The WJHS Panther Weekly Update
February 5th, 2021
Hello Panther Community
"Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Black History Month
February is Black History Month. Black History is such a part of the American fabric that it's difficult to imagine a time when that wasn't so. This month, students are hearing announcements and taking part in learning activities which include an emphasize of the history and achievements of African Americans.
5Essentials Survey for Parents
Please take the 5Essentials Parent Survey. We take your feedback and apply it to the WJHS school improvement process. There is more information below.
Weekly Evening Tutoring at WJHS
With a year+ of unique challenges we are providing weekly tutoring at WJHS by four of our WJHS teachers. This will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 PM. Please look further below for more and the SignUpGenius link. Please take advantage of this program!
BEING A PARENT IS TOUGH
The Glenbard Parenting Series for this week is in Spanish only (please see more information below).
People's Resource Center - Westmont
Many of you know what an amazing resource lies within our community. For those that don't, please read about the PRC and what it offers!
Sticking with Hybrid Schedule on Future Snow Days:
If we have any additional snow days in the future, students should follow their Hybrid schedules from home. Don't worry, we will give reminders of this in STAR classes.
Mmmmmm - Sugar Bos
Take a look at WJHS 6th grader, Norah's, business! I'm not only her principal, I am a customer too!
Coming Next Friday - February 12, 2021
We will be sending out the parent commitment survey for the remainder of the school year (2nd part of 2nd semester) regarding whether you would like your Panther in-person or fully remote, using the hybrid schedule.
Additionally, we will be sending out information regarding online scheduling for Parent/Teacher Conferences (March 11/12) which will be virtual again (Zoom). Online scheduling will be open on February 25th, 2021.
Take good care of yourselves and one another,
Respectfully,
Mr. John K. Jonak
WJHS Tutoring Program (2020-2021 School Year)
Who? We have four individuals that have been designated as tutors from WJHS:
Ms. Kirkwood - Art, all Explo, SS, Science, Lit, Organization
Ms. Hillertz - PE, SS, Lit, Sci, Math, Organization
Ms. Walsh - Most familiar with Grade 8: Lit, Math, SS, Sci, Organization, PE - willing to help with any questions
Dr. Burisek - Literacy, Art, Social Studies, Science, PE/Health, Music, IT, Organization (I’ll try to help with any subject, project, assignment, or question you may have)
What? Tutoring at WJHS. Tutoring is available to ALL WJHS students.
Where? Via Zoom. SignupGenius link.
When? Start time of 6-8 PM on two nights a week (Tuesday and Thursdays). NOTE: These hours may change.
Why? Students/parents are still struggling and tutoring in the evenings by skilled teachers takes down obstacles that lead to more successful students.
How? Students sign up for 30-minute increments through Sign-Up Genius. Once you sign up, you will get a Zoom link. *Please note, you will need to create a Sign-Up Genius account if you do not have one linked to your cusd201 email address. You must sign in with your school email account.
Student Expectations:
Sign up for a time slot - Note: If a time slot is not available, email the teacher and she may be able to make it work!
Your appointment - Slots are limited so if you choose a time, be sure to honor it.
What if my partner/group wants help? You may sign up for a time slot, note small group, and what you need help with work/technology. Be sure you have your work ready that you want help with. The video camera should be on and be prepared to share your screen. We don’t want to waste your time!
PARENTS - YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS - PLEASE TAKE THE 5ESSENTIALS SURVEY
Dear Panther Parents,
Beginning today, February 5th, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the ninth annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.
All teachers and 4thth through 12th grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2021 and will also be included in the State School Report Card.
Additionally, your district has chosen to provide the optional Parent Supplement survey. If at least 20 percent of Westmont Junior High School (Panther) parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card.
Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted sometime between February 5, 2021 through April 2, 2021. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same timeframe. For parents to take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
Respectfully,,
Mr. John K. Jonak
Principal
Westmont Junior High School
The People's Resource Center - Westmont, IL
Food Pantry
Neighbors are making hard choices as they care for their families and balance health, housing and work. Our Food Pantry offers a variety of quality food, and connects clients with other PRC services and resources.
Since March, PRC has adapted our food delivery process from a choice pantry to providing pre-packaged food to parked cars. Volunteers choose items for each client during food pantry hours, including fresh produce, high-protein food, dairy products, frozen meats, whole grain items and healthy non-perishables such as beans and vegetables. All items are safe and high-quality. Personal-care items and cleaning products are also distributed when available.
Who can use Food Pantry services?
Anyone in need of food from DuPage County can come for food. You will have to register as a PRC client. Come to People’s Resource Center during food pantry hours to register. CLICK HERE to learn more!
Dr. Daniel W. Perez & Linda Avila, MA Teen Health Update/La salud de los adolescentes está al día
B-PAC: Glenbard Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee and GPS: Glenbard Parent Series in Spanish – W. Daniel Perez MD will present Teen Health Update at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11.
This webinar will be presented in Spanish only.
Adolescence is a critical transitional period and some important health and social problems either start or peak during these years. Join us and learn from two experts about the heath issues facing teens today and how the behavioral patterns established during the teen years help determine young people’s current health status and their future risks. Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping their teens make healthy decisions around what they eat and drink, how active they are, and how much sleep you they get. Adolescents who have good communication and are bonded with a caring adult are and less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Here is information families can use to provide youth with the support, relationships, experiences, resources, and opportunities needed to become mentally and physically healthy, competent, thriving adults.
W. Daniel Perez MD is a board certified specialist in Pediatrics with Amita offices located in Addison who provides primary care in a culturally sensitive manner, emphasizing health improvement, prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Linda Avila MA LPC is a Substance Use Program Administrator at Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc. (H.A.S.) which provides behavioral health services specializing in mental health, adolescent issues, and family communication with programs that promote personal well-being and healthy relationships.
This webinar will be presented in Spanish only.
Join us on your computer, tablet or phone using this link: https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/86307881828. Participants’ cameras and microphones will be disabled during the presentation and slideshow.
Únase a nosotros en su computadora, tableta o teléfono usando este enlace: https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/86307881828. Las cámaras y los micrófonos de los participantes se desactivarán durante la presentación y presentación de diapositivas del orador.
Is your student's Chromebook having issues?
Please power off your Chromebook (or have your student do this) at least once a week to make sure everything keeps working without any issues. Thank you!
District Hotline for parents to call for technical assistance, questions about food distribution, or other general questions.
630-468-8020 (English)
Una línea directa del distrito para que los padres llamen para asistencia técnica, preguntas sobre distribución de alimentos o otras preguntas generales.
630-468-8030 (en Espanol)
WJHS PTO MEETING
Please view THIS VIDEO of WJHS Admin walking through the WIN-sday concept.
THIS VERSION is explained in Spanish by our Instructional Coach, Mr. Johnson.
The slideshow, by itself, is located HERE.
i-Ready's Personalized Pathway Information for Parents (Video and Slide Deck with Links)
Please view this video regarding iReady's Personalized Pathway for students. The presentation includes links to valuable parent resources.
Video and presentation in Spanish.
Tips for parents regarding Teacher Office Hours:
Please confirm with your student that he/she is participating. Students with missing assignments or grades below a C should be meeting with teachers during this time to get caught up and receive extra help. Students with up to date assignments and grades C or above should use this time to check in with teachers, ask questions, and receive feedback.
WJHS CLUB NEWS
ART CLUB - Wednesday, 2/10, from 4:45 - 5:45. Email Ms. Kirkwood at mkirkwood@cusd201.org for the link to participate.
TECH CLUB - Thursday, 2/11, from 4:15 - 5:15. Email Ms. Ruh at sruh@cusd201.org for the link to participate.
CHESS CLUB - Chess Matches on Monday (2/8 vs. Eisenhower), Tuesday (2/9 vs. Cass), & Thursday (2/11 vs. Westview). Practice is Friday (2/12), from 3:20-4:20. Email Mr. Roberson at croberson@cusd201.org to participate.
STUDENT COUNCIL - Wednesday, 2/10, from 3:15 - 4:15. Email Mrs. Centeno at scenteno@cusd201.org for the link to participate.
Student Council is collecting Valentine’s Day cards through Thursday, February 11th, for Mayslake senior citizens. Please drop your cards off in the tray located on the table inside the front door vestibule.
BAND CLUB - 8:00-8:25 every day except Wednesdays. Email Ms. Biederman at abiederman@cusd201.org with questions.