Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ August 21, 2020

Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ August 21, 2020

Dear Families,

What a way to kick-off our year!  Willow Grove teachers, staff, and I were elated to see families yesterday at Greet the Teacher and Materials Pick-Up. We are grateful to partner with you and eager to get to know and work with your children!

Staff kicked off this week with a District-wide Zoom Welcome where we met all our new staff members.  Tina Boogren, the author of Take Time for You: Self-Care Action Plans for Educators, visited us with an online workshop that was simply inspirational.  As the week progressed, staff members participated in extensive online learning that will enhance the remote learning experience for your child.  The trainings were led by District 96 instructional coaches and various teachers.  The quality of these workshops was truly amazing and I look forward to watching teachers put their learning into action.  

We look forward to a great remote learning start to school on Monday.  Positivity will pave the way to a great experience for all.  We look forward to working with you this year and for your continued support.

Fondly,

Jenny Smith, Principal

Follow me on Twitter @JennySwanSmith or find me on Instagram @principal_swan_smith


NEW *Video for Logging In For the 1st Day of School*

THIS VIDEO provides directions for logging into the Zoom session on Monday morning.  All families should have received an email today from the district with Google Login and Password information.  The Google login and password are needed for initial access to Clever through Google. When the steps provided in the video are followed, students should see a page where all the Zoom links they will need for each day exist. 


NEW *Teacher’s Office Hours*

Please remember that Parent Office hours are available on Monday and Wednesday from 7:45-8:25 AM.  Parents should use the link sent out by the classroom teacher to access parent office hours.  Teachers will be utilizing the waiting room feature and will let parents in one at a time.  In order to ensure that we get to all parent questions, we will limit each session to no more than 5 minutes.  Please remember that you can always email the teacher and he/she will get back to you as quickly as possible. 


NEW *Family Expectations in the Remote Learning Environment*

We appreciate all that parents are doing to create a conducive learning environment at home.  Please refer to the Family Expectations in the Remote Learning Environment document for information to enhance your child(ren)’s remote experience.  Expectativas de la Familia Durante el Aprendizaje a Distancia


NEW *Missed Student Materials Pick-Up*

If you were unable to attend our Materials Pick Up opportunities on Thursday and Friday, please come to the front office at a time convenient for you to pick up your student(s) materials. We are available anytime between 7:30 AM-4:00 PM.  If you are missing materials, please call the front office at 847.541.3660, and we will assist you in getting the materials you need!


NEW *Curriculum Night Dates/Info*

Save the Date!  Curriculum Night is September 1st at 6:30 PM.  Curriculum Night will be a virtual opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher.  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.  More details to come!


NEW *Attendance Information*

Attendance is required as we return to school this August. Please contact the school office if your student will be absent from class at any time throughout the school day, including if they are leaving and returning, just as if we were in the physical building. Parents will be required to provide a reason for the absence. If your student is ill, symptoms will need to be provided to the school office. If your child will be absent for any portion of the day for any reason, please contact the office to let us know.


NEW *Tech Support* 

As students are home with their iPad devices to access remote learning plans, we do anticipate there may be some tech needs that arise.  If you run into any difficulty with your child’s school iPad, just send us an email explaining your problem and we can support you and your device.  Please email [email protected] with any tech-related support needed.

If we did not have your child’s iPad at Material Pick-Up, contact [email protected]. They will check the status of your child’s enrollment and work to provide your child’s iPad as quickly as possible.  Pick-up for all tech-related items will be housed through Ivy Hall School.


REPEATING *First Day of School*

Our first half-day of remote learning will be Monday, August 24th.  Aug 24, First Day of School - ALL students will attend during their assigned session (both AM and PM).  Structured also attends regular hours, 8:45-2:45.


REPEATING *Supporting Our D96 Community Families*

The pandemic is creating challenging situations for many families in our community.

Community members who are able to are invited to donate these items: macaroni & cheese (cups or boxes), canned foods (veggies/fruits/tuna/chicken/beans), granola bars, tortillas, cheese (shredded/sliced), eggs, deli meats, frozen ground beef/chicken.

Please deliver to collection boxes outside the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC) front entrance, 990 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills, from 8 AM–3 PM. Please observe social distancing when delivering donations and ring the doorbell when delivering perishable foods and/or gift cards.

If you'd like to deliver your donation to your student's school on the designated Materials Pick-Up Day, please place it in the donation box (non-perishable/non-refrigerated items only, please) in front of the school entrance.

Questions? Contact [email protected]


REPEATING *Remember to Meet Health Form Requirements*

Health form requirements vary by grade level and for new/returning students. New to District 96 (all grade levels)? See MORE INFO regarding grade-level specific health form requirements. 

All students entering Kindergarten must have their CERTIFICATE OF CHILD HEALTH EXAMINATION/IMMUNIZATION FORM (signed by the physician) on file in the school office by October 15, 2020. 

All students entering Kindergarten must have their Vision Examination Form by October 15, 2020. 

All students entering Kindergarten must have a DENTAL EXAMINATION FORM on file at their school office by May 15, 2021. 


REPEATING *See the Revised Quicklist 20–21 Calendar*

Please see the Revised Quicklist 2020–21 CALENDAR ready to throw on your fridge, including school hours information and dates for Early Release Days, Half Days, holidays, and winter/spring breaks.  This includes the realignment needed for our half-day schedule that I reviewed.  Please be sure to review this carefully and keep it handy!