Welch Parent News

Friday, August 22nd -

• PTA Movie Night @ 6:00 PM

Tuesday, August 26th -

• White Tiger Welcome Night 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Monday, September 1st -

• No School - Labor Day

Dear White Tiger Families,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! It is sure to be Wickedly WONDERFUL! Each week I will be sending out the Welch Parent News. This newsletter will highlight upcoming dates and events, important happenings at our school, and ways to stay connected to our White Tiger community. My goal is to keep everyone informed and ensure all families feel a strong sense of connection to the great things happening here at Welch!

Our first big event of the year is our White Tiger Welcome Night, scheduled for next Tuesday, August 26th between 6:00 - 7:30 PM. White Tiger Welcome Night is a NEW and special evening designed to give students and families a sneak peek into the school year ahead! This event is a wonderful opportunity for your child to show off their new classroom, introduce you to their teacher, and share some of the exciting things they’ll be learning and doing each day at Welch. It’s a relaxed, come-and-go evening that helps build connections, allows families to see their child’s classroom, and celebrate the start of a great year together. It is a hybrid Curriculum Night and Open House and we can’t wait to welcome you!

Please reach out at anytime with questions or concerns. I am looking forward to partnering with you this year!

It is a GREAT day to be a Welch White Tiger!
Sarah

Students should arrive at school each morning between 8:50 -9:05 AM and report directly to their classrooms where they will be supervised by the classroom teachers. Students should not arrive before 8:50 AM since there is no adult supervision. Doors open at 8:50 AM, with the exception of Wednesdays when the doors open at 9:00 AM.

The student day begins at 9:05 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday); Wednesdays start later at 9:15 AM. The school day ends at 3:35 PM each day.

Lunch is 20 minutes long and recess is 15 minutes. Students will have recess first and then go inside. The lunch/recess periods for the 2025 - 2026 school year are as follows:

Kindergarten - 12:10 - 12:45 PM

Grade 1 - 10:55 - 11:30 AM

Grade 2 - 1:00 - 1:35 PM

Grade 3 - 11:20 - 11:55 AM

Grade 4 - 11:45 AM - 12:20 PM

Grade 5 - 12:35 - 1:10 PM

Parents are always welcome to drop off lunch for their child(ren); however, we ask that parents do NOT bring lunches for other children. This presents a problem for the school staff in that we do not know if other parents have approved the lunch. In addition, other children may feel excluded. If on occasion a lunch needs to be brought to school, please be sure to drop it off by 11:00AM in the “I Forgot” bins located outside of our main entrance.

Each classroom has a time during the day to enjoy a HEALTHY snack. We ask that the snack be NUT free. Suggested snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, crackers, granola bars, pretzels, and goldfish. Please don’t send candy, cookies, cakes, chips, pudding, soda, and other dessert-like items.

• Students entering kindergarten and new students to the district, must present proof of the required state of Illinois physical examination and immunizations. The student history portion of the examination form must be completed and signed by the parent. If this is not completed, the student will be excluded from school on October 16, 2025. Out-of-state physical examinations written on approved forms, which meet current state of Illinois requirements, are acceptable if they are less than one year old.

• All students entering kindergarten and second grade are required to present proof of an oral health examination completed by a licensed dentist. This will be due prior to May 15, 2026.

• A vision examination is required of all students entering kindergarten or enrolling in an Illinois public school for the first time. Written proof of having been examined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed optometrist will be required. This will be due October 16, 2025.

• If your student needs medication administered during the school day, please refer to the information below: https://www.ipsd.org/departments/health-services/medication-at-school. All medications must be turned in with the appropriate forms and order.

ou can make a significant impact by volunteering in our school! Your unique skills and experiences will help our students succeed. Whether you prefer a set schedule or occasional opportunities, there’s a role for you.

Ways You Can Help:

There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities at Welch. Opportunities include roles within your childs' classroom, the LMC, PTA, and more, ensuring a perfect fit for every volunteer. No matter where your interests lie, there's a way for you to get involved and make a difference at Welch!

How to Get Started:

1. Complete the Consent Form: When you click on the link, and a new window will open with the document. In the new window, click the download button (pictured below), and fill out and save the form on your computer.
   Click the Consent Form you prefer here: English or Spanish.
   
2. Complete the Application: Go to the online application to fill in more information and upload the form: English or Spanish.
3. Approval: After submitting your application for review, you will receive an email informing you of your approval status or if additional information is needed.
4. Placement: Once your application is approved, you will work with the building or school organization on any volunteer opportunities that are available.

For more information, please contact:

Jeannie Dina
Assistant Director of Community Relations
jeannie_dina@ipsd.org
Phone: 630-375-3017

Join us for a Welch PTA Only Movie Night! We will be watching "Wicked" in our gym at 6:00 PM this Friday evening! Welch PTA families are invited to bring chairs and blankets to make it more cozy. The PTA will also be selling candy, pizza, and White Tiger blankets! It is sure to be a fun night! Hoping you can join us! Please rsvp here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaz-NXvrOW9nz1d0skXH1_cujitsxtzCfgzYTZiPOsiz_nqw/viewform

Welch Picture Day will be held on September 5, 2025. New this year, parents will be able to view their child(ren)'s images, order packages and select the image for our yearbook (please remember to do so before it’s selected for you). All orders will be delivered to your home.

To view and order photos from Picture Day: You’ll receive an email when your images are ready to view online. Or, you can search for them at vipis.com shortly after photos are taken. If you need further assistance, contact VIP at support@vipis.com.

Welch will be collecting plastic bread tags to donate to SCARCE for recycling in partnership with Danielle Cares for Chairs. Plastic bread tags are those square clips commonly used to seal bags around a loaf of bread, bagels, or even produce. If you are trying to reduce your plastic use, they can be hard to avoid. Further, plastic bread tags are not recyclable in your curbside recycling bin. Therefore, millions end up in landfills each year, just adding to our disposable plastic problem. it takes about 260,000 bread tags to purchase a basic wheelchair – so every bread tag counts! We will have collection bags at Welch, so please feel free to bring yours in or send them with your child!