WMS Friday Forecast
December 18, 2020 - Week 17
To read this newsletter in a language other than English, please click on the "Translate Newsletter" link on the upper right-hand side of this page.
Para leer este boletín en otro idioma que no sea el inglés, por favor haga clic en el enlace "Traducir el boletín" en la parte superior derecha de esta página.
Happy Holidays!
Well, we've just about made it through a semester. This has been, by far, the most challenging time in education that I have ever experienced. Many of us have experienced success and failure, joy and sorrow... sometimes all in the same half hour! But it is important that we find things about learning this year, however small, to celebrate.
Our staff, students, and families have worked hard to make this year as successful as possible, and I want to thank everyone for their hard work! Under an incredibly hard situation, we still have kids learning and working hard! By this time next year, we will all be back together and this will all (hopefully) be a distant memory.
Just a quick reminder that all students (hybrid and remote) should check the Home Access Center on Monday, January 4, 2021, for possible schedule changes. We are still working on the second-semester master schedule so although you might see changes over winter break in HAC, nothing will be final until January 4th. As we have students moving to and from the remote learning modality, we have had to make changes to our master schedule for several reasons: to meet student needs, to accommodate the remote schedule 8 period day, and to balance class sizes. We are looking forward to starting the third quarter with our students on Tuesday, January 5, 2021!
Peace to you in this holiday season, and may 2021 be better and brighter than 2020!
Tim
Chromebook Device Exchange
The IT device exchange will be closed during the holiday break. If you need assistance with a broken device during the break, please contact the
live chat service during business hours or visit the
IT Technical Resources site for information.
On Monday, January 4, 2021, the device exchange will resume at the Haines building, Door #2, but the hours are changing to 12:00 - 4:00 pm. You do not need to make an appointment.
Winter i-Ready Diagnostic Reports
What does i-Ready tell you? The video (linked below) will tell you what to do and where we are headed!
The i-Ready Winter Diagnostic Reports for both Math and Reading are being mailed home to parents the week of December 21, 2020, so be on the lookout for them! Included with these reports, you will receive a letter from Mr. Dave Chiszar, who is the Director of Assessment and Accountability, that explains the i-Ready diagnostic report and what is being included in the documents. If you have any questions pertaining to i-Ready, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dave Chiszar at David.chiszar@d303.org.
Compass Academy
Compass Academy is a new D303 program that will open in the Fall of 2021 at the Haines Center. Key features of the Academy include flexible scheduling, project-based learning, interdisciplinary courses, competency-based education, and more. Any District 303 student entering grades 9-12 is eligible to enroll at the Academy. There are no entrance criteria and all students are invited to apply. This program is designed to support all students, including those interested in early college courses and/or career pathway experiences.
The Compass Academy brochure is linked below for your review. More information can be found by viewing this presentation from a recent BOE meeting. Interested parents or students should contact Director Sharon Stanley at sharon.stanley@d303.org or via this form.
Click HERE for the Compass Academy brochure
8th Grade Counselor Virtual Meetings Update:
Our 8th graders participated in zoom meetings with their high school counselors during the week of Dec. 7-11. The purpose of this meeting was for 8th graders to get to know their high school counselors and to begin the process of their high school registration which will take place in January. Please click
here to access additional information from the high schools as it will help the 8th-grade students as they navigate this year’s course selection process.
Dear Parents of 8th Graders Attending East
Peer Leadership is an extracurricular program that matches selected incoming freshmen with juniors and seniors who make the transition into high school fun and easy and mentor them throughout the year. Because this program meets during the school day, it has to be put into a student’s schedule when registering for next year’s classes. Although we would like to be able to offer this to all interested incoming freshmen, our numbers are limited by available classroom space and our budget. Therefore, in order to start the selection process, interested students should apply using THIS APPLICATION.
If your child is interested in the program, please fill out the application and e-mail it to Jim Reed, the Peer Leadership Coordinator (James.Reed@d303.org). Completed applications must be received no later than Tuesday, January 19th, 2021. For more information about Peer Leadership, please attend Future Saints Night in January.
We hope to hear from you!
Remote Academy Learning Resources
Welcome to remote learning! Remember that remote students have classes every day. Below are resources for our full remote learners:
You can check the attendance for any of your students at any time by logging into the Home Access Center and clicking on the attendance tab to view. Toggle between students using the arrow in the upper right hand corner.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the main office at (331) 228-3100! We are here to help!
WANTED: WREDLING PTO VICE PRESIDENT
The Wredling PTO needs a Vice President for the 2020-2021 school year! If you are interested in this position, or just need more information, please contact Katie Stan,
info@wredlingpto.org Looking for a job?
It takes more adults to operate schools safely for students during the pandemic. District 303 currently has numerous job openings in a variety of job categories. If you are looking for temporary, part-time, or full-time employment, please visit the
D303 Human Resources page to apply for a position.
One of the more flexible positions available is that of a D303 Substitute. You can choose to work, or not work, as your schedule permits. Take a moment and read the Substitute Handbook to see what this job entails.
If you are interested and hold a:
- Bachelor's degree in any field you would qualify to apply for a substitute license with the state which allows you to sub for teachers or teacher assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
- Associate's degree you apply for a Paraprofessional license which only allows you to sub for Teaching assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
- High School diploma you have to take an aptitude test with the KANE ROE office. Once you pass that, you apply for a Paraprofessional license which only allows you to sub for Teaching assistants. You would apply using THIS link.
Contact Julie Wenger (julie.wenger@d303.org) with any questions.
Wake Up Call
February 2, 2021
Virtual
6:30-8:00 p.m.Wake Up Call is a three-part drug and alcohol prevention presentation. The first part of the presentation focuses on current trends such as vaping, marijuana, alcohol and prescription pills. Next, attendees will virtually walk through a life-size teen bedroom with more than 20 “red flags” that can signal drug or alcohol use. The bedroom identifies spots where drugs can be hidden, household items that can be used as drug paraphernalia and ways teens try to cover up drug and alcohol use. Lastly, attendees will learn practical prevention strategies to prevent substance abuse and where to go for help if they are concerned. Please fill out
this form if you are interested in attending.
WMS STAFF SHOUT OUT
This is your chance to offer a shout out to one of our WMS staff members who has done something great, gone above and beyond the call of duty, or who has made a difference in your life (or your child's life). These will be added to our weekly newsletter to staff!
ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS CURRENT AS OF THE PUBLICATION DATE. NEW INFORMATION WILL BE ADDRESSED IN FUTURE NEWSLETTERS.
Wredling Middle School - Home of the RedHawks
Contact us on Twitter @WredlingD303
#WredlingLearns
