December 2, 2022
Upcoming Events
Christmas Coffee House
Friday, December 2
7:00-10:00 p.m.
Atrium
The Project Lead Global Team is hosting a Christmas Coffee House fundraiser for Kids Alive International on Friday, December 2 from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Wheaton Academy students will be sharing their talents through music, poetry, dramatic readings, and the visual arts, and the Outspoken club will also be selling the arts journal entitled Overflow for $5 each. The Coffee House will be held in the Atrium, the price of admission will be $5 per person, and can be paid by cash or PushCoin. In addition, Project Lead Local will be hosting a wrapping paper drive for the Puente de Pueblo Christmas Store during that week. Please consider bringing some new, unopened wrapping paper to the Coffee House to help support Project Lead Local’s efforts.
The Christmas Gala
Friday, December 9
7:00-9:30 p.m.
The Baker Hotel
Student Council is inviting the entire student body to attend our all-new event, The Christmas Gala, on December 9. The formal attire event will be held at the historical Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles, from 7:00 – 9:30 pm. The night will include dinner, dancing, photo opportunities, and Christmas activities. Students may take guests from other schools as well. Ticket sales closed today. We are looking forward to our students having a new and exciting event this Christmas season!
Gala Gift Donations: Student Council would love a visit from Santa at the Christmas Gala on December 9! We would love to have gift cards or gifts for a Santa giveaway. If you would like to donate any type of gift, please drop them off at the front office by December 7 to the attention of Jim Holtrop. Any size gift would be appreciated! It can be a $5.00 Starbucks card!! Thanks for making our new Gala an amazing experience!
WA Men’s Prayer
Saturday, December 10
8:00 a.m.
Alumni White Chapel
On the second Saturday of every month, the men from Wheaton Academy meet to pray for our community and hear from one of our faculty/staff members. Please join us Saturday, December 10. This month we will hear from Wheaton Academy teacher Chip Dykema. Light refreshments are served.
Christmas Concerts and Winter Art Show
Wednesday & Thursday, December 14 & 15
Fine Arts Center
7:00 p.m.
Wheaton Academy is proud to present its annual Christmas Concert and Winter Art Show. The concerts will take place on December 14 & 15 in the FAC Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., as well as after the concerts, the Winter Art Show will be on display in the FAC Auditorium and Lobby. It will feature student visual art from this semester’s classes. The Christmas Concert will feature all Wheaton Academy Choral and Instrumental musical groups performing pieces celebrating Christ’s birth and His good news of salvation. Admission is free, and all are welcome!
General News
Christmas Concert Bell Schedule
Tuesday, December 13, we will be operating on a modified bell schedule to allow time for our Christmas Concert during Chapel.
Time Class
8:00 – 8:44 Period 1 (44)
8:50 – 9:34 Period 2 (44)
9:40 – 10:24 Period 3 (44)
10:30 – 11:15 Christmas Concert (45)
11:21 – 12:05 Period 4
12:05 – 12:30 Lunch
12:36 – 1:20 Period 5 (44)
1:26 – 2:10 Period 6 (44)
2:16 – 3:00 Period 7 (44)
Senior Ads for Yearbooks!
Parents – Senior yearbook ads will again be available for purchase this year for $150 per quarter-page ad. If you order a senior ad, you do not need to order a yearbook through the Jostens website as that fee is included in the $150. The deadline for the ads is March 11.To purchase an ad, you will need to follow this link and select the size you would like to create. More information is explained within your purchase options. You will then need to send your ad’s content (both pictures and written messages) in a single email to yearbook@wheatonacademy.org. You may click here for an example of the ad size and layout. The yearbook staff will gladly design the ad for you after confirmation of receipt of these two things! Any questions? Please email yearbook@wheatonacademy.org. Thank you!
Senior Picture Submission Deadline Approaching
If you did not use Prestige Photography for your student’s Senior Portraits, you may use another photography source, but we need you to submit a photo of your own to be included in the yearbook. Photos need to be submitted by December 23 to be included in the yearbook publication. We require a forward-facing portrait taken from the shoulders up, with a plain/non-distracting background. Images will be submitted through this form this year. You may need to log in with a Google account, which all students should have. Any questions can be directed to yearbook@wheatonacademy.org.
Senior Cap and Gown Orders Due December 16
On Monday, November 14 seniors received the information they need to order caps and gowns for graduation. If you have a cap and gown from a sibling who has already graduated, you are welcome to use it if it is in good condition. You would only need to order a new tassel. Students in NHS will receive a tassel and cord in April. Orders will be taken online at Jostens.com. The due date to order is December 16. Prices will rise after the due date so order now.
Executive Functioning Sessions
Does your student lack important self-management skills, seem unmotivated or distracted, or even appear lazy? Executive functioning weaknesses sometimes look like “laziness” but are actually teachable skills. However, the teen years are an optimal time to recognize and understand one’s strengths and weaknesses. The Center for Lifelong Learning offers executive functioning sessions during students’ study halls. Coaching helps students by providing support and guidance to help them develop into independent, confident students who possess a deep knowledge of themselves as learners. For more information on our executive functioning package, please visit our website at: www.thecenterforlifelonglearning.org.
2023-2024 School Session Dates
To view the 2023-2024 School Session Dates, please click here. Please note – all of these dates are subject to change. The most accurate calendar is always the live calendar, which you can view here.
Financial Aid Applications are Now Open — Returning Families Deadline of December 31 — New Financial Aid Processor
The financial aid process at Wheaton Academy is officially open for the 2023-2024 school year. Like last year, the deadline for a returning family’s financial aid application for the 2023-2024 school year is December 31, 2022. This timeline allows Wheaton Academy to grant aid awards to returning families before new family aid awards are considered, as over 80% of our financial aid awards are distributed in February.
This year, we have partnered with a new financial aid processing company—Blackbaud Financial Aid. This new portal will better integrate with the internal systems Wheaton Academy already uses, making it an easier process for both you and our staff. We are no longer using FACTS.®
Click here to create your account and begin your application: Blackbaud Financial Aid
This requirement includes any family who has received or may qualify for an SGO scholarship (Empower IL scholarships). Please read additional information and further instructions here.
If you have specific questions regarding your application and how to upload your required documentation, we recommend you contact Blackbaud Financial Aid Customer Service directly: 800-360-8027 or financialaidsupport@blackbaud.school. Their service is completely confidential.
If you have any other questions, please contact Pat Brooke or Sandy Dede in the Business Office at aid@wheatonacademy.org.
WA Appreciation Team
There is a group of parent volunteers who organize blessings for the faculty and staff on behalf of ALL Wheaton Academy parents. Please click here for information to learn about their efforts and provide a monetary gift that will be used for the Christmas Season.
Timeshares for Teachers
Timeshares for Teachers is a program at Wheaton Academy that allows you to share your vacation property, airline miles or timeshare unit with teachers and staff. Your generosity helps provide Wheaton Academy teachers and staff with a much-deserved cost-effective vacation. Learn more by clicking here Timeshare for Teachers. This partnership is a direct gift to our faculty and staff and is not a donation to the Academy. We are beginning to gather vacation opportunities for the Summer of 2023. Please let us know your interest in participating by filling out a short form using this link Timeshare Participation Form.
Volunteer Corner
Volunteering is the best way to build community, make new friends, and create lasting relationships. Please click here to join us for a variety of opportunities where you can get involved.
College Corner
United States Marine Rep Visit
On Monday, December 5 Sgt. Dunah from the U.S. Marines will be in the Atrium during lunch. Sgt. Dunah will be available to answer questions about applying to the Military Academies and enlisting in the Armed Forces. Please contact Bart Gregersen (bgregersen@wheatonacademy.org) or Kermit Ellison (kellison@wheatonacademy.org) for further questions about college rep visits or anything else related to College Counseling.
How to Access PSAT Results
Parents, please click on this letter to find out how to access your student’s PSAT results. You may contact Gina Churchill with any questions.