Tiger Prints

At Winfield, we believe in the shared partnership and responsibility between home and school to create a safe, supportive environment where every child can learn and thrive. Together, we can help students understand the importance of kindness, empathy, and respect in their words and actions, whether in person or online.

We are committed to being proactive by teaching and modeling positive behaviors, while also implementing supportive measures when challenges arise. To help keep students safe, Winfield uses Gaggle, a student safety management system that combines AI technology and trained experts to monitor content on school-provided devices. This allows us to identify concerns such as bullying, self-harm, or threats of violence early so that we can intervene and provide timely support.

Within our classrooms, teachers and staff embed community-building practices through Conscious Discipline rituals and routines, as well as class meetings and discussions, giving students the chance to connect, share, and problem-solve together. In addition, Second Step lessons led by Mrs. Dave (social worker) and Mrs. Peters (school psychologist) provide meaningful instruction in self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, self-management, and responsible decision-making. These lessons are reinforced through daily classroom experiences.

As we recognize October as Bullying Prevention Month, we want to emphasize that bullying prevention is not just about addressing problems after they occur; it’s about equipping students with the tools to make positive choices, communicate respectfully, and recognize the impact their words and actions can have on others. With your continued support at home and our ongoing efforts at school, we can ensure that all students feel safe, valued, and supported.

Thank you for partnering with us in building a school culture rooted in respect, responsibility, and kindness.

With Tiger Pride,

Melissa

Please be advised that the speed limit is reduced in designated school zones. For the safety of all students and staff, we ask that drivers remain vigilant and exercise caution when traveling near the school during school days when children are present. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated in helping us maintain a safe environment for our school community.

For everyone's safety, please always enter and exit the vehicle on the right-hand side.

Our school is required by state law to conduct regular safety drills throughout the year. These include fire, severe weather, lockdown, and other emergency preparedness drills. The purpose of these drills is to ensure that students and staff know what to do and can respond quickly in the event of a real emergency.

We understand that practicing these situations can sometimes cause worry, but please know that drills are conducted in a calm, age-appropriate manner, with staff providing reassurance and support. Safety is our top priority, and these drills help us create a secure environment for all students and staff.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community safe.

Today, Friday, October 3rd, our school conducted a Run, Hide, Fight drill as part of our ongoing commitment to safety. Both students and staff demonstrated great care, cooperation, and preparedness while practicing important safety procedures. We are proud of our school community for treating these drills with the seriousness they deserve, ensuring that everyone is better prepared should an emergency ever occur.

Tuesday, October 7th - Earthquake Drill

Friday, October 17th - Fire Drill

Tuesday, October 21st - Bus Evacuation Drill

Wednesday, November 7th - Tornado Drill

Reminder for students who need physicals:

All new Pre-Kindergarten, all Kindergarten, and 6th grade students need to have a Certificate of Child Health Examination on file with the health office by October 15, 2025. If your child does not have a physical on file, then they are unable to attend school per the State of Illinois. If you choose to not immunize your child because of religious reasons, then a Religious Exemption form needs to be completed by both the parent/guardian and healthcare provider.

Eye Exam:

An eye exam is required only for all Kindergarten students. This is an exam that needs to be performed by a licensed optometrist or medical doctor who performs eye exams. This form needs to be completed by October 15, 2025.

Dental Exam:

Dental exams are required for all Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 6th grade students. This exam needs to be completed by May 15, 2026.

Student Leadership Team would like to thank everyone for a great turn out for Walk to School Day. It was great to see all our walkers and bike riders out on such a beautiful day.

Mark your calendars for our next Cooks Night Out at Gia Mia in Wheaton (106 N. Hale Street) on 10/7! You must mention Winfield Education Foundation when placing your order to receive credit. 20% of the net sales will be donated to WEF. When ordering online for curbside pickup, please enter code: WINFIELD (Third-party delivery services are excluded). Enjoy a great meal and help raise funds!

Our second SIP day will be held on Friday, October 10th. K-8 Grade will dismiss at 11:45 a.m.

Join friends and classmates after early dismissal next Friday, October 10th at East Street Park (0S275 East Street). Bring your own picnic lunch, kickball, toys, etc. and join in the fun. In addition, feel free to bring a pumpkin(s) and some supplies (stickers, paint pens, permanent markers, etc) to decorate your gourd for fall alongside friends, too! No glitter/confetti, please. We hope to see you there!

*An indoor alternate location will be selected in the event of inclement weather.

There will be no school on Monday, October 13 to observe Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Preschool Family Nights this year are October 14, January 13, April 29, and May 12. Preschool teachers will share information in their newsletters!

For future events, check out our school calendar

This weeks Star Photo is by Louie! (7th Grade)

Box Tops for Education

In October, we will be running a grade level challenge & parent raffle for Box Tops for Education earnings. Every time you scan a receipt, be sure to GIVE CREDIT for your favorite grade level. Prizes will be given to the top grade level in each hallway (Primary, Intermediate and Middle School). Add your name in a note when giving your grade level credit to be entered into a raffle to reward our parent scanning crew as well.

Our 2025-2026 goal is to earn $500 for our school by June 30. We have already earned $315 from our scanning crew and could easily crush this goal this year. Have you scanned a receipt for Box Tops for Education yet? New sign ups for the app earn $5 bonus through the end of October for National Box Tops Week this month just for scanning ANY grocery receipt. To join the scanning crew, download the Box Tops for Education app and scan your first receipt to get the sign up bonus. Referral code: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=TB8B552Z

Box Tops for Education will also be doubling all scans for National Box Tops Week October 13 to 19. Plan your shopping trips to stack up lots of earnings for your favorite grade level.

Spirit Wear Online Store

Show your Tiger pride on Fridays (or any day!) with our spirit wear! Our online store will be open throughout the year and items will be shipped directly to your home (free shipping for orders over $50)! Shop online here: Winfield Tigers Official Swag

We're excited to invite all middle school (grades 6-8) students to a spook-tacular Halloween Party after school on Thursday, October 30th (most likely between 5 & 7 p.m.). Middle School Parents--thanks to everyone that has signed up to help! We will be reaching out to volunteers to schedule a planning meeting soon!

Winfield 34 Parents Facebook Group & Winfield School PTO FB Page: The Winfield 34 Parents Facebook Group is a place where parents can share information and ask questions about school, neighborhood and PTO/WEF events. You can also follow Winfield School PTO and WEF on Facebook.

Next PTO/WEF Meeting: Wednesday, November 5th at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend! If you’d like to review what was discussed at the last PTO meeting, see here: October 2025 PTO/WEF Meeting Minutes

Any questions for PTO or WEF? Email us at winfieldpto@winfield34.org

Last week both of our Kindergarten classes enjoyed walking field trips to the Winfield Public Library!

This week in third grade we learned through reading about how adaptations help animals to survive. The students also began working in groups to develop community improvement proposals in social studies.

This week, the 4th grade students focused on developing their skills in determining the theme of a story. They were also taught how to support their chosen theme with evidence from the text. Additionally, they continued to practice identifying the point of view in a text and using context clues to understand unfamiliar words. In a separate lesson, the students were encouraged to explore the concept of individuality and imagine a world where everyone was the same. Finally, the students honed their note-taking abilities and utilized their notes to write an expository paragraph.

In 5th grade this week, students learned how to navigate news articles and avoid clickbait when conducting research online. Additionally, students made inferences about what characters say, do, and think to determine character traits.

We've been busy in Social Studies.

In 6th grade, before heading back to early US history, we worked with considering current times situations with school, friends and family, determining and ranking effects, creating and defending solutions, debating alternatives, and voting the best plan to proceed.

In 7th grade, we're still in the beginning stages of interpreting various types of maps and making meaning/connections towards Geographical statistics - soon we'll use them as evidence to support claims.

And in 8th grade, we just finished a unit on source intent and possible bias when researching and using various media, and now we're headed into our Economics unit where we’ll make important connections with contributions to society as well as financial obligations. Go Bears.

SASED classrooms have started inclusion in one of our 6-8 classrooms, and so far this is going well. We have 2 students who joined the leadership council and our very own Brett Foley will be one of Winfield's Basketball coaches. Our students have been enjoying this nice weather and look forward to seeing their peers in the playground each day

On Tuesday, September 30th, our Co-Ed Soccer Team brought home an exciting victory against Downers Grove Christian with an impressive 9-1 win! The team played with energy, teamwork, and determination from start to finish. Way to go Tigers on such a strong performance—your hard work and dedication continue to shine on the field!

On Thursday, October 2nd, our Soccer Team gave it their all in their final game of the season! The team played with heart and determination, showing great teamwork and energy on the field before finishing with a 2-6 score. We are so proud of their hard work and growth throughout the season!

Playoff game: Monday, October 6th at 4:30pm at Glasshagel Fields against Calvary Christian.

On Tuesday, September 30th, our Girls’ Volleyball Teams gave it their all on the court! The JV squad fought through three close sets, finishing with scores of 25-23, 12-25, and 10-15. Varsity also battled with grit and determination, splitting the first two sets 17-25 and 25-12 before pushing it to a hard-fought third set, ending 9-15. Great teamwork, energy, and Tiger pride were on full display—way to go, girls!

On Thursday, October 2nd, the Varsity Girls' Volleyball team gave it their all in their final game of the season. They battled hard on the court, finishing with scores of 17-25 and 15-25. While the outcome wasn’t what they hoped, the team showed incredible effort, determination, and heart all season long. Congratulations to our players for a season full of growth, teamwork, and unforgettable moments!

Playoff game: Monday, October 6th at 4:30pm at Clapham. (332 E. Seminary Ave. Wheaton, IL.)

The Winfield Park District presents Boo Bash at Founders Park on Saturday, October 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information contact the park district at 630-653-3811.

Sunday, October 19, 2025 at Cantigny Park

Check out our Virtual Backpack for upcoming Youth Services programs that will be held at the Winfield Public Library this weekend and in the next month.

The Winfield Public Library offers two book clubs, one for ages 6-8 and the other for ages 8-12. There is never a charge for library programs and participants do NOT need a library card.

Purchase your 2025-2026 Yearbook today. This is the lowest price it will be offered this 2025-2026 school year.

Click the Virtual Backpack Link to see the archive.

Next Tiger Prints Edition will be on Friday, October 3rd