News from Sundling Middle School

Happy almost October! It is hard to believe that we will be midway through the first quarter of school.

I want to thank all of our students, families, and staff for pulling together and supporting each other during the past few weeks of school, and our transition to middle school. It has been a great start, focused on building relationships and a sense of community at our school. We still have much work to do, but feel strongly that this focus will help support strong academic and social emotional growth over the entire school year. The staff and administration are appreciative of your continued support, patience, and feedback. We could not do this without the support and help of our Sundling families and community.

There are several resources within this newsletter to support families. Please continue to reach out to me, Mr. Rice, Mr. Illescas or your child's classroom teacher with ways we can support you and your child.

Thanks for all of your continued support of our school! It’s a Great Day to be a Paladin! #iagdtbap

Take care and stay well,

Jason Dietz

Principal

Did you know? Students with perfect attendance are more likely to excel in their studies.

Tip: Reply to the district’s monthly attendance text. Reply with a “Y” to receive detailed information about your student’s attendance. Help us meet our goal of 9 or fewer absences for success!

We realize that the Middle School athletic events are fun to attend and we have enjoyed having spectators come to the games. If students choose to attend away games at Thomas Jefferson, Plum Grove, Carl Sandburg, or Winston Campus, it's expected that a parent comes with the students to the basketball game and stays the entire time.

The CHAMPS expectations for spectator behavior are the same at each school in our district. Please remember you are a representative of our school when visiting another school.

Students, from another school, who come in without a parent or guardian will not be permitted to attend the game.

The safety of our students is always a top priority at our school. Our goal is not only to provide a safe environment, but to also prepare our students, staff, and school community to know how to respond if a crisis arises. To that end, each year, schools are required by Illinois School Code to conduct safety drills.

This year, as in years past, we will do 2 lockdown drills, 3 fire drills, 1 bus evacuation drill, and 1 shelter in place drill. Our school will also have a relocation drill in the [FALL-WINTER-SPRING]. For lockdown drills, parents have the option to opt their student out of the drill. The student will still be in the building during the drill, but will sit in a room with a different teacher and talk through the steps of the lockdown procedure instead of taking part in the drill with their classmates. If you would like to opt your student out of lockdown drills, please complete the Safety Drill Opt-Out Form. Our first lockdown drill will be Thursday, October 10, 2024.

On January 24th 2013, Governor Quinn signed into effect Public Act 097-1147, also known as Erin’s Law. Erin’s Law was named in honor of Erin Merryn, a brave young woman who has crossed the country advocating for laws that will increase awareness of sexual abuse against children. This law has passed in 37 states, Illinois being one of them.

One of the law’s requirements is that schools provide an age/developmentally appropriate presentation to all students relating to sexual abuse and safety skills, which may include a variety of discussions, activities, videos and/or role play scenarios. These topics include concepts such as; safe and unsafe touches, getting help, boundaries, and empowerment. The purpose of this presentation is to provide students with tools needed for personal safety. We also strive to provide a nurturing and caring environment to openly discuss these topics, if a student desires.

Nationwide, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually on the Internet. Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children ages 17 and under. The median age for reported sexual abuse is 9 years old.

Through this program, aimed at educating and empowering students, we want to provide your child with the knowledge and skills to use if ever affected by sexual abuse.

Trained staff members will be presenting these lessons during 1st period classes on Thursday, October 24, 2024 to meet the requirements of this law and to offer a safe space to students if required.

If you have any questions or would like additional information on the Erin’s Law presentations, please contact your building’s clinician or administrator. If you would like your child to opt out of these lessons please call your building principal. The District 15 website also has a list of parental resources for your reference.

Community Consolidated School District 15 is committed to supporting every student’s academic growth as well as their social, emotional and behavioral growth. In our continuing efforts to support the well-being of our students, District 15 is implementing a comprehensive mental health screening process this school year to identify students who may benefit from additional support. As part of this process, District 15 is utilizing the Social, Academic, Emotional, Behaviors Risk Screener (mySAEBRS) this school year. The screener, mySAEBRS, is a brief rating scale which will be completed by all students in grades 5-8th. Student screeners and presentations, for 5th-8th grade, will be taking place during the months of October, November and December.

Another component of the comprehensive mental health screening process is a Mental Health Awareness program through Erika’s Lighthouse. This program provides school staff the opportunity to teach students about mental health and teach them how to seek help if they are concerned about themselves or a friend. Students participating in this mental health awareness program will be reminded that hope and help is available in a variety of places including their own school.

The student program consists of a powerpoint presentation that includes a mental health awareness video, a group discussion and ends with a student exit form in which students can choose to ask to talk with a school mental health professional. Self-referred students and students referred by peers will be interviewed by a school mental health professional, and parents will be notified.

Student Presentations at Sundling will occur:

8th Grade: November 13th

7th Grade: December 9th

6th Grade: January 14th

On Tuesday, October 15, 2024 all parents are invited to an informational presentation which will include a showing of a Mental Health Awareness video and Mental Health Presentation in English. A Spanish night is currently being scheduled and we will share that date as soon as possible. Please see flyer below for more information.

We are enclosing a copy of community resources and good mental health tips so that you have information and resources about depression and its related risks. If you do NOT wish your child to participate in the Social, Academic, Emotional, Behaviors Risk Screener (mySAEBRS) screening process and/or the Mental Health Awareness program in school, please contact your building principal. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in this program.

Parents, please use this QR code to fill out the Emergency Contact Form for Intramurals. One form is valid for the entire 2024-25 school year, and must be completed for each child participating in the program.

Hearing screening must be provided annually for preschool children 3 years of age or older in any public or private educational program or licensed child care facility, and for all school age children grades kindergarten, first, second and third; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher; or are transfer students. These screening services shall be provided in all public, private, and parochial schools. In lieu of the screening services required, a completed and signed report form, indicating the child had an ear examination by a physician and an audiological evaluation completed by an audiologist within the previous 12 months, is acceptable.

Vision screening must be provided annually for preschool children 3 years of age or older in any public or private educational program or licensed child care facility, and for school age children in kindergarten, second and eighth grades; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher; or are transfer students. Such screening services shall be provided in all public, private and parochial schools. In lieu of the screening services required, a completed and signed report form, indicating that an eye examination by a doctor specializing in diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist has been administered within the previous 12 months, is acceptable.

The parent or legal guardian of a student may object to hearing or vision screening tests for their children on religious grounds. If a religious objection is made, a written and signed statement from the parent or legal guardian detailing such objections must be presented to the local school authority. Walter R Sundling Middle School Screening Date is scheduled for 10/7/24. All students who fall under the state-mandated screening requirements will be screened unless we have a recent vision or audiological examination or religious objection on file in the health office. Please refer to your school's health office with any questions.

As we prepare to welcome students to the new school year, I want to emphasize the importance of creating a focused learning environment for all students. To ensure that our classrooms are conducive to learning, the expectation is that cell phones must be kept powered-off or silenced and out-of-sight during the regular school day. Please review the student-parent handbook for additional details. By following these guidelines, we can create a positive and productive classroom community where students can fully engage in their education.

Students are expected to keep their backpacks in their lockers during the school day. Students are not permitted to carry backpacks and bookbags to class during the school day. All backpacks and bookbags must be placed in students’ lockers during the day. Purses or handbags may be carried during the school day; however, such items must not be larger than 8½″ x 11″.

Any elementary or junior high student that attends a Palatine High School athletic event, must be accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the event. If any student exhibits inappropriate behavior as deemed by PHS administration, they will be asked to leave the event. Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to: verbal and/or physical altercations, insubordination, and disruption.

Parents who transport their students to school are asked to enter the traffic circle on the south side of the school or use the parking spots located along Smith St. directly in front of the building. Please be sure to drop off your child at curbside, ensuring that they do not have to cross through moving cars. For safety reasons, the north lot in front of the school is reserved for bus loading and unloading, bike riders and parking for staff and visitors! Students will enter through supervised areas, including Door #1 (Main Entrance) and Door #2 (Circle Drive Entrance).

Students may not enter the building prior to the 7:15 AM bell unless they are participating in jazz band or choral rehearsals, working in the Library), attending breakfast, have a prior written pass from a teacher, or are directed to do so by a staff member due to inclement weather. Students may not wander or loiter the hallways prior to the beginning of the school day.

October 9th- Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM

October 14th- NO SCHOOL (Indigenous Peoples Day)

October 15th- WRS PTA Culver's Dine & Share 5:00-8:00 PM (See flyer below)

October 16th- WRS PTA Meeting 7:00 PM

October 24th- WRS PTA Black & Orange Social Event (After School)

October 26th- D211 8th Grade ACT Placement Exam 8:00 AM (PHS)

October 29th- Lifetouch Picture Retakes (AM hours)

Hello families of Sundling Middle School!

I am Ashley Wangler your PTA president this year and I am super excited to meet all of you and for the upcoming school year! We have so many fun things already in the works and would love for you to come sit in on one of our meetings and introduce yourself! We love to meet new families and OH MY there are a lot of them this year! Please consider joining the PTA via the link below and please stop by and say hi at our PTA table at all of the events! If you have any questions or want to volunteer for anything please reach out to me at my email address SundlingPTA@gmail.com or text or call me at 224-319-5440. Let’s have a great year as our first year as a MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Ashley Wangler

Sundling Middle School PTA President

How to Become a Sundling PTA Member!

• Sign up online at: https://sundlingpta.new.memberhub.store/store

(There is a MemberHub service change of 75¢ (Individual) and 92¢ (Household) to join online.)

If you are interested in leading an event or committee, please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/wY6MFB4L5J415Kwp9

Everyone is also welcome to join us at any of our monthly PTA meetings in the WRS Board Room on:

• Oct 16; 7 PM
• Nov 20; 7 PM
• Feb 19; 7 PM
• Mar 18; 7 PM
• Apr 16; 7 PM
• May 21; 7 PM

Whether you show your support with a membership, volunteering as a helper or with donations for a specific event, or volunteering to lead an event or committee—we hope you will join us to make this a fantastic year!