Dear Families,
You helped us meet, and actually exceed, our Parent 5 Essentials Survey goal of 20% by reaching a 28% response rate! Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Again, we sincerely value your feedback. More is always better, so if you haven't done it yet, it's not too late! The deadline is April 2nd. Additional details are below or begin the parent survey HERE.
This week we closed out February's theme of "Sharing" and are moving into "Praising, Appreciating, and Complimenting" as our new social skill of focus. Of course, our month wouldn't be complete without recognizing some of our star students with Warm Fuzzies and a visit from Buddy the Bear!
As a reminder, report cards will be released today. As always, if you ever have any questions related to your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher.
Thank you,
Jenny Smith, Principal
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 *Willow Grove Spirit Week March 20-23*
NEW *Dual Language Parent Night for 2023-24 Incoming Kindergartners*
If you are enrolling an incoming Kindergarten student and want to learn more about our D96 Dual Language Program, we would love for you to join us at 6 pm on Wednesday, March 8th for our Incoming Dual Language Parent Night. This virtual meeting will take place via Zoom and will be an opportunity for you to learn about our Dual Language Program and have your questions answered.
Date: Wednesday, March 8th
Time: 6:00-6:30
Zoom Link: https://kcsd96.zoom.us/j/87185468645?pwd=UUR3VnI0N0JTZHYxRGQ5aXlJa1k5Zz09
NEW *Current Kindergarten, 5th Grade Families Need to Reprove Residency*
District 96 families of current Kindergarten and fifth-grade students are reminded that they will need to reprove their residency by April 15.
To reprove residency, scan or take a photo with your phone and email it to the administrative assistant at the school your current Kindergartner or 5th grader now attends:
1. a current monthly mortgage OR lease statement OR property tax bill OR Warranty Deed, and
2. a current utility bill (e.g., water OR electric OR waste collection), and
3. this Proof of Residency Form (completed and signed)
Your current kindergartner’s or current 5th grader’s teacher assignment/schedule will not be provided for the 2023–24 school year until residency is reproved.
For more information, click here.
NEW *Reminder from our PE Staff*
Just a quick reminder that for the safety of our students, children are required to wear gym shoes in Physical Education class. We recommend gym shoes that tie/velcro and provide good foot support and stability. Casual shoes such as Merrills or Crocs are unsafe for gym class as are boots and snowshoes. If your child prefers wearing these types of shoes to school please provide an alternate pair of gym shoes to be worn during Physical Education class. Please make a plan with your child so she/he is prepared for P.E. every day. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you, however, please keep in mind that your child’s safety is our main concern.
NEW *PTO News*
PIZZA BINGO
Pizza Bingo is next week! Thursday, March 9th from 6-8pm.
Please join us for a fun event for the entire family. Everyone can play bingo (with prizes!), eat pizza and other treats while browsing silent auction items to help raise money for our school. Please follow us on social media (linked below) for the latest updates including auction information.
PLEASE PREORDER YOUR PIZZA AND BINGO CARDS ON MTK (link below). It helps us to ensure we have pizza and bingo cards for everyone.
*Food will be available for an increased price at the door, while supplies last.
REMINDER: 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: 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 *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.
REPEAT *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
REPEAT *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.**
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].