​Thanks to the outstanding efforts and generous contributions of Waters families, friends, community members, local businesses and volunteers, WatersToday raised more than $215,000 this school year to support programs in the 2020-2021 school year! 

Fundraising Highlights

• The Waters Pledge Drive was its most successful to date, raising $121,000 from more than 200 donors! We are grateful for the support from our parents, friends and community sponsors who continue to make our Pledge Drive a success.  To celebrate, a few teachers came together to get SLIMED by our Junior High Students.  A special thank you to Ms. Novak, Ms. Aguilar, Ms. Booczko and Ms. Heilbrunn for volunteering to participate in the activities! 
• The newly rebranded Waters Maker Fair  raised more than $4,000 and showcased a number of talented local artists and makers. The famous Cake Walk and Giving Tree returned ensuring fun for the entire family. 
• Waters' Big Night brought together 250 community members and raised $80,000! We lept back to the 80's and celebrated our wonderful school community. For the first time, we dedicated a portion of the proceeds of Big Night directly to one initiative; Classroom Libraries. Thanks to you, we raised nearly $15,000 for books, seating and shelving for our students!  
• Unfortunately, the Wildcat Walk a Thon was cancelled this year. However, we hope to make next year better than ever! 
• Local businesses contributed nearly $20,000 through WatersToday business sponsorships, Waters Dines Out and Pledge Drive giveback events. Thank you!

Where Your Donations Go
The Waters Local School Council (LSC), which is an elected body, determines the allocation of funds raised by WatersToday. Here are just a few of the items your donation helps fund:

• Waters' unique ecology program
• Circle of Help, which helps support our most vulnerable students 
• Essential Teacher Supplies
• Teacher Support  
• Half of a fine arts teacher position 
• Classroom Libraries 
• Lunch and recess supervision

Learn more about WatersToday's fundraising activities.

Questions? Want to get involved? Contact us.

Thank you to all of our parent volunteers, students and especially Ms. Vecchioni for her creativity and direction on our first Virtual Art Show!  If you were unable to attend, you can view the presentation here.  She will be sharing more 4Q final projects in the coming days so check back!  

Mrs. Bricker has shared some resources to help students and families talk about racism and current events.

A Starting Place
https://www.prettygooddesign.org/blog/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-5new4

Preparing yourself (Parents/Staff):
Talking Race with Young Children - An excellent podcast from Sesame Studio and NPR’s Life Kit, featuring Beverly Daniel Tatum, an expert on child psychology, education, and race. 
What to Say to Kids When the News is Scary - Also from NPR's Life Kit, child development experts weigh in on how to approach the scary news kids might be absorbing right now. 
What is White Privilege, Really? - An important foundational learning resource for understanding that “white privilege is both a legacy and a cause of racism.” 
Beyond the Golden Rule - A longer read, but full of valuable information for parents on preventing and responding to prejudice.


With the kids (to read and discuss together):
Let's Talk about Race by Julius Lester
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
​A Kids Book about Racism by Jelani Memory(Read-Aloud Video)
"Separate is Never Equal" by Duncan Tonatiuh available in Epic! 

Join local Boy Scout 894 in their fundraising efforts by purchasing and donating Lou Malnati's vouchers for frozen deep dish pizza.  These vouchers can be redeemed at any location and are good until the end of 2020.  You can buy vouchers for yourself or gift the vouchers to the Friendship Center which works closely with Waters' Circle of Help to support families in need. Purchase or donate here and give people a delicious treat!

Friday, June 5 - Friday, June 12
Get ready to celebrate Field Day with a full week of fitness fun at home and around the neighborhood!  Be sure to check out the flyer for fun ideas to get moving!  

Plus, enjoy these additional items to celebrate our Waters Community! 
 - A video from our very own Physical Education Team, Mr. Archer and Mr. Kurz 
 - Coloring pages of the Wildcat and our W to help decorate your window 
-  A virtual field day video for additional inspiration 

Monday, June 8, 6- 7 p.m.
Dial -in Information Below
Join us in electing the incoming WatersToday board and hear what we have planned for the 2020-2021 season of fundraising, community, volunteer and so much more!  For more information, reach out to Jessie Novak. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83316508952?pwd=c2NvWVlRUy95VFoyV0RPMXlLMTNrUT09

Meeting ID: 833 1650 8952
Password: WatrsToday
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83316508952#,,1#,058332# US (Chicago)

WatersToday is looking for a few dedicated parents to join their board and serve on committees. These two-year positions begin in July and are a great way to get involved in the school and give back to a wonderful community. There are options that fit every skill set and schedule. Contact Hope Nichols with questions or to learn more.

Community and Events Co-Chair
Joining the Community and Events team is a great way to get to know people in the Waters community. In this position you’ll work with your co-chair and parent volunteers on community and fundraising events including our annual pledge drive, Waters’ Big Night, and the Wildcat Walk-a-thon. This is a great position for a creative and outgoing person. The biggest time commitment is during the fall pledge drive and Big Night in the spring. All events are supported by full committees of volunteers. Availability during the day is helpful but not required. 

Co-Treasurer
This is the perfect role for someone who likes a good spreadsheet and wants to help WatersToday on their own schedule. You’ll share the duties of running the business end of our 501(c)(3) organization with your co-treasurer with responsibilities including light bookkeeping, preparing monthly reports, paying bills, and purchasing materials. The co-treasurer position might also coordinate with a CPA to prepare taxes and audits, filing forms with the state, budgeting, assisting with grants, and providing donor receipts. 

Secretary
If you like to being in the know and organizing the details, this position is perfect for you. You’ll act as secretary at all WatersToday board meetings, record, and file the meeting minutes, all notices of the organization and manage the WatersToday calendar. 

Business Sponsorship Committee Member
If you want to help WatersToday on your own time, and get to know people in our community, this is the way to do it. In this position you can help grow our business sponsorship intake by reaching out to our community and parent-owned business sponsors, who give back in many ways. 

Grant Writing
Have a knack for research and writing? We know the money’s out there, and we need your help to capture it for our wonderful school. The grant writing team finds and applies for grants to support specific programs at Waters. 

Próximos Eventos
Thursday March 12- Friday, March 20
Evaluación IAR para 3-8 grado

Friday, March 13
La venta de aplicaciones cierra (LSC)
 
Monday, March 23
Semana de STEAM 


Noticias Escolares
Semana de STEAM
Comparte tu carrera, tu pasatiempo, tu forma de arte! Contacta a Mrs. Vecchioni para más información

Guía de CPS para el COVID-19
Lea carta de CPS en relación al COVID-19 aqui

Elecciones LSC
La venta de aplicaciones cierra el 13 de Marzo 
Elecciones: 22 de Abril
Si estás interesado en participar en el LSC, entrega tu application en la escuela cuanto antes.  Todos los padres y miembros de la comunidad son elegibles para votar durante la entrega de boletas (Report Card Pick up) el 22 de Abril. 

Ordena el Anuario 2019-2020 Hoy!
Los Anuarios están a la venta hasta el 1ero de Abril. Revisa el volante dentro de la carpeta de tu hijo o contacta a Ms. Aguilar para más información.

Ecología

Para actualizaciones del programa de ecología, por favor visitar la página web de ecología, revisar el blog de Mr. Leki's y únete a su lista de correos.

Noticias WatersToday 

No es muy tarde: Todavía hay disponibilidad para las fiestas de padres!
No te pierdas de nada! Teacher parties (fiestas de maestros) continuarán abiertas hasta el 14 de Marzo. Parent parties (fiestas para padres) estarán disponibles hasta el día del evento!

Evento de Compras de Waters en Genevieve
Jueves, 26 de Marzo, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Genevieve 
4745 N. Lincoln 
A tiempo para renovar tu guardaropas de primavera? Tienes algún viaje planeado para spring break? Genevieve tiene todo lo que necesitas para esta primavera! Ven y compra en este evento especial y WatersToday recibirá el 20% de todas las ventas.

Gracias, Genevieve, por tu apoyo contínuo a WatersToday como negocio patrocinante!

Pitch-In para Waters
Sábado, 28 de Marzo desde las  9 a.m. hasta las 7 p.m.
Domingo, 29 de Marzo desde las 10 a.m. hasta las 6 p.m.
​4506 W. Lawrence Ave.

​Celebra el primer juego de los Cubs y apoya a Waters con la compra de artículos deportivos en "Clark Street Sports Warehouse". Menciona a Waters cuando vayas a pagar y el 25% de las ventas de todo el fin de semana serán donadas a la escuela. No hay restricción de mercancía!

Saturday, March 7, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
4507 N Artesian Ave
Win big at Big Night? Don't forget to pick up your silent auction items this Saturday! If you need to make other arrangements, please contact Lisa Kearney. ​