ALL FILLED UP FOR FIELD DAY!
Thank you to everyone who contacted Mrs. O'Gara to help out with Field Day on May 30th! We now have enough volunteers! Again, this is not open to all parents, only volunteers. Also, volunteers, please note that unfortunately, you may not bring other children or any additional attendees with you on this day. We need your full attention on our students. Thank you!
Traffic Concerns
Thank you to parents who have remedied some traffic safety concerns I noted in a prior message. We've noticed much improvement, however, I've added an additional concern (in bold) I ask you to be mindful of for the safety of our students. I've included the prior requests as reminders. Thank you!
Please, DO NOT:
- Merge into the flow of buses leaving our parking lot! Please allow buses to leave, once they are moving.
- Park over the pedestrian walkway on Checker or in front of the fire hydrant
- Park in our circle drive (this is marked for buses and emergency vehicles only)
- Make a hazardous U-Turn on Checker that impedes traffic
- Hold your cellphone
The above behaviors are unsafe and are all offenses that police will enforce. Our number one concern at all times is safety, and we require everyone's cooperation and patience. Thank you.
On a related note, please be mindful of your children when they are in your care during drop-off and pickup. Keep them by your side. Holding their hands until in your car is recommended. Young children should be within arm's reach while around buses and cars. We know it's a common time to connect, as you see other parents, however, allowing children to play around many moving vehicles is unsafe.
Reporting an Absence, Tardy or Change in Departure Plan?
As is the case with all District 96 schools, please call the office 24-hour attendance line for absences, tardies, or departure plan changes (bus to parent pick up). It's very risky to email these changes in, as we can't guarantee they will be seen in time. We are absent too, on occaision, and otherwise spend our days with your children. Thanks!
Phone: 847.541.3660
PTO News
Do you have a child coming to the early childhood program or kindergarten at Willow Grove 2018/2019? Order your school supply kit before June 1! Create an account at Membership Toolkit and look under ORDER FORMS. Not only does it take the stress out of back-to-school shopping, the supply kit box will be waiting for your child when they go to visit their classroom for the first time! Please note: When choosing your teacher, be sure to select "new 2018-2019 student " as the option.
FIRST GRADE SUPPLY KIT INFO
Have a graduating kindergartner who needs a supply kit for first grade? Here are the links to all of the District 96 elementary schools where you can order their supply kit for 2018/2019 before June 1st.
https://countrymeadowspto.membershiptoolkit.com/home
https://ivyhallpto.membershiptoolkit.com
https://kildeercountrysidepto.membershiptoolkit.com/home
https://prairiepto.membershiptoolkit.com
The remainder of the blog is repeat information, but still relevant, just in case you missed it! If you've been keeping up, skip it!
Kindergarten Parents, Save the Date: Friday, May 11th ~ You are Invited!
Kindergartners have a wonderful opportunity to perform for you in May! Further details in 3/16 Principal's Message.
2018-19 FIRST-GRADE PARENT CLASS PLACEMENT INPUT
Can you believe it is already time to begin thinking about class placement for next school year? Please read the information below on how class lists are created and how to provide input. This is for first-grade only. If you have an incoming kindergarten student a survey will be emailed to you on May 1st if you have fully completed the registration process.
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, specials area teachers, specialists, and the principal. We at Willow Grove take this process very seriously. The following describes the process for creating balanced class lists.
- Classroom teachers consider the social and academic needs of each student.
- Specialist Team members (social worker, speech teacher, special education teacher, etc.), the Specials Team (Music, P.E.), and the principal provide input as well during this process.
- Parent input is considered.
- We consider placing your child with other students they are familiar with. We cannot accommodate friendship requests.
- Class lists are finalized in August as summer changes must be considered such as move ins/outs, section size changes if any, etc.
We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act which takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children.
Because of the input and thought by teachers, specialists, and administrators, we cannot make changes once this process occurs, as moving one child can disrupt the balance of a class, impacting all students.
I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 27th. While we welcome your input, specific teacher or friend requests will not be honored. Should you provide a specific teacher or friend request, this will be omitted from information being considered.
To provide your input, please make sure your thoughts are provided through this First Grade Placement Input 2018-2019 Survey. As you can imagine, we receive a lot of parent input, and verbal information and multiple emails are impossible to carefully track. Any parents that submit letters/emails will be redirected to the survey. This keeps our information organized so that no input is missed! This information remains confidential between parents and me. Thank you!