TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
*First day of school – 8:15 a.m.–3:15 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
*LSC Meeting – Waters Annex 4:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
*Parent Education Workshops – 6:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
*Curriculum Night – 6:00 p.m. (new families) and 6:30 p.m.


LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL CRESPO

Dear Waters Parents and Guardians;

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! During the summer months, Waters staff has been hard at work preparing the building for tomorrow’s first full day of school. As I enter into FY16, my passion for working with you, your children and our staff to create the best learning environment — that allow our students the opportunity to grow and develop both academically, socially and emotionally —continues to grow.

As we begin this exciting year, I want to say thank you for believing in us. After a challenging budget season, I am happy to report that we secured additional funding to provide a third kinder and third first grade classroom!

If you haven’t seen it already, be sure to stop by the main entrance of the school. A beautiful mosaic welcomes you! The entrance was transformed this summer during our Arts Camp, which was funded through Chicago Arts Partnership in Education (CAPE).

I’m looking forward to seeing all the children on Tuesday!


2015/16 WELCOME PACKET
September 2015
This school year's Welcome Packet, an up-to-date resource of information for new and returning families is available online now! Hard copies will be sent home with incoming Kindergarten students during the first week of school. This handy reference guide outlines school policies and procedures including: forms and fees, a map for where classes line up, absences, wellness program, medical requirements, food service information, school events, fundraising and volunteer opportunities.

CPS PARENT PORTAL
School year 2015-2016
The Parent Portal is a link to information about your child’s teachers, grades, absences and other records. A pin is required (you can get it from the office, in person) to create a login so you can keep track of your child’s progress. Questions? Check with the office or your child’s teacher.

LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL
Tuesday, September 8th
Waters Annex – 4:00 p.m.
This is the first LSC meeting of the 2015-16 school year. During the meeting, applicants for the open position may introduce themselves and the LSC will conduct a closed session to vote on a candidate to fill the position. The new member’s term begins on September 8th through the academic year (2015-16). By LSC regulations, the public does not vote for members who are filling open spots. Questions, contact Waters LSC.

5th/6th GRADE CAMP DUNCAN DAY TRIP
Monday, September 14th
7:45 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
YMCA Camp Duncan, Ingleside, IL
Students will be participating in a wide range of activities that include: archery, teams course activities, climbing tower, GPS scavenger hunt, group games, and an evening campfire. These activities will aid in building their class communities, enhancing their orienteering skills, challenging their physical and mental skills as well as enjoying the beautiful nature setting around them. The cost of the trip will be $48, which covers transportation, camp activities and dinner. Students will need to bring a bag lunch. Two adult chaperones required per class at no charge on a first come, first serve basis. Permission slips and waivers will be going out Tuesday and will need to be returned no later than Friday.
Questions, contact Deb Del Campo.

PARENT EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
Wednesday, September 16th
Waters Annex – 6:00 p.m.
Save the date for these upcoming parent education workshops on Wednesday September 16: Math Trailblazers at 6:00 p.m. and Executive Functions at 7:00 p.m. More info to follow next week!

CURRICULUM NIGHT
Wednesday, September 30th
Waters Annex – 6:00 p.m. New Families
Classrooms – 6:30 p.m. Returning and new families
Save the date for Curriculum Night! New families are invited to come to the Annex on the south side of the building next to the parking lot at 6:00 p.m. for a special presentation and returning families may arrive at 6:30 pm and go directly to their child(ren)'s classroom.

KINDER MENTOR PROGRAM
School year 2015-2016
We are looking for current Waters parents willing to partner up with incoming parents. As a mentor, your duties will include answering any questions incoming parents may have throughout the school year, giving them more information about the various fundraisers and welcoming them to the Waters community. A detailed email will be sent later in the week to interested parents. Please contact Victor Aragon with any questions or to volunteer. If you know of incoming parents who would like to participate, please have them email Victor as well.

SCOUTING OPPORTUNITIES
Cub Scouts
Thursday, September 17th
6:30 p.m.
Waters School
Interested in Cub Scouts? Missed the Back-to-School Picnic hosted by Local Pack 3894? Mark your calendars for the ‘Blast Into Scouting’ recruitment event on September 17th at 6:30 p.m. at Waters, or contact Pack leader Lyzette Austen for more information.

Girl Scouts (Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadets)
First meetings this week and next week
Voss Building at Queen of Angels
If you have a girl who is interested in scouting, please contact Troop Leaders Alejandra Camacho for Daisies, (Kinder and first grades), Blair McAnany for Brownies, (second and third grades), and Geri Aston Weinstock for Juniors (fourth and fifth grades). We do have higher levels of scouting; contact any of these troop leaders for info, or if you are interested in being a co-leader!

MS. NISSIM NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
Please consider making a donation to help fund a projector and document camera needed for writing instruction in the 5th and 6th grade classrooms. Your help would be greatly appreciated. The request can be viewed here. Thank you.

QUICK LINKS
The Waters website, provides most, if not all, school-related information you may need. If you can't find what you are looking for, contact LSC Communications Chair, Erica Smith.

Sync the Waters Google Calendar to your own Google calendar. A snapshot of the calendar can be found on the home page.

Waters Today has a new website with fundraising information and volunteer opportunities. Stop by Waters Today.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENUS
CPS has changed food providers. The CPS website is displaying breakfast and lunch menus for Waters school. Please choose WATERS in the selection menu to view.

For up-to-date news and events about the Waters community, check out the Waters Community and Events Facebook page.

Want to volunteer? Email Kathleen Matuszewich

Have a pledge or donation to make? Email Rick Bollinger or go to Waters Today

Want to Receive Ecology updates? Email Peter Leki and read his blog

Have school-related news to share or want to subscribe to Waters Green Notes? Email Cookie Silvia or submit here.

Have ideas, time or funds for Waters fundraising efforts or just want to keep up on fundraising volunteer opportunities? Email Sandi Barlow Stone

For general questions or concerns, email the Waters Today Board

MONDAY, AUGUST 17
*Bulk Supply orders due

MONDAY, AUGUST 31
*Kindergarten Meet-and-Greet – 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
*First Day of School – 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
*LSC Meeting – Waters Annex 4:00 p.m.

 
LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL CRESPO

Dear Parents,

As the first day of school approaches, the administration and teachers at Waters are working hard to plan for the upcoming school year. We greatly appreciate your support and patience during what has been a lively summer for CPS.

Summer Update
On July 21st, our Local School Council approved a budget for this school year. A good number of parents were able to attend that meeting and ask questions. A copy of the budget presentation is available for review on the Waters website.

We also hosted a well-attended New Parent meeting on July 29th. Thank you to all who were there, and for the excellent discussion that ensued.

Budget and Class Counts
Like many schools in CPS, our budget decreased as compared to last year. At this time, Waters is positioned to lose one teacher and will have to minimize the material/supply budget lines. 

Our funding is primarily tied to our enrollment count, through a system of student-based-budgeting, in which schools receive a fixed amount of money per student. The budget provided to Waters was based upon an estimate of 618 total students. We feel confident that our population will exceed the CPS estimate. With an actual enrollment count higher than the CPS estimate, our budget will increase. We may be able to reinstate the one lost teacher position and we will keep you posted as we navigate this situation. 

We thought it might be helpful to give you a snapshot of our current enrollment count. These numbers are accurate as of August 6th:

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION
Monday – Thursday all summer
Waters Office
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
If you live within the attendance area and your child is in Kindergarten or older grades, you are automatically guaranteed admission to our school. Please register as soon as possible to facilitate classroom staffing. If you are waiting on a lottery for other schools, and are within Waters’ boundaries, you should still register at Waters. Summer office hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., please call in advance to confirm office is open at 773-534-5090. Please review the documents needed for registration.


MOSAIC CAMP
We’ve had a wonderful first week of Mosaic Camp. Due to overwhelming response we are unable to accommodate any more drop-ins. If you are already signed up please arrive by 9:00 a.m. so that you may get started right away. Please stay tuned for more CAPE opportunities in the fall.


2015/16 SCHOOL HOURS
Bell times at Waters School will not be changing. School hours will remain 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

  
BULK PURCHASING PROGRAM
The bulk supply program piloted last year is going forward again. Instead of shopping individually for classroom supplies, families can contribute an amount of money equivalent to (or slightly less than) the cost of supplies they would have otherwise bought. This pool of money will be used to buy the supplies in bulk and tax-free for all participating families.

Cost per student varies by grade, the mean amount last year was $65. Once supply lists are available, we’ll begin collecting money. Volunteers will also be needed to help deliver supplies to individual classrooms. If you would like to participate or volunteer, please email Sandy Weisz. 

Teachers, please contact Sandy Weisz with your supply lists or fill out this document online as soon as possible. 


KINDER MENTOR PROGRAM
We are looking for current Waters parents willing to partner up with incoming parents. As a mentor, your duties will include answering any questions incoming parents may have throughout the school year, giving them more information about the various fundraisers and welcoming them to the Waters community. A detailed email will be sent later in the week to interested parents. Please contact Victor Aragon with any questions or to volunteer. If you know of incoming parents who would like to participate, please have them email Victor as well. 


BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Keep collecting your box tops and Labels For Education to bring to school in the fall!


NEW LSC MEMBER
At the June 8th Local School Council (LSC) meeting, Erica Smith was appointed to the Waters LSC as the communications committee chair for the term of one year. Congratulations Erica!


QUICK LINKS

Waters Today has a new website with fundraising information, volunteer opportunities, and of course Mr. Leki’s column. 


  
For up-to-date news and events about the Waters community, check out the Waters Community and Events Facebook page.

Want to volunteer? Email Kathleen Matuszewich 

Have a pledge or donation to make? Email Rick Bollinger

Want to Receive Ecology updates? Email Pete Leki

Have school-related news to share or want to subscribe to Waters Green Notes? Email Cookie Silvia 

Have ideas, time or funds for Waters fundraising efforts or just want to keep up on fundraising volunteer opportunities? Email Sandi Barlow Stone 

For general questions or concerns, email the Waters Today Board