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WHS Principal Post-February 2024
The monthly Hammerschmidt family newsletter
February 2024
February 15: Family Literacy Night
February 16: No School PM-½ DAY (11:40 dismissal)
February 19: No School - Presidents’ Day Holiday
February 23: WHS TRIVIA PTA NIGHT
February 29: EARLY RELEASE DAY - 1:15pm Dismissal
February 29: KDG Pre-Registration 5:00pm - 8:00pm (Appointment Only)
March 2024
March 1: NO SCHOOL - Institute Day
March 1: KDG Pre-Registration 7:30- 11:00 (Appointment Only)
March 4-8: Read Across America Week
March 6: PTA Dine & Donate
March 9: WHS PTA Movie Night
March 19: SPRING MUSICAL (3rd,4th,5th & Chorus) 7:00PM at GWMS
March 21: SPRING MUSICAL (KDG, 1st & 2nd) 7:00PM at GWMS
March 25 - 29: SPRING BREAK!
Valentine's Day Notes:
We do not have formal parties for Valentines Day at Hammerschmidt. The passing out of Valentines is classroom based. It is important to note that only the valentines themselves are permitted. Out of respect for those with allergies, NO CANDY is allowed at school. Please do not bring candy attached to your valentines. If candy is brought to school, it will not be passed out to our students. Thank you for your cooperation with this!
WHS Family Literacy Night- Next Week- Thursday 2/15, 6:00- 7:30 pm
Triano’s Pizza and homemade baked goods will be for sale! Parent Authors will be selling their books and lots of fun activities are planned for the whole family! Hope to see you all there! (If you would like to donate individually wrapped baked or purchased goods, email Cara at cvantiltges@gmail.com)
Please join us for our WHS Family Literacy Night! See the flyer below for details!
KINDERGARTEN PRE-REGISTRATION PACKETS NOW AVAILABLE:
Do you have an incoming kindergartener for the 2024-25 school year? Your child is eligible to pre-register for Kindergarten if their birthday is on or before September 1, 2019. Kindergarten Pre-Registration packets will be available in the office Wednesday, February 1st. Call the WHS office at 630-827-4200 or email Mrs. Valdivia (evaldivia@sd44.org) to pick up a packet.
REMINDER FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE:
Please be sure to keep an extra set of clothes and socks in your child’s backpack for any wetness from outside or unexpected spills.
If your child has borrowed WHS clothing from the Health Office, please be sure to launder and return the items as soon as possible. Our supply of extra clothing is extremely limited.
Thank you!
3RD GRADE FUNDRAISER - WATER.ORG:
Join the Third Graders at this year’s Family Literacy Night on February 15th for a fundraiser for Water.org, an organization that helps provide communities around the world with access to fresh water. Click HERE for more information.
CHESS CLUB: 2/8 - 3/21
Calling all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade chess enthusiasts and those wanting to learn! WHS Chess Club will be hosting an engaging after-school experience for 3rd-5th graders interested in learning about and playing the game of chess. Chess Club will meet every Thursday starting February 8 through March 21 from 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM.
Click the link to learn more and register here.
For more information please contact Sara Dashner Amara.
WHS TRIVIA NIGHT - 2/23/24 at 7pm
REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED! Register here by Tuesday, February 20th! Please join us at this FUNdraiser for the WHS PTA. WHS Trivia Night location will be held at First Church of Lombard, 220. S. Main Street. Space is limited so be sure to register now! The cost per player is $20. There will be tables of 8 (but they can fit up to a team of 10). Mulligans will be available for $25 per Team. Click here to pay for registration. Bring your own food and drinks and cash to play Split the Pot! Please contact Kate and Wayne Temple or Katelyn Kennedy with any questions.
Calling All Authors!
Calling all parent authors! Would you like to showcase your book at this year's Family Literacy Night on February 15 and make copies available for purchase? Please contact Heather Villardito at heejnik@yahoo.com (by February 8) for more information on how to register. We hope that you can join us!
Introducing the STEAM Expo: A New Science Experience!:
Traditionally, around this time of year, we would be gearing up for the annual Science Fair. However, after carefully considering feedback from students, families, and staff, and taking into account the resounding success of last year's World Expo event, we are excited to announce a reimagined science experience: The STEAM Expo!
The STEAM Expo aims to provide an immersive experience for our students and families on April 18th. This event will take place from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Connect Center.
We look forward to seeing you at the STEAM Expo and celebrating the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Stay tuned for more details and save the date for April 18!
School Safety Information -- Circle Drive -- Unload Curbside PLEASE!
WHS PTA MEETING: 2/26, 7:00 PM
Curious about the PTA's plans for the rest of the year? Join us at the upcoming PTA Meeting on Monday, February 26th, at 7 PM in the LRC. All are welcome to attend.
Students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.
These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.
All teachers and fourth through 12th grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May and will also be included in the State School Report Card.
Additionally, your district has chosen to provide the optional supplement parent survey. If at least 20 percent of Hammerschmidt's parents/guardians complete this survey, a parent report will also be generated. The parent data will not be included on the State Report Card.
Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be open until March 29th. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same period. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Survey Support at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
The District 44 Music Parent Association cordially invites you all to attend a Family Field Trip to see the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform the Carnival of the Animals!
This family friendly concert is a great way to see and hear classical music and support the D44 Music parent organization!
Important Information about this event:
Each family must purchase their own tickets and provide their own transportation to Symphony Center in Chicago.
● Buy tickets in the Flynn Gallery section, left of center, to sit near other D44 families.
● Purchase at CSO Carnival of the Animals Ticket Ordering
● Tickets in the Flynn Gallery are $5 for students and $15 for adults.
● Choose the 11:00am show on February 17, 2024 (There's also a 9:00am show available that day as well if you are unable to attend the 11:00am show)
Check out this flyer for more information:
Sat. Feb 17 11:00AM Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concert Information
WHS PTA PHONE BOOK:
WHS PTA PHONE BOOK:
This year’s PTA School Directory has been distributed to all WHS PTA members. We’ll continue to check for new members and will distribute the directories weekly from here out.
The school directory comes in handy for play dates, car pools, homework help, group projects and more!
If you haven’t signed up yet but would like the School Directory, you can Join here today!
Signing up for a PTA membership does not obligate you to volunteer or commit time (unless you are compelled to do so). Dues are $15.00 per adult or $20 per family.
WHS 23-24 YEARBOOK:
YOU CAN NOW ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK!
Follow this link to order your yearbook today: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/
Then enter the WHS code for our yearbook, which is 14466024.
Don’t forget to continue to upload your photos from any and all WHS events!
We're excited to create a memorable yearbook filled with cherished moments, and we need your help! The Yearbook Committee has established a Google Photos drive to simplify the process of collecting as many photos as possible for this year's edition.
How to Share Photos:
Add school event photos to the Google Photos drive.
Describe the event, mention the grade, and teacher (if applicable) to help us organize the yearbook.
Share last year's end-of-year event photos too, like field day or class parties.
Tips for Submitting:
Describe events, mention grades, and teachers for better categorization.
The committee will carefully choose the best photos for the yearbook.
Reminders and Help:
We'll send reminders all year for more photo uploads.
If you have trouble or any concerns, contact Samantha Baker.
Your photos will capture our school year's special moments. Let's collaborate to create an incredible yearbook!
Click here to upload yearbook photos.
WHS PTA FACEBOOK:
Please join the WHS PTA Facebook Page and Hammerschmidt School in Lombard so you will always have the most up-to-date information for all the PTA events happening throughout the school year!
GIVEBACKS:
Please support WHS PTA by signing up for Givebacks here. You securely link your credit/debit cards under the Hammerschmidt PTA and then every time you use that card at a participating business in-store or online, you earn cashback and Givebacks will also automatically give a percentage back to WHS PTA. SO EASY!! Plus, the first time you spend at a participating business they give WHS PTA $5. For more details click here.
WHS PTA MEMBERSHIP:
WHS PTA MEMBERSHIP:
Have You Joined WHS PTA Yet? What are you waiting for? Now's the perfect time to become a part of this incredible organization!
When you join WHS PTA, you'll receive a copy of the WHS school directory as a fantastic membership benefit. This directory is more than just a list; it's a valuable tool for play dates, car pools, homework help, group projects, and so much more!
By joining, you become a vital part of our supportive community and gain access to resources that enhance your student's school experience. A PTA membership does not obligate you to volunteer or commit time (unless you are compelled to do so). PTA Dues are $15.00 per adult or $20 per family. A portion goes to the Illinois/National PTA & the remaining portion helps fund our activities and programs at WHS. Join here today! Donate here today!
How Can I Get Involved in WHS PTA.
SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL PTA CALENDAR:
Did you know you can Subscribe to the digital PTA and school calendar? Visit Events and then click subscribe. You can choose iCal, outlook or Google calendar and it will automatically add the events to your calendar.
WHS PTA FACEBOOK:
WHS PTA FACEBOOK:
Please join the WHS PTA Facebook Page and Hammerschmidt School in Lombard so you will always have the most up-to-date information for all the PTA events happening throughout the school year!