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The Walden Weekly
April 5, 2024
Dear Walden Families,
Welcome Back Wildcats! We are so glad to have our students back after break! I hope everyone enjoyed their Spring Break with some quality time with family and friends.
We are excited about Monday's solar eclipse viewing in the afternoon. Safety procedures will be explained to students before going outdoors. Special eclipse viewing glasses will be provided and must be work at all times. Safety is paramount, so students who have difficulty keeping the safety glasses on will be escorted inside to participate in the alternative indoor activity. Thank you for your support. We are looking forward to a fun day!
Our IAR testing begins next week for our 3rd-5th grade students. We are excited for our students to show what they know on this important state test. Make sure students charge their chromebooks and get lots of rest. Thank you!
All the best,
- Stephanie Strenger
Upcoming Erin’s Law Presentations in DPS109
Dear Parents and Guardians of Elementary School Students,
Erin’s Law (House Bill 6193) was signed by Governor Pat Quinn on January 24, 2013. This law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades Pre-K through 12. District 109 partners with Childhood Victories, Inc., an organization founded by Victor Pacini who is a motivational speaker and a survivor of sexual abuse. Speakers from Childhood Victories, Inc. provide programming for our students that teaches them basic skills to keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations. The program, Be Seen and Heard 2.0, is developmentally appropriate, interactive, aligned with learning standards, and will cover the following topics:
Distinguishing safe from unsafe touches
Safety rules at home and school
Saying “NO”
Secrets
It’s not the child’s fault if someone touches them
Telling a trusted adult
The staff from Childhood Victories, Inc. will be presenting to our elementary students on the following dates:
Wilmot: Friday, April 26th
South Park: Friday, April 26th
Walden: Thursday, April 25th
Kipling: Thursday, April 25th
Parents can view Victor Pacini’s parent video to preview the concepts of the Be Seen and Heard 2.0 program.
Requests to Opt-Out: If you prefer that your child opt-out of the Erin’s Law presentation, please email your child’s principal by Friday, April 19. Please also feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Joanna Ford
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Hi Walden families! Join us Thursday, April 11th, anytime from 5-6PM at Walden School to view your student's artwork from the 2023-2024 school year. Each student will have two artworks displayed around the school. There will also be an artwork scavenger hunt for families to enjoy! Mrs. Stade can't wait to see everyone at next week's art show
Announcements from the LMC
Illinois State Book Award Winners Announced
The two books selected by Walden students ended up being the winners of the Illinois Readers' Choice Book Awards! The Monarch Award went to Chez Bob by Bob Shea, and the Bluestem Award went to Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter. Congrats to our students for helping to bestow book awards on two excellent titles!
Tournament of Books
Deerfield Public Library's 11th annual Tournament of Books has begun! Students can vote as many times as they'd like, in any category they choose. Voting time will be given in LMC classes, but students can also cast votes at home or at the DPL. Here is the link to vote: https://www.deerfieldlibrary.org/tournament-of-books/
A Friendly Reminder from the LMC
This year the Deerfield Public Library has found many Walden LMC books in their return bins. Before dropping books at the DPL, please take a minute to check the labels on the books. Walden LMC books all have the name Walden on the barcode located on the back of the book. Thank you!
Pictures from the Week
Upcoming Dates
- Mon. April 8 - Eclipse Viewing
- Thurs. April 11 - Art Show - Grades K, 2. and 4 (5pm-6pm)
- April 9-11 - IAR Testing
- April 16-17 - IAR Testing
- Wed. April 17 - Goals & Concerns Forms Due
- Fri. April 19 - PTO STEAM Night
- Thurs. April 25 - Erin's Law Presentations
- Thurs. April 25 - Kindergarten Music Show 5:30pm
- Wed. May 1 - 5th Grade Music Show 6pm
- Thurs. May 2 - Art Show - Grades 1, 3. and 5 (5pm-6pm)
- Fri. May 3 - PTO Fun Run
- May 6 - 10 - Teacher Appreciation Week
- Thurs. May 16 - Band/Orchestra Concert 6:30
- Fri. May 17 - Kindergarten Round Up
- Fri. May 24 - PTO Bagel & Donut Breakfast
- Mon. May 27 - Memorial Day (No School)
- Tues. May 28 - Philanthropy Fair
- Fri. May 31 - Field Day
- Fri. May 31 - 5th Grade Party After School
- Tues. June 4 - 5th Grade Picnic
- Tues. June 4 - End of Year Classroom Parties
- Fri. June 7 - Last 1/2 Day of School (11:40 Dismissal)