Originally delivered on 11/20/2020 3:15 pm

SUBJECT: Wharton DLA Distance Learning Newsletter 11.20.20

Friday, November 20, 2020
From the Principal's Desk

Dear ,

Thank you for joining me at our parent meeting on Wednesday. If you missed it, please watch the recording to get the latest updates about Wharton.

I would like to ask all parents to make sure to check their students' grades onHISD Connect. You can also download the PowerSchool app on your phone so you have easy access to your student's grades and parent communications.

Socioeconomic Forms: We still need socioeconomic forms for many of our families. Please, please help us by filling out the form on HISD Connect or print it out and drop it off at our front office when we return from break.

Finally, as we near the holiday season, please be mindful of the recommendedsafety precautionsfor gatherings. COVID is still here and we can't let our guard down. Mask up, wash hands, and stay safe!

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Jennifer Day

Events & Programs

Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 23 - Nov. 27, 2020

Wharton and Wharton's PTO wish all our families a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you take the time to rest and recharge in what has been a challenging year. We'll see you back on Nov. 30. 

Student Fall Individual Picture Day
Friday, Dec. 11
Virtual students are invited to participate – Please MARK YOUR CALENDAR. Pictures will begin at 8:30 AM. INSTRUCTIONS for virtual students will be communicated to parents soon.

Wharton PTO News

Thanksgiving Sunshine Cart: We are so grateful for our wonderful Wharton Teachers and Staff. Although we can't have a big luncheon, our parents stepped up and provided a lot of goodies for them. Take a look at some pictures of our sunshine cart at the teacher's lounge.

Spirit Night at Torchy's: Thank you to the Wharton community that came by Torchy's for some delicious tacos. We thank you for hearing our call and supporting local businesses that give back to our community. Stay tuned for new spirit events.

Print Your Holiday Cards and Support Wharton! We have 3 orders so far for a total of $37 fundraised. If you are purchasing holiday cards or gifts, visit Minted.com and use Wharton's unique code: FUNDRAISEWK8DA to receive a 20% discount. Wharton will receive 15% of sales on orders placed with our code through December. For the fine print, please log into our Wharton PTOMinted page.

Nosotros ♥ Wharton Yard Signs

Show your love for Wharton with these cool yard signs. Purchased signs are tentatively scheduled to be picked up on Friday Dec. 11 during Fall Picture Day.

We need your help raising the $43,000 it takes to continue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme at Wharton each year. Wharton's PTO funds this program in its entirety. However, the pandemic has prevented us from hosting our largest fundraisers, leading to a decline in donations. Will you donate to help us keep our IB program?

DOUBLE YOUR DONATION! From Nov. 18 until Dec. 31, for every $1 you donate, a generous Wharton parent donor will match your donation with another $1 up to $10,000. 

Here's how you can help:

  1. Commit to donate monthly for a year or the entirety of your child’s time at Wharton. We now have an option to set up a recurring monthly donation of $25, $50, $100, $200 or $500.
  2. Make a one-time donation.

To learn more about the value of the IB Program and to donate, click the button below. 

Double Your Donation!
Nurse's Notes

I have gotten a lot of communications regarding travel during Thanksgiving. It can be difficult to find out what each state or country’s restrictions are. Is the quarantine mandatory or suggested? 

Please communicate with your teacher. If you taking the risk and traveling, please stay home and work virtually as recommended. We need to protect our school community. Read the following CDC recommendations about Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

You might have to go to the individual state’s website to find out the exact procedures for entering/exiting the state. Note, a lot of border crossings are closed to Canada and Mexico. If it is suggested that you quarantine when you get there, don’t go. I found another good link for a quick reference to the state’s restrictions from AAA.

Happy Holidays and stay safe!

Nurse Dana

Student Assessments

E-Rate Student Testing

All HISD students have been automatically enrolled in a course titled District Student Training Course, which provides students with information on COVID-19, Digital Citizenship, and the HUB. 

This course is available on the HUB and fulfills the district’s E-Rate requirements. 

All students need to complete the course by Friday, December 4, 2020.

Please help to ensure that your student has completed the E-Rate test in collaboration with your teacher.

Wharton Middle School

Congratulations to 7th Grader Michell Garcia! 

Michell is the winner of the HISD 2020 Holiday Greeting Card competition in the Middle School category. We're so proud of Michell and Ms. Che! 

You may purchase printed greeting cards with Michell's design at houstonisd.org/holidaycards.

Houston Women’s Center:  In lieu of our Annual Canned Goods Food Drive, Middle School will be collecting donations to benefit the Houston Women’s Center from Friday, Nov. 13 to Friday, Nov. 20. We wanted to continue our annual tradition in a virtual and socially distanced manner.  All funds will be donated to the center on Monday, Nov. 23. We have raised $650 so far, which is very exciting for your support in helping continue this tradition. If you still would like to donate you may send donations via venmo @ivonne-MtzAguirre or cashapp $imm1993. If you have any questions, you may email Ivonne Aguirre at imm93@hotmail.com.

Wharton Holiday Angels

This year, Wharton will be once again carrying out its Wharton Angels Holiday Gifts Program. We still need sponsors for 20 Wharton students. 

Please email Mary Murilloto be added to our list of Wharton Angels sponsors. Indicate if you have a preference of gender, age, or no preference. Also, indicate how many students you wish to sponsor (1, 2, or 3).

Donors will receive their assigned students' information and specific instructions on what to buy, wrapping, labeling, etc. will be included with your assigned student’s information.

Gifts should be dropped off in the main office on Thursday, Dec. 10 or Friday, Dec. 11 between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

We will ensure your gift is delivered to the corresponding student during the week of Monday, Dec. 14.

Looking Ahead
Friday, November 20
Middle School Houston Women’s Center Donations Due
Monday, November 23
Thanksgiving Break | Acción de Gracias (Nov. 23-27)
Tuesday, November 24
Thanksgiving Break | Acción de Gracias (Nov. 23-27)
Wednesday, November 25
Thanksgiving Break | Acción de Gracias (Nov. 23-27)
Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving Break | Acción de Gracias (Nov. 23-27)
Friday, November 27
Thanksgiving Break | Acción de Gracias (Nov. 23-27)
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