October 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.

I hope you have had a wonderful first two months of school at Whittier! We have had a very productive and successful two months of learning. Here at Whittier students are learning the most updated researched based curriculum and learning experiences through the Science of Reading and International Baccalaureate Program.

All students K-5 are learning phonics based programs in either Spanish and English.

• K-2 English are engaged in CKLA Phonics for 60 minutes everyday.
• K-1 Dual language students engage in Taller phonics for 60 minutes everyday.
• 3-5 students engage in Core 95 phonics for 30 minutes everyday

Students K-5 learn comprehension, writing, social studies, and science through the International Baccalaureate program through transdisciplinary units. We are teaching students to be global thinkers that can problem solve their learning.

In math, we utilize Everyday Math. Everyday math teaches all math skills through a spiral program. This means that students will not master every skill right away. The program reinforces skills continuously throughout the year.

We encourage you to ask your teachers what you can do at home to support your child's progress at school. Working in a partnership is essential to your child's learning.

Whitter's school store has been extended to October 6th! Don't miss your chance to buy some Whittier swag for you and/or your child(ren)!

https://whittiergear24.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Parent Teacher Conferences are coming this month! October 23rd - October 24th will be our Parent-Teacher Conferences. Your child's teacher should be sending home procedures on how to sign up for a conference. If you haven't yet, contact your classroom teacher. Conferences are an important step for you to learn more about your child's progress at school. Expect that we provide you with details and data that show you how your child is progressing.

• How is my child progressing in reading in math?
• What is being used to track my child's progress?
• What supports are you providing my child?
• What are my child's areas of strength in reading and math?
• What are their weaknesses in reading and math?
• What can we do at home to support our child?
• How will you communicate with me about my child's progress?

Expect that a teacher shares data with you to explain your child's progress.

School Hours

8:30 - 3:03

Breakfast 8:00 - 8:20

Early Release Hours 8:30 - 1:03

Early Release Dates

Early Release Dates: 10/9, 10/23, 11/13, 12/11, 1/15, 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 4/9, 4/23, 5/14

Whittier Calendar Events

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

Master Calendar of Events

OCTOBER

2 Custodian Appreciation Day

9 Early Release Day @1:03

9 Loteria Night - Hispanic Heritage Event 4:30 - 6:00 PM

14 School Closed Indigenous People Day

15 Picture Day

23 & 24 Parent Teacher Conferences

23rd: 4:30 - 7:30PM

24th 4:30 - 7:30 PM

23 Early Release Day @1:03 PM

25 School Closed

28 - 11/1 Book Fair

31 Halloween

November 1 Costume Day / Fall Parade

Picture day is coming! Student picture day is October 15, 2024. Students will get their individual pictures during the day. Information will come out on how to purchase pictures of your children. There will be a make up picture day schedule later in the year.

September 15th - October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month! We are hosting a fun family night on October 9th! Come out and play Loteria and bring food that represents the various Hispanic cultures in our community!

We'd love your help decorating our building to reflect the various Hispanic Cultures we have in our community. If you're interested in bringing in decorations and beautifying our school please email jfranklin@wps60.org and whi_parentsupport@wps60.org.

Loteria Night is coming October 9, 2024 from 4:30 - 6:00. Come out and have some fun!

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.

Parent Mentors help close persistent equity gaps in our children’s schools by volunteering in the classroom for two hours a day supporting students for at least one school semester.

Parents are assigned to a classroom to work one-on-one or in small groups with students who need extra support. Parents are not assigned to their child’s classroom. Parents get opportunities to get more involved in their children’s schools.

Training and weekly workshops on professional development skills in academic instructions and leadership.

• All parents are welcome!
• Your citizenship status, level of education, and language skills are not a barrier.
• No previous experience is required!

Whittier's Book Fair is coming October 28th - November 1st. Be on the lookout for information!

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

Parents/Guardian are recommended to contact Illinois Central School Bus Company at 847-249-4100 regarding late buses or no show buses.

If you have questions please email the transportation department at transportationrequest@wps60.org.

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/