Walker Wednesday News

Dear Walker Parents,

Thank goodness for our recent warm-up. How midwestern are we...that 20's feel like a relative heatwave around here! We've returned to outside recess, and the fresh air is welcomed! Last Friday, our K-1 classes celebrated the 100th day of school. Our Awesome PTO has planned a Wildcat Rodeo Winter Dance on Friday 2/20. Scroll down for more information and register!

As it is now February, we are excited for students to share Valentines with their homeroom classes on Friday 2/13, as a gesture of friendship. I know that most of our recent teacher weekly communications include the following reminders:

• Please no food/candy with Valentines, per our district FAMP (Food and Allergy Management Policy)
• Class lists have been shared to make sure all students on the homeroom rosters can receive Valentines
• Students are welcome to decorate a Valentines box and bring to school for next week to collect their Valentines

The next big Walker events at Walker are the Book Fair on February 11-12-13 and the Walker Science Fair on March 4. Our Library and PTO are planning these annual events. Save these dates and scroll down for more info.

Message from Nurse Mellens

If you’ll be traveling in the coming weeks, please make sure to add any caregivers (nannies, grandparents, or other family members) to your Skyward emergency contact list. This helps ensure we can reach someone quickly if anything comes up during the school day. If there’s anything the nurse should be aware of while you’re away, please feel free to send her an email: emellens@d181.org . Thanks so much for keeping everything up to date!

We’re seeing lots of students with chapped lips this time of year. If you’re able, please consider keeping a chapstick or lip balm in your child’s backpack for them to use as needed during the school day.

Thanks for your help keeping everyone comfortable!

--

Warmly,

Emily Mellens, RN

Walker School Nurse

Please keep scrolling down for an important Health Office Update from Nurse Mellens with the recent Influenza cases on the rise.

Keep scrolling down for after school enrichment opportunities, which will be advertised in each of these weekly newsletters. These offerings will be updated weekly.

Upcoming SAVE the DATES:

2/9 PTO General Meeting: Voss Key Note Speaker w/ Community House 9:00 AM in Room 126

2/10 Lockdown Safety Drill at 1:30

2/11-2/13 Book Fair ( See details below)

2/13 Valentines exchange in homerooms

Mrs. Sciaccotta's Upcoming Musical Programs

Feb. 25 - 1st Grade @2:00 (Note change of time)Apr. 17 - Kindergarten @2:15

May 1 - 2nd Grade @2:00

May 7 - Choir Performance @7:00

May 13 - 4th Grade @2:15

Your partner in education,

Mr. Eric Chisausky

Walker School Principal

We remember that Walker Cares! The Walker Cares program helps us to be mindful of special days each month and to practice being inclusive and kind. For the month of February, we recognize World Cancer Day, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week, Rare Disease Day, and other special days. A special thanks to Aliya in 4K, Jacob in 4H and Vincent in 4B for helping to decorate our display case. We remember that Walker cares by including others and celebrating our differences.

Dear Walker School Community,

Per the School Safety Drill Act covered under Illinois Statute (105 ILCS 12/20), this notification is being provided to parents and guardians of students attending Walker School. On Tuesday 2/10/2026 at approximately 1:30 PM, Walker School will conduct a lockdown drill that will include school staff, students, and Clarendon Hills law enforcement agency representative(s). During this drill, teachers will utilize the linked Google Slides to instruct students.

We understand that some parents/guardians may want to opt out of this type of drill for their child. As the parent/guardian of a student attending Walker School, you have the option to exempt your child, for any reason, from the drill. If you choose to exempt your child from the drill, please notify Administrative Assistant Gerianne Salach at 630-861-4600 or gsalach@d181.org no later than the day of the drill.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Eric Chisausky

Principal

Dear Walker Families,

I am writing to inform you that I sadly have to take a short FMLA leave to tackle a medical issue with my hip that has progressively worsened this year, and that cannot wait until summer! As you all know I love my Walker kiddos and this amazing art room, so I will be back as soon as I am healthy and steady enough to get back at it! I feel incredibly blessed that a former 181 art teacher, Susan Tiemstra, is able to cover my leave, so I know your children will be in some of the very best art teacher hands!

A little about Susan Tiemstra! Susan taught Art for 25 years in D181 before retiring in 2020. She raised her family in Clarendon Hills, and her children went to Prospect, HMS, CHMS & Hinsdale Central. Now she enjoys being outside in nature, reading, watercolor painting, being Chairperson of the Illinois Art Education Association’s K-12th Grade Statewide Student Art Show, and of course, subbing for her Art Teacher friends in D181!

Heading into this leave Susan will be in the building quite a few days, subbing and transitioning with me as well, but beginning February 12th she will be your child’s art teacher for 4-6 weeks if all goes as planned. So please help me in welcoming to the Walker team, Mrs. Susan Tiemstra!

Sincerely,

Ashley Sackley

Howdy Walker Families!

Tickets are on sale NOW in Membership Toolkit for the Walker Wildcat Rodeo Dance! Join us on Friday, February 20 from 5:30-7:30 for an evening of dancing, dinner, games and treats! Denim, boots, bandanas, and cowboy/cowgirl hats are encouraged, but not required.

Tickets cost $17 and include pizza for all attendees!

** Please note parent chaperones are required for all children attending the dance. **

Additionally, we have some incredible raffle prizes! You can purchase raffle tickets in Membership Toolkit for $5/ticket.

#1 Labubu Madness - A real Labubu (no lafufus here!) ready for the Walker Rodeo in a cowboy hat and bandana

#2 Sports Bundle - including a flag football set, pop up goal, sports cards, and more!

#3 Glam Kit - a basket of kid-appropriate high end beauty and hair products.

We look forward to a great evening!

Walker PTO & Dance Committee Chairs

Timeline for 2026-2027 Registration

• Returning Preschool student registration opened January 7
• New Student, Kindergarten, and Returning D181 student registration opens February 2
• Register by April 10 to receive a discount on registration fees
• In-person registration appointments are available on the D181 website

Visit the D181 Registration website for more information

Questions? We Are Here to Help!

• For more information concerning new student registration, please contact Angela Rangel at arangel@d181.org or (630) 861- 4901
• For help for returning student registration, please contact Nick Skrip at nskrip@d181.org or (630) 861- 4982

Calling all K–5 scientists! REGISTER NOW to participate in the Walker Science Fair and showcase your curiosity, creativity, and scientific thinking! Students of all interests and experience levels are welcome to present projects, explore new ideas, and have fun with science!

This years Science Fair will take place in the Walker Gymnasium on Wednesday, March 4 from 6:00-7:30pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

For questions contact Josiline Roddy josilines@gmail.com or Sarah Fenstermacher paintingbysarah@yahoo.com, Science Fair Co-Chairs.

The recent snow/cold is a reminder that our seasons are changing and students should have all the necessary clothing for the colder, snowy weather. For the most part, we will go outside for recess everyday. When the Feels Like temperature drops to 0 or below (including windchill) you can expect us to stay inside for recess. So please be sure your child exits your vehicle/house with a coat, hat, gloves, etc. In order to play in the snow, they must have a jacket, snow boots, snow pants, gloves, hat, etc.

D181 Cold Weather Guidelines

As the temperature drops, we want to inform you about our school's procedures for cold weather. The district will follow these guidelines for outdoor activities:

Recess/Physical Education Classes:

• Feels like 0°F (or below): Indoor

• Feels like 1°F (or above): Outdoor

• Principal discretion if conditions are not safe

Please encourage your child to dress warmly for school, including a hat, gloves, and scarf. We will monitor students closely for signs of cold-related issues.

The decision to declare a snow day is made by our Superintendent after consulting many

resources. You will be notified by phone through our automated phone system if a snow

day is declared. You can also check the district website (www.d181.org) and/or local radio and

television stations.

Even if you have received text messages from us in the past, you may need to confirm your subscription to ensure you are still in the system.

To Opt-In:
Using the cell phone that you have on file with the school, send a new text message with the word "Y" (or "Yes") to our district's short code: 67587.
You should receive a confirmation text back almost immediately.
If your mobile number has changed, or if you have any trouble with this process, please contact your schools main office so we can update your contact information.
Thank you for helping us make sure we can reach you with important news!

Each trimester, students can earn poms for following the Walker Way and vote on a special spirit day celebration (i.e. Pajama Day vs. Movie at Lunch) to be held at the end of the trimester. For this second trimester, we are focused on showing "We Are RESPONSIBLE to LEARN." Students can earn the coveted glitter poms for demonstrating outstanding kindness and leadership. Each week, we will highlight our Walker Way leaders during Friday morning announcements and the next Walker Wednesday News!

This (last week of December) week's Walker Way leaders are Ethan Snow, Lucas Loman, Leo Haskell, Nicho Georgetti, Dagny Veatch, Maddox Campos, Parker Tertell, Jonathon Yeksigian, Smith Hoffman, Beckett Fetzer, James Sullivan, and Scarlett Mandru.

Skyward Family Access provides parents access to important student information. From grades and attendance to schedules and contact information, Skyward is a valuable tool for staying connected to your child's education.

Link to Skyward Family Access: https://skyward.iscorp.com/Community181ILStu

This link can also be found at the top of the D181 website, as well as through a mobile app. When downloading the app, search for "Hinsdale CCSD 181".

Follow the links below to learn more about the features of Family Access

• Skyward Family Access Overview
• Adding Optional Fees
• Food Service (middle school only)

New this year is the ability for families to report student absences directly in Skyward. We encourage families to report absences directly into Skyward Family Access to ensure timely and consistent communication to teachers and office staff.

Please follow the link below to learn more about this new feature. Also, it would be helpful to email your absent child's teacher and Secretary Mrs. Salach: gsalach@d181.org

Reporting Student Absences in Skyward Family Access

Parents,

If your child comes to school with an ortho device (walking boot, wrist brace, finger splint, etc.) please be sure to obtain a doctor's note indicating wether he/she can participate in PE and recess. For the safety of your child--and his/her peers--we typically require students to sit out from PE and recess while in such a device. Email emellens@d181.org as needed.

IMPORTANT: The previous online absence reporting link is no longer active. Please use the link below to report your child's absence:

Reporting Student Absences in Skyward Family Access

School Day Information

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

Kinder-1st-2nd Lunch 11:25-11:50 AM

Kinder-1st-2nd Recess 11:50-12:15 PM

3rd-4th-5th Recess 11:25-11:50 AM

3rd-4th-5th Lunch 11:50-12:15 PM

• Student Arrival will begin daily at 8:30 a.m. (12:15 p.m. if going home for lunch). 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 3:05 p.m. (Primary teachers will escort students outside prior to 3:05 bell.)
• 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

All Kindergarten through 5th graders will line up on the blacktop in grade level-marked areas. (NOTE: Kindergarten will no longer line up at the Kinder/Main Entrance doors). Students will be dismissed from these same locations. No entry/dismissal on the north teacher parking lot side of the school.

• Dismissal time: 3:05 (Grades K-5)

• Classroom teachers will lead their grade levels to the blacktop (grades K-5).
• WALKERS and CAR RIDERS: Reunite with families at the top of the traffic loop/blacktop or at other designated meeting spot.
• 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 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.

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 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 K-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 Wednesday, August, 21 (or as soon as you receive your placard if new); our staff will use this name placard to call children to the loading area as their rides idle along the curb during pick-up.

· 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 K-1-2 Lunch in MPR

Grade 3-4-5 Recess outside

11:50 – 12:15

Grades 3-4-5 Lunch in MPR

Grades K-1-2 Recess outside

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

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.

Depending on interest and enrollment, Before and After the Bell may be held onsite at Walker School and The Community House.

Announcing the Community Speaker Series lineup for the 2025-2026 season! We are thrilled to welcome these top experts to our community this school year.

Our first event is on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:15pm at Hinsdale Middle School: Ethan Kross, PhD - Shift: Managing Emotions So They Don’t Manage You. Register here.

The Community Speaker Series is committed to fostering a sense of community through hosting in-person and virtual events that inform and inspire. CSS is funded jointly by District 86 and District 181 and is supported by the D181 Foundation. Our events are free and open to the public. We encourage everyone to join our events, connect and learn together.

Elementary Golf School is offering an exciting junior golf program at Walker School, designed to expose golf to juniors of all ability levels. This program is created and taught by PGA Professionals, including lesson plans that are fun, safe, and educational. Youngsters will be given the opportunity to experiment with playing a variety of different shots. Our program teaches fundamentals, with plenty of variation for practicing and playing. We will not only teach the shots, but also the etiquette, behavior, and finer points of the rules of the game. Our instructors will be able to adjust the level of complexity to each child’s individual level of progress.

For more information or to register for the after-school golf program at Walker School, please visit www.elementarygolfschool.com or call (630) 853-6348.

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