The Wilmot Word: November 22, 2024

Once again Wilmot families have an opportunity to bring joy to children and families within our own community this holiday season by donating gifts.

Here’s how it works:

1. View the wish list:
   Click the link below to access the list of requested holiday gifts. (The list will grow over time, so check back often!)

2. Select your gift(s):
   Choose items to purchase from the list. Click here or use the button below.

3. Shop and drop off:

1. Bring unwrapped items to Wilmot on any weekday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM from Monday, December 2 through Wednesday, December 11th.

2. It is essential that you include the family name (e.g. Candy Cane, Cocoa, etc.)

3. If you’re donating gift cards, please drop them off in the front office.

4. Alternate options:

1. If you prefer to ship gifts directly to Wilmot, address them to Eileen Brett - Operation Snowflake (795 Wilmot Rd)

2. For alternate drop-off arrangements, contact me at ebrett@dps109.org.

3. Not a shopper? Consider donating gift cards (Target, Amazon, Walmart, Jewel etc.), which we’ll share with families.

Note: Please do not wrap gifts. Wrapping supplies, such as paper and bows, will be provided to families.

Our goal is to come together as a community to make the holidays brighter for everyone. Thank you for your generosity and support of Operation Snowflake!

With gratitude,

Eileen Brett

The Wilmot PTO is excited to announce a winter spirit wear sale featuring the popular Cubby in the Castle collection, matching the Wilmot staff spirit wear! All proceeds will support Operation Snowflake, an initiative of 109 Gives Back and Wilmot’s Team Give philanthropy club, aimed at providing holiday gifts for local families. This district-wide Holiday Gift Drive ensures that families in our community can share in the joy of the season with special gifts to unwrap. Stay tuned for more details on how to contribute to Operation Snowflake and support those in need this holiday season!

Use the QR code on the flier below or simply click on the flier to visit the swag store.

Hi Wilmot Families,

We are so excited to offer these special fun days to celebrate our Wilmot community. Thursdays will be an optional flannel day from November to March. Flannels are cozy shirts, pants, and other items that keep you warm in the winter months. Students should not feel that they need to buy anything. Instead, they can get creative with items already in their homes.

Thank you,

Wilmot Student Council

Friday Spirit Days

• 12/13/24 - Favorite Color Day - Dress head to toe in your favorite color
• 1/17/24 - Pajama Day - Appropriate pajamas for school- No stuffed animals
• 2/7/24 - Dress Fancy Day - Dress up in a special outfit for the day
• 3/14/24 - Tie-Dye Day - Put together your favorite spiral-dyed outfit
• 4/11/24 - Decade Day - Dress like a certain decade. Ex: 70’s Disco
• 5/16/24 - College Day - Wear apparel from your favorite college team
• 5/30/24 - Beach Day - Beachwear. Ex: Hats, Sunglasses , No bathing suits

Special Spirit Day in December

• Thursday 12/19/24 - Holiday or Winter Sweater (Clothing) Day - Wear something festive

Special Spirit Day in March

• Wednesday 3/19/24 - March Madness - Wear your favorite college basketball team

Just a reminder that there are no enrichment classes the entire week of Thanksgiving 11/25-11/29. This includes Monday and Tuesday when school is in session. If your child is in after school club on these days, they will go there on Monday and Tuesday at dismissal. Please contact your child's teacher and let them know how your child will be dismissed on Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26 (car rider, bus, walking, etc.)

Also, please note the end date for the current fall session of enrichment classes is December 6. The new session starts after winter break on Jan. 13, 2025.

The cold temperatures and winter weather have arrived. Here is what you need to know regarding our winter weather expectations and procedures.

Many factors are considered when deciding whether recess will be held inside or outside. These include temperature, wind chill, and the conditions of our playgrounds and blacktop areas (e.g., snow, ice, or water). Generally, we will go outside if the temperature is 20 degrees or higher, and at or above 15 degrees with the wind chill, assuming the playgrounds and blacktop areas are safe.

The decision to go outside is often made just before recess, so it's important for students to come prepared every day. Please make sure your child has proper winter clothing, including a coat, hat, gloves, boots, snow pants, and other necessary items. To prevent mix-ups, please label all items with your child's name.

Additionally, we encourage all students to have a change of clothes at school.

As we march closer to winter, we wanted to remind everyone of how we approach the process of determining whether school will be open and how we will communicate any changes with you. If school cannot physically be open, we will shift to an e-learning day.

When would school not be in person?
On www.dps109.org/badweather, you can review the process the Superintendent and district leaders undergo to determine if school will physically be open. There are multiple factors at play, including the timing and amount of precipitation, the temperature, wind chill, and road conditions. As stated above, the district would transition to an e-learning day.

When will we receive an initial notification?
We will closely monitor the forecast and send home devices the day before an expected weather event. A “heads up” email will be sent to staff and families the day prior and every effort will be made to send out this “heads up” as early as possible in the day to allow teachers to prepare and devices to be charged.

When is a final decision made and how will we be notified?
Every effort will be made to make a decision by 5:30 a.m. Families & staff will receive a text and email immediately from the district, along with a follow-up robocall. Please log in to Skyward to ensure your correct contact information is on file.

How will my student know what to do on an e-learning day?
Your building principal will send school-specific information via email on the day of. Students will meet with their teachers using Google Meet. Links to join will be made available in the principal email, Seesaw, and/or Google Classroom.

Please email communications@dps109.org or your building principal if you have any additional questions.

Check out the PTO website and weekly newsletter which are linked below. You will find information about:

• Winter swag store is open until December 1
• Holiday Shop is coming December 9-11. We are looking for some enthusiastic people who can help us make Holiday Shop 2024 incredible. We will need volunteers during the holiday shop who are able to assist the young shoppers with adding up their items as they shop as well as restocking and resetting the store in between classes. Please sign up using the link below! Thank you!

  Here's the link for the VOLUNTEER sign up:

  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E4DA9A82FA1F49-53452057-wilmot

As we did last year, we will combine our grade level music concert with an art share. Below are the dates for all music concerts and art share events. The Art Share will begin at 5:45 pm and the music concert will begin at 6:00 pm.

• 4th grade -Wednesday, January 22
• 5th grade - Tuesday, Feb. 18
• 2nd and 3rd grade Combined Music Concert and Art Share - Thursday, March 6
• 1st grade -Tuesday, April 15
• Kindergarten -Tuesday, May 6

• Monday, November 25
• 5th grade Art Institute Trip - all-day
• NO ENRICHMENT CLASSES
• Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29
• Legal Holiday - No School
• NO ENRICHMENT CLASSES
• Thursday, December 5
• All District Elementary Orchestra Concert at SMS
• Friday, December 6
• ENRICHMENT CLASSES END