WMS Friday Forecast
February 7, 2020 - Week 23
Dear Parents-
During our Tutorial period in the next few weeks, we are going to address how to interact with others online safely. Ideally, our students would only interact with people they know while online. However, with the internet and many apps, kids have the opportunity to interact with many different people- some of them who are not safe. The objective of this lesson is to help students consider who they’re talking to and evaluate the types of information they’re sharing online.
As Common Sense Media tells us: So much of kids' social lives happen online. Whether they're texting with their study group, flirting on social media, or voice-chatting on game platforms, middle and high schoolers can learn to communicate in safe and healthy ways. These skills will help kids -- and the people they're communicating with -- have positive experiences online.
As you monitor and work with your child about online safety, consider these three tips which are from Common Sense Media:
Give them the right words.
Kids learn about appropriate verbal and physical communication from watching you. But online conversations can be invisible. Occasionally, narrate as you're writing texts or social media comments when your kids are in earshot.
Learn about their worlds.
Tweens and teens have unique communication styles -- especially online. As much as possible, keep an eye on what they're saying and doing online to understand the norm in their worlds. Don't police everything they say, but keep an ear out for aggressive trash-talking, hate speech, rude images, or anything hurtful. If you see stuff that crosses the line, speak up. Kids need to understand that their words have consequences.
Empathize with the pressure to overshare.
Tweens and teens might feel pushed into sharing a sexy photo for different reasons: a dare, fear of damaging a relationship, or just because "everyone else is doing it." But this one is non-negotiable. Tell them that you understand how bad it can feel to disappoint a friend. Then help them imagine how much worse it would feel if a private picture were shared with their whole school.
Develop their instincts.
Help kids learn to trust their guts so they can suss out creepy, risky, or otherwise unsafe online situations. Playact a few scenarios: What if someone asks to take a conversation private? What if someone asks for your phone number? What if someone invites you to a private chat room? Be aware that some kids (even "good" kids) will explore iffy stuff online out of curiosity. But the minute they feel uncomfortable, they need to shut things down.
We here at WMS by no means condone or encourage students to make friends online. In fact, we discourage it. But we want to ensure that students are safe and have the skills necessary to navigate their online interaction. To learn more about the digital citizenship lessons we teach, click here.
Thank you-
Tim Loversky, Principal
2nd Quarter Honor Roll
PLEASE NOTE: We may some children who earn Honor Roll status whose name is NOT included on this list. Their parents have requested their children's names NOT be published, which includes being published as part of the Honor Roll here or in the newspapers. Changes to this request can be made either in the Home Access Center or with Student Services.
Congratulations to all of our RedHawks who worked hard throughout our FIRST quarter of this school year. A special shout out goes to those who were able to achieve Honor Roll status by earning either all A's or all A's and B's. All A's are on one tab, AB's are on another! See the bottom of the page to switch tabs. These students will be recognized on their teams, receive a ribbon, plus a treat from our fantastic PTO on Wednesday, February 12th!
Memorize a Phone Number!
We also discovered that many students do not have an emergency phone number memorized. This weekend would be a good time to help your middle schooler memorize one (or more) important phone numbers. For students who struggle with memorization, you may wish to find a place in their planner or backpack to write these numbers down. You never know when this information can come in handy.
Technology is great when it works but having an "old school" backup plan is always a good option.
Students May ONLY Use a D303 Lock
Dear Wredling Families:
We will celebrate Hope and Random Acts of Kindness week-February 10-February 14.
We will be selling socks for Hope Week - attached is an order form.
Here are things our Hope Club and Student Council has planned for the week:
Random Acts - Good Deeds calendar
Hope/Random Acts - Kindness Quotes for the announcements
Hope/Random Acts - Music with the words HOPE or believing in yourself for the week
Hope/Random Acts - Wredling Middle School decorated with ribbons, cups and quotes
Thanks for your support.
Hope Club and Student Council
CALLING ALL FIDDLERS!
The annual D303 Fiddle Fest is approaching! This fun event is set for Friday, February 28th at St Charles East High School. Participating students should arrive at 4:45 for our 5 pm for rehearsal.
Is your orchestra student participating? Please click on the link for the Google Form below and fill it out so there can be an accurate count for concert set up and for the pizza dinner:
Online Fiddle Fest Registration Link!
We are hoping to break the attendance record this year so we hope to see every WMS Orchestra Musician fiddlin'!
Please remember the cost of the pizza is $5. Your child should bring $5 cash to Fiddle Fest if they are eating the pizza.
Parents of 8th-Grade Students:
Did You Know?
Lunch & Breakfast Meal Prices:
- Breakfast - $1.60
- Reduced Breakfast - $0.30
- Lunch - $2.50
- Reduced Lunch - $0.40
- Milk - $0.60 (when purchased separately from meals)
- Other a la carte items (besides milk) - prices vary
Thefts from Lockers
1) that students are not locking their lockers, or
2) that they have given their locker combinations to other students
It is imperative for the lockers to be locked at all times and for them not to share their combination.
Please talk to your child this weekend about keeping their things secure.
Middle School Transfer Requests
Families who wish to submit Middle School Transfer requests may do so beginning February 3. The request form will be available on the District 303 website through February 28. Families must complete a separate form for each student they want transferred. Requests are granted based on space available so siblings are not guaranteed placement. A written decision will be communicated to families before spring break.
Once the request is approved, a student may remain at that middle school throughout his or her middle school career, as long as the student resides in District 303.
Families of students granted permission to attend a school outside of their assigned attendance are responsible for their own transportation.
Students will return to their assigned attendance area high school regardless of the middle school attended.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Reminder: Our expectation for school is that all cell phones and smartwatches are to be off and away in your student's locker during the school day.
Please talk with your student about keeping their speakers at home and take a few minutes to remind them of the cell phone/smartwatch expectation. Thank you for your help in this matter.
RedHawk Spotlight
highlight in our RedHawk Spotlight?
Please email their story and a couple of photos
to Tim Loversky for consideration.
Our first student in the RedHawk Spotlight is featured below!
In the REDHAWK SPOTLIGHT!
SEL - Social Emotional Learning
ONLINE YEARBOOK SALES
- You DO NOT need to re-purchase through their online portal if you already did so when paying fees for this year.
- If you DID NOT order a yearbook already, please use THIS LINK to access the Walsworth online portal.
Yearbook orders must be placed by March 30, 2020.
From Your WMS PTO:
Wondering what to get your tween for Valentines Day?
D303 Online Registration for Preschool
Parent University Book Study
District 303 Parent University presents our second annual book study when we read "The Whole Brain Child" by Dr. Dan Siegel.
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling book Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. Conversations will be based upon the book as well as supplemental workbook activities.
Study sessions will be offered during both morning and evening times at the following locations:
- Baker Community Center (101 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles)
- Fox Ridge in the LRC (1905 Tyler Road, St. Charles)
Join us for the book study sessions on the following dates:
February 13, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
February 27, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
March 12, 2020
9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center
6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC
We Want Your Feedback
District 303 participates in the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey that collects feedback from our students, teachers, and parents. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will enable you to share your thoughts on important elements of school effectiveness. All responses are confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The Parent Survey is currently open and will remain so through February 14, 2020.
To take the survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the
appropriate survey. Make sure you enter Kane County in the box for county even if
your home or your child’s school is in DuPage County. This will allow you to correctly
select your child’s school.
Community Events & Information
Wredling Middle School - Home of the RedHawks
#WredlingLearns
Website: wredling.d303.org
Location: 1200 Dunham Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: (331)228-3700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wredling-Middle-School-537757163011275/
Twitter: @WredlingD303