Happy Friday!
Our students are safe, responsible, respectful and have been working hard! Together, they earned enough blue tickets to fill our tank and earn our first school wide celebration today! Way to go, Wolverines! We had a schoolwide dance party this afternoon to celebrate! There's no better way to end the week than celebrating our hard work! We'll continue to look for students demonstrating safe, responsible and respectful behavior to earn blue tickets. When our tank reaches the next line, we'll again celebrate with another school wide celebration! Keep up the hard work, Wolverines!
This week we completed our Shelter in Place/Tornado Drill and Bus Evacuation drill. The students were respectful and attentive listeners awaiting directions from the teacher or driver, which is imperative in the event of an emergency. On Monday, we will conduct our required Law Enforcement/ALICE drill at 10:00. Please see the information included in the newsletter below regarding this final required safety drill.
I want to draw your attention to two important pieces of information included in the sections below of this week's newsletter:
- Cell Phone and Smartwatch expectations at school
- Before School Supervision and Safety Reminders
Have a wonderful weekend!
- Mrs. Kempski
A Look at the Week Ahead
Week of September 23rd-20th
Monday: September 23rd
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Law Enforcement/ALICE Drill at 10:00
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CogAT Testing:
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5th Grade (PM)
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Tuesday: September 24th
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8:00 AM - Chorus Rehearsal for registered 4th & 5th Graders
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CogAT Testing
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2nd Grade (AM)
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5th Grade (PM)
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Wednesday: September 25th - Late Start Wednesday (School Begins at 9:15)
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Book Fair Shopping Day for: 5V, 4E, 3C, 1B, 1W, 2F, 2K, KB
Thursday: September 26th
Book Fair Shopping Day for: 5B, 5D, 4G, 4A, 3D, 3P, 1D, 1F, 2W, KP, KWP
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CogAT Testing
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2nd Grade (AM)
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5th Grade (PM)
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Friday: September 27th
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Book Fair Shopping Day for: 5C, 4B, 3O, 3M, 1G, 2B, KW, KP
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May Watts Spirit Day!
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9:30 AM - PTA General Meeting in the MPR
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Please RSVP if you are planning to attend!
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CogAT Testing
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2nd Grade (AM)
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PTA Meeting
Come one, come all, please join us for our First General PTA Meeting this school year! We will have a guest speaker from the District to discuss the referendum that will be on the November ballot. We will also be approving our budget. This is a meeting you don't want to miss!! We kindly ask that you RSVP if you plan to attend in person so the office can have your visitor badge ready for you. Thank you and we hope to see you there.
The meeting will also be streamed via Google Meets. If you would like to join the virtual meeting, please use the following link: PTA Meeting Link
SchoolNews&Information
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices
While we understand many students have cellphones and even smartwatches, at the elementary level these items can cause disruption to student learning and/or the classroom environment. If students must possess these items, they need to be in their backpack during the school day. Students should be communicating their needs to their teacher and not texting or calling from their device during the school day.
As a reference, the text below is taken from the District 204 Handbook (section on “Prohibited Items”):
Prohibited Student Conduct: Using a cellular telephone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others…electronic devices must be kept powered-off or silenced and out-of-sight during the regular school day…
If your child has a smartwatch or cellphone that needs to travel to and from school, please work with them to make a plan for keeping the item in their backpack and silenced during the school day. Teachers will remind students as needed, but if this becomes a daily issue, we will ask that the phone or watch be kept at home. Please also understand that while these items are potentially quite expensive, the school cannot assume responsibility for these items if misplaced or lost. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Popcorn & Freeze Pop Opt OUT Form
At times throughout the school year, students can earn various PBIS school wide incentives and celebrations. One celebration may include students earning a freeze-pop. In addition, the PTA sponsors popcorn days for classrooms throughout the year. The form linked below has the ingredient list for both items. Please complete this form ONLY if you DO NOT want your child(ren) to participate in eating a freeze-pop or popcorn at school. In addition, we will review food allergies listed in the health office and previous year's permissions to confirm children's ability to consume these food items. If your child is able to consume both popcorn and freeze pops, you don't have to complete the form.
Popcorn & Freeze Pop Opt OUT Form
Reminder: School Physical and Immunization Records Needed
All students entering kindergarten and those entering the district from out of state or from other countries are required to present documentation of a completed physical examination on the Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination form. The examination shall not have been given more than one year prior to the first day of attendance. The form must be completed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the United States. The parent/guardian is required to complete and sign the Health History portion of the form.
Once the health office has a copy of the physical and immunization records, the information will be reviewed, and the parent/guardian will be informed of any deficiencies and the timeline for remediation.
Physicals need to be given to the health office prior to October 1st, 2024 to avoid your child being excluded from school.
Fall Book Fair
The May Watts’ Fall Book Fair is here! If you would like to volunteer during the fair, please see the Sign Up Genius here. Please email Ms. Happy with any questions: Elizabeth_happy@ipsd.org.
Three ways to shop!
1. Students can shop during the school day. Classes will have an assigned day/time to shop, but if a student is absent or forgets, they can tell their teacher and come outside of that time (see below).
2. Parents can shop outside of school hours (see below).
3. Parents can shop online anytime! Go to http://www.abcfairs.com/. When shopping online, you can choose to have your items shipped to your house (shipping fee), pick up from the Anderson’s Store (free) or sent to the school (free). Enter our School Name and School City in the delivery information section.
We accept cash, checks, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover & Debit Cards.
Please make checks payable to May Watts
This will be a tax-free fair.
Student Shopping Days
All classes will come for a book fair preview on either 9/20, 9/23 or 9/24. They will bring a wish list home. Please feel free to send this back with your child when they are shopping.
**Sometimes a book is out of stock, we can order the book, or your child can choose something else, please let them know what you’d like them to do in case what they want is sold out.**
Shopping Day
9/25: 5V, 4E, 3C, 1B, 1W, 2F, 2K, KB
9/26: 5B, 5D, 4G, 4A, 3D, 3P, 1D, 1F, 2W, KP, KWP
9/27: 5C, 4B, 3O, 3M, 1G, 2B, KW, KP
Parent Shopping Days/Times
9/24: 3:50-4:30
9/25: 3:50-4:30
9/26: 3:50-4:30
9/27: 3:50-4:30
Safety Reminders
It's important that students arrive to/from school safely. To help ensure the safety of everyone, please ensure the following:
- Supervision begins at 8:50 (9:00 on Wednesdays). Students should not be arriving to school prior to this time. Playground, Gaga Ball and blacktop equipment should not be used prior to school.
- All bikes and scooters must be walked on school sidewalks and when crossing in a crosswalk.
- Dogs are not allowed on school grounds during the school day, especially during arrival/dismissal.
- Pedestrians should cross only at designated crosswalk areas. We have two incredible crossing guards stationed to help students cross safely (Meadowland & Whispering Hills) and (Sequoia & Whispering Hills). It is not safe to walk across Whispering Hills Dr. in any place other than a designated crosswalk!
Upcoming: Law Enforcement/ALICE Drill
On Monday, September 23rd at 10:00 our school will participate in the required Law Enforcement/ALICE drill.
Parent and Guardian Safety Drill Notification (2).docx
PTA: Fun Run 2024
Saturday, October 5th - 4:00 PM
Registration is now open for the May Watts Fun Run! For just $20, you can be part of the most colorful day of the year, featuring a color run, fun obstacles, and lots of surprises. The event is open to everyone—students, siblings, parents, and friends! Register by September 21 at www.maywattsfunrun.com to guarantee your exclusive event shirt. Don’t miss out—sign up today and let’s make this the best Fun Run ever!
Interested in volunteering at the fun run? Sign up here.
PTA Reflections Program
The PTA Reflections program is a national arts education program. This years theme is "Accepting Imperfection". Please see below for more information about this optional opportunity.
Volunteer Application
Throughout the school year, there are various ways to volunteer and be involved at May Watts. In order to volunteer in any capacity at school, you will need to complete the volunteer application and forms found on the district's webpage linked below.
How to Get Started:
1. Complete the Application: Visit the District 204 Volunteer Program webpage to fill out two forms: a consent form and an online application. First, complete the consent form, then upload it within the online application.
2. Approval: After submitting your application for review, you will receive an email informing you of your approval status or if additional information is needed.
3. Placement: Once your application is approved, you will work with the building or school organization on any volunteer opportunities that are available.
For more information, please contact:
Jeannie Dina
Assistant Director of Community Relations
jeannie_dina@ipsd.org
Phone: 630-375-3017
RT_Volunteer_Management_Product_Onesheet_v3 (1).pdf
Absences
If your child will be absent from school on a given day, you are expected to notify the office. The most efficient way to report an absence is in ParentVue. Please use the notes section to indicate the reason for absence (illness, vacation, doctor appointment). Families may also call the office at (630)428-6700, and then press #3 by 9:10 a.m. The school office will contact families of a student which has not been reported.
Join the May Watts Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Sign up now to be a part of the May Watts Pack! Click this link to join: PTA Membership
For more information on these and upcoming PTA events, please check the May Watts Facebook Page or you can see previous newsletters on the May Watts Elementary website: https://www.ipsd.org/watts
District News and Information
IPPC Coat Drive
The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council is once again hosting their annual winter coat drive to benefit District 204 students and families in need. This program gathers new and gently used clean winter coats and accessories (including boots, snow pants, hats, scarves and mittens) that will be offered at no cost to families in need. Students and parents are encouraged to bring their donated items to their school between September 9 and 20. Collection boxes will be available in the entrance of each school. If you have questions about the coat drive, please contact IPPC 1st Vice President and Unity Chair, Robin Schmidt at ippcpta@gmail.com.
Parent University: Restorative Practices Workshop
Join us on Saturday, September 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. for an engaging and informative Restorative Practices Workshop. Hear from district administrators who will share updates on District 204’s restorative practices initiative and provide practical strategies for integrating these principles into your home and parenting approach.
The event will be held in the LMC at Still Middle School located at 787 Meadowridge Drive in Aurora. Free childcare will be provided for children ages 3–10 by Right at School. READ MORE HERE
Restorative Practices Workshop Flyer
May Watts Parent/Guardian Guidebook
Much of the information contained above in this edition of The Wolverine News has been taken directly from the May Watts Parent/Guardian Guidebook. Please refer to this guide for information pertinent school information and procedures.
Information to provide District 204 families access and linkage to resources in
our school district and community.
