December Newsletter

We are the Whittier Wolf Pack, a caring community of diverse global citizens committed to persevering and creating a positive impact on the world.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach an important period of assessments, we want to take a moment to recognize the hard work our students have been putting in this school year. Assessments provide an opportunity for them to showcase their understanding and growth, and your support plays a vital role in their success.

Here are a few ways you can help your child prepare and approach these assessments with confidence:

• Encourage a Growth Mindset: Remind your child that effort and perseverance are just as important as the results. Every challenge is a chance to grow.
• Prioritize Rest and Nutrition: A well-rested mind and a balanced diet can significantly impact focus and performance.
• Create a Positive Environment: Let your child know that you believe in their abilities and that doing their best is what truly matters

We are proud of our students and confident in their abilities to rise to the occasion. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering a supportive and enriching educational experience for all.

The NWEA MAP Growth assessments provide valuable insights into your child's strengths and areas for growth in subjects like reading, math, and science (4th & 5th grade). These results help us tailor instruction to meet individual student needs and foster academic success.

Testing Dates: 📅 12/3 - 12/12

Participating Grades: 1st - 5th grades
Please check your child’s specific testing schedule, which will be shared by their teacher.

How to Prepare Your Child:

• Ensure they get plenty of rest the night before testing.
• Provide a nutritious breakfast to help them stay focused.
• Encourage a positive mindset—remind them that this is just an opportunity to show what they know!

What to Bring:

• Fully charged Chromebook
• A water bottle and any necessary school supplies.

We appreciate your support in helping your child do their best. If you have any questions about NWEA testing or your child's schedule, please feel free to reach out to [contact name or office] at [contact information].

Thank you for your partnership in your child's education!

As we approach the final month of the calendar year, we want to emphasize the importance of consistent attendance during December. With fewer school days this month, every day counts! Our goal is for all students to attend 95% or more of the school days in December.

Here’s why it matters:

• Every Day Adds Up: Each day at school helps your child stay on track academically and socially.
• A Strong Finish to the Year: December sets the tone for the new year, ensuring students return in January feeling confident and prepared.

How You Can Help:

• Plan Ahead: Schedule appointments and trips outside of school hours whenever possible.
• Encourage Healthy Habits: A good night’s sleep and a balanced diet support your child’s readiness for school.
• Communicate: If your child is ill or facing challenges, please let us know—we’re here to help.

We are excited to introduce a new initiative to celebrate weekly and monthly attendance milestones! This is part of our ongoing efforts to encourage and motivate students to attend school regularly and to recognize their dedication to learning.

We understand that there are times when students may be unable to attend school due to illness or other valid reasons. Rest assured, these celebrations are designed to inspire a positive attitude toward attendance without creating undue pressure.

Here’s how it will work:

• Weekly Celebrations: Each week, students with perfect attendance will receive small acknowledgments, such as certificates or shout-outs.
• Monthly Celebrations: At the end of each month, we will host a special event or activity to honor students with consistent attendance during the month.

We’re excited to see our students aim high and reach this attendance goal! Let’s work together to make December a successful and productive month.

As part of our shared commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff, we would like to remind you of the importance of monitoring the items your child brings to school.

Guidelines for School-Safe Items:

• School Supplies Only: Please ensure that your child’s backpack contains only necessary school supplies and materials.
• No Prohibited Items: Items such as toys, sharp objects, electronic devices (unless approved), or any items that could pose a safety risk should not be brought to school.

How You Can Help:

1. Check Backpacks Daily: Make it a habit to review your child’s backpack before school.
2. Discuss with Your Child: Have a conversation about why certain items are not allowed at school to reinforce the importance of safety.
3. Contact Us with Questions: If you are unsure whether an item is appropriate to bring to school, feel free to reach out to the school office or your child’s teacher.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Together, we can ensure a productive and secure learning environment for all.

School Hours

8:30 - 3:03

Breakfast 8:00 - 8:20

Early Release Hours 8:30 - 1:03

Early Release Dates

12/11, 1/15, 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 4/9, 4/23, 5/14

Waukegan 24-25 SY English Calendar | Waukegan 24-25 SY Spanish Calendar

9 District Institute Day- No School for Students

11 Early Release Day @1:03 PM

16-20 Spirit Week

17 & 20 Celebration of Learning Ceremony's

19 Celebration of Light Event

12/23-1/3 School Closed Winter Break

1/6 - School Closed

1/7 - School Resumes from break

We hope this message finds you well! We would like to invite you to become an active part of our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and help make this a wonderful school year for all our students.

The PTO plays a key role in organizing events, supporting school programs, and fostering a strong connection between parents and teachers. By joining the PTO, you’ll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on your child’s school experience and help build a positive, thriving school community.

Whether you can volunteer your time, provide ideas, or simply stay informed, your involvement will make a difference. We welcome parents of all interests and availability!

GPTO will be meeting once a month on Thursday's. We will add a virtual link for families to join that are unable to join in person. Meetings will be from 3:30 - 4:30 in the teacher's lounge.

• 12/12

• 1/23

• 2/19

• 3/13

• 4/17

• 5/8

GPTO's first event it's organizing is going to be a dance on Friday, 1/10/25. Come to our next meeting on 12/12 to find ways to help plan and organize the event. More details to come soon...

Teachers will begin inputing weekly grades starting in September. This is a new district policy and will allow parents a deeper understanding of their child's academic performance.

You can log into Infinite Campus Parent portal to see your child's grades and check on their academic progress.

It is recommended that you make a tag for your child's book bag, that includes name and ID number and bus route number.

For transportation changes, please contact us or your students school for further instruction. Changes typically will take 5-7 business days to process. It will be your responsibility to transport child to and from school until changes have been complete.

• Alternative Transportation Application English | Spanish
• Pay to Ride English | Spanish
• Transportation 101 English | Spanish
• Daycare Procedures English | Spanish
• My Stop Phone App
• Pay to Ride payment

Transportation 101 Information

Download the Track My Stop App to follow your child's bus route

We offer a free breakfast to every student from 8:00-8:20. Students are not required to eat breakfast but it is available to anyone who chooses.

Lunch is also free to every student. We offer a variety of healthily and delicious foods prepared by our cafeteria staff.

Parents and guardians that drop their children off are to park in the South Whittier parking lot or at St. Paul's Church. Parents and guardians then walk their child and wait for our first bell to ring at 8:00. Students will enter the building at door 12. Breakfast will be available to any child in the cafeteria. Students that choose to not eat will wait in the gym with their classmates.

Cars should not be sitting in the front of the school as indicated on the map.

Email: whi_parentsupport@wps60.org
Website: https://whittier.wps60.org/
Location: 901 North Lewis Avenue, Waukegan, IL, USA
Phone: 224-303-1900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whittierwps/