Wasco Weekly

Wasco Families,

Our systems and structures communicate our values, and what we want to pass on to the kids.

Our school's daily practices and traditions are intentionally designed to support our core expectations: Be Safe, Be Kind, Work Hard, and Do the Right Thing. These are not just words, but guiding principles that shape our school community and help our students develop important life skills. Our intent is that our systems and structures communicate our values, and we want our Wasco Wolves to independently demonstrate the expectations. Regular practices that we use to reinforce our values include:

Morning Announcements:

Each day begins with the Pledge of Allegiance and our Wasco School Pledge. When students recite the pledge together, they are reminded of our shared values. The pledge reinforces:

- Respect for our community

- Personal accountability

- The importance of collective responsibility

- Pride in our school and our individual potential

Bullying Education Program

Our comprehensive bullying prevention program is built around our core expectations. Through age-appropriate lessons and activities, we teach students how to:

- Recognize and respond to bullying

- Support peers who may be experiencing difficult social situations

- Understand the impact of their words and actions

- Practice kindness and empathy

- Seek help from trusted adults when needed

Classroom Community Meetings

Our regular classroom community meetings are dedicated spaces where students:

- Discuss social-emotional learning

- Problem-solve together

- Build mutual understanding

- Practice active listening

- Develop conflict resolution skills

We appreciate your partnership in supporting these goals. Together, we can help our students grow into responsible, compassionate, and capable individuals.

With respect,

Mrs. Brennan

Principal, Wasco Elementary School

stephanie.brennan@d303.org

331-228-6294

Dec 9: Orchestra Concert @ Thompson

Dec 16: Band Concert @ Thompson

Dec 20: Winter Class Parties; Last day of school before Winter Break

Dec 23 - Jan 6: Winter Break (No School)

Jan 7: School Resumes

Jan 20: MLK Jr. Holiday (No School)

On November 12th, 13th, and/or 14th thousands of participants, including Wasco students, took part in the 2024 STACK UP! through sport stacking. Each year, the World Sport Stacking Association provides more than half a million participants around the world the opportunity to set the WSSA World Record for "The Most People Sport Stacking at Multiple Locations" also known as the STACK UP!

A NEW WORLD RECORD WAS SET in 2024 with 752,632 stackers from 12 different countries! We are proud of our Wasco Students and contributions to this WORLD RECORD!

With the excitement of the holiday season upon us, we feel that it is important to reiterate the importance of our Paws-itive Reinforcement system.

Positive reinforcement is important because it encourages desired behaviors by providing a rewarding experience, therefore increasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. Positive reinforcement also boosts motivation, self-confidence, and helps establish positive habits while also promoting a sense of competence and well-being in individuals. Essentially, it teaches people to repeat actions that lead to positive outcomes

The goal of our “Paws”itive reinforcement system is to provide students with consistent teaching of our Wasco Expectations, using consistent language and positive feedback when expected behaviors are demonstrated. Why?

• Through a reward-based system, students will show interest and increased participation in everyday classroom duties and responsibilities.

• Increases the likelihood that desired behaviors will be repeated.

• Focuses student and staff attention on desired behaviors.

• Fosters a positive school climate.

• Improves social, emotional, behavioral and academic outcomes for all students.

Ask your child(ren) how many Wasco Bucks they have received so far and why they have received them. Ask them what they have purchased already and what they are saving up to purchase! Thank you for continuing to have conversations about our Wasco Expectations and how we can work together to create the best learning environment for all! See below for some experiences that were purchased with Wasco Bucks!

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' vehicle, 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!

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.

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