Wasco Weekly
THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS ITS PACK
From us to you, we hope you have the coziest and merriest of holidays with your family!
Important Upcoming Dates
December 20-31 Winter Break
January 3 Institute Day (No School)
January 4 School Resumes
January 26 Early Release at 2:10pm
We would like to introduce you to Mr. Wayne Dunham. Mr. Dunham is a floating substitute teacher who is regularly assigned to our school. During the day you can find him filling in for absent teachers, teaching small groups, or helping in the lunch room. Mr. Dunham is also a published author! He wrote The Train That Rescued Christmas and hosts a special celebratory Christmas event. In the past, he has organized a yearly train ride from Lisle to Chicago, filled with Santa's, Disney Princesses, elves, etc. to entertain the families. We are fortunate to have such an accomplished community member to work with our kids every day. Thank you Mr. Dunham!
Some Friendly Reminders about Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival
Our front door closes at 8:00 so we can all start our day together with morning routines. If you are dropping off your student, please arrive between 7:45 and 7:55. When students are late they feel out of place and they are missing valuable connections with their whole school community.
Arrival and Dismissal
When using the drop off lane,
please stay in your car. If you wish to get out and load your child, you are welcome to park in the lot. By following this procedure, we can expedite everyone’s waiting times in the car lane.
What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
Mrs. Donohoo: When my students come in happy and ready to start the day! I’m always ready, so if someone needs a little TLC, I will be there to give it out! I tell kids that you should be joyful...don’t let anyone or anything steal that joy. I love to read books that make my students laugh and that helps spread the joy!
So many students admire you. How do you make those connections?
Mrs. Donohoo: I love school and kids and I knew when I was in first grade (a loooong time ago) that I would become a teacher. I love to make connections with students starting the very first day of school when I learn everyone’s names. My favorite way to connect is to share funny stories or facts that I think they would like to learn about my own family or previous classes I have taught. For example, my family loves sports and I often wear sports gear. (Everyone at Wasco knows I love the Chicago Bears!) I grow connections with other sports fans and even turn kids into fans. They love hearing about my pets (like the small moment story I wrote about my dog Bo eating a $100 bill!). Students like to really “know” their teachers and I love learning about them, too! I enjoy getting to know the whole family. Mutual respect, kindness and caring for each child is my goal...kids will learn when they feel loved.
How do you spend your summer breaks?
Mrs. Donohoo: Summer is all about getting caught up on projects around the house I don’t have time to do during the school year and reconnecting with family and friends! I love having a day of shopping with my daughter, cheering for my son’s lacrosse game, walking with neighbors and lunching with friends from high school. My favorite vacation spot is our log cabin in Door County, Wisconsin where we have a beautiful beach to read, walk and have bonfires.
Want to stay in touch with PTO?
Website- Please visit our brand-new website at the link below. We are working very hard to get this to be a great resource for all things PTO. This is going to be our main source of communication from here on out. We will be posting the most up to date information here.
https://sites.google.com/d303. org/wascopto/home
Email- We will still continue to send emails as needed
Freshschools- Please send an email to one of the following board members to get added to this communication platform. This is a great way to be able to get in touch with other student's parents.
Shannon or Scott Von Essen: WascoPTOPresident@gmail.com
Alison Sweet: WascoPTOVicepresident@gmail. com
Misti Floyd: WascoPTOSecretery@gmail.com
Heidi Hastert: WascoPTOTreasurer@gmail.com
Shannon Martin: sm3martin@gmail.com (Executive Fundraiser)
Please reach out with any questions you may have to any of the executive members above.
Thank You all for your continued support.
Wasco Elementary PTO
In effort to communicate effectively with our families. We have revised the format of the Wasco Weekly Newsletter. Each newsletter will contain only this week's pertinent information. We have provided a link for you to access helpful resources and previously shared information. Your feedback is important. Please contact us with any suggestions you have. Link is above, titled "Previous News Helpful Links".
