Dear Families,
The extra days this past weekend felt like a gift. We hope you were able to spend them as a family and enjoy your time together. With the nicer weather and flowers starting to bloom, spring is truly here! There is no better feeling than to walk the halls of our school and see the incredible faces and “smiling eyes” of our students!
As always, our school team is here to support your family. If your child is struggling with the transition (for those who recently began in person), please don’t hesitate to reach out and we will partner together to ensure a smooth welcome back to school. For our students that are remaining “zoomies” for the remainder of the year, we are here for you, too!
Let’s make these last eight weeks of school the best yet!
Fondly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
Upcoming Calendar
April
THIS THURSDAY, April 15 - Material Pick-Up/Drop-Off for Remote Students (details below in "Repeating" information)
30 – Asynchronous Learning – All students will have a half-day of asynchronous work to do at home. No Willow Grove students attend in person.
*NEW* Spring Assessments
The standardized assessment window is quickly approaching. Because many of the required assessments must be taken in person, families who selected remote learning for the rest of the year received a survey earlier today to outline their options and determine if their children will come to the buildings to take the assessments. Students who are in person will take the assessments with one of their teachers.
Remote and in-person students will be kept separate during the administration of the assessments. Specific dates for each assessment will be determined once the results of the survey are collected, but you can find general time frames below.
NWEA MAP: Students at all grades participate in one assessment for English language arts and one assessment for math over two days. The data we receive from the MAP assessments provides valuable information regarding intervention and acceleration needs. The window for the NWEA MAP assessment is May 3 - May 14 with more specific dates within the window to come.
ACCESS: Students that are identified as not yet English proficient participate in four assessments in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The Illinois State Board of Education requires ACCESS to be administered in-person. Students who are in-person are being scheduled by building-level personnel.
*NEW* Return to Full In-Person Learning
As many of our students have begun coming in person, there may be an adjustment period for students. A few helpful hints are listed below to consider discussing with your child.
Review expectations regarding mask-wearing and social distancing with your child before he/she returns on Monday.
Please ensure that your child’s mask fits his or her face, covering both the mouth and nose without sliding down for long periods of time. Practice wearing a mask for longer time chunks if your child is not used to wearing a mask for the school day.
Review possible regulation strategies such as deep breathing or asking for a break.
Have a conversation with your child about change and feelings that can accompany change. Provide opportunities for your child to ask questions.
Consider family adjustments to schedules that may take place with full in-person learning.
We will have supports available in school for those who may need assistance. Your child’s classroom teacher will be checking in with all students regularly.
If you or your child have any questions or would like someone to speak to assist in the transition please reach out to the BUILDING SOCIAL WORKER, Beatrice Chen or the BUILDING PSYCHOLOGIST, Regina Nix.
PTO News
REPEATING *2021–22 REGISTRATION EMAILS WERE SENT AGAIN MAR. 31*
On Mar. 31, District 96 parents/guardians of returning and pre-registered new students were again sent registration email(s) for the upcoming 2021–22 school year (From: [email protected] Subject Line: Register Your District 96 Student for the 2021–2022 School Year). All returning and new students must be registered. Each registration email (one per D96 student) will include a link and a unique “snapcode” needed to access that individual’s online form. Register by Apr. 15 to save. After Apr. 15, required registration fees increase by $20 per student for all returning students.
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CARGO DE LA CUOTA DE INSCRIPCIÓN KCSD96 2021–22 EN LOS ESTADOS DE CUENTA DE LA TARJETA DE CRÉDITO
Después de enviar con éxito la inscripción de su estudiante para el ciclo escolar 2021–22, usted inmediatamente recibirá un recibo detallado con el cargo total por correo electrónico, incluyendo las cuotas requeridas y las donaciones opcionales, si las hubiera, que usted eligió hacer.
IMPORTANTE:
Por favor, no rechace el cargo. Eso resultará en un cobro de devolución para su familia.
Si usted elige la opción de pago con tarjeta de crédito al pagar las cuotas de inscripción de 2021–22, busque cualquiera de los siguientes términos descriptivos en su estado de cuenta: POWERSCHOOL MD 512375–4514 o PB POWERSCHOOL. Los cargos de inscripción del Distrito 96 no son descritos con el Distrito ni con el nombre de la escuela.
Además, tenga en cuenta que algunos bancos codifican esta transacción como una donación.
Si tiene preguntas, por favor consulte su recibo de inscripción y/o contacte a la coordinadora de información pública [email protected]
EL 31 DE MARZO SE VOLVIÓ A ENVIAR UN CORREO ELECTRÓNICO PARA LA INSCRIPCIÓN DEL 2021–22
El 31 de marzo se volvió a enviar correos electrónicos a los padres/tutores del Distrito 96 de los estudiantes que regresan y de los nuevos estudiantes preinscritos para el ciclo escolar 2021–22 (De parte de: [email protected] Tema: Inscriba a su Estudiante del Distrito 96 para el Ciclo Escolar 2021–2022). Todos los estudiantes que regresan y los estudiantes nuevos deben ser inscritos. Cada correo de inscripción (uno por estudiante del D96) incluye un enlace y un código único (snapcode) que va a necesitar para ingresar al formulario en línea. Inscríbase para el 15 de abril y ahorre. Después del 15 de abril, las cuotas de inscripción aumentan $20 por estudiante para todos los estudiantes que regresan.
REPEATING *April Family Activity*
Spring is here! With April comes blooming spring flowers as they burst out of the ground, just as our students have grown so much this year! For this month's activity please CLICK HERE for a flower coloring sheet and have your child write/draw one thing in each petal that they have learned this year! In-person families can send these to school with your child to turn into his or her teacher. Remote learner families can drop them off anytime. We'll display these at our main entrance for all to celebrate!
REPEATING *Material Pick-Up/Drop-Off for Remote Students - Thursday, April 15*
IMPORTANT NOTE: We have updated this to include materials we need you to drop off
For students continuing with remote learning, we will have a material pick-up and drop-off on Thursday, April 15, from 11:15 AM - 5:00 PM. As always, if this time doesn't work for you, feel free to call our office and we'll work something out. Please just come to Willow and follow the signage to pick up these additional materials. Thank you!
Drop off includes checking through your student materials and pulling books to bring back to Willow Grove. We need these to be returned when you come to pick-up the remaining books/materials for the school year.
Kindergarten: Click here for a list of books with visuals to help you locate them.
Dual Language Kindergarten (Mrs. Maya & Mrs. Schmidt): Click here for a list of books with visuals to help you locate them.
REPEATING *Material Collection for In-Person Learners*
We know you’ve already sent your students in with their materials and supplies. Please double check your home for these texts in case you missed any or haven’t had the opportunity to send them in yet. If you find any, please send them in for your child to return to his or her teacher.
Kindergarten: Click here for a list of books with visuals to help you locate them.
Dual Language Kindergarten (Mrs. Maya & Mrs. Schmidt): Click here for a list of books with visuals to help you locate them.
REPEATING *Kindergarten Families Only: FIRST-GRADE Parent Input for Class Placement (2021-2022)*
We are collecting first-grade parent input for placement at this time through Friday, April 30.
Entering kindergarten families for the 2021/22 school year will be able to provide input at a later date. Registered families will receive a link later. This is only for First-Grade families for the 2021/22 school year.
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and specialists. At Willow Grove, we take this process very seriously. The process for class list creation is as follows:
Teachers reflect on the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision-making process.
Grade level teachers, the principal, specials area teachers, and specialists meet together to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering student relationships. This is no easy task and often takes several collaborative discussions. Our dedicated team of educators considers each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a recommendation for each individual child. A draft of class lists is created while considering parent input.
Class lists are then revised in August and changes are made to include students who move in or out of the district over the summer.
Willow Grove staff creates the class lists for incoming 1st graders to all District 96 elementary schools.
We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children. Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child. Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons. The process benefits all students. Because of the input and thought given by teachers, specialists, parents, and the principal, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire class, impacting all students.
I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 30th. Please remember, while we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.
I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are provided through this 2021-22 First Grade Parent Class Placement Input Survey. As you can imagine, we receive a lot of parent input, and verbal information is impossible to track. The information you provide in the survey will remain confidential.
Repeating *Safety Drills*
All schools are required to hold fire/evacuation, severe weather, and lockdown drills. We recognize some of the content could potentially be frightening for our little ones if not handled properly and are extremely cautious and developmentally appropriate in our delivery. Our teachers are attentive to our students' emotions throughout their instruction prior to the drills and during drills, are able to access support if needed, and would alert parents if their child seemed scared or under stress. I am unable to provide specific dates of the actual drills to parents, as drills are meant to be at times where the population is unaware and we respond without knowing exactly when it will happen. This is important for us, as adults, and our students, to help us learn to respond without knowing all of the specifics, just as in an emergency. You can expect lockdown education to be provided to your child as we come back from break followed shortly after by a drill. Your child's teacher will let you know when there has been instruction or a drill. We will maintain our social distancing requirements throughout all drills. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Repeating *Calendar Updates*
With our half-day, 5-day a week structure at Willow Grove, district calendar updates can use some additional explanation. Recently, communication has come out that provides in-person days on Wednesdays for elementary and middle school students. At Willow Grove, our 5-day per week schedule is in place and student assignments for Wednesdays do not apply to us. Previously, I communicated asynchronous dates (remaining March 17 and April 21). These dates have been revised, based on the new elementary/middle school structure. I’ve outlined Willow Grove specific calendar updates for your convenience below:
April 21:
NO LONGER asynchronous learning days. These have been moved. Please take off of your calendar.
April 30:
All students will have a half-day of asynchronous work to do at home.
No Willow Grove students attend in-person
May 28:
Willow Grove AM KDG/EC Blended AM meets 8:30–11 AM
Willow Grove Structured meets 8:45–11 AM
NO SCHOOL for WG PM Kindergarten and PM EC Blended ONLY
June 2:
Last day for AM KDG/AM EC Blended
June 3:
If NO ADDITIONAL Emergency Days are used, June 3 is the last day (Half Day) of required attendance for Willow Grove PM Kindergarten/PM EC Blended (meet 12:30–3 PM) and Willow Grove Structured (meets 8:45–11 AM)
Willow Grove AM Kindergarten/AM EC Blended are not in attendance.
Repeating *Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Parents Dental Screening Reminder*
The Illinois School Code requires all children in kindergarten, second and sixth grades to have a dental examination by May 15th of each year in compliance with the rules adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health. If you have not already done so, please submit your 2nd-grade child’s dental exam form to our building nurse. To see a complete list of the health forms required for students, please visit our Student Health Section of our Web page.
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.