Dear Families,
Students are solidly in routines here at Willow Grove this week. We are so proud of all the learning and growing they have already done in just two weeks!
As a September reminder, we have picture day coming up at the end of the month on September 29th. All students brought home ordering information from their child's teacher. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. O'Neill or Mrs. Brady in our office. We can't wait for the cuteness overload!! I LOVE seeing those adorable early childhood and kindergarten school pictures. Definitely, something to cherish as a parent!
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Kindly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
NEW: Calendar Reminder
Monday, September 5th: School closed for Labor Day
NEW *Letters to Veterans*
With Veteran’s Day just around the corner, we are inviting D96 students to write thank you notes or letters to veterans. These letters will be included in individualized care packages that will be given to veterans who attend an upcoming recognition event in Lake County. If your student is interested, please have them return their letter or thank you note to the front office no later than October 13th to ensure we are able to mail them in enough time to be included in the Lake County project.
Books, Books, Books!
This week the students at Willow Grove checked out books from our library! We are so excited for you and your family to enjoy these books- please return them after one week. If you have any questions please let me know: [email protected]. Happy reading!
Communication Devices & Students
We've noticed that some students are wearing smartwatch devices. Please know these are considered communication devices, as they do have that capability. Students wearing smartwatches will need to keep their watch in their backpacks while at school in the off position. This is the same with cell phones. Smart devices are a distraction in the learning environment and can intrude on the privacy of other students, as children often record or take pictures of other students. Thank you for your understanding.
Parent Handbook Language:
Telecommunication Device Possession and Use by Students
In general, students are allowed to possess cellular, radio, and/or other telecommunication devices at school, on school property, or at school-sponsored activities, but the use of these devices is restricted to areas designated by the building principal before and after school hours only. During the school day and/or while participating in school-sponsored activities, students will be expected to leave these devices in their lockers or cubbies in the off position. Cellular, radio, and/or other telecommunication devices found in a student's possession during the school day, while participating in school-sponsored activities, or outside the principal’s designated areas may be confiscated, and the student may be subject to additional discipline. Parents are required to pick up confiscated items.
The School District also restricts parents' and/or visitors' use of cellular, radio, and/or other telecommunication devices to appropriate areas to be used only in such instances in which either an emergency exists or the use of the device is not disruptive to the ongoing activity. Parents or visitors who violate this policy may be asked to leave the school building.
Students will not be allowed to make phone calls during the school day except as permitted by a faculty member. Students generally are not called to the telephone from classes except for emergencies.
NEW *PTO Updates*
NEW *PTO News*
Please note that our PTO General Membership meeting for this year is on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Check out the PTO Blog linked below for more information, a zoom link will be available.
MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT
Please make sure that your family profile is up to date and your student’s information is current including their current teacher.
SPIRIT WEAR
Spirit Wear is still for sale! Get yours today!
DESSERT DAY
Starting in September, the PTO will be serving frozen treats to students during lunch once per month. In order for your student to participate, you must prepay by September 5th, using the link on membership toolkit. Cash will not be accepted on the day of the event.
REMINDER TO CONNECT WITH THE PTO
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: 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.
REPEAT: 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.
REPEAT * 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.
REPEAT *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].
REPEAT *Student Picture Day*
Willow Grove’s picture day is Thursday, September 29th.
UPDATE: Info was sent home with students