What's Up at Whittier
Week of March 6
Mr. Krugman's Weekly Message
What a week! Is it still winter or has spring arrived? We are experiencing this in more than just the weather. We still have 3 weeks until Sring Break, but spring fever seems to be spreading already.
I am so sorry that I missed the Variety Show on Saturday. I have been dealing with a family medical issue. I hope that everyone had a great time! I did see a couple of video clips from the Friday Matinee at Whittier and it looked like a great show! Congratulations to all of our student performers, and thank you to all our parents who supported their talented children during all the practices and rehearsals. A huge thank you to our Variety Show Committee Megan Winthrop, Carol Avila, Katy Anderman, and Andi Wiklund, led by chair Melissa Rausch! We couldn't pull this off without you.
Please remember:
- Kindergarten Round-Up is coming - mark your calendar for Thursday, March 23; and please spread the word to any families who are not currently enrolled at Whittier. More information can be found in an article below.
- 5Essentials Surveys - students have, or will soon, participate in these surveys. We ask all parents to complete the parent survey as well (deadline is March 31). More information on the 5Essentials surveys can be found in an article below.
Be sure to scroll all the way through the newsletter to review our year-round informational articles and for updates in the Whittier PTA Corner and the Whittier Calendar of Events.
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
Making Kindness the Norm
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.
Show Some Respect Assemblies
On Thursday, March 9, we have invited Imagination Theater to Whittier to perform two separate assemblies. Imagination Theater provides diverse audiences with original, dynamic, participatory theatrical programming that enhances well-being and creates a more civil, safe society.
Our K-3 students and our 4-6 students will each participate in a separate assembly. Show Some Respect teaches students in all grades K-12 how to be more respectful to their fellow classmates, authority figures, and themselves.
Respect is a very big word that covers a lot of ground. This program features a variety of scenes to explore all that respect means from inclusion and peer pressure to self-esteem and communication. This interactive performance encourages participants to be open to differences of all kinds, to get to know each other as individuals (not as stereotypes), to stand up for those who may be unable to stand up for themselves and to show respect to classmates, siblings, parents and teachers.
We thank the Whittier PTA for funding this worthwhile assembly, and look forward to the performances on Thursday.
3rd/4th Grade In-School Performance
On Wednesday, March 15, our 3rd and 4th grade students will share songs they have learned from their music classes with our 1st and 2nd grade students. Because of the limited number of performance opportunities over the past few years, we wanted both to offer this opportunity to all of our 3rd and 4th graders, as well as to model the experience for our younger students (who will have an evening performance later in the school year). We are excited to offer this in-school opportunity for our students; because the focus is on modeling for our primary grade students, the audience will be limited to those students (no family members will be able to attend in person). We do hope to have a recording available to share at a later date, and will provide more information on that moving forward.
Kindergarten Round-Up - Save the Date!
Please call the Whittier Office at (630) 719-5865, so we can add you to our incoming Kindergarten list. We will then send you information and keep you up to date on what to do for the upcoming school year registration. Please plan on joining us on March 23 for this parents only informational meeting.
Please be sure to spread the word so all incoming Kindergarten parents are aware of this event. Thanks for your help!
Full Day Kindergarten for 2023-24 School Year
2022-23 Survey Information
Parent/Guardian Survey Information:
To help us ensure a nurturing, supportive, and child-centered learning environment for every student, we ask you to please participate in District 58’s annual Parent/Guardian School Environment Survey. This survey should take just a few minutes, yet the valuable input you provide will help guide the work of our principals, teachers, and district administrators as they plan school improvement efforts. All responses are anonymous.
We invite parents/guardians to take the Illinois State Board of Education’s 5Essentials Parent Survey at https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/ now through Friday, March 31. District 58 will receive 5Essentials Parent Survey data if 20% or more of a school’s parents/guardians participate in this survey. This survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. Your participation in this survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept confidential and will not be connected to you or your child.
Student Survey Information:
In addition to the parent/guardian survey, fourth through eighth-grade students will be asked to participate in a 5Essentials Student Survey sometime between January 31 - March 24.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey: Organizing Schools for Improvement was developed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The survey’s results will become part of the 2023 Illinois State Report Card for your child’s school. Student, staff, and parent identities will be kept confidential, and responses will not be linked to any individual. To view the privacy policy related to this survey, visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/privacy. To view the 5Essentials survey that will be administered to fourth through eighth-grade students, visit https://impactsurveyshelp.force.com/s/article/illinois-5essentials-survey-questions. The survey results will be used by your child’s school to inform planning.
If you have any questions about these surveys, please contact District 58 Community Relations Coordinator Megan Hewitt at mhewitt@dg58.org.
Whittier PTA Scholarship Application Info
NEW FOR 2023! Whittier Alumni Scholarships for Qualifying High School Seniors.
The Whittier Elementary PTA is excited to announce, for the very FIRST time, a one-time $1,000 scholarship awarded to two (2) graduating seniors from Illinois High Schools who attended Whittier Elementary School for at least four (4) years and has already been accepted into a college, university, vocational or trade school.
Our application is live and can be accessed HERE until Friday, March 31st. Best of luck to all of our applicants!
Barb Allen, Mandi Torello and Sarah Forillo - Whittier Scholarship Committee whittierscholarship@gmail.com
ATTENTION 1st Grade & 5th Grade Parents - Health Requirement Letter
As you begin to think about the 2023-2024 school year, we wanted to remind you of the health requirements for your incoming second or sixth-grader. All second and sixth graders will need to have a dental exam completed and turned in no later than May 15, 2024. This form can be dated anytime between November 15, 2022 - May 15, 2024. The form can be downloaded and printed here: Dental Form
All sixth graders are required to have a physical and two additional vaccinations; Meningococcal and Tdap, which are required at the age of 11. If your child is not 11 years old at the start of the year, they still should have their physical completed with a note from their physician stating when they are scheduled to return for their required vaccinations. This physical can be dated as early as August 23, 2022, and must be turned in by October 15, 2023. Prior to turning it in, be sure to complete and sign the top of the backside! The form can be downloaded and printed here: Physical Form
The completed forms can be dropped off at the school office, mailed, or emailed to the school nurse.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out!
Stay well,
Laura Monyek and Michelle McGarry
2023-24 Registration for Grove Children’s Preschool is now open!
Will your child be 3 or 4 years old this August? Please consider applying for your child to attend Grove Children's Preschool in District 58! Grove has earned back-to-back gold ratings, which is the highest rating the State awards preschools for excellence in teaching and learning. Applications are now open at www.dg58.org/preschool. First priority applications are due Wednesday, March 8.
Summer Learning Opportunities
Lost & Found Items
Outdoor Recess Information
Now that the cold weather and snow is upon us, I wanted to share with you the Outdoor Recess Procedure at Whittier, and throughout District 58. We will do our best to give our students an outdoor recess opportunity whenever safe and possible. Across the District, we follow the "0" degree guideline. If the outside temperature is "0" degrees or below; or the windchill factor is "0" or below, recess is held indoors.
If recess is outdoors and there is snow is on the ground, we follow our snow procedure:
If student wears snow pants AND boots - play in the snow
If student wears snow pants OR boots - play on the blacktop
If student wears NO snow pants or boots - play on the blacktop
We want to make sure students return to the classroom after being outside in the snow ready to learn.
Please make sure your child(ren) comes to school prepared to go outdoors for recess. Coats, hats, mittens or gloves, scarves, boots, and snow pants are necessary items to stay warm while playing outside in the wintery weather.
Thank you for your assistance.
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.
Order Your 2022-23 Whittier Yearbook
Delivering or Dropping Off Items for your Child(ren)
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!
Homework Requests
We wanted to share with you how we handle homework and classwork when a student is absent. If you have any specific questions, please contact your child's teacher; otherwise, we ask that parents honor the homework request process that is followed by teachers at Whittier.
If a student is absent 3 or more days, on the third day, homework can be requested if they are feeling well enough to complete it. Otherwise, the teacher will touch base with the student upon his/her return to school and work on what needs to be made up.
If a student is going to be absent due to a vacation or other out-of-town obligation, daily homework will not be provided. Upon return to school, the teacher and student will touch base to discuss what was missed and what needs to be made up. During their time out of school, we recommend that students read, keep a journal of experiences on the trip, and practice math facts or current concepts.
There is no change to the Home Learning Connection process, which is followed when students are required to quarantine at home.
It's Cold and Flu Season
Cold and flu season is upon us and we are seeing students with cold and flu symptoms. To prevent the spread of these common viruses in the close confines of the classroom, we are cleaning daily and encouraging handwashing in the class. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines.
Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
· Very stuffy or runny nose and/or a cough
· Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
· Headache
Definitely keep your child at home and consider seeking medical attention if he or she has any of these symptoms:
· Fever (greater than 100 degrees by mouth. Your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours without medication)
· Vomiting (even once)
· Diarrhea
· Chills
· General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
· Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
· Shortness of breath
· Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
To help prevent the flu and other colds, encourage good hygiene habits:
· Wash hands frequently
· Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
· Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick
The flu shot is one of the best ways to prevent illness from the seasonal influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults and children receive the flu vaccine each year. Yearly flu vaccination is needed because immunity against the flu wears off over time. In addition, the flu virus strains often change, so the vaccine also changes from year-to-year in order to match the flu viruses expected to be circulating in the community.
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!
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.
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 Door 2 (west end of the building near the Staff Parking Lot).
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.
★ JOIN YOUR PTA - Let’s Do This Together! JOIN HERE NOW★
We need just 4 more families to make it to 80%!!
The PTA is a non-profit advocacy organization that supports our kids!
You are not required to volunteer*
Meeting attendance is not required*
You don’t need to be good at baking or selling baked goods!* (-;
*Although all are welcome and we are thankful for those who can/do!
★ WHITTIER VARIETY SHOW ★
A HUGE THANK you to Chair Melissa Rausch, her committee (Megan Winthrop, Carol Avila, Katy Anderman and Andi Wiklund) and all the parents/adults/guardians who coordinated student acts and made the 2023 Variety Show such an amazing success!
★ JOIN GIVEBACKS, EARN CASHBACK ★
Planning a stay-cation this spring break?? Join Givebacks (HERE) and get some cash back for YOU and the PTA…
Make a splash at Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee (1% cashback for you!)
Have a concert night (Ticketmaster or StubHub - up to 2% cashback!)
Start that garden planning! (2% cashback at Burpee)
Givebacks Pro Tips:
MOBILE: Don’t forget to download the app and enable the extension on your smartphone.
For Apple, you need to use the Safari browser to earn cashback
For Android, you need to use the Chrome browser
You need to use the merchant website (not the store apps) to get cashback
DESKTOP: You must use the Chrome browser to get cashback.
★ FREE DIGITAL SAFETY FOR PARENTS SEMINAR★
TUESDAY MARCH 14th at 7pm
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN HERE
Please join us on Tuesday, March 14th at 7:00pm for a virtual presentation hosted by the Whittier PTA! An Internet Safety Specialist from the Illinois Attorney General's Office (ICAC Task Force) will be presenting valuable information to parents/guardians on how to stay safe and avoid online risks. Topics include:
Safe Accounts & Privacy Settings
Cyberbullying & Digital Citizenship
Image Sharing & Predatory Risks
Sexting & (S)extortion
More info on the PTA website HERE
★ SUPPORT YOUR PTA - RIGHT FROM HOME! ★
Gift cards don’t have to be just gifts!! RaiseRight is a simple way to support the PTA community AND you can even earn cash back!
Join HERE (ENROLLMENT CODE is MXUC7281TCYN)
★ SAVE THE DATE: SPRING FUNDRAISER ★
Saturday, April 29th at the Tivoli. Adult Event. Interested in helping? Contact Jenn McDonald (jenn.mcdonald430@gmail.com) or Meghan Landers (meghanlanders1@gmail.com).
★ SCHOLARSHIP FUND ★
NEW FOR 2023! Whittier Alumni Scholarships for Qualifying High School Seniors.
The Whittier Elementary PTA is excited to announce, for the very FIRST time, a one-time $1,000 scholarship awarded to two (2) graduating seniors from Illinois High Schools who attended Whittier Elementary School for at least four (4) years and has already been accepted into a college, university, vocational or trade school.
Our application is live and can be accessed HERE until Friday, March 31st. Best of luck to all of our applicants!
Barb Allen, Mandi Torello and Sarah Forillo - Whittier Scholarship Committee whittierscholarship@gmail.com
★ PTA MEETINGS ★
The next general meeting is on Tuesday, April 11th at 7:00pm. Please mark your calendars! Meeting Minutes and Agendas can be found on our website HERE.
Calendar of Events
Monday, March 6 - Choose Happy Orange Spirit Day
Tuesday, March 7 - Friendship Club, 3:00-3:45pm; Young Rembrandt's, 3:00-4:00pm
Wednesday, March 8 - SC Spirit Day - Rainbow Day (wear as many different colors as you can); Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm
Thursday, March 9 - Show Some Respect Assemblies
Friday, March 10- Whittier Spirit Day (wear your favorite spirit wear or our school colors - blue and gold/yellow); 3rd Grade Field Trip - Museum of Science & Industry
Monday, March 13 - Choose Happy Orange Spirit Day; Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7:00pm, DG Village Hall
Tuesday, March 14 - Young Rembrandt's, 3:00-4:00pm
Wednesday, March 15 - SC Spirit Day - Matching Day (grab a friend or a group of friends and match to dress alike); Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) - Gr 5; 3rd/4th Grade Music Performance; Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm
Thursday, March 16 - ISA - Gr 5
Friday, March 17 - Whittier Spirit Day (wear your favorite spirit wear or our school colors - blue and gold/yellow); Fun Lunch; ISA - Gr 5
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