The WJHS Panther Pride Newsletter

Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, is a fun and spooky holiday where people dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, and enjoy trick-or-treating. Its origins trace back to ancient Celtic festivals like Samhain, where people believed that the spirits of the dead roamed the Earth. Today, it's a time for creative costumes, haunted houses, and lots of candy!

All students are invited to participate in our annual Costume Contest on Thursday morning at 8:00 am in the gym. Costumes must be fully assembled at home prior to arriving to school (including makeup, fake blood, etc). NO WEAPONS are permitted. Prizes will be awarded to the best costume at each grade level. We cannot wait to see everyone in their spooky, funny, scary, creative, and outrageous attire!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who participated in our Trunk or Treat event. Your creativity with your trunks was above and beyond. We could not do it without you! The weather was perfect, and the turnout of kids made it one of the best years yet! Each year, we just keep getting bigger and better!

A special thank you to Ms. Reimann, Ms. Centeno, and our Student Council for hosting and planning this event. Check out our Facebook Page for pictures of all the fun!

And now, our WINNERS:

1st place - The Robertson Family

2nd place - The Solner Family

3rd place - The Papish Family

They did an amazing job at the State meet for cross country this weekend and we are so proud of their accomplishments!

Aelyn ran a 14:02 and placed 153rd out of 223 runners! Way to go Aelyn!!

Henry ran a 12:26 and placed 137th out of 222 runners! Great job Henry!

The competition was tough but Henry and Aelyn represented Westmont proudly and they did an outstanding job!

Thank you!
Did you purchase a lollipop from our Book Fair? Did you make a purchase and round up? If so, THANK YOU! Because of you, we were able to add a few new books to our classroom library!

You never know when or where your next favorite book will find you, so we try to keep our shelves stocked in Room 314! Stop by to browse or make a donation!

The Media Center has a new permanent resident!! We want everyone to welcome MUSHU! She is a Bearded Dragon and now has a new habitat in our Media Center. Thank you to Mrs. Meyers for giving her to us and Mrs. Centeno for looking after her. Once Mushu gets used to her new surroundings, classroom teachers can check her out of the media center to do classroom visits! Next time you are in the school, stop in the Media Center and say hello to our newest Panther family member!

Dear Westmont Families:

You may already be aware that we have been asking for families to host a group of Taiwanese students from our sister schools in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Seven families have graciously opened their homes and offered to host and we are extremely grateful to them. Unfortunately, we still find ourselves without housing for seven students- six at the Junior High and one at the high school AND they are arriving a week from Monday on Nov. 3.

The junior high students are our priority. We would prefer that they be housed in pairs and have a room to share but we are willing to be flexible. Students will be here for three weeks total (Nov.3- 24). During the week, they will attend school. On each Saturday, they will be out touring Chicago with the group. Sundays are family days. Each host family for the junior high students will receive a stipend for $900 to offset costs.

We also have one male high school student who needs housing. He would also need his own room. The host family for him would also receive a stipend of $800.

Hosting an exchange student is a wonderful way to share the welcoming nature and hospitality of Westmont and show off what is best about our community and country. If you can, please consider opening your home to these students. We will be eternally grateful.

Please contact Mr. Pete Landreth, WHS Social Studies Department Chairperson, with any questions at plandreth@cusd201.org

Thank you,

Superintendent Baldermann and Pete Landreth

These free programs will empower and strengthen families, individuals, and communities by sharing practical strategies for helping humans of every age thrive. Check out one of the many series they offer.

So why SOCKTOBER? Because every night in the United States an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets and need simple things, like socks, to help get them through the night. Plus, the number one needed clothing item for those in need is new socks, but people very rarely ever donate new socks to the homeless!

We have gotten a lot of donations, thank you to all who have already dropped off socks! There is still one more week to go, so if you haven't donated and would like to donate some new or gently used socks, the collection box is in the front office.

In order to celebrate el Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, at Westmont Junior High, we will be creating an all school altar in the media center. Students are encouraged to bring items to contribute to the altar such as photos of loved ones (pets included) that have passed away, favorite (non perishable) foods, etc. Please enjoy these slides that BPAC has created in order to learn more about this Latin American tradition.

The next WJHS PTO meeting will be Nov. 13, 2024 from 7 - 8 P.M. in the Media Center. We hope to see you there.

If you haven't done so already preorder your yearbook for $21. Ordering is easy, just add the fee to your skyward account.

WJHS wrestling is starting soon for 5th-8th graders! Our Informational Meeting is Tuesday, 10/29, 3:30-4:15 pm with Coach Hatchell.

The Student Service Learning Commitment (SSLC) is a graduation requirement for all students earning a Westmont Junior High School diploma at the graduation ceremony. Students perform this community service with an approved not-for-profit organization, and the preparation, action, and reflection phases must be included.

Students at WJHS are required to earn:

• 9 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of May of their 6th grade year.

• 12 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of May of their 7th grade year.

• 15 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of April of their 8th-grade year, or 36 hours over their three years at WJHS.

Looking for SSLC hours? Check out the Darien Park District.

For additional information and a list of other volunteer opportunities, check out our SSLC Page on our website.

Mark your calendars. The WHS students always put on an excellent performance, and you want to make sure you check it out!

Friday, November 15

Saturday, November 16

See the flyer below for details and to purchase tickets.

Students who display the three pillars of expectations (Safety, Respect, and Responsibility) earn tickets that are entered into our weekly raffle drawings . If you are able to partner with us in this positive behavior initiative and donate a prize, it would be greatly appreciated. Items that have been donated already are snacks, $5 giftcards, teenage items from the Dollar Store (notebooks, gel pens, Etch A Sketch, Rubics Cubes) and monetary donations for us to purchase items. Huge THANK YOU to those of you that have already brought in donations!!

Remember to check the WJHS calendar for up-to-date information on Clubs, Events, & Athletics.

Sincerely,

Amy Quattrone

WJHS Principal