The Wilmot Word: 04-14-2023
What's Happening at Wilmot - 5th Grade Robotics with Ms. Sims
In collaboration with Highland Park High School robotics team Rust in Piece, 5th graders have demonstrated teamwork, grit, perseverance, and a growth mindset for the past eight weeks as they have navigated their way through the Virtual Robotics Simulator curriculum.
Wilmot 5th grade students started the VRS unit with the exciting opportunity to form teams, come up with a team name, and experience the Telemetry Mode (Tele-Op) of the Virtual Robotics Simulator! This remote-controlled program helps students begin with the end in mind, and target strategies they can use when they begin programming their robot to move through the game course and score points autonomously in the upcoming weeks.
Students were taught the coding skills necessary to move their robot forward and backward, strafe left and right, collect rings, and launch them into a goal. This week is especially exciting for all, as teams made their final preparations for our class competitions, where they program a robot to move throughout a game course, in hopes to score the highest amount of points in their class. The highest-scoring team from each class will advance to the Wilmot Finals to declare a Wilmot Champion! Two teams from each class were also awarded for creating the best Engineering Notebook documenting their experience with the VRS curriculum. Below are the class winners. Congratulations to all participants!
Mrs. Salzer’s Class
Highest Scoring Autonomous Run
SpongeBot Square Pants, Ian & Jonah
Best Engineering Notebook
#08105 The L. Electronics, Leah & Lillian
Dorito Bots, Lucy, Kayla & Samantha
Mrs. Miltimore’s Class
Highest Scoring Autonomous Run
Taco Tuesday, Noah & Trevor
Best Engineering Notebook
Coral Otters, Sydney & Lily
Lucky Ducky Builders, Aubrey & Danielle
Ms. Brantman’s Class
Highest Scoring Autonomous Run
Collision Course, Aadit & Gabriel
Best Engineering Notebook
BB-8 It Girls, Cailey & Lucy
Celestial Gears, Alex & Jaxon
Ms. Hanna’s Class
Highest Scoring Autonomous Run
Robotic Racers, Asher & Ben
Best Engineering Notebook
Material Girls, Ewa & Natali
Robotic Makers, Amaya & Solomia
Save the Date: 1st-5th Grade Student Showcase - April 27
Click below to learn more about our Showcase Night and see the schedule of activities for each grade level.
What to do if your child is not returning to Wilmot next year?
If you have a current K-4th grade student who is not returning to Wilmot next year, please complete this form as soon as possible. This information not only supports us with making class placements but knowing your child is moving allows us to prepare for your child's transition. Prior to your child's last day at Wilmot, we will prepare all records for transfer. As a reminder, our school office will not be open during the summer months. Please complete this form even if your child is transferring to another DPS109 school.
Goals and Concerns Forms - 2023-2024 (2nd posting)
Mrs. Beane and I will begin the process of building classes for the 2023-2024 school year, in the late spring. We look at the needs of each student as well as the needs of each grade level as we put the classes together. I want to emphasize that our goal is to create balanced classrooms, both academically and socially.
Over the past few years, we have noticed an increase in the number of parent requests to separate students from specific peers often related to out-of-school events or activities. It is not possible for us to honor these types of requests unless there is a documented or known concern within the school setting.
Similarly, each year we receive many parent requests to keep friends together in the same classroom. As wonderful as it may sound, keeping friends together is not always beneficial and parents should not expect that these requests will be honored. We believe it is important for our students to build respect for all types of learners in our school.
If you would like to provide input regarding your child please complete the Goals & Concerns Form by clicking here or on the link below. This form is optional for current kindergarten-4th-grade parents. Please do NOT assume that information shared previously will be considered when making placements for the 2023-2024 school year.
In the past, many parents have reached out to classroom teachers asking what they should put on this form. The Goals and Concerns form is for parent input, not teacher input. If you do not know what to write we suggest that you do not fill out this form. All teachers will provide input regarding class placements using other tools.
Finally, to our parents of twins, we are asking you to use this form to indicate your desire to separate your twins or keep them together for the 2023-24 school year. Those who do not share a preference should assume twins will be placed in different classes.
Forms that state or imply a request for specific teachers will not be considered. All forms will be shared with your child's current teacher and are due by April 18, 2023. If you have a specific concern that you do not want to share with your child’s current teacher please reach out to one of us by April 18, 2023.
Please Take the 109 Communication Survey!
Erin's Law Presentations (2nd posting)
Erin’s Law (House Bill 6193) was signed by Governor Pat Quinn on January 24, 2013. This law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades Pre-K through 12. District 109 partners with Childhood Victories, Inc., an organization founded by Victor Pacini who is a motivational speaker and a survivor of sexual abuse. Speakers from Childhood Victories, Inc. provide programming for our students that teaches them basic skills to keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations. The program, Be Seen and Heard 2.0, is developmentally appropriate, interactive, aligned with learning standards, and will cover the following topics:
Distinguishing safe from unsafe touches
Safety rules at home and school
Saying “NO”
Secrets
It’s not the child’s fault if someone touches them
Telling a trusted adult
The staff from Childhood Victories, Inc. will be presenting to our elementary students at Wilmot on Wednesday, April 26th
Parents can view Victor Pacini’s parent video to preview the concepts of the Be Seen and Heard 2.0 program.
Requests to Opt-Out: If you prefer that your child opt-out of this prevention education session, please email me by Friday, April 14. Please also feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns.
Dental forms for all Kindy and 2nd-grade students are due by May 15 (1st posting)
Dental forms for all Kindy and 2nd-grade students are due by May 15, 2023. Exams must have been performed within 18 months of the May 15th deadline. Please submit completed forms to Mrs. Martínez, RN at mmartinez@dps109.org. If you have any questions or updates, please reach out and let her know.
--Kindergarten Music Concert, Art Share and Showcase Night-UPDATED SCHEDULE
- The evening will begin at 5:35 pm
- Mrs. Wolff's class will meet in the LMC
- Mrs. Krawiec's class will meet in rooms 5 and 7
- Mrs. Epstein's class will meet in the back of the gym
- At 5:55 pm all families will transition to the gym for the music concert
- The concert will start at 6:00 pm
News from the Library!
The Deerfield Public Library's 10th annual Tournament of Books has begun! Click here to vote as often as you like for your favorite books. New categories this year include series books and manga. Which books will make it to the next round?
Upcoming: DPS109 Parent/Guardian Workshop Series
District 109 is excited to announce that, in partnership with PPS109 and Dr. Doug Bolton, we will be hosting a series of virtual parent/guardian/community workshops this Spring. Events will include:
Understanding Development (4/13)
Addressing The Greatest Worries of Parents & Guardians (4/27)
Understanding Children’s Hardest Moments (5/4)
The Basics of Childhood Resilience (5/11)
Collaborative Problem Solving (5/18)
Please click here to access the zoom link for all of the upcoming events. Each webinar will begin at 7 p.m. No sign-up is required ahead of time, and the sessions will be recorded and shared.
Kindergarten and New to Wilmot 1st -5th Grade Registration For 2023-2024 is Now Open! (ongoing posting)
If you have an incoming kindergartener (or a new to Wilmot 1st-5th grader) for the 2023-2024 school year it is important that you complete the registration process as soon as possible. The first step is to complete the online application. Click here to access the online forms. Please share this information with friends and neighbors. It is important that all incoming students register as soon as possible as our staffing decisions are based on the number of fully registered students.
Please note that only those students who are fully registered will receive an invitation for our spring Kindergarten Round-Up.
If you missed the district-wide drop-in kindergarten registration please complete the online registration packet. You will be able to set a time to drop off the required documents at the district office.
Feel free to reach out with any questions regarding kindergarten registration.
PTO Corner
SKATE NIGHT!!
- April 16th, 3.45-5.45 pm
- Glenview Ice Center
- We are looking for parent volunteers.
- Please contact Mara Velkme at mvelkme@yahoo.com to volunteer!
Check out some of the awesome raffle baskets you could win at Skate Night. Raffle tickets will be sold at Skate Night.
Student Council - Wilmot Wacky Days and Spirit Days
Wacky Wednesdays
- May 3, 2023 - Hat Day
- May 31, 2023 - Beach Day
Important Dates
Monday, May 8
- Kindergarten music show, art share, and showcase night
Tuesday, May 9
- Kindergarten Roun-Up
Tuesday, May 16
- Band and Orchestra Concerts - CMS
Thursday, May 18
- In Person 5th Grade Parent/Guardian Coffee May 18th - 9-9:40 AM - RSVP Required, please call the Caruso Office at 847-945-8430