Volume 5 | Issue 25 | February 19, 2021
DISTRICT NEWS
Board Agenda | February 22
Interested in the items being considered at the next board meeting? Check out the agenda for February 22 on our Agendas & Minutes page.
Learning Model Dashboard & Case Data
Our learning model dashboard and our case data can be found by visiting our Navigating 20-21 page. The dashboard is updated every Sunday evening. Student and staff case data is updated twice weekly (Friday and Tuesday evenings).
Meal Pick Up for Distance Learners & Students in Quarantine or Isolation | February 22
What's Up Whitnall?
Check out the 13th episode of What's Up Whitnall? from the Athletics and Activities Department!
Looking For Work That Matters?
Become a substitute teacher or a special education paraprofessional in the Whitnall School District with Teachers on Call. Teachers On Call offers the convenience of notifying you when new job assignments are available, allowing you to manage your own schedule and accept jobs online or by phone. No experience in a classroom? No worries – Teachers on Call has pre-hire and post-hire training available to provide you with the necessary skills.
COVID-19 Updates
Our COVID-19 numbers have reached a low point the past couple of weeks. A huge thank you goes out to you all for keeping our community safe! However, this does not mean we can let our guard down and let up on our precautions. Families are asked to review this important information which will help keep our students and staff healthy and our in-person schools open for learning:
 
COVID-19 Information and Reporting Email Address:
Families who need to communicate with our health services team about COVID-19 related matters including reporting symptoms, sharing test results, or to ask questions should email us at covidreporting@whitnall.com. This email address will allow for more efficient response times and tracking of all student related COVID-19 issues.
 
Students Awaiting Test Results Must Remain Home:
Families are reminded that students who have been tested for COVID-19 must remain home until their results are returned, even if they begin to feel better. If the results are negative, they can return to school with proof of the negative result unless they are already in quarantine due to a close contact.
 
Report All Positive Student and Household Cases:
Also, families are reminded that if your child or someone in their household tests positive for COVID-19, you must contact your child's health room or District Nurse Brea Sanders (covidreporting@whitnall.com or 414-525-8640). Contact tracing for all positive cases must be conducted and any delay in notifying the health room or district nurse could result in additional outbreaks or ill students.

Follow District’s Illness Guidelines:
Families are reminded to follow the 2020-2021 Illness Guidelines when your child is ill. If your child has Covid like symptoms, contact your doctor for guidance. Review Identified COVID-19 symptoms next steps for when your child can return for when your child can safely return. If you have any questions on whether your child should be in school, please contact your child's health room or District Nurse Brea Sanders (covidreporting@whitnall.com or 414-525-8640).

Testing Sites Updates
The Summit Clinical Testing Site is another great resource for COVID-19 testing with a quick turnaround time for results. The Franklin and New Berlin site are fairly close to the community. Testupmke.com is another resource to locate testing sites. 

Travel Information
With all this cold, snowy weather it is hard to not dream of a tropical vacation! COVID-19 cases are still high nationwide and traveling, even within the state, can increase transmission of COVID-19. However, if you are going to travel, check out the CDC Travel Page for some great guidance on how to travel safely and what requirements may be in place for the location you are traveling to.
Social Media / Sexting Parent Presentation
Whitnall is thrilled to be offering two virtual presentations on the dangers of social media and sexting from Bryan Wright, the owner of Dynamic Family Solutions LLC. The presentations will be conducted via Zoom and are intended for a mature audience. Please be mindful of your audience at home while in attendance, as the information discussed may include language that is not appropriate for young children. In the presentations, Bryan will touch on the following topics:
  • Identity development and awareness of hypersexualization in today's society and how it impacts youth's decision making
  • The influences and risks of social media and the dangers of sexting
  • What are preventative measures parents can take to promote safe technology use? 
  • The importance of having open conversations with youth and setting healthy boundaries

Presentation #1 - For parents of students in grades 4-8 - 2/23, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Presentation #2 - For parents of students in grades 9-12 - 2/25, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
 
 
Meeting ID: 976 016 5769
Passcode: yBGXQ3
Dial by your location: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
WHITNALL HIGH SCHOOL
Blood Drive
Please join the students of WHS Student Council to save local lives. Clifford’s Supper Club is hosting the Whitnall Blood Drive on Tuesday, March 16, 1-6 PM. Will you help? Reserve your spot here or call 877-232-4376. Appointments recommended and walk-in donors welcome as space allows.
Graduation Items
Seniors - For those who ordered a cap/gown or other graduation items, these will be distributed to in-person learners on Thursday, February 25 during lunches. Distance learners will be contacted about pick-up arrangements. If you have not yet ordered your graduation items, go to www.jostens.com.
Athletics Registration Deadlines
Students need to register for the “alternate fall” seasons of football and boys soccer by March 1. The registration deadline for the spring sports seasons for track and field, softball, baseball, and boys golf is April 9. For girls soccer and boys tennis, it is April 16. To register, go here.
Yearbook
Limited copies are available for $70.00 through February 28. After that, any remaining copies will be $75. Go to www.yearbookforever.com.
WHITNALL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Food Service Employment Opportunity
WMS is looking for a Food Service - Kitchen Helper. The hours are Monday through Friday, 10am - 2pm. Please log into WECAN at this LINK to create an account and apply. Vacancy #98746.
Yearbook Orders
You can now place an order for your yearbook at VIP’s website by clicking here. This year, all yearbook orders will be placed online, and the deadline for ordering is April 1st - please be sure to place your order before this time. When it’s complete, your yearbook will be delivered directly to your home. For questions or additional information, please email support@vipis.com.
Course Selection
Students will be signing up in class next week for electives and alternates in Infinite Campus for the 2021-22 school year. High school counselors will be meeting in 8th grade classrooms Monday February 22nd to go over course registration. They plan on having a hard copy to be taken home for parent, guardian signature and brought to school the following week. For 6th and 7th graders they will review their choices with parents, guardians after the initial signup and teachers will follow up the following week. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us below. 

Jim Gableman
School Counselor 

Julie Sobush                        
Counseling Admin Assistant
PTO News
8th grade parents - we are in the process of forming a committee for 8th grade promotion at the end of the year. Looking for parents interested in planning a celebration for the students. With COVID restrictions we will need to be creative this year. If you are interested in participating, please send an email to wmspto@whitnall.com.
 
WMS PTO Board of Directors - The PTO is currently looking for parents interested in participating on the Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 school year. The board consists of four positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. For the 2021-2022 school year we will have some open positions that we are looking to fill. If you are interested in volunteering or just getting more information, please email wmspto@whitnall.com.
EDGERTON ELEMENTARY
Yearbook Orders
You can now place an order for your Edgerton yearbook at VIP’s website by clicking here. This year all yearbook orders will be placed online. The deadline for ordering is April 1st - please be sure to place your order before this time. For questions or additional information please email support@vipis.com.
Second Semester Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent teacher conferences will be held virtually on March 11 (4:00-6:00 PM) and March 12 (12:00-3:30 PM) by appointment. You will receive an email from your child’s teacher inviting you to sign up for a conference time. If you need assistance with the sign up, please contact your child’s teacher. Conferences will be held via a Google Meet. You will receive an email with a link the week of March 8. Please note that Friday, March 12 is an early release day. Students attend 8:35-11:20 AM. Buses will run as scheduled, however, there is no YMCA program that afternoon.
PTO Updates
Although the Edgerton Dance is taking a hiatus this year, the PTO is excited to bring you an online auction as well as a great raffle with fun prizes donated by the EES staff. Linked below are the raffle descriptions along with printable tickets. There is also a flyer with information about the online auction. Raffle entries must be submitted by March 5th. The online auction will be open February 26-March 1st. Thank you for your support of the PTO. With your help, they are able to provide many extra learning opportunities for our students.

Kids Heart Challenge
Our Kids Heart Challenge was a smashing success! EES raised $20,500 for the American Heart Association... our highest amount ever! In addition, 279 students participated in the challenge by choosing to Move More, Drink More Water or Be Kind. The thank you gifts that students earned will arrive in about one month. Way to go, Edgerton families! We are very thankful for your support of this service learning initiative.
Determination Flipgrid Challenge
It's not too late to participate in our Determination Flipgrid Challenge! EES students should use this link to make a video for the Flipgid Challenge: Flipgrid Challenge. Some videos will be shared in a highlight reel during Friday's February Virtual Assembly. Remember, you'll need to log in with your Whitnall account.
HALES CORNERS ELEMENTARY
Second Semester Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent teacher conferences will be held virtually on March 11 (4:00-6:00 PM) and March 12 (12:00-3:30 PM) by appointment. You will receive an email from your child’s teacher inviting you to sign up for a conference time. If you need assistance with the sign up, please contact your child’s teacher. Conferences will be held via a Google Meet. You will receive an email with a link the week of March 8. Please note that Friday, March 12 is an early release day. Students attend 8:35-11:20 AM. Buses will run as scheduled, however, there is no YMCA program that afternoon.
Student Absences
The easiest and best way to report student absences is through the online Student Absence Reporting form found here. Please remember that the office staff should be receiving student absence information. Office staff can then notify the classroom teacher(s).
Spirit Wear Sale | Spring 2021
The final PTO spirit wear sale for the 2020-21 school year is underway. Spirit wear can be purchased through Monday, March 1. We have spirit wear days once per month, so let’s show our falcon pride! Click this link for ordering information, designs available, and cost.
Morning Drop Off Reminders
The process is improving but these reminders are still necessary to get everyone working together safely.

  1. There should be TWO lanes that form upon entry into our parking lot from Janesville Road. Traffic is spilling onto Janesville Road because drivers are failing to move to one side or the other. There is enough room if both lanes are used.
  2. Wait for the staff member directing the “turn taking” which occurs just before the curve and follow the direction to move completely down the side of the school and safety sidewalk. You will let your child(ren) out from the location that your car holds in this line up. 
  3. Prepare your child(ren) for the drop off by having their backpack and bags ready. The drop off is for the students only. You shouldn’t leave your car to accompany them to the doors. We have staff outside or at the doors prepared to welcome them.
  4. Follow the directions of the staff in green vests to move into the exiting lane after unloading. Once the unloading lane is empty we will send the next set of cars.
Read Across America Spirit Week
Coming soon to HCE! We will celebrate Read Across America Spirit Week March 1 through March 5. Visit the Handouts & Flyers area of our website for more detailed information!
Scrip Orders
Shop with Scrip is PTO’s ongoing fundraiser. You can buy gift cards to places you shop every day while earning money for Hales Corners Elementary PTO. Please click this link for instructions on how to set up your account. If you have any questions, please email HCEPTO@whitnall.com