Wasco Weekly

Dear Families,

Our 5th grade students ​will be complet​ing the "Too Good For Drugs" prevention program​ next week! This program provid​es them with essential skills to make healthy choices regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Throughout the program, our 5th graders focused on developing five essential life skills:

1. Goal setting - Learning to establish and work toward positive, achievable goals

2. Decision making - Developing critical thinking skills to make healthy choices

3. Bonding with others - Building positive relationships with peers and adults

4. Identifying and managing emotions - Recognizing feelings and responding appropriately

5. Communication - Expressing thoughts and feelings effectively and respectfully

These skills not only help prevent substance use but also contribute to the students' overall social and emotional development, preparing them for the challenges of middle school and beyond.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ We are so proud of the students' commitment and attention during the 12 week program. Fun features of the program are a visit with Koda, the Canine Unit of the police department and bowling with the policemen. A huge thanks to the Campton Hills Police Department for leading the program and investing in our students!

Kind regards,

Mrs. Brennan

Principal, Wasco Elementary School

stephanie.brennan@d303.org

331-228-6294

Mar 10: Third Grade Music Program @Wasco 5:30pm

Mar 11: PTO Meeting @Wasco 7:00pm

Mar 13: Spring Photos

Mar 17: Talent Show Tryouts @Wasco 5:30-7:15pm

Mar 24: Donuts With Grown Ups (sign up below)

Mar 26: Early Release at 2:35pm

Mar 31-April 4: Spring Break (No school)

Daylight saving time is this weekend,

set your clocks one hour forward!

Avialable now in HAC

(Home Access Center)

Please see below link for more

information about HAC and how to

access the reports.

The 5 Essentials survey is now open and awaiting your feedback. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. All responses are confidential. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by clicking the button below. We need a minimum of 20% parent response. Survey Closes 3/28/25

Nutrition labels contain a lot of essential information about your child’s food. Details like calories, vitamins and minerals, serving size, and macronutrients such as protein, fat, and carbohydrates can help you make important choices about your child’s diet. The percentage daily value (%DV) can help you determine how much one serving of a given nutrient contributes to the recommended daily intake.

Dental Exams for Kindergarten and 2nd Grade are due by May 15th, 2025!

Illinois law requires all children in Kindergarten, second, sixth, and ninth grades to submit a dental examination form completed by a licensed dentist by May 15th, The exam can be completed up to 18 months before the May 15th deadline, so if your child has been to the dentist in that time, please call the dentist and request that the exam form be completed. The district's health services website has all health forms.

If you have any questions about the dental health requirements, please contact the

Health Office at 331-228-2904. Completed forms can also be emailed to

was-nurses@d303.org or faxed to 331-228-2901.

Thank you,

Wasco Health Office

As we embark on the season of planning for the 2025-2026 school year, the identification process is underway for accelerated placement for next year’s 4th, 5th and 6th graders. Here is some helpful information:

• All 3rd grade students are automatically considered for potential placement in Academically Talented (AT) Math and AT ELA programming. You do not need to request it. However, you can reach out to ask questions about the process anytime using the contact information below.
  
  

• 5th grade students are also automatically considered for potential placement in an additional Accelerated Math Pathway that starts in middle school. This pathway provides for the completion of Algebra before entering high school by allowing students to complete more than one grade level of math in 6th grade and 7th grade.
  
  

• 5th grade students who are currently in our AT programming may be identified for potential placement in the Infinity Gifted Program at the middle school level. These students may take part in additional testing in February. Parents will be informed in advance if additional testing is requested.
  
  

• Families of students who are identified for placement in our AT Math, AT ELA, Infinity Gifted or Accelerated Math programming will be informed by March 28. Please refer to the Identification Timeline for additional information.
  
  

Yvette Stahl, Gifted Coordinator

yvette.stahl@d303.org | 331.228.6166

In February, we spent time learning about Self-Awareness and Self-Management. Teachers were asked to recognize students who understand their own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across environments and situations. They are also nominating students who manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. The following students will receive a certificate and have their photo proudly displayed on our SEL bulletin board Please join us in congratulating:

This month our character trait focus is Perseverance and Grit. Perseverance is sticking with a task or skill, while grit is maintaining interest over time. Our Wasco Staff will be looking for students who demonstrate these skills across their day here at school.

Our Spirit Club has chosen to sponsor Cals Angels for our Wasco community project this year. You may ask “What is Cals Angels”? Cals Angels is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 after Cal Sutter lost his battle with Leukemia, in August 2006, at the young age of 13. Cal’s Angels is going to WAR against pediatric cancer. Our mission is granting Wishes, raising Awareness, and funding Research to help kids who are fighting cancer.

Part of Cal's Angels wishes is to provide patients and families with gift cards to ease their burden of caring for a sick child. Their philosophy is “the personal connections developed with our patients is what inspires us to continue doing what we do. We walk alongside them from the moment we meet them until well beyond the end of their treatment.”

We would like Wasco School to contribute gift cards ($5-$20) to places like Panera, BP, Shell, Portillo's, Chick-Fil-A, Subway, Wendy's, Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Starbucks, and Dunkin Donuts.

Our Gift Card Tree Collection starts Monday, March 10th and ends on Friday, March 21st . If everyone in our school even brought 1 gift card, we would have 444 gift cards to share with the patients and families. Of course, you can bring more!

A collection box will be in the main office for drop offs.

*Photo-Students from Spirit Club sharing information about Cal's Angels

Family friendly bingo! Space is limited and you MUST reserve a ticket FOR EVERYONE ATTENDING through push coin in order to attend the event.

District 303 is proud to partner with the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) to offer our families broader access to information sessions and resources that support their child’s development.

For decades, GPS has been offering free programs that aim to empower and strengthen families, individuals and communities. As a partner organization, District 303 will support promoting upcoming programs and their importance to our local community.

The map below displays how Wasco organizes dismissal for car riders. We will be directing students to wait on our “front lawn” for their ride. If they see their families' vehicles, they can walk along the sidewalk and enter the stopped vehicle. If you would like to leave your car to pick up your child, you are free to park in the lot.

You can save this as a handy reference for your caregivers or visiting family members who do pick up as well!

Attention Parents!

Please be mindful of communications coming from “donotreply@d303.org”. This is the email address for our school newsletters and our all school emails. If you reply to this email address it will not be forwarded to office staff.

Office Contact Emails:

candace.thoke@d303.org

heather.kudabeck@d303.org

stephanie.brennan@d303.org

Email: heather.kudabeck@d303.org
Website: https://district.d303.org/
Location: 4N782 School Street, Wasco, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2900