Wildcat News
October 2023 Issue 31
Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences
This year all students are required to attend their conference with their parent(s). Please see your teachers for more information and to schedule your conference. Walk-in conferences are not permitted, you must have a scheduled time.
Waldo Middle School Clubs and Activities
Name/focus of the club: Waldo Tae-Kwon-Do Academy
Day(s) of the week that the club meets: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Times (start and end): 2:30 pm-4:00 pm
Location in/around the building for meeting: Room 306
Number of spots remaining: 20
Contact person: Mr. Alonso
Approximate Start Date/Seasons: 8/29/23-end of the school year
Name/focus of the club: Student council
Day(s) of the week that the club meets: Every other Tuesday
Times (start and end): 2:30-3:30
Location in/around the building for meeting: Room 105
Number of spots remaining: 35
Contact person: Ms. Burback rm 105
Approximate Start Date: Sept 19th at 2:30 in room 105 to pick up
permission slips
Name/focus of the club: Technology club
Day(s) of the week that the club meets: every other Wednesday
Times (start and end): 2:30 – 3:30
Location in/around the building for meeting: Room 105
Number of spots remaining: 25
Contact person: Ms. Burback rm 105
Approximate Start Date: Sept 13th at 2:30 in room 105 to pick up permissions slips
Name/focus of the club: Art Club
Day(s) of the week that the club meets: Thursdays
Location: Room 103A (Mr. Levi’s room)
Times: 3-4pm
Number of spots remaining: 25
Contact Person: Mrs. Cholewa or Mr. Levi
Approximate Start Date/Season: Starts 9/28, they will need to go to this meeting and get a permission slip.
Name/focus of the club: Newspaper Club
Day(s) of the week that the club meets: every other Wednesday (starting October 3rd)
Times (start and end): 2:45- 3:15
Location in/around the building for meeting: Room 219
Number of spots remaining: 25
Contact person: Mrs. Boyce
Approximate Start Date/Season: October 3rd
Name/focus of the club: National Junior Honor Society
Day(s) of the week that the club meets: 2 times a month
Times (start and end): 2:35-3:30
Location in/around the building for meeting: Room 217
Number of spots remaining: By invite only
Contact person: Mrs. Furr
Approximate start date/season: Mid-September to end of year
Name/focus of the club: Yearbook Club
Day(s) of the week that the club meets: every other Tuesday (starting September 12th)
Times (start and end): 2:45-3:15 (or later depending on meeting)
Location in/around the building for meeting: Room 311
Number of spots remaining: 25
Contact person: Ms. Donnamario
Approximate start date/season: First meeting will be 9/12
Name/focus of the club: Peace Jam
Day(s) of the week that the club meets: see calendar (will be given out at the first meeting)
Times (start and end): 2:45-3:30
Location in/around the building for meeting: Room 323
Number of spots remaining: 25
Contact person: Mrs. Sumerlin
Approximate start date/season: First meeting will be 9/27 (need to come to this meeting to get permission slip and calendar)
Waldo MS Expectations
Goal 1: Respect
Increase school spirit and improve culture
Goal 2: Safety
Introduce incentives for positive behavior
Goal 3: Attendance
95% daily attendance
Respect: Right to speech
You have the right to say what you want; you are not free of the consequences of your speech. Consequences can be in person, on social media, and disruption of the learning environment. Remember to talk it out, use your words, do not stir the pot, and see a counselor, teacher, or another adult for help. Be kind to others and treat others how you want to be treated. Do not fight. DO NOT FIGHT!
Safety: Walking in the hallway
Remember to walk on the right. Do not bump into others, apologize if you accidentally do. Please always walk. You should keep moving, do not stop and talk to your friends.
Respect & Safety: In the lunchroom
You are expected to sit down with your feet under the table. You must have your ID ready and present it when you go through the line to get your food. Always be kind to the cafeteria staff, PPAs, and other lunchroom workers. Please use good manners when eating and clean up your area. Only one student will be allowed to use the restroom at a time, with no exceptions.
Respect & Safety: Restooms
The restrooms will be closed during all passing periods. The third-floor restrooms are closed all day, students must use the second-floor restrooms only. All students must have a pass to use the restroom. Remember to use the restroom quickly and quietly. Mind your own business, wash your hands, flush, report any issues to staff, and if you see something say something. Be on your best behavior, do not throw paper, do not write on the walls, and do not leave a mess.
Safety: dismissal
When you are dismissed for the day remember to exit the correct door. You should exit as soon as possible, keep moving and go straight home. If you would like to stop at the store or shops, it is a privilege. The owners and staff can prohibit you from entering. Make good choices: keep walking, do not stop anywhere, and do not fight. The school is responsible for you until you walk into your house.
Equity through Action!
The Red Ribbon Campaign
Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. When he decided to join the US Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out of it. “I’m only one person”, he told her, “but I want to make a difference.”
On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent’s side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena’s body was found. He had been tortured to death.
In honor of Camarena’s memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions embraced Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena’s memory, the red ribbon.
In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families. The National Family Partnership (NFP) and its network of individuals and organizations continue to deliver his message of hope to millions of people every year, through the National Red Ribbon Campaign™.
Resource: https://www.redribbon.org/
Unity Day
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is more than a disagreement, a difference of opinion, or a conflict that occurs between a few friends and/or someone in your class or school.
Bullying may include:
- The person is being hurt, harmed, or humiliated with words or behavior
- The behavior is repeated
- The behavior is being done intentionally
- The person being hurt cannot stop or prevent the behavior
- The hurtful behavior causes an imbalance of power, the victim feels powerless, weak, inferior
Learn more @ https://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/
Super Easy Pumpkin Cookies
One can of pure pumpkin
One box of spice cake mix
8 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix the box of cake mix and the pumpkin until there are no lumps of dry mix
3. Stir in the chocolate chips
4. Scoop out tablespoon size balls of the mix onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment or foil sprayed with baking spray.
5. Bake for 12- 14 minutes.
For fun, you could add cream cheese frosting or other flavors.
Recipe adapted from: https://toddlerapproved.com/2021/10/easiest-pumpkin-cookies-for-kids.html
Scary Halloween Facts
2. Fifty percent of kids would rather get chocolate for Halloween than anything else.
3. The birthplace of Halloween is believed to be Ireland.
4. Other names for Halloween are: All Hallows' Eve, Witches Night, Snap-Apple Night, and Summer's End.
5. The famous magician Harry Houdini died on October 31, 1926.
6. The longest haunted house tour in the world is "The Factory of Fear" in Canton, Ohio.
7. Some people believe that a child born on October 31st can talk to spirits.
8. Pumpkins are classified as a fruit, not a vegetable.
9. New Hampshire's state fruit is the pumpkin.
10. The movie Halloween was filmed in 21 days.
Interesting Halloween Laws:
- In Walnut Creek, California, you must have a permit to wear a mask on Halloween
- In Bellville, Missouri, it is illegal to ask for candy if you are over 13 years old
- In Dublin, Georgia, it is illegal for anyone over 16 to wear a mask, sunglasses, or any facial covering on Halloween
- In Alabama, it is illegal to dress up as a priest or a nun on Halloween
- In Hollywood, California, you are not allowed to possess, use, sell, or distribute silly sting from 12 am on October 31st until noon on November 1st
See more @ https://www.factretriever.com/halloween-facts
TRICK-OR-TREAT Aurora, Illinois 2023
Tuesday, October 31st. Halloween 2023 Hours 4 PM to 7 PM
FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS:
• Stay home if you’re sick or showing any signs of illness.
• Don’t gather in large groups.
• Wash hands thoroughly before eating candy
• Wear a standard mask or face covering.
A costume mask is not a substitute or a way to prevent the spread of viruses
FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
• Keep children home if they are sick or showing any signs of illness
• Have children wear a standard mask or face covering.
• Wash hands as soon as you return home
• Inspect candy as usual
A costume mask is not a substitute or a way to prevent the spread of viruses
FOR THOSE DISTRIBUTING CANDY
• Do not hand out candy if you are sick or showing any signs of illness.
• Consider individual baggies of candy instead of a big bowl
Downtown Aurora, IL Events:
Trick-or-Treat in Downtown - Saturday before Halloween from 1 - 3 PM, the event is for all ages!
Sugar Skull City - October 15th to November 5, 2023
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in downtown Aurora, and enjoy the tradition of an honored holiday!
Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
1 1/2 cups fresh pumpkin seeds
2 teaspoons of salt
2 teaspoons of oil
2 teaspoons or more to taste of your favorite spice blend such as chili and lemon, ranch, or cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Fill a medium pot with about 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of salt.
Boil.
Remove the seeds from the pumpkin. Put the seeds in a bowl and rinse them under cold water until they float and are almost clean.
Add the cleaned seeds to the boiling water and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Drain and remove any pumpkin remains attached to the seeds.
Use clean kitchen towels to dry the seeds. Let the seeds dry for at least 30 minutes.
Put the seeds in a bowl and toss them with the oil and spices until well coated.
Distribute the seeds on the oven tray in a single layer.
Bake the seeds for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven, let cool and enjoy. Store the seeds in a completely closed container.
This recipe was adapted from: https://www.inspiredtaste.net/35546/easy-roasted-pumpkin-seeds-recipe/#itr-recipe-35546
See Something, Say Something!
October and November Events
9th - No School
10th - Spirit Week: PJ Day
11th - Spirit Day: Jersey Day
12th - Spirit Day: Character Day
13th - Spirit Day: EA Pride Day
14th - Spirit Day: Red & Black Day
18th - Half Day
19th to 27th - Book Fair
19th - Conferences, No School
20th - Conferences, No School
26th - 2nd Quarter Begins
November
10th - No School
22th - No School
23rd - No School
24th - No School
Waldo Newspaper Staff
Mrs. Boyce - Editor-in-Chief
Email: sboyce@d131.org
Website: waldo.d131.org/
Location: 56 Jackson Street, Aurora, IL, USA
Phone: (630) 299 - 8400