Newsletter - Pekin Public Schools District 108

Pekin Public School District108
Washington Newsletter
Learn Strong, Live Strong!
FEBRUARY 2016
www.pekin.net
Important Calendar Dates
Friday, February 5—9:00 a.m.
 School Spelling Bee
Monday, February 8—6:00 p.m.
 PTA Meeting in Learning Center
Thursday, February 11—5:30-7:00
 Family Game Night
Friday, February 12
 SWIP Day—Early Dismissal—11:15 a.m.
 Incentive #4
Monday, February 15
 No School—Presidents’ Day
Wednesday, February 17
 Popcorn Day
Winter Recess
This is just a reminder to make sure your child is
coming to school with a warm coat during these
cold winter months. We do go outside for recess
as often as we can. As long as playground conditions are safe, the weather dry, and the temperature above 20 degrees, we provide outside recess.
And remember: NO electronics at recess, inside or
outside.
Washington Mission Statement
Washington Intermediate School, a visionary
partnership of students, staff, and community,
will focus resources to create a nurturing
environment empowering all individuals to
develop their fullest potential and become
productive, responsible, life-long learners.
Reporting Student Absences
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
The responsibility for school closing has been delegated to the
Superintendent by the Board of Education. If a school day is to
be cancelled because of weather conditions or other emergencies, the following stations will be notified by 6:30 a.m. whenever
possible:
WVEL AM 1140
WBNQ FM 101.5
WJBC AM 11230
WKZW FM 93.3
WIRL AM 1290
WGLO FM 95.5
WMBD AM 1470 WCIC FM 91.5
WPEO AM 1020
WHOI TV CHANNEL 19/CABLE 8
WEEK TV CHANNEL 25/CABLE 10
WMBD TV CHANNEL 31/CABLE 7
The School District will be using its automated system ONE CALL
NOW to notify parents of school closings. Once again, parents
will be notified by a phone call made by the Superintendent if
school is closed. The call will go to all numbers on the automated
system. Please check with the office to make sure we have the
most updated number in our system if your number has changed
since the start of school.
When reporting student absences to the
office, please call 477-4721, press 1 at
the prompt and leave the following information on our answering machine:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Student's name
Student's teacher
Reason for absence
Name of person calling
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Please remember it is necessary to call
the school in case of an absence. The
school must have a telephone call each
day your child is absent. We NEED to
know your child is safe and with his or
her parents. We also NEED to account
for each child's absence. Please send a
written note with your child when he /
she returns from being absent from
school.
Dear Parent / Guardian,
Beginning on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 we will begin administering PARCC (Partnership for
Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) which are state-required. Students in
grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be tested in reading and mathematics and all assessments will be
computer based. Our plan is to spread out these tests over the course of the month of
April. We will review state test results along with other information to help us improve our
school programs. The results of these assessments will be reported to you on the School Report
Card and in addition, you will receive information about your child’s performance on the state
tests he or she took.
You can help your child do his or her best on the test by:
 making sure, if possible, that your child attends school on the days of testing.
 making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing.
 providing breakfast on the mornings of testing.
 reminding your child to ask the teacher questions if they do not understand the test directions.
 letting your child know that you have confidence in their ability to do their best.
 advising your child not to worry about the test; just do the best he or she can.
Please call your child’s teacher for additional information about these tests. We look forward
to sharing the PARCC results with you this fall.
Washington LC
Students finished their Young Authors books in January.
Letters will be coming in the mail for those students who
will be representing Washington at the District Young
Authors Conference.
Classes also held their Spelling Bees to see who gets to
advance to the school wide Spelling Bee which is being
held February 5 at 9:00 AM.
Spring Pictures
If you wish to order Spring pictures,
they will be taken on Friday March
18th. Order forms will be sent home
soon.
Band News
Everyone is invited to the next Band Concert on Tuesday, March 1st in the Pat Hackler Auditorium at Washington School. The concert will feature the Beginning, Intermediate, and Jazz Bands.
Please plan to attend this free concert. The music will begin at 7:00 pm.
Suzuki News
You are invited to attend the District 108 Orchestra concert!
February 23, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Patricia Baum Hackler Auditorium
Washington Intermediate School
Come see what the 4th grade string students have been working on diligently since
October. They have been assisted by members of the HONORS Ensemble and taught by
Mrs. Balaban. Their knowledge and skills have improved immensely. The 4th graders will
be accompanied by the Honors Ensemble and Suzuki Orchestra.
We hope to see you there!
HONORS Ensemble
Music News
Students currently in Art: On your mid-term report, you will find a music grade. Rather than a mid-term grade,
this is your final music grade of the year. If you are interested in a detailed grade report, please visit Skyward—
Parent Access.
4th grade parents (music semester): Be on the lookout for notes regarding the purchase of a recorder and
book for music class. These notes were sent home with students during the week of January 25th.
All 5th grade parents: Notes went home with students during the week of January 25th regarding the music
fieldtrip we will be taking as a grade level to the Peoria Symphony Orchestra concert on April 15th. Students will
need to return the fee and form back to school as soon as possible for this great opportunity. In addition, current
music students will be using harmonicas in music class. Information on the harmonica was included with the
fieldtrip note.
Important Dates

Sunday, February 14th at 3:05 pm—choir sings our National Anthem at the Rivermen Hockey Game
Note regarding arrival will go home soon when more details are available
It is currently too late to attend if you have not turned in your ticket form

Tuesday, March 15th at 6:30 pm—choir sings at Edison Junior High as part of Sing for St. Jude

Friday, April 15th—5th grade students attend Peoria Symphony Orchestra Performance (CC Theater)

Tuesday, May 3rd at 6:00 pm—Spring choir concert in WIS Auditorium
Annette Kelso, RN BSN, District Nurse
900 Koch Street u Pekin, Illinois 61554 u 309/477-4700 Ext. 2290u Fax 309/477-4728 u e-mail Annette.Kelso@unitypoint.org
1/7/16
Dear Parents/Guardians of Pekin School District 108,
The In-School Health Program in District 108 is contracted with Unity Point Clinic’s In-School Health Program, an operating
division of Unity Point Health-Methodist. One of Unity Point’s goals is to become more involved with the community. One
way that they are accomplishing this, is by teaming up with Quality Quest, and other community services to evaluate the
health of our children in Central Illinois. This team’s commitment to children’s health has brought many programs to the
Peoria area centered on helping children make healthier choices. Now they are reaching beyond the Peoria area to our district.
We have been asked by this group to collect Body Mass Index (BMI) data on the children in District 108. This means that
we will collect height and weight on all children in the district. This is completely confidential, and anything that links your
child (like name, teacher) to his/her height or weight is deleted. We are not interested in the individual data, only the overall
district data.
We will be collecting this information in the winter/spring. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact your
child’s health center by phone or letter and inform the health clerk that you do not want your child’s BMI collected. If you
have any questions or concerns about this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you,
Annette Kelso RN BSN
Unity Point Methodist In-School Health Lead RN
Pekin School District 108
Washington PTA

All are encouraged to attend our next meeting on Monday, Feb 8th, at 6:00 pm in the
Learning Center. Mr. Leonard Ealey, District 108 Assistant Superintendent, will be our
special guest. This is a great opportunity to find out what is happening in our district and
to ask questions! Future PTA meeting dates are March 14th, April 11th, and May 2nd.

Check out the minutes from the February PTA meeting on the Washington webpage at
www.pekin.net

Thank you to all who enjoyed Marco’s Pizza at our fundraiser in January. We not only
made money for our school, but MRS. BOLEN’S class won a pizza party for the most participation! Our next “Community Day” is on Wednesday, February 24th at Buffalo Wild
Wings. Please remember that you must bring the flyer in order for us to get credit. This is
an easy and delicious was to earn money for fieldtrips and special events at our school!

Family Game Night is on February 11th. If you can help us with the fun, please email
v.springborn@hotmail.com

The next Popcorn/Pencil Day is Wednesday, February 17th. Don’t forget to send quarters
with your student! Thanks to our PTA “Poppers” who make this event possible.

Send in those BoxTops! The competition is on for our next winning class!
Show your support for your student.
Please join WIS & Mr. Ealey on February 8th!
Attention Washington families –
We will be having a special guest visit our school soon!
District 108’s Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Leonard Ealey will be attending our next
PTA meeting on Monday, February 8th at 6pm.
This will be a great opportunity to connect with Mr. Ealey, and discuss topics that are
important to us!
We want this to be a worthwhile and informative experience for all!
Please plan on attending on February 8th at 6pm in the Learning Center. All WIS
families are welcome, and encouraged to attend - not just PTA members!
Please spread the word!
PEKIN BUFFALO WILD WINGS®
TAKEOVER NIGHT FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, February 24th---5-9 pm
(PLEASE PRESENT ONE TICKET PER
CHECK FOR WASHINGTON TO RECEIVE
15% OF THE SALES)
PLEASE SHARE WITH A FRIEND! YOU ONLY NEED ONE TICKET PER CHECK!