Wharton Wildcat News

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Happy New Year! Welcome back to all of our Wharton Wildcats... my staff and I hope that you all had a restful and relaxing vacation with your families. The students returned with happy and positive energy ready to learn and jump back into their school routines. The month of January is an excellent month to review procedures. In fact, our students had their PBIS refresher on January 6, 2026.

We welcome 2026 and plan to keep everyone in the mix with all of the exciting activities and events that keep our students engaged. We are almost halfway through the 2025-2026 school year and will continue to provide our students with the best educational experiences. Today students will be coming home with their progress reports. Be sure to contact the teacher with any questions or concerns...Enjoy your extended weekend!

Just a reminder: We are tracking tardies. Every 3rd tardy will result in a detention. We want to support our families in developing appropriate practices. Being on time for school and ready to learn is important. Keep in mind our attendance is monitored by the state.

Breakfast will start daily at 7:20 and 8:20 on Wednesday late starts. We will begin school promptly at 7:50 on regular days and 8:50 on late starts. If a child is late please enter Door #4.

We appreciate your support in the following:

*Making sure your child arrives on time and attends daily.

*Completing all classwork and homework assignments.

*Promoting a love for reading.

Sincerely,

Raquel K. Modiest, Principal

rmodiest@sd104.us

708-458-0640

Be sure to have your child attend daily, be on time, have a good night sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast.

The month of January tends to be a long month due to the inclement weather and testing schedules. Our staff wanted to keep students motivated and add some fun to the day. Each day a snowman is hidden throughout the building. The students have the opportunity to find it and receive a prize. Here are a few of our winners so far :

Wharton Parent Group in Collaboration with Wharton students and staff will be planning a Valentine Dance on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Please look for more information coming your way ....

The cold weather is here!!! Be sure your child dresses appropriately for school each day. The weather tends to be a little tricky so be sure to have a sweater or jacket just in case we have some quick changes. We also have some jackets, hats and gloves just in case they are needed. Contact the office for more details.

Regular School Hours

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

7:50 AM (arrival)

2:50 PM (dismissal)

Wednesdays (Late Start)

8:50 AM (arrival)

2:50 PM (dismissal)

Office Hours

August 20th-June 2nd

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Summer Hours: Administrators and Secretaries will be in the buildings from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Breakfast will be available every morning for students.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays starting at 7:20 AM.

Wednesdays at 8:20 AM.

Lunch will be provided daily for all students.

SHIRTS/TOPS:

Students are required to wear a maroon collared polo or dress shirt with long/short sleeves. The polo/dress shirt may be plain or have the district logo. No other logos are allowed. Plain black or white undershirts may be worn under the maroon collared shirt. Shirts must extend to waistline.

Sweaters/Sweatshirts:

Students may wear a plain black or maroon sweater/sweatshirt over their collared school shirt or over a plain white or black undershirt.

PANTS:

Must be black or khaki and worn at the waist. This includes shorts, Capri pants, and skirts. Leggings may be worn, but only when a shirt extending to mid-thigh is worn as well.

SCHOOL SPIRIT FRIDAYS:

Students may wear their Wharton school spirit shirt with jeans every Friday.

Students are expected to wear the appropriate clothing while attending school. All students must comply with the following:

• Student clothing (including accessories) may not advertise, promote, or a picture of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, violent behavior, or other inappropriate images.
• Student clothing (including accessories) may not display lewd, vulgar, obscene, offensive language/symbols nor gang signs.
• Hats, coats, bandanas, and sunglasses may not be worn inside the building, during the school day.
• Dress and accessories that pose a safety hazard are not permitted in the bathrooms and educational classrooms.
• Clothing with holes, rips, or tears, that reveal skin and/or undergarments may not be worn at school.
• The length of shorts or skirts must be appropriate for the school environment.
• Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Open-backed footwear is not permitted.

Students clothing that causes a substantial disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of other students, staff, or others may be subject discipline. If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, the building administration will make the final decision.

Jan. 12, 2026-Wacky Winter Spirit Week

Jan. 13, 2026-School Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm (Walsh School)

Jan. 14, 2026-Late Start/ACCESS Testing Begins

Jan. 16, 2026-Progress Reports Sent Home

Jan. 19, 2026-No School/Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 20, 2026-MAP testing begins

Jan. 21, 2026-Late Start

Jan. 28, 2026-Late Start

Jan. 30, 2026-PBIS Celebration

Please make sure your child brings their device and charger on their first day. If their device and/or charger is broke, or lost, a fee will be added to their powerschool account and replaced with a new one.

Kindergarten will recieve an IPad and charger on their first day.

First Grade will be given their device, charger and case on the first day.

Second, Third, and Fourth Grade will need to bring their device and charger from the previous year.

Fifth Grade will need to return their old device with the charger to recieve a new one.

You can call our Main office if you have any questions or concerns.

Main office:

(708)458-0640

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• Website: https://www.sd104.us/o/wharton-es

Email: rmodiest@sd104.us
Phone: 708-458-0640