11/10/09

Dear Wiesbrook Community,

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I would like to take some time to express my sincere thanks to you as parents for everything you do to support our programs, faculty and staff and our children at Wiesbrook. I am extremely thankful and privileged to serve as principal in a school where there is tremendous support from our community with one mission in mind: provide the optimal educational opportunities for all students. Annually, you demonstrate this commitment as a community at our largest fundraiser - the Fall Fling. Over 140 parents attended and I certainly appreciate the support.

During the October 23rd In-Service half day, our School Improvement Team planned activities around our SIP goal: improving writing instruction through implementing the 6 + 1 Writing Traits program. Amy Steed, our Curriculum Leader, provided a review of the 6 + 1 Writing Traits. Then, breakout sessions were held in which teachers collaborated and brainstormed ideas relative to planning lessons that focus on implementing the 6 + 1 Writing Traits in various writing genres (i.e. expository, persuasive and narrative).

From a safety perspective, as the cold and flu season is upon us, we monitor on a daily basis the number and type of absences we have. These absences are reported daily to District 200 and the DuPage County Health Department as they look for trends and spikes relative to flu related absences. Also, in the near future we will conduct a lock-down drill in conjunction with the Wheaton Police Department.

Veterans Day is quickly approaching and we will continue our traditional Veterans Day commemoration. It will be held on Wednesday, November 11th. We are very pleased again to have the Warrenville Color Guard join us at our flag raising ceremony. The whole school will meet to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem. This is a very special time for us at Wiesbrook, and you are certainly more than welcome to attend this event held first thing in the morning. Students will be encouraged to wear red, white and blue on November 11th. We will have numerous activities early in November recognizing the contributions of our veterans and showing our gratitude. More information will be coming home from the Veterans Day Committee and individual classrooms.

The first Tremendous Tiger Awards ceremony will be held on November 19th. The traditional breakfast celebrates our students who receive this award from their teachers for outstanding academic performance, displaying traits from our character counts pillars, or doing deeds of “good will.” Grandparents, parents, siblings and teachers are invited to celebrate all of the tremendous achievements of our Tigers. I strongly believe in recognizing the growth of the whole child, and I appreciate everyone’s support for this new program.

I hope you enjoy a new student column in this month’s newsletter, “From a Student’s Point of View”. The idea for this column came from an enterprising group of 5th graders who wanted to act as in-house reporters. They have arranged for students to keep us updated on the latest happenings around Wiesbrook. They will certainly provide a fresh perspective for all of us each month.

Finally, I want to remind you of our Holiday concert times in December. All programs will be on Tuesday, December 15. The primary program will include our kindergarten, first and second grades with a highlight of our chorus. First grade and AM Kindergarten will be at 10:30AM and second grade and PM Kindergarten will be at 2:00PM in our Wiesbrook School gym. We will again hold our evening program for our third, fourth and fifth grades and chorus at Wheaton Warrenville South High School at 7:00PM. You will receive a separate flyer with more information.

As winter break quickly approaches, I wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday and New Year!

Sincerely,

Brian K. Turyna, Ed.D.