WMS Friday Forecast

Homework is one of the big challenges that parents often face at home. The purpose of homework is to give students additional opportunities for practice of a specific skill. Ideally, it should not be new content, but simply the opportunity to practice a developing skill. Teachers don't expect kids to get 100% on homework because this is when we try, struggle, succeed, or fail. How a child does on homework gives teachers an idea of the level of understanding that your child may have on a skill.

With that in mind, we also don't want homework to be overwhelming. Your child should spend no more than 60-90 minutes on homework per night. We know that some kids are faster on homework and some kids take longer. So, here are a few suggestions:

• Plan ahead. If your child knows they have a test or project coming up, work with them to practice each night so that the night before the test or project is an easier night. Kids should be writing down tests and projects in their assignment notebook.
• If homework is consistently taking too long, talk to your child's team. We are always willing to work with parents on modifying assignments to best meet the need of their child.
• And if you are at home and hit a wall with homework... STOP! Have the child email the teacher with what struggles they were having. It may mean the child does not have a deep enough understanding of the work to be able to practice independently at home.

Please do not enter the front circle from 7:30-8:45 AM and from 3:00-4:00 PM. These times are reserved for bus traffic and we will only allow busses during these times.

If you are here for a quick moment between the hours of 8:45 AM and 3:00 PM, you are welcome to pull into the circle. Be sure NOT to park along the yellow curb as this is our fire lane. You are welcome to park on the opposite side to pop in to drop off something/sign out your student.

As of today, we are still looking to widen our pool of candidates for a crossing guard on Dunham Road. Go to this website and search for "crossing guard". If you know of anyone who may be interested, please refer them to this site!

SENDING OUT A GREAT BIG THANK YOU! Recently I sent out a message regarding supporting a classroom in need with books. The reply exceeded my expectations! We will be provided 1033 NEW books for kids to this classroom. What a wonderful celebration of giving the gift of reading to them!

Tim

Our RISE and 6th Grade Back to School Night is this Tuesday, September 3, starting at 6:30 PM. For our RISE families, we will start at 6:00 PM in the RISE classroom and be done by 6:25 PM so that you can attend the 6th-grade night if you choose.

Our 7th and 8th grade Back to School night is on Thursday, September 5 starting at 6:30 PM.

Note: You are invited to come early to learn about what we will be doing here at Wredling to address Social Emotional Learning from 6:00-6:20 pm (Cafeteria). This presentation will take place both evenings.

At 6:30 PM - THE PROGRAM will promptly begin with “EVENING ANNOUNCEMENTS” in first period.

Here are some things for you to know!

• This evening is for parents and guardians only, please.

• Please arrive a bit early to get to class on time! Our night begins right at 6:30 PM with “Evening Announcements” in first period.

• Your child’s schedule will be on their locker so know their locker number. (But if you forget, we will have locker numbers posted outside the LRC and in the front lobby.)

• PE and health classes will meet in the cafeteria

• On the schedule on your child’s locker will be specific information about where to go for Explore classes.

• Parents of students in more than one performance music group, which meet during the same period, have a choice to:

• If multiple parents are present, divide up, each going to one

• If only 1 parent is present, choose 1 to attend, but stop by the other to obtain any paperwork handed out

• Parking will be very tight! Please do not park in the front driveway nearest the building as it is a fire zone. If there is inclement weather, we will have a shuttle bus from the Norris parking lot to WMS.

1. All absences must be called in with detailed information, including:
• who is calling and their return phone number,
• the date of the absences,
• your student's ID number (if you have it) and,
• the reason for the absences. It is especially helpful if you speak slowly and spell your child's last name.
• Please note- we cannot accept emailed absences.
  
  
2. If you know in advance that your child will be absent for more than two days (three days or more), please use the Prearranged Absence Form. That will allow us to mark your child excused without you having to call it in. Ideally, we would like these forms completed and brought to the office 2-3 days before your child is absent from school.

Thank you for helping us keep accurate records of attendance for our students!

The #1 Market Day favorite was their perfect size, hand-trimmed, individual packed, chickNSteakes (this is their fancy name not a terrible spelling issue!). This is a pre-sale to get us quickly moving along and familiarizing our families to the site, and start quickly on our year fundraising! They have created bundles that will ship for free to your home! All bundles are free shipping. Order Today www.MarketDay.com.

Click on the flyer below to go to interactive document!

Wredling is Starting a Fishing Club! Do you have some fishing gear you would like to donate? An old tackle box or a fishing rod? Drop them off to Mr. Zentner at Wredling. Thank you!

We will regularly feature our Social Emotional Learning information in our Friday Forecast.

Due to Back to School Night, we need to move our first WMS PTO meeting to Wednesday, September 4, at 7 PM in Conference Room D at Wredling. Please come join us and learn about ways you can support students and staff through our PTO. Our PTO does some pretty cool stuff and we need YOU to make it happen!

Click the link below for more information and register for the Color Run

https://www.wredlingpto.org/colorrun

Consider donating items to a recently graduated North Star as she works to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award! Brigid Millette is seeking donations of items to include in "stress-relief kits" that will be donated to schools in D303 in order to give students an opportunity to de-stress and work on healthy coping mechanisms.

New or gently used items are greatly appreciated. Donation boxes are located near the front entrances of North High School, East High School, and Thompson Middle School, and donations will be accepted through the end of August.

See the flyer included below for a list of items! THANK YOU!!!

Parent University programming in St. Charles District 303 continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our families.

During the 2018-2019 school year, District 303 created a Parent University committee made up of parents with children at all grade levels, teachers, school administrators, and district administrators. This dedicated group of individuals reviewed previous programming content, attendance, and delivery models. They created a parent survey used in the spring of 2019 to assist us in gauging the needs of our families. Based on those two resources, the programming you will find for the 2019-2020 school year offers programs you can access by coming to the District as well as from the comfort of your own home.

Our first program is showing of the documentary LIKE, from the producers of the movie ANGST, which we showed last year. Many parents have asked us to bring them programming that addresses our society’s addiction to social media, and the impact it is having on our children. Please join us, and bring your children, on September 23 at the Norris Recreation Center to view this powerful movie. Sign up here to RSVP.

As a follow-up to LIKE, we are bringing in national digital citizenship speaker Josh Ochs in October. He will be spending time in both middle and high schools talking with students about their digital footprint. During his time with parents on October 30, Josh will show parents how to protect their children on 40+ apps. All District 303 parents will have access to Josh’s own Parent University resources for the next year. Spanish translators will be available for this program.

What is Project Lead the Way and how is it part of the District 303 curriculum? In November, when it’s starting to get cold outside, make some popcorn and relax at home while watching this video we have created about PLTW from kindergarten through high school.

Last year, District 303 hosted a book study with Mindful Parenting by Kristen Race, Ph.D. Because of the success, and requests for more book studies, we are offering a book study group using The Whole Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel. Join us for three sessions in February and March during both morning and evening times.

In March, the District is working in partnership with Wake Up Call to bring you a three-part drug and alcohol prevention presentation, including a life size teen bedroom with more than 20 “red flags” that can signal drug or alcohol use. Spanish translators will be available for this program.

To read more about these programs and to register to attend, please visit the Parent University page on the District website.

ONLY 5 SPOTS REMAINING: Any 8th-grade student interested in the Washington DC trip should contact Mr. Massie - 6th Grade Social Studies teacher.

Informational meeting: Wednesday, Sept 11 3.45pm, room 205 (students may attend without parents)

• What: 8th-grade spring break trip to Washington DC and New York City
• When: March 30-April 3, 2020
• Cost: $1750 (includes flights, hotel, food, admission, tour guides, tips, etc.) payment plans available

Ready to go? https://portal.brightsparktravel.com/

Tour Code: TNJ3U8T

Contact info: Mr. Massie 331.224.5137

timothy.massie@d303.org

• Contact for sample itinerary and payment plans info

Highlights: National Monuments, Smithsonian Museums, Holocaust Museum, Supreme Court, Capitol Tour, Arlington Cemetery, Library of Congress, 30 Rock rooftop, Statue of Liberty cruise, 9/11 memorial, Broadway show, Times Square, Central Park, and more…

CLICK HERE to view a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Please join us for the Fox Mill 5K & 1-Mile Color Run/Walk on September 7, 2019 honoring Kayla Lehmann. Kayla, who passed away on April 7, 2018, was a St. Charles East freshman who was passionate about music while also being an avid reader and gifted writer. Proceeds from this year's race will benefit Kayla's Hope (www.kaylashope.org), a foundation that seeks to take away the stigma of depression and mental illness so that no one has to suffer in silence. For more information, to register, or to make a donation, please visit www.foxmill5k.com.

Contact us on Twitter @WredlingD303

#WredlingLearns

Website: wredling.d303.org
Location: 1200 Dunham Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: (331)228-3700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wredling-Middle-School-537757163011275/
Twitter: @WredlingD303