The Wilmot Word: October 11, 2024

This year, we will be celebrating Halloween at Wilmot on Thursday, 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:

• 5th graders will lead the parade out the north gym doors and will walk west starting at 8:55 am
• 4th grade will follow 5th grade heading west (towards the office)
• The parade will continue heading west towards the west parking lot
• Kindergarteners will exit from their classroom doors and follow 4th grade
• The parade will head south on the sidewalk along the west parking lot and pass the GMA (please do Not block the sidewalk/parade route).
• 1st graders will join the parade behind kindergarten- out of the GMA (door 13)
• 2nd grade will follow 1st out of the GMA.
• The parade will continue to head east and pass the art door on the south side of the playground.
• 3rd graders will exit through the art room door and will follow 2nd graders.
• The parade will head north towards the gym
• 5th grade will lead the parade north
• All grades will make one full lap around the building and will enter the same door they exited from (Kindy will enter through the front doors)

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

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.

Join us on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Caruso Middle School auditorium for a special DPS109 screening of Chasing Childhood. This thought-provoking documentary explores the decline of free play and independence in children’s lives, replaced by a culture of perfectionism that has fueled increasing rates of anxiety and depression. An RSVP form will be sent out in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you there!

Mark your calendars! Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 24th from 1:00-4:00 pm & 5:00-8:00 pm and on Friday, October 25th 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. Click the link below to find teacher sign ups.

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.

Mark your calendars! Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 24th from 1:00-4:00 pm & 5:00-8:00 pm and on Friday, October 25th 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. Click the link below to find teacher sign ups.

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.

Throughout the school year, we will feature practical technology tips in our newsletters, offering fresh ideas for families to use at home developed by our own Student Resource Officer, Lauren Maldonado, and our Innovations Specialist, Maria Galanis.

While we encourage everyone to limit time spent on devices, we understand that these tools can foster meaningful connections when used wisely. However, in today’s digital age, it can be difficult to stay informed about the latest apps and trends to ensure your child's online safety. We want to do our part in supporting students and families in the various ways they can implement security settings on their children’s devices and monitor time spent online. What better time to introduce these tech tips than October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Click the the photo below and check out the videos.

Wilmot families should have received an email from Stuart-Rodgers on Wednesday with information about ordering school pictures. We will hold picture retakes for those who either missed picture day or would like to have a new picture taken. Retakes will take place on October 23 from 8:50 - 10:15 am. If you would like your child to participate in picture retakes please complete the form linked below.

It is very important that we have the most up-to-date health information for your child. There are some important deadlines coming up soon.

PHYSICALS: All new students, Early Learners, kindergarteners, and 6th graders must have an updated health form on file by October 15th, or they will be excluded from school.

EYE EXAMS: Kindergarteners and new students must have an updated eye exam on file by October 15th, or they will be excluded from school.

DENTAL EXAM: All new students, kindergarteners, 2nd graders, and 6th graders must have an updated dental exam on file by May 15th of this school year.

Get more information by clicking here.

Due to the unexpected cancellation of school following the recent storms on August 28, 2024, DPS 109 will have to make up that day of school on Monday, March 3rd, 2025. The Board of Education just approved the calendar change last night and it has been updated on our website today. Please plan accordingly.

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

• PTO Book Fair
• Wednesday, October 16: After school until 5pm
• Thursday, October 17: After school until 6pm
• Friday, October 18: After school until 5pm
• Sunday, October 20: 1pm-3pm

• Pie Fundraiser

It's time for Wilmot's first ever Elsie Mae's Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser!! Buy Elsie Mae Pies for Thanksgiving and a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to Wilmot. Elsie Mae's has the best pies in the area. Elsie Mae's sweet shop uses local produce and family recipes to preserve traditional-style baking and canning. They have many options to choose from for the holiday. PTO will communicate date/time/location for Pie pickup the week of Thanksgiving. Order pies for everyone you love! 20% of sales will be donated back to Wilmot.

Orders will be taken October 1st to October 31st through the Wilmot PTO website. You can learn more about Elsie Mae Pies at https://www.elsiemaescanningandpies.com/ . Whole pies are (9") and serve about 8 people. They will be delivered fully baked and fresh and just need to be warmed at 375 degrees for 15-20 min to enjoy.

Click the flier below to order these delicious pies!

Join Wilmot families and friends for a day of fun at a Chicago Wolves

hockey game.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

VS. ROCKFORD ICEHOGS

DOORS OPEN AT 2PM: PUCK DROPS AT 3PM

• Monday, October 14

• Legal Holiday - No school

• Tuesday, October 15

• District-wide safety drill

• PTO meeting - 1:30 pm - Zoom

• Wednesday, October 16

• PTO Book Fair-in the GMA

• Thursday, October 17

• PTO Book Fair-in the GMA

• Friday, October, 18

• PTO Book Fair-in the GMA

• Sunday, October 20

• PTO Book Fair-in the GMA

• Wednesday, October 23

• Picture Retakes

• Thursday, October 24

• Cultural arts assembly -Lloyd Bachrach, Yes, You Can!

• Dismissal at 11:40 am and PARENT conferences in the afternoon and evening

• 1:00-4:00 pm & 5:00-8:00 pm

• Friday, October 25

• Daytime parent conferences - 8:30 - 11:30 am (no school for students)

• Tuesday, October 29

• 4th Grade Opera Field Trip 9-11:30

• Thursday, October 31

• Halloween parade/parties - schedule TBD

• Tuesday, November 5

• Election Day - No School