The Wilmot Word: October 25, 2024

This year, we will be celebrating Halloween at Wilmot on Thursday, October 31. Below is important information to help make this a fun and safe day for everyone.

We want to remind families to be cautious when helping their child select a costume for Halloween. Using another's culture as a Halloween costume can be viewed as insensitive or offensive. In addition, we encourage students to be inclusive so that students do not feel excluded during the Halloween festivities. Students may not wear group costumes that exclude other students.

Costume Information:

• Students will wear costumes to school as we cannot easily assist students in changing into costumes during the school day.
• Masks (for costumes) should come to school in a bag to be worn only for the parade, pictures, and parties. Students should not wear masks on the bus or when walking to school.
• Toy weapons are strictly prohibited.
• Please send a bag for your child's costume should they choose to take it off during the day.
• If you need assistance in providing your child with a Halloween costume, please let me know
• Avoid group costumes that exclude other students from participating. Our goal is to create an inclusive school environment.
  

Parade:

• 5th graders will lead the parade out the north gym doors and will walk west starting at 8:55 am
• 4th grade will follow 5th grade heading west (towards the office)
• The parade will continue heading west towards the west parking lot
• Kindergarteners will exit from their classroom doors and follow 4th grade
• The parade will head south on the sidewalk along the west parking lot and pass the GMA (please do Not block the sidewalk/parade route).
• 1st graders will join the parade behind kindergarten- out of the GMA (door 13)
• 2nd grade will follow 1st out of the GMA.
• The parade will continue to head east and pass the art door on the south side of the playground.
• 3rd graders will exit through the art room door and will follow 2nd graders.
• The parade will head north towards the gym
• 5th grade will lead the parade north
• All grades will make one full lap around the building and will enter the same door they exited from (Kindy will enter through the front doors)

Visitors:

• We ask that all guests remain outside during the parade.
• Parent/Guardian volunteers for classroom parties MUST have their ID when they check in with our office staff. No visitors will be allowed in the building without their driver's license or state ID.
• Parents/guests should not stop the parade, approach the children, or ask students to step out of the parade for a photo.

Families who are not comfortable sending their child in costume, please reach out to your child's teacher so that we can be sensitive to you or your child's feelings about dressing up for Halloween. We want everyone at Wilmot to feel comfortable.

Halloween is all about pumpkins! And we are so excited that the Wilmot Staff will be decorating pumpkins again this year. Students will get to vote for their favorite pumpkin by making a charitable donation.

The decorated pumpkins will be displayed anonymously in the front foyer (inside the building) the week of October 28. Students may vote for their favorite pumpkin by placing coins or dollars in a container that will sit next to each pumpkin. We invite students to come to school with coins or dollars in a plastic bag on Monday, October 28, Tuesday, Oct. 29 and/or Wednesday, Oct. 30. Teachers will provide an opportunity for their students to donate/vote during the school day.

The pumpkin with the most donations wins the contest. The money collected will then be donated to the charity of the staff team with the winning pumpkin. All other charities will receive a small portion of the collected funds. The winning pumpkin will be announced on Thursday, October 31.

Thank you for your support, and thank you to the Wilmot Staff for participating!

Yesterday you should have received an email from the Communications Department inviting you to join us on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Caruso Middle School auditorium for a special screening of Chasing Childhood. This thought-provoking documentary explores the decline of free play and independence in children’s lives, replaced by a culture of perfectionism that has fueled increasing rates of anxiety and depression. If you haven’t already, please RSVP using the button below to sign up. We hope to see you there!

RSVP Link

While we encourage everyone to limit time spent on devices, we understand that these tools can foster meaningful connections when used wisely. However, in today’s digital age, it can be difficult to stay informed about the latest apps and trends to ensure your child's online safety. We want to do our part in supporting students and families in the various ways they can implement security settings on their children’s devices and monitor time spent online. What better time to introduce these tech tips than October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Throughout the school year, we will feature practical technology tips in our newsletters, offering fresh ideas for families to use at home developed by our own Student Resource Officer, Lauren Maldonado, and our Innovations Specialist, Maria Galanis.

Click the the photo below and check out the Commonsense Media post.

Check out the PTO website and weekly newsletter which are linked below. You will find information about:

• Pie Fundraiser - Order by October 31

• Team Give's Annual Pumpkin Contest is NEXT WEEK Monday, October 28 - Wednesday, October 30! Please bring your loose change to vote in your favorite pumpkin! all collections go to charities picked by our teachers.

• Wilmot CANDY Collection

It's time for Wilmot's first ever Elsie Mae's Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser!! Buy Elsie Mae Pies for Thanksgiving and a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to Wilmot. Elsie Mae's has the best pies in the area. Elsie Mae's sweet shop uses local produce and family recipes to preserve traditional-style baking and canning. They have many options to choose from for the holiday. PTO will communicate date/time/location for Pie pickup the week of Thanksgiving. Order pies for everyone you love! 20% of sales will be donated back to Wilmot.

Orders will be taken October 1st to October 31st through the Wilmot PTO website. You can learn more about Elsie Mae Pies at https://www.elsiemaescanningandpies.com/ . Whole pies are (9") and serve about 8 people. They will be delivered fully baked and fresh and just need to be warmed at 375 degrees for 15-20 min to enjoy.

Click the flier below to order these delicious pies!

Join Wilmot families and friends for a day of fun at a Chicago Wolves

hockey game.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

VS. ROCKFORD ICEHOGS

DOORS OPEN AT 2PM: PUCK DROPS AT 3PM

Some families still need to complete the quick process of verifying their information for this year. As winter approaches, we want to ensure we have the right contact info on file for you. It's also an easy way to read and acknowledge our handbook and review district opt-out forms. Please head to Skyward to get started today!

• Tuesday, October 29
• 4th Grade Opera Field Trip 9-11:30 AM
• Thursday, October 31
• Pie orders due for PTO fundraiser
• Halloween parade/parties
• Parade – 8:55 am
• Tuesday, November 5
• Election Day - No School
• Monday, November 11
• Legal Holiday - No School
• Sunday, November 17
• PTO - Chicago Wolves Game event
• Tuesday, November 19
• PTO meeting - 1:30 pm - Zoom
• Monday, November 25
• 5th grade Art Institute Trip - all-day
• Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29
• Thanksgiving Break - No School