Happy December!!!

I hope that everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. December is a short month, but can be pretty hectic. December is a time for old traditions and new beginnings. In our morning meetings we will be learning about different traditions and how children celebrate around the world. We are grateful for the students and parents who support the growth of our school. Thanks to all of the parents who participated in the Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Next week the students will be taking the winter MAP assessment. The students take this assessment three times a year. The tests will determine your child's instructiional level and measures academic growth in reading and math. We look forward to sharing the academic growth of our students. The teachers are always busy planning, preparing, and delivering strategic lessons to match our standards and goals. Once the testing is complete you will receive a report.

As the school year continues I will express consistent school attendance. One major component to academic success is attendance. Thank you parents for partnering with our school to ensure that your child is present.

In the month of December we have a few activities that will be happening here at Wharton. On December 12th at 1:00 the students will be participating in a holiday musical. More information will be coming home as we get closer to that date. Families are encouraged to come to the performance. On December 19th the students will be watching a live performance, "Holiday around the World".

We appreciate your continued 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!

On November 17th the Wharton Wildcats participated in their first Turkey Trot as a K-5 school. It was an exciting day to see the students gobble their way to the finish line. A big thank you to Mr. L our PE teacher, Ms. Schilsky, Ms. Rodriguez, The PBIS Team, Reggi, and the students and staff for supporting such a worthy event.

Students work all year long to develop different skills to use when they feel big emotions. One of our favorite ways to regulate is through movement and breathwork. Almost every SEL (social/emotional learning lesson) session includes some type of movement, breathing and thinking to calm our bodies and prepare our minds to be present for learning. Some of the student's favorites are below! These are great techniques to use at home too because emotions can be big and overwhelming for all of us in lots of different spaces. Try these out as a family when you are feeling great and when things are tough! Learning to use coping skills when we feel calm is the best way to ensure we can use them when we feel some thing bigger.

Each month the PBIS team reviews the referral data for students in our school. We look at data trends and develop strategies to help students develop positive behaviors that make our school safe, responsible and respectful place to learn and grow. We have noticed language that is not appropriate for school. We are challenging our students to catch themselves and each other and channel their words differently to ensure that we are making safe, respctful word choices. Grown ups can help with this challenge by having honest conversations with your students aboiut what they can say at school and what they should save for outside of school or at home. Questions-please use this as a resource!

Meredith Schilsky, LCSW, CCTP (she series)

School Social Worker/McKinney-Vento Liaison

Wharton Elementary School

No matter where we are in the world, celebrations, and traditions of holidays bring great joy. Discovering holiday traditions around the world for kids and families is a wonderful way to introduce our students to world cultures and countries. "Tis the season...

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

I am pleased to announce that Cook County School District 104 is now able to offer an e-Learning program for our students when needed. The “e” in “e-Learning” stands for electronic, or online, learning. These e-Learning, or online lessons, will be used to prevent lost instruction from snow days or other building emergency days; eliminating the need to add “make up” days at the end of the school year.

An e-Learning day allows teachers and students to interact through a virtual classroom setting allowing students participate in learning from home. The e-Learning days are designed to avoid interruptions in instruction that occur when school cannot be held due to severe weather conditions or other building-wide emergencies (Utility interruption, structural damage, etc.). In accordance with the Illinois School Code up to five (5) e-Learning days can be used each school year. The District’s e-Learning Plan is available for review on our website www.sd104.us.

We are excited to provide this online learning environment to our students; and believe this will enhance the learning opportunities for all of our children. Please contact your building principal if you have any questions related to the e-Learning program.

Sincerely,

Troy J. Whalen

Superintendent

Estimados padres/tutores:

Me complace anunciar que el Distrito Escolar 104 del Condado de Cook ahora puede ofrecer un programa de aprendizaje electrónico para nuestros estudiantes cuando sea necesario. La "e" en "e-Learning" significa aprendizaje electrónico o en línea. Estos e-Learning, o lecciones en línea, se utilizarán para evitar la pérdida de instrucción en días de nieve u otros días de emergencia en el edificio; eliminando la necesidad de agregar días de “recuperación” al final del año escolar.

Un día de aprendizaje electrónico permite a los maestros y estudiantes interactuar a través de un salón de clases virtual que permite a los estudiantes participar en el aprendizaje desde casa. Los días de aprendizaje electrónico están diseñados para evitar interrupciones en la instrucción que ocurren cuando la escuela no se puede llevar a cabo debido a condiciones climáticas severas u otras emergencias en todo el edificio (interrupción de servicios públicos, daños estructurales, etc.). De acuerdo con el Código Escolar de Illinois, se pueden utilizar hasta cinco (5) días de aprendizaje electrónico cada año escolar. El Plan de aprendizaje electrónico del Distrito está disponible para su revisión en nuestro sitio web www.sd104.us.

Estamos entusiasmados de brindar este entorno de aprendizaje en línea a nuestros estudiantes; y creemos que esto mejorará las oportunidades de aprendizaje para todos nuestros niños. Comuníquese con el director de su edificio si tiene alguna pregunta relacionada con el programa de aprendizaje electrónico.

Atentamente,

Troy J. Whalen

Superintendente

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 21st-May 31st

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

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.

The spirit wear sales was a big hit!!! Remember students may wear their spirit wear to school. We will hopefully put in another order soon!

Dec. 4th, Monday: MAP testing begins

Dec. 6th, Wednesday: Late Start

Dec. 12th, Tuesday: Holiday Musical @1:00

Dec. 13th, Wednesday: Late Start/ School Board Meeting @7:00/HMS

Dec. 19th, Tuesday: Holidays Around the World Assembly

Dec. 20th, Wednesday: Late Start

Dec. 22nd, Friday: Holiday Parties/Early Release at 1:50 p.m.

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