First Days & Hip Hip Hoorays!
What a week! It was wonderful seeing you at our Meet the Teacher event. Your support is beyond appreciated as we partner with you throughout the school year. We can’t wait to see you again this coming Monday, August 22nd, for Curriculum Night (a parent-only event).
The children are settling in, learning our routines for arrival, dismissal, and classroom routines beautifully. Kindergarten students are learning lunch room routines and I know next week they’ll be pros! Early childhood always starts with a few timid and sometimes overwhelmed little ones, but they are quickly feeling comfortable and looking more at home with every passing moment! Most noteworthy, it is a joy having your children at Willow Grove. The Willow Grove staff and I couldn’t be more excited about our school year and all the fun and learning it will bring.
Our teachers and staff have been incredible, welcoming your children and supporting their learning. We couldn't be prouder of them for the caring, safe, learning-focused environment they create.
Thank you to our fabulous PTO and families for the lovely coffee bar and treats they provided staff to welcome us back into the new school year. It was a welcome treat, fueling us through a fast-paced days!
Kindly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
District Transportation
Thank you for your patience with our transportation this week if your child's bus was late. It does take a bit of time to settle into new routes. We sincerely appreciate your support and patience. When children are waiting for the bus here at school, they are always supervised and well taken care of!
NEW *Erin’s Law*
An Illinois law known as Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness/prevention curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 researched and observed best practices and programs for delivering this instruction, selecting Be Seen & Heard ©. For more information about this presentation please go to www.victorpacini.com/peace-of-mind-2.
The focus of this developmentally appropriate and interactive program is to teach children skills to keep them safe from danger or abuse. Concepts discussed will include distinguishing safe from unsafe touches, safety rules at home and school, saying NO, safe/unsafe secrets, and telling a trusted adult, as well as reinforcing that an adult’s touching him or her is not the child’s fault.
Opt-Out Procedures
The presentation to Willow Grove students will be during the school day on October 4th. If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to [email protected].
NEW *KINDERGARTEN ONLY - NWEA MAP Assessment*
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment on Monday, August 29th and Wednesday, August 31st. 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. All students will be taking the MAP test in reading and math during the school day.
NEW *Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION*
On August 26th, Willow Grove will be conducting the annual Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION. Students will be learning age-appropriate safety procedures.
In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill EDUCATION with their school peers.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education with the other peers, please contact Jenny Smith, Principal, at [email protected]. The administration will arrange for an alternative review of safety procedures with your child.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the education.
NEW *PTO News*
The PTO would like to extend a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our first stock the lounge event!
We received more donations than anticipated and will be able to “refresh” the items in the lounge for the teachers on 8/22 for curriculum night. We have updated the Willow Grove PTO Amazon Wishlist to include some additional items if anyone would like to contribute.
MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT
Now that school has started, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with Membership Toolkit. Please make sure that your family profile is up to date and your student’s information is current including their current teacher.
This is also the place to check out volunteer opportunities and sign up online.
REMINDER ABOUT SPIRIT WEAR
The PTO will be offering spirit wear featuring our beloved Buddy the Bear at the beginning of the school year, we will be offering youth and adult sizes and sales will be online.
REMINDER TO CONNECT WITH THE PTO
As the school year gets underway, please remember to check the Willow Grove PTO online at the links below for the latest PTO news and events.
Willow Grove PTO Membership Toolkit
REPEAT: Curriculum Night, Monday, August 22, 6:30-7:30 PM
Curriculum Night is scheduled for Monday, August 22, and is from 6:30-7:30 PM. This parent-only event is for all Willow Grove classrooms, including early childhood and kindergarten. Families begin with Assistant Principal, Ms. Payne, and me for a quick overview of some building items and then join their child's teacher for the remainder of the evening. The evening begins in our gym for all families.
REPEAT: Tips for a Successful Start
- Kindergarten & Structured: When our students eat lunch, we build in additional time in our schedule to teach routines for the first few days. If you're packing a lunch for your child, please be thoughtful about what you pack as young children like to eat the treats first, and may not get to the lunch. Please also cut up any larger items, such as fruit or veggies.
- All: Items must be from our District Approved Snack List. If you are sending a lunch from home (kdg or structured), pack snacks and lunches separately and make sure your child knows where each is. It's encouraged that your child's lunch is in a lunch bag and the snack can be in the front pocket of their backpack. Sometimes they get the two confused. If you place both together in the lunch bag, they will not have their snack because their lunch bag goes to the cafeteria first thing in the morning. Children eat their daily snacks in their classrooms.
- All: Label EVERYTHING. Tracking down lunch boxes, water bottles, snacks, etc. is very difficult. At this age, students love to explore their backpack items and put them where they don't necessarily belong. Keep those labels going as we get into colder months for coats, mittens, scarves, etc.
- All: Never park in the front circle drive. This is for buses and emergency vehicles only.
- All: If you bring your child to school, please be on time. This creates a smoother transition for your child into his or her school day and helps keep our routines and procedures in order for morning check-in. Teachers need to do a lot to get kids checked in and when children are late it is a disruption to the regular classroom procedures. Please aim for our drop-off start times.
- All: Please be sure your child brings or wears gym shoes and socks every day to school for gym class. Their shoes must be fully covered on top for safety reasons. Sandals, sports sandals, crocs, and boots are not appropriate for gym class. If your child does not have gym shoes, he/she will sit out of PE activities that day and a reminder note will be sent home. It is encouraged that your child keeps a pair of gym shoes in his/her cubby at all times. This will also help out in the winter months when they may be wearing boots to school.
REPEAT *School Lunch Program*
The federal program that allowed school districts across the country to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of income, expired on June 30, 2022. As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
During the 2022-23 school year, families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals at no cost or at a discounted rate. Applications for free and reduced meals are available on the District’s website. Within this link, you will find menus and how to complete pre-payment for meals. If you have any questions, please contact the Willow Grove office at 847.541.3660.
REPEAT *Arrival & Dismissal*
Most little ones are SO EXCITED to jump on the bus. Some are scared, and that's OK. With practice, they quickly see it isn't such a scary thing. Showing love and a sense of confidence in your child and our school is helpful with this transition. Let them know that their Willow Grove teachers will meet them at the other end and that you (or who you've arranged) will meet them back home at the end of the day. Having your child ride the bus will greatly help with our arrival and dismissal times of the day. We have limited parking, and ALL parents dropping off or picking up their children will need to park and walk their child to the main entrance of our school. There is no drop-off lane for parents. This includes families in our Blended and the Structured Learning Program. Never park in the circle drive, which is for buses and emergency vehicles only. For parents that choose to drop off and/or pick up their children, we have assigned doors you will bring your child to or collect them from.
Blended Preschool AM/PM - AM drop-off and pick-up are at the main entrance. PM drop-off is at the main entrance. PM pick-up is at door 18, to the right of the main entrance when facing the building.
Kindergarten - Main entrance
Structured Program - Teachers will contact you with these details.
Parents may not enter the school. Parents may not walk children to their classrooms. It is our utmost priority to maintain a safe and secure environment.
If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is picking up your child, you must let the office know ahead of time (NOT a teacher email).
Parents may not pick up their child unannounced at dismissal time. If you need to pick your child up at dismissal, and this has not been communicated to us in your child's regular dismissal plans, you must notify us in advance (by 2:00 PM) by calling the office--NOT EMAIL. If you haven't notified us, we will send your child home on the bus and you'll need to get home to meet them. I also ask that if your child is a regular bus student, not to alter their dismissal plan if at all possible, especially as your children are getting used to our routines. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Anticipate delays in transportation our first couple of weeks of school. As buses get used to new routes and traffic patterns settle at the start of the school year, pick-up/drop-off times will become more routine and efficient. We ask that you please are patient with us and the drivers. Thank you!
Changes to Dismissal Plans
Please contact the school office at least 1 hour prior to dismissal in the event that your dismissal plans change. Your child will be at the designated dismissal location unless the school is notified in accordance with the above. Please notify the office in writing in accordance with the district handbook (review handbook language). Please see Section 9.4 in the Parent/Student Handbook regarding permission for students to ride other buses, as in most cases, this is not allowed (review handbook language).
Busing Expectations
Please review bus expectations with your child. Here is our bus book you may read with your child. Strongly communicate to your child the importance of sitting in their seat and never standing until it is time to get off. Please review the following with your child so they know what to expect:
- Stay seated in your seat until it is time to get off the bus. The seats are designed to keep you safe. You must stay in your seat.
- Talking voice is acceptable. No screaming or yelling.
- Hands and feet to self at all times
- Follow the directions and reminders of the driver
REPEAT *Student Picture Day*
Willow Grove’s picture day is Thursday, September 29th. More information to come as we near the date.