Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ August 9, 2019

We are looking forward to kicking off the new school year next week on Thursday, August 15th, for Structured, AM Blended, and Kindergarten, and on the 16th for PM Blended!  Please, if you haven't, refer to last week's message for a significant amount of communication that will help you start off the school year on the right foot! Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions in the main office or ask while you're at our Meet the Teacher event on Tuesday.  

 

I highly encourage having your child routinely use the bus (students provided bus service).  Our buses have only kindergarten students (or 3-5-year-olds in Blended/Structured buses). This is a great routine to begin with your child.   Most little ones are SO EXCITED to jump on the bus. Some are scared, and that's o.k. With practice, they quickly see it isn't such a scary thing.  Showing love and a sense of confidence in your child and our school is helpful with this transition. Let them know that their Willow Grove family will meet them at the other end, and that you (or who you've arranged) will meet them back home at the end of the day.  Having your child ride the bus will also greatly help with our arrival and dismissal times of the day. We have limited parking, and ALL parents dropping off or picking up their children will need to park and walk their child to the main entrance of our school. There is no drop-off lane for parents.  This includes families in our Blended and the Structured Learning Program. Never park in the circle drive, which is for buses and emergency vehicles only.

Parents who drop off their children do so outside of the school at our main entrance, and may not enter the school.  Parents may not walk children to their classrooms.  It is our utmost priority to maintain a safe and secure environment.  

Anyone picking a child up from our school at any time MUST bring an ID/license for us to release the child.  Anytime you enter Willow Grove to collect your child, bring your State ID/license. If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is picking up your child, you must let the office know ahead of time (NOT a teacher email).

Parents may not pick up their child unannounced at dismissal time.  If you need to pick your child up at dismissal, and this has not been communicated to us in your child's regular dismissal plans, you must notify us in advance (by 2:00 PM) through student note or phone--NOT EMAIL.  If you haven't notified us, we will send your child home on the bus and you'll need to get home to meet them. I also ask that if your child is a regular bus student, not to alter their dismissal plan if at all possible, especially as your children are getting used to our routines.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

Anticipate delays in transportation our first couple weeks of schools.  As buses get used to new routes and traffic patterns settle at the start of the school year, pick-up/drop-off times will become more routine and efficient.  We ask that you please are patient with us and the drivers. Thank you!

 

The District has revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST. The items the list includes are free of the Top 8 allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.  This list includes the foods that are approved for students' Daily Snacks.  Daily snacks for your children must be from this list or they will be sent home.  

 

IMPORTANT: All items for Daily Snacks, with the exception of fruits and vegetables, MUST be prepackaged to allow staff to easily check that snacks meet the approved requirements.  If you choose to send a water bottle with your child, it must be a "spill proof" top and non-glass. See the Kindergarten 101 handout in the Virtual Backpack for examples/non-examples.

 

Director of Educational Services Amy Gluck also has provided responses to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) about foods approved for daily snacks/special events.

 

For your convenience, find links to the District 96 Approved Snack List and Approved Snack List FAQs on the homepage of the District 96 website and the homepage of each school.

 

A Note For ALL about Birthdays: You will see that the permitted birthday snack options on the last page of the Approved Snack List do NOT include Early Childhood or Kindergarten.  Birthday food is not allowed at Willow Grove. If you choose to send something in with your child to recognize his/her birthday, non­-disruptive and safe non food items are acceptable (pencils, erasers, stickers, etc.).  If you are unsure if the birthday trinket would be acceptable (non-disruptive, safe, and non-food), please reach out to your child's teacher.

Lunches packed from home may contain anything, and do not need to be from the Approved Snack List.  If your child is bringing in lunch, snacks must be packed separately from lunch.

 

We are looking forward to seeing you at Meet the Teacher!  Visit us in the Learning Center and see all the exciting things you can sign up for.  

The PTO is hosting a back to school "Boohoo/Yahoo Breakfast" on the 15th from 9:15-10:15 at Deerfields Bakery!  Hope to see you there!  *Please note, this is a location change from what was published last week.

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Warm regards,

Jenny Smith, Principal

Follow me on Twitter @JennySwanSmith

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Meet the Teacher, Tuesday, August 13th

Who?  All students and parents - Kindergarten, Blended AM/PM, and Structured 

Time? 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

At the Meet the Teacher event, parents and kids will meet their teacher, see their classroom, and while there, may tour around our building.  The PTO will also be there and you can check out all the things they have to offer. Parents should bring their child’s supplies to drop at school this day.  If you ordered from the PTO, those will be waiting in your child’s classroom.  We will also have parents confirm dismissal plans and once confirmed, you’ll receive an ID tag for your child’s backpack.  If you’re unable to attend this day, your child will receive his/her backpack ID tag on their first day of attendance. Please make sure your child’s backpack very clearly has their name somewhere so we can identify each child as they enter the building.

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Curriculum Night, Monday, August 19th

Please also make a note of our Curriculum Night for all parents/guardians (blended, kindergarten, and structured program) is on August 19th from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  Children do not attend Curriculum Night. We talk about what your children will be learning and teachers review routines and classroom procedures, etc. It’s a nice evening to get to know your child’s teacher and our school.

Curriculum Night Schedule: 

Kindergarten Parents-Begin in our gym where you will meet with me (Jenny Smith, principal) for 10-15 minutes.  After this you will be dismissed to go to your child’s classroom and meet with your child’s teacher for the remainder of the time.

Blended and Structured Parents-Begin in your child’s classroom.  Come to the gym at 7:15 to meet with me (Jenny Smith, principal).  

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Kindergarten Parent Resources

If you were unable to attend Kindy 101 & Screening, here are some resources to support you and your child as you begin the school year.

Willow Grove Kindergarten Welcome Video

Kindy 101 Overview - This will give you plenty of information to get you off on the right foot! (Spanish link to same doc)

*PLEASE MAKE NOTE...There was an error in the handout provided to parents on June 5th.  The first day of school attendance is a half-day release at 11:45 for all students, not early release.  Students will leave Willow Grove at 11:45 a.m. on our first day of student attendance.

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First Day of School & Hours

Please make sure you have noted important dates indicated on our school calendar.  You’ll find information on all student attendance days, such as our daily program hours, days off, early release days, and district half-days.  

Our first day of student attendance is August 15th, which is a Half-Day.

Release Times for Half-Day Attendance:

Full & Half-Day KDG & Structured program dismiss 11:45 AM; ONLY Blended AM attend (8:45–11:15) and these alternate between the AM and PM classes throughout the school year (see District 96 2019-20 calendar).

Regular School Hours

Kindergarten Full-Day: 9:00 AM-2:45 PM (drop off starts at 8:45 AM)

Kindergarten Daily Half-Day: 9:00 AM-11:50 AM (drop off starts at 8:45 AM)

Blended AM:  8:45 AM-11:15 AM Monday-Friday (drop off starts at 8:35 AM)

Blended PM: 12:00 PM-2:30 PM Monday-Friday (drop off starts at 11:50 AM)

Structured: 8:45 AM-2:15 PM Monday-Friday  (drop off starts at 8:35 AM)

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Food & Willow Grove

Daily Snack for Kindergarten

Children have daily snack time in their classrooms.  Snacks must be from the Approved Snack List. Please read this carefully as there are particular guidelines you must follow.  The Approved Snack List will be linked on next Friday's message, August 9th. Abiding by this helps to keep our environment safe for all students to do their best learning.  Any items not on the Approved Daily Snack List sent to school will be returned home.

Kindergarten Lunch: Unlike snack, where you must pack items from our Approved Snack List, students may bring anything in for lunch, as lunch is out of the classroom.   We have safety measures in place during lunch for children with allergies. If you have questions, please contact our school nurse by calling our main office.

Blended and Structured Programs: Blended and Structured teachers will explain routines for snack at Meet the Teacher.  All items must be from the Approved Snack List. Students in the structured program do eat lunch at school in our cafeteria and may purchase lunch or bring their own.  Any foods are permissible at lunch.  

Birthdays: We do not allow food to be passed out to children at birthdays.  It is not required to send anything for your child’s birthday to share with the class.  If you choose to send something in, it must be a non-food item. Examples include a sticker or pencil.  

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¡En sus marcas, listos, fuera!

Esperamos con ansias el inicio del nuevo año escolar el jueves 15 de agosto de la próxima semana para los programas Estructurado, AM Mixto y Kindergarten, y el 16 de agosto para los de PM Mixto.  Si todavía no lo hizo, refiérase al mensaje de la semana pasada con mucha información importante que le ayudará a iniciar el año escolar con el pie derecho.  No dude en contactarnos en la oficina principal con cualquier consulta, o pregunte en la actividad donde se conoce al docente el martes.  

 

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Llegada y salida

Los instamos para que su hijo utilice el autobús de forma rutinaria (se proporciona servicio de autobús a los estudiantes).  Nuestros autobuses solamente llevan estudiantes de kindergarten (o de 3 a 5 años en los autobuses de los programas Mixto/Estructurado).  Esta es una excelente rutina para iniciar con su hijo.   A la mayoría de los pequeñines les EMOCIONA MUCHO subir al autobús. Algunos le tienen temor y está bien. Con práctica ven rápido que en realidad no es tan atemorizante.  Demostrar amor y un sentido de confianza en su hijo y en nuestra escuela es de utilidad para esta transición.  Hágales saber que su familia de Willow Grove los estará esperando en la otra parte y que usted (o a quien haya designado) los esperará en casa al final del día.  Hacer que su hijo utilice el autobús también será de gran ayuda con nuestros horarios de llegada y salida del día. Contamos con estacionamiento limitado y TODOS los padres que llegan a dejar o a recoger a sus hijos deben estacionarse y llevar a su hijo a la entrada principal de nuestra escuela.  No hay carril de llegada para padres.  Esto incluye a las familias de nuestros programas de aprendizaje Mixto y Estructurado. Nunca se estacione en la rotonda ya que solamente es para autobuses y vehículos de emergencia.

Los padres que dejan a sus hijos lo hacen fuera de la escuela en nuestra entrada principal y no pueden ingresar a la escuela.  Los padres no pueden llevar a los niños a sus salones de clase.  Es primordial mantener un entorno seguro y protegido.  

Cualquier persona que venga a recoger a un niño a la escuela en cualquier momento DEBE traer una identificación/licencia para que podamos dejar ir al niño.  Traiga su identificación/licencia del estado cada vez que ingrese a Willow Grove para recoger a su hijo. Si otra persona que no sea un padre viene a recoger a su hijo, debe informarlo a la oficina con anticipación (NO un correo electrónico al docente).

Los padres no pueden recoger a sus hijos si anunciarse en la línea de salida.  Si necesita recoger a su hijo en la salida y no hemos recibido la comunicación en los planes regulares de salida de su hijo, debe notificarnos con anticipación (antes de las 2:00 PM) por medio de una nota del estudiante o por teléfono--NO CORREO ELECTRÓNICO.  Si no nos ha notificado, enviaremos a su hijo a casa en el autobús y deberá esperarle allí.  También le solicito que, si su hijo es un estudiante con uso regular del autobús, no altere su plan de salida si es del todo posible, especialmente debido a que su hijo se está acostumbrando a nuestras rutinas.  ¡Gracias por su comprensión y cooperación!

Anticipe retrasos en el transporte durante nuestras primeras dos semanas de escuela.  Conforme los autobuses se acostumbran a las nuevas rutas y patrones de tránsito al inicio del año escolar, los horarios de recogida y llegada se irán haciendo más rutinarios y eficientes.  Le pedimos paciencia con nosotros y con los choferes.  ¡Gracias!

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Merienda diaria

Meriendas aprobadas Lo que deben saber los padres

El Distrito ha revisado la LISTA DE MERIENDAS APROBADAS. Los artículos que incluye la lista están libres de los 8 alérgenos más importantes: leche, huevos, maní, frutos secos, pescado, moluscos, soya y trigo.  Esta lista incluye las comidas que fueron aprobadas para formar parte de las meriendias diarias de los estudiantes.  Las meriendas diarias para su hijo deben estar en la lista o se enviarán a casa.  

IMPORTANTE: Todos los artículos para las meriendas diarias, a excepción de las frutas y vegetales, DEBEN venir previamente empacados de manera que el personal pueda verificar con facilidad que las meriendas cumplan con los requisitos aprobados.  Si decide enviarle una botella de agua a su hijo, debe ser con tapa a prueba de derrames y que no sea de vidrio.  Ver el folleto Kindergarten 101 en Virtual Backpack (mochila virtual) para ejemplos.

La Directora de Servicios Educativos Amy Gluck también ha dado respuestas para las PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES (FAQs, por sus siglas en inglés) sobre alimentos aprobados para las meriendas diarias/eventos especiales.

Para su conveniencia, encuentre los enlaces a la Lista de meriendas aprobadas del Distrito 96 y Preguntas frecuentes sobre la Lista de meriendas aprobadas en la página de inicio de cada escuela.

Una nota para TODOS sobre los cumpleaños: Verán que las opciones de meriendas permitidas para cumpleaños en la última página de la Lista de meriendas aprobadas NO incluye Infancia Temprana ni Kindergarten.  No se permiten alimentos de cumpleaños en Willow Grove. Si decide enviar algo con su hijo para celebrar su cumpleaños, se aceptan artículos que no sean alimentos y que no causen alteraciones (lápices, borradores, postales, etc.).  Si no está seguro si el artículo de cumpleaños es aceptable (que no causa alteraciones, seguro y no alimenticio), contacte al docente de su hijo.

Los almuerzos empacados desde el hogar pueden contener cualquier cosa y no es necesario que vengan en la Lista de meriendas aprobadas.  Si su hijo trae almuerzo, este se debe empacar aparte de las meriendas. 

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Noticias de la PTO

¡Esperamos verle en la Actividad para conocer al docente!  Visítenos en el Centro de Aprendizaje y vea todas las nuevas y emocionantes ofertas en las que se puede inscribir.  

La PTO está auspiciando un “Desayuno Boohoo/Yahoo” de regreso a clases el día 15 de 9:15 a 10:15, en Deerfields Bakery.  ¡Esperamos verle ahí! *Tome en cuenta que este es un cambio de ubicación del publicado la semana anterior.

Haga clic aquí para ver la Caja de herramientas de membresía a la PTO para información sobre las actividades, oportunidades de voluntariado, etc. ¡para que no se pierda nada!

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Saludos cordiales,

Jenny Smith, Directora

Sígame en Twitter @JennySwanSmith