Dear Families,
Thank you to our PTO for the super fun music assembly provided this week! The students LOVED it! Such a special treat. Thank you, also, to those who contributed to the donation project for the SHS students. They were thrilled to receive the generous toy and supply donations!
It is hard to believe that December is already upon us! With only two weeks left until winter break brings us to the year 2022, we still have a lot to accomplish and celebrate. Next week all D96 students will take the NWEA MAP assessment in both reading and math (see below for details). We are looking forward to celebrating the growth our students have made so far this year while also acknowledging we have a lot of exciting learning left to do! We hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend, and we look forward to seeing students back here next week!
Jenny Smith, Principal
NEW *Vaccination Cards for 5-11 year olds*
Once the district-sponsored vaccination clinics for second doses have been completed, a message will be sent out to all families. This message will include a link for vaccination cards to be uploaded. Please do not send copies of vaccination cards prior to the message going out the week of December 13.
NEW *MAP TESTING*
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 Monday, December 6th, and Tuesday, December 7th.
Students who are quarantined during those testing days will take the MAP assessment after they return to school.
Due to the proximity of the MAP testing window to Winter Break, families will receive NWEA MAP scores on Monday, January 10th. This allows building administration enough time to complete make-up testing and for each family to receive scores at the same time.
NEW *PTO UPDATES*
Thank you to all of the families that purchased our December Cookie Kits from Shalom Bakery! They will be available for pick up on the 16th. The address will be emailed closer to the pick-up date.
There is an upcoming Dessert Day on December 10th. If you haven’t signed up in the past, please be aware that we have reopened the sign-up window until Saturday, December 4th.
Winter Parties will be held on December 17th. Room Parents look for upcoming emails on craft distribution and pick up.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR PTO BLOG FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS!
REPEAT *Willow Grove Spirit Week - December 13-17*
Monday - Dec 13: Crazy hair day
Tuesday - Dec 14: Wear your class color or represent your animal emoji day (see below)
Wednesday - Dec 15: Spirit wear or purple and/or grey day
Thursday - Dec 16: PJ Day (No slippers please. Students need to wear regular shoes. Your student will also need to be dressed warm enough to go outside for recess if conditions allow.)
Friday - Dec 17: Winter party day. PTO volunteers will provide classroom parties in every classroom!
Class Emoji/Colors for Tuesday, December 14:
Ms. Longman - Tiger, orange and/or black
Ms. Chappas - Owl, gold and/or yellow
Miss Derry - Fox, red
Mrs. Dolan - Penguin, blue
Mrs. Preskill - Panda, black and/or white
Miss Filippo - Dolphin, blue and/or silver/gray
Mrs. Hibbs - Rabbit, pink and/or gray
Mrs. Holzman - Giraffe, yellow
Mrs. Schmidt - Koala, pink and/or gray
Mrs. Casas-Maya - Elephant, purple and/or gray
Mrs. Rabin - Turtle, green
Mrs. Santucci - Lion, orange
Miss Wittenberg - Raccoon, purple
Ms. Bentley - Ladybug, red
Mrs. Johnson - Bee, yellow and/or black
Ms. Sewell - Monkey, Brown and/or orange
Ms. Freer - Fish, blue and/or orange
Miss Weihe - Frog, green
Mrs. Yandura - Puppy, blue and/or brown
REPEAT *Hand-Me-Down Donations Accepted*
As I'm sure you're aware, the population of our students does tend to have accidents from time to time, given their age. The nurse has extra clothes, if needed, but is extremely low on pants. If you have any hand-me-downs your child has grown out of that you wouldn't mind donating, we'd love it! Pants that would fit girls or boys between the ages of 3 to 6 would be wonderful, sizes 4T-7T or youth XS-M.
If your child has borrowed clothing from school, please return it. Please also make sure your child has a change of clothes (season appropriate) at school.
REPEAT *Symptoms, Close contacts, Quarantine & International Travel Guidelines*
If you have any questions about symptoms, close contacts or quarantining please visit the IDPH Decision Tree posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
Additionally, as winter break approaches, please note the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals and international travel posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
REPEATING *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.