Parent Update

This week has been a hive of activity. Kevin Honeycutt kicked off the week with a tremendous experience focused on building relationships, sharing goals, and helping each other reach our dreams. He met with both students and staff. The program was very well received. A big thank you to our PTO for helping make this program possible.

It has been an exciting season of middle school sports. At Tuesdays basketball games, students cheered each other, the cheer leaders, and supported both teams in timely fashions as both JV and Varsity held come from behind victories. There was a palpable energy in the room as the students stepped up down the stretch to achieve their wins. We look forward to playoffs this upcoming week.

One of my favorite activities last year was the PTO/Education Foundation Trivia Night. It was a great time connecting with people, sharing silly stories, and answering fun questions. Our Education Foundation president has a stunning depth of musical knowledge, great for a trivia team. I am looking forward to this year's trivia night on January 11, 2025, at the American Legion Hall in Carol Stream. Tickets can be purchased through this link. It is a great opportunity to build connections within our Winfield 34 community.

The Winfield 34 Board of Education will be having their next Board Meeting on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 6:55pm. Here are some of the highlights:

Tax Levy Hearing

Presentations/Discussion - Student Recognition, Tuition Preschool Fees, Strategic Plan Update, TIF 2, IASB-IASA-IASBO conference reflection.

Approvals - Tax Levy, 2025-26 school calendar, board policies, IXL renewal, paraprofessional resignation

Here is the agenda for the Levy Hearing and Regular Board Meeting.

Public comments can be shared through the Google form or live at the meeting.

Video streaming will be live from our Facebook page.

We continue to work on reaching out to our community to help identify students for our preschool program. This is a terrific opportunity for students 3-5 years old to learn in a highly engaging and supportive environment. Our next Preschool Screening is February 14, from 9-2:30am in our Primary Building. Please reach out to Mrs. Hernandez (nhernadez@winfield34.org or 630-909-4901) with questions or to schedule an appointment. Here is information on the screening and on our preschool program.

Project Hope

On Giving Tuesday, we collected dozens of coats for our community and collected enough blood at our blood drive to save 39 lives! A huge thanks to our donors, volunteers and community members for their support!

We are still looking for donations of $50 Target gift cards and gifts for children in our Winfield 34 community for the holidays. Please email us at wef@winfield34.org if you would like to help!

Holiday Cookie Donations:

Let's spread some Holiday cheer! The Winfield PTO is looking for Holiday cookie donations. These cookies will be placed in the teachers lounge for teachers and staff on December 16th so they can snack on them during the week. We will also be putting together boxes for the crossing guards and custodial staff. Cookies will be arranged on combined platters, so please deliver your cookies in a zip lock bag or throw away container. Drop-off on December 15th at Kelly’s house (0S708 Garfield Street) Sign up here!

Pre-K-5th Grade Classroom Parties

We are excited for the upcoming Winter classroom parties that will take place on Friday, December 20th! The AM-Pre-K party will be from 10:00-10:45 a.m. and the PM-Pre-K through 5th grade parties will be from 2:15-3:00 p.m. Parents planning to attend and help out at the parties must sign up using the links below. Please have your State ID/Driver’s License available when checking in at the office. Just a reminder that no food is allowed to be consumed during the party. Pre-packaged, nut-free snacks can be included in goody bags for students to take home. Preschool parties--Sign up here! Kindergarten-5th Grade parties--sign up here!

Staff Appreciation Survey Responses:

If any of the Winfield 34 staff are on your holiday shopping list, check out this staff appreciation survey if you need gift ideas!

Trivia Night: January 11, 2025, 6-10:30 p.m. American Legion Post 76: 570 S Gary Ave, Carol Stream

Calling all music lovers, trivia buffs and party people! Get ready to rock the night away at our adults-only trivia night! Come dressed as your favorite music group, band, singer, or iconic music legend--whether it’s the King of Pop, a rock goddess, or a classic band from the 60's. We want to see your best rockstar look! And don’t forget--your table is your stage! Decorate it with anything that screams “music vibes” or channels the energy of your favorite genre! Our music-themed trivia night will feature a variety of questions, and not all of them are directly about music. But don’t worry—songs will be played throughout to give you clues and help you piece together the answers. Get your thinking caps on and be ready to rock!

We hope you can join us for this adults-only, fun-filled evening of friendly competition, laughs, and great company! Ticket sales are open NOW! Individual tickets: $25, Table of 10: $200. Purchase your tickets here!

Community Spotlight:

The Village of Winfield warmly invites you to the 2024 Winter Wonderful Fest on December 7th. Snacks with Santa will be from 1-4 p.m. at Hedges Station Museum (0N555 Winfield Rd.) Please bring a toy to be donated to Ronald McDonald House (near CDH). The Village Tree Lighting and Holiday Mini-Market will be from 3-6 p.m. at 27W448 Jewell Rd (by 3-story NWM building) with the tree lighting at 4:50 p.m. See flyer for more details!

PTO/WEF Meeting: December’s PTO Meeting minutes can be viewed here: December PTO Meeting Minutes

Next PTO/WEF meeting: Wednesday, January 8th at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend!

The GPS Parent Series hosts a variety of Parent Education Events. Here is an overview of their parent learning opportunities for the year. Events coming soon include:

• Ana Homayoun A Blueprint/Skills for Better Grades and Less Stress (December 10, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Elizabeth Hamblet Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities (December 11, 12-1:30pm and 7-8:30pm) Please click here for more information.
• Dr. Timothy Wahlberg Strengthening T(w)een Socialization Skills for Better Interpersonal Relationships (December 17, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Dr. Ferney Ramirez IN PERSON B-PAC: Estrategias para ayudar a familias y adolescentes sanos a prosperar / Strategies to Help Healthy Families and Teens Thrive (December 19, 6-8pm) Please click here for more information.
• Dr. Ellen Braaten Bright Kids Who Couldn't Care Less: Tools for Tackling Motivation (January 9, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Bruce Perry MD What Happened to You; A Shift from "What is Wrong with You?" (January 15, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Donna Jackson Nakazawa The Adverse Childhood Experiences Guided Journal: A Workshop for Parents (January 16, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Ellen Galinsky The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens (January 22, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Saleha Jawaid B-PAC in Urdu and Hindi: مثبت والدین کی ضروریات / The Essentials of Positive Parenting (January 23, 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Sam Quinones The Changing Landscape of the Drug Epidemic: Fentanyl Poisoning, Meth and More (January 29, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Tina Payne Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent Early Childhood Event -- The Way of Play: Little Moments -- Big Connections (January 30, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Emma Goldberg Future Proof: Positioning Students for the Changing Tide of Work (February 4, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Dr. Edith Treviño B-PAC in Spanish: Positive Parenting Mindsets -- A Guide to Mental Endurance (February 6, 7-8:30pm) Please click here for more information.
• Amy Blankson Digital Thriving: Technology and the Future of Happiness in a Hyperconnected World (February 13, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Dr. Amishi Jha, Glenbard South graduate, with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl Peak Mind: Enhance Your Attention, Focus, and Performance to Become Your Best Self (February 18, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Duncan Kirkwood IN PERSON LIVE LIFE WELL WEEK -- The Critical Skills to Unleash Perseverance, Passion and Purpose (February 25, 7pm) Please click here for more information.
• Sarah Ward and Dr. Jessica Minahan HYBRID EVENT -- Practical Strategies for Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Executive Function Skills (Organization, Time Management & Task Completion) (February 27, 7-9pm) Please click here for more information.

The DuPage Regional Office Of Education is leading a Mommy and Me Parent Support Group. The next meeting will be December 13th. Please click here for more information.