Don't forget to support our WA PTO today and enjoy some delicious Buona Beef today. (Drive through and carry-out orders only). Mention WA PTO and our school will receive 20% of your order.
Today was our first day of hybrid Girls on the Run club. Students are in-person and "zooming" to learn about healthy habits with our coaches and then will be practicing their running at home.
Practicing our bus evacuation drills today. All students are watching a safety video and in-person students are practicing the sit and scoot exit.
Don't forget our principal coffee talk starts in just a few at 6pm. The link was in the newsletter and posted on our parent Canvas course. This is an informal session to ask questions and share comments.
Stopped into music today to do some remote dancing with Mrs. Pasqua and the first graders.
These 3rd - 5th did a wonderful job today back in the building.
A beautiful day for recess.
So happy to have the classrooms filled again.
All hands on deck this morning including Dr. Smith.
One of the best mornings in a while seeing these smiling faces again.
It was so great to welcome staff back today. PTO supplied great snacks, teachers collaborated about new students and we were busy finalizing room set ups.
WA students don't forget to vote for the first round of our March Music Madness! vote for our staff's favorite songs! Voting ends tk.orrow at 3:00!
Have you started reading yet? What are you waiting for?!
Join us in the March to May Million Pages Challenge. Read or listen to any book, track the number of pages and the number of books you read using this form (http://bit.ly/3rdoWWa) and we will monitor our progress to reach our million pages goal.
Parents of car riders and walkers don't forget to come to the building this week to pick up your child's car/walker tag. Today is 3pm - 5pm, Thursday is 4pm - 6pm or any day during regular hours.
The countdown for our transition is on and we are busy getting ready for in-person classrooms as well as remote learning. Here is a quick glimpse into one of our rooms.
What an awesome personalized experience from Urban Gateway about the roots of black dance today during PBIS. We learned dance moves with them and celebrated Black History Month.
Our CKH team is leading the afternoon PD as we work on our plans to transition both our in-person and remote students and rebuild our classroom communities.
The Black History Month Committee has received an overwhelming number of requests for shirts- so we are giving you all one more chance to place a t-shirt order for your WA Students. Please only fill this form out if you MISSED the initial deadline. New deadline is Monday, 2/15 @ noon! This will be the final call for this year's shirt!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefIJ0SUQpkDf7RZV1sioEnH9wZzKBd3-HmrRj47nkxBYtCUw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&gxids=7628
Next week is Kindness week. Don't forget to submit a smile to send to a WA staff member by tomorrow. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzmHdZEJHn9d3f7QuXi-s_btq8nA67iXFN6cXXaUFonCf9mg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Mrs. Pasqua shared about the Lunch and Listen club during tonight's BOE mtg.
Each year our third graders go see the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and this year we kept that alive with a virtual field trip to their live performance. Conductor Terrance Gray stopped and talked with the students and answered their questions throughout the performance.
Don't forget to order your Black History Month t-shirt for your student. Today, Wednesday, is the deadline. Thank you to our PTO for sponsoring these.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecQGzzAMkXjn9kmwMJ_r0AM8AKWuRiK_dAOksJAhdxznRkiA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Keep sending us your photos from Dr. Martin Luther, King Jr. Day of Service. We love celebrating our students and their efforts to give back! #d161learns #WesternWolves
Honored to have Mrs. Budz as a recipient of the #aboveandbeyond awards at tonight's BOE mtg. for her dedication to her students and staff.
Today we welcomed a small group of learners back to the building for remote learning.
We were happy to welcome back our paraprofessionals today to prepare for our small group of remote from school learners on Monday.
Connecting with our kids interests makes for engagement. Had a fun time playing music note Among Us with Mrs. Pasqua's fourth graders today and learned about the game too. We only captured one of our three imposters but still had fun.
Math kit pick up is today (Tuesday, Jan. 19th) after school from 3:15 pm - 5 pm. We are still prepping the materials so if you cannot come this evening you will be able to pick supply bundles up starting tomorrow during the day.
Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr. Make a difference today by giving back. Join us in our virtual day of service with our virtual food drive and letters for elders projects. Grades 4-8 join the Living the Dream discussion at 11. (See emailed flyer for details).
Tonight at 5pm is our Girls on the Run Informational Parent meeting. Please join Coach Budz on zoom to answer any questions you have. The zoom link is in the Parent Canvas course and was in this week's Western Weekly newsletter. Contact Mrs. Budz for any questions jbudz@sd161.org
School resumes on zoom tomorrow, Monday, January 4th. We can't wait to "see" our learners.
We wish all of our families a wonderful holiday break. Thank you for all of your support this first half of the year. We had a wonderful last day with our virtual sing-a-long hosted by Mrs. Pasqua. Rest, relax, stay safe and enjoy!
These third graders did a great job on their readers' theater today.
Tomorrow (Thursday 12/3) is our first spirit dress of the 12 days til the holidays countdown. Wear your favorite holiday shirt to class.
Tonight is our Virtual Family Reading Night from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Author talks by Jan Spivey Gilchrist and Joelle Charbonneau, card making and fun games. Zoom links to join were emailed to families last night (Wed). We hope to see you there.
In support of American Education Week today we want to thank our amazing PARENTS for all your support. For troubleshooting tech, tracking schedules, independent work and your countless support and patience. We couldn't get through this without you! Parents YOU Matter! #aew2020
Hello Parents,
It seems that WA Skylert is having technical difficulties, and did not send out an email blast pertaining to parent teacher conferences. However, the information is posted in Skyward under Family Access. Our tech department is working on correcting the issue.
Good morning WA wolves!
We have some exciting news to share. District 161 and Flossmoor Public Library will be hosting a Virtual Family Reading Night! It’ll take place on Thursday, November 19 from 5:30-6:30 pm. The access links will be shared closer to the event; stay tuned!
We enjoyed seeing our learner's in the costume parade today. The whole WA community are definitely super heroes!
We enjoyed seeing our learner's in the costume parade today. The whole WA community are definitely super heroes!
We enjoyed seeing our learner's in the costume parade today. The whole WA community are definitely super heroes!
We enjoyed seeing our learner's in the costume parade today. The whole WA community are definitely super heroes!
We are having a great time during our a PBIS Halloween sing-a-long. Dancing and singing away.
Western Avenue is ready for the scarecrow scavenger hunt. We can't wait to search for everyone's.
Happy Friday! Just a reminder we have Kdg. goody bag pick up today from 1-3. Come get your swag from the PTO!
Kindergarten parents come on by WA to pick up your goody bag from the PTO. They are here until 6pm.
Calling all Kindergarten Families. This Thrusday (4pm - 6pm) and this Friday (1pm - 3pm) our amazing PTO will be handing out Goody Bags for our kindergarten students. Drive up through the main entrance to pick yours up.
It was a fun treat having Mrs. Renko's mother be the mystery reader in 3rd grade today all the way from Guadadalajara, Jal., MX. She read the "Rainbow Machine". Activities such as this give us the positives during difficult times.
We can't wait to see our families for our first virtual PTO meeting of the year tonight at 6:30. If you need the zoom link RSVP to westernavepto@gmail.com.
Don't forget our curbside library book drop-off and pick up is tomorrow (Friday). Please drop off any books between 12-3. Also, if you reserved a library Ms. Kubas will have messaged you about pick up for tomorrow.
Shifting work spaces around to meet student needs better.
Reminder: Virtual open house tonight. Please use the zoom links provided via email or in the canvas parent course. If you have any trouble call the main office and dial x7403 or x7404.
What a great start to the new school year!
Happy First Day WA! It's going to be great! Mrs. Isabelli & Mrs. Renko
It was great seeing our learners today. Enjoy this little video of our reverse parade today.
https://www.wevideo.com/view/1799566338
Welcome Back Reverse Spirit Parade!
Thursday, August 20th 11:45am - 12:15pm
See emailed flyer for details.
WA Families: We will be having device/material pick up this Thursday, August 20th from 8:30 - 11:30 and 12:30 - 2:30. Please enter the parking lot located off Western Ave (4th/5th grade side) and drive up to door C. A staff member will take your student's name and bring out their items.
If you are unable to print the symptom certification form for hybrid attendance this week we have placed some in our little lending library in front of the school for you. All students must have this form completed daily to attend school.
WA Families -
This is just a reminder that you will be able to pick-up your REMOTE child’s device and reading/math workbooks either this Thursday from 12:30 pm – 3:15 or this Friday from 8 am – 11:30 am at Door C (Western Avenue entrance – 4th/5th grade side). No appointment is necessary.
If REMOTE students still have their Chromebooks from the spring you may still come to pick up reading and math workbooks. We are also taking back any library books or textbooks from last school year. Â
HYBRID students will receive their Chromebooks and other materials in person on the first day of attendance.
Our staff is back for institute and practicing our breakout rooms for small group instruction with our welcome back activity!
WA families should have received an email from Mrs. Isabelli yesterday in regards to class assignments. If you do not have a Skyward log-in or did not receive the email please email Mrs. Isabelli and the office staff will be in touch on Monday. We appreciate your patience.
Don't miss out on our live viewing of selections from the 4th/5th grade WA musical of Aladdin. To view make sure you are on a non-school issued device and use the private zoom link sent via email yesterday. We hope to see you there.
Happy last day of school WA wolves. We have missed you all so much and wish we were in person saying goodbye. Take time to unplug and enjoy the summer. To our 5th graders - good luck at Parker we know you will shine bright. Stay safe and take care everyone.
Don't forget tomorrow is yearbook distribution and the last day to pick-up any student belongings. Drive through the front bus run from 10am - 11:30am.
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 21st, is our next student material pick up day. Please have your sign in your windown and kindly stay in your vehicles. Contact Mrs. Isabelli if you have any questions. We are excited to see everyone!
The cast of Aladdin has musical t-shirt, program and prop pick up tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20th from 12 - 2pm in the front of the building.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19th, is our next student material pick up day. Please have your sign in your windown and kindly stay in your vehicles. Contact Mrs. Isabelli if you have any questions. We are excited to see everyone!
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 14th, is our next student material pick up day. Please have your sign in your windown and kindly stay in your vehicles. Contact Mrs. Isabelli if you have any questions. We are excited to see everyone!
Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 12th, is our first student material pick up day. Please have your sign in your window and kindly stay in your vehicles. We are excited to see everyone!
It's 3rd grade story time today at 11am. To join make sure your student is logged into their own Google account. Go to meet.google.com & enter meeting code 3snacktime423. See you there.
Happy Administrative Professionals' day to Ms. Tolonaa and Ms. Ortiz! These ladies are beyond AMAZING! Send them an email today to thank them for all they do!
WA parents device pick-up is tomorrow at WA from 10am until noon. If you need a device please utilize this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXkv74ljcCKZCaI0kLcRiBbxaJxYV2Ctwte7Lwm1fgUHqulg/viewform When you arrive at WA call the main office 708-647-7400 and the tech. dept. will bring the device out to you. There will be no building entrance or pick up of other belongings at this time.
From the D161 and D153 music teachers to our students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt0ETzq8v_c&feature=youtu.be
It was great getting to jump on with these 3rd graders today and see and hear them in their Google Meet with Ms. Russell today.
Happy Thursday WA wolves! We hope this video our staff made for you brings a smile to your face today. You can view at WeVideo @ https://www.wevideo.com/view/1634317281 or YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6jm3vX2B-c. Enjoy!
It's what are you reading Wednesday? Here is a link to hear Mrs. Isabelli read Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems. Thank you to Mo Willems for permission. WeVideo @ https://www.wevideo.com/view/1633703561 or on YouTube @ https://youtu.be/_1-Z_rGqGsE
Our District eLearning theme days begin tomorrow (3/30). Have a little fun with your learning at home and post to social media (#D161eLearning) or your school's padlet. Can't wait to see you all virtually. Take care WA Families and stay healthy!
Hi Families, We will be officially closing up Western Avenue as of 1pm today (3/16). Please reach out via email or to your teacher in Canvas/email if you need anything. We will keep you updated with school reopening. Take care everyone and stay healthy!
Thanks Mr. Hood for planning a super fun Kids Heart Challenge today. We had so much fun jumping and dancing to great music.
It's time to jump for healthy hearts tomorrow in PE. All 2nd - 5th graders must have their permissions slips turned in to Mr. Hood tomorrow to participate.
So proud of our WA #aboveandbeyond recipients. Way to go Mrs. Pasqua and our bus driver Ms. Williams.
The school has turned into a JUNGLE of reading tonight. Animal safaris, escape games and more.
Literacy Night and Book Fair!
Spending some time this morning building a city with the first graders.
We were so excited to meet our new kindergartners tonight. Class of 2033!
Open PTO meeting tonight at Western Avenue in the library at 6:30 tonight. Updates from PTO, Dr. Smith and Mrs. Isabelli.
Woohoo!!! We met our plastic bag goal! Way to go Green Team.
We are only 5,000 bags away from our goal. Our Green Team parents weighed and delivered bags today to TREX. Keep the recycling coming WA! Our drive ends this Friday.
Just a reminder that tomorrow is an early dismissal at 11:15. Also, if your student is passing out valentines and including candy, the candy must be from the safe snack list.
Excited to honor our 5th grade bus helpers tonight at the Board of Education meeting. They do a wonderful job helping our K/1 friends at dismissal everyday.
Student Council had a great first day of Candy Gram selling. Tomorrow is the last day to purchase one. Students will still pass out regular Valentine's to all students in their class on Valentine's Day, this is just a fun little extra.
Don't forget to clear your calendar for tomorrow night and join us for STEAM night. 5:30-7
Congratulations to our own Ms. Tolonaa and Mrs. Panozzo for their #aboveandbeyond recognition at the BOE MTG tonight.
Today we kicked off the Great Kindness Challenge with our student led assembly as we teamed up for kindness. Tomorrow it's hats off to Kindness spirit dress. Remember Be the I in KIND! #kindnessmatters
Snow Clothes for Recess
Dismissal Pick-up Tags went home today. New procedures begin MONDAY, JANUARY 27th. Please contact the office with any questions.
Amazing job WA community on our shoe drive today for MLK day of service. Thanks for giving back and recycling.
Thank you for all the shoe donations for the Nike Reuse-a-shoe program. A special thanks to our HF NHS volunteers.
Bring on the Bee. We are ready for the District Spelling Bee. Go Ellie and Max!
It was wonderful to have Western alumn Kate N. stop by today to play violin for our 4th/5th graders today. She will be playing a free concert on January 19th at Flossmoor Community Church to support PADS.
We can't wait to see all of our learners back at school tomorrow!!!
Our choir spent the morning spreading holiday cheer around the community.
We had a great first pineapple day with our staff members visiting each others' classrooms today. Thank you to all who opened your rooms.
We had a great first pineapple day with our staff members visiting each others' classrooms today. Thank you to all who opened your rooms.
Congratulations to all of our spelling bee participants! Congratulations to our WA winners Ellie and Max. Everyone did a great job and worked so hard.
It's time to watch our super spellers compete in the WA spelling bee.
So proud of Mrs. Montijo receiving the #aboveandbeyond award for the amazing job she does everyday for her students and parents. Way to go!
First and fourth grade buddies working on their writing activities together. #collaboration #sip
The Halls of Western are ready for the holidays thanks to our PBIS Deck the Halls.
We had our first Student Advisory Council meeting today where 2nd to 5th grade brainstormed some upcoming holiday activities. Be on the lookout in December for what they have in store.
Tomorrow is our Veteran's Day Assembly. Please wear red, white, and blue to school if possible.
Congratulations to our Oct/Nov Principal Breakfast recipients. These students were nominated by their teachers for consistently being Respectful, Responsible and Safe. Way to Go!!!
Getting ready for our Veteran's Day assembly by lining our walkway with flags. To date we have raised $170 for Honor Flight.
Green Team worked today preparing for our annual pumpkin giveaway.
5th grade parents we are heading home. ETA 2:31
Loading the buses. Good-bye Camp Timber-lee.
It was a great last night campfire with s'mores and songs.
This group showed excellent listening skills and patience with leather making.
A little courage from this group and they were able to zipline.
A fun first day of activities. Kids are onto their last two evening activities for day one.
The rain has cleared and we r getting in some rock climbing.
The rain has cleared and we r getting in some rock climbing.
We are ready to head up to Outdoor Ed in Wisconsin with our 5th graders.
It's parent visiting day tomorrow so dress your best for our last spirit day.
Tomorrow it is time to be comfy and wear you PJs to school for a little midweek rest.
It's time to team up for learning tomorrow. Wear your favorite sports team attire.
Don't forget to channel your super power for a great week of learning tomorrow. Super hero spirit attire dress for Monday 9/30.
Working with new subtraction strategies in 3rd grade and sharing our thinking with partners.
We are having a great time at our Back to School picnic. Thank you WA PTO!
What a great first PBIS celebration with the foam party. We are proud of our students for being respectful, responsible and safe.
We have our first goal board students today up on the school wide goal board. Way to set goals and crush them!
We have our first goal board students today up on the school wide goal board. Way to set goals and crush them!
First grade friends wrote their social contract today. Then they all signed off to agree to it. #capturingkidshearts
We are so excited for our first day of learning in the new STEAM lab. Students are working together to plan their tower structures.
What a fun first day our students had at Western Avenue! We can't wait to see everyone back tomorrow.
Welcoming in our new kinders and EC friends tonight. Don't forget to chalk your walks too!
What an amazing kick-off institute this morning. From the warm welcome back, D161 game and then the phenomal presentation by Mr. Dwayne Reed we are ready to welcome students back tomorrow.
Chalk the Walk & Kdg./EC Open House is TONIGHT! Come on out at 3pm to write encouraging back to school messages for our first day. From 6pm - 7:30pm Kdg. & EC families come and meet your teacher, drop supplies, tour the school and lessen that first day anxiety.
Thanks so much WA Green Team for the Green Team Swag! I can't wait to learn right along with you and watch our garden flourish.
What a great way to celebrate the end of the year! Western Avenue field day!
