Whiteley Wildcat Update
September 27, 2019
We had a great week at Whiteley! We started the week with many of our sixth grade students participating in the 6th grade cross country meet. Our second grade students had an exciting time when they were able to take a field trip to our nearby firehouse. Our AIME students enjoyed a beautiful trip to the pumpkin patch! It was a great week to hear about all of the experiences.
Soft Lock Down
Due to a medical issue our school participated in a soft lock down today. A soft lock down allows us to ensure the privacy needed for the individual while continuing our instructional day. Our staff did a great job working with our students during this brief incident and the learning process was able to continue.
Student Pick-Up
We are asking our parents to please follow our procedures for student pick-up. We want to ensure the safety of our students, parents and staff members. Recently, parents have been parking in the lot and having students walk through the traffic to get in their cars. Please refrain from parking in our lot. We are also going to ask that parents remain in the vehicles while in the pick-up line. We really appreciate your assistance with this process.
PTA
National Walk To School
National Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 2. Currently 3,223 schools nationwide are signed up to walk in this annual event and Whiteley is one of those schools! Walking to school not only promotes healthy habits but helps reduce the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles. All students who walk to school on this day will receive a raffle ticket to some great prizes. If you are able to safely walk to school on October 2, we hope you will join us in this great event!
USAgain Bin
Ever wonder what that green bin in front of our school is all about? USAgain is a for-profit company, working to reduce the amount of textile waste that is put into landfills. Whiteley hosts this bin for recycling, and in return we get paid for the weight of textiles that are
recycled. Items that can no longer be donated, such as; shoes, socks, underwear, towels, bibs, ripped clothes, sheets, etc. can be placed in this bin and will be shredded and used again. Anyone can recycle textiles into this bin! Items are saved from going into landfills and Whiteley receives money.
Social emotional learning is all day, every day in D15 this year
What is SEL? SEL is how children and adults learn to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions, according to CASEL, a leading resource and research organization in this field.
Based on recommendations from teachers and administrators, D15’s SEL Committee has developed a SEL scope and sequence with aligned lessons and strategies that is being implemented monthly District-wide in 2019-20.
For September, the theme and lessons are about “Building Community.” Students learned what a community is, discussed which communities they belong to, and how they can contribute to the well-being of one’s school and community. Students also affirmed each others’ identities to strengthen and enhance their peaceful classroom community. October’s theme is “Self-Awareness.”
At home, families can utilize this Parent Toolkit resource (https://www.parenttoolkit.com/topics/social-and-emotional) to support your students with their social emotional development.
Allergy Task Force information
One of the most notable changes for parents and students is our food-free classroom party policy. Through the work of the task force, it was noted that food at parties invites potentially dangerous allergens into the classroom and can unintentionally isolate students unable to eat the provided snacks. Policies like this are not unique to District 15, and are already in place in many neighboring schools and districts.
To ensure an enjoyable experience at classroom parties given the new policy, District 15 will partner with schools and parents to provide alternate activity suggestions.
Allergy Task Force information is posted on the District 15 website (https://www.ccsd15.net/Page/7927) if you’d like to review the full policy and associated information
D15 is Recruiting Subs & Program Assistants
District 15 is hiring for a variety of positions that would be a great fit for many of our parents and community members! Application information is linked below.
Bus Drivers (https://www.applitrack.com/ccsd15/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Transportation)
Classroom Assistants (https://www.applitrack.com/ccsd15/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Program+Assistants)
Nutrition Services Staff (https://www.applitrack.com/ccsd15/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=School+Nutrition+Services)
Substitutes (https://www.applitrack.com/ccsd15/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute)
Upcoming Events
September 23rd-PTA Fundraiser @ Chipotle
October 7th-Author Visit (grades4-6)
October 9th-District Board Meeting @ 7:00
October 11th-Dads and Donuts @ 7:45 a.m.
October 14th-Columbus Day Observed-No School
October 16th-PTA Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.