Families,
In today's message, you'll see there are many resources available for all students to access throughout the course of the summer. My morning announcement videos are also a click away on the Willow Grove Morning Announcement playlist if you want to look back for some summer activities. I'm beyond impressed by the quality of resources you'll have at your fingertips! You'll see this all explained below, in the section, "Summer Learning Requirements and Options."
This is a tough goodbye this year, with the closing of our year ending like it is. Parents, I am showering you with gratitude for all that you have juggled with home and work commitments and taking on the challenges of becoming your own child's home teacher. I'm beyond proud of our staff and all they have done to continue to provide quality education opportunities and connections with students while instructing from afar and all while balancing their home life (many teaching their own children simultaneously!). I've watched the slides and videos teachers have created along the way and am continually blown away. I've loved creating the daily announcement videos for your children and it'll be a special memory I'll always have. Getting my own children involved is certainly something I'll always hold dear. Your notes, pictures, and videos responding to the videos and saying thank you filled me with joy on a daily basis!
I'll never forget these crazy waters we've navigated together this year and all of our learning and experiences together. I couldn't be more fortunate than to have gone through it with each and every one of you. That goes for parents and our PTO, our fabulous Willow Grove and greater D96 team, and of course, our amazing students, who we all do it all for because each and every child is a precious gift with a soaring future ahead of them.
I know there are many unknowns in regards to how we will begin next school year, but please know that we will be communicating with you as soon as we have a plan in place! Our administrative team will be working feverishly this summer to ensure the 2020-2021 school year is ready to start safely and successfully!
Thank you, all, from the bottom of my heart. Wishing you all the best and a summer filled with the joys of sunshine, sprinklers, and popsicles! To some of you, I'll see you soon. To those of you closing your Willow Grove chapter, we've loved having you. Be safe and well, friends!
Fondly,
Jenny Smith
NEW: Student Report Card Access Today
Your student’s report card will be available for you to access online today AFTER 3 PM. If you need assistance, please CLICK HERE for instructions to view your student’s report card, to switch between your children’s report cards, and more.
NEW: Summer Learning Requirements and Options
Plans for Summer 2020 days ahead look different than most of us anticipated, but they do include keeping the learning going for KCSD96 kids in fun and interesting ways.
Reading during the summer is critically important for students’ continued growth and helps counteract “summer slide”–when some of the achievement gains made during the previous school year slip away.
In addition to summer reading, District 96 faculty have been at work developing Summer Enrichment Activities for 11 weeks of summer!
Find weekly required reading as well as optional activities to choose from related to math connections, science, social studies, writing, music, art, PE, or STEM HERE. (Note: For optional activities they choose, students should be able to work independently. There is nothing to submit.)
All students entering kindergarten–Grade 5 also have grade-level-specific book ideas to inspire them to discover the pleasure of reading. Links to these lists are found at the foot of the Summer Enrichment Activities webpage.
In addition to optional Summer Enrichment Activities, all students entering grades 6–8 have a Read Outside Yourself Summer Reading Challenge, including a specific assignment.
Which Grade Level?
Grade-level groups at the top of the Summer Enrichment Activities homepage (that is, Grades EC/K–2, Grades 3–5, Grades 6–7) refer to the 2019–20 school year, as this enrichment includes support of some 2019–20 learning targets. Choose the grade level of your student in the just-completed 2019–20 school year. For example, a student who will be in Grade 8 in the 2020–21 school year should select the Grades 6–7 category and complete 7th-grade work.
Note to EC (blended and structured early childhood) families: We recognize that our early childhood students do not yet have District 96-issued iPads to use, but parents may choose to access these Summer Enrichment Activities with their children using a family computer, iPad, or another device. No sign-in or password is needed. On the homepage, just click on the “Grades EC/K-2” link in the menu bar at the top of the web page and scroll down to view week-by-week opportunities. You'll notice that the resources are marked for kindergarten and up. Please feel free to access the many kindergarten resources, as many are also geared for younger.
NEW: Elementary Students' Reflections on HOPE
In mid-May, District 96 Language Development Coaches challenged their elementary students in Grades 3–5 to express "What hope means." Their video responses are genuine, heartfelt, and moving. Please take time for their inspiring reflections: What HOPE means to us – D96
NEW: PTO BLOG UPDATES
Included in this week's PTO blog update are details about picking up your child's PTO Yearbook, which many have asked about. Don't miss it! There is also information about a special end of year gift for all students. Finally, refund requests are due Monday, June 1.
Click here to read the PTO Blog!
NEW: Last Call for Material Pick Up
Monday, June 1st, will be the last call for student material pick up. Between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, please come to the front of the building. All remaining student bags will be labeled and organized by grade/class. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines, and safely grab your child's belongings. All other bags will be kept until the 2020-2021 school year.
REPEATING: Don't Wait! Register for the 2020–21 School Year
If you haven't already registered your new or returning District 96 student for the 2020–21 school year, please do so right away. Having an accurate enrollment count is important for anticipating staffing needs appropriately. Please tell new neighbors and friends to contact the public info coordinator [email protected] with registration questions and for info on options to delay/waive registration fees.
Acceso a las Boletas de Calificaciones de los Estudiantes Hoy después de las 3 PM
La boleta de calificaciones de su estudiante estará disponible en línea hoy DESPUÉS DE LAS 3 PM. Si necesita ayuda, por favor VER LAS INSTRUCCIONES PARA VER LA BOLETA DE CALIFICACIONES DE SU ESTUDIANTE, intercambiar entre boletas de calificaciones de sus hijos, y más.