WHS Principal Post-January 2024
The monthly Hammerschmidt family newsletter
Coming this month:
Jan. 12, Friday, D44 Institute Day,- No School
Jan. 15, Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday- No School
Jan. 19, Friday, WHS Colors Day
Jan 19, Friday, WHS PTA Movie Night (Elemental)
Jan 22, Monday, WHS PTA Meeting, 7pm, LRC
Jan. 24, Wednesday, Early Release Day, Student dismissal at 1:15 pm.
Jan. 25 Thursday, Grade 4 Winter Concert (Instrumental Music) at GEHS, 7pm
Jan. 26, Friday, Superhero Day at WHS
Jan. 27, Sat, Chicago Wolves Game (Superhero Night)
WHS Star Cast - Episode 1 - December 2023
WHS Star Cast- Episode 2- January 2024
Click on the video below to view the January 2024 edition of our student Star Cast!
Winter (Snow) Recess Guidelines:
Hammerschmidt’s Winter Playground Rules:
Before School, Recess and After School
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Students will have OUTDOOR recess unless the temperature (including the wind-chill) is below 10 degrees. The temperature is monitored each morning and before lunch from multiple data points. Children will go out if the temperature is above 10 degrees. Please send appropriate outdoor clothing including hats and mittens with your child to school.
If students wish to play in the snow, they must wear BOTH snow pants and boots. If students are not wearing snow pants and boots, they are required to stay on our blacktop surface of the playground for the lunchtime and classroom recess periods.
Students are not allowed to throw snowballs, slide on ice or play other games where student safety may be compromised.
ALL students regardless of age or grade share snow forts. Children may add to the fort, but not destroy the fort.
It is a great idea to keep an extra pair of socks, hat and gloves or mittens in your child’s backpack. Students have a great time playing in the snow when appropriately dressed and following these guidelines.
Snow Day or Remote Learning Day?
In advance of the cold weather arriving, we want to share with staff our intentions of calling remote learning day vs. a traditional school closure day. Below you will find more information on that criteria as well as what to expect when a remote learning day is utilized.
It should be noted that in most circumstances, the district will likely utilize remote learning over cancellation of school. However, there certainly will be times when that cannot occur.
Regardless, families and staff will be contacted through our traditional emergency calling procedures and notified at the time of the message about the district’s decision.
Emergency Closing Criteria
District 44 will call a snow day, meaning no remote learning will occur and the day will be made-up later in the school year. Typically, this will be used if we were in a position to not send proper resources home with students, or teachers did not have proper time to plan. For example:
Weather conditions are rapidly changing or are so unpredictable that the district is unable to provide teachers or students adequate time to prepare for a remote learning day.
Students/staff are sent home early due to the weather event without the ability to send resources home with students or proper plan time for teachers.
An unexpected weather event occurred while school is out (i.e. over the weekend) and is continuing into the school day. Students were not sent with the proper resources to participate in remote learning.
We are unable to properly and safely staff our buildings nor ensure our staff could be available remotely to teach.
Remote Learning Criteria
District 44 will utilize a remote learning day, meaning the day will not have to be made up at the end of year and students and staff are expected to be online. Typically, this will be used if we were in a position to send proper resources home with students, and teachers have proper time to plan. For example:
A weather event is predicted to occur and the district has enough time to send students home with proper materials to participate in remote learning. Teachers also have enough advance notice to properly prepare for a successful remote learning day.
Severe cold is expected that would make it unsafe for students or staff to come into school.
We can ensure equitable learning experiences across the district.
Lost and Found at WHS
Please feel free to come and check the WHS "Lost and Found." We have lots of very nice clothing that belongs to many of our WHS kids!
CHESS CLUB: COMING SOON
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 meets immediately after school and takes place in a multi-week series beginning in February.
Look for more information and a sign up opportunity after Winter Break! For more information please contact Sara Dashner Amara.
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!
School Safety Information -- Circle Drive -- Unload Curbside PLEASE!
WHS PTA MEETING: 1/22, 7:00 PM
Curious about the PTA's plans for the rest of the year? Join us at the upcoming PTA Meeting on Monday, January 22, at 7 PM in the LRC. All are welcome to attend.
MOVIE NIGHT: 1/19, 6:15-8:15 PM
ELEMENTAL will be showing at the next movie night! WHS students can enjoy a night with friends at this 2 hour drop off event. Popcorn is provided and concessions are available for purchase.
Click here for Flyer
WHS CHICAGO WOLVES NIGHT: 1/27
WHS CHICAGO WOLVES NIGHT: 1/27
WHS is thrilled to host another Chicago Wolves night on January 27, 2024, at 7 pm, and this time, it's SUPERHERO Night! Tickets are available for $21 each, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the PTA. Additionally, don’t miss out on the opportunity to grab a hot dog and soda voucher for just $8. Join us for a night filled with superhero fun and hockey excitement! These tickets make great stocking stuffers for the whole family! Let’s come out and show our support for the Chicago Wolves and our wonderful PTA!!! *parking is an additional cost. Click here to purchase your tickets.
Click here for flyer.
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 TRIVIA NIGHT - 2/23/24 at 7pm
Calling all trivia enthusiasts! Save the Date! February 23 for the WHS PTA Trivia Night! This year, we're thrilled to announce that the event will be hosted by two fantastic Hammerschmidt families: The Temples and The Kennedys! It's bound to be an evening filled with brain-teasing questions, laughter, and friendly competition.
Stay tuned for more exciting details about this highly anticipated and fun-filled event. Gather your teams, brush up on your trivia, and let's make this Trivia Night an unforgettable one!
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.
YEARBOOK ORDER:
Follow this link to order your yearbook today: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/
Then enter the WHS code for our yearbook, which is 14466024.
WHS YEARBOOK PHOTOS:
WHS YEARBOOK PHOTOS:
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:
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!