Dear Panther Families:
This Friday is the annual PTA-sponsored FUN RUN! Hopefully you have already received an email from 99Pledges. This is a new platform the PTA is using to facilitate fundraising for the Fun Run. Each student has their own individualized fundraising link to raise money and track their progress. All students will participate in the FUN RUN during their PE classes. The PTA is still collecting prizes for the Fun Run prize baskets. If you are able to donate, CLICK HERE!
The FUN RUN is the PTA’s main fundraiser for the year. Funds raised support field trips and guest speakers, band, orchestra and show choir, school clubs, Panther Nights, dances and other socials, the library, staff appreciation, the 8th Grade Moving On Ceremony and lots more! Thank you for your continued support.
This week:
Tues., Sept. 26
Girls Volleyball v. Hubble, 3:45
Cross Country v. Monroe, 4:15
Wed., Sept. 27
Cross Country @ Jefferson, 4:15
Thurs., Sept. 28
Girls Volleyball @ Leman, 3:45
Community Engagement Conversation re: Middle School Facilities, 6 PM, Edison auditorium
Fri., Sept. 29
Last day for Lions Club Food Drive
PTA FunRun in PE classes, periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8.
HELPFUL REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONVERSATION THURS., SEPT. 28, 6 PM at EDISON
All community members are invited to engage in a conversation regarding the facility needs and challenges at Edison, Franklin, and Monroe Middle Schools. The first session is this Thursday, September, 28 at 6:00 p.m. at our school. If you are unable to attend this Thursday, additional dates are listed below.
The intent of these sessions is to discuss potential middle school facility projects. All community members are encouraged to attend any or all of our upcoming community engagement events to determine the path forward, together.
District 200 is at the final step in catching up on our district’s infrastructure needs. All that remains is to address the significant needs at three of our four middle schools, and this decade-long effort to put our district on a sustainable path with safe, efficient, and up-to-date school buildings will be complete. Our district’s fiscal responsibility has given us a unique opportunity to address these challenges and modernize our middle schools while giving our taxpayers even more property tax relief.
During the 2023-2024 school year, our community will determine the path forward together. Please plan on participating in this important community engagement process as we continue our district’s positive momentum. For more information, to engage online, and to sign up for updates, please visit our community engagement website: www.together200.net.
Community engagement dates and times:
Thursday, September 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Edison Middle School
1125 S Wheaton Ave, Wheaton, IL 60189Tuesday, October 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Monroe Middle School
1855 Manchester Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187Thursday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Franklin Middle School
211 E Franklin St, Wheaton, IL 60187Tuesday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Via Zoom Webinar
If you have any questions, please contact Erica Loiacono, our Director of Community Engagement, at 630-682-2469 or communications@cusd200.org.
CLUBS, ACTIVITIES, SPORTS AND INTRAMURALS
Attention Art Club Members! Our 1st Art Club meeting will be Tuesday the 26th in the Art room right after school! If you would like to join the Art Club Google Classroom ahead of time, the Google Classroom code is posted at the front of the Art room door!
After-school intramurals for this week: Monday thru Thursday this week is for all grades - 6th, 7th and 8th.
All students interested in Yearbook Club, please attend our first Yearbook Club meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd right after school in the Art room! If you have questions please see Mrs. Hrudicka or Ms. Heberg.
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:
LIONS CLUB FOOD DRIVE NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 1
Edison Middle School is participating in the Wheaton Lions Club annual Food Drive to collect non-perishable food through October 1. People’s Resource Center’s (PRC) will be the beneficiary of all donations. This project is part of the Wheaton Lions “Focus on Hunger” which also supports one of the Lions primary “Pillars of Service” for the community. The current list of items in greatest demand includes:
Canned meat (tuna and chicken)
Canned food (vegetables, soup, pork and beans, legumes/beans, spaghetti sauce, fruit)
Rice and Pasta
Personal care items (shampoo, body wash toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, bar soap, liquid hand soap)
Please send your donations to school with your child and have them drop them in the box near the auditorium. For more information, visit http://wheatonlions.org/lions-food-drive.php
EDISON GIVING TREE
Edison will have a Giving Tree this year to help our Edison Panther families directly. The tree will be made available during parent-teacher conferences on October 4. We also have a Sign Up Genius available on Edison's social media pages which will be made available in mid-October. Starting October 4, please stop by the foyer at the front door to pick a light bulb off the tree with gift ideas if you are interested in purchasing a holiday gift. Please see the attached image for more information. If you have any questions, please contact June Deetjen, Symone Hill, or Chloe Soto.
PTA REFLECTIONS ENTRIES DUE FRI., OCT. 20
Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts. This year’s theme is, “I am hopeful because…” For more information, visit the Edison PTA Reflections page on the website.
STUDENT COUNCIL HOSTING FALL DANCE - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 3-4:30 PM
Student Council is still in the planning stages, but the all-school fall dance is going to be Thursday, November 2 from 3:00-4:30 PM in the gym. The activity buses will run 15 minutes later that day so all students can stay until the end of the dance. This dance is CASUAL and for EVERYONE. Regardless of rumors your child may have heard, students are NOT encouraged to have “dates”. The dance is right after school, so all students are encouraged to come and have fun with their friends. More details to follow.
STUDENT SUCCESS TIPS FROM OUR COUNSELING TEAM
One of the biggest academic challenges for students who are new to middle school is not knowing how to study. In elementary school, many students are accustomed to coming to class, doing the work, and performing just fine on tests. However, once they reach middle school, many of them experience a bit of a reality check. Academics become progressively more challenging, so many test scores take a tumble. Once students realize they need to study, they do not necessarily know how. Here are some suggestions of study strategies for your student to try:
Make and use flashcards
Pair with another student to quiz each other
Read class notes and write out a summary
Read notes out loud
Outline or mind map key ideas
Look over graded worksheets and quizzes
Use the study guide
Teach someone else the concept
Ask peers questions
These are simple but effective ways for students to study. Practicing these new strategies will allow your student to feel more confident before they take a test.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE DISTRICT 200 STUDENT EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION
Our D200 teachers are working to enhance their classrooms and bring exciting ideas to life for our students. The Student Excellence Foundation is proud to offer teachers the Fund-a-Classroom platform to get their ideas funded. Check out the current campaigns! Please consider donating any amount to the campaign of your choice. Many campaigns are successful with multiple donations of $10 and $20! View the Campaigns + Donate Today
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.
STEM FEST 2023 at NIU-DeKALB
STEM Fest is free and open to families with no registration required ahead of time. STEM Fest is a celebration of all things science, technology, engineering and math. This free event is scheduled for Saturday, September 30 from 10 AM to 4 PM on the campus of Northern Illinois University. STEM Fest features more than 100 exhibits, speakers, and demonstrations designed to inspire and engage guests of all ages with opportunities for STEM learning. It is one of the largest free family events in northern Illinois. More information about STEM Fest can be found at: https://niusteam.niu.edu/programs-events/stem-fest/
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, 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. 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., Sept. 27 @ 7:00-8:00 PM - Adam Braun presents, “The Promise of a Pencil: How An Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change”. Virtual
Thurs., Sept. 28 @ 7:00-8:00 PM - Krina Gandhi presents, “Māṭē mānasika svāsthya āvaśyakatā’ō saphaḷa vālīpaṇā/Mental Health Essentials for Successful Parenting”. Virtual https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/88968241736
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