Dear families,
We are so appreciative of all the love you showered on our staff this week! Thank you so much to the PTO and families for the staff appreciation meals, treats, and goodies! I know we all felt the love!
The kindergarten music show was a barnyard smash hit today! Seeing your amazing little performers, as well as so many smiling faces in the audience was incredibly special. Each year I look forward to this occasion as it showcases our kindergarten students as we get closer and closer to seeing them go off to first grade. It reminds me of how far they've come in the time they've been at Willow Grove. We are honored to be at the start of their educational path. Thank you for celebrating the moment with us!
As a reminder, we will share out the video we recorded of each performance. We will have this in next week's message.
Thank you,
Jenny Smith, Principal
May & June Dates to Know
May
23 – EARLY RELEASE DAY: Kindergarten, Structured, PM Blended, and PM ECSE dismisses at 2:05 p.m. Blended AM & ECSE AM dismisses at 10:00 a.m.
24 - Field Day for all students - Volunteer opportunity in REPEAT information this week!
26 – HALF DAY for Kindergarten, Structured, and Blended PM and ECSE PM. Blended PM and ECSE PM attend 8:30-11:00 AM. No school for Blended AM or ECSE AM. Structured Learning Classroom hours are 8:30 AM - 11:45 AM. Kindergarten hours are 8:40 AM - 11:45 AM.
29 – NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
June
1 - PM Blended & PM ECSE ONLY Last Day
2 - HALF DAY for Kindergarten, Structured, and Blended AM and ECSE AM. Blended AM and ECSE AM attend 8:30-11:00 AM. No school for Blended PM or ECSE PM. Structured Learning Classroom hours are 8:30 AM - 11:45 AM. Kindergarten hours are 8:40 AM - 11:45 AM. This is also the last day of school for Kindergarten, Structured, and Blended/ECSE AM.
NEW *Technology Update*
Aside from a few exceptions (defined below) all students will KEEP their District 96 technology (iPad, iPad Case, Charging Cable, Charging Brick, and Logitech Crayon) over the summer and will be expected to return with it at the beginning of the 23-24 school year. It will be the student’s responsibility to come to school next year with all of their technology items. Should parents have technology-related questions over the summer, they can get a hold of us at [email protected].
Exceptions:
- All EC student iPads at Willow Grove will be collected at the end of the school year. We will redeploy class sets at the start of the 23-24 school year.
- All 8th-grade student iPads will be collected on the morning of Wednesday, May 24th at both middle schools.
- Any student who is confirmed not returning to District 96 for the 23-24 school year will need to turn in their technology items on the last day of school.
- Any student who unenrolls from District 96 (during the school year or during the summer) is required to turn in their technology items as soon as possible after they confirm unenrollment, even if families indicate they are planning to return at a later date, District 96 technology items should be collected.
NEW *Student/Parent Handbook Reminder*
Animals on Campus
As a general rule, animals are not allowed on the school campus or grounds during school hours when children are present. The exception would be when the assistance of a dog is required due to a disability. The service dog must be identified visually with a vest and harnessed, leashed, or tethered while on campus. In all other cases, written permission must be obtained from the District Office before an animal is allowed on school grounds.
NEW *PTO News*
REMINDER: WILLOW GROVE END OF YEAR PICNIC
This year, we are excited to offer catering (hotdogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers) cooked on site by Wiener Take All! Families are also welcome to bring a blanket and pack their own picnic dinner!
A link is up on Membership Toolkit (linked below) for both meal preorders and volunteer opportunities. Please follow us on social media (links below) for more details!
ATTENTION EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILIES!
Is your student continuing on at Willow Grove next year? Do you love making new connections with other Willow Grove families? Please consider serving on the Willow Grove PTO Executive Board next year! Two co-president positions and the VP of Fundraising role are up for grabs! It has been really rewarding to be involved this year and there is a ton of support available from PTOs across our amazing District. For more info, please email us at:
TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
Thank you all so much for your very generous contributions!
REMINDER: SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS
For your convenience, school supply kits are now available for purchase (see QR code and school codes below). The kits contain everything on the school supply list for each school and grade level. NOTE: Especially for Early Learners through Early Elementary, most if not all school supplies are shared/pooled. Kindergarten families, please make a note of your child's school next year when you place your order.
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 *Let the Countdown Begin! Blast Off to Summer Starts Friday, May 19!*
REPEAT *Cross-Cultural Expert Speaks May 23*
An expert in the raising of children cross-culturally will share her wisdom with District 96 families at the end of next month. Author Ruth E. Van Reken speaks virtually on “Raising Children Cross-Culturally: Maximizing the Benefits, Minimizing the Challenges'' on May 23, 2023 (7-8:30 p.m.). She is the author of “Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds (3rd edition).”
Here’s what she will discuss:
“There is no question that there are many gifts for those who grow up interacting with different cultural communities. Learning to ‘code-switch’ positively in certain situations can be a great asset in today’s globalizing world. Being a cultural bridge is another gift that can come with such a childhood. But the realities of juggling the differing expectations between different cultural contexts can also introduce certain challenges. Questions related to identity, attachment, and belonging are often common during this process. This session will not only help to normalize why these challenges frequently arise, but also share practical strategies for how parents and other caregivers can help children maximize the gifts and grow from the challenges as well.”
To pre-register, please visit HERE.
For questions, please contact Lubna Andrabi, Community Parent Liaison, at [email protected].
REPEAT *Staff Appreciation Week May 8-May 12*
Staff Appreciation Week is coming up May 8-12. We'd love your help celebrating our staff by clicking HERE. This can be for individuals or groups. Ms. Payne and I will personally share your praise. We appreciate you taking the time to do this. Thank you!
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.