What's Up at Whittier
Week of October 3
Mr. Krugman's Weekly Message
We start each day at Whittier with our Traveling Morning Announcements. Instead of announcements coming from the main office every morning, this is the second year of our Traveling Morning Announcements. I go to a different classroom every morning and we announce from the classroom.
Announcements begin with a cheer from the class we are in, followed by recognition of birthdays for the day. Each week a "Be the Dream" quote is shared with students and staff. Important daily and weekly news is then shared. Once the information is shared, we then have a student from the class share the "Laugh of the Day" joke. This gets us all in a happy mood to start the day. Our morning announcements then conclude with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
I am so impressed with the class cheer, Laugh of the Day, and Pledge of Allegiance each day. Our students are doing a great job! The class highlighted in the picture below is Miss Boehm's Kindergarten Class. I start my day in a very happy way with the help of our students!
As always, thank you for sending your children to us each day - ready to take on new adventures and learn all they can!
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong!
Michael Krugman - Whittier Principal
School Hours for 2022-23
Kindergarten Half- Day:
8:15-11:20am (Monday-Friday)
Grades 1-6 and OKEEP:
8:15am-2:00pm (Monday)
8:15am-3:00pm (Tuesday-Friday)
Whittier Office Hours:
8:00am-4:00pm
Click the link below for the approved District 58 school calendar for 2022-23.
Reporting Student Absence from School
As a reminder - we ask that parents report their child(ren)'s absence to the school office. Please call the school office at (630) 719-5865 (24 hours a day), and leave a message regarding your child's absence from school. You can also email the Whittier secretaries (ccasella@dg58.org and adunbar@dg58.org). It is important to notify the office of any student absence from school.
While many parents contact the classroom teacher with absence information, the school office MUST also be notified. Thank you for your assistance!
Whittier Student Council
President - Harper Brock
Vice President - Benny Knoepp
Secretary - Max Bogaczyk
Service Chairperson - Caroline Anderman
Spirit Chairperson - Payton Freely.
In addition to our Student Council Officers, the following students will serve as Student Council Representatives:
Henry Achillies
Kaitlyn Butts
Josh Martinez
Josie Raniere
Matt Raniere
Meredith Daly
Sadie Parrillo
Congratulations to all of you!
Weeds and Seeds Potatoes
Whittier Family Book Club
Elementary Student Entry Time
Just a reminder that students now enter the building at 8:15am. Supervision still begins at 8:05am, but if your child(ren) do not want to stand in line for 10 minutes, please plan your arrival to school in the morning accordingly. Students arriving after all have entered the building will need to enter through the Main Entrance and go to the office for a tardy slip.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. During this month we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, this week we recognized author Pat Mora. She is a Mexican American Latina author of poetry, nonfiction books, and children’s books. Many of her writings showcase the Mexico-United States border where she was born and spent most of her life. Mora founded the Children’s Day, Book Day event in 1996. It includes a commitment to promote literacy and celebrates books that unite the community. It has now grown in the US to include all children, languages, and cultures.
PTA Reflections Contest - Show Your Voice
Gaga Pit Platform - Help Needed
If we had a wooden platform around the outside of the Gaga Pit, we could leave it open after it rains or snows. We have money in our PTA Outdoor Improvement Projects Fund for the materials, but we need a committee of volunteers to draw plans and then build the platform. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Mr. Krugman (via email at mkrugman@dg58.org or by phone 630-719-5865) to have your name added to our committee. If you have any questions, please direct them to Mr. Krugman. Once we have our group assembled and ready to start, Kevin Barto and Geoff Neustadt (Director and Asst Director of Buildings & Grounds) will assist us in organizing this project.
Thank you for your help!
Parent Teacher Conferences are Coming!
District 58 Referendum
District 58 will place a proposal on the November 8, 2022 ballot to issue $179 million in bonds to improve District 58’s facilities. To learn more about the District 58 referendum, please visit www.dg58.org/referendum.
This website contains helpful information, including the District’s Master Facility Plan, frequently asked questions, ballot language, voter information, tax impact, facility presentation and videos, and much more. If you have any questions about the referendum not answered on the website, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Please know, as a school district, we can provide factual information about a referendum, but we cannot advocate for or against it.
A Request from the Health Services Office
Order Your 2022-23 Whittier Yearbook
Health/Physical Examination & Immunization Record DUE October 15
As required by law, all new students, as well as students entering grades K, 2 and 6, must receive health examinations and immunizations and submit completed health forms by October 15th. To learn more check out the Health Services page on the District 58 website.
Thank you to many of the families who have already completed and submitted these forms. If you have not already scheduled your appointment this is a good time to plan ahead! Failure to comply with these requirements by the end of the day on October 15, or 30 days following registration for first-time registrants, of the current school year will result in the student's exclusion from school until such requirements have been met according to Illinois law. All sections of the child examination form must be completed including the health history, which must be completed by the parent.
District 58 communicates frequently regarding these requirements as it is our hope to avoid school exclusion for all of our students. If you are in need of additional assistance, our school nurse, Laura Monyek (lmonyek@dg58.org), would be happy to assist you in accessing resources or assisting in removing other barriers to completing this requirement.
Fruit/Snack Break
Phone/Wearable Technology Use
Gym Shoes for PE Class & Shoes at Recess
It is important for students to be prepared for PE class. In order to participate safely in PE class, we ask that ALL students wear closed-toe gym shoes during each PE class. This allows for maximum safety during PE activities, and does not mark up the gym floor. Students can keep a pair of gym shoes at school to change into, or wear gym shoes on PE days. If a student arrives to PE class without the appropriate shoes, he/she will be given an alternate activity to complete. He/she will not be able to participate in the regular class activity that day, due to safety concerns. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe during PE class.
In addition, we want to maintain safety at recess, too; and having students wear the proper shoes to play outside is very important. Please make sure that your child wears closed-toe shoes for outdoor recess. While sandals and flip-flops are cute and comfortable, they are not always safe for kids when they are playing. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in keeping kids safe!
District Health Requirements
Please note the Health Requirements at different grade-levels below. Any documents may be
Kindergarten - Completed physical dated within the past year (no earlier than August 25, 2021), full immunization record and vision exam by October 15. Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
Second grade - Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
Sixth grade - Completed physical dated within the past year (no earlier than August 25, 2021), and proof of the Meningococcal and Tdap vaccinations are due by October 15. Dental exam is required this year, but they have until May 15, 2023.
District 58 invites families to voluntarily share an electronic image of their child’s vaccination card with their building’s health office. Providing proof of vaccination is not required. However, current CDC guidance excuses fully vaccinated individuals from having to quarantine unless symptomatic.
By sharing a copy of your child’s card, if your child is a close contact, having the vaccination card on hand will expedite the school’s investigation process. Copies of proof of vaccination will be kept in each student’s individual health file and treated in the same way as all health records.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedure 2022-23
Student safety is always at the forefront of our mind when planning at school. It is extremely important for all individuals who are driving students to and from school to follow all the rules of the road, along with our Whittier procedures. Please share this information with anyone transporting students.
Arrival
Students may arrive at Whittier beginning at 8:05am each day when adult supervision begins. In order to assist with a timely and safe arrival process, the school playground will be closed before school. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door. Students will be directed to enter the building beginning at 8:15am. Anyone arriving after 8:15am should enter through Door One for an office pass.
Dismissal/After School
Following daily dismissal at Whittier (2:00 pm on Monday and 3:00 pm Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
Students may return to the playground after school hours and/or on the weekends. This will be done at family discretion, as our district playgrounds also function as community parks outside of school hours.
Hill Street traffic - travels WEST ONLY from 8:00am-4:00pm (One Way Street)
- Hill Street will be used as a Student DROP OFF ONLY during school hours.
- Hill Street will be used as a Student PICK UP ONLY during school hours.
- Car drivers will need to travel west down Hill Street entering the Drop-off/Pick-up Lane.
- As you enter the Drop-off/Pick-up Lane, please pull all the way up to the white street
markings and drop-off or pick-up. The car does not need to be at the ramp to drop-off
or pick-up students. Driver stays in the car. Students should exit the vehicle from the
passenger side.
- If car drivers want to park and walk their child(ren) to their designated area, they may do so after parking in a designated parking space at the west end of Hill, or on Blodgett or Grand. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk.
Grand Crosswalk at the Intermediate Playground
- Students should cross the street at the Grand crosswalk at the Intermediate Playground.
- Car drivers who travel south on Grand, may drop off intermediate-level students on Grand.
- If car drivers want to park and walk their child(ren) to their designated area, they may do
so after parking in a designated parking space at the west end of Hill, or on Blodgett or
Grand. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk.
Hill & Blodgett Crosswalk
- A crossing guard will be stationed at Hill & Blodgett to assist students in crossing to
school.
Blodgett Street
- We continue to ask parents NOT to drop off students on Blodgett.
Staff Parking Lot
- Please do NOT use the Staff Parking Lot as a drop-off or pick-up location.
- Students should NOT walk through the parking lot, they should only use the sidewalks.
Student Entrance and Exit
- Each class has been assigned to a specific door for entrance and exit to the building. (See the article below for specifics for each class).
- Please follow these guidelines to assist us in maintaining safety for all.
You may also review this information in the attachment below.
Student Entrance and Exit from the Building
Student Arrival
Parents may not escort their students to entry doors. Parents may walk students to the sidewalk, at which time students will join the line to enter the building.
Students may arrive at Whittier beginning at 8:05am each day when adult supervision begins. In order to assist with a timely and safe arrival process, the school playground will be closed before school. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door. Students will be directed to enter the building beginning at 8:15am. Teachers will direct students to their cubby area. Anyone arriving after 8:15am should enter through Door One for an office pass.
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Main Entrance (Door 1):
1Q - Mrs. Quill
1R - Mrs. Richards
2Su - Ms. Sullivan
2Sw - Mr. Swade
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Primary Entrance at the west end of the building off the Staff Parking Lot (Door 2):
KB - Miss Boehm
KL - Mrs. Hedman
3K - Miss Karius
3M - Mrs. Modine
Upon arrival to school, students in these classes will line up at the Intermediate Entrance off the Intermediate Playground (Door 4):
4M - Mr. Miller
4S - Mrs. Smitley
5H - Mrs. Hodkowski
5L - Mrs. Lyons
6M - Mrs. Miller
6Z - Mrs. Zagorski
Student Dismissal
Following daily dismissal at Whittier (2:00 pm on Monday and 3:00 pm Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
Students may return to the playground after school hours and/or on the weekends. This will be done at family discretion, as our district playgrounds also function as community parks outside of school hours.
Primary Students will dismiss from their exterior classroom doors.
Intermediate Students will dismiss from Door 4 off the Intermediate Playground.
Safety and Security at School
The District and School Emergency Management Plans are reviewed with all staff at the start of the school year, as well as re-visited throughout the school year.
Safety Drills are held throughout the school year.
- Intruder/Lock Down Drills are practiced in coordination with the DG Police Department.
- Fire Drills are practiced in coordination with the DG Fire Department.
- Tornado/Take Cover Drills are practiced.
A Parent Guide, developed in conjunction with MAVinS (Mothers Against Violence in Schools), on talking to children about safety drills is sent home in early fall.
We do our best each and every day to maintain the safety of all who are in our school.
Whittier PTA Corner
OUR MISSION: To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Our mission requires that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) be central to our work and used in our day-to-day decisions and actions.
The Whittier PTA strives to create a kind, responsive culture where all feel welcome.
★ HOT CHOCOLATE FUN RUN - REGISTER SOON! ★
REMINDER: Sign-up by this upcoming Friday, Oct 7th to receive a t-shirt!
Join in on the fun and family activities! Sign-up HERE.
★ LANGUAGE LABS IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION - LAST CHANCE! ★
Language Labs is hosting a fee-based Spanish program on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00pm starting October 5th (ending May 31)!! More information and registration HERE.
★ YOUNG REMBRANDTS IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION - LAST CHANCE ★
Young Rembrandts is hosting a fee-based Art program on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00pm starting Oct 4th (ending Dec 13th). More information and registration HERE.
★ FALL EXPERIENCES ★
Sessions are still open! Sign-up HERE.
★ REFLECTIONS ★
The National PTA Reflections Arts Program invites all Whittier students (grades K–6) to create an original creative work in this year’s theme: Show Your Voice! More info HERE.
Calendar of Events
Monday, October 3 - Choose Happy Orange Day - wear orange
Tuesday, October 4 - Young Rembrandts, 3:00-4:00pm
Wednesday, October 5 - PTA Walking Club, Lunch Recess; Family Book Club Event, 3:00-4:15pm, Whittier Library; Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm
Thursday, October 6 - Grade 5 Field Trip - Art Institute; BAM Theater, 3:00-4:00pm
Friday, October 7 - Whittier Spirit Day - wear your favorite Whittier Spirit Wear or our school colors - blue and yellow or gold
Monday, October 10 - No School - Columbus Day Holiday
Tuesday, October 11 - Young Rembrandts, 3:00-4:00pm; BOE Regular Meeting, 7:00pm, O'Neill Middle School
Wednesday, October 12 - PTA Walking Club, Lunch Recess; Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm
Thursday, October 13 - BAM Theater, 3:00-4:00pm; District 58 Referendum Informational Open House, 6:30pm, O'Neill Middle School
Friday, October 14 - Whittier Spirit Day - wear your favorite Whittier Spirit Wear or our school colors - blue and yellow or gold; PTA Fun Lunch
Whittier Vision Statement
Whittier strives to develop lifelong learners within a caring, safe, and healthy learning environment. Our staff will be responsive to each student and collaborate with families and community. Our students will solve problems with perseverance, and develop a social conscience which enables them to contribute to their school, family, and community. Together we will be respectful of diversity and inclusivity, and we will positively impact the world.
Whittier School
Email: mkrugman@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org/wh
Location: 536 Hill Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 6307195865
Twitter: @MKrugmanDG58