Eagletter Page 1

JANUARY 2018 Amanda Geary, Superintendent

Be Prepared for Changing Weather

We all know that living in central Illinois the weather can change quickly. It is for this reason that parents, guardians, and babysitters pay close attention to weather forecasts, especially as we embark on the winter months. As the superintendent of schools it is important for me to plan with area superintendents and road commissioners so as to allow for decisions to be made regarding the need to let out of school or to cancel school altogether.

As we head into the winter months, it is important for parents to discuss with their children the procedures to be used when school is to be let out early because of inclement weather. As parents, you need to be aware if the weather looks as if it could get bad. The school district will attempt to allow 2 hours prior to “What good is the warmth letting students out in the case of bad weather. Parents need to tune their radios to of summer without the cold WHOW (1520 -AM) WHOW (95.9 –FM) Clinton, WDWS (1400 – AM), WJBC of winter to give it sweetness ” (1230 -AM) Bloomington, WSOY (1340 – AM), WSOY (103 -FM) Decatur.

-John Steinbeck Parents can also tune to WAND, Decatur or WCIA, Champaign. The school district will call all parents whose name we have in our School Messenger System, when dismissing early or cancelling school due to inclement weather. It is imperative that you have given the school your most recent phone number(s) if you would like to receive a phone call.

If school is going to be cancelled because of weather, the decision will be made by 6:45am on the morning in question. The School Messenger system will be utilized in addition to the radio and television. The absence of an Dates to Remember announcement means that school is in session. Jan 1 -5 - No School Jan 10 - 2:18 dismissal The safety of our students in getting to and from school is the factor that will Jan 15 - No School determine if we will be in attendance or getting out early. The district needs parental assistance, especially on days when school is being let out early. Make sure your child knows what to do if we are getting out of school early. Planning is the key to keeping our students safe. It is also imperative that your child have the proper clothing to keep warm while riding district transportation during the winter months.

Happy New Year!!

Check it out!

Mrs. Geary www.dwschools.org Page 2 Eagletter The Principal’s Page

With a new year and a new semester under way, I think it is important for each of us to find two or three things that we would like to do better in 2018. The goal of constant improvement allows small steps to turn into huge strides. What each individual chooses to improve is up to him or her. However, there are some school -wide resolution ideas that I would like to throw out for the second semester.

Find a Replacement Habit One way to break a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. What can you choose to add to your life that will take the place of eliminating a bad habit? For example, replace sugary soda with flavored water; instead of criticizing others, go out of your way to give compliments; or finish your To -do List before relaxing in front of the television.

Have Empathy The ability to understand and share the feelings of others can be quite difficult. It is easy, and understandable, to get wrapped up in all the details of one’s own life and only focus on how you feel or what you want. However, we live and work with other people around us, and can benefit from taking their experiences into consideration. One never knows what another person is going through on a given day. That person who cut you off in traffic? They may not have it out for you after all. Perhaps, they are rushing to the hospital to see a loved one. The classmate who was rude in 5 th hour? Maybe they just failed a test in the previous hour and know they are going to be grounded when they get home. The more we try to look at life through other people’s perspectives and take them into consideration, the better off our community will be!

Celebrate Your Successes Just as most people dwell on their mistakes, take the time to acknowledge your accomplishments. Even celebrating your little milestones along the way will keep you motivated and focused on your larger goals.

Take this new year as an opportunity for self -improvement!

Sincerely

Matt Goldman Middle School & High School Principal [email protected] 217.664.3314 Eagletter Page 3 The Board Minute

Board Briefs

The Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, the following items were discussed and/or acted upon.

Kaleb Thomas was recognized for being named Student of the Quarter at Heartland Tech Academy.

The board approved the monthly financials and the minutes of the November 21, 2017 regular board meeting.

The board approved the 2017 tax levy as presented. The levy is used to generate tax dollars to be collected in July/September of 2018 to operate the school district.

The Board set May 16 th as the Jr. High Graduation date and May 12 th as the High School Graduation date.

The Board set a date of January 27 th for our District Goal Setting and Planning Workshop.

Principal and AD reports were reviewed as presented. The board had no questions.

7th and 8th grade classes bring smiles and happiness - Page 4 Eagletter

Healthy and Positive Coping Strategies One of the topics I focused on with the elementary students in December was Healthy and Positive Coping Strategies. We talked about things we can do when we are in times of stress, such as anxiety, anger, feeling upset, or just having a crummy day. The essential piece of my lesson with the students is that there are many coping skills available to us and that different ones work for different people; what works for one person may not work for someone else. We all have to work hard to find what is most helpful for us as individuals. We also spent some time discerning between healthy and unhealthy coping skills. For example, some people may find that watching TV or playing video games may be calming, but when we do those activities for long periods of time, it may cross the line into being an unhealthy activity. Another example is eating – eating can be comforting to people, but overeating is when it becomes unhealthy. Instead, we want to focus on calming activities with movement in order to remain healthy, such as walking, exercise, or outdoor activities. See below for a recommended list of positive and healthy coping skills. We talked about several that are on the list.

I would like to wish everyone in our DW family a healthy and happy 2018! The new year is always a time to reflect on the previous year and set goals and resolutions for the upcoming months. I hope your 2018 is prosperous and brings you whatever it is you are hoping for! Eagletter Page 5

P.I.E. (Parents Interested in Education)

A B IG THANK YOU to everyone that brought in Box The 25th annual Tops and shopped for Christmas presents!! Christmas Luncheon PIE always strives for every child to be able to was held on Friday, shop for mom and dad. We hope that they truly December 18. Senior enjoyed their own shopping experience. We would Citizens enjoyed a like to also thank our volunteers that came out to turkey dinner with all help kiddos shop, wrap gifts, & clean up. Without the fixin’ s. the community support these activities wouldn’ t Entertainment for the be possible. We hope that everyone has a afternoon included cheerleaders, a 3rd grade Readers’ s wonderful holiday season. Theatre, and Christmas carols performed by elementary -Shannon Summers, PIE students and band & chorus students.

Snapshots from the Middle School/ High School Music Program Page 6 Eagletter

Thank you so much to everyone who supported the annual DeLand Weldon Scholastic Book Fair! There will be lots of new books on the shelves in the school library as well as the Weldon Public Library because of your support.

The week before the Book Fair grades Pre K-8th participated in a Coin War Challenge . The class that raised the most money won a Casey’s Pizza Party and got to silly string Mr. Goldman. The grand total raised during the week by all grades was $307.21! Congratulations to Ms. Collin’s 3rd grade class for winning the class title! -Mrs. Harper, Librarian

TTTHANK YOU to everyone who helped out at the BookFair!

∗ Thank you to the cafeteria staff for providing Breakfast with someone “Grand”. ∗ Thank you Miss Ecker for sharing your program events with the BookFair. The following sponsors made it possible for ∗ Thanks to the junior high kids for helping students Pre-K through 8 th grade to receive a move things over to the high school for the book of their own: Program Wednesday evening. Trenchard Farms, Inc ∗ Thank you Dana for reading Bingo each day. ADM – Weldon ∗ Thank you to Mr. Goldman for allowing the DeLand Co-op Grain winning class of the Change Wars to silly First Mid-Illinois Bank string you from head to toe! Weldon Fertilizer ∗ Thank you to all the teachers for arranging Dean Baker Trucking your busy schedules to include the BookFair. DeLand Fire Protection ∗ Thank you Mrs. Harper for all your help and Weldon Volunteer Fire Department the use of the Library! Calvert’s ∗ Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, families & friends for your Thank you! Your support is greatly appreciated! continued support of the BookFair! -Lori Weaver, Weldon Public Library District Eagletter Page 7

This year, I decided to try STEM (Science, Technology Engineering & Math) Bins in the second grade classroom. STEM Bins are a creative and developmentally appropriate form of engineering for elementary students. They are bins that have different objects and manipulatives in them for the students to use to create and build. For elementary students, meaningful work should be hands-on, engaging, and open ended. Why?! Because children have a natural drive to play, explore, and engineer whenever possible. Check out some of our creations we’ve made recently!

- Mrs. Goldman, 2nd Grade

Students in grades 3-8 were able to go to the Clintonia Theatre in Clinton on Monday, December 18 to see the movie Wonder. The film, based on R.J. Palacio's 2012 novel, chronicles the struggles of a young boy, Auggie, with the rare disease, known in medical terminology as mandibulofacial dysostosis, that causes abnormalities of the head and face. "Choosing kindness" instead of bullying could be considered the tagline of the film.

Student costs were offset by the generous donations from the following people & groups: Dean & Kathy Bush DeLand Masonic Lodge #812 Lori Hintz #ChooseKind John & Marcia Baker Weldon Martha Circle Mary Etta Roos Mike & Jill Madden Weldon UMC Outreach Rob & Shannon Summers Gary & Cherene White Page 8 Eagletter PrePre----KK News

We had fourteen parents and grandparents attend the annual Pre-k Make It - Take It .

Students and adults worked together to make graham cracker houses, snowman ornaments, and Santa ornaments. In addition to the crafts, they had an opportunity to measure themselves and other items with candy canes. One child determined she was 7 candy canes tall! Santa made a hit at the snack table. Children used their eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills to create a delicious snack out of bananas and strawberries. Children also lead their guests in clapping out words to items they found in Santa's bag. Finally, children entertained parents and grandparents with their versions of the Gingerbread Man flannel board story.

We would like to thank our parent coordinator, Mrs. Reeder, for all her hard work coordinating this event.

On behalf of the DeLand-Weldon CUSD #57 Board of Education, I am pleased to invite you to participate in an upcoming District Goal Setting and Planning Workshop designed to help the Board of Education identify district wide goals regarding what the district should accomplish as we look forward to the future.

The board is committed to including community representatives to help guide our school district’s planning activities. Because of your recognized commitment to our community, the board values your participation in this project.

Please plan to attend this event, which has been scheduled for Saturday, January 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. It will be designed to provide participants with an opportunity for discussion in an informal, relaxed setting. Please be prepared to share your thoughts with other participants and to participate in large and small group discussion on: • Values and beliefs about education in our community • The district’s mission • The district’s vision for the future • Key areas for district goals

The board of education’s objective for this workshop will be to engage in a goal setting session that includes representation from all stakeholders in the district, including the board, administration, faculty, staff and community members. It is the board’s hope that this work will be used to establish the district’s prioritized goals, which will be shared with the faculty and staff for use in planning and decision-making activities during the year. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Geary with any questions you may have.

We look forward to working with you on this important project. We ask that you complete and return the brief response form below to let us know whether we can expect your participation. Shortly before the date of the discussion, we will call to confirm your intent to participate.

Working together we can strengthen our efforts to continuously improve our school(s). On behalf of the students of our community, we appreciate your contribution to this effort.

Jamie Dunn, President, DeLand-Weldon Board of Education

cc: Mrs. Geary, Superintendent

Please check one: € I will participate in the discussion. € I can’t attend, but will send my designee as a full participant:______(Name and Telephone Number) € I will be unable to participate in the discussion. € At this time, I cannot commit to attend. I will let you know when you call to confirm.

______Name (please print) Daytime Telephone #

PLEASE RETURN THIS INFORMATION BY JANUARY 19, 2018 TO: Amanda Geary at 304 E Illinois Route 10, DeLand, IL 61839 or call 217-736-2311 or fax this form to 217-736-2654.

1 2 3 4 5

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL SCHOOL WORKSHOP DAY IMPROVEMENT DAY

8 Bagel w/ 9 Mini Maple Waffles 10 Apple Frudel 11 12 French Toast Cream Cheese Pancake on a Stick Breakfast Bar

1) Salisbury Steak & Gravy w/ BS 1) Country Popcorn Chicken Bowl 1) BBQ Rib* on a Bun 1) Pepperoni Pizza* Deland-Weldon 2) Breaded Chicken Patty 2) Hot Dog on a Bun 2) Beef Fiestada 1) Cheesy Baked Penne (V) 2) Chicken Tenders w/BS 3) Ham** & Cheese Sub 3) Bagel, CC & Cheese Plate (V) 3) Popcorn Chicken** Salad 2) Chicken Nuggets w/BS 3) Turkey & Cheese Wrap w/BS 3) Sun Butter & Jelly (V) Elementary Menu Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables January 2018 Seasoned Baby Peas, Fresh Steamed Carrots, Cherry Tater Tots, Fresh Broccoli, Fruits & Vegetables Golden Kernel Corn, Side Baby Carrots, Fresh Red Apple, Tomatoes, Fresh Orange Fresh Green Apple, Diced Baked Beans, Fresh Cucumber Salad, Variety Fresh Fruit, 100% Fruit Punch Wedges, Applesauce Cups Peaches Slices, Fresh Banana, Pineapple Cup 100% Apple Juice BREAKFAST 15 16 Apple Cinnamon 17 Triple Berry 18 Mini Cinnamon 19 Chicken Biscuit WG Cereal, Breakfast Bars, Muffin w/String Cheese French Toast Bagels

Muffins, Cinnamon toast, String 1) Tater Tot Chicken Nachos w/ Scps 1) Corn Dog on a Stick 1) General Tso Chicken w/Rice 1) Pepperoni Pizza* Cheese, Fresh Fruit and 100% 2) Hot Dog on a Bun 2) Breaded Chicken Patty 2) Chicken Nuggets w/BS 2) Cheese Pizza (V) NO SCHOOL 3) Ham & Cheese Wrap 3) Italian** Salad w/BS 3) Turkey** & Cheese Sub 3) Sun Butter & Jelly (V) Fruit Juice offered daily!

BREAKFAST & LUNCH Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Golden Kernel Corn, Fresh French Fries, Fresh Red Pepper Steamed Carrots, Fresh Celery Baked Beans, Side Salad, Broccoli, Fresh Orange Strips, Fresh Green Apple, Diced Sticks, Fresh Banana, Variety Fresh Fruit, Fat Free Chocolate Milk & 1% Wedges, Applesauce Cups Pears 100% Apple Juice Mixed Fruit Cup

White Milk

January Birthdays Blueberry Bash 22 23 Egg, Sausage & 24 25 26 Mini Cinni’s Celebration Bagel w/ Mini Waffles Cheese Slider Mini Maple Pancakes Cream Cheese More info… 1) Chicken Penne w/ Alfredo 1) Chili Mac 1) Cheese Pizza (V) January 22nd-Celebrate January Birthdays 1) Country Fried Steak w/BS 1) Chicken Tenders w/BS 2) Chicken Nuggets w/BS 2) Breaded Chicken Patty 2) Hot Dog on a Bun with a Whole Grain Rice Krispy Treat! 2) Popcorn Chicken w/BS 2) BBQ Rib* on a Bun 3) Pretzel, Yogurt & Cheese Plate (V) 3) Bagel, CC & Cheese Plate (V) 3) Turkey & Cheese Sandwich 3) Ham**Chef Salad w/BS 3) Peanut Butter & Jelly (V)

*= Pork Product Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Seasoned Baby Peas, Fresh Brussels Sprouts, Fresh Steamed Spinach, Side Salad, **= Chicken Product Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Baby Baked Beans, Fresh Red Pepper Cherry Tomatoes, Fresh Orange Cauliflower, Fresh Banana, Variety Fresh Fruit, Carrots, Fresh Red Apple, 100% Strips, Fresh Green Apple, Diced BS=Bread Slice Wedges, Applesauce Cups 100% Apple Juice Pineapple Cup Fruit Punch Peaches

V=Vegetarian 29 Oatmeal Chocolate 30 Pancake on a Stick 31 Chicken Biscuit Breakfast Bar Breakfast Prices $0.00 Free 1) Pancakes w/Sausage 1) Sloppy Joe Melt 1) Meatball Sub on a Sub $0.30 Reduced 2) Breaded Chicken Patty 2) Cheese Quesadilla (V) 2) Corn Dog on a Stick $1.50 Paid (All Grades) 3) Sun Butter & Jelly (V) 3) Popcorn Chicken** Salad 3) Ham** & Cheese Sandwich w/BS Lunch Prices $0.00 Free Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables $0.40 Reduced Tater Tots, Fresh Baby Carrots, Green Beans, Fresh Broccoli, Steamed Carrots, Fresh Red $2.75 Paid (K-5) Fresh Red Apple, 100% Fruit Fresh Orange Wedges, Pepper Strips, Fresh Green $2.95 Paid (6-12) Punch Applesauce Cups Apple, Apricot Halves

1 2 3 4 5

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL WORKSHOP DAY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT DAY

8 Bagel w/ 9 Mini Maple Waffles 10 Apple Frudel 11 Pancake on a Stick 12 French Toast Cream Cheese Breakfast Bar 1) Country Popcorn Chicken Bowl 1) BBQ Rib* on a Bun 1) Cheesy Baked Penne (V) 1) Salisbury Steak & Gravy w/ BS 2) Hot Dog on a Bun 2) Beef Fiestada 2) Chicken Nuggets w/BS 1) Fish & Cheese Melt Deland-Weldon MS 2) Breaded Chicken Patty 3) Bagel, CC & Cheese Plate (V) 3) Popcorn Chicken** 3) Sun Butter & Jelly (V) 2) Chicken Tenders w/BS 3) Ham & Cheese Sub 4) Taco Pizza Salad w/BS 4) Meat Lovers Pizza 3) Turkey** & Cheese Wrap 4) Pepperoni Pizza** 4) Sausage Pizza* 4) Cheese Pizza (V) & HS Menu Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Steamed Carrots, Cherry Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables January 2018 Seasoned Baby Peas, Fresh Tomatoes, Fresh Orange Tater Tots, Fresh Broccoli, Baked Beans, Fresh Cucumber Golden Kernel Corn, Side Baby Carrots, Fresh Red Apple, Wedges, Applesauce Cups Fresh Green Apple, Diced Slices, Fresh Banana, Salad, Variety Fresh Fruit, Peaches 100% Apple Juice Pineapple Cup BREAKFAST 15 16 Apple Cinnamon 17 Triple Berry 18 Mini Cinnamon 19 Chicken Biscuit WG Cereal, Breakfast Bars, Muffin w/String Cheese French Toast Bagel 1) BBQ Chicken Flatbread Muffins, Cinnamon toast, String 1) Tater Tot Chicken Nachos w/ Scps 1) Corn Dog on a Stick 1) General Tso Chicken w/Rice 2) Grilled Cheese (V) Cheese, Fresh Fruit and 100% 2) Hot Dog on a Bun 2) Breaded Chicken Patty 2) Chicken Nuggets w/BS 3) Turkey** & Cheese Sub NO SCHOOL 3) Ham** & Cheese Wrap 3) Italian** Salad w/BS 3) Sun Butter & Jelly (V) 4) Cheese Pizza (V) Fruit Juice offered daily! 4) Taco Pizza 4) Sausage Pizza* 4) Meat Lovers Pizza Fruits & Vegetables BREAKFAST & LUNCH Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Baked Beans, Side Salad, Golden Kernel Corn, Fresh French Fries, Fresh Red Pepper Steamed Carrots, Fresh Celery Variety Fresh Fruit, Broccoli, Fresh Orange Strips, Fresh Green Apple, Diced Sticks, Fresh Banana, Mixed Fruit Cup Fat Free Chocolate Milk & 1% Wedges, Applesauce Cups Pears 100% Apple Juice White Milk

January Birthdays 22 24 Bagel w/ 25 26 Warm Cinni’s Celebration 23 Egg, Sausage & Blueberry Bash OFFERED DAILY AT LUNCH Cream Cheese Mini Maple Pancakes Cheese Slider Mini Waffles 1) Cheeseburger

1) Chicken Tenders w/BS 2) Hot Dog on a Bun French Fries 1) Country Fried Steak w/BS 1) Chili Mac 1) Chicken Penne w/ Alfredo 2) BBQ Rib* on a Bun 3) Turkey & Cheese Sandwich 2) Popcorn Chicken w/BS 2) Breaded Chicken Patty 2) Chicken Nuggets w/BS 3) Sun Butter & Jelly (V) 4) Cheese Pizza (V) 3) Ham Chef Salad w/BS (V) 3) Bagel, CC & Cheese Plate (V) 3) Pretzel, Yogurt & Cheese Plate (V) Dinner Roll & Butter 4) Sausage Pizza* 4) Pepperoni Pizza** 4) TacoPizza 4) Meat Lovers Pizza Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Steamed Spinach, Side Salad, January 22nd-Celebrate January Birthdays Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Seasoned Baby Peas, Fresh Baked Beans, Fresh Red Pepper Variety Fresh Fruit, Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Baby Brussels Sprouts, Fresh with a Whole Grain Rice Krispy Treat! Cherry Tomatoes, Fresh Orange Strips, Fresh Green Apple, Diced Pineapple Cup Carrots, Fresh Red Apple, 100% Cauliflower, Fresh Banana, Peaches Fruit Punch Wedges, Applesauce Cups 100% Apple Juice

*= Pork Product Pancake on a Stick **= Chicken Product 29 Oatmeal Chocolate 30 31 Chicken Biscuit Breakfast Prices Breakfast Bar BS=Bread Slice $0.00 Free 1) Sloppy Joe Melt $0.30 Reduced 2) Breaded Chicken Patty V=Vegetarian 1) Pancakes w/Sausage 1) Meatball Sub on a Sub $1.50 Paid (All Grades) 2) Corn Dog on a Stick 3) Popcorn Chicken** Salad 2) Cheese Quesadilla (V) Lunch Prices 3) Sun Butter & Jelly (V) w/BS 3) Ham** & Cheese Sandwich 4) Pepperoni Pizza** 4) Taco Pizza 4) Sausage Pizza* $0.00 Free $0.40 Reduced Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables Fruits & Vegetables $2.75 Paid (K-5) Tater Tots, Fresh Baby Carrots, Green Beans, Fresh Broccoli, Steamed Carrots, Fresh Red $2.95 Paid (6-12) Fresh Red Apple, 100% Fruit Fresh Orange Wedges, Pepper Strips, Fresh Green Punch Applesauce Cups Apple, Apricot Halves

January 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL MSVB LSA tournament, TBA

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 MSVB 4:00 HSBB 6:00 2:18 Dismissal MSVB 5:30 HSBB 5:30 at John’s Hill vs Uni High vs Next Gen at Lowpoint-Wash MSBB 5:30 MSBB 5:30 vs Blue Ridge at Next Gen 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 NO SCHOOL HSBB 6:00 MSVB 5:30 HSBB 6:00 MSVB 8 th grade MSVB 6:00 at First Baptist, at Hope Academy at Cornerstone Zion Tournament at Cornerstone varsity only MSBB 5:30 MSBB 7 th grade vs Uni High regionals begin 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 MSVB 5:30 HSBB 6:00 MSVB 6:00 HSBB 6:00 vs St. Thomas at Decatur at Calvary vs Judah Christian 28 29 30 31 HSBB 6:00 MSVB 5:30 at Calvary vs Bement

DeLand-Weldon C.U.S.D. #57 304 East Illinois Route 10 DeLand, Illinois 61839 www.dwschools.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED