The WJHS Panther Update
April 5, 2024
Greetings Panther Families,
We kicked off the start of the week and our return from Spring Break with a high-energy staff and student volleyball assembly! The matches were very close but one team did come out on top!
Congratulations to the CHAMPS!
Wednesday was Assistant Principal Day! We took the opportunity to celebrate our very own AP, Mr. Lipinski. WJHS is a better place with Mr. Lipinski and we are so thankful to have him!
Illinois Assessment of Readiness
Students spent the last two days taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in English Language Arts. The IAR test in Math will be given next week on April 9th, 11th and 12th. It is important to get a good night's rest, eat breakfast, and come to school with a fully charged Chromebook.
**Please make sure your child has working headphones they will need them for IAR testing.
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Changes to the WJHS Math Schedule
We have some exciting updates to share about our daily schedule for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, and we would love to have your input!
Next year, WJHS will increase student math minutes each day, and, after extensive research, we will be changing our curricular resource to Carnegie Learning.
Currently, we allocate 40 minutes for Mathematics instruction. However, standard practice suggests that Mathematics instruction typically spans between 75 to 90 minutes per day, with a minimum of 60 minutes. Our district-wide Mathematics scores highlight that there is room for improvement in this area.
To increase our minutes while maintaining the integrity and length of our current school day, we need to eliminate or decrease the minutes of either our current STAR or E-period classes.
We would appreciate your input on which class you believe would be best to decrease minutes in, to allocate additional time for mathematics instruction.
Background Information:
Considering the importance of both E-period and STAR classes in providing students with valuable learning experiences, deciding which class to decrease minutes in requires careful consideration.
E-period class, as you may know, is a unique opportunity offered at the beginning of our school day. During this time, students have the freedom to choose non-graded, non-standardized classes that align with their individual interests. These classes rotate every 15-17 days, providing a diverse range of experiences for our students. Examples of E-period classes include sports-related activities, photography workshops, forensics exploration, and specialized topics like the recent solar eclipse class. The primary goal of E-period is to foster a love for learning outside of traditional academic constraints, allowing students to explore new interests and develop valuable skills in a relaxed, supportive environment.
On the other hand, STAR class serves a different purpose within our daily schedule. STAR is designed to support students in various aspects of their academic journey. This non-graded class takes place each day and encompasses activities such as homework completion, social-emotional learning standards, and exercises focused on enhancing executive skills. STAR class provides a structured framework for students to manage their academic responsibilities effectively, cultivate essential organizational skills, and receive support in areas where they may need additional guidance.
In summary, while both E-period and STAR class offer valuable opportunities for your child's development, they serve distinct purposes within our curriculum. E-period encourages exploration, creativity, and passion-driven learning, whereas STAR class prioritizes academic support, skill-building, and the cultivation of essential study habits. We believe that by participating in both programs, your child will benefit from a well-rounded educational experience that nurtures their interests, fosters personal growth, and prepares them for success both inside and outside the classroom.
General Information:
We will not be increasing the length of the school day.
Literacy classes are 80 minutes - we will not be decreasing this time.
Reading and Math Intervention classes have been offered in both classes. No matter which option we choose, they will always remain part of the school day.
Resource class, which is currently offered instead of STAR, will also still be a part of our school day.
Thank you for your continued support in your child's education. Should you have any further questions or concerns regarding our programs, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Please fill out this Google Form before April 12th.
5th Grade Step Up
Parents of incoming 6th graders are invited to the Jr. High's 5th Grade Step Up Night on April 10th at 6:30 pm.
They will have the opportunity to tour the building, meet the WJHS staff, learn about our athletics, clubs & activities, & make their selections for exploratory courses next year. There will be a short meet and greet with myself and Mr. Lipinski, so please be sure to arrive promptly at 6:30.
Exploratory Course Selection
As stated, Exploratory course selection for the 2024-2025 school year for incoming 6th graders starts on 4/10 and must be completed by 4/17. Our current 6th & 7th-grade students will be making their selections during their STAR or Resource classes beginning April 16 and completed by April 29. Instructions will also be emailed to parents to review selections and/or make changes. If this process is not completed, courses will be assigned by WJHS.
PTO News
On Wednesday, April 3rd, the PTO held Executive Board elections for the 2024-2025 school year. We would like to congratulate and thank our newly elected officers for volunteering their time and service to WJHS:
2024 - 2025 WJHS PTO Board
Norma Martinez, Co-President
Suzanna Robbins, Co-President
Jill Jackson, Co-Treasurer
Vicky Eupierre, Co-Treasurer
Abeer Zanayed, Secretary
We want to take the opportunity to thank our current PTO Board, Maren Graham, Mandy Lesko, Jill Hawkins, and Alena Gaytan for all the hard work and dedication they have shown WJHS! I know I speak for ALL of us at the Junior High when I say you are amazing, and you are loved, THANK YOU for making it a great year!
Calling all Panthers - Last chance to submit your application for Panther Paws of Kindness Essay The winner will receive a $50 Gift Card. Deadline is April 12, 2024.
WJHS just keeps racking up the Awards!
We are SUPER excited to announce our very own Ms. Reimann took 3rd Place in a NATIONWIDE competition with her 2024 WJHS Yearbook page creation!
Way to go Ms. Reimann, and way to represent WJHS!!!
If you haven't purchased your yearbook, this is definitely an incentive to order one now!
Check out the article and all the fantastic comments from the judges!
Layout Legends 2024 Design Contest Winners
https://blog.treering.com/layout-legends-2024-design.../
Yearbooks are currently available for purchase until May 1st. The cost is $21. You can purchase a yearbook through your Skyward account or by paying cash in the school office.
Family Literacy Night ~ SSLC Opportunities
Manning Elementary School is hosting a Family Literacy Night on April 10th from 6-7:00 pm at Manning. They are looking for WJHS student volunteers. You will be responsible for giving directions to attendees. Please contact Tracy Billie to sign up or for more information at tbillie@cusd201.org.
Aladdin Jr. Opening Night this Thursday April 11th
It's Showtime!!
After many months of preparation and dedicated practicing, our students are excited and ready to perform for the community!
Thursday April 11th 4:00 PM
Friday April 12th 7:00 PM
Saturday April 13th 2:00 PM
There will be sign language interpretation during our Thursday, April 11th performance, beginning at 4:00. We welcome anyone in the community who might benefit from the provided interpretation.
WJHS Media Center Happenings
Please enjoy April's edition of the WJHS Media Center Newsletter.
WJHS STEM Club’s Build-A-Drone Project.
There is limited availability so sign up now if you are interested in our STEM Clubs Build-A-Drone-Project.