Edison Middle

Panther Press

September 10, 2023

September 10, 2023

Dear Panther Families, 

It was wonderful to see so many of you on Curriculum Night. Thank you for joining us! If you were unable to make it, please visit ParentVue and look for the “Class Level Resources''. If you have any questions about your child’s classes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the teachers directly.  

This coming Friday, we will have our annual fire drill with the Wheaton Fire Department, so if you see emergency vehicles at school, please know it is for this drill. This is the last of our required safety drills for the year, but we will continue to review and discuss school safety, security and expectations throughout the year in order to ensure a safe and civil learning environment. 

Unfortunately, one of the topics we review each year is targeted school and community violence. Many of these acts of violence are preventable. It is imperative for all of us to take ownership regarding school safety. If you see, hear or read something that is potentially dangerous or threatening, please notify the police via 9-1-1 and the school. This includes somebody threatening self-harm. You could be saving a life!

Please understand that we take any threat made against the school or an individual(s) seriously. One of our safety protocols involves working with the Wheaton Police Department. If we are made aware of a threat, we will follow up accordingly. We will not stake the safety of others on assumptions or guesswork. We remind students that saying “I was joking” or something similar is not a valid excuse for threatening behavior. DuPage County saw several students charged with felonies last year as a result of making threats of violence against schools. A felony is the most severe classification of criminal charges and they can carry long lasting consequences. In addition to criminal charges, students can face a variety of school consequences including suspension and expulsion.

Many of the threats we receive in schools originate from social media. Students can be held responsible for anything they post to social media, even if it is done outside of school. We ask all parents to monitor the social media sites their children visit. If you allow your child to be on social media, we strongly encourage you to follow their account(s). Review and remind your child of the expectations related to social media. In addition to taking the “See something, say something” approach, report any harmful or violent social media posts to the social media website administration and/or the police. We always recommend taking screenshots of threatening posts or ones depicting any type of illegal activity or bullying.

We want this to be a safe school year for everyone. Adhering to these expectations will help us achieve that goal. Thank you for your help and support.

This week: 

Tues., Sept. 12

  • Girls Volleyball @ Franklin, 3:45 PM, 7th grade plays first

Wed., Sept. 13

  • Cross Country @ Wredling, 4:15 PM

Thurs., Sept. 14

  • Girls Volleyball v. Stratford, 3:45 PM, 8th grade plays first

  • Cross Country @ Jay Stream, 4:15 PM

Fri., Sept. 15 

  • Fire Drill with Wheaton Fire Department

  • Edison Band plays at Wheaton Warrenville South Football Game


HELPFUL REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

IM FAMILY SUPPORT PAGE

Looking for ways to support your child in Math 6, 7, 8 or FP Math 6? Check out the Illustrative Math Family Support Page! You will find videos, examples and explanations for all the different IM units.

CLUBS, ACTIVITIES, SPORTS AND INTRAMURALS

Every day during the 6th period “Panther Pause”, one of our students reads the daily announcements which include when clubs, activities and sports will be meeting. Below are a couple of announcements that were read last week: 

  • Our first meeting of Maker Monday will be held this Monday, September 11, in the LLC afterschool. Maker Monday is a club for all sorts of creativity. We have everything from Legos to friendship bracelets, from knitting and crochet to our Cricut sticker cutter. If your child is artistic, scientific or at all creative, then Maker Monday is the place for them.

  • Intramurals are happening Monday through Thursday in the small gym after school. 

  • D and D club will have its first meeting Monday after school in Mrs. Schwartz's room, room 106. We will explain a little more about the club and start creating our characters for the first campaign, but you don't need to know anything to join us. For the club kickoff, we will meet every Monday in September. 

  • Attention Edison Readers: Battle of the Books practice is Tuesday at lunch. Go to the LLC during your lunch period. If you bring lunch, just bring it to the LLC. If you buy lunch, come to the LLC first to get a pass for the cafeteria. 

  • Attention all Bloggers! Our first Blogger club meeting will be on Tuesday, September 19 after school in Miss Austin's room! Hope to see all new and returning Bloggers then! See Miss Austin or Mrs. Mac with any questions.

Panthers can also see when clubs, activities, and intramurals are meeting by checking the calendars hanging around the school. The calendars are also available online here: 

  • Club & Activity Calendar

  • Intramural Calendar

PTA-SPONSORED FUN RUN 

KEEP A LOOKOUT! You will soon be receiving an email from 99Pledges. This is a new platform the PTA will be using to facilitate fundraising for the Fun Run. Each student will receive their own individualized fundraising link to raise money and track their progress. 

SAVE THE DATE: The Fun Run will be held during your child's PE/Health class on Friday, September 29. (rain date: October 13)

FUN RUN PRIZES NEEDED

We need your help! The Fun Run prize baskets have been a huge hit the last few years. We need your help in making them a success this year. If you'd like to donate, CLICK HERE! Thank you for your continued support. 

STUDENT SUCCESS TIPS FROM OUR COUNSELING TEAM

Sending your child to school ready to learn can be a struggle. A nutritious breakfast gets them ready for the day. In general, children who eat breakfast have more energy and do better in school. You can help boost your child's attention span, concentration, and memory by providing breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein, as well as low in added sugar.

Additionally, preteens and teens need the right amount of sleep to be alert and ready to learn all day. In general, preteens need about 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night and teens need about 8½ to 9½ hours. Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age for a variety of reasons. Homework, sports, after-school activities, texting, TVs, computers, and video games, as well as hectic family schedules, can contribute to students not getting enough sleep. It is important to limit screen time as bedtime approaches. It is helpful to prevent kids from napping after school to ensure they can fall asleep at an appropriate time each night.

Lack of sleep and nutrition can make it difficult for students to pay attention in school. It's important to have a consistent routine, especially on school days.

LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE IN IL – STATEWIDE READING & WRITING CONTEST

Letters About Literature in Illinois is a statewide reading and writing promotion. Students in grades 4 – 12 are invited to read a book of their choice, reflect on it, and write a personal letter to its author explaining the impact this work had on them. The program also dovetails with state and national learning standards. Students can enter individually, or through school, library and youth organizations. There are three writing levels based on the student’s grade in school:

  • Level I - Grades 4 - 6

  • Level II - Grade 7 & 8

  • Level III - Grades 9 - 12

There is one winning letter selected per Level. Winners receive a cash prize and a plaque from the Illinois Secretary of State. Teachers of the winners receive a certificate and a cash prize for the school to purchase books for the school library.

Runners Up from each Level receive certificates. Written submissions will be accepted for all ages until the entry deadline of December 15, 2023. Attach a completed entry form to each entry and send via US Mail or Email. State winners will be formally announced in May 2024. For more information, visit the Letters About Literature page. 

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION LUNG FORCE WALK AT CANTIGNY

The American Lung Association is having our annual LUNG FORCE Walk, presented by Northwestern Medicine, on Saturday, September 16 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Our Walk is a free family friendly event welcoming hundreds of community members, providing a kid zone area, fitness demos, flu shots, dental kits, and health experts from Northwestern Medicine available to connect one on one. Register for free at: www.LUNGFORCE.org/Chicago

CHI CITY JUNIORS PREP VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE

Chi City’s goal is to provide every 4th-8th grader a chance to learn or enhance volleyball skills in a team-based setting during the months of September and October. Athletes will train and develop skills on Wednesdays or Fridays, and then compete on Saturdays. Players will be grouped by age and skill level. Chi City Volleyball is a new Elite volleyball club engineered from the ground up with League One Volleyball, located in the DuKane County area, specifically in West Chicago, IL at the Zone250! They are offering a promotion for families to use for a FREE first class! FIRSTFREE is the code. Visit our website to learn more or to get registered! www.chicityvolleyball.com

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. Next up:

    • Wed, Sep 13 @ 12:00 pm-1:00 pm and 7:00-8:00 pm - Dr. Lisa Damour presents, “Inside the Emotional Lives of Teenagers: How to Navigate the Bumpy Ride of Adolescence.” Virtual - https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/81703581010

    • Thu, Sep 14 @ 6:00-7:30 pm - Reverend Dr. Derrick Wells presents, “Valuing and Celebrating our Students’ Success & The Steps to a Happy, Healthy, High Functioning Life.” In-person at Glenbard West High School.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP! JUST REACH OUT! 

Attendance and Counseling Office: 630-682-2050 x2

  • 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 Reeves, 8th Grade Counselor, yazmine.reeves@cusd200.org

Health Office: 630-682-2050 x3

  • Ms. Christine Chestnut, School Nurse, christine.chestnut@cusd200.org

Athletic Office: 630-682-2050 x5

  • Mr. Jim McAuslan, Athletic Director, james.mcauslan@cusd200.org

Library Learning Center: 630-682-2050 x6

  • Mrs. Kori Wentzloff, LLC Director, kori.wentzloff@cusd200.org

Main Office: 630-682-2050 x1

  • Ms. Nancy Howard, Receptionist

  • Mrs. Christine Boyd, Asst. Principal’s Secretary, christine.boyd@cusd200.org

  • Mrs. Maria McAuslan, Principal’s Secretary, maria.mcauslan@cusd200.org 

  • Mr. Jim Zimmerman, Assistant Principal, james.zimmerman@cusd200.org 

  • Ms. Rachel Bednar, Principal, rachel.bednar@cusd200.org 

Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions or if there is anything we should know in order to best support your child during his/her time at Edison. *Please copy our secretaries on any communication to us as we sometimes don’t have time to read email until later in the evening each day. Thank you! 

Shine on!

With #EdisonPantherPride, 

Mrs. Rachel Bednar, Principal

Mr. Jim Zimmerman, Assistant Principal