The Bulldog Briefs
February 9th, 2024
Walker Families.
Please see the information below regarding events and updates for the upcoming weeks. Have a great weekend!
Mr. Jeff Moore, Principal
Calendar
February Dates
1/29: Student Recognition Rally
2/2: 100th Day of School; PBIS Rockstar Celebration
2/14: Valentine's Day: Classroom Parties. School Board Meeting
2/19: President's Day: No School
2/21: Board of Education Meeting: 7PM at HMS/Graves
2/22: Walker Family Night @ 5:30
2/27: End of 2nd Trimester
2/29: Dental Days/ Leaping into Friendship PBIS Rockstar Event
Walker Upcoming Events
Valentines Day Classroom Parties
Classroom parties will take place on Wednesday , February 14th for Valentine's Day. Students can choose to bring valentines and store bought treats for the class. If they choose to bring treats, one must be brought for all students in that class. Below are the enrollment numbers for each class:
Kindergarten: 15
1st Grade: 18
2nd Grade: 13
3rd Grade:15
4th Grade: 24
5th Grade: 22
Field Trip to the Bedford Park Library
Walker students will betaking a walking field trip to the Bedford Park Library to celebrate Read Across America Week! Permission slips will be sent home. Students will eat lunch at Walker.
Friday March 1st- 4th Grade-5th Grade
Tuesday March 5th- Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
Erin' Law Student Presentation
Permission slips went home for the state mandated Erin's Presentation. Please complete permission slip and return to school.
Erin's Law Parent Presentation
HOW TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE
When: Tuesday, February 13th, 7:00 pm-7:30 pm
Presented by: Michele Clark, Heritage Middle School Social Worker
Thelma Rodriguez, Heritage Middle School/Graves School Social Worker Where: https://zoom.us/j/94968545865?pwd=Q0JjR1ZQUU5JT251NnhRRi8wVTlQdz09
Meeting ID: 949 6854 5865
Passcode: 12345 Any Questions? Please email Michele Clark,mclark@sd104.us or your school social worker.
Presentación de Padres de la Ley de Erin
COMO MANTERNER A SUS HIJOS SEGUROS
Cuándo: 13 de febrero 7:30-8:00 PM
Presentado por: Michele Clark, Trabajadora social de la escuela intermedia Heritage
Thelma Rodriguez, Trabajadora social de la escuela intermedia Heritage Dónde: https://zoom.us/j/94968545865?pwd=Q0JjR1ZQUU5JT251NnhRRi8wVTlQdz09
ID de la junta: 949 6854 5865
Contraseña: 12345 Cualquier pregunta por favor mande email a Maggie Fletcher,mfletcher@sd104.us
Walker Family Night 2/22/24
Very excited for our second family night at Walker!
5 Essentials Survey
Kids Heart Challenge
In PE, students have the opportunity to participate in the American Heart Associations: Kids Heart Challenge. Students received a form for home. Please see details below.
IAR Testing: 3rd-5th Grade
We will begin testing students in the Illinois Assessment if Readiness starting March 5th:
Students in grades 3rd and 4th will take three assessments in Math and three assessments on reading. These are all computer based.
Students in 5th grade will take three assessments in Math and two in reading.
More information regarding scheduling and test tips will be available on our February 23rd newsletter.
State Science Assessment
5th grade students will be testing in science the wee of March 19th. There are three assessments.
More information regarding scheduling and test tips will be available on our February 23rd newsletter.
Notes from the Nurse and Social Worker
Walker Families,
Hello Walker Families,
The Loyola Pediatric Mobile Unit will be visiting Heritage Middle school on Tuesday April 9th. Families who do not have private health insurance are encouraged to sign up and take part in student school physicals with immunizations along with other services. Please contact Walker's main office to make an appointment.
Walker will host Dental Day on Thursday, Feb 29th. Please complete the consent form that was sent home or scan the QR code for easy sign up (see attached flyer).
In addition, hearing and vision referrals were sent home for students who did not pass a screening. Please make an appointment with the appropriate physician and return the completed medical paperwork as soon as possible. Early discovery and treatment can prevent or at least alleviate any problems in the school setting.
Also, please refer to the attached letter of when to keep your child at home as well as how to inspect your child's hair for possible lice. This should be done frequently throughout the school year.
If your student tests positive for COVID-19, please contact the school nurse. Students who are covid positive need to isolate for 5 days and masking is recommended on days 6-10.
Furthermore, please do not send medication with your child to school unless the nurse has received a completed medication authorization form from your child's physician. This includes all over-the-counter medication such as cough drops, throat lozenges, etc. Please refer to chapter 5 of the student handbook for further information.
As always, our goal is to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all students. Please contact the nurse or Walker's main office with any questions. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
https://www.sd104.us/page/health-services
Bianca Vazquez MSN, RN, PEL-CSN
District 104 School Nurse
Walker Elementary
708-458-7150
Ext: 7301
5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise
Grounding techniques are mental exercises to help redirect thoughts away from negative feelings.
The 5-4-3-2-1 exercise is a simple and effective technique that children of all ages may benefit from. All you have to do is activate your senses and count backward from 5 to identify each of the following:
5 things you can hear
4 things you can see
3 things you can touch
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
In gratitude,
Mr. Chris Hofer
Walker Celebrations and Events
Walker Rockstar Celebration- PBIS Refresher and Ice Cream Social
On Friday, February 2nd, students participated in the in a fun-filled 100th day of school. Students transitioned to three different statins where there participated in an activity that included the number 100.
Student Recognition Rally
Every Monday, Walker School has Student Recognition Rallies. This is a time the entire school is together and we recognize the hard work of our school community. We will celebrate both academic and social emotional achievements.
Those students who were recognized on January 29th and February 5th below. Great job students!
Curriculum Corner
Reading Curriculum Pilot Programs
Starting February 5th, students and teachers will be participating in pilot programs for a new reading series. The district reviews curricular resources and updates to ensure students are receiving current and appropriate instruction. Benchmark Advance 2.0 and Wonders are the programs being field tested across Walker, Walsh, and Wharton. A recommendation for adoption will be made later this spring. Please reach out if you any questions. Thanks.
Hour of Code
During Stem this week, our 3rd-5th grade classrooms participated in Hour of Code with representatives from Accenture. Representatives came and presented to our students of the importance of coding in the World today. Thank you to Accenture for all your community support.
Community Oppurtunities
School District Events
School Information and Procedures
E-Learning Plan
Please reference the E-Learning Plan below if you have any questions regarding eLearning.
In summary, students will independently work on assignments on SeeSaw provided by the students teachers. Assignments, should be completed that day by 3PM. If assignment's are not completed, that student will be marked absent. If a student does complete their assignments at a later time but no later than 7:50 AM on the day after returning to school, the attendance will be modified to present.
Please reach out to the teacher via SeeSaw and building principal if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Winter Wear
Students will continue to go outside when weather permits for recess (feel like temperature of 20 degrees of warmer). Please send students to school on proper winter wear for the day. Thank you.
If you are in the need for winter clothing, please contact our school social worker, Mr. Chris Hofer. chofer@sd104.us
School Treats
Just a reminder, no birthday treats are allowed. Treats are limited to all school celebration parties. Please see school policy if you have any questions.
Arrival/Dismissal Times
Arrival
Students are to be dropped off no earlier than 7:30 AM at door 1 (8:30 on Wednesdays). Breakfast is served from 7:30-& 7:50 AM. Please do not park on 78th Ave.
Dismissal
Students will be dismissed at 2:50 each day.
Kindergarten-1st- New office area.
2nd-3rd- Door 1
4th-5th Grade will exit from door 5 (adjacent to playground)
Please use the link below to register for the bus and view transportation schedules.
Breakfast Lunch Menus
Please use the link below for all breakfast/lunch menus.
Parent Resource Page
Please us the link below for parent resources and information regarding our district.