Back-to-School Information 2017-2018 Thursday, June 29, 2017 Dear Wheaton Academy Parents, We hope you are having a wonderful summer. As we anticipate the coming school year, we want to provide you with some important information to allow for a smooth start to the 2017-2018 school year. In addition to this letter, you will find an electronic version of back-to-school information on the Back to School button on our website. We are excited to welcome your student(s) for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Back-to-School Forms Many of you have already completed your Back-to-School forms on the Magnus website. If you have not, remember that the required annual forms must be completed on Magnus by August 1. Forms can be faxed, uploaded or mailed to Magnus. If you encounter difficulty with your Magnus account or have forgotten your username and/or password, please call the Magnus help desk at 877-461-6831 or email them at service@magnushealthportal.com. You will be receiving regular reminder emails from Magnus until all of the requirements have been completed. For any Wheaton Academy related questions regarding Back-to-School forms, contact Kelly Tiemens at ktiemens@wheatonacademy.org. IMPORTANT NOTE: All required Magnus forms MUST be complete BEFORE a student will be allowed to participate in athletics (including tryouts), retreats or any school sponsored event. July 17 Books Like last year, etechcampus will be the online virtual bookstore for the 2017-2018 school year. Once again, they will provide our families with a one-stop bookstore solution for all your student s course material needs. The bookstore will be accessible through the Wheaton Academy website beginning on July 17, 2017. Your login is your student s firstname.lastname@wascholar.org and welcome as the password. For your convenience, etechcampus will offer several different options: PRE-BUNDLED RENTAL OPTION: The pre-bundled rental option includes all required curriculum items for each class in your student s schedule at a flat rental rate of $350.00, which includes free standard shipping. We are excited to let you know that this bundle price remains the same amount that it has been for the last couple of years! This option will contain the book format-physical textbook, digital, etc.-that is specified by the teacher. The pre-bundled rental option comes with enhanced customer service features from etechcampus. For example, if your student experiences a schedule change, that update will automatically be processed by etechcampus and the book for the new class will be added to your rental bundle and sent to your home immediately-at no additional charge to you. Page 1 of 6
A LA CARTE PURCHASE OPTION: The a la carte purchase option allows you to select a specific book based on your student s schedule, in some cases from different formats-physical textbook, digital, etc.-if the teacher has allowed for varied formats. You will purchase each book individually, depending on the format chosen, and receive free economy shipping. Please note: With this option, if your student experiences a schedule change, it will be your responsibility to purchase any books for the new class. This option will also allow the opportunity to purchase additional curriculum items to add to your rental bundle. Please note: For the pre-bundle rental option and a la carte purchase option, all materials will be shipped directly to your home. At the end of the school year, etechcampus will be at Wheaton Academy to collect book rentals and conduct buybacks on purchased items. MARKETPLACE OPTION: As part of the a la carte menu, for some books you have an option to enter the marketplace and purchase directly from outside vendors. If this option is chosen, all orders are processed and managed by you, the purchaser. More information can be found at the Back to School button on the Wheaton Academy website. For any textbook questions, contact etechcampus directly at 877-284-6744 or bookstore@ecampus.com. August 6 and 7 Project LEAD Retreat Project LEAD seniors will launch the year of leadership on August 6 and 7. Students will gather at Wheaton Academy for evening meetings at 7:00 p.m. on August 6. Students will return to WA on August 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. for continued preparation for the year. This is not an overnight retreat. For any questions regarding the Project LEAD retreat, please contact Jeff Brooke at jbrooke@wheatonacademy.org. August 17 and 18 BEGIN: Freshman Retreat Our BEGIN Freshman retreat is soon approaching! On August 17-18, Wheaton Academy will launch the 2017-2018 school year for our incoming Class of 2021 with an off-campus, two-day, one-night retreat. This retreat provides a unique opportunity for our freshman class to connect with each other, learn about WA culture, and prepare for their time at Wheaton Academy. Freshmen students should arrive at Wheaton Academy on August 17 at 2:00 p.m., and they will return no later than 5:30 p.m. on August 18. Please visit the freshman class retreat s webpage (http://www.wheatonacademy.org/student-life/freshmanretreat) to review the retreat itineraries, packing lists, and necessary action steps. Every freshman student must complete the participation survey and the participation waiver form by Friday, July 28. Forms can be dropped off at the Front Office (attn: Jim Holtrop). This survey and waiver can be found on the freshman retreat s webpage. Note: there will be no BEGIN retreats for the Sophomore and Junior classes. Seniors who are a part of specific Project LEAD teams will lead the Freshman retreat. The specific Project LEAD leaders will be contacting these seniors separately. Page 2 of 6
August 21 Lockers & Schedules On Monday, August 21, sophomores, juniors, and seniors will receive locker assignments and class schedules. This day would be a great opportunity for students to drop their books off in their lockers. The following times on August 21 have been allotted for the different grades: Between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Juniors Between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Sophomores 9:00 a.m. - Senior Meeting Seniors ***If your student has a conflict with the assigned time for their class, he/she may come any time between 2:00 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday, August 21. August 28 & 29 Lifetouch School Pictures School pictures will be taken Monday, August 28 th and Tuesday, August 29 th. Photographers will be at school both days from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the Atrium. Since these are both school days, students should plan to get their picture taken during a study hall, during lunch, or after school. An order form from Lifetouch Photography has been included in the Back-to-School mailing. You may use it to pre-order pictures for your student, using the code provided on the order form, or your order form can be submitted when the picture is taken. If you have questions regarding picture ordering, please contact Lifetouch at 630-910-6800 or visit their website at www.lifetouch.com. ***In order to ensure that Wheaton Academy s Yearbook Department receives a photo for the yearbook and that your student receives his/her student ID for the school year, your student must have his/her picture taken on August 28 th or August 29 th, making sure to adhere to the Wheaton Academy Appearance Code. Picture retake day is schedule for Tuesday, October 10 th For any Wheaton Academy related questions regarding school and student ID photos, contact Rachel Chaney at rchaney@wheatonacademy.org. Class Schedules Students will be able to access final class schedules on WA web beginning in mid-july. WA web log-in information for incoming freshmen will be sent in a separate email. Students will also pick up their class schedules on August 21, as indicated above. Page 3 of 6
August 21 Back-to-School Family Picnic & Worship Please join us for an all-school family picnic the night before the first day of school-monday, August 21- beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn located between the Fine Arts Center and the Armour Building. This year the school will be hosting a cook out for all families. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and salads will be served. The cost will be $12.00 per person and $10.00 for children 3-10 years old. Families can also bring a picnic dinner, if preferred. The evening will conclude with an outdoor worship service at 7:00 p.m. This event is very casual and will be a wonderful way to kick off the new school year! Look for information and registration in future July WA Weekly. August 21 Transfer Student Orientation & Lunch Transfer students will gather in the Commons from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on August 21. Transfer students will receive locker assignments and class schedules as well. We will review important first day of school information and training to help students transfer into Wheaton Academy well! August 21 Required Senior Meeting Seniors will have a required meeting at 9:00 a.m. to discuss senior privileges and college applications. Seniors will choose lockers and pick up schedules after the 9:00 meeting. School Supplies On the first day of school, students should bring their Surface 3 s, textbooks (if they didn t drop them in their locker already), pencils, pens, paper and perhaps a folder. Teachers will notify students on the first day of school regarding required school supplies for each class. Lunch PushCoin Program Wheaton Academy s lunch program uses a computerized all-in-one system called PushCoin. This fully secure, mobile-friendly technology gives families greater control and discretion over their students' lunchtime purchases while making the purchase transaction easier and more convenient for students. Families can register at www.pushcoin.com and questions can be answered at ask@pushcoin.com. Complete information will be available at the Back to School button on the Wheaton Academy website after August 1. For any Wheaton Academy related questions regarding lunch, contact Ruth Lindstedt at rlindstedt@wheatonacademy.org after August 1. Student Parking Permits 2017-2018 Any student driving to campus must have a permit if they wish to park on campus. Applications for student parking permits are now available online. Once you have filled out the link for a student parking permit, stop by the front office with your payment made out to Wheaton Academy. Please be aware that the parking fee of $75 must be submitted and the student's driver's license must be shown at the front office to be issued a parking permit. Permits cannot be reserved ahead of time for students who only have a driver s permit; however, plenty of parking permits still will be available for students who apply later in the year. The Permit Application can be completed and submitted online. Please contact Kevin McDonell with any questions at kmcdonell@wheatonacademy.org. Page 4 of 6
Drop-Off Information Wheaton Academy has two main locations to drop off and pick up students. The east Prince Crossing entrance leads directly to the front flag pole circle. Vehicles using this drop-off area should only pause briefly to drop off or pick up students and then proceed to exit campus. Under no circumstances should a vehicle be stopped for more than a moment in the flag pole circle. This area is a marked fire lane. Vehicles needing to wait for any period of time should use the south Hawthorne entrance. Vehicles then may wait in the drop-off circle next to the Heritage Field House and Atrium. If a vehicle needs to be parked for any length of time, please use any of the parking lots. Handbook The Wheaton Academy Student Handbook will be available on the Back to School button on the Wheaton Academy website homepage. School Day Times School begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, school begins one hour later, at 9:00 a.m., and ends at 3:00 p.m. Students can be dropped off on campus as early as 7:00 a.m. and are welcome to stay on campus after school. On Wednesdays, students are asked to leave the main building by 4:45 p.m. to allow for a Willow Creek Dupage rental. Carpool Directory If you would like a Carpool Directory, sorted by zip code, you will find it on the Wheaton Academy website with the Student Directory after August 1. Login information will be found in the Announcement section on your WA Web home page. For questions regarding the Carpool Directory, please contact Kelly Tiemens at ktiemens@wheatonacademy.org. Athletics Athletic tryouts/practices begin the week of August 7. Visit the Athletic Tryouts button on www.wheatonacademy.org to see the fall tryout/practice schedule. Fall sports information can be found on our athletic website at http://athletics.wheatonacademy.org. All required Magnus forms MUST be submitted to Magnus BEFORE a student will be allowed to participate in athletics (including tryouts). Page 5 of 6
Important Dates Sunday, August 6 Project LEAD retreat 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Wheaton Academy Monday, August 7 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 8 & Furnace Company retreat 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Wheaton Academy Wednesday, August 9 Saturday, August 12 Concert Choir retreat TBA TBA Tuesday, August 15 Tech Training for New 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Fine Arts Center Parents Option 1 of 2 Tuesday, August 15 New Parent Orientation 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Fine Arts Center Thursday, August 17 & Friday, August 18 Freshman Retreat Arrive at Wheaton Academy at 2:00 p.m. on August 17 Arrivals no later than 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Saturday, August 19 Instrumental Retreat (Includes 1:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Meet at WA for Chicago Band, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and Percussion Studies) Monday, August 21 Transfer Student Orientation 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Commons Monday, August 21 Senior Orientation 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Fine Arts Center Monday, August 21 Junior drop-in for lockers, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Academic Building schedules, and book dropoff. Monday, August 21 Sophomore drop-in for 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Academic Building lockers, schedules, and book drop-off. Monday, August 21 Back-to-School Picnic 6:30 p.m. Graduation Grounds Tuesday, August 22 First day of school 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 29 Back to School Night 6:30 p.m. Fine Arts Center trip We look forward to August and the start of school. Have a wonderful remainder of your summer! Sincerely, Brenda Vishanoff Vice Principal for Student Services and International Programming Page 6 of 6