Dear Families,
It was a pleasure seeing so many smiling faces on Curriculum Night. It was a full house between in-person and virtual attendance, which is just how we like it! Thank you for attending. This is the beginning of a beautiful partnership as we work together to have a wonderful year, celebrating the developing love of learning in your child.
Kindly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
NEW: Student Dismissal Plan Changes
A change in a child's typical dismissal routine must be called into the Willow Grove office by noon on the day the child will be picked up from school. At Willow Grove, we need changes to be called in, and not emailed or sent by note with the child. You may leave a message, which we check frequently. Our handbook does say to email or send a note with the child for dismissal changes. This is not safe for the age of our students at Willow Grove. Changes must be called in each and every day, if it is a change from your child's typical route. You may not call in for multiple days. Thank you for your support with this. This is for the safety of all students and the efficiency of our dismissal routines.
NEW: Simultaneous Student Pick-Up from Willow Grove & Elementary Schools
Please know that we understand that some families may have concerns related to picking students up from Willow Grove and an elementary school building. Please know that all principals are aware of this concern, and no child will ever be left unattended. We appreciate your best effort in picking your children up in a timely manner, and we appreciate you adhering to our current dismissal times. If when you arrive at a building your child is not waiting outside with an adult, please park and come to the front office. If you will be after 3:15 to a specific location, please call and inform the office of your ETA.
NEW: Early Release Reminder
This is a friendly reminder that Tuesday, August 31st, is an Early Release. Release times are as follows:
Kindergarten: 2:00 PM
Structured Program: 2:00 PM
Blended AM: 8:30–10 a.m.
Blended PM: 12:30–2 p.m.
NEW: Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education
On Friday, September 3, Willow Grove will be conducting the annual Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education (not drill, but content). Students will be learning age-appropriate safety procedures.
In compliance with the New Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill Education.
If you do not wish your son or daughter to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education, please contact Principal Jenny Smith at [email protected] and your child's teacher. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the drill education.
Additional General Safety Drill Information
All schools are required to hold fire/evacuation, severe weather, and law enforcement safety 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. Please know, lockdown drills and fire drills are common around this time of year and going through the year. Severe weather drills are more often in the winter/spring. Your child's teacher will let you know when there has been instruction or a drill. Please let me know if you have any questions.
NEW: NWEA MAP Assessment
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment. The MAP assessment is a normed referenced, computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Like in previous years, all students will be taking the MAP test in reading and math during the school day. Testing will take place on August 30 and September 1.
Students who are quarantined during those testing days will take the MAP assessment after they return to school.
NEW: Covid Metrics
To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process.
NEW: Superintendent’s Email
If you have not done so already, please take a moment to read Julie Schmidt’s Superintendent’s email from Wednesday, August 25th.
NEW: PTO Update
There is a lot happening! Don't miss out!
-Dessert day order deadline 8/27
-Room parent mtg 9/8 at 10 AM
-General PTO Mtg 9/9 at 10 AM
-Arlington Heights Portillos Fundraiser 9/29 5-8 PM
More details about this and more in our BLOG!
REPEAT: Bus Information
PLEASE NOTE: There continues to be a workforce shortage on a national and local level. This is significantly impacting the ability of all transportation companies to fill driver openings. First Student continues to have unfilled driver positions for District 96 bus routes. They have been using substitute and "borrowed" drivers from other regions to fill our needs the last few days but the reality is that the positions remain unfilled and a "band-aid" plan is being created for each day. Our Director of Transportation continues to meet with First Student multiple times per day to problem solve. We will continue to keep you updated on what is likely to be an ongoing challenge.