Parent Update

This week we survived the great chills as winter wanted to be sure we remembered we were in the Chicago suburbs. It was great to see the weather break on Friday and our students to be outside playing together. We are glad to have a strong collection of indoor recess activities, but I think everyone was ready to run by the end of the week. This week we are entering a fun time for our student athletes. On Monday, our JV girls will compete at home for their final regular season game at 4:30pm, one that will determine playoff seeding for the rest of the conference. On Tuesday, the JV girls will open up the playoffs on the road with an opponent yet to be determined. On Wednesday, our number one seeded varsity team will open the playoffs at home, with JV action determined by their Tuesday results. The conference finals are set for Thursday. On Saturday, many of our middle school students will be competing with first responders in a charity tournament at West Chicago High School with students from Leman and Benjamin Middle Schools. It is a fun opportunity for our students to compete and make connections this week.

Throughout the state, the 5Essentials Survey has gone out to parents, staff members, and students. This survey provides us information regarding how we support student learning and foster a growth focused student community. Here is the link to the survey. In order to get parent data from 5essentials, 20% of our families need to participate. Veteran parents might remember that we annually struggle to get this number, so please take a few moments and complete the survey.

This week all Winfield residents will receive a flyer from us regarding TIF 2. This dispute between Community High School District 94, the Village of Winfield, and us has been going on since May 2020. From our perspective, this is about the Village redirecting property tax revenue from the schools and other taxing bodies to pay for its Village Hall and Police Department facility. Our school board has taken the position that they will support economic development and in their various settlement offers have provided a multitude of ways to do so. The Board believes that the TIF is illegal and the Village Hall/Police Department facility should be approved and funded by all taxpayers. The flyer will share interesting information from an outside analysis of the Village's budget done by Crowe LLP. There will be more information, as always, shared at our Board meeting. The issue is set to go to trial in March.

The Winfield 34 Board of Education will be having their next Board Meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 7pm. Here are some of the highlights:

Presentations/Discussion - Student Recognition, School Lunch Program, Capital Plan Review, Tif 2, Changes in Intergovernmental Agreement with Deaf & Hard of Hearing/Vision Cooperative (DuPage-West Cook),

Approvals - change order to video system update, building usage fees, registration fees, activity fees, employment of Mark Melsa coach, Delia Ramirez & Leidy Vaca-Moreno - kitchen managers, resignation music/band teacher

Here is the agenda for the Regular Board Meeting.

Public comments can be shared through the Google form or live at the meeting.

Video streaming will be live from our Facebook page.

We continue to work on reaching out to our community to help identify students for our preschool program. This is a terrific opportunity for students 3-5 years old to learn in a highly engaging and supportive environment. Our next Preschool Screening is February 14, from 9-2:30am in our Primary Building. Please reach out to Mrs. Hernandez (nhernadez@winfield34.org or 630-909-4901) with questions or to schedule an appointment. Here is information on the screening and on our preschool program.

Staff Soup and Salad Lunch

Thank you to everyone that has signed up to bring items for the Soup & Salad lunch for the staff that is coming up this Monday, February 24th! There are still a few items left on the list if you’d like to donate-- Sign up here! Crock pots & non-disposable items should be labeled. They will be left in the Central School office to be picked up at the end of the school day on Monday or Tuesday morning.

Chicago Wolves Game - Get your ticket orders in by 2/28!

Join us on Sunday, March 16 at 3:00 p.m. for Family Fun Day at the Chicago Wolves game! Everyone will be seated in the same section and receive a Wolves knit hat. Tickets are at a discounted group rate of $25 for 100-Level Center Ice tickets (normally $32) and you can purchase a hot dog/soda voucher for $6.75. Please see the ticket form for more information on how to order and pay for your tickets. All orders must be submitted by 2/28. Contact Angie Adams (ang1404@yahoo.com) if you have any questions!

Cooks Night Out at Jersey Mike’s - Wednesday 2/26 through Friday 2/28

Our next Cooks Night Out is at Jersey Mike’s in Wheaton (2115 W. Roosevelt) for 3 days! From Wednesday, 2/26 through Friday, 2/28, 10 a.m.-9p.m., drop your receipt in the fundraiser box and Jersey Mike’s will donate 15% of the sales back to our school!

Seeking 2025 Tiger Run Sponsors

Do you or someone you know own or work for a local business in Winfield or the surrounding area? We are looking for sponsors at all levels for this year’s Tiger Run, our biggest fundraiser of the year! Check out our Sponsor Letter for more details. Please email us at wef@winfield34.org if you are interested or if you have any questions. The Tiger Run is our biggest fundraiser and always well attended!

Community Blood Drive: February 25

Our Winfield Public Library is hosting a community blood drive with Versiti Blood Systems. The blood drive will be held on Tuesday, February 25 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Anyone who weighs at least 110 pounds and has not given blood in the past 56 days is eligible. Appointments are recommended, but walk-in donors are welcome. Schedule an appointment at: https://donateblood.versiti.org/.../drive_schedule/11600401. Please see the attached flyer for more info:

Next PTO/WEF Meeting: Wednesday, March 12th at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend!

The GPS Parent Series hosts a variety of Parent Education Events. Here is an overview of their parent learning opportunities for the year. Events coming soon include:

Duncan Kirkwood IN PERSON LIVE LIFE WELL WEEK -- The Critical Skills to Unleash Perseverance, Passion and Purpose (February 25, 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Sarah Ward and Dr. Jessica Minahan HYBRID EVENT -- Practical Strategies for Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Executive Function Skills (Organization, Time Management & Task Completion) (February 27, 7-9pm) Please click here for more information.

Sarah Vinson MD Better Days: Supporting Kids' Mental Wellness When Things Aren’t OK (March 6, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Dr. Alexandra Solomon HYBRID EVENT -- Cultivating Healthy Relationships For Joy, Peace and a Meaningful Life (March 12, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Dr. Bryan Pearlman From Struggles to Success: Foster Goal Setting, Responsibility and Compromise (March 19, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Dr. Mary Ann Little How to NOT Raise a Narcissist in an All-About-Me World (March 25, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Meghan Leahy Tap Into Your Intuition to Connect with Your Child and Go Easy on Yourself (April 10, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Dr. Susan David with Dr. Kristin Neff Emotional Agility: Skills to Navigate Change and Embrace Self-Compassion (April 16, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Cara Natterson MD & Vanessa Kroll Bennett This is So Awkward: Helping Kids Manage Today's T(w)een Culture -- Modern Puberty Explained (April 23, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Trevor Muir Stop Calling them Soft Skills: The Essential Skills Employers Seek (April 28, 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Dr. Jonathan Singer HYBRID EVENT -- Suicide Signs and Symptoms: Let's Talk About It (May 1, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.

Dr. Ronald Ferguson Early Childhood Event -- Everyday Principles to Grow Happy, Healthy and Smart Young Children (May 6, 12pm and 7pm) Please click here for more information.