Dear Families,
Last night's Scholastic Book Fair and Ice Cream Social had a huge turnout and it was so fun seeing everyone enjoying themselves. Thank you to the many families who joined and also to our PTO for all the work they put into the evening. The Book Fair provided excitement all week for the kids. I'm sure many of you will enjoy the snuggles as you enjoy new books with your kids this weekend!
We had another Warm Fuzzy celebration today! Students gave Buddy the Bear a high-five or hug and received their special warm fuzzy recognition reward! We're so proud of our students for their positive behaviors and growth.
We are looking forward to our Halloween parade and PTO parties next week! We hope to see you at the parade. We will hold the parade if it is cold, but not if it is raining. If we cancel the parade a message will go out to families that morning. If you attend the parade, please stay for the full parade, instead of leaving when your child passes. Otherwise, our audience is very small for the last few classes and not as fun. The parade is quite short!
I also want to give a huge thank you to our staff and students for honoring Ms. Payne and me this Principal's Day! We were showered with some of the most adorable pictures I've ever seen and many, many shoutouts of gratitude from your sweet kids. Our students, staff, and families make our jobs a true joy every day and we are so lucky to be a part of this school community.
Enjoy this gorgeous fall weekend!
Jenny Smith, Principal
Kindly,
Jenny Smith, Principal
Upcoming Dates & Helpful Resources
- Thursday, October 31 - Halloween Parade & PTO Party
- November 5 - NO SCHOOL - Election Day
- November 8 - Report period ends, EC-Grade 8
- November 15 - Trimester 1 report cards issued
- November 19 - EARLY RELEASE DAY
- November 27 - NO SCHOOL District Holiday
- November 28 - NO SCHOOL District Holiday
- November 29 - NO SCHOOL District Holiday
2024-25 School Year Calendar & Hours
Willow Grove Window to the World - Calling All Families!
On the evening of December 11th at 6pm, we’ll be having a fun family event, showcasing the many cultures and countries represented in our school community. We are excited to learn from and celebrate each other! We cannot do this without your support, and are looking for parents who would like to share artifacts and traditions from around the country and globe with our students and families. Parents who are interested can share about holidays, traditions, clothing, games/toys, geographical location and landmarks, music, art, food, etc. Children or families may do a short performance (dance, music, fashion show etc.). Things families choose to showcase are not limited to places outside of our own country. Families can share about areas right here in the USA and what makes their family unique to help us all learn about one another. We are so excited for this event! We hope that you’ll consider sharing with our school community. We would all love to learn from you! If you would be interested in participating, please click here to complete this survey. THANK YOU!
Note: You can partner up with others! You don’t have to do your booth alone. We will organize groups based on our volunteers and topics and individuals can feel free to work together, if you choose!
Click here to see a video from a previous cultural fair! This will give you a great idea what the event is all about!
Mark your calendars for the evening of December 11th. This will be fun for the whole family!
REPEAT *Law Enforcement Drill*
On October 28, Willow Grove will be conducting a Law Enforcement Safety Drill (formerly known as a lockdown drill). Similar to the Law Enforcement Drill education we did earlier this school year, we are very mindful of the ages and developmental levels of our students. We conduct this drill thoughtfully, always keeping this in mind.
In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Safety Drill.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill, please contact your child's teacher and Jenny Smith, Principal, at [email protected]. The administration will arrange for an alternative review of safety procedures with your child.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the drill.
REPEAT *Halloween, Thursday, October 31*
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 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 IDs 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.