Welch Parent News

This week, Welch had an unforgettable visit from Mr. George McCaskey, chairman and controlling owner of the Chicago Bears, and everyone’s favorite mascot, Staley the Bear! They came to recognize our very own Mrs. Kulaga, second grade teacher, as an official Chicago Bears Classroom Legend!

Mrs. Kulaga was honored in front of the entire school during a special assembly, where she received a $1,000 check for her classroom and tickets to Sunday’s Bears game, where she will be recognized for her incredible dedication to students.

We are so proud to have Mrs. Kulaga as part of our Welch family — her energy, creativity, and passion for teaching truly make her a legend both in and out of the classroom! 💙🐾 #BearDown

Friday, October 17th -

• Fall Fun Fest!
• PTA Meeting 9:30 AM
• End of Quarter 1
• PTA Trunk or Treat 5:30 PM
• PTA Spooktacular Dance 7:00 PM

Monday, October 20th -

• No School - Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM; 4:30 - 8:00 PM

Tuesday, October 21st -

• No School - Institute Day

Wednesday, October 22nd -

• 2nd Grade Harry Potter Club 3:35 - 4:30 PM
• 4th Grade Playground Club 3:35 - 4:30 PM

Thursday, October 23rd -

• 2nd Grade Field Trip
• 2nd Grade Harry Potter Club 3:35 - 4:30 PM
• Camp Connections 3:35 - 4:30 PM

Friday, October 24th -

• Picture Retake Day!

• IF YOUR CHILD WAS ABSENT ON OUR FIRST PICTURE DAY OR YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO HAVE A RETAKE, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW BY THE END OF THE DAY ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD. THANK YOU! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPGryxIGJ-t1PhQJ89o2ZunX7sgO7wb4XwUavKR-hoB9wUbg/viewform?usp=header

• Quarter 1 Report Cards live in ParentVue 4:00 PM

Support our 5th graders and grab a fun, great-smelling pencil! Smencils will be on sale before school until we run out for $2 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Fifth Grade Farewell celebration.

District 204 offers a variety of academic programming to meet the needs of our students. Although assessment occurs throughout the school year for all students, some programs require additional information gathering to determine appropriate placement. The Academically Talented section on the District Website provides general information regarding identification for the Project Arrow Gifted Program and the Accelerated Mathematics Program. Letters with specific testing details will be sent home from schools to parents of students for whom further evaluation is recommended. Additional information about either of these programs can be found by contacting your child’s classroom teacher or Julie Vogel, Welch Student Services Coordinator.

Math Acceleration (MA) and Project Arrow (PA) testing will take place between November 17th and December 5th for selected 5th-grade students. Testing for other grade levels will occur in February.

View and select your School Portrait for use in the Yearbook and/or Class Picture before Retake Day!*

• *The final deadline is two weeks after retake day; if you do not select an image VIP will choose the pose to use in the Yearbook and/or Class Picture for you.

• To view your student’s school portrait look for an email sent to you by “Visual Image Photography”, or go to vipis.com (student ID number may be required)

• Retake pictures will be taken on October 24, 2025.

• IF YOUR CHILD WAS ABSENT ON OUR FIRST PICTURE DAY OR YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO HAVE A RETAKE, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW BY THE END OF THE DAY ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD. THANK YOU! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPGryxIGJ-t1PhQJ89o2ZunX7sgO7wb4XwUavKR-hoB9wUbg/viewform?usp=header

• Retake photos will be added to your online image gallery approximately 7-10 days after photo day

As we work together to ensure a safe environment for all of our students, staff, and families, we want to provide some important reminders regarding the use of electric scooters (e-scooters).

Recently, we have seen an increase in students using e-scooters when traveling to and from school. While these devices may seem convenient, they present safety concerns for both riders and pedestrians, especially during busy arrival and dismissal times. For that reason, e-bikes and e-scooters are not permitted on school property.

We also want to make families aware of local regulations:

· In Naperville, e-bikes and e-scooters are not allowed on sidewalks and must follow the same traffic laws as bicycles.

· Class 3 e-bikes require riders to be at least 16 years old, and state law prohibits operating low-speed e-scooters unless the rider is at least 18.

· Riders are required to use bike lanes or remain near the curb, and at night must have proper lights and reflectors.

We encourage parents to talk with their children about these rules and remind them to walk, ride traditional bicycles, or use other safe methods when traveling to and from school. If unsafe or illegal use is observed in the community, parents are encouraged to contact the Naperville Police Department.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students and school safe.

Please complete this form if your student has permission to purchase a second lunch entree and/or second meal. Each student will need this form completed in order to purchase a second entree or meal. The cost is as follows: Breakfast - Second Meal $3.75; Lunch - Second Entree - $4.40 and Second Meal - $5.75; regardless of Free/Reduced Lunch status, EVERYONE who takes a second entree and/or meal will be charged these amounts.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEXO7stk8NiVvGaE4q0JLWS7Upzw1PViq0xphie8kYvE00aQ/viewform?usp=header

If you have a daughter interested in participating in a Welch Girl Scout Troop, please complete the interest survey below. The goal is that the troop will meet once a month, at the Stillwater Clubhouse, and host one field trip/outing per month. The troop is open to all Welch students. The survey is to gauge interest in participating and seek feedback about their preferred meeting time/date.

Welch Girl Scout Interest Survey

Each classroom has a time during the day to enjoy a HEALTHY snack. We ask that the snack be NUT free. Suggested snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, crackers, granola bars, pretzels, and goldfish. Please don’t send candy, cookies, cakes, chips, pudding, soda, and other dessert-like items.

On Friday, October 31st, all students/staff will be invited to dress up! Students may choose to wear a *costume, fancy clothes, or Welch spirit wear or Welch colors (green/white). Students that choose to wear costumes should follow the guidelines below:

• Student’s heads and faces must not be covered

• Costumes should not be scary or gory.

• Costumes should not impact a student’s ability to learn

• Props including look-alike weapons are NOT allowed at any time during the school day.

We will have a parade in the back of the building where parents are invited to come to view at approximately 1:55PM on Friday, 10.31. All students will participate in the parade. Students will be coming out of door #8 in the rear of the building and will be walking the blacktop before going back into the building via Door #4, located by the playground. We are excited to celebrate fall and continue this fun tradition! We ask that families refrain from picking their children up after 1:45 PM on this day to ensure the safety and security of all Welch White Tigers. In the event of inclement weather the outdoor parade will be canceled. I will notify families of any changes by 1:30 PM that day.

Following the parade we are THRILLED that we will be having fall celebrations in each of our classrooms. From 2:15 - 3:00 PM all Welch White Tigers will be participating in fall games and a craft. Parties will end by 3:00 PM and we ask that parents refrain from taking their child(ren) with them at the conclusion of the parties. All students will be dismissed at the end of the school day.

If you do not wish for your child(ren) to participate in the celebration, please complete this form by the end of the day on Wednesday, October 29th:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScX5omR9T1clH85ZsNAj2981_BP94rOYRSRrtsLqUuWetP6Xw/viewform?usp=header

This year our amazing PTA will be providing the games and crafts for each of the classroom celebrations, so volunteers do not need to plan for these - they are invited to sign up, attend and enjoy! Parents/Guardians that are interested in volunteering for these fun celebrations should sign up at the link below:

https://signup.com/go/mYJPzgJ

These celebrations are such a fun time for the students and it is essential that we have three volunteers for each classroom to make them a success! Please consider volunteering!

Trunk or Treat - Friday, October 17th at 5:30pm

• Put on your costume and collect candy from decorated trunks

Spooktacular Dance - Friday, October 17th at 7pm
• Dance under the lights with music, glow fun, and friends
• Tickets are required for all children ages 1 to 18: $10 in advance or $15 at the door
• Want free admission for your kids? Volunteer at the dance and they get in free as a thank you

🎃 Fall Classroom Parties – Friday, October 31st at 2:15pm
Our Fall Classroom Parties are coming up, and we still have several classrooms in need of parent volunteers! The PTA will be providing all games and crafts — we just need your help to make the celebrations run smoothly and be extra fun for our students. The following classrooms are still in need of parent volunteers:

· Andrews (2 Needed)

· Daly (3 Needed)

· Kapple (2 Needed)

· Karimi (1 Needed)

· Krieter (1 Needed)

· Laskey (1 Needed)

· Leon (3 Needed)

· Luporini (3 Needed)

· McKinney (3 Needed)

· Mersman (2 Needed)

· Nickel (1 Needed)

· O’Herron (1 Needed)

· Owen (1 Needed)

Sign Up here👉 https://signup.com/go/mYJPzgJ

Thank you for helping keep these classroom celebrations festive and memorable!

🥖 Get Ready for Our Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser! October 17th through November 5th🍯
It’s almost time to stock up on your favorite Texas Roadhouse rolls, honey cinnamon butter, and gift cards!

📅 Mark your calendars:
The site will go live THIS FRIDAY, October 17 and will remain open through November 5. Items will be available for pickup on November 19 from 3:30–5:30 PM at Welch Elementary.

Check your child’s “home folder” for a flyer with a QR code to place your order when the site opens this week. In the meantime, here are the details:

• One dozen frozen rolls – $6
• One 8oz. honey cinnamon butter – $2
• Gift cards – face value

Perfect for family dinners and holiday gatherings—plan ahead and don’t miss out!

Other reminders for October:

Our October PTA meeting will be held this Friday, October 17th at 9:30 AM
EcoClean Fundraiser runs October 1st to 31st. Use code Welch25 when you book your cleaning so 20% comes back to Welch.

Charleston Wrap Fundraiser - Keep sharing your personal links to encourage friends and family to shop and help us reach our goal!!

Thank you for your incredible support. We can't wait to see you at Trunk or Treat and the Spooktacular Dance for a night full of spooky fun!!!

Your Welch PTA

Start saving those shiny little pop tabs! We’re gathering them to help families stay close to their sick or injured children at the Ronald McDonald House. Every tab you bring in adds up—and with the help of United Scrap Metal, each pound of tabs helps raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. Bring your tabs to the office or classroom 239 in the 5th grade hallway, and let’s see how many pounds we can collect together!

Welch will be collecting plastic bread tags to donate to SCARCE for recycling in partnership with Danielle Cares for Chairs. Plastic bread tags are those square clips commonly used to seal bags around a loaf of bread, bagels, or even produce. If you are trying to reduce your plastic use, they can be hard to avoid. Further, plastic bread tags are not recyclable in your curbside recycling bin. Therefore, millions end up in landfills each year, just adding to our disposable plastic problem. it takes about 260,000 bread tags to purchase a basic wheelchair – so every bread tag counts! We will have collection bags at Welch, so please feel free to bring yours in or send them with your child!