Dear Families,
This week some of our blended and kindergarten students returned to in-person learning. It has been a joy to have students back at school. Everyone was wearing big smiles behind their masks, which were visible through “smiling eyes.” Teachers spent Tuesday, January 19th preparing for the return to in-person learning and learning the NEAT Bar technology. Students very quickly are settling into our building routines.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Fondly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
Upcoming Calendar
JANUARY
26 – EARLY RELEASE DAY: AM dismisses at 10 AM; PM dismisses at 2 PM. On early release days, please note that there is no regular PE time for certain classes that begin after 10 AM or 2 PM. Instead, these students are invited to attend the 9:45 AM PE class or the 1:45 PM PE class.
27 – Picture Retake Day or another opportunity for those who missed our first Picture Day - Details below
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR PARENTS OF IN-PERSON LEARNERS
Students in Early Childhood–Grade 2 must bring their saliva samples to school on the designated day it is due.
Parents whose students do not bring their saliva samples will be called to come to the school and bring their student’s sample collection vial, barcode label, and plastic baggie and assist their student in collecting the sample.
The schedule for saliva sample collection for EC–Grade 2 is as follows:
Monday: Ivy Hall Grades 1-2 (Last names A-L); Prairie Grades 1-2 (Last names A-L)
Tuesday: Country Meadows Grades 1-2 (Last names A-L); Kildeer Grades 1-2 (Last names A-L); Willow Grove PM Students
Wednesday: Willow Grove AM Students
Thursday: Country Meadows Grades 1-2 (Last names M-Z); Ivy Hall Grades 1-2 (Last names M-Z); Prairie Grades 1-2 (Last names M-Z); Kildeer Grades 1-2 (Last names M-Z)
See MORE INFO regarding saliva samples and collecting them.
• Daily Self-Certification is a requirement for in-person attendance.
To access the required Daily Self-Certification Form, you need to log into TeacherEase each day your student will attend in person to submit self-certification.
This VIDEO gives instructions, including how to access the daily self-certification form using your cell phone (iOS or android).
If you will be using your home computer to send daily self-certification, we suggest that you bookmark the TeacherEase website. The link is: https://www.teacherease.com/common/login.aspx
Cultural Fair "All About Me" Student Submissions
As I explained in a prior message, we are hoping to collect something from every student to showcase every family during our Together, WE are Willow Grove Cultural Fair event! Teachers will be collecting the "All About Me" submissions for students through Seesaw. Click here to see an example and several layout options for designing this. It may be done with photos or drawings. It can be completed electronically or you may print the template at the link above and take a photo of the finished product to submit. Students may do these on their own or they are a great opportunity for a family project and a way to share family stories and values as it's completed. These will be due by January 31. We'd appreciate your support so all kids and families can be featured on our special evening!
REPEAT *Picture Retake Day & Second Opportunity for Those Who Missed Our First Picture Day*
When: Wednesday, January 27, from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM & 3:00-5:00 PM. Remote parents, please do not bring your child during their classroom instruction time. In-Person students will be during their school hours (details below).
Where: Park and come to the side building door in our large parking lot.
Details: Only one family member per child. Adult and child must complete self-certification prior to entering the building. We'll provide a questionnaire when you arrive at the door and take temperatures. Masks and social distancing required. Bring in the pictures if it's a retake. Complete the pre-order form if this is the first time taking them. The form needs to be done before you attend. You do not need to complete the form if retakes.
In-Person Students: Let your child's teacher know and send them in with the pictures if it's a retake. If you haven't taken them yet, make sure you complete the pre-order form AND let your child's teacher know they need pictures in advance.
WILLOW GROVE PICTURE DAY PRE ORDER FORM
REPEAT *In-Person Learning Protocols (REVISED) and Dates for Hybrid In-Person Learners to Return*
Parents whose hybrid in-person students will be learning in person, please be sure to review the Revised IN-PERSON LEARNING PROTOCOLS for information about health and safety protocols and expectations for families and their students who will be learning in-person in our schools.
As announced in Superintendent Schmidt’s Jan. 13 SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE, the Hybrid In-Person Return Schedule/Dates are as follows:
Mon., Jan. 18: No School in observance of Martin Luther King Day
Tues., Jan. 19: No School–State Allocated Planning Day
Wed., Jan. 20: Full remote learning for all
Thurs., Jan. 21: First day of in-person attendance for Grades EC–KDG AND First day of in-person attendance for Grades 1–2 (last names beginning M–Z)
Mon., Jan. 25: First day of in-person attendance for Grades 1–2 and 3–5 and Grade 6 (last names beginning A–L)
Thurs., Jan. 28: First day of in-person attendance for Grades 3–5 and Grade 6 (last names beginning M–Z)
Mon., Feb. 1: First day of in-person attendance for Grades 7–8 (last names beginning A–L)
Thurs., Feb. 4: First day of in-person attendance for Grades 7–8 (last names beginning M–Z)
REPEAT *PROACTIVE POPULATION SCREENING INFO FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS ATTENDING IN-PERSON*
Students learning in person will need to participate in proactive population screening, providing a saliva sample once per week on a designated schedule.
Please CLICK HERE for information about the collection process, the schedule for the weekday your student's sample will need to be provided, and a saliva sample collection demonstration video.
PLEASE NOTE: If you send your child to school without their sample on their designated collection day (PM students on Tuesdays; AM students on Wednesdays) you will be asked to come to Willow Grove with your child's testing materials to collect the sample from your child before they enter their classroom, or pick your child up to change to remote learning. I encourage you to set reminders and alarms on your phone or whatever means to best support this routine.
REPEAT *Daily Self-Certification for In-Person Learners*
Parents must submit a daily self-certification prior to their student being allowed to attend in person.
Parents will need to download the TeacherEase app if they haven't already in order to access the daily self-certification form. Please see this video for further instruction: (Dist 96: In-Person Parent Video Instruction).
REPEAT *Commitment to Partnership for In-Person Learners*
We know that some surrounding districts or schools that began their in-person learning plan have had to revert to full remote for a period of time. In many situations, this has been due to positive cases about which families were not truthful with the school or with the health department regarding symptoms and the diagnosis or with those conducting the contact tracing process.
We are confident that the District 96 community will rise to the occasion and partner with us to ensure safety and success. Please think carefully about your commitment to our partnership before sending your kids to school.
REPEAT *Together, WE are Willow Grove! Virtual Cultural Fair Coming in February!*
On the evening of February 18th, we’ll be hosting a virtual family event, showcasing the many families and cultures represented in our school community. We hope to encourage our students to learn about other cultures, to celebrate what makes us all unique and to recognize cultural traits that we share.
Our evening will include a full school zoom gathering to kick-off the evening, followed by a choose-your-own-adventure path exploring family submissions to celebrate our school community.
SAVE THE DATE of February 18th from 6-7:30 PM. When we get close to the event I'll share the zoom link with families to join the fun!
REPEATING *Pre Register for 2021–22 Kindergarten Beginning Jan. 11*
Preregister incoming 2021–22 kindergartners beginning January 11 and no later than January 31 to receive a free T-shirt for your incoming student. SEE MORE INFO.
REPEATING *Preordering Free Meals in 2021*
***Preorder by 10 AM on Thursdays***
Pick up preordered meals 11 AM–2 PM on Mondays (3 breakfast/lunch meal packs) and Thursdays (2 breakfast/lunch meal packs) at either Twin Groves or Woodlawn Middle School.
The first step to preorder is for families to create an account online and add each child receiving meals to the account. Please see THIS WEBPAGE for details and brief instructional videos of the account set-up and pre-ordering process.
Please direct questions to the public information coordinator [email protected]
REPEATING *Tech 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.