The WJHS Panther Pride Newsletter

We are thrilled to celebrate our incredible students and teachers and all their achievements over the past year! To honor their hard work, we had special t-shirts made for each and every one of them. These shirts are a proud symbol of their accomplishments.

Check out the attached video to see the excitement as we handed them out and to hear a few inspiring words from Superintendent Baldermann!

Congratulations to our December Students of the Month!

6th Grade - Arantxa M. (DHH), Cristiano M., Rose R.

7th Grade - Denali C., Elias G.

8th Grade - Danny E., Samantha H.

PE Explo

6th Grade - Olivia P.

7th Grade - Elias G.

8th Grade - Mackenzie B.

Here are two wonderful photos of our talented students who participated in the Illinois Music Education Association’s (ILMEA) District 1 Junior Honor Festival on Saturday, November 23, at Unity Junior High School in Cicero.

This prestigious event brought together some of the most skilled junior high musicians from across Chicagoland for a full day of rehearsals and music-making, culminating in remarkable performances by the Honor Choir, Honor Band, and Honor Orchestra.

Our students truly shone! They dedicated themselves throughout the day, staying focused during rehearsals and delivering outstanding performances. We couldn’t be prouder of how they represented our school and community.

A big congratulations to Aelyn, Kaleb, Kai, Thomas, Joanna, Kayla, and Nadia for their incredible work with the Honor Choir, and to Harrison for his outstanding performance in the Honor Band!

A HUGE congratulations to four of our WJHS students who have been selected to participate in the inaugural Illinois ALL-STATE Junior High Chorus. These students will travel to Peoria in January and perform in a festival concert with other top-notch musicians in Illinois. Here is the ILMEA press release commending these talented students, not only here, but across Illinois.

Give it up for . . .

Kai H.

Thomas O.

Joanna R.

Kayla S.

HO HO HO and away we go!

The countdown to winter break is on, and we're celebrating with 12 days of Spirit Days! We kicked off the fun on Thursday with Pajama Day, followed by College Day today. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page to see daily photos of our students and staff showing off their school spirit!

You can reference the 12 Spirit Days of Christmas below to find our daily themes.

Our Lost and Found is currently overflowing with items! If your child is missing anything, please encourage them to check the Lost and Found as soon as possible.

Location: Commons
When to Check: During lunch, before school, or after school

Reminder: Any items left unclaimed before we leave for Winter Break will be donated to a local shelter. Let's work together to ensure everyone retrieves their belongings!

Thank you for your help!

Erin’s Law, House Bill 6193 was signed by Governor Pat Quinn on January 24, 2013. This law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades pre-K through 12.

Victor Pacini, a survivor of sexual abuse, author and motivational speaker, will be assisting our schools in implementing this mandate. Mr. Pacini’s program is developmentally appropriate, interactive, and aligned with learning standards. The focus of his presentation is to teach children basic skills to keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations. The concepts that will be discussed are:

• Distinguishing safe from unsafe touches

• Safety rules at home and school

• Saying “NO”

• Safe/Unsafe Secrets

• It’s not the child’s fault if someone touches him or her

• Telling a trusted adult

Mr. Pacini’s organization will be presenting at our schools. The date for the student presentations at WJHS is Jan. 15, 2025.

Requests to Opt-Out: If you prefer that your child opt-out of this prevention education session, please email Amy Quattrone @ aquattrone@cusd201.org

Mrs. Stobl is always looking for donations of 2 X 4's (at least 24 in. long please) for a projects she is working on with our students. If you have any you would like to donate, contact astrobl@cusd201.org.

Students should come to school each day fully prepared, which includes bringing their Chromebooks fully charged. As the year progresses, it's easy to forget these small but important habits. Please remind them to charge their Chromebooks daily so they’re ready to go every day!

Attending school regularly is key to success, helping students stay engaged and connected with their learning. However, we also recognize that health comes first.

If a student is feeling unwell, especially with symptoms such as fever, persistent coughing, or contagious conditions, it’s best to rest and recover at home. Taking care of health not only aids recovery but also helps protect classmates and staff from illness.

Unsure when to send them, and when to keep them home? See the chart below for some helpful guidelines.

Let’s work together to balance the importance of education with the need for self-care. Healthy students are better learners, and we’re here to support both wellness and academic success!

Please enjoy the happenings going on in our Media Center, in this months Newsletter.

While it may seem early to talk about graduation, we are already speaking with students about their academic standing and the SSLC hours that are required to walk the stage. After our Thanksgiving break, Ms. Quattrone and Mr. Lipinski will be meeting with parents/guardians of students who are currently in jeopardy of not participating in graduation activities.

The Student Service Learning Commitment (SSLC) is a graduation requirement for all students earning a Westmont Junior High School diploma at the graduation ceremony. Students perform this community service with an approved not-for-profit organization, and must include the phases of preparation, action and reflection.

Students at WJHS are required to earn:

• 9 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of May of their 6th grade year.

• 12 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of May of their 7th grade year.

• 15 SSLC hours by the first school day of the 2nd week of April of their 8th grade year, or a total of 36 hours over the course of their 3 years at WJHS.

Credit for Student Service Learning Commitment can be earned starting the summer after Grade 5 and must be completed by junior high school graduation. Students may earn SSLC hours in the following ways:

Active membership in approved school clubs; Early Act, SMART Service, Seeds of Hope/Sprouting Seeds, Outdoor Environmental Science, Recycling, Student Council. Other clubs may be eligible for SSLC hours after administrative approval is given.

Students will have opportunities inside and outside of school to fulfill this commitment.

For more about SSLC, and Frequently asked questions, click on these links:

SSLC Program Description

Ideas for Earning SSLC Hours (Slideshow)

6th Grade SSLC Log

7th Grade SSLC Log

8th Grade SSLC Log

Our Vertical Fundraiser is wrapping up soon, and we need your support!

So far, we’ve raised $1,900 toward our $16,000 goal, and we’re counting on our community to help us reach it. This is a legitimate fundraiser, supported by many local restaurants and over 750,000 additional businesses nationwide.

Proceeds will go toward purchasing much-needed new uniforms for our athletics program. Plus, with the holidays around the corner, this fundraiser makes an amazing stocking stuffer! For just $25, you’ll get a year of discounts at a huge variety of places.

Check out the attached flyer for easy sign-up instructions, and join us in making a difference today!

Calling all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Throw on your comfy PJs and come spend the evening with friends at WJHS! There will be music, games, a hot chocolate bar, and more. Be sure to fill out the form below and return it with your payment to the front office. Be sure to print your name clearly and put your payment in a sealed envelope or bag. We​ can't wait to see you there!

The 6th Grade Rock Climbing Field Trip is quickly approaching. If your child plans on participating they will need to provide the following:

1. Printed Field Trip Form turned in.

2. $20 Cash or Check made out to WJHS.

3. Parents need to complete the waiver for their child and NOT register themselves as climbers. Students who do not have a waiver completed with an email confirmation will not be able to climb.

Mr. Cornacchia and Ms. Hillertz will notify students and parents who do not have a waiver completed before winter break.

Additional information can be found on the attached flyer.

​It’s time to start preparing for our 6th Grade Outdoor Education Experience (OE)!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s informational meeting. If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry! W have attached last nights presentation here. Dr. B is available to answer any questions—feel free to reach out at jburisek@cusd201.org.

New this year: All OE payments will be collected online. The payment link will be available starting January 7th. We will send parents out a link, as well as post in our weekly newsletter as soon as the payment portal opens. Stay tuned!

We are excited to announce a special event for our community! CUSD 201 has partnered with Maercker School District 60 to present an engaging and vibrant performance by 123 Andrés. Known for their captivating musical experience, 123 Andrés fosters language development and cultural connections through interactive songs and dance.

We warmly invite families, staff, and especially younger children to join in this joyful celebration.

Don’t miss out—be sure to check out the Save the Date video for more details!

Join us this weekend for an event that’s bigger and better than ever! What started in the gymnasium has now expanded to fill the entire school. Looking for the perfect holiday gifts? Stop by, explore a variety of unique items, or simply enjoy the festivities, and support our Music Boosters while you’re at it. Don’t miss out!

It is hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner. If you are looking for some holiday fun for the family, be sure to take a look at the Westmont Park District calendar of events.

Remember to check the WJHS calendar for up-to-date information on Clubs, Events, and athletics and our Facebook page for the day-to-day happenings at the Junior high.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Amy Quattrone

WJHS Principal