Washington Gifted Academy
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Greetings!
Parents please remind your children about inappropriate postings on facebook or any other social networking site. If comments made on these sites impact the learning environment, students can and will receive disciplinary consequences. We have seen an increase in office visits as of recently relating to this topic. We recommend that parents regularly monitor their child's social networking sites for appropriate content. Thank you so much for your help in this matter.
Students are going outside for recess. Please make sure that they are dressed for the weather.
Have a wonderful week! Mrs. Faber & Mrs. Hayes
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Memo From the School Nurse - This is the season for colds, flu, and other contagious maladies. This past week we had a student diagnosed with mononucleosis - this is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Once exposed it may take up to 30-50 days for symptoms to appear. Typical symptoms for mono are: fever, sore throat, swollen glands (especially in the back of the neck), and tiredness. If you are concerned if your child may have mono, a simple blood test is available at your doctor's office. To help stop the spread of all germs and virus's ,we would like to encourage everyone to discuss in their homes that the most effective way to stop the spread of disease is through hand-washing especially before eating, preparing food, playing outside, and after using the bathroom. Avoid sharing food or drinks with others, and get plenty of sleep. |
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Suicide Prevention Workshops Held to Educate Parents
NOVEMBER 30, 2010 - Rockford parents are invited to attend two workshops on suicide prevention and the emotional well-being of children.
The main event, "Suicide Prevention: What to Look For, What to Do," will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at Lincoln Middle School, 1500 Charles St.
The hour-long session will feature a 30-minute presentation that covers the emotional health of adolescents, warning signs of depression and an overview of suicide prevention. Guest speakers include Margot Castillo, a Barbour Elementary School social worker; Juan Yague-Buitrago, an educational diagnostician at Barbour; and mental health professionals from the Mildred Berry Center. The second 30 minutes of the sessions will be dedicated to an open discussion among attendees and panelists.
A similar, Spanish-speaking event from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at Barbour Elementary School, 1506 Clover Ave., will address the issue of emotional health among Latina teenagers. This demographic is attempting suicide at alarming rates, with one study cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finding that 14 percent of Latina teens had attempted suicide.
For more information, contact Margot Castillo at 815-966-3395 or 815-229-2155. |
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Salvation Army Food for the Needy Campaign
The Salvation Army's Food for the Needy Campaign will kick off on November 16th. We have participated in the Food for the Needy Campaign for 40 years and the district has provided over 50% of the food that is then distributed to the families in need who register. This year, the Salvation Army has added Rockford Public Schools as a partner due to our high participation. We want to make this year the strongest ever. Following are some statistics:
In 2009
14 Barrels collected at Washington
387 barrels collected by RPS
725 barrels collected overall (RPS, other districts, businesses and organizations in the community)
8,950 individuals were provided with food
Food collection was down from previous years
Registration of needy families went up by 22%
We are asking all of you to help make this campaign the most successful year yet. Washington has set a goal of filling 20 barrels this year.
Student Council is sponsoring a contest between homerooms to see which class can bring in the most items for the food drive. The winning class (one for elementary and one for middle school) will have a choice of a pizza party, a full size candy bar, or for middle school 3 food tickets for our next event. This contest starts on November 22 and runs until December 10.
Student Council is sponsoring a contest between homerooms to see which class can bring in the most items for the food drive. The winning class (one for elementary and one for middle school) will have a choice of a pizza party, a full size candy bar, or for middle school 3 food tickets for our next event. This contest starts on November 22 and runs until December 10. |
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Empty Stocking 2010 Empty Stocking Registration
Opening Day:Saturday, November 20 - 10 a.m. to noon
· Crusader Community Health, Broadway-Uram Bldg. 1100 Broadway
· Ken-Rock Community Center, 3218 11th Street
If You Miss That Day: You may register at one of these locations on the following dates:
Monday, November 22 - Friday, December 3
· Boys & Girls Clubs of Rockford, all locations
· Crusader Community Health, 1100 Broadway & 1200 W. State
· Harlem Community Center, 900 Roosevelt Road
· Ken-Rock Community Center, 3218 11th Street
· La Voz Latina, 412 Market Street
· Northwest Community Center, 1325 North Johnston Avenue
· Patriots' Gateway Center, 615 South 5th Street
· St. Elizabeth Community Center, 1505 South Main Street
· Washington Park Community Center 3617 Delaware Street
Final Registration Date - Friday, December 3
What to Bring: Please bring identification (birth certificate or medical card) showing the NAMES and BIRTH DATES of children 12 and under. It is NOT necessary to bring the children to the registration.
Toy Distribution Date: Saturday, December 11, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Rockford Rescue Mission Hope Place
715 W. State Street
Toys must be picked up on December 11. There are no addition pick-up times. |
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News from the Gifted Office - Mrs. Beach
Spread the Word!
If you know of anyone, a neighbor, someone in your Sunday School class, a relative, etc., that might benefit from our program, please let them know about the following events:
Gifted Testing
Our regular winter eligibility testing is coming up. In addition to recommending friends, you might want to consider volunteering on one of the testing dates. We can use people to direct students and parents, check people in and answer questions or share your family's experiences with the program. Testing dates:
- Current Kindergarten students: January 22, 2011
- Current 1st - 4th graders: February 12, 2011
- Students currently in 5th - 10th grades: March 12, 2011
For more informaiton and/or a flyer, visit our Gifted Program website.
Gifted Forums
Our first Gifted Forum, at Washington on November 30 went very well. Thanks to all the families that took the time to attend! There were many varying viewpoints expressed and I believe everyone was respectful of those viewpoints. I will be working to compile the data received at this Forum as well as the staff and student meetings. That information will be available on the Gifted Program website.
If you were not able to attend, PGE will be sponsoring two more forums to give you the theopportunity to discuss the proposed consolidation of Grades 7-12 at the Auburn Freshman Campus. At this point, the district is considering making this change to grow and strengthen the program - always with that "world-class" gifted program in mind. Please consider joining us:
- December 9, Auburn Freshman Campus, 7:00 pm
- Forum #3: TBD
Of course, you can always send your feedback via email to Mrs. Faber, Mr. Bay, Dr. Gaffey or Mrs. Beach.
Borders Supports Education
The documentary "Waiting for Superman," which offers a harsh portrait of the country's public schools, has inspired a promotional collaboration among the Borders Group superstore chain. On Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, any Borders customer making an in-store purchase, whether of a book or a bagel or a latte, will receive a $15 gift card to donate to a public school of choice through DonorsChoose.org, an Internet-based charity. Anyone purchasing the book "Waiting for 'Superman': How We Can Save America's Failing Public Schools" will receive a second $15 card.
The Illinois State Poetry Society - 2011 CONTEST
The Manningham Trust is endeavoring to encourage the art of poetic expression among students by sponsoring a contest, open to Illinois students in grades 6-8 (Junior Division) and grades 9-12 (Senior Division), to be judged as two separate categories. The top ten poets in the 6-8 grades will receive $10.00 each. The top ten awards in the 9-12 grades will also receive $10.00 each. The twenty winning poems from Illinois will then be entered in the national contest. Winners will be listed on the website, www.illinoispoets.org. For more information on contest rules, contact your child's English teacher. The school must mail in all entries together before February 8, 2011. |
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Upcoming Events
December 7
Jazz/Band Concert
6:30 pm
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Contact Information
| Washington Academy
1421 West Street
Rockford, IL 61102
815-966-3370
Web Site
Jill Faber, Principal
Amanda Hayes, Assistant Principal
School Hours:
9:15 - 3:15
Gifted Office:
Michele Beach Department of Academics - Gifted Curriculum
201 S. Madison St.
Rockford, IL 61104
(815) 966-3182
School Motto:
We are the Washington family who accept and respect each other while striving for success with integrity.
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Student Spotlight
Gabriel Roethle, David Von Kampen and Sengdao Inthavong will be performing in a Kantorei Christmas Concert on December 5th at 3:00 at Second Congregational Church and December 10th at 7:30 pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
Sophia Giakas and Mya Stroup will be performing with the Theatre on Ice Group performing "The Nutcracker" on December 11th at 3:00 at the Riverview Ice House. General Admission is $5 in advance or $7 at the door.
Mya will also be performing a solo and trio performance.
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Band and Orchestra News
The Orchestras and Bands will be performing our winter band concert on December 7th at 6:30 for the orchestras and 7:30 for the bands in the auditorium. All are welcome to attend.
Here is some information for the band and orchestra parents.
We have ordered t-shirts to wear for performances for all of the new students to band or orchestra and students who need a different size or can't find theirs. They will be here right after Thanksgiving. The cost of the shirt is $7.00. If you make out a check make it out to Washington PTO. Please wait until the shirts arrive to send the money. I will let the students know when they arrive.
I am asking that all students wear black dress pants, black socks (for the boys) and black dress shoes.
Everyone is required to stay for the entire concert and stay with their group.
Here is the schedule:
6:00 - Orchestra students arrive to warm - up.
6:30 - Orchestra concert in the Auditorium.
7:00 - Band students arrive to warm - up.
7:30 - Band concert in the Auditorium.
To the band parents, please do not enter the auditorium during the orchestra concert. Please wait in the hall until the orchestra is done.
The date of the Area Festival at Auburn has been changed from the 17th to the 15th of February (this affects the 7th grade Intermediate Band and the 8th grade Advanced Band).
I want to thank - you in advance for your co-operation in getting the proper clothes and having everyone stay for the entire concert. I think that it is important that the students hear and support the other groups as they perform. I am not requiring the orchestra students to stay for the band concert or the band students come early for the orchestra concert, although they are welcome if they want to hear the other groups perform.
Mr. Hoffman |
Athletics All students attending after school activities need to be picked up by 4:30. Anyone not picked up by 4:40 will need to take the activity bus to the school nearest your home.
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Swimming
Swimming begins on January 3, 2011. You must have a physical prior to January 3. Swimming takes place at West Middle School. We have a shuttle bus that departs daily for West at 3:20 p.m. Students will need to be picked up from West at 5:30 or they may take the activity bus from West. Please contact matthew.smith@rps205.com with any questions.
We want you to help create the design for the Washington/West swim team shirt. This contest is open to all creative minds at Washington or West. Please submit your entry to Mr. Smith or Mr. Adams by December 14. The winner will receive a complimentary shirt. |
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Student Council News
Student Council is sponsoring a contest between homerooms to see which class can bring in the most items for the food drive. The winning class (one for elementary and one for middle school) will have a choice of a pizza party, a full size candy bar, or for middle school 3 food tickets for our next event. This contest starts on November 22 and runs until December 10.
Our next Rec Night will be held on Friday, January 21 at Forest Hills Lanes in Loves Park from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The cost of the event is $10.00 which includes one way transportation, unlimited bowling for 2 hours, shoe rental, 2 slices of pizza, and a pop. We have a limited number of spots left. Please make sure that you turn in your permission slip and money by December 10.
The next student council meeting will be on Thursday, December 16 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in room 215.
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Basketball
Boys Basketball continues this week:
Monday: @ Willowbrook 7th (4:15), 8th (5:15)
Tuesday: Home Vs. Eisenhower 6th (4:30), 7th (5:30), 8th (6:30)
Wednesday: @ Legacy 6th (4:30), 8th (5:30)
Thursday: Home Vs. Flinn 6th (4:30), 7th (5:30), 8th (6:30)
Tuesday is Pack the Stand Night. We want to play in front of a full gym. Please consider coming to support our teams. We are also collecting food for the salvation army food drive. We are asking all fans and players to bring one non parishable food item to the game.
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REBA
We will be playing a scrimmage game at Rolling Green on Monday 12/13. Girls play at 4:00, Boys play at 5:00.
Boys will practice this Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Girls will practice this Monday from 4:45-6:15. {Note time change}
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T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Polo Shirts, Jackets,
Tote Bags or Window Decals for your car!
Washington Academy Spirit Wear is always on sale! Go to the PTO page on the school's web site (here is the link: http://webs.rps205.com/schools/washington/pto.html ). Scroll down to the bottom of the page and download the pdf file: PTO Spirit Wear Catalog and Order Form. Send your order forms (with payment) to school with your student. Show off your School Spirit!!
PTO Retail and Revenue
Thank you Washington! Since September we have collected $436.30 in Box Tops, $165 in Swiss Valley milk caps and $33.84 in Tyson A+ labels and we have banked an additional 1135 points in our Labels For Education account.
Please continue to send in all those milk caps, labels and box tops. It really does add up to $$$ for the school.
A special thank you to Yolanda Aguirre and Carrie Davis for clipping, sorting and counting all those collections for the months of October and November.
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