Dear Families,
I want to start by giving a huge thank you to our PTO for filling our hearts and tummies with a donut breakfast on Monday and a boxed lunch today! This was so special and wonderful. Thank you for the continued support of our PTO and families. You're incredible!
We continued to enjoy seeing our in-person learners this week. Even though we had this opportunity for a short six days, we are hopeful for students returning when the data allows us to safely do so. In the meantime, let’s encourage each other to follow the 3 W’s and continue our partnership for student success in a remote environment.
Enjoy your weekend!
Fondly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
NEW *Picture Day & Material Pick-Up (for prior in-person learners)
Given we are going remote, we needed to adapt our plans slightly. Picture Day will continue to be Monday, October 26, at Willow Grove. For those students who have been in-person, we have student materials for you to pick-up and take back to your home on Monday, as well. We have the materials all set up in individual student crates for easy transport to come back to in-person learning when that is able to happen. Based on the weather forecast, we don't anticipate being able to host this outdoors.
Here are the REVISED plans:
- Ordering will be completely digital - LINK HERE. You need to order before you come for your child's picture. Pictures will be shipped directly to your home.
- On Monday, October 26, children may come to the school for their picture anytime between the hours of 8:30 AM-3:00 PM, escorted into our gymnasium by ONE parent/guardian. Please do not come during your child's classroom time, as we'd like them to attend their school day. All attendees must wear a mask and watch their socially distanced space.
- While at Willow Grove, you will: (1) Get your child's picture taken, (2) Pick up a Halloween craft, compliments of our PTO, and (3) Pick-up your child's materials if they have been in-person.
- All coming into the building (child and parent) will have their temperature taken and self-certify to enter. We will do it with you on-site; you don't need to do anything ahead of time. DO NOT attend if you are experiencing any symptoms or have a temperature of 100.4 or above.
- Enter our school through the side gym door off of our big parking lot. Pictures, material pick-up, and Halloween craft distribution will take place in the gym. We will be monitoring the group size to adhere to less than 50 individuals in a space.
What if you can't make the date/time of Monday, Oct. 26, 8:30 AM-3:00 PM?
November 30th will be picture retake day or another opportunity for families to come who are unable to attend October 26th. The hours are 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, providing some evening hours. You may pick up your child's materials (if applicable) and Halloween craft in the office, any day.
If you are unable to attend either of these dates or choose not to have your child attend picture day, we will collect a photo of your child from you if you'd like us to include it in the yearbook.
NEW *Calendar Updates*
As a reminder, there will be no school held on Monday, November 2nd or Tuesday, November 3rd. Students will return for remote instruction on Wednesday, November 4th.
November 13 - NO SCHOOL for Willow Grove students ONLY
NEW *Meals Are Available for Drive-Up Pick-Up*
Any KCSD96 family choosing to do so may pick up free breakfasts/lunches for their students weekdays from 11 AM–1 PM when District 96 students are in session. SEE DETAILS
NEW *ComEd Bill Payment Assistance Options*
ComEd has provided bill payment assistance options for families experiencing financial hardship. Please find info HERE.
NEW *MUSIC - KINDERGARTEN ONLY*
We love seeing all the kids in music class on Wednesdays and Fridays! We want to remind you that there are 2 different music links on clever. Please click Mrs. Muehling's colorful music notes on Wednesdays and Mrs. Coleman's black music notes on Fridays so you arrive at the correct class. Thank you! We can't wait to keep learning with you!
NEW *PTO UPDATES*
The Willow Grove PTO is looking for a Corresponding Secretary. This person will be primarily responsible for the PTO Blog and PTO Facebook Page. You will be asked to attend monthly board meetings and coordinate with other board members so all programs and events are being shared with the Willow Grove Community. This role is especially key this year as everything the PTO does is virtual and you will be the main way to communicate to the school community! If you are interested in learning more about this important role, please reach out to the PTO at [email protected].
Also, there's been a blog update and we have so much to share! Click HERE for our PTO blog!
REPEAT *Halloween Information*
Given the unique circumstances we are faced with this year, we will not have students wear Halloween costumes or partake in our annual Halloween parade. At Willow Grove, we will celebrate with a "Mismatch Monster Mash Day!" Students may wear mismatched clothing and teachers are preparing a fun game to enjoy during the school day. Our PTO is providing a craft for kids to take home, too! More to come on how we'll distribute those for our remote students. Children in-person or remote will partake in the mismatched fun and Halloween themed game.
REPEATING *Updated COVID-19 Metrics*
This UPDATED COVID-19 METRICS is the information “dashboard” that maintains transparent and open communication around COVID-19 metrics. As a user of the dashboard, the District has access to COVID-19 data as recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium. We review this data daily, update the dashboard weekly, and consider this data in making many decisions.
REPEAT *Tech Hub*
KCSD96 Family Technology Hub! The District 96 Family Technology Hub is designed to guide families through technology tools related to Enhanced Remote Learning. On this site you can find links to the recordings and the corresponding Slides decks for the parent/family informational sessions from last week. You can also find tutorials on how to use ZOOM, Schoology, Seesaw, Clever, Notability, and other iPad essential tools for student learning. Additionally, there is a link to email the technology support desk. Please save or bookmark this site. It will be updated with tools, resources, and tutorials through remote learning to better support your family.
Please email [email protected] with any tech-related support needed.