Walker Bulldog News
September 10, 2021
Dear Families,
Virtual Curriculum Night is scheduled for Monday, September 13, and will start at 6:00 PM. Our staff looks forward to speaking with families. Please review specific details pertaining to the night's events in the section titled Virtual Curriculum Night.
As we reflect on the positive start to the year, we are also reminded that twenty years ago the attack on the World Trade Center changed the lives of many. On that day, 3,000 people parished including 300 first responders. We remember those who gave the ultimate scarifice on that day, and honor all first responders. Our students participated in a short parade today to give thanks to our local first responders. We appreciate and support all first responders for protecting us.
We hope that you have a safe and enjoyable weekend as it looks like we will have warm and sunny weather. As always, please feel free to contact us at any time with any questions or concerns you may have.
All the best,
Ms. Venegonia, Principal
Mrs. Leone, Associate Principal
September at a Glance
9/15: Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
9/22: First Day of Fall
9/27: Picture Day (rescheduled; nonuniform day)
Virtual Curriculum Night
Session times are as indicated below.
Session 1: 6:00-6:20
Session 2: 6:25-6:45
Sesson 3: 6:50-7:10
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Specials
PBIS at Walker
What is Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)?
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is a schoolwide approach to discipline and a process for creating safer and more effective schools. PBIS is a research-based, schoolwide, discipline system. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. With PBIS, instructional time is more effectively used for teaching and the overall school environment is calm and conducive to learning
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
The Walker staff has developed a set of behavioral expectations that are to be followed by everyone in the Walker community. These three expectations are:
· Be Respectful
· Be Responsible
· Be Safe
What you can do to help your child stay on the positive behavior path?
- Review the three expectations with your child.
- Ask your child about his/her day at school every day.
- Make sure your child is ready to learn each day by getting a good night’s sleep.
- Provide a quiet time and space for your child to do homework nightly.
- Keep in touch with your child’s teacher.
- Encourage your child to use appropriate language and tone of voice.
- Practice positive phrases with your child, such as; “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” “Please,” and “I’m sorry”.
- Be a visible part of your child's school day. Attend PTO meetings and other school activities
Food Service Menu
Meet Our New Teachers
Mrs. Himebough
Annika Himebaugh grew up in the mountains and deserts of Utah. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Family Life and Human Development from Brigham Young University in 2017. After working in community education in Arizona, she fell in love with teaching and went on to earn her Elementary teaching credentials in 2019. She has experience with 5th grade and 2nd grade; this year she is thrilled to be teaching 4th grade (it was her favorite year as a child). In her classroom she believes in building a strong community based on being kind, being curious, and being positive. She believes students learn best when they can make mistakes, make decisions, and put in effort every day.
Annika and her husband moved to Chicago in 2020 and love being a part of the Illinois community. Annika loves being outdoors, hiking, and visiting national parks. When she’s not teaching you can find her reading, cooking, or eating chips and salsa.
Ms. Kane
Hello, Walker students and families.
My name is Stacee Kane. I may look familiar to some of you as I grew up in the area and attended Walker along with the rest of 104 and Argo. I commend the teachers I had (Mrs. Piekos/ Mrs. Kilgore/ Mrs. Leone, just to name a few) for the reason I’m writing this piece now. I knew I wanted to be a teacher in elementary school and set my goals high. I attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated with Magna Cum Laude in 2017. I came back to Walker in 2017 to student teach and taught in Mrs. Manzke’s third grade class. (You can say I learned from the best!) Upon graduating, I did move to Florida and taught third grade for three years. I moved back due to the pandemic hitting and wanting to move closer to family. I taught in fourth grade in Alsip last year, and I am SO incredibly happy to be back “home” for my fifth year! When I’m not teaching, I’m usually playing with my very energetic, three-year-old black lab, Kobe. I also work out like it’s my second job! So, you can find me in the classroom, working out or traveling! I’m so excited to be (in my opinion) the best elementary school there is. I look forward to getting to know the community and being one of the newest fourth grade teachers.
Sincerely,
Ms. Kane
Ms. Zucker
Hello, Walker families! I am excited to join your community and support your students in Art class. Your child will learn about many amazing artists, try different mediums in their work, and grow their creative problem-solving skills. I hope that all my students feel proud of themselves!
I have my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Washington University in St Louis and my Master’s in Teaching and English Language Learners certification from National Louis University. This is my 6th year teaching. I’ve loved getting to know your students this year! Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cooking, dancing, traveling, reading, and watching movies.