​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!