Family Welcome to Walker School

Dear Walker Parents,

As these final days of summer come to a close, I hope your family is rejuvenated and ready for the start of a new school year. After the last few years of juggling different schedules and re-thinking our school routines due to the impact of COVID-19, this school year should feel more typical, predictable, and familiar to all.

I enjoyed my summer cheering on my three boys (HS freshman, 6th grader, and 1st grader) in their summer sports, including swim team, cross country, baseball, golf, and now, we're getting ready for football and soccer. Our family worked on a bunch of home improvement projects while sprinkling in some trips to southwest Michigan to paddleboard/kayak and hang out on the beach. I look forward to catching up with our school community about your summer fun!

Our Walker staff is now busy setting up their classrooms, which will re-introduce floor rugs, tables for our Kindergartners, teacher desks, flexible furniture, and STEAM equipment--all of which have returned from storage to maximize social distancing during the early portions of the pandemic. Walker School was equipped with new LED lighting and new interior and exterior door locks throughout the building to make our school more energy efficient and safer. And our PTO strategic planning project is just about complete: a tiered seating stone and paver outside classroom, which I hope to introduce at our back-to-school events this week and next week.

Teachers have professional development training this week to implement our new iReady math resources, and we will spend time building on last year's Social-Emotional focus to provide the best school experience possible for our students. The emotional last day of school last year reminded us all how powerful the relationships are between our students and staff and what a truly special school community we have built together. This year, families can expect the return of even more fun events, such as grade-level musicals, assemblies, and parent volunteer opportunities.

Please take some time to review the following information to understand some slight changes in our arrival/dismissal procedures, as well as the return of school milk at lunches. All in all, I am happy to announce we will not have separate grade level lunches or separate entry doors for each grade level, as we did last August.

While this message is extensive in nature, clear communication and guidance will best prepare all of us for a return to school next week. Feel free to take a walk around our school grounds to help familiarize yourself and your child(ren) with these new procedures prior to the start of school, as establishing a clear routine will only help your child with their transition for the first day, Monday, August 22.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our PTO back-to-school popsicle social and new family orientation on Thursday 8/18 (keep reading for more details)!

Your partner in education,

Mr. Eric Chisausky

Walker School Principal

$52 = x1 milk a day

$104 = x2 milks a day

Sign up via your Skyward Parent Portal:

Login to Skyward Family Access.

Click on the Fees tab.

Click Add a Fee.

Select the Milk option.

Pay for the fee in SchoolPay

Last August, we revealed our School of Dreams theme: “If you build it, they will come.” Just like the annual Field of Dreams baseball game, a new school year greets us with a sense of possibility and endless promise. We will continue re-building our collective Walker School experience this year, enjoying the renewal together in a place where dreams can come true.

Walker School is sparkling clean and ready for our students and staff, thanks to Ms. Daisy (our Head Custodian) and the D181 custodial crew! And special thanks go to Jan Martin (Administrative Assistant) for ensuring our Walker office is ready for the school year to begin! Our teachers and staff have been very busy preparing the building, setting up classrooms with revised safety requirements, and receiving training over the summer—to carry out our return to school plan and to engage our school community with a powerful learning experience despite the challenges.

I’d like to thank the PTO, especially Co-Presidents Marsha Ma and Jenny Shoenberger, who have been a tremendous support as we coordinated student school supply distribution, welcomed new families to Walker, and dedicated many hours ensuring our families are ready for the first day of school. And special thanks to Corri Natarelli, who helped coordinate our new outside classroom project this summer.

I am eager to work with the PTO all year to enhance our students’ educational experiences at Walker. Be on the lookout for additional communications from our PTO about special upcoming events and information. Our students greatly benefit from the care and attention of the entire Walker community. I look forward to working with you to support your child in having a terrific school experience this year!

https://www.walkerpto.com/

Serving Grades K-5, the Before and After the Bell Programs are a safe environment for your child to be with friends before and after the school day. Your child will do fun activities, gym time, enrichment activities, outdoor play, homework assistance, and organized games. A light snack will be provided for both programs. You can customize your experience by signing up for one day, week, month, etc! Click here for more information!

Before/After the Bell follows School District 181 calendar and typically runs Monday-Friday 7:00am-8:35am and 3:05pm – 6:00pm.

Before and After the Bell will be held onsite at Walker School and The Community House.

We have a few new faces at Walker this school year—and some familiar faces in different roles. I am certain you will enjoy getting to know our teachers and partnering with them this year. A complete staff list will soon be updated on our school website:

https://www.d181.org/schools/walker-school

Kindergarten (3 sections, class size approx. 15-19)

KAM/KPM: Mrs. Aletha Fuhrman

KAM Mrs. Ashley Russell

1st Grade (2 sections, class size approx. 25)

Mrs. Jen Francis

Mrs. Heather Serrano

2nd Grade (3 sections, class size approx. 18)

Mrs. Patricia Hagstrom

Mrs. Kristin Jung

Mrs. Shannon Paciga

3rd Grade (3 sections, class size approx. 18)

Mrs. Meghan Conness (Van Hoegarden name change)

Mrs. Rachel Wade

Mrs. Kathy Siffermann (from 5th grade)

4th Grade (2 sections, class size approx. 22)

Mrs. Rachelle Heck

Mrs. Sarah Karrow

5th Grade (2 sections, class size approx. 19)

Mrs. Julie Hafner

Ms. Kari Olson

Staffing Changes/Updates

· Megan Byrne, Pupil Service Administrator

· Laura Duffy, PE Teacher (AM daily), shared with Prospect

· Gus Lauermann, PE Teacher (PM daily), shared with Oak

· Allison Emroll, Art Teacher

· Hilary Andrlik, Art Teacher (Fridays), shared with Prospect

· Erin Kozakis, Music Teacher (Tuesday/Thursday AM), shared with Prospect

· Christine Broder, LBS1 Resource Teacher (AM daily)

· Ashley Russell, Kindergarten (AM) Teacher

· Caitlin White, 5th Grade Orchestra Teacher

· Cara Farnan, Occupational Therapist

· Ada Jimenez, Evening Custodian

School Day Information

1st - 5th School Day - 8:40 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.

1st - 5th Lunch - 11:25 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

AM Kindergarten - 8:40 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.

PM Kindergarten - 12:15 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.

• Student Arrival will begin daily at 8:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Please do not drop your child(ren) off before this time as we do not have adult supervision prior to these times.
• Student Dismissal will begin at 11:25 for KAM and 3:05 p.m. for KPM-5th grades.
• We recognize the need for appointments and understand that situations may arise that require you to pick your child up early from school. We ask that you please try your best to schedule appointments OUTSIDE of the school day and not pick your child up early from school, as to not disrupt the learning process.

Arrival/Dismissal Guidelines

This year, all 1st through 5th graders will line up on the blacktop in grade level-marked areas (like we did prior to COVID mitigations). K students will line up in front of the K door (just west of main entrance). Students will be dismissed from these same locations. No more entry/dismissal on the north teacher parking lot side of the school.

• Dismissal times:
  
• 11:25 (KAM)
• 3:05 (Grades KPM-5)

• Classroom teachers will lead their grade levels to the blacktop (grades 1-5), with the exception of Kindergarten.
• WALKERS and CAR RIDERS: Reunite with families at the top of the traffic loop/blacktop or at other designated meeting spot.
• KINDERGARTENERS and siblings wait at K door until parent/sibling reunification.
• REUNITING w/ SIBLINGS: If walkers have a sibling to meet, they will meet at the blacktop then proceed to walk home.
• ALL students will be guided to load vehicles at the top of the traffic loop.

On the first day of school, dismissal supervisors will ask for your last name and child’s grade level and will dismiss in the same manner. Thank you for your patience, as this process may take a few extra minutes on the first day.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: In the case of inclement weather, students will wait socially distanced inside classrooms and hallways and be dismissed as parents arrive at the top of the traffic loop.

1. Please make sure to CLEARLY display your family display card in your windshield on the CURBSIDE so that we can effectively and efficiently dismiss your child(ren). NEW families will be provided a display card on the first day of school.

2. Supervisory staff will be calling to dismiss your child(ren) once you are in the car line and your family display card is visible.

Note the following for safety and traffic flow:

· Implementing these revised safety protocols will likely impact traffic congestion. It is recommended that families walk to/from school to alleviate such congestion. Thanks in advance for your patience.

· Extra staff will be available for supervision and to assist children in locating vehicles during pick-up after each session. Children will wait for their ride along the sidewalk at the top of the traffic loop.

· Similar to the drop-off, students only enter vehicles between the two white signs along the upper area of the traffic loop. Students in grades 1-5 will not be allowed to enter vehicles by the office doors area. This should keep the traffic flow moving with greater ease.

· Please remember to place the name placard in your right-hand dashboard starting on Monday, August, 22; our staff will use this name placard to call children to the loading area as their rides idle along the curb during pick-up.

· Name placards will be provided to new families on the first day of school.

· If you need to purchase or replace a name placard for $2, you can do so by contacting the school office: 630-861-4600.

11:25 – 11:50

Grades 1-3: Lunchroom at lunch tables

Grade 4-5 Recess outside

11:50 – 12:15

Grades 4-5: Lunchroom at lunch tables

Grades 1-2-3 Recess outside

Thursday (8/18)

o Bike Rodeo for 3rd-5th 2:00 – 3:00 on blacktop, traffic loop

o K Meet/Greet 2:00-3:15 in K classrooms

o Back-to-School PTO Popsicle Social 3:30 – 5:00 on blacktop (all are welcome to attend)

o New Families Orientation Tours 3:30 – 4:45

Monday (8/22) first full day with students

Thursday (9/1) in-person Curriculum Night approx. 6:00-8:00

Teacher Assignments Available Soon

When updated via District message, you can view your elementary student’s ‘22-‘23 teacher assignment in Skyward Family Access.

· To log in, click here.

· Your Login ID is your first name last name (all one word and lowercase), i.e. “minniemouse.”

· If you forgot your password, select the “Forgot Your Login/Password?” option

· Navigate to the Student Info Menu on the left to view the teacher assignment.

· Under your child’s specific school, the Homeroom and Teacher will be viewable.

If you have issues logging into Skyward or viewing the information you need, please contact Nick Skrip at nskrip@d181.org.

Please be reminded of the following policy about foods at school:

The D181 Food Allergy Management Plan was adopted by the District 181 Board of Education on May 21, 2018. You can find a copy of the plan in full on our District website for the Food Allergy Management Plan here:

· D181 Food Allergy Management Plan

· D181 Food Allergy Management Plan: Parent Information & Overview

The Plan is aligned with Board policy 7.285, and provides a comprehensive, districtwide plan to prevent or reduce allergen exposure, educate staff, and respond to food allergy emergencies. Following is a summary of action items for District students and parents.

The Plan is communicated to all staff, students and parents prior to the first day of student attendance and includes information on: allergies and anaphylaxis, federal nondiscrimination & disability law, classroom food guidelines and resources for parents and staff. The plan will be reviewed annually by a Food Allergy Committee organized by the Superintendent.

Parents play a critical role in ensuring a safe school environment. Please help protect the health and safety of all students by following and encouraging students to follow all established guidelines below:

Elementary Guidelines

Classroom Snack

● Fruits or vegetables only (including dried fruits such as raisins and applesauce).

● No additions, toppings or mixins (such as dips or spreads).

Lunch

● For any classroom lunch or field trip lunch, the building principal will send an email stating that lunches should contain no peanuts or tree nuts. Please ensure that student lunches do not contain any peanuts or tree nuts on those days.

Elementary Classroom Parties:

Classroom parties shall be food free or, at teacher discretion, may include Outshine Fruit Bars (lemon, grape, and/or tangerine), Annie’s fruit snacks, and/or Original Skinny Pop brand popcorn. Students shall not bring food to give as gifts or share with other students (such as with Valentine’s cards, on Halloween, or as holiday gifts).

Parents will be provided with information, which can be found on the District website re Parent Information and Overview here: https://www.d181.org/parents/health-information

For the specific groups listed below, please either email or deliver your health forms to the Walker School office prior to the start of school. Forms should be directed to the attention of the Walker School nurse, June Zogas jzogas@d181.org.

• Kindergarten Students
• Physical Exam form (parents please complete the yes/no questions on the back; sign and date)
• Dental Exam form (completed on or after Nov 15th, 2022 is acceptable)
• Eye Exam form (dated within one year of the first day of school)
• Second Grade Students
• Dental Exam form (completed on or after Nov 15th, 2022 is acceptable)
• Students new to D181
• Physical, Dental and Eye exam form.

o Copies of forms submitted to previous Illinois schools are acceptable.

o Students from out of state will need to submit new Illinois forms.

When you visit Walker, you need to enter through the main doors only and be ready to provide your ID.

Walker School and District 181 utilize email as a main source of communication. One major mode of communication that we use at Walker School is our Walker Wednesday News viewable here: https://www.walkerpto.com/. We are also thankful for our AMAZING PTO and their weekly Sunday Updates as well. Please look for our Walker communications each week, as the PTO will continue to partner with us to keep our families updated.

Walker Wednesday News

Walker Wednesday News (WWN) is a weekly school communication that is posted on the PTO website (www.walkerpto.com) that provides families with the most up-to-date information regarding all that is going on at Walker School. The first WWN will be published on Wednesday, 8/31/2022. You should receive an email from walkernews120@gmail.com with a link to the PTO website. If you do not receive an email on 8/31/2022, please contact Jan Martin: (jmartin@d181.org).

To ensure you receive all of our communications, please make sure your phone numbers and email addresses are up to date in Skyward. If you need assistance updating your contact information, please contact Jan Martin (jmartin@d181.org).

Additionally, we utilize Twitter (@WildcatsWalker) to celebrate the learning taking place at Walker School. Please check these sources regularly for up-to-date information and to learn more about the exciting things going on at Walker School!

Thank you to the PTO for arranging for our student supply kits to be delivered to classrooms if pre-ordered. If you are still in need of school supplies, you can find the Walker class supply lists here: https://www.d181.org/schools/walker-school/parent-resources

The entire Walker staff is committed to every child’s academic, social, and emotional success. Our SELAS (Social Emotional Learning for Academic Success) curriculum is interwoven in daily routines at Walker. Unique to Walker, we have adopted the FISH! Philosophy, which reminds us we are all responsible for each other and that we all must work together to make Walker a great place to learn and grow. We will continue to promote these ideals at Walker:

FISH! Philosophy

• Choose Your Attitude
• Make Someone’s Day
• Be There/Be Present
• Play

Email: echisausky@d181.org
Website: https://www.d181.org/schools/walker-school
Location: 120 Walker Avenue, Clarendon Hills, IL, USA
Phone: 630-861-4600
Twitter: @WildcatsWalker