Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ October 7, 2022

Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ October 7, 2022

Dear Families,

Thank you so much for attending conferences! We appreciate your partnership as we make this a wonderful year of growth and learning for your child.

I have to give a HUGE shout-out to our wonderful PTO and all of the families that contributed to the conference teacher hospitality meal. It filled our hearts and our bellies! We were blown away by your generosity, from the food to the decorations. We definitely feel the love and appreciate you so much!

Take care,

Jenny Smith, Principal


NEW *Willow Walk Reminder - October 14*

There are several details below in repeat information below for our upcoming Willow Walk event. Students are encouraged to wear Willow Grove spirit wear or our school colors, which are purple, white, and blue. Please be sure to dress your child appropriately for the weather.


NEW *Upcoming No School Dates*

Monday, 10/10: District Holiday 


NEW *Book Fair!*

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming up soon, the week of October 17th. Click here to learn more. There is also information in our PTO blog. We especially can't wait for the Ice Cream Social event where we get to see and mingle with families as you enjoy a frozen treat and shop at the book fair. The Ice Cream Social is Thursday, October 20, from 6:00-7:30 PM. Thank you to our PTO for organizing the book fair and our evening at the ice cream social!


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

Thank you to everyone who volunteered and donated for the Teacher's Conference Meal we provided for our amazing teachers!

Please be sure to check out our blog (linked below) for more information on the Scholastic Book Fair happening 10/17-10/21 and our Ice Cream Social on 10/20.  There is an opportunity available in Membership Toolkit (linked below) to sign up to walk through the fair with your child and their class.  

UPDATE: SPIRIT WEAR

Due to supply chain issues, production of our spirit wear orders were a bit delayed, but it is in production!  Follow us on social media (linked below), where we will provide updates about when to expect your order to come home with your student in the coming days/weeks.

Willow Grove PTO Page 

Willow Grove PTO Blog 

Willow Grove PTO Membership Toolkit


REPEAT *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 return 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.  


REPEAT *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.


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.