Thank You For Supporting The D300 Food Pantry

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Wildcat learning community for the tremendous outpouring of donations benefiting the D300 Food Pantry.  I appreciate the generosity of our families, staff, and community and the support you continue to show this amazing organization.  

All School Sing-Along & Winter Holiday Parties

We kicked off our last day of school in 2019 by gathering in the gym for our all school holiday sing-along, led by Miss Crater.  The gym was filled with music as well as our wildcat students and staff!  Throughout the day, we also enjoyed our Winter Holiday Parties.  A huge thanks to all of our party volunteers and everyone who contributed crafts, games, and treats.  We had a blast!  Now it's time to enjoy Winter Break!  Happy Holidays, Wildcats!

Winter Band, Choir, & Orchestra Happenings

This week, GDW hosted our Winter Band, Choir, and Orchestra Concert.  Miss Crater directed our Fourth & Fifth Grade Choir, while Miss Mitchell directed our Band and Orchestra.  It was a lovely, music-filled evening and all of our students' hard work and practice was evident!  Also this week, the GDW Choir took their show on the road and sang for the residents and staff at Rosewood Care Center of Elgin.  Way to go, Wildcats!

Superintendent Heid Reads to GDW Kindergarteners

This morning, GDW kindergarten students arrived to school in their pajamas, which was the perfect attire to be cozy and enjoy a cherished Wildcat tradition of Superintendent Heid reading aloud The Polar Express.  After the story, Mr. Heid even distributed a special bell to each of our kindergarten students.  Thank you for keeping this tradition alive, Mr. Heid!

Holiday Hoopla

GDW's Holiday Hoopla helped bring some holiday cheer to our Wildcat families.  The event featured holiday-themed crafts and games, spectacular musical performances by HHS musicians, crafts, games, guest readers, milk and cookies, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.  This event would not have been possible without the many volunteers who assisted, including our PTO, GDW Staff, HHS students, Dr. Scarpino, Private Kann, and Sergeant Kann.  Also, a HUGE thank you to Santa and Mrs. Claus for making the trip from the North Pole to Gary D. Wright Elementary School!  Happy Holidays, Wildcats!

Kindergarten Pajama Drive

GDW kindergartners participated in their 4th Annual Pajama Drive for the Pajama Program!  Thanks to the continued generosity and support from our Wildcat learning community, our kindergarteners collected 60 pairs of pajamas! These pajamas will be matched with a book from Scholastic and will be given to local students in need!

Fifth Grade's Nacho Usual iReady Challenge

GDW Fifth Graders participated in the Nacho Usual iReady Challenge, where they held a friendly boys versus girls competition in each class.  The teams worked together to successfully complete and pass iReady lessons, where the winning team in each class enjoyed a nacho party. 

Welcome Back, Wildcats!

We hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday and are excited to welcome our Wildcats back to school tomorrow!

PTO's Mom/Son Bowling

GDW's PTO hosted their annual Mom Son Bowling event.  This year's event took place at Bowlero.  Our Wildcat Moms and Sons enjoyed an evening filled with bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and more.  A fun time was had by all!

iReady & PBIS Student Recognition Assembly

Today we recognized many of our Wildcats for their achievements with iReady lessons passed as well as demonstrating respectful behavior.  We had fun celebrating our students' successes and look forward to future recognition assemblies throughout the school year.  Keep working hard and doing your best, Wildcats!

Third Grade Music Performance

Under the direction of GDW Music Teachers, Miss Crater and Ms. Ritchie, our third grade students put on a fabulous music performance this evening entitled, "Road Trip U.S.A."!  During the performance, Mrs. Frint's class dedicated a song to her since this was her final music performance before she retires at the end of this school year.  What a special event!

Dr. Scarpino Visits GDW

Today, Dr. Scarpino, D300 School Board Member, visited Gary D. Wright Elementary School.  During his time at GDW, Dr. Scarpino was able to capture many photos, which can be viewed by visiting his Facebook page: Dr. David J. Scarpino, D300 School Board Member.  On behalf of the Wildcats, I would like to thank Dr. Scarpino for a wonderful visit!

GDW Choir Performs at Chicago Wolves Hockey Game

In honor of Veterans Day, the Gary D. Wright Elementary School Choir, directed by Miss Crater, performed a medley of patriotic songs at the Chicago Wolves Game.  This was a wonderful opportunity for our Wildcats, and I would like to give thanks to Miss Crater, the Chicago Wolves, our GDW Choir and their families, and to all of those who served or are serving in the United States Military.

Happy Halloween, Wildcats!

Hampshire Fire Protection District's Fire Prevention Month Coloring Contest

Congratulations to the following Gary D. Wright Elementary School students, who were winners of the Hampshire Fire Protection District's Fire Prevention Month Coloring Contest:

• Greyson Fikis - Kindergarten
• Kelianna Larkin - First Grade
• Vivian Pusateri - Second Grade
• Kaylee Miller - Third Grade

Oh, My! Our Principals Got Pied!

As an incentive for our Wildcat Learning Community raising approximately $36,000 in support of this year's PTO Walk-a-thon, our Wildcat students earned the opportunity to "pie" Principal Gravel and Assistant Principal Cappas during grade-level assemblies.  During the assemblies, we shared in many laughs and used just as many cans of Reddi Whip in the process!  We would like to thank everyone for their support of the Walk-a-thon!  Thank you, GDW PTO,  for assisting throughout the assemblies and for all that you do to support our school!

Fire Prevention Education

We would like to thank the Hampshire Fire Protection District for Providing Fire Prevention Education to all of our Wildcats at Gary D. Wright Elementary School throughout the month of October.  We are incredibly appreciative of the Hampshire Fire Protection District for teaching us these important lessons and keeping us safe!

Second Grade Music Performance

Under the direction of GDW Music Teachers, Miss Crater and Ms. Ritchie, our second grade students put on a fabulous music performance this evening entitled, "Let's Eat"!  In addition to so many of our family and friends filling the audience, we were graced with two very special concert-goers.  Mr. Wright and Mrs. O'Conner were in attendance at this evening's performance.  Mr. Wright was Miss Crater's principal and Mrs. O'Conner was Miss Crater's music teacher while she attended Hampshire Elementary School.  Both Mr. Wright and Mrs. O'Conner were highly influential in Miss Crater's education, as they were to so many students in the Hampshire community.  It was an honor to have them as our special guests this evening.  Perhaps some of our Wildcats will choose to become music educators and someday Miss Crater and Principal Gravel would love to be sitting in the audience at those performances!

GDW Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

As part of our celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we welcomed Grupo De Danza Folklorica Quetzaly to perform in an assembly at our school today.  The group focuses on promoting Mexican culture through dance and folk music and consists of dancers who range in age from five to nineteen years old, including GDW's very own, Mia Munoz.  Mia is a current fifth grade student at Gary D. Wright Elementary School.  We enjoyed the vibrant colors of the costumes, the beautiful dancing, and rhythmic music that filled both our gymnasium and our hearts.

Wildcats Participate in ILMEA Elementary General Music Festival

Congratulations to GDW Music Teacher, Miss Crater, and to the following GDW fifth graders for their participation in the 2019 District 9 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) Elementary General Music Festival: Ethan Reddy, Lianne Bucana, Ryder Fischer, Zoe Neitzel, Gracyn Rodriguez, Nathaniel Ohprecio, Caylee Blatz, and Lily Ireland.  This year, the festival was located at Westfield Community School.  Our students represented GDW well as they had a great morning singing, moving, and drumming!

GDW Welcomes "The Juggler With the Yellow Shoes"

To kick off Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, Gary D. Wright Elementary School welcomed Mr. Dan Kirk ("The Juggler With the Yellow Shoes") to our school.  Mr. Kirk, who has been on America's Got Talent, performed in two assemblies at GDW.   During the shows, he shared anti-bullying messages while also providing some entertainment including juggling and even a unicycle ride around our gym.