Dear Families,
Thank you so much for attending your child's conference! We appreciate your partnership as we work together to make this a wonderful year of growth and learning for your child.
I have to give a HUGE shout-out to our wonderful PTO and all of the families that contributed to the conference teacher hospitality meal. It filled our hearts and our bellies! We were blown away by your generosity, from the food to the decorations. We definitely feel the love and appreciate you so much!
As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, October 9. We look forward to seeing the students back at school Tuesday morning.
Kindly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
October At-A-Glance
- 9 - NO SCHOOL - District Holiday
- 16-19 - Scholastic Book Fair (see PTO blog)
- 19 - Ice Cream Social (see PTO blog)
- 24 - EARLY RELEASE DAY
- 31 - Halloween Parade & PTO Party
District 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
NEW *Retake Picture Day Information*
We have a retake day on Friday, October 13th, for any student who missed our original picture day (absent or newly enrolled) or whose parent chooses a retake option. If you are choosing to have your child retake their picture, please make sure you see the information that was provided in your child's picture envelope. They are available to students with eye closure, glass glare, bad expression, or photographic error. You will also need to email your child's teacher so they are aware.
NEW *Did You Register for This Conversation with Devorah Heitner?*
The District's Parent Network co-hosts this session with writer Devorah Heitner, author of "Growing Up In Public" (new release) and "Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and survive) in Their Digital World."
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 (7 p.m., via Zoom)
Pre-register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-up-in-public-raising-kids-in-a-social-media-world-tickets-633448671027
NEW *Fire Drill*
On October 12, Willow Grove will be conducting a Fire Drill. Students will be evacuating the building during the drill. If the weather does not cooperate, we will reschedule the drill when the weather is better.
REPEAT *Willow Grove PTO Updates*
In the latest edition of the PTO blog, Fall Conference meal and wish list sign up, Ice Cream Social save the date and call for volunteers, Scholastic book fair volunteer information, and more! Visit the PTO blog for additional details.
Click here for the Willow Grove PTO Blog to keep up on all the Willow Grove happenings!
REPEAT *Halloween Costumes*
It’s hard to believe it’s already time to talk about Halloween, but here we are! Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I especially love watching your children in all of their excitement! It's important that you know the parameters about costumes as you are choosing the perfect one for our school celebration! There is also an opportunity for you to view our parade I’d like to share with you.
Costumes
As you are choosing or creating a costume for your child, please keep them school-appropriate. No blood or gore and no bare tummies in school. Children may not wear masks. Weapons, real or pretend, are never allowed on school grounds. No cigars or cigarette items. Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple. I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Halloween Festivities
9:15 AM - Parade - Parents may stand on the front sidewalk and grass area near the flagpole to view our parade! If there is rain, we will need to cancel the outdoor parade. We cannot allow parents in the school to view the indoor parade, for obvious security reasons. Let's cross our fingers for a beautiful fall day!
9:45-10:30 - Party (Kindergarten, Structured, and AM Blended/ECSE) - Only approved PTO parent volunteers may enter the building for the classroom parties. Approved volunteers may not swap with a different person or bring relatives/siblings. Our room parents put together a fun celebration in each classroom and we thank you so much!
2-2:45 - Party for PM Blended
Blended and ECSE Program - Blended will have 2 parties (one for AM and one for PM). Again, only PTO-approved volunteers may attend the party. Blended PM parents may bring their child in just for the parade if they'd like. Parents must provide transportation to and from the school parade. Students must leave after the parade and return when their typical program starts. If you choose to bring your child to the parade please notify your child’s teacher so they know to expect your child. You will drop them off in the office and pick them up there after the parade. Please bypass the line for scanning ID’s for the party and come right in to retrieve your child.
Important Notes for PTO-Approved Halloween Party Volunteers
Parents attending the parties may not bring additional family members, other children, etc. We need everyone to abide by this and will have to ask you to leave if you come with other attendees. For your sake and ours, please do not put us in this situation. We have many individuals entering our building for the party and cannot accommodate additional individuals. This includes "trading" with another individual for the approved volunteer.
Every PTO volunteer approved to come into our school MUST have their license or ID scanned through our security system to enter. You have to bring this with you or you will not be able to enter. There is always a very long line at this first party, so please anticipate this. We highly encourage PTO room party volunteers to swing by Willow sometime in the month of October before October 31st to have their license scanned, which will speed up the process. The more people who come in early to be scanned, the shorter the line! You may also come in the day of the Halloween party BEFORE THE PARADE to have your license scanned. We will clear out the office just before the parade starts, so please come early, as the lines are long for this first party.