The WJHS Panther Update
January 12, 2024
Principal's Letter
Panther Families,
E-Learning -Today was CUSD201's first (and hopefully last!) E-Learning Day for 2024. Many schools have transitioned to using E-learning days instead of traditional snow days. This approach can help maintain continuity in education, especially during unexpected disruptions like today's inclement weather. If you have any thoughts or questions about this change or if there's anything specific you'd like information about, feel free to contact me or your child's teacher.
NO SCHOOL - Monday, January 16th (MLK Day)
8th Grade Parents - The graduation gown survey is due TODAY! It was emailed to you on Monday, January 8th, and must be completed for every eighth-grade student. If you do not complete the survey, a gown will not be ordered for your child (the gown is required to participate in the graduation ceremony). There is an option on the survey to choose not to order a gown if you are using a sibling's gown from a prior WJHS year (if you respond 'NO gown required' on the survey, the gown fee will be reversed on your Skyward account).
New Staff - WJHS is pleased to announce that Ms. Rebecca Borg has joined our Panther family. Rebecca is a teaching assistant who will be working closely with our bi-literacy teachers and staff. Welcome, Rebecca!
iReady Testing - ELA and Math testing will be next Tuesday & Thursday from 8:30-10:20am. Please ensure that your student reports to school on time, well-rested, and with a fully-charged Chromebook on these days (a good breakfast helps too!). Unless students are ill or there is an emergency, we ask that they do not miss school during these testing periods. The results of these tests will help to guide our instruction for the second semester.
Outdoor Education aka OE - Thank you to students and families for your support of our WJHS OE program. We are preparing for a great trip! Now is the time for you to find those snow pants, boots, and sleeping bags! They don’t have to be fancy. They just have to work. ;)
Did you want to attend, but think you missed it? You’re not too late. We still have some spots available, so we’re extending the deadline to register until Friday, January 19th. Questions? Concerns? Please contact Jen Burisek, jburisek@cusd201.org.
PTO - Hello 8th Grade Parents,
Exciting times are ahead! Our 8th graders are gearing up for graduation and a fantastic send-off dance in May to celebrate their journey and success as Panthers. We're calling on our 8th grade parents to help make this event a memorable one!
Our first planning meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16th, at 7 PM in the WJHS Commons. It's a great chance to bring your ideas and enthusiasm to the table as we plan a night to remember.
Whether you’re a pro at event planning or just keen to lend a hand, we welcome your involvement in any way. Every bit of help counts, from decorations and snacks to music and more.
If you're interested or have any questions, feel free to contact Maren Graham at maren@mjgraham.com.
Our School Musical Needs You!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As you may know, we are currently preparing for our upcoming production of Aladdin Jr. in April 2024. To achieve this vision, we are seeking donations of musical props, building materials, and other supporting items for the production. If you happen to have extra supplies at home that you would be willing to donate, we would greatly appreciate it!
The specific items we are looking for can be found by clicking Here.
A general summary can be seen below:
Musical props such as stage decorations, actors' props, and thematic objects that will communicate the settings in Aladdin Jr.
Building materials like cardboard, paint, large paint brushes/rollers, spray paint, and equipment to construct stage sets.
Crafting materials like hot glue sticks, duct tape, spray adhesive, etc.
Any contribution will directly impact the success of our project, allowing us to bring this unique musical experience to life for our community.
If you would like to contribute or discuss potential donations further, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Kirkwood, Mr. Koprowski, or Mr. Troyer. Thank you for considering our request!
Warm regards,
Meagan Kirkwood
WJHS
Graduation
Ms. Quattrone and Mr. Lipinski will be speaking with parents/guardians of students who are currently in jeopardy of not participating in graduation activities due to requirements for academic standing or SSLC hours.
By working together as a team to create a plan both with and for your student, we will provide them with the tools and direction necessary.
Mobile Clinic - On Wednesday, January 17th, the Du Page County Health Department will be bringing their mobile WIC clinic to the Downers Grove Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon. They will be taking walk-ins for full WIC appointments and can offer WIC EBT cards with food benefits during this time.
Hope's Front Door and the Community Kitchen Little Free Pantry will also be there to share about the services they offer and connect individuals to resources. If you have families that might benefit from these supports, please consider sharing with them! People can attend and connect with these organizations regardless of whether they have a Downers Grove Public Library card.
Remember to check the WJHS calendar for up-to-date information on Clubs, Events, & Athletics.
Sincerely,
Amy Quattrone
WJHS Principal