What's Up at Whittier
Week of December 11
Mr. Krugman's Weekly Message
It's been a pretty mild start to December, but it looks like winter weather may be headed our way. We have two weeks of school until Winter Break. During these two weeks, we will continue to work with students on our PBSS (Positive Behavior Support System) expectation of Be Responsible. As we enter these last 2 weeks before Break, many of us get antsy and can't wait for the time off and the fun holidays, but we want to continue to maintain appropriate behavior and work hard at learning all we can. These couple of weeks are just as important as any other time during the school year.
Thank you to our entire Whittier Community for supporting our PTA Mittens Drive and Toys for Tots Drive. All our mittens were collected and now gifts are coming in for us to sort and prepare for families to make the holiday season a happy one for all. We will continue to take donations for the Toys for Tots Drive through this Friday. Thank you!
This week, our Student Council will be selling the ever-popular Smencils for $2 each. Bring your $2 for a Smencil you can use in class. All proceeds from this Service Project will benefit St. Jude's Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family's ability to pay. Thanks for helping kids and families.
As always, thank you for sending your children to us each day - ready to take on new adventures and learn all they can! We appreciate all of your support!
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong!
Michael Krugman - Whittier Principal
Calendar of Events
Monday, December 11 - Choose Happy Orange Day - be sure to wear orange today; Student Counci Commnity Service Drive - Smencil Sale for St, Jude's Begins (through Fri, Dec 15); Northside 4th Grade Orchestra & Chamber Strings Winter Concert, 7:00pm, HMS; BOE Regular Meeting, 7:00pm, DG Village Hall
Tuesday, December 12 - Whittier PTA Meeting, 7:00pm via ZOOM
Wednesday, December 13 - SC Spirit Day - Fancy Day (dress up in your fancy clothes); Gr 4 STEM Club, 3:00-3:45pm; Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm; Sport Stacking, 3:00-4:00pm; Gr 2-6 Craft Club, 3:00-3:30pm; Northside Gr 5 & 6 Orchestra Concert, 7:00pm, HMS
Thursday, December 14 - Science Club, 3:00-3:40pm; BAM Theater, 3:00-4:00pm; Chess Scholars, 3:00-4:00pm;
Friday, December 15 - WH Spirit Day - wear your favorite Whittier Spirit Wear or our school colors blue and gold or yellow to show your school spirit; Fun Lunch
Monday, December 18 - Choose Happy Orange Day - be sure to wear orange today
Wednesday, December 20 - SC Spirit Day - Stuffed Animal Day (bring your favorite small stuffed animal to school today); Language Labs, 3:00-4:00pm; Sport Stacking, 3:00-4:00pm
Friday, December 22 - WH Special Spirit Day - Red & Green Day (wear your red and green or holiday apparel today); All School Holiday Movie at The Tivoli
Making Kindness the Norm
See below for the December Make Kindness the Norm Calendar. There are fun things you can do each day to spread kindness and make it the norm.
Thanks for helping us "make kindness the norm" all year long!
School Hours for 2023-24
Kindergarten Half- Day:
8:15-11:20am (Monday-Friday)
Grades K-6:
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 2023-24, which includes all school days off.
Principal Proud
I am very excited to share a "Principal Proud" moment. A group of Whittier 3rd Graders have opened up their hearts, their minds, and their language to a new student in their class. Whittier recently opened it doors to a newly transferred family from Venezuela. Our 3rd graders have embraced their new friend with open arms through play, inclusion, and language inquiry. All are learning from each other, getting to know each other, and are having fun playing together. Whittier students show the true meaning of including ALL students in our school! These students were presented with a note from Mr. Krugman, a My Principal is Proud of Me pencil, and 2 bonus Jaguar Jackpot tickets. Keep up the good work!
All School Fine Arts Field Trip
Whittier students and staff had a wonderful time at The Nutcracker presentation this past week. The ballet was performed by Ballet Legere at the Dominican University Performing Arts Center in River Forest. Everyone enjoyed the story, the dancing, and the music.
A huge thank you to the Whittier PTA for sponsoring this All School Fine Arts Field Trip! We so appreciate all that the PTA does for our students, staff, parents, and community.
PTA Reflections Awards Ceremony
The PTA Council Reflections Awards Ceremony was held this past week. Congratulations to all the Whittier students who participated this year:
Caroline Anderman (Photography, Gr 6) - "Blissfully Free"
Caroline Anderman (Visual Arts, Gr 6) - "Find Your Own Path"
Caroline Anderman (Visual Arts, Gr 6) - "Rainbow Meadows"
Caroline Anderman (Visual Arts, Gr 6) - "Peaceful Mountains"
Sadie Parillo (Literature, Gr 6) - “Chocolate”
James Ourada (Photography, Gr 5) - “Heart From The Ash”
Rachel Avila (Visual Arts, Gr 5) - “The Goal of Hope”
Reese Paulik (Visual Arts, Gr 4) - “Ahead”
Clare Hayes (Dance, Gr 3) - “Let’s Change The World”
Olivia Avila (Visual Arts, Gr 2) - “My Friends Make Me Hopeful”
Elsie Ochoa (Dance, Gr 2) - “Dance The Night Away”
William Wilson (Visual Arts, Gr Kindergarten) - "You and Me"
Congratulations to Sadie, James, Rachel, Reese, Claire, Olivia, and Elsie for having their entries advance on to the DuPage East Region level. Good Luck!
Intermediate Playground Voting
The Whittier PTA, through a State of Illinois grant and PTA funding, is helping to give the Whittier Interediate Playground a makeover this summer. The design has been shared with students and now they had the opportunity to vote on several pieces of equipment, along with the color design. Voting took place this past week, and results will be announced at the PTA Meeting on Tuesday night. Results and plans will be shared with students during morning announcements on Wednesday.
Thank you to all who have and continue to help with planning and funding of this huge project!
Science Fair Registration - NOW OPEN
Students in grades 1-6 are invited to participate in the Science Fair this winter! Registration is now open through Friday, Dec. 22. To register for this year’s Science Fair, use this Registration Form. The Science Fair will take place Saturday, Jan. 20 from 8-11 a.m. at O’Neill Middle School. The fair is open to all District 58 students in grades 1-6. Participating in the Science Fair is voluntary, but District 58 encourages every student to consider participating!
Students may register as an individual or with one partner. More details can be found here.
Whittier Student Council Spirit Days & Community Service Project - December
Wednesday, December 13 - Fancy Day - make it a fancy day by wearing your fancy clothes to school
Wednesday, December 20 - Stuffed Animal Day - bring your favorite small stuffed animal to school
Service Project for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital:
This week, our Student Council will be selling the ever-popular Smencils for $2 each. Bring your $2 for a Smencil you can use in class. All proceeds from this Service Project will benefit St. Jude's Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family's ability to pay. Thanks for helping kids and families.
Whittier's Annual Toys for Tots Drive ENDS Friday
Whittier will once again participate in the Toys for Tots Drive this holiday season. Our collection boxes are set up in the school hallways and will be there to accept donations through this Friday, December 15. While you are out shopping this holiday season, please consider purchasing an extra toy or two to add to our collection. All toys that are dropped off should be unwrapped and new. Our drive benefits children in DuPage County who could use a little extra to make this holiday season merry and bright. Thank you for your support!
ReferralGPS
New service on mental health resources -
District 58 strives to create a culture of well-being for students, parents, staff and community. To further support this endeavor, the District has invested in an additional support service through ReferralGPS.
ReferralGPS is a service providing assistance to our community in finding local mental health and substance use-related treatment resources. The service compliments the District’s existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS assists families in triage and appointment setting.
School district staff and families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:
Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists, counselors) to seek out treatment options
Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/DG58 to search for treatment resources or connect with a Care Navigator anonymously
The platform has the ability to filter by mental health concern, clinician gender/specialty, location, and insurance acceptance. The service is available for all types of private and public insurance options including PPO, HMO, Medicaid, and families that are uninsured or underinsured.
ReferralGPS is available for use by district students, staff, and families at no cost. All information entered on the ReferralGPS tool is completely confidential and securely stored.
Order your 2023-2024 Whittier Yearbook!
Hello Parents! The 2023-2024 Yearbook is available for order. Please see the attached flier. Even though the 10% discount is no longer available, you can still order yours today! As with previous years, you are able to create 2 customized pages to add to your child's yearbook FOR FREE. Additional pages can be added for a fee.
Please note the NONNEGOTIABLE deadline of April 12 for completing custom pages. :)
Let me know if you have any questions.
Mrs. Z (ezagorski@dg58.org)
Whittier PTA Corner
Whittier PTA 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 be central to our work and used in our day-to-day decisions and actions. Learn more HERE.
★ PTA MEETING NEXT TUESDAY ★
Tuesday, Dec 12th at 7:00pm via Zoom, LINK HERE
Meeting ID 476 355 8071
Password: WH PTA
Check the PTA website for the agenda (HERE).
PTA Members in attendance will be voting to earmark funds towards the Intermediate Playground Project, as well as the Bylaws.
Miss the last meeting or need a refresher on these topics? Take a look at the Oct minutes HERE.
★ JOIN THE PTA! ★
The PTA is for EVERYONE. Each member makes us better, even if you are unable to volunteer or attend meetings. JOIN NOW
★ SHOP @ FIVE BELOW, SUPPORT YOUR PTA!★
Monday, Dec 11th through Sunday, Dec 17th! 10% of sales will go back to Whittier PTA!
Flyers are going home in backpacks, HERE is a copy just in case!
★SAVE THE DATES! ★
Fun Fair will be on Saturday, February 3rd at Whittier from 1-3pm.
Casino Royale Spring Fundraiser on Sat, April 20, 2024.
★ WINTER/SPRING YOUNG REMBRANDTS ★
Winter/Spring Session is open for registration! Young Rembrandts is a fee-based Art program on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00pm starting Jan 9th (ending March 12th). More information and registration HERE.
We are also in need of a parent/guardian volunteer to be present at this program. This individual’s student will receive a 100% discount for the program.
★ SUPPORT YOUR PTA DURING HOLIDAY SHOPPING! ★
Here are simple ways to support the PTA community AND even earn cash back!
RaiseRight - Last day to order your holiday gift cards is Monday, Dec 18th!
Join HERE (ENROLLMENT CODE is MXUC7281TCYN)
Please email Kari Fredrich at karifredrich11@gmail.com if you have any questions about RaiseRight. Thanks!
Join Givebacks (HERE) and get some cash back for YOU and the PTA.
WHITTIER GENERAL INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND RESOURCES
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 kpeters@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!
Phone/Wearable Technology Use
School Supply Lists for 2023-24
Can We Reach You in an Emergency?
If you have not yet opted into the District’s text messaging service, please text “Y” or “yes” to 67587 to ensure that you will receive text messages from District 58. Text messages will only be sent rarely and only for critical information such as a school closing.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedure 2023-24
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.
- There is no parking on the west side of Blodgett, south of Randall from 2:30-3:30pm. Please follow these parking regulations.
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 Door 2 (west end of the building near the Staff Parking Lot).
Intermediate Students will dismiss from Door 4 off the Intermediate Playground.
Student Arrival Reminders
As we continue to observe and live through Student Arrival, please remember to follow these helpful procedures:
1. As our Kindergarten and 3rd graders arrive at the Primary Wing Entrance, we ask that parents allow students to line up on the blacktop, and then move to the grass area or sidewalk to wait for the bell to ring. Parents are welcome to drop students off and then head home, as well. Staff supervision and student safety patrols begin at 8:05am and remain with students until they enter the building at 8:15am.
2. As our 1st and 2nd graders arrive at the Main Entrance, we ask that parents line up along the sidewalk. Please do not wait in the street or too close to the street, as this is our Drop-off Lane. Parents are welcome to drop students off and then head home, as well. Staff supervision and student safety patrols begin at 8:05am and remain with students until they enter the building at 8:15am.
3. As our 4th, 5th, and 6th graders arrive at the Intermediate Entrance, as ask that parents wait on the other side of the fence. Parents are welcome to drop students off and then head home, as well. Staff supervision and student safety patrols begin at 8:05am and remain with students until they enter the building at 8:15am.
While we all love our furry four-legged friends, and many of them are so cute, we do ask that you keep all pets off of school property. Some of our students may be allergic or scared of dogs and other pets. You are welcome to walk to school with them, but then please stay on the sidewalks across the road on Hill, Blodgett, and Grand.
Thank you for your cooperation, and for assisting us in maintaining the safety of our students.
Additional Drop-Off and Pick-up Information
When entering the Drop-Off/Pick-Up Lane, please notice that there is NO PARKING along Hill Street in this area. This lane is strictly drop off and pick up. All drivers need to remain in their vehicles and exit the lane once students have exited or entered the vehicle. Again, please do not allow children to exit the vehicle on the driver's side and into traffic.
Please DO NOT double park on Hill, Grand, or Blodgett in order to avoid traffic and either drop off or pick up students. This is very dangerous.
Together, we can all assist in providing the safest environment for our children. Thank you!
Safety and Security at School
The District has instituted the RAPTOR security system this school year, which requires ALL visitors to show a state-issued ID, have it scanned, and then the visitor receives a name badge to wear during their entire stay in the building. Please be prepared to show your ID upon arrival at Whittier.
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/ALICE 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.
Fruit/Snack Break
Gym Shoes for PE Class & Shoes at Recess
As the school year begins, we want to remind you about wearing appropriate and safe footwear to school. Please review the article below.
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!
Delivering or Dropping Off Items for your Child(ren)
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.
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