Happy Friday!
Next Monday, November 11th is Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a time to honor and express our deep gratitude to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, protecting our freedoms and values.
The May Watts PTA is inviting all May Watts families to join them this Sunday, November 10th at the front of the school from 2-4 PM to chalk the sidewalks with patriotic messages and drawings.
We encourage all families to take time on Veterans Day to engage in conversations about the importance of the holiday and the contributions of veterans. Whether it's through a visit to a local memorial, watching a documentary, or simply talking with a veteran, these moments can help foster an appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to instill a sense of respect and gratitude in our students.
Have a wonderful weekend!
- Mrs. Kempski
A Look at the Week Ahead
Week of November 11th-15th
Monday: November 11th
Tuesday: November 12th
Wednesday: November 13th - Late Start Wednesday (School Begins at 9:15)
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World Kindness Day!
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3:35-4:30 - Service Club for Registered 4th and 5th Graders
Thursday: November 14th
Friday: November 15th
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May Watts Spirit Day!
Sunday: November 10th
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2:00-4:00 - Wolverine Salute to Veterans
School News & Information
Parent/Teacher Conference Scheduling
Parent/teacher conferences for preschool, elementary, middle and high school will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm and Monday, November 25, 2024 from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm.
Elementary, middle, and high school parents can begin scheduling conferences through ParentVUE on November 13 starting at 6:00 am.
1st Quarter Student Attendance Letters
Attendance matters! This week, we sent home a district letter to families with students that have missed a cumulative total of instructional minutes equating to 5 days of school or more throughout 1st quarter. Late arrivals, tardies and early dismissals factor into the cumulative total. This is a considerable loss of opportunities for learning and social development. Please reach out to your child's teacher, Mrs. Kempski or our school social worker, Mrs. Brandt, if we can be of any help and support in ensuring your child is in attendance, on time and for the duration of the school day.
Wolverine Salute to Veterans
Join us as we honor our veterans with a special celebration at May Watts Elementary! On Sunday, November 10th from 2- 4 p.m., students and families will chalk the sidewalks with patriotic messages and drawings, and we’ll display flags around the school.
May Watts Spirit Wear Orders
Spirit Wear Sales are finally here!! Don’t miss out on your only opportunity this school year to order the latest May Watts fashion. Orders are due NO LATER than November 13, 2024. Delivery will be approximately mid-December. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kate Nayak (katenayak@gmail.com). Click here for the flyer.
Safety Reminders
It's important that students arrive to/from school safely. To help ensure the safety of everyone, please ensure the following:
- U-turns are prohibited in school zones. Cars should not be making U-turns, 3-point turns or pulling into driveways to turn around along Whispering Hills or Meadowland in the school zone. This causes a significant safety hazard for our students, crossing guards and pedestrians. It also impedes the flow of traffic during arrival and dismissal times. Naperville Police will be making regular patrols of our school zone area during arrival and dismissal times and will issue tickets.
- To enter the car line, cars are encouraged to travel north along Whispering Hills Dr. from to Ada and turn right into the car line/staff parking lot.
- 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!
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
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
DistrictNewsandInformation
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.
Katie Kempski
