, we are unable to honor requests for changes. We encourage you to take the opportunity now to share your thoughts. If you have questions or feel you need to have a conversation with me that our letter method doesn't provide, please contact me as I'd rather have this conversation now than a complicated conversation in August
Warmly,
Ms. Brito
Washington Principal
Washington Construction Update
Dear Washington School Community,
As many of you know, the Board of Education approved construction of a four-classroom addition at Washington School. We are expecting the permitting process to be done by the end of February with construction commencing the week of February 24.
To allow for construction staging and to have access to the area where the addition is being built, the parking lot on Western Avenue will be closed until construction is completed in August.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause on the streets around Washington School. Staff will continue to use the parking lot on Stewart Avenue. Overflow parking will be available at the corner of Western Avenue and Touhy Avenue in the Park Ridge Park District lot.
If you should have any questions, please refer construction questions/issues to Ron DeGeorge and issues regarding Washington or parking to Angela Brito.
Sincerely,
Angie Brito, Washington Principal
Ronald DeGeorge, Director of Facility Management, District 64
Thanks to your generosity, we shared a meal with nearly 1400 people!
Sending along our thanks and gratitude for the generosity of the entire Washington community from the PTO and the staff at the Uncle Pete’s Lunch Program.
Today, we collected 1376 lunches that were shared with individuals and families at
St. Stanislaus Kostka Soup Kitchen, serving meals daily to the needy.
Grace House, serving women exiting the prison system.
St. Leonard’s House, serving men exiting the prison system.
Mother Teresa Sister of Charity Soup Kitchen and Ministry, serving the hungry and the homeless.
Eddie Beard Veterans House, serving homeless veterans with housing and other needs.
Franciscan Outreach, an overnight shelter, offering food and support services for homeless men and women.
Marillac Center Food Pantry, serving the needs of the surrounding community.
St. Sylvester Food Pantry, serving the needs of the surrounding community.
Our Lady of Angels Food Pantry and outreach programs, serving the needs of the surrounding community, including youth, seniors, and homeless.
Covenant House, serving homeless youth between ages 18 to 24.
Franciscan Day Program, serving the homeless in need of services.
YMCA in Niles, providing housing and services.
Carolyn Murphy of Uncle Pete's Ministries asked us to share this:
“What an amazing endeavor. 1376 sacks were collected today from the generous community of Washington School. All of these people are very thankful you remember them in such a special way. With the weather forecast, these sacks are really appreciated by those in need.”
Thank you to everyone who participated by helping spread the word, bringing a lunch, running home to grab a lunch left on the counter, and helping collect the lunches before school. Every contribution matters, and we’ve shown our children there are many ways to truly care about our neighbors in need.
Special thanks to the student council and Señora Nagel and Mrs. Johnson, who helped get the word out and build excitement.
WIth gratitude,
Nancy and Michelle
UPL Co-chairs
Letter to Fifth Grade Parents
Dear Parent/Guardian of a Fifth Grader:
This is to inform you that fifth grade teachers have scheduled their unit on Human Growth and Development for the week of March 16th.
As shared in January, District 64’s core resource for health education is The Great Body Shop, which includes a student publication called Growing Up. This publication addresses human growth and development, focusing on physical and emotional changes experienced during puberty. In the presentation of these units, teachers will not cover the physiology of sexual intercourse.
In addition to materials from the The Great Body Shop, our students view two films about puberty, Just Around the Corner - Girls and Just Around the Corner - Boys. These films are also available at the Park Ridge Public Library.
Over the coming weeks, please take the opportunity to discuss these important topics with your children. If you have any questions or concerns, or would prefer that your child not participate in this unit of instruction, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Ms. Brito
Makerspace Supply Donations: We Need Your Help!
Our LRC staff is looking to replenish STEM materials for our MakerSpace! Please see below for a list of MakerSpace materials that we'd gladly welcome for future STEM activities. Thank you in advance for your generous support!
- Scotch tape
- Masking tape
- Washi Tape
- Duct Tape
- Clothespins
- Scissors
- Tongue depressors
- Popsicle sticks
- Paper cups
- Pom poms
- Ribbon
- Stickers
- LEGOs
- Marbles
- Styrofoam balls
- Binder clips
- Cardboard
- Twist ties
- Twine
- Straws
- Flat toothpicks
- Foil
- Cotton balls
- Cotton swabs
- Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
- Felt
- Pipe cleaners
- Silly putty
- Velcro
- Elmers Glue
- Fishing line
- Foamboard
Save the Date: Washington V-Show
WHAT: Students perform a short (2 - 3 minute) variety act. In the past we have had singing, dancing, lip syncing, comedy, musicians playing instruments, tumblers, cup stackers and more. Most people form their own groups, and many are age-based; however, we have also had sibling acts, solos, or multi-grade level groups. If you would like to participate and are interested in joining an act, the producers of the show are happy to help.
WHEN: Saturday, March 14th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m and Sunday, March 15th at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Roosevelt Elementary Auditorium
WHO: All Washington students are invited to participate
WHY: It is SO much fun and a time-honored school tradition!
Washington ROARS Winners!
Director of Student Services hosts coffee chats
Do you have any questions about District 64's student services? Are there any concerns you want to tell us about?
Dr. Lea Anne Frost, District 64’s Director of Student Services, will host a monthly coffee for parents to express their concerns, ask questions, or discuss any matters related to the Student Services Department. Please feel free to attend all or part of these meetings.
The times and dates for the remaining coffees are:
3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10 in the Emerson Middle School conference room, 8108 North Cumberland Avenue, Niles
8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22 in the Carpenter Elementary School conference room, 300 North Hamlin Avenue, Park Ridge
3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 in the Washington Elementary School conference room,1500 Stewart Avenue, Park Ridge
No School on Records Planning Day and Spring Break
Students will have the day off on Monday, March 9, Records Planning Day - Due to the lack of any inclement weather days used in January, District 64 students do not have to attend classes on Monday, March 9.
Schools will be closed for Spring Break from March 20-27 - Schools will be closed for six days (10 including weekends). The last day of classes will be Thursday, March 19. Schools will re-open on Monday, March 30.
Worlds of Wonder
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District Mission Statement
Washington School
Email: abrito@d64.org
Website: http://www.d64.org/wes/
Phone: 847-318-4360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Washington-Elementary-School-Park-Ridge-Niles-1390702047844919/?fref=ts
Twitter: @WashingtonD64