Wasco Weekly

Dear Wasco Families,

Thank you for your invaluable contributions as volunteers to Wasco. You decorate, donate time, teach, and organize and offer to help when needed! Your dedication helps create a nurturing environment for our children to learn and grow. I hope you can plan to attend our Volunteer Celebration on May 22nd from 9:00-2:30. It’s our turn to treat you!

Kind Regards,

Principal Brennan

stephanie.brennan@d303.org

331-228-6294

Please click on the link below to access the Returning Student Registration. This is required for all students (including current 5th graders going off to middle school and boundary change students) attending D303 for the 24-25 School Year. The deadline for registration is June1st. If your student is not coming back, please notify us by sending an email to: heather.kudabeck@d303.org

The elementary school intra-district transfer request window opens on May 15, 2024.

The application form will be available on the Intra-District Transfer web page.

May 10: 5th Grade Fine Arts Night at Wasco 6:00pm

May 22: M.A.P.L.E.fest! (See ad below)

May 27: No School- Memorial Day

May 30: Last Day of School

Wasco’s Field Day is Wednesday, May 22nd. We are working together as a Music, Art, P.E., LRC, and Empower team to provide a fun-filled day of activities. We need volunteers to run and assist with stations for our grade-level sessions. Your job will include working with other parent volunteers to lead the Field Day games and assist with Field Day activities. Please note that our volunteer opportunities are limited and are on a first come basis. The activities on Sign-Up Genius are listed by grade levels (Grades K-2 from 8:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Grades 3-5 from 12:20-3:00 p.m.).The start times above include sign-in at the office and a brief volunteer meeting prior to the start of the event. May 15th is the last day to sign up.

Since Field Day is a special day for Wasco students, please make childcare arrangements for younger siblings.

In case of rain or wet fields, the event will be rescheduled for Tuesday, May 28. A new Sign-Up Genius will be sent out to volunteer for our rain date.

Should you have additional questions, please contact the Physical Education teachers, Mrs. Julie Misner at julie.misner@d303.org or Mr. Joe Secor at Joseph.secor@d303.org.

What is it?

The ABC Challenge is a way to continue to encourage and celebrate learning as we wrap our year up. Each day is a theme related to a letter of the alphabet. The theme can be an activity, a focus for the day, or a dress-up day.

When does it start?

We will start with the letter A next Tuesday, April 23. There is a day set aside after "Z" to wear Wasco or Thompson wear on the last day.

Name and Position:

Tara Semler Co-Vice President

Tell us a little bit about you

My husband, two daughters and I moved here almost four years ago from Colorado. Before that, we lived in Raleigh, NC which is where we met and started our family. We also have (furbabies and gills) two dogs, two cats and two fish. Before moving to two states in two years (yes, two’s seem to be a theme in our life), I worked at a private practice OB/Gyn and I also worked in a salon as a Stylist. Now, I enjoy volunteering my time and helping where I am needed. I am also a Troop Leader for our Kindergarten Daisy Troop.

How long have you been a member of the Wasco Community? What are your current students' grade levels?

We are finishing our third year as a member of the Wasco Community. Our kids are currently in Kindergarten and 2nd grade.

What would the Wasco Community be surprised to learn about you?

Skydiving is on my bucket list. I look forward to new experiences and I enjoy traveling. I also love to play sports!

What are some things your family does for fun?

We enjoy being adventurous and exploring new things. We enjoy the outdoors in every aspect….bike rides, hiking, sports, geocaching, gardening and playing in the yard. We love board games, movies, crafts and projects. We love playing and enjoying the moments of life.

Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by?

“Today is a good day to have a good day”

“Work smarter, not harder”

“When you change your perspective, challenges become opportunities”

“To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail” -Michael Jordan

Is there anything else that you would like to share with the Wasco Community so that we can get to know you better?

I enjoy volunteering at school and getting to know our Wasco families and staff. I look forward to being coVP and working with parents/caregivers and teachers to make 2024/25 an enriching, exciting, and fun year.

Name and Position:

Kim Masters-Fundraising

Tell us a little bit about you

I grew up in St. Charles but then moved away to Eastern Illinois University graduating with a degree of Bachelor of Science. Then after a few years of working in the corporate world I decided I would rather become a nanny and personal assistant for 13 years. Now with having 3 children I stay home, help run my husband Carl’s, family owned gutter business and dedicate much of my time volunteering at our church and at the kid's schools.

How long have you been a member of the Wasco Community? What are your current students' grade levels?

Our family has lived in Wasco for 7 years but we have been parents here for 2 years. Our kids are the 3rd generation in my husband's family to be attending this school. Peyton is in 2nd grade and his twin sisters are excited to be in kindergarten at Wasco in the fall.

What would the Wasco Community be surprised to learn about you?

Prior to having a family some of my favorite memories were when I volunteered for the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), a home repair ministry. I worked 12 summers for them and was on staff for 1 of them in West Virginia.

What are some things your family does for fun?

We enjoy traveling, camping, swimming, golfing, exploring new forest preserves, and spending time with our family and friends.

Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by?

“Try to enjoy every single moment with your kids, even the hard ones, as one day you'll look back and miss it.”

We are in the home stretch--summer is right around the corner! As you begin to fill up your summer with activities and vacations, you should consider our very own D303 Summer Strings Camp!

This camp will be for orchestra students who are currently in grades 3 - 8. Camp will be June 17,18, 20 and June 24, 25, 26 and 27 in the evenings at Thompson Middle School.

Please visit the link in Pushcoin for more details! Questions? Ask your orchestra teacher or email the Director, Angie Wifler at angela.wifler@d303.org

One Wednesday per month, students will have an early release and dismissal will occur at 2:10pm. Please refer to the district website.

If possible, please make sure to notify the teacher and the office if your student is leaving early.

Absences should be called in by 7:45 AM if your child will be absent for any portion of the day. The number is 331-228-2900 and has voicemail. You can call during the evening or overnight and leave a message. Please leave your child’s name, their teacher's name and the reason why your child is out. If they are ill, please indicate their symptoms. You are also welcome to email absence information to Candy Thoke in the main office at candace.thoke@d303.org.

When using the drop off lane, please drive all the way forward so that we can load/unload as many cars as possible. Please stay in your car. If you wish to get out and load your child, you are welcome to park in the lot. By following this procedure, we can expedite everyone’s waiting times in the car lane.

• The Principal sends a weekly newsletter on Fridays

• Wasco Elementary has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WascoElementarySchool

• Twitter account: @WascoD303

• Join Membership Toolkit on the PTO site for ways to connect with parent 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