Wharton Wildcat News

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Today is our All School Field Trip to the circus! We are looking forward to having a great time. Thanks to all of our chaperones and wonderful support. Last Friday we had a great fall celebration. Thanks to our parent volunteers for decorating their tables and passing out treats. We love to celebrate and have a great time with our students. Please remember for any upcoming events and activities that our students remain with their class and teachers. Wharton teachers and staff try to engage parents in as many activities as possible. Keeping in mind students need to be in school and display appropriate behaviors. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 23, 2026. This is a great time to connect and discuss your child's progress. We have a very busy few weeks ahead. Please take a few moments to review all of the upcoming events.

Just a reminder from my last newsletter...Also, please note that I will be following up with our attendance daily. As I mentioned before, our percentage has dropped a great deal. We are committed to providing your child with a quality education. However, we need your help by sending your child to school and on time. It is an expectation to call the office to report an absence. I will continue to follow up with a phone call or home visit. Moving forward our SRO will be contacted and will be doing a well being check to homes. Attendance is crucial and we will take proper procedures to get our students back on track.

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

On October 30, 2026 the School report was released. Wharton School is proud to receive the highest performance rating that a public school can from the Illinois State Board of Education. To earn an Exemplary schools must perform at the top 10% and no underperforming subgroups. This designation means a school is demonstrating exceptional student growth, strong academic achievement, and consistent student attendance.

Thanks to Mrs. Reyes for the beautifully decorated altar (or ofrenda) to welcome ancestors and deceased loved ones back to the living world for a brief visit. Each item holds a symbolic meaning that represents nature which include earth, wind, fire, and water.

To celebrate , our school will be creating a kindness chain. We are going to focus on spreading joy around our school. This is something we all can participate in as a Wharton community and family. Choose kindness!!!

This special evening is an opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading at home. Reading together is one of the most powerful ways to support your child's academic growth and develop a love for reading.

We are in Fall...The weather is changing and students may want to start wearing an extra layer of clothing.

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

Please email transportation@sd104.us if you need to register your child for bus service or have any questions about transportation.

Breakfast will be available every morning for students.

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

Wednesdays at 8:20 AM.

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.

• 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.

Nov. 1, 2026: Sun.- Dia De Los Muertos/Daylight Saving Time Ends

Nov. 2, 2026: Mon.-Student Council Food Drive

Nov. 3, 2026: Tues.- Midterm Elections

Nov. 4, 2026: Wed.-Late Start

Nov. 6, 2026: Fri.-All School Field Trip

Nov. 10, 2026: Tues. Picture Retakes

Nov. 11, 2026: Wed.-Veterans Day

Nov. 13, 2026: Fri.-World Kindness Day/End of 1st Trimester

Nov. 15, 2026: American Education Week

Nov. 18, 2026: Wed.-Late Start/Turkey Trot

Nov.19, 2026: Thurs.-Career Day

Nov. 20, 2026: Fri.-PBIS event/Student of the Month/Report Cards Sent Home

Nov. 23, 2026: Mon.-No School/ Parent-Teacher Conferences (12:30-6:30)

Nov. 24, 2026: Tues.-No School/Teacher Institute

Nov. 25-27, 2026: No School-(Nov.26 Thanksgiving Day)

Nov. 30, 2026: Mon.-Classes Resume

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