Dear Families,
Thanksgiving is almost here! I want to take this opportunity to thank our amazing community for the love and support you give our students and staff, every day. We couldn't be more thankful to work with your children and your trust in us means the world. We know that our partnership with you is invaluable in the work we do. I've had a lot of meaningful conversations with parents this week and I wanted to share how grateful I am for this strong school community.
We had another Warm Fuzzy celebration this week to recognize many of our students! If you missed it before, Warm Fuzzies are one way we recognize children for demonstrating our Bears that Care pillar behaviors: kindness, responsibility, and respect. This month we specifically are focusing on showing expected behaviors. Expected behaviors are kind, helpful, and respectful. Unexpected behavior is when someone makes a choice that doesn't usually happen at that time or place. Unexpected behavior might happen if you feel upset or confused. Unexpected behavior might make other people mad or sad. We support our students to learn the difference between these and recognize how their choices impact others and themselves. Having a common language we refer to allows us all to consistently reinforce this learning throughout all settings, across the students' days.
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With next week being such a short week with school only meeting on Monday and Tuesday, we will not have another principal message. We will resume the scheduled messages on December 6th. Wishing you and your family a wonderful time enjoying one another and all that comes with the Thanksgiving holiday.
Warm wishes,
Jenny Smith, Principal
Upcoming Dates & Helpful Resources
- November 27 - NO SCHOOL District Holiday
- November 28 - NO SCHOOL District Holiday
- November 29 - NO SCHOOL District Holiday
- December 10 - EARLY RELEASE DAY
- December 11 - Window to the World Cultural Fair 6-7:30 PM
- December 16-20 - School Spirit Week!
- December 20 - Last day of school before Winter Break & Winter Parties
- December 23-Jan. 3 - NO SCHOOL: Winter Break
- January 6 - School resumes
- January 14 - EARLY RELEASE DAY
- January 16 - Movie Night
- January 20 - NO SCHOOL - District Holiday
2024-25 School Year Calendar & Hours
NEW *Helpful Reminder: Visitor Policies*
We love having the opportunity to have approved visitors in our school for mystery guest and other opportunities throughout the school year. That's why we want to take a moment to remind our wonderful family community that our visitors are required to check in *and* check out at every visit. Every time you visit you will need to remember to bring a photo I.D. with your name on it (Drivers License, State Issued, Passport, or Green Card are acceptable.)
Additionally, visitors are required to refrain from taking photos of any child that isn't their own. The only exception to this is for PTO representatives who are serving in a yearbook capacity. Thank you for respecting the privacy of our school community. If you have any questions, please ask your school front offices.
NEW *Support Needed to Translate the Willow Grove Bears that Care Pledge*
Did you know that in District 96, our student body represents over 70 languages spoken, in addition to English? At Willow Grove, we are proud to celebrate the rich diversity of our community. Our teachers do this in many ways and we are working as a school to build an audio collection showcasing the many languages of our students spoken through our Willow Grove school pledge. By translating our school pledge into the native languages of our families, we foster inclusivity and respect for all. If you speak a second language, we would greatly appreciate your help in ensuring every student’s language is represented. Your support will help us continue to celebrate the wonderful diversity at Willow Grove!
Here are the steps:
- Use a smartphone that has a built-in voice memo app. Open the app and record yourself reciting the Willow Grove Pledge in your native language: “Willow Grove Bears that Care show kindness, responsibility, and respect. We are good friends!”
- Please upload the recording to this Google Drive Folder, naming the file with the spoken language. You can also record the pledge and email it to [email protected].
- Please type the pledge in your native language and upload the written pledge to the Google folder, please name the file with the language.
Recording tips:
- a quiet environment for clear audio
- acceptable audio formats (e.g., .mp3, .wav)
Please email Melody Martinez at [email protected] with any questions. We are also happy to have you make an appointment to stop by and record it directly with us if you would rather.
Thank you!
We already have the following languages:
- English
- Polish
- Russian
- Ukrainian
- Cantonese
- Mandarin
- Italian
- Urdu
- Spanish
NEW *Boots, Snow Pants, and Gloves… Oh My!*
As you’re all aware, winter is upon us. And with it, comes the possibility of winter weather in the months ahead. In this evening’s edition of E-News from the District, you will be reading about KCSD96’s Inclement Weather Procedures. It’s important that families read this information and discuss your family’s plan in the case of inclement weather. This information also includes how the district will communicate school closures, delayed starts, and planned early dismissals with our families.
Additionally, I want to take a moment to discuss our Willow Grove protocols when it comes to winter weather safety. Please remember to send your child to school daily with proper outerwear. Weather permitting, students go outside for recess every day. In winter the temperature, including wind chill, and weather conditions are monitored throughout the morning. When the temperature or wind chill is below zero degrees, students will be kept inside for recess. We weigh options when the temperature or wind chill is between zero to ten degrees, to determine if we have indoor or outdoor recess, such as how damp it is outside. We do try to allow the children to go outside whenever possible, so please help them to come prepared. If snow is on the ground, children must have a coat, snow pants, hat, mittens/gloves, and boots to play in the snow. If they aren't prepared with these items, there is a cleared blacktop area for kids to play on. Feel free to send in an extra set of these items in a tote or reusable shopping bag for your child to keep in their cubby at school.
Finally, the winter months are when our Lost & Found explodes. Please take a minute to label your child's winter gear (each piece) so we can help lost items get back to their owner. Thank you!
New to KCSD96: Family Coffee and Conversation
KCSD96 is excited to host another "New to KCSD96: Family Coffee and Conversation"! This is an opportunity for parents and guardians of newly registered students to ask questions and share information about their transition in a casual and fun way. This will be communicated in Friday's E-News, but we would love it if you helped us spread the word!
This year’s Coffee starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 3rd, at Ivy Hall Elementary School, 1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove in the Educational Development Center (EDC).
It is an informal opportunity for these new parents and guardians to ask questions and share their thoughts — with other parents and staff — about their experiences in the district. These parents might be experiencing the District’s social customs and teaching practices for the first time, just as their students have, and can learn from the experiences of others.
New parents/guardians who missed the New Family Tours in August are encouraged to attend this conversation. Those who did attend the tours are welcome to join this conversation to share how they are adjusting to the District 96 culture.
Coffee and other refreshments will be served.
For planning purposes, RSVP HERE.
This is an event only for parents and guardians.
NEW *Winter Spirit Week: December 16-20*
Leading up to winter break, we love to celebrate our spirit as a school! It's a great way to build excitement, foster school spirit, and create lasting memories! Let's all get involved and make this Spirit Week unforgettable. We can't wait to see everyone show off their school pride! Go, Willow Grove!!
NEW *PTO Updates*
So much happening! Don't miss out this week on information about an exciting Willow Grove building enhancement provided through the PTO, winter party and Pizza BINGO volunteer opportunities, and Movie Night! Take a look at our blog this week to learn about this and more! Click here for the PTO Blog!
REPEAT: Willow Grove Window to the World Cultural Fair Update
Hooray! Hooray! We have great news! Based on the number of volunteers, we are able to proceed with planning for our Window to the World Cultural Fair. Thank you to those of you who volunteered! We will share information shortly via email that will guide and support you in preparing for the evening.
This is a reminder to all to save the date of December 11th from 6-7:30 PM. This will be a night to remember. Families are encouraged to wear clothing that represents their culture if they would like. For some, this may mean special, customary garments, while for others it means dressing up to make it a special night. This isn't required. It just adds to the fun. Any attire is welcome!