Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ October 21, 2022

Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ October 21, 2022

Dear Families,

It was absolutely wonderful seeing so many families at our Ice Cream Social this week! Thank you to the many families who joined and also to our wonderful PTO for all the work they put into the Scholastic Book Fair and our Ice Cream Social. The Book Fair provided excitement all week for the kids. I'm sure many of you will enjoy snuggles and reading this weekend! The Ice Cream Social was so special, made complete by even having a visit from Buddy the Bear!

I also want to give a huge thank you to our staff and students for honoring me this Principal's Day! I was showered with some of the most adorable pictures I've ever seen and many, many shoutouts of gratitude from your sweet kids. Our students, staff, and families make my job a true joy every day and I'm so lucky to be a part of this school community. 

Enjoy this gorgeous weekend! 

Jenny Smith, Principal


NEW *Upcoming Dates to Know*

Tuesday, 10/25 ~ Early Release

Monday, 10/31 ~ Halloween Parade and Parties - see details in "Repeat" information

Monday, 11/7 ~ Picture Retake Day: Parents interested in retakes (or if absent on picture day) should email their child's teacher, and send their child in with their original pictures (coming soon). If your child was absent on our original picture day, they will take a picture this day.


Upcoming Special Event Announcement!

Coming Soon! Willow Grove ~ Window to the World 

On the evening of December 8th, we’ll be having a fun family event, showcasing the many cultures represented in our school community.  We hope to encourage our students to learn about other cultures to celebrate what makes us all unique and to recognize the cultural traits that we share.  We cannot do this without your support. In the near future, we will be sharing more details in the principal's message about how you can volunteer!  We are so excited for this event! More on this exciting event to come. Watch the principal’s message for more information! Mark your calendars for the evening of December 8th, 6pm-7:30pm.  This will be fun for the whole family!


Upcoming Fire Drill

On October 25th, 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 News*

BOOK FAIR

The Scholastic Book Fair and Ice Cream Social were huge successes!  Thank you for your support Willow Grove families!  You can continue to shop our Book Fair online and use up any remaining e-wallet funds through October 30th . . . please check us out on social media for more information.

DONATE WHILE YOU DINE

Please mention our fundraiser on October 26th, at Weiner Take All to donate while you dine between 10:30am and 8pm.  A portion of the purchases made mentioning our fundraiser will benefit our school.

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 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.