Dear Families,
We have a volunteer opportunity explained below for our upcoming Willow Walk on October 14th. This is a fun event for the children and one that brings our school together as a whole! We always have a fun time and love seeing the excitement of the children.
We are rockin' and rollin' at Willow Grove! Students are making great strides in acclimating to school life. We're so proud of them.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kindly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
NEW *Willow Walk - Friday, October 14*
On October 14th, we'll be having "Willow Walk." Due to the age of our students (early childhood and kindergarten only), this is a reasonable walk designed just for them! The walk will promote positive school unity and give us all a brief activity to enjoy as a school family. This is not a 5k-like event. This is much shorter given the age of our students.
Please be sure to dress your children for walking in mind and for the weather. We will go out if it is cold. If it is rainy, we will try to schedule a rain date. Let's cross our fingers for a beautiful day!
Children will be provided with water after the walk (thank you, PTO!).
Parents may view the walk from the designated viewing area. The viewing area is on our front sidewalk/grassy area surrounding the flagpole, along Checker Dr. Do not stand on the circle drive or walk onto our campus during the walk. We must maintain a safe and orderly environment for all children. The walk begins at about 9:30 and kids will circle past the viewing area one time for you to cheer them on!)
A Special Note for Parents of PM Blended Early Childhood Students
As we want this to be an opportunity for all of our students, you are welcome to bring your child to attend. Please bring your child to the Willow Grove office at 9:30 a.m. where they will meet their teacher to participate in the walk. You may view the walk from our designated viewing area (grass near the flagpole) and come to the main office after the event to collect your child. If you would like to bring your child to the walk, please email his/her teacher to let them know, so they know who to expect.
Willow Walk Parent Volunteer Opportunity
We have limited volunteer positions if you are interested. If you are interested in volunteering, CLICK HERE. Sign-up closes on Friday, September 23rd, and spots are first-come, first-serve, based on the date/time of completing our volunteer request form (previous link). Please read and consider all information on the sign-up survey prior to completing it. Volunteers need to be adults-only, no siblings or guests may be with volunteers. We will confirm with all who offer to volunteer the week of September 26th.
NEW *Classroom Parties*
As always, we are looking forward to celebrating at holiday classroom parties with our students. Parties will continue to be food free. All classroom food must be checked through our nurse and it is not feasible for our building nurse to manage this, along with the day-to-day responsibilities to ensure student safety and wellness. Students will enjoy crafts and games to celebrate the festivities.
NEW *Student Birthdays*
Teachers recognize student birthdays. Although it is not necessary, families may choose to send something for the class. We do not, however, allow food to be passed out in classrooms or sent home with children. Appropriate non-food items are allowed, such as a pencil or stickers. Please keep the age of our children in mind for the appropriateness and safety of the item.
NEW *Dogs on Campus*
As a general rule, dogs are not allowed on the school campus or grounds during school hours when children are present. The exception would be any time the assistance of a dog is required by a person’s disability. In all other cases, written permission must be obtained from the building principal before a dog is allowed on school grounds.
NEW *CONFERENCES*
Fall Family/Educator Conferences are right around the corner. The conference dates are Thursday, October 6th from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 7th from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
We will be using Meet the Teacher as an electronic sign-up for conferences. A School Messenger email will be sent to families on Monday, September 19th at 6:00 PM with a link to sign up for conferences.
Conferences will be held virtually using Meet the Teacher’s video conferencing platform unless parents request an in-person conference using the instructions below. After you have scheduled your conferences, you will receive an email from Meet the Teacher with a link you will use to access the video conferences.
Elementary parents will have the option to sign up with the classroom teacher as well as specials teachers and any related service providers their children see.
If you are unable to schedule a conference with a specific teacher, please remember that conferences are not the only time to communicate with teachers. Please feel free to reach out any time.
REQUESTING AN IN-PERSON CONFERENCE
If you want to have an in-person conference with the teachers, you must notify the teachers via email by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 4th.
NEW *FIRE DRILL*
On September 22, Willow Grove will be conducting a Fire Drill. Students will be evacuating the building during the drill. If the weather does not cooperate, we will reschedule the drill and communicate the rescheduled drill date.
NEW *PTO Updates*
REMINDER: MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT
Please make sure that your family profile is up to date and your student’s information is current.
SAVE THE DATE: DONATE WHILE YOU DINE AT CULVERS ON SEPTEMBER 29TH!
Remember to mention "Willow Grove PTO" when you drive thru or dine in at Culvers in Buffalo Grove, a percentage of the proceeds to benefit the Willow Grove PTO.
NEW: UPCOMING PTO EVENTS
Teacher conferences, the Scholastic Book Fair and Ice Cream Social are right around the corner! Check us out on social media, Membership Toolkit and our Blog linked below to learn more!
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 *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.
REPEAT *Student Picture Day*
Willow Grove’s picture day is Thursday, September 29th.
UPDATE: Info was sent home with students