Principal's Message ~ December 14

Principal's Message ~ December 14

Last Principal Message of 2018! 

Families, 

It has been a pleasure getting to know you so far this school year.  We've had so much fun with your children.  It's hard to believe how fast they are growing, both socially and academically (and even physically)!  Those timid little ones who came to us in August are completely settled in, familiar with our school routines, and learning in leaps and bounds.  We've also loved partnering with you.  Thank you to so many of you who made it for conferences.  We've also enjoyed some lovely PTO events where we were able to connect and get to know you, as well as our most recent Cultural Fair.  

As we go into this new year, I want to wish all of you a peaceful and happy holiday season.  You children are a gift for us to work with each and every day and we value the time we get to spend with them.  Thank you for the continued support!

We still have one more week, but this is the last Principal's Message before the winter break!  Here are some date reminders:

Winter Break (no school): December 24th - January 4th

School Resumes: January 7th


Image result for spirit week graphics

We are excited to announce Spirit Week the week leading into Winter Break!  We think this will be a fun way to wrap up 2018 with the kids.

Mon - Dec 17: Crazy hair day

Tue - Dec 18: Wear your class color or represent your animal emoji day (see below)

Wed - Dec 19: Spirit wear or purple or grey day

Thur - Dec 20: PJ Day (there will be indoor recess)

Fri - Dec 21: Winter party day

Class Emoji/Colors:

Miss Andrew - Fish, blue or orange

Mrs. Buban - Tiger, black

Ms. Chappas - Owl, gold or yellow

Miss Derry - Fox, red

Mrs. Dolan - Penguin, blue

Mrs. Dyer - Panda, black or white

Miss Filippo - Dolphin, blue or silver/gray

Mrs. Holzman - Giraffe, yellow

Mrs. Johnson - Frog, green

Mrs. May - Koala, pink or gray

Ms. Perry - Puppy, blue or brown

Mrs. Rabin - Turtle, green

Mrs. Santucci - Lion, orange

Miss Weihe - Monkey, orange or brown

Miss Wittenberg - Raccoon, purple

Mrs. Yandura - Bee, yellow or black


Cultural Fair

Click on the gallery below to remember our special event!  Thank you, again, to the families and staff that made this night possible!

WILLOW GROVE CULTURAL FAIR PHOTO GALLERY


Looking for Volunteers!

Has your child asked you to be a gym helper yet? Mrs. O'Gara is ready to begin scheduling  parent volunteers for their children's PE class in 2019! This invitation is open to kindergarten and Early Childhood parents! Each family can sign up for one day at a time each month. Classes are only 20 minutes long and helping out is fun! Just email Mrs. O'Gara at [email protected].


PTO News

CLICK HERE to support the teacher appreciation Hot Cocoa Bar!  More detailed info in our blog!

Click here to read the PTO blog to keep up with all of our fun PTO school events and opportunities for your child!


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.


After School Sports & Games Club-Session 2

The After School Sports and Games Club will be starting a new session in January! Join Mrs. O'Gara on Thursdays from 3:00-3:45 PM for all kinds of fun! Make new friends and learn new games! We will be focusing on teamwork, sportsmanship, and positive social engagement. Adult supervision will be provided at Willow Grove from 2:45-3:00 when the club begins. You may wish to send a snack from the approved snack list for your child to eat during this time. There are only a limited number of spots available, so sign up quickly! Priority will be given to students who were not able to join us in the first session. All other students will be placed on a waiting list. Parents will be notified by e-mail either way. This club will run on Thursdays from January 10th to May 9th. Hope to see you there! KCSD 96 Approved Snack List 

Click here to sign up!


PLAN AHEAD TO PREREGISTER FOR 2019-20 KINDERGARTEN & YOUR CHILD RECEIVES A FREE WILLOW GROVE BEAR SPIRIT WEAR T-SHIRT!

Do you have a child entering kindergarten next year or have friends or neighbors with incoming kindergarten students?  Help spread the word!  Receive a free Willow Grove Bear t-shirt for making our pre-registration deadline of January 31st.  Two evenings are available for pre-registration.  

Parents of 2019–20 kindergartners, take note:

Preregistration for 2019–20 Kindergarten begins in January.

Preregister at Willow Grove Early Learning Center, 777 Checker Dr., Buffalo Grove, on

Thurs., Jan. 17, 5:00–7:00 p.m. OR Wed., Jan. 23, 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Parents of incoming kindergartners will be requested to prove residency with required documents and District forms and to complete a brief online pre-registration form.

Required documents:

• current monthly mortgage or lease statement or property tax bill AND

• current utility bill AND

• child’s birth certificate, passport, or visa AND

• RESIDENCY FORM

• HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY

• ENROLLMENT FORM

Questions? Contact the public info coordinator: 847.459.4260, ext. 8022, [email protected]


District 96 parents are asked to complete online the parent portion of the Illinois 5Essentials Survey by Jan. 18, 2019.

Access the survey:  https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/

As a parent, this is your opportunity to share your thoughts on important elements of your child’s school’s effectiveness. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected] or Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Jeanne Spiller [email protected]


Attention Parents of Current Kindergartners

If your student is currently a kindergartner at our school, you will need to prove residency again between Jan. 8 and Feb. 15, 2019, in order to receive the email to register him or her for the 2019–2020 school year (1st grade).

Only parents of current kindergartners and 5th graders have this requirement.

To prove residency, please bring to our school office the following:
• a current monthly mortgage or lease statement OR property tax bill
AND
• a current utility bill

Please call our District 96 public information coordinator if you have questions: 847.459.4260, ext. 8022.