Dear Families,
This week our classes celebrated Valentine's Day! Our family volunteers joined our classroom communities for crafts, games, and a DJ Dance Party! Thank you to our PTO party volunteers and our classroom volunteers for creating a memorable event for all students. Watching 3-6 year olds have the time of their lives and dance, dance, dance...priceless! I captured just a few of those moments in photos included this week.
We also wanted to give a great big thank you for the "Stock the Lounge" event hosted and organized by our PTO. There were the most adorable balloon centerpieces (even with Buddy the Bear!), snacks, and breakroom essentials. This truly was so kind and generous and we thank all who contributed.
Just a reminder that we would genuinely love your feedback by completing the 5 Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians. The details are below. Please begin the parent survey HERE.
Best,
Jenny Smith, Principal
February Dates to Know
20 – NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
24 – Report period ends, Willow Grove–Grade 8
NEW *PTO News*
YEARBOOK
We need your photos! If you attended any of our winter activities or events including the Valentine's Party, Winter Party, Cultural Fair, Movie Night or the 100th Day of school celebration, please email your photos (largest, highest resolution format please) to us at: [email protected]
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 Facebook Page
Willow Grove PTO Membership Toolkit
REPEAT *5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians*
Beginning January 24 through April 2nd, District 96 invites you to share your thoughts on the inner workings of your child’s school. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago.
As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Your participation will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide our improvement. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
Please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ to begin the parent survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected].
REPEAT *D96 Dual Language Program*
Do you have an entering kindergartner or know of a D96 resident who does? Are you interested in your child having a bilingual school experience?
The District 96 Spanish/English Dual Language Program was designed several years ago to implement instruction across the curriculum that provides an opportunity for students to develop a deep academic proficiency in two languages. In the Dual Language Program, 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in Spanish, and 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in English.
Families interested in enrolling their incoming kindergartners in the Spanish/English Dual Language Program can indicate so on the registration form while completing the kindergarten registration process that begins March 1, 2023. This process should be completed by April 15, 2023, to be entered into the Dual Language Lottery. Please note that indicating interest in the Dual Language Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Dual Language program.
Please visit our District 96 Website to learn more about the optional Spanish/English Dual Language Program and our Dual Language Lottery.
**District 96 will be hosting a Virtual Parent Night at 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on MARCH 8 for parents of incoming Kindergarten students who are interested in learning more about the Dual Language Program.**
REPEAT *ACCESS Testing - Kindergarten Only*
The State of Illinois requires identified English Learner (EL) students to annually participate in the ACCESS testing to determine current English language proficiency in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Our ACCESS testing window will occur from 1/17-2/22. Each school’s testing schedule is unique and will only impact students who take the ACCESS test. Students taking ACCESS do not need to prepare anything ahead of time.