Dear Families,
It was fun to end on the note of our monthly warm fuzzy celebration today where we recognize students for their positive behaviors. The great big smiles and high-fives and hugs to our dear mascot, Buddy the Bear, are just about the sweetest things I've ever seen.
Another friendly reminder, we'd love your participation in the 5 Essential Survey. We sincerely appreciate hearing from you. We are at a 12% response rate and we can only see results with a total of 20% respondents. Thank you so much for your time. I've taken it as a parent, myself, and I promise it's pretty quick and painless. Scroll below to the 5Essentials section to take it. Truly, thank you so much!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Best,
Jenny Smith, Principal
February At-A-Glance
27 - EARLY RELEASE DAY
Kindergarten (including Structured Kindergarten): 8:40 AM - 2:05 PM
Blended Early Childhood/ECSE AM: 8:40 AM - 10:10 AM
Blended Early Childhood PM: 12:35 PM - 2:05 PM
Early Childhood Structured Learning Classroom: 8:40 AM - 2:05 PM
March At-A-Glance
1 - Trimester 2 Report cards issued
4 - NO SCHOOL - District Holiday
19 - NO SCHOOL (Staff Institute Day)
21 - EARLY RELEASE DAY: Spring Family –Educator Conferences
22 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Family–Educator Conferences (Last day of school before Spring Break)
25-29 - SCHOOL CLOSED: Spring Break
District 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
NEW *Opening March 1: Registration for 2024-25 School Year*
Registration for the 2024-25 school year opens on Friday, March 1. Parents and guardians of new Kindergarten students and returning District 96 students will be emailed a link to register their child for the 2024-25 school year.
Complete registration by April 15 to receive a $20 Early-Bird discount. Families with returning students who register after April 15 will pay the standard registration fee. Registering early helps us to plan for the upcoming school year.
Registration fees paid by April 15 for the 2024-25 school year are:
Early Childhood Blended Tuition: $2,870 (or $335.07 monthly)
Kindergarten: $90
Grades 1-4: $110
Grade 5: $120
Grades 6-8: $135
NEW *Parking and Pick-up/Drop-Off Information*
If you are a regular drop-off and/or pick-up parent here at Willow Grove you may have noticed some additional cones were added at the Checker and Essington intersection. The Buffalo Grove Police Department put cones there because when people are coming out onto Checker from Essignton, their view is obscured by cars parking too close to the intersection. BGPD explained that cars should park at least a car's length away from the intersection so those pulling out can have a clear view.
In addition, we have noticed that many who park on Checker come through the bus traffic to drop-off/pick-up their child. Please cross our front circle drive where buses are located either by going behind the buses near the entrance, or at the crosswalk near the exit of the circle drive. This will ensure the safety of all.
Lastly, I continue to see U-turns in front of the school during high levels of traffic. Police do regularly monitor and give tickets when they see this. For the safety of all, please refrain from this.
We appreciate everyone's kindness towards one another, patience, and safe decision-making when dropping off and picking up their children. Thank you, so much.
NEW *PTO Updates*
In the latest edition of the PTO Blog, B-I-N-G-O and we’re not talking about Old McDonald’s dog, we’re talking about our upcoming Pizza Bingo Night! Find out more information on the event as well as other PTO happenings in the latest edition of our blog.
REPEAT *Dual Language: For Parents of Incoming 2024-25 Kindergartners*
Do you have an entering kindergartner or know of a D96 resident who does? Are you interested in your child having a bilingual school experience?
The District 96 Spanish/English Dual Language Program was designed several years ago to implement instruction across the curriculum and provide 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, 2024. This process should be completed by April 15, 2024, 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 to 6:30 p.m. on March 12, 2024, for parents of incoming Kindergarten students who are interested in learning more about the Dual Language Program.**
REPEAT *5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians*
2/23 Update: We are currently at 12% parent participation. Please help us get to 20%! Thank you!
Beginning January 30th through March 29th, 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].
REPEAT *24-25 Kindergarten Registration Open*
Are you the parent of a kindergarten student or friends with someone who is? Please help us get the word out! Kindergarten registration is now open for the 24-25 school year. Families who complete registration by April 30th may attend Kindergarten Kick-Off in May at Willow Grove Early Learning Center and receive a free t-shirt while at the event! Kindergarten Kick-Off is an exciting event designed to welcome and introduce incoming kindergarten students and their parents/guardians to Willow Grove, supporting a successful transition into school and kindergarten. Please follow this link to learn about the steps to register. Fully registered families will receive additional information about Kindergarten Kick-Off and more in early April.
If your child is already attending Willow Grove in the early childhood program, you will automatically receive a registration link in March for kindergarten. Please wait until you receive that link to proceed with registration. You will still want to complete the registration process by April 30th to receive your child's free t-shirt and attend Kindergarten Kick-Off.
Please note that your child must be 5 years old by September 1st, 2024 to attend kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year.