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Upcoming Events:
The Month of May
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Open House May 4 No School May 5 No School May 6 Staff Appreciation Week May 9 to May 16 Beginning and Int. Orchestra Concert at FC Whiteley May 9 Board of Education Meeting May 11 Int. Band Concert PH May 17 Market Day Pick-up May 18 PTA Changeover Meeting May 19 6th Grade Track Meet May 25 (raindate-May 26) No School Memorial Day May 30 The Month of June Field Day June 2 (raindate -June 3) Board of Education Meeting June 8 Last Day of School for Kindergarten June 8 Official Last Day of School June 9 - Half Day |
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President's Letter
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On Thursday, April 21st we held our Election and the following individuals were elected as Officers for Frank C. Whiteley PTA:
President Amy Langston 1st Vice President, Programs Paula Riccardo 2nd Vice Presidents, Ways and Means Ellen Josten, Clarissa Pawlikowski 3rd Vice President, Legislation Katie Hogan Treasurer Dawn Plizga Secretary Anne Morel Good luck to all the new officers! I would also like to thank and welcome the following individuals to our Executive Board and chairing a committee next year! Andrea Rodino, Box Tops Eric Chao, Calendar Michelle Schultz - Co-chair Health and Safety Carrie Schalk, Co-chair Manna, Co-chair Multi-Cultural, Co-chair Staff Appreciation Melissa Schlesinger, Co-chair Market Day  | Jennifer Nemec
PTA President |
Karla Harrington, Membership and Directory Sandy Wolan, Six Flags Reading Program Korene Palazzo, Sixth Grade Activities Christina McCarthy, SPARK We only have two committees that need to be chaired next year:
Environmental Education and a Co-chair for Reflections.
If you are interested in either of these two positions, please |
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Letter from Our Principal
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Dear Parents, It is hard to believe that May is upon us. Where has the school year gone? I hope that you are able to join us for Whiteley's Open House on Wednesday, May 4th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. It is a wonderful opportunity to visit your child's classroom. Please remember that school will not be in session this Thursday 5/5 and Friday 5/6 because of Teacher Institute Days. Thank you to everyone who attended or contributed to the Japan Relief Fair held on April 2nd at Frank C. Whiteley School. We raised $10,035.26 for the American Red Cross. Thanks to Miss Yuko Nakagawa for organizing the event with the Japanese families from throughout the district, our staff and parents. We are working with the Village of Hoffman Estates to promote future events to benefit specific communities in Japan in need of support. | | Mary Szuch Whiteley Principal |
June 2nd is Field Day for all our students. Please contact Mr. Harris
if you are able to volunteer that day. The rain date for Field Day is June 3rd. The last day of school for kindergartners is June 8th. The last day of school for students in Gr. 1-6 is June 9th at 11:20 a.m. Thank you for your continued support,
Mrs. Mary Szuch, Principal
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PTA Meeting Dates - 3rd Thursday of the month in the Teacher's Lounge
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Last PTA Meeting of the 2010 - 2011 School Year - May 19th @ 7:00 p.m.
The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24th noon to 1:00 p.m.
Schedule subject to change, check online calendar for up to date information.
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Open House / Class Information
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Open House
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
Classroom Visit 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Parents and students will visit classrooms.
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The official Last Day of School is planned for Thursday, June 9, 2011. The last day will be Half-Day classes for 1st through 6th grades. Kindergarten and early childhood classes will dismiss for the summer a day earlier, Wednesday, June 8.
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Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
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The week of May 9th to May 16th, the Whiteley students and families will show their appreciation to the Teachers and Staff at Whiteley. Join in to thank them for all their hard work and dedication throughout the 2010-2011 year.
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Green Wednesday
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The weather has been getting nicer every week. Why not participate in our next Whiteley Green Wednesday this week, May 4th. Wear green, pack a waste-free lunch and walk or ride your bike to school. Planet Earth Thanks You! go green link
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A Note From Nutrition Services
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Starting Monday, May 9th,
elementary students will no longer be able to charge (use I.O.U.'s) lunch or a la carte items. If your student owes money for lunch or a la carte, they will not be able to purchase anything until the I.O.U. is paid. Your student needs to have sufficient
funds in their account for any purchases after this date. Mealtime Online will not be available Friday, June 3, 2011 through Monday, August 15, 2011. No online payments can be made between these dates. However, you can still view your student's account during these dates.
If your sixth grade student has a balance at the end of the school year, this balance will be transferred to their account at the junior high they will be attending. Please contact the lunch coordinator at your school or the Nutrition Services office at (847) 963-3928 to find
out how much is left in your student's account. Cash refunds of less than $10.00 can be issued to your student upon receipt of a signed parent/guardian note. Refunds greater than $10.00 will be issued by a District check and mailed home to the address indicated once a parent request has been received. Please be advised that we cannot issue cash
refunds the last three days of school. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your lunch coordinator or the Nutrition Services office or call (847) 963-3928.
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Box Tops For Education
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Thank you to all those who have been clipping Box Top$! 
Remember, collecting Box Tops is easy! Simply clip the Box Top labels and attach them to a collection sheet with your child's name on it. Once your student hands in the collection sheet, he or she will be entered into the next drawing. Our school earns money for every Box Top we collect ,,, so keep clipping! |
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News from the Classrooms
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The fourth grade had an in-school field trip this month. Mr. Mark Spreyer (pictured to the right), from the Stillman Nature Center brought in three different kinds of birds of prey to share with the fourth grades. We learned even more about owls than we already knew! The fourth graders also dissected owl pellets, which was a new learning experience for all. Thank you to the PTA for helping to fund this event!
Kathy McAvoy-Sheppard
 
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The Owls from
Stillman Nature Center
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Some may know by now, Mrs. Croak will be finishing her final year here at Whiteley. She has accepted a transfer to a new school in District 15 for the 2011-2012 school year. We were able to catch up with the always inspiring, Mrs. Croak for some conversation and pictures in ROOM 109.
For the full interview and photos click here.
  
A Farewell Message from Mrs. Croak:
Dear Whiteley Friends,
I have accepted a job transfer for next year and would like to bid farewell to our Whiteley Families. They say that "If you love what you do, you won't have to work a day in your life." Well, that is the best way to describe my time here at Whiteley. It has been a "Sweet 16" years serving this community. I will bring a little bit of all of you with me on my new journey.
I wish you all the best of everything.
Terry Croak
A final note: Anyone that has ever had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Croak or was lucky enough to have her as a teacher for their child knows what an incredibly genuine, thoughtful and talented person she is. Mrs. Croak, we wish you well on your new journey and we will miss you!
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Parents as Reading Partners - is going on two field trips in May. The first field trip will be to the Freeman Road Branch of the Palatine Public Library on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The second field trip will be to the Main Branch of the Palatine Public Library on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 1:30 p.m.
For more information and to print a sign-up sheet, click here
Thank you for your interest, Mrs. Blindt
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Check back next month for more ... "News from the Classrooms"
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Looking For Summer Fun For Your Kids?
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Mark Your Calendars! Camp Invention Is Coming! Camp  Invention is a week long summer program that allows children to conduct scientific investigations and to explore their imaginations as well as the world of science. This year our program will work with mysterious codes, the science of bouncy balls, innovative animals, challenging games, and imaginative inventions. We are lucky enough to have this great program right here at Whiteley School from June 20-24 (8:30am-3:30pm). In addition, we have many familiar Whiteley staff members participating in camp this year: Miss Bartnicke, Miss Swietek, Mrs. Otte, Mrs. Grabowski, Mrs. Slavieck, Mrs. Stachowiak (formerly Miss Meyer), and several former students putting in their time as volunteers. For the Camp Invention flyer, click here. You can visit www.campinvention.org to find out more about this great program. Feel free to email Miss Bartnicke (bartnica@ccsd15.net) with any questions.
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Birthday Book Club
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Celebrate your child's birthday by donating a book to the Frank C. Whiteley Resource Center. Your child's name will be on a permanent label inside the book, and they will be the first to check it out.
Your child should receive their birthday greeting and information about joining the club the week of their birthday. If interested, send your donation ($10 - $15 for an entire book) and the form to school in an envelope marked Birthday Book Club. We will then invite your child to the RC to select a book from "the vault." Students who had a birthday over the summer or the first couple weeks of school may see Mrs. Saez for a form, if interested.
Mrs. Hogan and I would like to thank the following students for their generous donations. Just look at all these great new book titles for our Whiteley Resource Center!
Jonathan Pullara donated several books
Thomas Plizga Big Nate From the Top
Brady Palazzo The Rivalry
Aoi Hattori Mindblind
Danny Sliwa Boom!
Amanda Kovathana Keena Ford & the Field Trip Mix-Up
Olivia Luby Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth
Frankie Mangialardo Stink & the Ultimate Thumb Wrestling Smackdown
Emily Price Ponyella
David Dziobon You Tube
Dayyan Aalaei Shark vs. Train
Sarah Erlichman Panda Kindergarten
Jackson Wolan Scaredy Squirrel has a Birthday Party
Stephanie Jakubowski Spaceheadz
Juliana Edwards Goldie and the Three Hares
Alexandria Kim The Running Dream
Madelyn DelGuidice Just Grace
These students will also be featured on our
Birthday Book Club bulletin board outside the Resource Center.
Thank You & Happy Birthday!
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Reflections Committee
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The Reflections Program provides students with the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Reflections can also serve as an outlet for students to creatively explore what they are learning in the classroom. When children express themselves through words, pictures, music, dance, film, and other art media, they grow intellectually; they learn to analyze their thoughts and feelings. The Reflections Program helps parents encourage the creativity, self-discovery, and lifelong learning of their children. Supporting the PTA Reflections Program is one way you can increase student achievement, foster student talents, and promote the arts . National PTA Reflctions Program 2011-2012 Theme "Diversity Means..."
So, start thinking about ideas to submit for the 2011-2012 Reflections Program. There will be more details to follow. PTA Reflections Link
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Field Day
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Be a Volunteer for Field Day 2011
We have a great day planned for Thursday, June 2nd. The fun begins at 9am and we will finish up before Noon. So, spend some time with Whiteley students and teachers and have a great time at Field Day. Mr. Harris has many activities planned for the students, so we could use the extra help! It's always a great way to end the 2010-2011 school year at Whiteley.
You can sign up online here or watch for information to be sent home soon. Here are some highlights from last year's Field Day,,,,,Just press PLAY !
Visit www.fcwpta.org for more details. THANK YOU from the Health & Safety Committee. |
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Only 2 PTA Board Positions Remaining!
Are you looking for a way to get more involved in your child's school? Consider volunteering for a PTA position. The PTA is looking for volunteers (possibly YOU) to fill the following committee positions for the 2011- 2012 school year: Environmental Education Co-Chair Reflections 
Click here for descriptions of the open board positions. If you are interested or have questions, please contact the outgoing PTA President, Jennifer Nemec. Thank you! |
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District 15 School Board
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With 100 percent of 88 precincts counted in the April 5 Consolidated Election for Community Consolidated School District 15's Board of Education, the Cook County Clerk's office reports the following official results:
Based on these official results, the District congratulates and welcomes newly elected Board members: Scott Herr, Gerard Iannuzzelli and Manjula Sriram.
The District 15 Board of Education seated three new members and elected new officers during its April 27 special and organizational meetings. Robert Ingraffia, executive director of the North Cook Intermediate Services Center, administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Board members Manjula Sriram, Scott Herr, and Gerard Iannuzzelli. Once seated, the new Board elected new officers for the upcoming year, voting to appoint Timothy Millar to serve as President of the Board of Education, Scott Herr to serve as Vice President, and Peggy Babcock to serve as Secretary. Before the Board reorganized, Superintendent Scott Thompson presented plaques to outgoing Board members Gerald D. Chapman, James G. Ekeberg, and Sue Quinn in recognition of their contributions to the District. Mr. Thompson also recognized former Board member Mark J. Bloom, who was unable to attend the meeting.
 Information obtained from the District 15 e-News Bulletin. BOE schedule, click here. |
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Helping Others
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The Japan Relief Fair held at Frank C. Whiteley School April 2 raised more than $10,000 for the American Red Cross.
   
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The proceeds from the April 2 event will go to help the victims
of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The fair drew more than 300 people and was manned by about 150 volunteers.
Whiteley, located at 4335 Haman Ave. in Hoffman Estates, serves kindergarten through sixth grade students. The school has about 40 students who are Japanese and District 15 as a whole has about 75 Japanese families. The families worked with Yuko Nakagawa, a bilingual teacher at Whiteley and native of Japan, to organize the fair.
"We're so proud of these families for coming together to plan this outreach effort, and we're incredibly grateful for all that they, themselves, contributed to make it such an incredible success," Szuch said in a press release.
  
Information and photos provided by
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| Spring Food Drive Update | |
Thank You Whiteley from the Community Outreach Spring Food Drive
You are all so amazing, generous and thoughtful. Our Spring Food drive collection was a huge success. The food pantry was overwhelmed with your generosity. We were able to donate not only loads of food and paper products, but also $155 in cash and grocery store gift cards. Thank you all so much for your support. It is wonderful to see so many Whiteley families teaching their children to give to the less fortunate.
Have a wonderful Spring!
Mary Beth Warner
Community Outreach
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Whiteley Wildcat Thank You
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Thank You to the Market Day Committee for treating everyone to Popcorn Day last month! Denise and Nancy were busy filling popcorn orders to all the happy classrooms. Luckily, they had a little helper:)
 
Also, Thank you to the many volunteers that have spent many hours popping popcorn. The staff and students really appreciate it.
If you are interested in filling popcorn orders on Fridays, contact our current PTA President to find out more information.
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Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Author Aaron Reynolds!
On Tuesday, April 19th, Whiteley students were treated to a visit from author Aaron Reynolds. The primary students listened to him read Chicks and Salsa and then learned how to prepare salsa themselves. If you read the book, the recipe is in the back. The key . . . salt! (Or what he calls flavor!)
The second session introduced students in grades 3-5 to his graphic novel Joey Fly, Private Eye. During Mr. Reynold's presentation, he introduced students to the components of a mystery. Students had to solve riddles and search for clues to find the different elements of a mystery.
Whiteley School would like to thank the PTA for bringing in such an entertaining author for all the students and staff to enjoy! Thank you!
Read more about the author at his website. Aaron Reynolds is also announcing an end of the school year art contest, that you can read about (below) or check it out on his blog.
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A BIG Thank You to the Teachers, Staff and Crossing Guards that brave the elements everyday at drop-off and pick-up to keep students safe on their way to and from school, each and everyday. Thank You!
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Thank you to all the Volunteers that make a difference in their own way. We appreciate you!
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Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. ~Author Unknown
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Author Aaron Reynolds -Joey Fly Art Contest!
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Author Aaron Reynolds
Joey Fly Art Contest!
As a fun treat for the end of the school year,
I'm delighted to announce the JOEY FLY ART CONTEST! I'm excited to see YOUR artwork of your favorite Joey Fly characters. And there are cool prizes for FIVE winners! So get drawing, sketching, and painting! Oh, wait...here are the rules...
WHAT DO I DRAW?
1. Any character from any of the Joey Fly, Private Eye books. It can be from Book #1 or Book #2. Pick your favorite character! It might be Joey, Sammy, Delilah, Fleeago, Harry Spyderson...even a bedbug! They're all fair game!
2. It has to be an original drawing. No tracing. No coloring sheets. No cutting a picture out from the book and putting your name on it. We'll know...trust me.
3. It can be in any medium...pencil, watercolors, acrylic paints, marker...you name it!
WHO CAN ENTER?
Anybody! All ages are welcome, from two-years-old to a-hundred-and-two. Drawing Joey Fly characters...it's not just for kids anymore!
WHAT CAN I WIN?
Glad you asked! Five winners, judged by myself and my kids, will receive the following sweet swag:
1. A hardcover copy of Joey Fly, Private Eye #1, personalized and signed by Aaron Reynolds and illustrator Neil Numberman
2. A hardcover copy of Joey Fly, Private Eye #2 FOR YOUR SCHOOL LIBRARY (or the library of your choice), personalized and signed by Aaron Reynolds and illustrator Neil Numberman
3. A custom-created bug-caricature of yourself, drawn by Joey Fly illustrator Neil Numberman. Here's the one he did of us (i don't know who that little bee in the middle is...some kid who walked into the shot):
HOW DO I GET MY AWESOME ARTWORK TO YOU?
Easy. Just e-mail it to Joeyflycontest@aaron-reynolds.com. Oh, and make sure that the subject of your e-mail is: Joey Fly Contest. That's it! Don't send it to any other e-mail, or it won't get judged and will probably get deleted. Which is sad on many levels.
WHEN IS THE CONTEST DEADLINE?
All entries need to be received no later than Monday, May 20, 2011. Winners will be announced that week. That's like 3 weeks away!! Shouldn't you get drawing already?!
ANY OTHER RULES?
Nope. You can enter as many times as you like. You can be a kid, a teacher, a grownup, a moody teenager...whatever! We take all kinds here. So go get a copy of Joey Fly, Private Eye, pick your favorite character, and GET CREATING!
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School Safety: Be a good example for our children
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IN ILLINOIS DRIVING LAWS: Illinois No Cell Phones in School Zone Law
Beginning January 1st, 2010 Illinois's new law restricting cell phone use in school zones goes into effect. Illinois's Public Act 096-0131 prohibits cell phone use while driving in a school zone.
Specifically: A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone.
School Zone = No Phone ZoneWhen approaching a marked school crossing zone between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., on days when school is in operation and when school children are present a driver must stop all wireless phone communications, reduce his/her speed to 20 mph and yield to any children or adults crossing in the crosswalk area. Speeding in a school crossing zone will result in a $150 fine.
Information from www.cyberdriveillinois.com Rules of the Road Jesse White Illinois Secretary of State |
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Spring Cleaning
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Please check the over-flowing Lost and Found!
There are many items in the "Lost and Found" bin. Parents, you may find your child's coat, sweater, sweatshirt, boots, gloves or shoes that you have been looking for. The "Lost and Found" bins are located in the Art Room and near the Gym.
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If you would prefer a printed copy of this newsletter, please pick one up from the Whiteley School Office.
Thank you for your interest in your child's school,
Katie Hogan, Dayna Steneck & Jean Swenson,
Communications Committee, Whiteley PTA
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