Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ September 30, 2022

Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ September 30, 2022

Dear Families,

My favorite season is fall. The changing leaves, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, crisp air, pumpkin-flavored everything...take it all in! Now are the days to rake those leaves into a giant pile and have some family fun jumping in and tossing them about. As my kids are deep into their teenage years, I reminisce on those younger days as it's harder to get my 14 and 18-year-old to join in. I'll try though! Enjoy!

On a related note, it's getting colder! Please be sure to send your child dressed appropriately. We really try to get the kids (especially kindy) out on most days for recess. Be sure you're sending a coat if it's coat weather. Don't forget to write your child's name on it somewhere, too! This way if they misplace it, we can get it back to them instead of adding it to the ever-growing lost and found.

Take care,

Jenny Smith, Principal


NEW *Upcoming No School Dates*

Wednesday, 10/5:  District Holiday

Thursday, 10/6: Staff Development Day and Family Educator Conferences

Friday, 10/7: Family Educator Conferences

Monday, 10/10: District Holiday 


NEW *Conferences* 

Conferences are approaching next week on Thursday 10/6 and Friday 10/7. All conferences are virtual unless you have contacted the teacher via email and made arrangements for an in-person conference. This must be done no later than the end of the school day on Tuesday 10/4.

After scheduling a conference, you received an email from Meet the Teacher with a link for the conferences. This email was sent from the address [email protected] and will have the subject line “Your appointment for Willow Grove Early Learning Center 2022 Fall Family Educator Conferences.” Please check your spam or junk mail folders if you do not remember getting this email. We have had several parents report this email going to those folders.

When you click on the link in that email, you will be asked to sign in to Meet the Teacher. Once signed in, follow these instructions:

  • Click on the green “Join Video Appointments” button
  • This will take you to a screen that allows you to check audio and video 
  • Click on the blue “Proceed to Video Call” button
  • Click on the blue “Start Appointment” button and wait for teacher to join at the conference start time
  • IMPORTANT: The conference will automatically end when time runs out.
  • Click on the blue “Start Appointment” button for the next teacher if you have another appointment scheduled.

If you would like to invite another parent/guardian to the conference so that they can join from another device, follow these instructions:

  • Log in to Meet the Teacher
  • Go to “My Bookings”
  • Click on “Invite Parent/Guardian”

Meet the Teacher sign-up will close at 11:55pm on Sunday 10/2. After that you must contact your child’s school office to schedule a conference or make a change to an existing conference.


NEW *Halloween on Monday, October 31*

It’s hard to believe it’s already time to talk about Halloween, but I’ve been seeing costumes pop up at the stores already!  Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I especially love watching your children in all of their excitement!   I like to provide details about Halloween early so you will know parameters about costumes as you are choosing the perfect one!  There is also an opportunity for you to view our parade I’d like to share with you.

Costumes - As you are choosing or creating a costume for your child, please keep them school appropriate.  No blood or gore and no bare tummies in school. Children may not wear masks. Weapons, real or pretend, are never allowed on school grounds.  No cigars or cigarette items. Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

9:30 AM - Parade - Parents may stand on the front sidewalk to view our parade!  If there is rain, we will need to cancel the outdoor parade. We cannot allow parents in the school to view the indoor parade, for obvious security reasons.  Let's cross our fingers for a beautiful fall day!

10:00-10:45 - Party (Kindergarten, Structured, and AM Blended/ECSE) - Only approved PTO parent volunteers may enter the building for the classroom parties.  Our room parents put together a fun celebration in each classroom!  

2-2:45 - Party for PM Blended/ECSE

Blended and ECSE Program - Blended will have 2 parties (one for AM and one for PM).   Again, only PTO-approved volunteers may attend the party. Blended PM parents may bring their child in just for the parade if they'd like.  Parents must provide transportation to and from the school parade. Students must leave after the parade and come back when their typical program starts.  If you choose to bring your child to the parade please notify your child’s teacher so they know to expect your child. You will drop them off in the office and pick them up there after the parade.  Please bypass the line for scanning ID’s for the party and come right in to retrieve your child.  

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PTO PARTY VOLUNTEERS:

Parents attending the parties may not bring additional family members, other children, etc.  We need everyone to abide by this and will have to ask you to leave if you come with other attendees.  For your sake and ours, please do not put us in this situation. We have many individuals entering our building for the party and cannot accommodate additional individuals.   

Every PTO volunteer approved to come into our school MUST have their license or ID scanned through our security system to enter.  You have to bring this with you or you will not be able to enter. There is always a very long line at this first party, so please anticipate this.  We highly encourage PTO room party volunteers to swing by Willow sometime in the month of October before October 31st to have your license scanned, which will speed up the process.  The more people who come in early to be scanned, the shorter the line! You may also come in the day of the Halloween party BEFORE THE PARADE to have your license scanned.  We will clear out the office just before the parade starts, so please come early, as lines are long for this first party.  


Law Enforcement Safety Drill

On October 11, Willow Grove will be conducting a Law Enforcement Safety Drill (previously referred to as a lockdown drill). In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill. Please know we handle this drill knowing the age of our students and are very cautious, just as we are with the education for this drill done previously. If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill, please contact me (Jenny Smith) by email [email protected].  We 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 drill.


NEW *PTO News*

REMINDER: MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT 

Please make sure that your family profile is up to date and your student’s information is current including their current teacher.  

UPCOMING PTO EVENTS

If you signed up to volunteer for the PTO sponsored Teacher Conference Meal, Scholastic Book Fair or the Ice Cream Social events, please check your inbox and membership toolkit!  Our committee chairs will be reaching out with more information regarding these events.

Remember to check the Willow Grove PTO online at the links below for the latest PTO news and events.

Willow Grove PTO Page 

Willow Grove PTO Blog 

Willow Grove PTO Membership Toolkit


REPEAT *Volunteer Opportunity - P.E. Class Helper*

**CORRECTION WAS MADE TO LINK BELOW IF YOU COULDN'T GET IT TO WORK!**

Would you like to accompany your student to P.E. class? Sign up to be a P.E. helper!

If you would like to be a P.E. helper for your student's class period, please fill out the form below. Each student is allowed one visit with up to two visitors, but no siblings please!

Please follow this link and fill out the information so that we can get something scheduled.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you in class!

~Mr. Sutton


REPEAT *Makerspace Donations*


REPEAT *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.