Dear families,
Welcome back! We hope everyone had a restful spring break. It was great to welcome students back on Monday and we look forward to a full week of learning next week. As a reminder, there is no school tomorrow, Friday, April 7.
We ended our week with a fantastic show by performer, Jim Gill. Mr. Gill provided an interactive show for all students. Students sang and danced throughout, having the time of their lives. There were smiles across the gymnasium as far as one could see. We want to give a huge shoutout to our PTO who brought us this wonderful experience! The kids had a blast!
We also celebrated students, once again receiving Warm Fuzzies! The month of March was all about showing appreciation and praising others as one way to show kindness.
Best,
Jenny Smith, Principal
April Dates to Know
7 – NO SCHOOL - District Holiday
21 – HALF DAY – School Improvement Half Day Only Blended AM attend (8:30–11:00 a.m.)
25 – EARLY RELEASE DAY
NEW *Law Enforcement Safety Drill*
On Tuesday, April 11, Willow Grove will be conducting a Law Enforcement Safety Drill (formerly known as lockdown drill).
In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Safety Drill.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill, please contact Jenny Smith, Principal, at [email protected]. The administration will arrange for an alternative review of safety procedures with your child.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the drill.
NEW *Spring Conference Feedback Request*
Whether you decide to schedule a student-led conference or not, we would love to hear from you. Please CLICK HERE for a very short survey concerning Spring Conferences.
If the link above does not work please copy/paste the following link into your browser: https://kcsd96.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1NUbeIG55AjvsP4
NEW *PTO News*
REMINDER: YEARBOOK
We need your photos! If you attended any of our activities or events including PIZZA BINGO, the Valentine's Party, Winter Party, Cultural Fair, Movie Night or the 100th Day of school celebration or BOOK FAIR 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 - INCLUDES TIMES & CLOTHING NOTES *Kindergarten Save the Date - Music Performance on Friday, May 12*
We are looking ahead at our calendars to prepare for the kindergarten music performance. This event celebrates our kindergarten students as they near the end of their school year. We ask that you save the date of Friday, May 12th. The kindergarten music performance is during the school day and the show is about 30 minutes in length. We also share a recording of the concert with families if you aren't able to make it. As promised, the following are times for each classroom's performance:
9:15-9:45 AM: Hibbs, Preskill, Derry, Wisneski
10:15-10:45 AM: Schmidt, Melamed, Filippo, Casas-Maya, Mason
1:15-1:45 PM: Rabin, Chappas, Santucci, Dolan
DRESS: Our theme for the show is Barnyard Moosical! Students can dress in any way that brings in a farm theme. Examples include denim, plaid pattern, floral pattern, bright summer colors such as green, red, or yellow, anything with barnyard animal, etc. Of course, anything your child wears is just fine! It's just always fun to have a theme if you'd like your child to join in!
REPEAT *Author Visit Coming April 26*
Thank you to our PTO for providing an author visit at Willow Grove! Rekha Rajan is visiting all students at Willow Grove on April 26th. If you are interested in having a book signed by the author please use the following Amazon links to purchase the book(s) and then send the book(s) to school with your child by April 24th. Please write your child’s name and classroom teacher on a post-it note and attach it to the inside cover of the book(s). If you have multiple books, make sure each book is labeled.
IMPORTANT: If you are sending in books for the author's autograph, you must complete THIS SURVEY. This will help us make sure your child's books are accounted for and not left in a backpack, etc. Thank you!
If you have any questions please email Mrs. Martinez at: [email protected]
REPEAT *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.
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 *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.**