Happy Friday!
We had a great week at school! As we prepare to turn the calendar to October we also usher in the changing of seasons with cooler temperatures and the changing of the leaves. Our students are working hard here at school and we are proud of them! October brings the excitement of our annual PTA Fun Run on Saturday, October 5th and our Fall Classroom Parties on Friday, October 25th.
Have a wonderful weekend!
- Mrs. Kempski
A Look at the Week Ahead
Week of September 30th- October 4th
Monday: September 30th
6:00 PM - Virtual Mutual Ground Parent Informational Meeting for 1st and 4th Grade Parents
Tuesday: October 1st
8:00 AM - Chorus Rehearsal for registered 4th & 5th Graders
Wednesday: October 2nd - Late Start Wednesday (School Begins at 9:15)
5th Grade Field Trip to the WVHS Planetarium
Thursday: October 3rd
Friday: October 4th
May Watts Spirit Day!
Track & Field Day
5th Grade - 10:11:30
4th Grade - 1:00-2:30
Saturday: October 5th
4:00 -6:00 PM- PTA Fun Run!
Substance Abuse Prevention Artwork on Display
Last school year our second graders participated in the Naperville Police Crime Prevention Calendar and Safety Poster Contest. Some students who created posters around the topic of substance abuse were chosen to be on display at the Fry YMCA during the month of October which is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. If you are at the Fry YMCA in Naperville, please look for our May Watts student posters. Here are the May Watts winners:
Laylah Garcia
Autumn Harris
Cormac Pearson
Shanaya Ullal
Congratulations!
School News & Information
Vision & Hearing Screenings
In the next couple of weeks, vision and hearing screenings will be conducted at May Watts. These screening tests are mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health at specific times during a child's educational experience. All students in KN, 2nd grade, and those with IEPs or 504s will be screened for vision and hearing. Students in 1st and 3rd grades are screened for hearing only. Some selected students in 4th and 5th grade may be screened if needed.
If your child wears glasses, please make sure they have them in school with them. Parents will only be notified if there is a concern with your child's results. These screenings do not replace the IL vision exam required for Kindergarten and students new to an Illinois Public School.
If you have any questions, please contact the May Watts health office at (630) 428-6705.
Vision & Hearing Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for parent volunteers to help gather small groups of students from the classrooms and bringing them down for screenings (week of October 7th-11th) by our vision and hearing nurse. Having a parent help is vital to the nurse efficiently getting the screenings completed for our school. Please consider signing up for one or more shifts. We really appreciate your help!
**Please note, this is not a sign up for your child's screening, all those needed will be screened
Vision & Hearing Volunteer Sign Up
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.
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!
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
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.
IPSD School Year Calendar
Newcomers Resource Guide
