Monday, September 3, No School for Labor Day Holiday
Curriculum Night Recap
It was a pleasure seeing so many smiling faces on Curriculum Night. It was a full house, which is just how we like it! Thank you for attending. This is the beginning of a beautiful partnership as we work together to have a wonderful year, celebrating the developing love of learning in your child. If you missed it or want to remember some key details, the kindergarten presentation is here for you. The video of so many of our students is on the first page for you to check out (bottom right, double-click it to make it big). Thank you to Mrs. Martinez for putting that together. It's precious and adorable! The video was made over the summer, capturing some of our EC students and our kindy students during their screening experience. Early Childhood parents, there are some excellent ways parents can support learning included in these slides if you are looking for ideas. I know your teachers shared ideas with you, too!
Have you met your friendly office team?
It's nice to put a face with a name! Left to right...
Sue Foley - Office clerk, attendance, and will always greet you with a smile! Mrs. Foley is in her 2nd year at Willow Grove. She is one of the most organized, on the ball people I've ever met and friendly and kind to everybody she greets on top of it! She is ever so thankful when you call your child out for being sick or tardy. We are ever so thankful for HER!
24-hour Attendance Line: (847) 541-3660 ext. 3
Stephanie Petrykowski - School nurse, giver of ice, bandaids, and celebrator of lost teeth. Always there to give comfort for boo-boos. Nurse "P" has just begun her journey with our team this year. We have LOVED getting to know her beautiful spirit and she is very quickly learning our routines and procedures. Nurse "P" is thankful for up to date immunization medical records! Thank you to everyone for getting those in. Don't forget we'll need those eye exams and dental exam records if you haven't gotten those in yet.
Entering kindergarten OR New to Illinois in Grades 1–8
Vision Examination Form (due by Oct. 15, 2018, for 2018–19 SY) or Eye Exam Waiver Form
New to District 96 AND entering Kdg., 2nd grade, or 6th grade:
Proof of Dental Exam Form (due by May 15, 2019, for 2018–19 SY) or Dental Waiver Request Form
Jenny Smith - Principal, yours truly! This is my 17th year in District 96 (how time flies!). I began as a middle school teacher and fell in love with the little ones of Willow Grove when I was a special education coordinator (administrator) for the district, working across all 7 schools. I started my principal career at Kildeer Elementary for five years and am now in my third year at Willow Grove. Your kids, our staff, and this community (YOU!) fill my heart every day!
Karen Graham - Administrator Assistant, lover of children, care-taker/organizer of her principal, staff, and families! Mrs. Graham does it all. She's in her 19th year at Willow Grove and moved into our admin assistant role last school year. She is a phenomenal support to the functioning of our school and I couldn't do it without her! Truly, she reminds me to eat and breath on some days!! LOL!
We are here to serve your children and you and appreciate your daily partnership!
Safety Drills
All schools are required to hold fire/evacuation, severe weather, and lockdown drills. We recognize some of the content could potentially be frightening for our little ones if not handled properly and are extremely cautious and developmentally appropriate in our delivery. Our teachers are attentive to our students' emotions throughout their instruction prior to the drills and during drills, are able to access support if needed, and would alert parents if their child seemed scared or under stress. I am unable to provide specific dates of the actual drills to parents, as drills are meant to be at times where the population is unaware and we respond without knowing exactly when it will happen. This is important for us, as adults, and our students, to help us learn to respond without knowing all of the specifics, just as in an emergency. Please know, lockdown drills and fire drills are common around this time of year (fall-ish) and going through the year. Severe weather drills are more often in the winter/spring. Your child's teacher will let you know when there has been instruction or a drill. Please let me know if you have any questions.
PTO News
Parents of students with allergies: We want to make sure parents who are concerned with allergies have an understanding that there is a dairy free option and that our options are made on a tree nut and peanut free line. Parents of children with allergies are responsible for reviewing the specific frozen treat information, making sure there is nothing of concern. If you have placed a dessert day order but did not select the Polar Blast bar (dairy-free) and your child needs this option please reach out to the PTO and they will make the adjustment. You can find information on the three treats offered here. All products are Hershey. Our first dessert day is Sept 21st for any child eating lunch at Willow Grove (full-day kinder and/or structured program).
PTO Contact for questions: President, Megan Robin
WILLOW GROVE PTO MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT - Membership Toolkit is your place to sign up for everything PTO related, including Dessert Day!
Warm regards,
Jenny Smith, Principal
Follow me on Twitter @JennySwanSmith
The following is repeat information from last week's blog, but still current. You can skip this if you already reviewed last week's message.
Open to Kindergartners: Learn a Language
Fun Fluency classes are an optional after-school opportunity at Willow Grove Early Learning Center for our kindergarten students to learn Spanish through immersion, movement, games, songs, rhythm, and more.
LEARN MORE about details, cost, and how to register for this optional after-school opportunity.
Note: After School Sports & Games Club is full and at "Wait List" status only