Dear Families,
It was a pleasure seeing so many smiling faces on Curriculum Night. It was a full house! 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. If you weren't able to make Curriculum Night and would like to view the principal presentation portion of the evening, click here.
Kindly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
NEW: Calendar Reminder
Tuesday, August 30th, is an Early Release Day.
EARLY RELEASE DAY HOURS:
• KDG dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
• Structured dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
• Blended AM & ECSE AM dismissal at 10:00 a.m.
• Blended PM & ECSE PM dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
Click HERE for the 2022-23 School Calendar
MAP ASSESSMENT REMINDER (KINDERGARTEN ONLY):
MAP Assessment for Kindergarten on August 29 & 31. Please make sure your child's iPad is fully charged for Monday and Wednesday's MAP assessment.
NEW: Student Dismissal Plan Changes
A change in a child's typical dismissal routine must be called into the Willow Grove office at least an hour prior to dismissal 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 know you may be going to more than one school with the same dismissal time. We appreciate your best effort in picking your children up in a timely manner, and we appreciate you adhering to our 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 * Thought Exchange Partnership*
The District 96 Thought Exchange Partnership (TEP) offers parents opportunities to give feedback and receive information about District instruction, programs, and initiatives. Understanding parent perceptions is helpful for planning and communicating. Contact District 96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, 847.459.4260, ext. 8136, with questions. In particular, the District invites parents who have students enrolled at Willow Grove Early Learning Center to consider joining the Thought Exchange Partnership. The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 15 from 6:30-8:00.p.m.
NEW *Erin’s Law - INCLUDES REVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD*
An Illinois law known as Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness/prevention curriculum for EARLY CHILDHOOD through Grade 12. There was a misprint last week that this is for K-12. My apologies.
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 KINDERGARTEN 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].
Early Childhood Blended, ECSE, & Structured Learning Note: Students in the Blended and Structured early childhood program do not attend the October 4th presentation. Our school social worker pushes into those settings to provide a presentation for our youngest children. Your child's teacher will let you know when this date will be in the future. 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 *PTO Updates*
The PTO would like to extend yet another huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our first stock the lounge event! Please be sure to check out our Facebook page where you can see photos of how it all came together.
MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT
We cannot stress enough how vital it is that each and every family register 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.
Your family will use Membership Toolkit as long as you are part of District 96! Once you sign up, all you need to do is update your family profile and update your student(s) school, grade level and teacher information. This is where you will find information about PTO offerings including volunteer opportunities* and sales (Spirit Wear, Dessert Day, etc).
*A few classes still need room parents . . . sign up today and enjoy all class parties with your student!
REMINDER ABOUT SPIRIT WEAR
The online PTO Spirit Wear Store is open for a very limited time! Youth and Adult sizes are available, with many options to allow you to show your Willow Grove spirit in any kind of weather! The store will only be open for a short time, so place your orders by September 2, 2022!
REMINDER ABOUT DESSERT DAY
The PTO serves a frozen treat to the Kindergarten students once per month starting in September. If you would like your student to participate, the cost is only $18 for the entire year, orders are due by September 5, 2022! Cash will NOT be accepted on dessert day, so you must order in advance.
REMINDER TO CONNECT WITH THE PTO
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 *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.
REPEAT *Student Picture Day*
Willow Grove’s picture day is Thursday, September 29th. More information to come as we near the date.