Dear Families,
It's always an exciting occasion as kids come in dressed and styled to perfection for picture day! Picture Day is not just about getting that perfect snapshot, in fact, looking back at my own kids' photos, the ones I love the most are the ones that probably aren't the best. This is because it's about celebrating the unique personalities and heartwarming charm of our students. Seeing each child dressed up and ready to shine brings immense joy to our school community. I hope you receive a memory you cherish!
Last year's PTO raised money for a new Willow Grove mascot costume. Buddy the Bear has never looked more amazing! He's big, soft, and full of love! Your little ones will absolutely love him when they meet him at our upcoming Willow Walk. This is a gift that will keep on giving for many, many children to enjoy. Buddy made a special appearance to meet some members of our new PTO Executive Board, pictured below:
Thank you, PTO and families, for all of your support to bring us this special member of our Willow Grove family!
Kindly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
September At-A-Glance
- Tuesday, September - Early Release Day - Kindergarten dismiss at 2:05pm. Structured Early Childhood and Blended PM dismiss at 2:05 pm. ECSE/Blended AM dismisses at 10:10am.
- Friday, September 27 - Willow Walk - See this week's message for details and a volunteer opportunity!
2024-25 School Year Calendar & Hours
Willow Walk - Friday, September 27, 2024
On September 27, we'll be having our annual Willow Walk. Due to the age of our students (early childhood and kindergarten only), this is a reasonable walk designed just for them! The walk will promote positive school unity and give us all a brief activity to enjoy as a school family. This is not a 5k-like event. This is much shorter given the age of our students.
Please be sure to dress your children for walking in mind and for the weather. We will go out if it is cold. If it is rainy, we will try to schedule a rain date. Let's cross our fingers for a beautiful day! We also encourage kids to wear Willow Grove spirit wear or our colors, purple, grey, and/or blue.
Parents may view the walk from the designated viewing area. The viewing area is on our front sidewalk/grassy area surrounding the flagpole, along Checker Dr. Do not stand on the circle drive or walk onto our campus during the walk. We must maintain a safe and orderly environment for all children. The walk begins at about 9:30 and kids will circle past the viewing area one time for you to cheer them on!
A Special Note for Parents of PM Blended Early Childhood Students
As we want this to be an opportunity for all of our students, you are welcome to bring your child to attend. Please bring your child to the Willow Grove office at 9:30 a.m. where they will meet their teacher to participate in the walk. You may view the walk from our designated viewing area (grass near the flagpole) and come to the main office after the event to collect your child. If you would like to bring your child to the walk, please email his/her teacher to let them know, so they know who to expect.
Willow Walk Parent Volunteer Opportunity
We have limited volunteer positions if you are interested. If you are interested in volunteering, CLICK HERE. Sign-up closes on Friday, September 20th, and spots are first-come, first-serve, based on the date/time of completing our volunteer request form (previous link). Please read and consider all information on the sign-up survey prior to completing it. Volunteers need to be adults-only, no siblings or guests may be with volunteers. We will confirm with all who offer to volunteer a week prior to the walk.
NEW *Retake Picture Day Information*
We have a retake day on Wednesday, October 16th, 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.
REPEAT *Erin’s Law - DATE CHANGE NOTICE*
In our prior message, I shared that the Erin's Law kindergarten event would take place on September 13th. Due to scheduling conflicts, we need to move the date to September 11th. Early Childhood will stay on September 19th, as originally published.
An Illinois law known as Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness/prevention curriculum for Early Childhood through Grade 12.
Kindergarten
Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 researched and observed best practices and programs for delivering this instruction, selecting Be Seen & Heard ©. For more information about this presentation please go here.
This developmentally appropriate and interactive program focuses on teaching children skills to keep them safe from danger or abuse. Concepts discussed will include distinguishing safe from unsafe touches, safety rules at home and school, saying NO, safe/unsafe secrets, and telling a trusted adult, as well as reinforcing that an adult’s touching him or her is not the child’s fault.
Opt-Out Procedures
The presentation to Willow Grove kindergarten students will be during the school day on September 11, 2024. If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to [email protected] and your child's teacher.
Early Childhood
Students in the ECSE, Blended, and Structured early childhood program do not attend the September 13th presentation. Our school social worker pushes into those settings to provide a developmentally appropriate presentation for our youngest students on September 19th. If you prefer that your child not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request to [email protected] and your child's teacher.
REPEAT *PTO News*
The PTO's Spirit Wear Sale is live! Shop now through September 2nd and items will be sent home in backpacks later in the month. We still are looking for Room Parents and Class Party Volunteers. See what's open and register for Membership Toolkit PTO Portal account if you haven't already.
Click HERE for the full PTO Blog so you don't miss a thing!
REPEAT *Health Form Deadline*
To comply with Illinois State guidelines, a physical examination – including current immunization records is required for all children entering an Illinois school for the first time, for children enrolling in kindergarten (even if they previously were enrolled in a District 96 Early Childhood program), and for students entering Grade 6.
Health Forms: Provide required HEALTH FORMS as soon as possible. A physical and immunization record needs to be on file in the nurse's office by October 15th, or the student will be excluded from school. STATE OF ILLINOIS CERTIFICATE OF CHILD HEALTH EXAMINATION FORM. This form must be completed and signed by the pediatrician. Parents must also complete the fields for their child’s name and address, birth date, etc., at the top of the form on pages 1 and 2 in addition to the parent section on page 2, including a parent signature and date.
Other health forms required include VISION, due before Oct. 15, 2024 (Kindergarten and new students) and DENTAL due before May 15, 2025 (Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th graders).
You may email forms directly to our school nurse at [email protected].