Originally delivered on 5/7/2021 6:31 pm

SUBJECT: Wharton DLA Newsletter 05.07.21

Friday, May 7, 2021
From the Principal's Desk

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We had so much fun this week during Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you to our PTO and all the parents who contributed to making our teachers and staff feel special this week. They also completed a series of "Survivor" challenges to get off the Wharton Island. Congratulations to Ms. Jennifer Torres and Ms. Montaño for being our top survivors! And a special mention to our runners-up: Ms. Julia Hernandez, Ms. Vasquez, and Ms. Treviño! See our TAW photo and video album.

I want to bring a few important things to your attention. First, please make sure to read the message below from Mr. Mehdi Rais, a Wharton parent who has taken up an effort to make our school zone safer for our kids.

Secondly, don't forget that STAAR testing will begin the week of May 17. Some grade levels will have to remain home on testing days to ensure we have space for our test takers to distance and so that our teachers can help with the test administration. Mark your calendars for the dates your children will be testing and learning asynchronously from home.

I hope to see you all at our next Parent Meeting on Tuesday, May 11 at 6 PM.

Thank you and have a nice weekend!

Ms. Jennifer Day

School Zone Safety

I’ve had the fortune to walk our kindergartner to and from Wharton Elementary many mornings and afternoons. As the streets have become fuller, we have watched drivers speed through our school zone with disregard for any of the designed safety precautions throughout (i.e. speeds, crosswalks, etc.), and these drivers have put the little local lives at risk. Ultimately these drivers take these cavalier attitudes through our school zones to many others, and jeopardize lives throughout the city. This is not a Wharton Elementary issue. This is a Houston issue.  

From my perspective, we have two critical issues that need to be addressed immediately: infrastructure and enforcement. In regards to infrastructure, many of the safety interventions need to be upgraded, replaced, or maintained.  Enforcement is virtually non-existent, and our hope is for a greater presence in the future. 

After engaging Mayor Turner’s Office, Counsel woman Abbie Hoffman, Principal Day, and HPD, we have had some traction in mitigating the dangerous situation.  They include repainting crosswalks, maintaining signs, discussions around traffic studies, investigating additional crosswalk guards, and targeted HPD ticketing campaigns around the school.

Having a safe journey to school is a shared value I believe we all possess. I am asking for anyone with ideas or thoughts on safe journeys to and from school to email me with your ideas. Additionally, should you have an interest in joining this effort, please reach out to me directly, as there is no shortage of work. 

I know if we can make it safer in Wharton Elementary's school zones, that this will carry throughout the larger community.

Thank you,

Mehdi Rais, MD, MBA, MS

E: mehdirais@gmail.com

Events & Programs

Parent Meeting
Tuesday, May 11 at 6 PM 
Join Ms. Day via Microsoft TEAMS for important school updates. Please use your child's HISD Teams log-in to avoid issues joining the meeting.
Join Meeting >>

4-Annual Title 1 Spring Meeting
4A-Thursday, May 13 at 4:30-5 PM or 4B-Friday, May 14 at 9-9:30 AM. Check the
Wharton home pagefor meeting links.

Return Library Books
Friday, May 28
The school year is coming to an end and we are well on our way to finishing off the school year and beginning to prepare for the upcoming school year. If you still have any library books out and in your possession, please return them by Friday, May 28, 2021. Be on the lookout for notices of any books still out and in your child's possession. You may drop off books at the front desk.

STAAR Testing

ALL GRADES! Please see the SCHEDULE for STAAR test dates and asynchronous instruction:

Wharton PTO News

Wharton Yearbook 20-21

If you missed ordering the book, send us an email TODAY Friday, May 7.

10th Annual Spring "Un"Gala 
Loteria Happy Hour [Adults Only]
June 6, 5-8 PM @ Calle Onze
Join us to wrap up the school year with appetizers & our "El Aguila" signature drink. For the in-person event, each ticket will receive one Loteria card to play. Loteria con Melina will lead us in playing Loteria while you enjoy the evening. Buy your $55 tickets today! Limited availability.

We need help with donations for the online auction plus sponsors for teacher & staff tickets, please see our Un-Gala page for additional details on how to donate or become a sponsor.

Family Sponsorships
Corporate Sponsorships
"El Sol" $250
"La Mano" Friend of Wharton : $1000
"La Estrella" $500
"Las Jaras: Partner in Education : $1500
"El Aguila" $750
"La Corona" Corporate Partner : $2500

Wharton PTO Board 2021-2022 Nominations
For additional information on positions and to submit your nomination, please visit our website. Nominations are due TODAY May 7.

Nurse's Notes

I would like to thank everyone who wished me a Happy Nurse’s day. Your thoughts and gifts were very uplifting!

This picture is one of the sweet gifts from a student. The highlight of my day is taking temperatures and welcoming students in the morning. 

Please continue to monitor safety protocols!

Water: As the weather gets hotter, our kids have needed more water throughout the day. Please make sure to send in additional water bottles with your children or speak to your teacher about donating water for your child's classroom.

🩺 We need a doctor’s note and potentially a negative COVID test for your child to return to school if they stay home or are sent home for an illness.

Wharton Middle School

8th Grade Movie Night: Half-Brothers
Friday, May 14 @ 7:30PM

Please RSVP by TODAY to let us know if you are coming.

Looking Ahead
Tuesday, May 11
6:00p WDLA Parent Meeting | Reunión de Padres de WDLA copy
Friday, May 28
Asynchronous Learning Day (No in person classes) | Día de Aprendizaje Asincrónico (no clases presenciales)
Monday, May 31
Memorial Day (No classes)
Sunday, June 6
Save the Date! Un-Gala | Aparta la fecha Un-Gala
Friday, June 11
Last day of classes
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