Daniel Wright
Understanding Distances Between Planets
As part of their curriculum, seventh-graders study earth systems in science class. Students reflect on questions such as “What is Earth’s place in the Universe?” and “What makes up our solar system and how can the motion of Earth explain seasons and eclipses?” Middle school students examine the Earth’s place in relation to the solar system, Milky Way galaxy, and universe.
Seventh-grade students work on the Science and Engineering Practices of Developing and Using Models as part of their curriculum, explained Science Teacher Anthony Hafner. They are trying to better understand distances in space and how we use various scales to help us comprehend vast distances. The challenge was to use a roll of toilet paper to show relationships between objects in space. When they completed the model, they made a video of their model and narrated their travels through the solar system. Afterward, they evaluated their models and questioned the limitations of the model and how they could make it better, he said.
“By counting the number of toilet paper sheets in between each planet, students are better able to understand the vast distances between the planets. This model helps students visualize the pull of gravity on the planets and helps explain how distance and mass affect gravitational pull” explained Science Teacher Samantha Duffy.
Upcoming Events
- ASA Registration: Closes Tuesday, March 12.
- Late Start: Thursday, March 14.
- Summer School: Registration closes at 11:59 a.m. Friday, March 22.
- Spring Break: Monday, March 25, through Friday, March 29.
- Celebrate DW: DW's open house event, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17.
Spring Holidays
Spring is full of holidays honored by our families. The District 103 staff wishes all of its families a Happy Passover, Joyful Holi, Happy Easter, Ramadan Mubarak, Happy Orthodox Easter, and Eid Mubarak.
Ramadan begins the evening of Sunday, March 10
The first night of Holi is Sunday, March 24
Good Friday occurs on Friday, March 29
Easter is Sunday, March 31
The first night of Passover starts Monday, April 22
Orthodox Good Friday is Friday, May 3
Orthodox Easter is Sunday, May 5
Eid al-Adha begins the evening of Sunday, June 16
Following are some educational sites that explain the holidays to children.
National Geographic for Kids provides an overview of Ramadan.
National Geographic provides an overview of Holi.
History.com provides an explanation of Good Friday and Easter.
PBS Learning offers interactive material that explains Passover.
Parents Today provides an overview of Orthodox Good Friday and Easter.
PBS Kids offers an explanation of Eid al-Adha.
We are fortunate to have such great diversity of cultures in our community so we can celebrate with our friends and neighbors!
We understand students may not be attending classes on religious holidays of all faiths, and we know how important it is for us to support our students as they practice their faith. Please refer to our procedure, Homework Procedures and Religious Holidays, that District 103 uses to guide students during their absence.
Please try to notify your child's school in advance of a planned absence using the following methods:
Sprague: 847-945-6686 or Ls_attendance@d103.org
Half Day: 847-634-1484 or Hd_attendance@d103.org
Daniel Wright: 847-604-5280 or Dw_attendancce@d103.org
District 103 is committed to being flexible to ensure all of our students can practice their faith and feel supported. Thank you for partnering with us as we raise our Leaders in Learning.
Celebrate DW: Unique and United
Join us as we Celebrate DW: Unique and United on Wednesday, April 17. We are looking for parents who wish to share various aspects of their culture in the form of food items, activities (games, dances, etc), and or display items. Please respond on our interest form by Friday, April 5, if you are interested and available that evening. Learn more about the event through our Unique and United PowerPoint.
Wrestlers Advance to State Competition
Congratulations Wrestlers! Daniel Berdich, Jay Bassett, and Stefan Vihrov advanced to the state wrestling tournament this Friday and Saturday. Wish them luck!
Regional Champs
History Bowl Competion
Eighth-graders competed at Stevenson High School in the varsity division of the IAC history bowl competition. As a middle school team, they placed as semi finalists among other high school teams! Great job!
Next stop all students will be competing on Saturday, March 9, at the IAC Regional Competition. Daniel Wright is hosting the Northern Chicago Regionals. Students will have the opportunity to qualify for the national competition taking place in May in Orlando, Florida!
SEL
The SEL Trait of the month is Critical Thinking. We celebrated our students who demonstrated Adaptability for the month of February. Please take a moment to read our newsletter and see what we’re doing to showcase Adaptability at DW and how you can keep the conversation going at home!
DW Magazine
Enjoy this edition of the DW Student Magazine designed and developed by students.
After School Activities Registration
Registration closes Tuesday, March 12, for Spring After School Activity courses. Please use the RevTrak Web Store platform to register for all programs. Programs do fill up quickly and are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Classes begin after school the week after spring break beginning April 1 and run for six weeks.
Volleyball Tryouts
Boys volleyball tryouts take place beginning Monday, March 11. Sports physicals and permission to participate forms must be on file with the school office in order to participate in the tryouts.
Class of 2024 T-shirt Deadline Approaching
These commemorative T-shirts have been designed with our class spirit in mind. All graduate names are listed on the back of the shirt. They are a perfect way to showcase your pride and unity as members of the Daniel Wright Junior High School Class of 2024. The deadline to order is Friday, March 15. T-Shirt delivery will occur shortly after Spring Break at school.
- Order at https://bit.ly/3uftEcP
Your Opinion Matters
We Made It!
Thanks to all the Daniel Wright parents who filled out the Illinois 5Essentials survey. We met our 20% goal! If you haven't completed the survey for one of your other school students, please do so today. The survey closes on Friday, March 29.
Partnerships
Register Now for D103 5K Run
Over 250 individuals are registered already for the Run for D103 5K Run/Walk. Cost is $30 per runner. Group rates and family sponsorships are also available. Learn more and register at runford103.org for the Saturday, May 18, event!
Community News
Parks Improvement Survey
Help the village improve your parks. Let them know what you like about certain parks right and improvements the village can make in a survey. Please respond before Tuesday, April 30.
Center for Gifted Classes
The Center for Gifted is offering an exciting program for sixth- through eighth-graders to supplement our own Camp 103 Club this summer. Science Spectacular, an in-depth, immersion lab experience, will run Monday, June 10, through Wednesday, July 3, at Daniel Wright, weekdays 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Course content will incorporate a chemistry lab, biological explorations, and an electronics lab, all hands-on and sure to challenge and inspire! District 103 students receive a 10% tuition discount, using this code at checkout: TEN4D103.
Attention 8th-Graders
Co-curricular Fair: We are excited to announce the details of our annual co-curricular fair for incoming freshman families on Wednesday, March 20! During the fair, eighth-graders and their families will have the opportunity to learn about our vast co-curricular offerings across more than 150 clubs and 35 sports teams! Doors open to the co-curricular fair beginning at 6:30 p.m.
No action required. The fair will take place in our West Building, so you may enter campus through both Port Clinton or Half Day Roads and park in either Lot B (by the main entrance) and Lot E (by the sports center).
Summer school registration: As a gentle reminder, if your child would like to take any summer school courses, registration for those courses must be done through Infinite Campus by March 22. Submission of the course placement worksheet in late January does not register your child into any summer school courses.
Feeder LaCrosse Camp
Stevenson High School invites are girls interested in playing Lacrosse to take part in their clinic during the month of April. Register now on the SHS website.
Band and Orchestra Clinic
American Youth Symphony Orchestra offers immersive and inspirational clinics for middle school and high school bands with some of Chicago’s top musicians & performers.
Attention Hockey Players
Stevenson High School is offering a development hockey skills sessions for incoming eighth-graders in preparation for the fall hockey season with a focus on building strength, skills, and chemistry in teammates.
Summer Soccer Camp
Chicago Rush summer soccer camp is open for registration.
Music Camp
Chicago Summer Music Camp is accepting applications. Summer lessons are also offered at the American Music Institute.
Daniel Wright Information
- Daniel Wright Calendar of Events
- Daily School Announcements
- Archived Newsletters
- YouTube
- Kendra Perri, Principal
- Dr. Nina Nusbaum, Assistant Principal
- Dr. Susan Baker, Assistant Principal
- 847-604-5280
- Dw_attendance@d103.org
Principals