Dear Families,
We are rockin' and rollin' at Willow Grove! Students have made great strides in acclimating to school life. We're so proud of them. In addition, this time of year it is so fun to see new friendships blossoming. The morning is filled with students coming into the building holding hands and enjoying the new friendships they're making. It's truly heartwarming to see.
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
2024-25 School Year Calendar & Hours
New: Fire Drill
On September 24, 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.
NEW *Early Release Reminder*
Tuesday, September 17th is an Early Release Day across KCSD96. Kindergarten and grades 1-5 dismiss at 2:05pm. Grades 6-8 dismiss at 1:30pm. Structured Early Childhood and Blended PM dismiss at 2:05 pm. ECSE/Blended AM dismisses at 10:10am.
NEW *Leaving a Positive Digital Footprint*
As we navigate an evolving digital age, it is important for our children to learn how to use technology safely and responsibly. To best support our students in developing these lifelong skills, KCSD96 will be introducing the Common Sense Digital Citizenship Lessons to our K-8 students throughout the year. These age-appropriate lessons will cover essential topics like online safety, protecting personal information, and recognizing positive and negative online behaviors. It’s important that we set our students up for lifelong success.
Common Sense is a widely-used resource used by school districts across the country, including in our region. We encourage you to review the material with your child and have open discussions about what they learn in class. You can access the resources and learn more by visiting the Common Sense Digital Citizenship website.
By working together, we can help our children become thoughtful, safe, and respectful digital citizens. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenny Smith, Principal, at [email protected].
NEW *FAMILY TECH TALK*
Technology plays an important and evolving role in your child's education. It's critical that you and your family have open discussions about your use of technology. KCSD96 is hosting its annual "Family Tech Talk” in the Educational Development Center (downstairs of Ivy Hall Elementary at 1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove). This discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24 at 7pm. Presenters are Director of Information Technology Services Bob Hanrahan and School Resource Officer Edyta Zuk. Mr. Hanrahan will talk about the district and its technology initiatives. Officer Zuk will discuss online safety awareness and tips.
If you have questions, contact the Community Parent Liaison, Lubna K. Andrabi, at [email protected]
NEW *Parent Engagement Opportunities - GCI and TEP*
KCSD96 is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships with our community, offering a range of opportunities for parent engagement. Through these programs, we empower parents to actively contribute to and enrich the educational environment for all of our students. This information, including meeting dates for the 24-25 school year, will be sent to all families in Friday's E-News. We encourage our teachers to relay this information to families who may be interested.
Guiding Coalition of Interculturalism
GCI is a learning community that reflects and connects the KCSD96 values of diversity and inclusion; aligns parents, educators, and students in cultural and educational experiences; and engages with a wide audience. This year our Bilingual Parent Advisory Council will merge with GCI to create a more cohesive group focused on cultural diversity, inclusion, and language support. We will align their missions to create a unified group that addresses both interculturalism and bilingual education and create one communication platform for parents, educators, and community members. GCI meeting dates for the 24-25 school year are:
- October 1st, 2024
- November 12th, 2024
- January 21st, 2025
- February 25th, 2025
- April 22nd, 2025
Meetings are at 6:30pm in the Educational Development Center at Ivy Hall Elementary (1072 Ivy Hall Lane). Please fill this Google Form to indicate your interest. For questions, please contact, Community Parent Liaison: [email protected].
Thought Exchange Partnership
TEP offers parents the opportunity to share their thoughts and receive information about instruction, programs, and district initiatives. TEP is a committee that seeks parent feedback in developing student discipline policies and procedures related to the Student Handbook and provides information and feedback to the Board. District 96 values two-way communication, and a deep understanding of parent perception supports district planning and communication. TEP meeting dates for the 24-25 school year are:
- October 8th, 2024
- December 10th, 2024
- January 28th, 2025
- March 11th, 2025
- May 6th, 2025
Meetings are at 6:30pm in the Educational Development Center at Ivy Hall Elementary (1072 Ivy Hall Lane). Please fill this Google Form to indicate your interest. For questions, please contact, Community Parent Liaison: [email protected].
NEW *PHYSICALS AND IMMUNIZATION FORMS DUE by 10/15*
Please ensure that all physicals and immunization forms are turned into the school nurse by October 15th.
NEW *PTO News*
Be sure to read the PTO Blog for information about Dessert Day (orders due by Sept. 18) and the upcoming General PTO & Room Parent Meeting on September 18. If you haven't set up your Membership Took Kit account, you'll want to do that, as well! This is how you purchase things like Dessert Day for your child and sign up for PTO volunteer opportunities.
Click HERE for the full PTO Blog for all this information and more so you don't miss a thing!
REPEAT *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
CLOSED - All spots have been filled. Thank you! 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.
REPEAT *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.