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Sunday, January 10, 2016

Principal's Update 1-8-2016

Happy New Year!! It was great to have all of our students back to school this past week! I hope everyone had an excellent winter break and happy new year. Now that the new year is upon us, I have included some important and exciting information for parents below. 

Teacher Professional Development
This week, each classroom teacher will be out of the classroom for half of a day at professional development training regarding our new reading curriculum, which we are implementing this school year. 

Gifted Screening and Nominations 
Woodridge 68 uses a four step process for identification of gifted students which includes 1) nominations, 2) screening, 3) review and 4) placement. All students in grades 2 and 6 are automatically screened; parents of second and sixth graders will receive a letter with details in early January. For students in other grades to be screened, a student must be nominated by a teacher or parent. The nomination period is now open and completed nominations must be received in the school office or postmarked no later than Friday, January 29, 2016. No action is required for students who are already a part of the gifted program. Review and identification for gifted services will occur in May, and letters regarding placement will be mailed this summer. 

New Visitor Procedures
Beginning February 1, 2016, all District 68 schools will begin using the Raptor visitor management system to enhance our program of safety for students and staff. Part of keeping students and staff safe is knowing who is in our buildings at all times and the Raptor system will allow us to do so. No more signing in and out on a list.

All visitors will need to present a government issued photo ID, which will be scanned into the
Raptor system. Raptor then checks the ID against the Department of Justice’s national database which includes the registered sex offender list and court ordered custody restrictions.

Once approved, a visitor badge is then printed with the visitor’s name, picture, date, time, and
location in the building where the visitor is approved to go. Upon departure from the building, visitors return to the office and are signed out electronically.

This system also gives office staff the ability to print lists of individuals is in the building in the case of a fire or other emergency.

Safety is our highest priority and the Raptor visitor management system provides a consistent way to aid in ensuring individuals who may present a danger to our schools are not permitted near our students and staff.

Cold Weather Procedures
The health, safety, and well-being of our students is our top priority, and cold winter temperatures require extra attention. Adjustments to recess and arrival routines may be required at the schools during these months.
  • Wind chill 0° or below: Although early arrival at school is discouraged, all children will be admitted into the building upon their arrival and recess will be held indoors
  • Wind chill -10° or below: Student patrols will not be on duty
The building principal will make the decision regarding recess, early entrance, and student patrols as it relates to the wind chill. If the wind chill temperature has not fallen to the levels listed above, normal outdoor recess and arrival routines will be observed. Please be sure to send your student(s) to school with coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and boots as temperatures drop. Please also consider warmer clothing underneath outerwear to provide another warm layer. These cold weather procedures are also posted in the Parent Resources section of the district website.

Emergency Closing Information 
Please take the time to familiarize yourself with school closing procedures in the event of inclement weather. The decision about closing school in inclement weather is based on the availability of buses, school building conditions, current temperature (actual & wind chill), road conditions, weather predictions, storm severity, and associated winds. This is done in consultation with the superintendents from Community High School District 99, Downers Grove Grade School District 58, and other surrounding districts. Information will be communicated as soon as an open/close decision has been made.

Please be sure your phone and e-mail contact information is up to date in Skyward Family Access, as this is the fastest way in which you will notified of emergency school closings.

Winter Reading Incentives
There are two different reading incentives available for students to participate in this winter. The Woodridge Public Library is currently hosting one reading incentive. Information regarding this program has been posted to our school Peachjar. In addition, students should have brought home information regarding the 6 Flags Read to Succeed Program. Every student who completes six hours of recreational reading is eligible for a free admission ticket to 6 Flags Theme Park. Students must record their reading and return the signed reading log to their classroom teacher by Wednesday, February 24, 2016. 

STEM Open House for Students in Grades 5-8 
The Dupage ROE is offering a free STEM Open House for students in Grades 5-8 on President's Day, Monday, February 15th. Registration is required and information regarding how to register students has been posted to our school Peachjar. Registration is limited, and the window to register will close on February 8th or when capacity for the program is reached. 

Upcoming Dates to Remember
Monday, January 11th - Willow Creek Spelling Bee, 10:05 a.m. 
                                           Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 p.m. @ JJH 
                                           Benchmark Assessments and Access Testing Begin 
Thursday, January 14th - School Store open during the lunch hour 
Friday, January 15th - Young Rembrandt's Art Program Begins 
Monday, January 18th - No School, Martin Luther King Day 
Tuesday, January 19th - Monday Schedule 
                                          Session #2 of After School Clubs Begin 
Friday, January 22nd - 2nd Quarter Ends
                                        Student of the Month Lunch 
Tuesday, January 26th - District Spelling Bee, 6:30 p.m. @ JJH 
Thursday, January 28th - "Magic of Science" PTO Assembly, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. 
Friday, January 29th - Gifted Program Nominations Due 

Check out the pictures below of students whose names were drawn in our "Positive Paws" raffle over the last few weeks! 




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