THE WARHAWK TIMES

ISSUE: 1

September 11, 2007

WEBMASTER'S NOTE: Any reference to "sign-up forms" stated anywhere in the Backwood's News refers to forms located in the printed copy of this newsletter and not to the electronic copy you are now reading. Forms found in the hard printed copy can be filled out and sent to Northwood or you can volunteer by calling the office at 338-4900 or sending an email to this website. It will be forwarded to the appropriate person. When sending an email, please state "volunteer" in the subject line. You may email by clicking HERE.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL.....

Approximately twice a month I will be publishing the Warhawk Times, a school newsletter that will keep parents up to date and informed about upcoming events, activities, special dates and important information that they need to know about Northwood. Quite often I also include tips, ideas, or pieces of information for parents to help them in dealing with the challenges that sometimes arise when raising Middle School Students.

This newsletter is not intended to be inclusive of all information parents should be aware of regarding Northwood Middle School, but will be a good glimpse of Northwood accomplishments and what is coming in the weeks ahead. Parents are encouraged to regularly check their students grades online, contact their child's teachers whenever they have a concern, and most importantly visit out school website, which is loaded with current and up to date information regarding school policies and procedures, upcoming events and extracurricular activities and games.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents that our number one priority at Northwood Middle School besides providing the best education possible for our students is that of safety and security for all students and staff. Therefore, in reviewing past procedures we determined that there were several areas that needed to be adjusted on order to provide a Safer and more secure learning environment. As a result we have implemented the following changes.

1. Students are not allowed into the building until 8 am. Once they enter the building they must report to the cafeteria until 8:20 am when they will be dismissed to their lockers and homeroom. We encourage that any student not participating in the breakfast program to not arrive at school until 8:20 am and then they can go directly to their lockers. Those coming for breakfast can report to the cafeteria after the doors are open at 8 am.

2. One the office is closed at 4 pm the doors to the building will be locked and nobody will be available to buzz visitors into the building. If you are picking up your student from practice or another after school activity please designate an outside meeting point and time with your child beforehand so they know where and when to meet you for pick up. If you are attending an after school athletic event please enter the building through the South Entrance Doors (entrance 9) located by the newer gym and off f the parking lot by Verda Dierzen Elementary School.

Although these changes at times may make things more difficult than in the past for parents/visitors that was not our intention. Instead, these changes were implemented to ensure the safety and security for all staff, students and the physical building and classrooms at Northwood Middle School. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in abiding by these new procedures and helping us to make Northwood safe and secure for everyone.

I am very excited to be part of School District 200 and in particular Northwood Middle School. We have a wonderful staff, great community, and outstanding students and it is a pleasure and honor to be a Warhawk. I look forward to working and meeting as many of you as possible over the next year. Should you ever have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. I have an open door policy and want to hear from any parents that may have a concern, question, or just want to stop in and meet me.

Educationally Your

Jake Wakitsch

CERFIFIED STAFF BIO......

In this edition the staff bio section focuses on the new administration.....

Jerome "Jake" Wakitsch Jr.

Position: Principal

Resides: Woodstock, Illinois

# Years in Education: Start of 12th Year. 4.5 as a teacher, 7 as an administrator

Spouses Name: Kathy Wakitsch

Children: six - Justin 19, Tyler 16, Kara 10, Samantha 9, Abby 8, Makenzi 6

Pets: "Licorice" - 2 year old Beagle and "Snickers" - 3 month old long-haird Dachshund

Graduated From / Degrees:

Culver-Stockton College - Bachelor's of Science Elem. Education with endorsements in Middle School Reading / Language Arts.

Concordia University - Master's of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction

Concordia University - Educational Leadership Endorsements and Type 75 Administrative Certification

Favorite Sports Teams & Players: Chicago Cubs - Ryan Theriot; Chocago Bears - Brian Urlacher

Interesting Tidbits: I played college baseball and taught third grade for four years upon graduation from college

Keri Pala

Position: Assistant Principal

Resides: Woodstock, Illinois

# Years in Education: Start of 12th year, 11 as a teacher, but my first year as an administrator

Spouses Name: Ed pala

Children: Two - Leighanne 9, and EJ 6

Pets: "Simba" - her friendly cat

Graduated From / Degrees:

Illinois State University - bachelor of Science in Junior High / Middle School Education with endorsments in Math, Science and Language Arts

Aurora University - Master of Arts in Educational Leadership

Favorite Sports Teams & Players: Chocago White Sox - Big Bad Bobby Jenks; Chocago Bears - lance Briggs

Interesting Tidbits: Vice President of Pi Beta Phi in college and met my husband at the bus stop on the first day of high school.

PICTURE DAY

Picture Day is scheduled for Thursday, September 20th. An informational flyer came home with students today regarding and reminding parents about picture day and detailing clothing suggestions and ordering procedures. Please note we will be using HR Imaging and a printed proof will come home with all students for you to look at before ordering.

FIRE, TORNADO, CODE RED and BUS EVACUATION DRILLS

I just wanted to remind parents that throughout the school year we will be having practice drills to prepare for unexpected events that mat arise including fire, tornado, bus emergencies and code red "lock down" drills. The purpose of these drills is to make sure that in the event of an emergency the students and staff are prepared and understand the proper procedures to ensure everyone's safety. This morning, we had our first fire drill and next week we will have our first tornado drill. We will be having bus evacuation in early October.

ATTENDANCE

Parents, please make sure that if your child is going to be absent that you contact the absentee line as early as possible in the morning and leave a message, but definitely before 9:00am. The phone number is 815-337-8618.

MAP TESTING

All our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will be participating in MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing beginning September 17th. This testing will give us a baseline for where your child is performing, areas of strength and areas of weakness that we need to focus on throughout the year to help them be as successful as possible academically.

A GLIMPSE AHEAD

Thursday

September 13, 2007

Football @ Junior Titans

Monday

September 17, 2007

Cross Country @ McHenry

Tuesday

September 18, 2007

Volleyball @ Home

Wednesday

September 19, 2007

LATE START @ 9:30 am (Doors in cafeteria will open at 9:00 am)

Cross Country @ Beardsley

Thursday

September 20, 2007

PICTURE DAY (See Flyer)

Volleyball @ Home

Monday

September 24, 2007

Cross Country @ Cary

Volleyball @ Parkland

Tuesday

September 25, 2007

Volleyball @ Home

Wednesday

September 26, 2007

Cross Country @ Home (Emricson)

Thursday

September 27, 2007

1/2 DAY SIP - 12:15 DISMISSAL

Volleyball @ Home

Football @ Genoa-Kingston

Monday

October 1, 2007

Cross Country @ Heineman

Tuesday

October 2, 2007

Volleyball @ Home

Wednesday

October 3, 2007

LATE START @ 9:30 am (Doors open at 9:00 am)

Cross Counrty @ Home (Emricson)

Volleyball @ Bernotas

HOMEWORK HOTLINE NUMERS & TEAM LEADERS

6th Grade - (815) 337-3257 & (815) 337-3258 - Rrivera@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us

7th Grade - (815) 337-3259 - TSchubring@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us

8th Grade - (815) 337-3261 - MWesley@d200.mchenry.k12.il.us

 

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