Dear Families,
We are hopeful to meet a 20% goal for the response rate on our Parent 5 Essentials Survey. We are currently at 9%. It would be wonderful if you could complete this survey. We value your feedback!
Additional details are below if you'd like to know more, or begin the parent survey HERE.
We are very much looking forward to celebrating your children at our upcoming Student Led Conferences. Please see those below!
Thank you,
Jenny Smith, Principal
February Dates to Know
24 – Report period ends, Willow Grove–Grade 8
March Dates to Know
3 – NO SCHOOL - Institute Day and Trimester 2 report cards issued
6 – NO SCHOOL - Casimir Pulaski Day
14 – EARLY RELEASE DAY
23 – EARLY RELEASE DAY Last day of student attendance before Spring Break begins Family/Educator conferences 5–8:30 p.m.
24 – NO SCHOOL Family/Educator conferences 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
27-31– SCHOOL CLOSED for Spring Break
NEW *Student Led Conferences*
Student Led Spring Conferences will be held on Thursday, March 23rd from 5:00pm to 8:30pm and Friday, March 24th from 10:00am to 1:30pm.
Students in kindergarten and early childhood will have 15 minute conferences.
During the conferences students will be guiding their parents/guardians through a reflective presentation regarding the progress they have made this year as well as areas of strength and growth. After the presentation has concluded students will be able to provide a tour of other learning spaces in the school.
The Meet the Teacher sign up will be open to parents at 5:00pm on Monday, March 6th, and it will close on Sunday, March 19th at 11:55pm. After that you will need to call the school office to schedule a conference.
Please Note: All student led conferences will be held in-person. There will be no remote option for Student Led Spring Conferences. If you are unable to attend in-person, students will be able to share their presentations at home.
Because conferences are student led, there will be no conferences scheduled or provided between the parent and teacher only.
NEW *Proof of Dental Exam*
Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 Kindergarteners, 2nd, and 6th Grade Students:
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is due no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form and return it to your child’s school nurse.
State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.
State of Illinois Dental Waiver Form
NEW *Indicate Interest in D96 Dual Language Beginning March 1st!*
It’s time to indicate interest in the D96 Dual Language Program for incoming kindergartners!
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 Kindergartner 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 from 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.**
NEW *PTO News*
PIZZA BINGO
Save the date! On March 9th from 6-8pm, we will be hosting our annual PTO Pizza Bingo and Silent Auction event. Please check out MTK (linked below) for more information regarding volunteer opportunities and pre-order forms for pizza meal deals! Food and concessions will also be available for purchase the night of the event on a first come first serve basis. Please follow us on social media for the latest updates including auction information.
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].