Wharton Wildcat Newsletter

It is hard to believe that we are entering into the final month of the 2020-2021 school year. Despite this being a nontraditional year, all of our students and staff have grown in many ways. The bonds and friendships formed this year has helped all of us remain focused on the postivity, which surrounds us. We know that the new friendships formed this year will only conitue to grow and strengthen throughout middle school.

We are excited that our first transitional class will be graduating on May 19. Students have shown tremendous academic growth. The entire Wharton staff is proud of their accomplishments and wish the students nothing but the best. We know that they have bright future ahead of them.

As the year comes to close, please continue monitor Seesaw and social media postings as we will continue to share information to families. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Educationally yours,

Dr. Shestine Gesbocker, Principal

Mrs. Sara Leone, Associate Principal

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Grab your books, start reading, and let the Battle begin!

A virtual Battle of the Books will be held here at Wharton, via Zoom, on Thursday, May 27th. Three students from each homeroom will represent their class. All students will have an opportunity to qualify to represent their class by placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in Pre-Battle Rounds. The Pre-Battles will take place in the individual classrooms the week of May 17th.

During each battle, students will answer questions (via Kahoot, an online, game based, student response system) about 10 Caldecott Books they have read. Wharton teachers will provide students with copies of all ten books as well as opportunities to read and discuss them in class. In addition, students may participate in classroom activities and projects based on these books to arm them for battle.

Please ask your child about the books they have been reading and perhaps ask them to read one with you! A special thank to the staff and especially Ms. Augustinas for planning this event.

Books included in the battle.

A Story, A Story, by Gail E. Haley

Creepy Carrots, by Aaron Reynolds

Finding Winnie, by Lindsay Mattick

Henry’s Freedom Box, by Ellen Levine

Lon Po Po, by Ed Young

Strega Nona, by Tomie dePaola

So You Want to Be President?, by Judith St. George

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, by William Steig

Tops and Bottoms, by Janet Stevens

Trombone Shorty, by Troy Andrews

We look forward to a sensational Battle! Until then, keep reading!

Staff and students participated in Spirit Week this week. Each day provided an additional dash of fun. We are happy so many participated, and we know each themed day was enjoyed by all. Take a look at some of our some of our classes. Be sure to click on the images to make them larger and see the entire screenshot.

Students have been working hard to earn points in our PBIS Rewards program! Students can use these points to make purchases in classroom stores until Friday, May 7th at 3pm. At that point in time, all student points will reset to 0 and students will begin earning points again. Those points will be converted to raffle entries for our year-end raffle which will be pulled on June 1st! Students who win in the raffle will receive their prizes sometime that week!!

It has been a long standing tradition in SD 104 to have a step-up event as students prepare to move from Wharton to Heritage. Out of an abundance of caution, the event will take place virtually this year, on May 21 at 1:00 PM. We are tremendously grateful for the collaboration with the HMS stafff and administration to make this event happen.

As we look forward to next school year, please review the required health forms linked below for students at various grade levels.

SD 104 has open positions posted on our website. Please review our openings and share with those whom may be interested in joined our team of educators. Click on the button below to view all open positions.