Hello, Panther Families!
We are so excited to welcome our Panthers back to school in just a few days! Please see below for important reminders and updates for you.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Please keep a copy of the 2023-24 School Calendar handy. It will keep you informed of non-attendance days throughout the year. Please note the following dates:
Monday, August 14 -
Alternate Schedule Walk-Through and Locker Set-Up, 3-4 PM.
Welcome to the Den for 6th graders and new students, 6:30-8:00 PM. Scavenger hunt for students and Q&A for parents. Meet in the auditorium.
Wednesday, August 16 - First Day of School! 8 AM - 3 PM
Thursday, August 17 - School Picture Day. Pictures are used in the yearbook and IDs are used as a bus pass and library card.
Thursday, August 31 - Taste of Edison (Club Information Night), 6:00 PM on the basketball court behind the building. A list of clubs is available on the school webpage.
Thursday, September 7 - Curriculum Night, 7:00 PM
Friday, September 22 - Teacher Institute Day, No School
Friday, September 29 - Panther FunRun - PTA Fundraiser during PE classes (rain date Oct. 13)
ALTERNATE SCHEDULE WALK-THROUGH - MON., AUG. 14, 3-4 PM
Panthers who were unable to attend their grade level Schedule Walk-Through Day, or who need to practice walking their schedule again may come on Monday, August 14 from 3-4 PM.
WELCOME TO THE DEN - MON., AUG. 14, 6:30-8:00 PM
6th graders and new students are welcome to complete a scavenger hunt to get to know the building better. Parents are welcome to an informal Q&A in the auditorium with Principal Rachel Bednar, Assistant Principal Jim Zimmerman, and 6th Grade Counselor Chloe Soto.
BUS RIDERS
If your child will be riding a bus, please be sure to double check their pick up time and location as some times and locations have changed. Updated bus routes are available here: Bus Routes
PARENT DROP OFF
Please note there is no access to the driveway in front of the school from 7:40-8:00 AM and 2:50-3:10 PM when buses are dropping off/picking up students.
If you will be driving your child, please help us make the mornings safe for all children and drivers by dropping off in the designated locations and reminding your children to use the crosswalks and follow the direction of the crossing guards. Please click here for a map. In addition to the areas marked on the map, those who live east of Edison may want to consider dropping off on Main Street adjacent to Kelly Park and having students walk through the park and cross the bridge to Edison.
Also, please do not pass buses when the bus stop sign is out. (Doing so may result in a $500 fine from the Wheaton Police Department.)
BIKE RIDERS
Biking to school is an excellent option. There are bike racks on both the east and west sides of the building. Please be sure your child has a bike lock and helmet.
GRADE LEVEL ENTRANCES
Unless students will be eating breakfast at school, students should wait outside their grade level door until 7:50 AM.
6th Grade Door 18 (west/cemetery side of building near the band room)
7th Grade Door 3 (east/park side of building near the wrestling gym)
8th Grade Door 2 (east/park side of building near the art room)
BREAKFAST
Breakfast is served every day starting at 7:30 AM. Students who would like to eat at school should enter Door 13, which is on the west/cemetery side of the building. This door enters directly into the cafeteria. Breakfast includes an entrée + milk + fruit or juice. If buses are late, students are allowed to “grab & go” and take their breakfast with them to class.
LUNCH
Students eat with their grade level peers. For information about our food service program, please visit the district website food service page.
6th Grade - 10:25-10:55
7th Grade - 11:13-11:43
8th Grade - 12:01-12:31
PICTURE DAY - THURS., AUG. 17
Pictures are used in the yearbook and IDs are used as a bus pass and library card. Information to order pictures was available at schedule pick up day and will be sent out electronically again prior to picture day.
PE UNIFORMS
All students must have a PE uniform. Even if students have health in the first quarter, they will be dressing for PE at the beginning of the quarter to complete their state-required fitness testing. Information and ordering instructions are available at www.cusd200peuniforms.com. Questions can be directed to Dawn Szumski at Wheaton Sport Center at cusd200peuniform@gmail.com. There are three ways to purchase and pickup uniforms:
Come to the WSC between 12-6 pm Sunday-Saturday
Order online and pick up at WSC
Order online and have the items delivered to Edison. Items will be distributed in PE class.
Please tell them you are from Edison so the PTA gets credit. PE teachers will instruct students how to label their uniforms and when they should bring them to school. Returning Panthers who are satisfied with their current uniform do not need to make a purchase at this time. Samples will be available to VIEW ONLY on August 14 from 3-4 pm. Thanks for supporting the Edison PTA!
PE UNIFORM VOUCHER
If you believe you are eligible for a free or reduced PE uniform, contact Chris Boyd at christine.boyd@cusd200.org for a school coupon and come to the WSC with the coupon to pick up a pair of shorts and shirt.
BAND AND ORCHESTRA INSTRUMENTS
Students in Band and Orchestra do not need to bring their instruments to school on the first day. The Band and Orchestra teachers will let students know when they should begin bringing their instruments.
JOIN THE PTA
We’d love all Edison staff and families to be PTA members to support our school! You can join the PTA for $20 at Edison’s Online Store. Membership is $20 per individual, or $25 per family, and includes access to the Edison Directory Mobile App. Your membership helps fund and support curriculum-based programs, guest speakers, school improvements and equipment, band, orchestra, show choir, school clubs, Panther Nights, dances and other socials, the library, staff appreciation, 8th grade dance and Moving On ceremony…and lots more!
For more information, visit the Edison PTA website or contact VP of Membership, Robyn Heine, membership@edisonmspta.org.
We're on the move with the FunRun on September 29 (rain date October 13) and would LOVE your help! Please contact FunRun Chair Katie Fils at fundraising@edisonmspta.org.
HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Information is communicated to Edison parents/guardians via email, automated phone call system, and the Edison website. You may have noticed that the website was updated over the summer; we are still working on making all information accessible. Please don’t hesitate to call the office at 630-682-2050 if you cannot find something you need. Please also carefully review your contact information in ParentVUE, and if you would like to receive text reminders, be sure there is a cell number in the cell phone field. Keeping your contact information (phone numbers & e-mail addresses) and emergency contact information updated ensures that you never miss important information.
The weekly newsletter, now called the Panther Press, will be sent to parents/guardians every Sunday afternoon via the email addresses listed in ParentVUE.
Our new website allows us to post news and live feed highlights. These will also be available on the mobile app and should be an easy way to stay updated on information.
If you “Like” the Edison Middle School on Facebook page or follow us on Instagram and/or Twitter, you will have access to additional announcements, highlights and articles.
RESOURCES
People’s Resource Center (PRC) - The PRC is a local organization that responds to basic human needs, promotes dignity and justice and creates a future of hope and opportunity for the residents of DuPage County. They provide social services and emergency aid, a clothes closet, job assistance, computer training and access, and adult learning and literacy programs. They are located at 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. You can find more information at their website www.peoplesrc.org.
Mobile Food Pantries - Each month, the District hosts at least one mobile food pantry at various places in the community that are open to all District 200 families. Mobile food pantries are provided by the Northern Illinois Food Bank and are sponsored by various, generous PTAs and private donors. A complete list of mobile markets can be found on our website.
Glenbard Parent Series - The Glenbard Parent Series, or GPS, Navigating Healthy Families presents distinguished speakers to inspire, connect and inform with research-based strategies that promote engaged learning and positive youth development (for children of all ages). They welcome everyone to their FREE, weekly, virtual events--many are presented at both noon and 7 PM. In 2023-24 several programs will be offered in Spanish, Gujarati, Urdu and Hindi. No registration is required. Links/details GlenbardGPS.org. First up:
Tue, Aug 22 @ 7:00 pm - Rebecca Rolland, EdD, presents, “The Art, Power and ABC’s of Talking With Young Children to Build Skills and Connection.”
Thu, Aug 24 @ 12:00 pm and 7 pm - Richard Guare, PhD and Peg Dawson, EdD, present, “Smart But Scattered: The Executive Functioning Approach to Help Kids Reach Their Potential — Start The Year Off Strong.”
Other important District 200 updates are available in the District newsletter here.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP! JUST REACH OUT!
Attendance and Counseling Office: 630-682-2053
Mrs. Lisa Papievis, Registrar, Attendance & Counseling
Mrs. Chloe Soto, 6th Grade Counselor, chloe.soto@cusd200.org
Mr. Tim Hower, 7th Grade Counselor, timothy.hower@cusd200.org
Mrs. Yazmine (Smith) Reeves, 8th Grade Counselor, yazmine.smith@cusd200.org
Health Office: 630-682-2050 x3635
Ms. Christine Chestnut, School Nurse, christine.chestnut@cusd200.org.
Athletic Office: 630-682-2050 x3204
Mr. Jim McAuslan, Athletic Director, james.mcauslan@cusd200.org
Main Office: 630-682-2050
Ms. Nancy Howard, Receptionist, In the office
Mrs. Christine Boyd, Asst. Principal’s Secretary
Mrs. Maria McAuslan, Principal’s Secretary
*Jim Zimmerman, Assistant Principal
*Mrs. Rachel Bednar, Principal
Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions or if there is anything we should know to better support your child during his/her time at Edison, *but please call or copy Mrs. Boyd or Mrs. McAuslan when trying to reach Mrs. Bednar or Mr. Zimmerman. This will help you receive a much timelier response. We are looking forward to an amazing year!
With #EdisonPantherPride,
Mrs. Rachel Bednar, Principal
Mr. Jim Zimmerman, Assistant Principal