Wildcat Chat
Washington School: October Issue 2019
Letter from Ms. Brito
Dear Washington Families,
It is hard to believe that September is almost over and we are heading into the season of fall! Washington staff and students have settled into classroom routines, and teaching and learning is fully underway. We have so much in store for this school year, and look forward to supporting you and your students as they continue to learn and grow!
October is fast approaching, and cooler weather will soon be here. Please remember that our students have recess daily, and should come prepared with appropriate seasonal clothing for outdoor play.
We have a number of special events planned this month, and look forward to sharing some of these with you. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for October 8th, 10th and 17th. If you have not already done so, please visit this link to reserve a meeting time with your child's teacher.
The PTO Walkathon will be held on Friday, October 4th. Thank you to the many parent volunteers and staff who help to make this event so special. Please see below for additional details about how you can support this important fundraiser.
Our annual Halloween Parties and Costume Parade is scheduled for Thursday, October 31st. This time-honored tradition is one that families and students look forward to each year. Please read below for additional details.
Our 5th graders will be travelling to Camp Duncan this month for an overnight field trip to support community building and enjoyment of the outdoors. For those who have not already done so, please submit money and forms as soon as possible.
Thank you to all parents who have been following our drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure the safety of students. We serve as powerful role models for our children, and ask that you demonstrate positive interactions with one another in the presence of students and staff.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. We are always here to support, and are looking forward to a wonderful October!
Warmly,
Ms. Brito
Washington Principal
Halloween at Washington
The students and staff of Washington School will celebrate Halloween on Thursday, October 31st. Parents who are helping with room parties should enter through the main doors to receive a name badge. If you have not yet had your driver’s license scanned by our Raptor system, please do so as soon as possible. If your name is not on the room parent list, you will not be permitted to attend the classroom parties.
Room parents, please make sure you submit your party plans to Ms. Brito and your child's classroom teacher two weeks prior to October 31st. Plans are due Thursday, October 17th.
Relatives or parents who wish to just view the parade may do so out around the track in the back of the building. (If raining, the parade will be inside only for staff and students only).
We appreciate your cooperation and support with our Halloween celebrations.
Other Important Guidelines:
No food or candy is allowed at the party!
Parents who are assigned to help with the class parties, must be registered with the office. Parents who are not a room parent or have not registered with the office will not be permitted to attend the class party.
EVERYONE is welcome to attend the parade. The parade is in the PM.
AM Kindergarten Parade is for students and staff only. Parents will not see the parade inside the building.
Students need to return to classrooms after the parade to pack up for regular dismissal.
Halloween Schedule:
10:30 a.m. Kindergarten AM Parade
(Inside of building for students and staff only)
10:45 -11:30 a.m. Kindergarten AM Party
2:00 p.m. Students change into their costumes
2:15 – 3:00 p.m. Halloween Classroom Parties
3:00 p.m. Halloween Parade
3:30 p.m. Dismissal from classrooms
Costume Information:
Costumes are optional for students in grades K-5.
Costumes should be brought to school, and students must be able to put their costumes on themselves.
Costumes brought to school MUST:
- BE OF NON-VIOLENT NATURE
- Not contain ANY weapons (real or imitation). This includes, but is not limited to, swords, guns, knives, clubs, lasers, etc.
- Not contain any fake blood or other gruesome masks
- Masks are NOT allowed to be worn at school during the party or the parade
(Masks need to be left at home).
- Not represent a violent character such as, Freddie Krueger, “Jason”, an ax-murderer, etc.
- Not display any alcohol, drug or cigarette logos
- Cover the child appropriately: that is, no exposed torso, chest area, buttocks, etc.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation in supporting a safe and enjoyable holiday celebration!
PTO Walk-a-thon
Walk-a-Thon
Friday, October 4th, 2019
Win a chance to play video games during recess! This year we are having a video game truck come to Washington to celebrate the success of our Walk-A-Thon. Our fundraising goal is $30,000. This is the only large fundraiser the PTO does all year. Each year, on average, the PTO spends $100 per child to provide field trips, school wide assemblies, teacher grants and facilities support. We fund the cool & fun things at Washington. How can you be a part of this?
- Be part of the top 10 donors to walkathon and you win a spot in the video game truck.
- Turn in any walk-a-thon donation and you will be entered to win one of 20 additional spots, 10 for each recess.
- Our top two fundraisers will be Principal for the day and Assistant Principal for the day.
Where and when will the Walk happen? The walk-a-thon will be held at the Washington School fitness track on Friday, October 4th during school hours. Please come out during the following times to cheer on your students! Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer!
9am-10am AM Kindergarten and 1st grade
10am-11am 4th grade
1:00 - 2:00 pm PM Kindergarten and 2nd grade
2:00 - 3:00 pm 3rd Grade and 5th Grade
**This year there will be no rain date. The walk-a-thon will convert to a dance-a-thon in the gym if it rains. In case of a dance-a-thon, volunteers will still be needed to assist during their shifts, but unfortunately spectators will not be able to participate.
How can I support the Walk? Make walk-a-thon pledges and donations on behalf of participating students–all students that return walk donations will be entered in a raffle to win a chance to play in the video game truck. Walk-a-thon paperwork went home on Wednesday, September 18th. Pledge envelopes will go home the day of the walk-a-thon. .
What do I need to do after the day of the walk? Get your walk money in by October 19th to be considered in award calculations and raffle –results will be announced in early November. Continue to support PTO fundraising efforts so that we can reach our goal of $30,000.
Questions? Please contact:
Rebecca Heneghan rebeccaheneghan@gmail.com
It Is Time to Start the Washington Chorus!
Any 4th or 5th grade student who enjoys singing and shows a positive attitude is welcome to attend. Washington has a long standing tradition of excellent choral performing groups and this year will not be an exception! Our first official rehearsal will be Tuesday October 8th, 2019 at 8:00 AM in the MPR.
Please talk to your child about the possibility of joining chorus and USE THIS LINK to sign up for chorus online. More information regarding rehearsals will be forthcoming. If you have any questions about chorus, please reach out to Mrs. Knapp. Thank you for your support in your child’s music education!
Musically Yours,
Mrs. Alaina Knapp
IMPORTANT HEALTH REMINDER FOR PARENTS OF CURRENT KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS: Deadline for Health documents for entering Kindergarten
This message is being sent to all families of kindergarten students. If you have submitted documentation of requirements, please disregard this email.
If you have not already done so, this is a reminder that October 15, 2019, is the State of Illinois and District 64 deadline for submitting proof of health requirements for entry into kindergarten. Failure to comply with the October 15th deadline will result in your child’s exclusion from school beginning on October 16, 2019.
In addition, students entering kindergarten must also undergo a complete vision examination performed by a physician or licensed optometrist. A Snellen chart vision check completed in a pediatrician’s office does not meet the requirement for a “complete eye examination.” The completed report must be submitted by October 15, 2019. Failure to present proof by this date requires written proof of an appointment for a scheduled eye examination within the next 60 days following October 15th.
If you have questions or concerns regarding these requirements, please contact your school’s Building Nurse directly:
Carpenter School ldaehler@d64.org
Field School slavelle@d64.org
Franklin School qkarstens@d64.org
Roosevelt School plubash@d64.org
Washington School dtully@d64.org
Thank you for your cooperation.
Margaret Temari, RN, M.Ed., PEL-CSN
Facilitator, School Health Services
Congratulations Washington ROARS Winners!
A note from District 64 School Health Services
To all District 64 Families:
Autumn days predictably bring cooler weather, changing colors and of course, cold and flu season. Since influenza viruses vary from year to year, it may be difficult to predict the flu season's beginning and peak. Flu activity in the U.S. peaks between December and February, but can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.
Current recommendations state that everyone 6 months of age and older, especially those at high risk, receives influenza vaccination annually. To prepare your family for the 2019-20 Influenza Season, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for basic flu facts, prevention tips, and treatment information by clicking here.
For Your Good Health,
Margaret Temari, RN, MEd.
Certified School Nurse & Facilitator, School Health Services
Jefferson School Early Childhood Diagnostic Team
Principal Day 2019
District 64 Parent U
School Messenger SMS Opt-In
ELF to host Third Annual Halloween Hustle
ELF, the Park Ridge Elementary Learning Foundation, will host its third annual Halloween Hustle 5k Run and Walk in Hodges Park at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. This family-friendly fun run will help ELF raise money to fund innovative grants that are awarded to District 64 schools.
While the race won’t be timed, it includes an inter-school competition component. Runners can align themselves with a specific school when they register; the school with the highest participation percentage will win the highly coveted ELF Trophy to proudly display for an entire year. So be sure to affiliate yourself with your school of choice.
And, because it is a Halloween-related event, runners are encouraged to wear costumes for the event. There’s something for everyone – The event is stroller-friendly for those too little to run. The littlest runners will have a loop around Hodges Park allowing kids from 1-5 to race against each other and pick up a medal for their efforts. There will also be a modified 3K route for those who aren’t quite up to a 5K distance yet.
ELF needs parents, teachers and families to come and cheer on the runners and to help with the "day of" event logistics. If you’re interested in volunteering, sign up here. For sponsorship opportunities, click here. Registration is available now on the Halloween Hustle website.
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