GDW Students Recognized At Board of Education Meeting

I would like to recognize the following GDW students for being selected as pledge leaders for the District 300 Board of Education Meeting held on Tuesday, January 12:

• Evan Branca
• Anabelle Cassidy
• Lianne Bucana
• John Belshan
• Holden Austin
• Kate English
• Huzaifa Ghafoor
• Joe Driscoll

The above named students were selected as pledge leaders and recognized at the Board of Education Meeting for demonstrating significant growth (up to 300%) from the Fall to Winter 2015 i-Ready benchmarking in both reading and math.  In addition, they have each successfully completed up to 90 i-Ready lessons so far this year!  These wildcats have demonstrated that through hard work and perseverance, we can (and will) accomplish great things!  

GDW Student Participates in D300 Men's Vocal Festival

The Illinois Arts Council provided District 300 with a large grant for the purpose of providing a festival to celebrate the male voice.  As a result, District 300's first-ever Men's Vocal Festival was held.  Congratulations to GDW Fourth Grader, Ben Bennick, for participating in the D300 Men's Vocal Festival, which took place on January 9 at Jacobs High School.  Ben joined seventy-eight other District 300 students in grades 4 through 8, where they rehearsed and performed with The University of Illinois Men's Glee Club (my alma mater).  Way to go, Ben!

Managing Your Child's Health Issues at School

If a student has a health issue, it is absolutely essential that families and schools work together as a team.  Each month, the National Association of Elementary School Principals publishes its Report to Parents.  This month's Report to Parents, "Managing Your Child's Health Issues at School", offers families important strategies to advocate for their child's health.

Happy Holidays

On behalf of the Gary D. Wright Elementary School Staff, I would like to wish all of our Wildcat Families a safe, warm, and relaxing Winter Break!  Happy Holidays!

Holiday Hoopla

Thank you to the GDW PTO and Staff for organizing our first-ever Holiday Hoopla!  Throughout the evening, over 800 members of our Wildcat Learning Community enjoyed shopping at the Holiday Store, visiting Santa, listening to the GDW Choir perform, and engaging in a variety of holiday activities!  We hope everyone had a fun-filled time kicking off the holidays with family and friends!

Culver's Night

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the GDW PTO for organizing this evening's Culver's Night. Also, thanks to our Fourth and Fifth Grade Volunteers (and their parents) for working shifts throughout the evening, the Wildcat Learning Community for coming out to support this event, and the Huntley Culver's for providing us with this opportunity.  Whether you volunteered, dined-in, carried-out, or drove through, we appreciate your involvement and support!  I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did!  Culver's will be donating 20% of the evening's sales to the GDW PTO, which equates to $1,142.94!

Setting Goals

The middle of the school year is a great time for families to check in with students on goals. Setting academic and personal goals helps motivate, energize, and focus students, and it is a valuable skill that will benefit learners throughout their lives.  Each month, the National Association of Elementary School Principals publishes its Report to Parents.  This month's issue of Report to Parents, "Setting Goals", will assist families in helping students set and achieve goals.