Dear families,
Pizza BINGO night sure was a blast! Thank you to our incredible PTO for setting up such a fun night for all to enjoy! We loved seeing so many of you there and enjoyed getting to see our wonderful students' families. We know this is a huge undertaking to plan and organize and thank our PTO and volunteers! As a mom myself, I definitely know how wrangling the family out on a snowy weeknight can be an adventure in itself. Thank you to all for making the effort so we could enjoy one another and for the funds you raised for Willow Grove! Your contributions always go to a great cause and provide joy for our students now and for years to come.
Our sincere gratitude,
Jenny Smith, Principal
March Dates to Know
14 – EARLY RELEASE DAY
• KDG dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
• Structured dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
• Blended AM & ECSE AM dismissal at 10:00 a.m.
• Blended PM & ECSE PM dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
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 *Kindergarten Families Only: FIRST-GRADE Parent Input for Class Placement (2023-2024)*
We are collecting first-grade parent input for placement at this time through Sunday, April 30, 2023. Entering kindergarten families for the 2023/24 school year will be able to provide input through a link being emailed to families in Apriil. Families must be fully registered to receive the link. This information is only for First-Grade families for the 2023/24 school year.
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and specialists. At Willow Grove, we take this process very seriously. The process for class list creation is as follows:
- Teachers reflect on the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision-making process.
- Grade-level teachers, the principal, the assistant principal, specials area teachers, and specialists meet together to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering student relationships. This is no easy task and often takes several collaborative discussions. Our dedicated team of educators considers each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a recommendation for each individual child. A draft of class lists is created while considering parent input.
Class lists are then revised in August and changes are made to include students who move in or out of the district over the summer.
Willow Grove staff creates the class lists for incoming 1st graders to all District 96 elementary schools.
We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children. Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child. Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons. The process benefits all students. Because of the input and thought given by teachers, specialists, parents, and the principal, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire class, impacting all students.
We welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. We will take into consideration pertinent information received on or before Sunday, APRIL 30th. Please remember, while we welcome your input, specific teacher requests and friendship requests will not be considered due to the complexity of this process.
I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are provided through this 2023-24 First Grade Parent Class Placement Input Survey. As you can imagine, we receive a lot of parent input, and verbal information and multiple emails are impossible to track. We appreciate your input.
NEW *PTO News*
REMINDER: YEARBOOK PHOTOS NEEDED
We need your photos! If you attended any of our winter activities or events including PIZZA BINGO, 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 *Willow Grove Spirit Week March 20-23*
REPEAT *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.
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].