WatersToday News

Back to School Bash- August 18th!

8/9/2023

We’ve got an exciting line up for Classroom Meet and Greets and lots of fun at the Back to School Bash!

8:30am - 10:00am: Pre-K & Kindergarten Meet & Greet
*Garden Tours: 8:30am, 8:45am, 10am
2:30pm - 3:15pm Classroom Visits (1st - 8th Grade)
Native Garden Tours 2:00pm, 2:20pm, 2:40p
Student Garden Tours 3:15
3:15pm New Playground Ribbon Cutting & Back to School Bash Featuring:
4:00pm live performance by Cielito Lindo Family Trio Free Shaved Ice and Pizza

End-of-Year Survey

6/1/2023

We'd like to hear from members of the Waters community, including parents, staff members, donors, and others who support the school. Your input helps WatersToday plan events and fundraising goals for next year and adapt to the needs of our community. Please take a few moments to answer our survey questions. Your response is anonymous and we appreciate your input. Submit your response by June 30, 2023.

Thank You!

6/1/2023

We did it and we hope you had a great time! Your generosity helped to raise $90,500 for all of the students at Waters. These funds, along with all donations to WatersToday, help close the gap in the CPS school budget, fund high quality lunch and recess supervision, and enhance our visual and performing arts program for ALL Waters students!

We surpassed our fundraising goal with over 500 people participating in the online auction and over 250 people in attendance. Thanks to everyone who donated, attended, and volunteered to make it happen. We especially want to thank our business sponsors who supported the event and help make our community a great place for Waters kids to learn and grow.

Wildcat Stuffy Sales!

5/31/2023

Did you miss your chance to get a Wally the Wildcat stuffy at Springapalooza? Stuffies will be on sale at 8th grade and Kindergarten graduations on June 1 and 2. Each stuffy costs $25. Pay with Venmo @waterstoday (Sam Kaune) or Zelle waterstodaytreasurer@gmail.com.

We need you!

5/16/2023

Big Night is this Friday and we need some volunteers that afternoon to help us get ready for the party. Do you have an hour or two to spare? Pitch in and get a Big Night sneak peek!

Sign up here.

The Big Night Auction is Live!

5/8/2023

Check out the silent auction and get your first bids in on everything from summer camps, to theater and sports tickets, to front row seats at graduation, and more!

Art Helpers Needed

4/26/2023

May 1-5 and May 13

Mrs. Vecchioni and Ms. Rovito are looking for parent volunteers to help with the EcoArt Show and River Fest coming next month. Do you have an hour or two to help hang student art, support a creation station, or set up for River Fest? Sign up for a shift here.

Big Night Tickets on Sale Now!

4/26/2023

Friday, May 19, 7-11 p.m.
Artifact Events
4325 N. Ravenswood

Big Night tickets are on sale now and we are so excited to celebrate with you! Join us for an adults-only evening complete with dinner, drinks, music, a silent auction, and more that helps raise the funds to support key programs for Waters kids. Anyone can bid, buy raffle tickets, sign up for a parent-hosted party, or donate. Get your tickets now or browse the auction beginning May 8th.

Springapalooza is May 12!

4/26/2023

Friday, May 12
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Waters Field
Celebrate spring and an awesome school year with the entire Waters community at our annual block party. Dance to the DJ, check out the performances by some Waters student groups, explore the garden find out the winning name for our Wildcat mascot, and maybe even buy a stuffy to take home!

Teacher Appreciation Week

4/26/2023

May 1-5

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up the week of May 1 - 5. WatersToday has planned some great events to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication. See below for ways that you can pitch in to help support our school community, and please help us keep these fun events a surprise!

On Sunday, April 30 from 11am - 12pm, meet us in the garden annex to decorate banners and signs to greet the teachers as they enter school on Monday. BYO coloring materials!

Help your child record a short message (10 seconds or less) that will be compiled into a video greeting card and sent to the teachers and staff on Wednesday, May 3rd! By submitting a video you give permission for your child’s message to be shared publicly.

Sign up here to deliver a staff member some of their favorite treats on Thursday, May 4th. Once you sign up, you’ll be contacted with a list of the teacher’s favorite items.

Sign up here to contribute to our community potluck on Friday, May 5th. Store bought or homemade items are both greatly appreciated!

Click here to donate to a teacher wish list. These items will be used in classrooms this year and beyond!

The theme for this year will be “Waters Teachers and Staff are Out of this World!”  Feel free to drop your teacher a space themed note any day the week May 1- 5 to let them know how much you appreciate them!

Wildcat Mascot Name Voting Underway!

4/18/2023

Polls opened and students raced to vote for the Wildcat's name after a presentation from Alderman Matt Martin about ranked choice voting. Students, make sure to vote before polls close! We'll have to wait to find out the winning name at Springapalooza on May 12!

Parent Party Meet Up

3/22/2023

Monday, March 27 7-9 p.m.
Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill
4632 N. Rockwell

Our school’s annual spring fundraiser, Big Night, is coming up on May 19th! One of the ways to get involved and meet other parents and community members is to host a party!

What is a “Parent Party”?
A party, gathering or activity that is hosted by parents but can be for anyone! Grown-ups only, just kids, families, moms, dads, etc.

What does it mean to “host” a parent party?
Hosting a party means covering the cost and planning the party. The proceeds from the ticket sales will go to WatersToday to fund many programs, projects and initiatives at Waters. You can host a party with other parents to share the responsibilities!

How many people attend a party?
It can be 10, 20, 70 or 100! The size of the party is up to you!

Where are Parent Parties?
They can be at a venue or a home!

What are some examples of Parent Parties?
Game Night, BBQ, Exercise Class, Spa Day, Family Yoga, Kids Backyard Movie Night, Themed Cocktail Party

How can I learn more and hear from past hosts?
At the Parent Party info meet up on Monday, March 27th from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM @ Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill

Questions? Ideas? Thoughts?
Email Maya Menon maya.shastri@gmail.com

What if I have a question about Big Night, a donation for the auction, or a sponsorship connection?
Email waterstodayevents@gmail.com

Donation Receipts

3/22/2023

Tax receipts for donations made in 2022 were emailed in January. If you did not receive an email and are in need of a receipt please email waterstodaytreasurer@gmail.com

Know Any Magicians?

3/8/2023

As we move into spring, we are getting ready for Big Night and looking for lots of help to make the celebration special. Do you know a magician or photographer who would be interested in working the event? Do you have a connection to a local business or are you an amazing artist with something to donate to the auction? Are you up for hosting a party for parents, kids, or families as part of our ever-popular Parent Party fundraisers? If you have an idea, something you'd like to contribute, or a question about how you can pitch in, reach out to waterstodayevents@gmail.com.

Save the Date for Springapalooza!

3/8/2023

Friday, May 12, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Waters Field
Save the Date! Springapalooza, formerly known as Little Big Night, will be held on Friday, May 12th from 3:30-5:30pm. This celebration is for the kids and their families, featuring music, food and live performances. Parent volunteers will be needed, more details to follow soon!

Interested in Joining the Auction Team for Big Night?

2/22/2023

Interested in joining Big Night's Auction team??

We need 7 folks to join the auction solicitation team before March 1. Much of this can be done in your own schedule and over email. New connections and donations are needed.

You can expect to receive clear instructions on what to do and when including:

an 'assignment list'- a list of businesses to solicit. This list will include previous donations from the donor and contact info for that donor.
a templated solicitation message that the solicitor can copy and paste (potentially personalize a little bit) into an email and send off to solicit the donation.
a donation form the donor can fill out describing the item that is being donated, the value, etc. timeline:
We'd ask that solicitations and follow-ups are done throughout the month of March(can be done on weekends, evenings, whatever works for the solicitor) and that items are picked up from the donor and dropped off at Abby’s by April 15th

We'd also LOVE it if people had ideas about new businesses to solicit or if they have creative ideas for auction items.

Sound fun?! For more information or to volunteer, email Abby Boyer abbyboyer@gmail.com and Jenna Martin jennablickmartin@gmail.com.

Save the Date for Big Night!

1/25/2023

Big Night 2023 is May 19th at Artifact Events. More information is to come about ticket purchasing, parties and opportunities for donations. If you are interested in volunteering, join us on February 13th's planning event or reach out to waterstodayevents@gmail.com!

Waters Parents and Kids Night Out: Fit City Kids

12/22/2022

Friday, January 20 5:30-8 p.m.
2540 W. Lawrence

Fight cabin fever with a special night out for Waters kids and parents! Kids are invited to a special Waters party at Fit City Kids including pizza, free play, and games for $45. Plus a portion of each ticket comes back to WatersToday! Parents, stay tuned for some special restaurant givebacks for you to enjoy while the kids are occupied. Sign up for the Fit City Kids party here.

Big Night Informational Meeting

12/22/2022

Monday, February 13th, 6pm
Waters Room 316

Big Night is our spring gala fundraiser and we are just starting to get plans in place. Whether you have a great item to donate to the auction, ideas about event planning and decor, or questions about what happens during the party, we hope you'll join us on February 13th to learn more.

NB: This meeting was rescheduled from January 9th.

Bottles and Cans Tasting Event: We Drink for the Kids

12/7/2022

Thursday, December 8, 6:30-9 p.m.
4109 N. Lincoln Ave.

Join us for a free event, tasting wine and spirits to liven your spirits! Hosted by Bottles and Cans on Dec. 8th from 6:30 to 9:00pm, Waters' parents will also earn an extra 15% per purchase at the tasting for WatersToday!

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