The WJHS Panther Weekly Update
February 12th, 2021
Hello Panther Community
"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations."
-Dr. Mae Jemison
IMPORTANT: Please have your student fully SHUT DOWN his/her Chromebook every evening.
5Essentials Survey for Parents
Please take the 5Essentials Parent Survey. We take your feedback and apply it to the WJHS school improvement process. There is more information below.
Weekly Evening Tutoring at WJHS
With a year+ of unique challenges we are providing weekly tutoring at WJHS by four of our WJHS teachers. This will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 PM. Please look further below for more and the SignUpGenius link. Please take advantage of this program!
BEING A PARENT IS TOUGH
The Glenbard Parenting Series for this week is with speaker Shaun Derik titiled, "Live Life Well Week: Being T.H.E.R.E. – Five Ways to Engage Young People." (please see more information below).
People's Resource Center - Westmont
Many of you know what an amazing resource lies within our community. For those that don't, please read about the PRC and what it offers!
Sticking with Hybrid Schedule on Future Snow Days:
If we have any additional snow days in the future, students should follow their Hybrid schedules from home. Don't worry, we will give reminders of this in STAR classes.
Additionally, we will be sending out information regarding online scheduling for Parent/Teacher Conferences (March 11/12) which will be virtual again (Zoom). Online scheduling will be open on February 25th, 2021.
NO SCHOOL on Monday, 2/15 due to Presidents’ Day.
Take good care of yourselves and one another,
Respectfully,
Mr. John K. Jonak
WJHS Tutoring Program (2020-2021 School Year)
Who? We have four individuals that have been designated as tutors from WJHS:
Ms. Kirkwood - Art, all Explo, SS, Science, Lit, Organization
Ms. Hillertz - PE, SS, Lit, Sci, Math, Organization
Ms. Walsh - Most familiar with Grade 8: Lit, Math, SS, Sci, Organization, PE - willing to help with any questions
Dr. Burisek - Literacy, Art, Social Studies, Science, PE/Health, Music, IT, Organization (I’ll try to help with any subject, project, assignment, or question you may have)
What? Tutoring at WJHS. Tutoring is available to ALL WJHS students.
Where? Via Zoom. SignupGenius link.
When? Start time of 6-8 PM on two nights a week (Tuesday and Thursdays). NOTE: These hours may change.
Why? Students/parents are still struggling and tutoring in the evenings by skilled teachers takes down obstacles that lead to more successful students.
How? Students sign up for 30-minute increments through Sign-Up Genius. Once you sign up, you will get a Zoom link. *Please note, you will need to create a Sign-Up Genius account if you do not have one linked to your cusd201 email address. You must sign in with your school email account.
Student Expectations:
Sign up for a time slot - Note: If a time slot is not available, email the teacher and she may be able to make it work!
Your appointment - Slots are limited so if you choose a time, be sure to honor it.
What if my partner/group wants help? You may sign up for a time slot, note small group, and what you need help with work/technology. Be sure you have your work ready that you want help with. The video camera should be on and be prepared to share your screen. We don’t want to waste your time!
PARENTS - YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS - PLEASE TAKE THE 5ESSENTIALS SURVEY
Dear Panther Parents,
Parent 5Essentials Survey Links (English and Spanish).
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
Respectfully,,
Mr. John K. Jonak
Principal
Westmont Junior High School
The People's Resource Center - Westmont, IL
Food Pantry
Neighbors are making hard choices as they care for their families and balance health, housing and work. Our Food Pantry offers a variety of quality food, and connects clients with other PRC services and resources.
Since March, PRC has adapted our food delivery process from a choice pantry to providing pre-packaged food to parked cars. Volunteers choose items for each client during food pantry hours, including fresh produce, high-protein food, dairy products, frozen meats, whole grain items and healthy non-perishables such as beans and vegetables. All items are safe and high-quality. Personal-care items and cleaning products are also distributed when available.
Who can use Food Pantry services?
Anyone in need of food from DuPage County can come for food. You will have to register as a PRC client. Come to People’s Resource Center during food pantry hours to register. CLICK HERE to learn more!
Shaun Derik - Live Life Well Week: Being T.H.E.R.E. – Five Ways to Engage Young People
Thu, Feb 18 @ 7:00 pm - FREE
The link to log in to this webinar from your computer, tablet or phone at https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/87401186583
Wanting to connect with your young people? You’re not alone! In 2013, according to a Microsoft study on “The Effects of Today’s Digital World,” the attention span of the average American was less than that of a goldfish. With the onslaught of smart phones, social media and reality TV, connecting with young people is becoming more competitive. In BEING T.H.E.R.E., Shaun Derik explores 5 Ways to Actively Engage the Young People you serve. Through rhythm, humor and heavy audience participation, Shaun helps adults learn to be sincere, direct and present when working with, loving and caring for today’s youth.
Affectionately known as “The Speaker for the Dreamer,” Shaun Derik’s expertise in effective youth engagement derives from his 10 years in youth development (R.E.A.C.H. Communications, Inc), 8 years in prevention (Youth to Youth International), and 5 years in philanthropic event planning. His most notable work has been in Character Development serving such worthy causes as The Mississippi Department of Education’s Drop Out Prevention program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York Youth Advocate team training, The National Police Activities League, and ABC Virginia’s Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Project. ‘s expertise in effective youth engagement derives from his 10 years in youth development (R.E.A.C.H. Communications, Inc), 8 years in prevention (Youth to Youth International), and 5 years in philanthropic event planning. His most notable work has been in Character Development serving such worthy causes as The Mississippi Department of Education’s Drop Out Prevention program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York Youth Advocate team training, The National Police Activities League, and ABC Virginia’s Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Project. Shaun new book “Being T.H.E.R.E. Five Ways to Actively Engage Young People” will be released this year.
Thanks go to Northwestern Medicine for their support of this special event.
Take 5: Parent Preview – Shaun Derik on Being THERE, 5 Ways to Actively Engage Young People
This event will be presented virtually. Use the link below to log in from your computer, phone, or tablet for this engaging event. Participants’ cameras and microphones will be disabled during the speaker’s presentation and slideshow. Questions may be submitted prior to the event or during the event to Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org
Is your student's Chromebook having issues?
Please power off your Chromebook (or have your student do this) at least twice a week to make sure everything keeps working without any issues. Thank you!
District Hotline for parents to call for technical assistance, questions about food distribution, or other general questions.
630-468-8020 (English)
Una línea directa del distrito para que los padres llamen para asistencia técnica, preguntas sobre distribución de alimentos o otras preguntas generales.
630-468-8030 (en Espanol)
Please power off your Chromebook (or have your student do this) at least twice a week to make sure everything keeps working without any issues. Thank you!
Long story short, there is not a notification that we receive when chrome updates. They may update every week or every couple weeks. In order to troubleshoot having issues during the school day, we recommend that students check for updates as soon as they log into their chromebooks. Sometimes we get kicked off while trying to update so it may be best to update in the morning so it does not disrupt lessons during the day.
Here is a 2 minute tutorial video for how to update the chromebooks. When you go through the check for updates, it will let you know if you are up to date. If an update is needed, it will ask the student to restart once complete.
* when the computer freezes, you must hold the button on the side of the computer for about 20 seconds until the light goes off.
** if the computer freezes during the update, you will have to log in and make sure it is completed.
If we keep this as a part of our regular routine, we should be in a better space. If they are not updated regularly, we sometimes have to run through the process two or three times and that makes us reboot each time.
WJHS PTO MEETINGS ONCE A MONTH
PTO MEETINGS EVERY MONTH
Email westmontjrhighpto@gmail.com (before 5pm) for the Zoom links to attend.
Please view THIS VIDEO of WJHS Admin walking through the WIN-sday concept.
THIS VERSION is explained in Spanish by our Instructional Coach, Mr. Johnson.
The slideshow, by itself, is located HERE.
i-Ready's Personalized Pathway Information for Parents (Video and Slide Deck with Links)
Please view this video regarding iReady's Personalized Pathway for students. The presentation includes links to valuable parent resources.
Video and presentation in Spanish.
Tips for parents regarding Teacher Office Hours:
Please confirm with your student that he/she is participating. Students with missing assignments or grades below a C should be meeting with teachers during this time to get caught up and receive extra help. Students with up to date assignments and grades C or above should use this time to check in with teachers, ask questions, and receive feedback.
WJHS CLUB NEWS
ART CLUB - Wednesday, 2/17, from 4:45 - 5:45. Email Ms. Kirkwood at mkirkwood@cusd201.org for the link to participate.
TECH CLUB - Thursday, 2/18, from 4:15 - 5:15. Email Ms. Ruh at sruh@cusd201.org for the link to participate.
CHESS CLUB - Chess Matches on Tuesday (2/16 vs. Gower), Wednesday (2/17 vs. Cass), & Thursday (2/18 vs. Lakeview). Practice is Friday (2/19), from 3:20-4:20. Email Mr. Roberson at croberson@cusd201.org to participate.
WJHS Virtual Talent Show - Virtual auditions soon. Fill out the form with the link below, if you are interested in performing or helping out. https://forms.gle/N6bXauzLKbW7vrNr7
BAND CLUB - 8:00-8:25 every day except Wednesdays. Email Ms. Biederman at abiederman@cusd201.org with questions.