The Wilmot Word

After what has been a difficult week for many in our community it is heartwarming and inspiring to see this project created by every Wilmot student. This beautiful display is comprised of each students' 7-minute self-portrait. Each year Mrs. Dubin invites students to suggest a special 5-6 letter word that represents our school and who we are. This year the winning word is Unity, suggested by 5th grader, Nell. Unity is not only a principle of art design, but it means "being united or joined as one."

We had a great time with authors Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson visiting Fourth and Fifth Grades on October 12th! Autographed books can still be purchased through Monday, October 16th through The Book Stall Link here. Books will be delivered to Wilmot if you choose the “school pickup” option. We are thankful to Jason and Dan and the Bookstall for a FANTASTIC visit!

Please stop by the PTO Book Fair next week. This awesome event is not only a fundraiser, but it also lets students shop for some wonderful books! The book fair will be held in the Wilmot GMA. All visitors may only enter through the west GMA doors (near the primary playground). Visit the book fair on:

• Wednesday, October 18 from 2:30-5:30 pm
• Thursday, October 19 from 3:30-5:30 pm
• Friday, October 20 from 3:30-4:30 pm
• Sunday, October 2 from 1:00-4:00 pm

This year, we will be celebrating Halloween at Wilmot on Tuesday, October 31. Below is important information to help make this a fun and safe day for everyone.

We want to remind families to be cautious when helping their child select a costume for Halloween. Using another's culture as a Halloween costume can be viewed as insensitive or offensive. In addition, we encourage students to be inclusive so that students do not feel excluded during the Halloween festivities. Students may not wear group costumes that exclude other students.

Costume Information:

• Students will wear costumes to school as we cannot easily assist students in changing into costumes during the school day.
• Masks (for costumes) should come to school in a bag to be worn only for the parade, pictures, and parties. Students should not wear masks on the bus or when walking to school.
• Toy weapons are strictly prohibited.
• Please send a bag for your child's costume should they choose to take it off during the day.
• If you need assistance in providing your child with a Halloween costume, please let me know
• Avoid group costumes that exclude other students from participating. Our goal is to create an inclusive school environment.
  

Parade:

• We will hold the Halloween parade at 8:55 am, weather permitting.
• Click below to see the parade route.

• 5th grade will lead the parade (starting at the gym doors), followed by 4th grade

• 3rd grade will join the parade at the art door (following 4th grade)

• 2nd grade and 1st grade will follow 3rd grade from the west GMA doors

• Kindergarten will exit from their classrooms and will follow 1st grade

• All students will walk one time around the school entering and exiting the same door

• Parents/guests should not stop the parade, approach the children, or ask students to step out of the parade for a photo.

Visitors:

• We ask that all guests remain outside during the parade.
• Parent/Guardian volunteers for classroom parties MUST have their ID when they check in with our office staff. No visitors will be allowed in the building without their driver's license or state ID.

Families who are not comfortable sending their child in costume, please reach out to your child's teacher so that we can be sensitive to you or your child's feelings about dressing up for Halloween. We want everyone at Wilmot to feel comfortable.

Our lost and found continues to grow. Please have your children check the lost and found carts and tables for missing items. All unclaimed items will be donated the first week of November.

Mark your calendars! Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 1:00-4:00 pm & 5:00-8:00 pm and on Friday, October 27th from 8:30-11:30 am. All DPS109 schools will hold in-person parent-teacher conferences this year with an option to Zoom for parents/guardians who are not available for an in-person conference. Parents will sign up for a conference using Sign-Up Genius. These links were shared yesterday and can be found below.

It is best practice to hold one parent conference per child, to ensure that both parents receive the same information regarding their child’s strengths and needs. Therefore, I ask that parents sign up for one joint conference per student. If this is a concern, please reach out to me directly. We look forward to seeing all of our parents during conferences. Conferences are a discussion between parents and teachers. At this time elementary conferences do not include students and therefore we ask that children not attend the parent-teacher conference.

All 1st - 5th grade students are invited to submit a winter-themed work of art for a chance to be featured on Hyatt Regency Deerfield's holiday greeting card. One winner will be selected from each elementary school. Art for this contest should be completed outside of school. Please turn in all cards to Mrs. Dubin by Friday, October 20. Click the button below to learn more about this special contest.

All Wilmot families should have received an email directly from Stuart Rodgers with directions for ordering your child's school picture. If you did not receive an email, please contact Stuart Rodgers at: 847-864-7322

We will offer picture retakes and an opportunity for photos for those who were absent on picture day. This will take place on October 25.

Deerfield Parent Network, in partnership with Districts 109, 112 and 113, is pleased to announce Julie Lythcott-Haims’ presentation, “How to Raise Successful Kids” on November 30th at 7:30 pm at Deerfield High School’s Auditorium.

Julie Lythcott-Haims is the New York Times best selling author of “How to Raise an Adult''. Drawing on research; conversations with admissions officers, educators, and employers; and on her own insights as a mother and as a student dean, Julie Lythcott-Haims highlights the ways in which over-parenting harms children, their stressed-out parents, and society at large. Mark your calendars - this is sure to be a great program! While walk-ins are always welcome, DPN is asking that you RSVP for planning purposes.

RSVP LINK: RSVP HERE

Click the link below to see our New PTO Newsletter. Learn about:

• Wilmot's book fair
• PTO meeting dates

Spirit Wear has arrived and everything looks great. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your order please reach out directly to B Friends at (847) 236-4131.

October 26th marks the first official day of School Chest 2023! School Chest is Deerfield High School’s annual three week long charity fundraiser where the community unites to raise money for a worthy beneficiary. This year's non-profit beneficiary is GiGi’s Playhouse Deerfield located right down the street from DHS.

Come for TRUNK OR TREATING at 5pm on Friday, October 27th in the back parking lot of DHS! Admission is free with a suggested donation to benefit Gigi’s Playhouse!

Directly following Trunk or Treating on October 27th at 6:15pm is our Family Friendly DRIVE IN MOVIE. Come with friends and family, bring blankets, and enjoy treats like Shookies Cookies! Admission is $20 per car. Purchase tickets on schoolchest.org now or pay when you arrive!

For more information on how to become involved in this year's School Chest, please visit our website schoolchest.org or email us at Schoolchest@gmail.com or mkaufman@dist113.org. We hope to see DPS 109 families at these events!

Thursday, October 26th is a ½ day of school and Friday, October 27th there is NO SCHOOL due to parent/teacher conferences!

• Friday, October 13

• Tornado Drill

• Tuesday, October 17

• PTO meeting at 1:30 on Zoom

• Wednesday, October 18

• Book fair opens in the GMA

• Thursday, October 19

• Great Shake Out-Earthquake Drill

• Book fair in the GMA

• Friday, October 20

• Book fair in the GMA

• Sunday, October 22

• Book fair in the GMA

• Wednesday, October 25

• Picture Retakes (8:50-10:00 am)

• Thursday, October 26

• Early dismissal at 11:40

• Afternoon/evening parent conferences

• BOE Meeting

• Friday, October 27

• Morning parent conferences (no school for students)

• Tuesday, October 31

• Halloween parade - 8:55 am (more details about Halloween are coming)