Dear Families,
It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached December! With just a couple of weeks left before we head into winter break and welcome the new year in 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on how much your children have grown this school year. It has been a joy to watch their progress, and I look forward to seeing them continue to flourish.
Next week, we hope to see you at our Window to the World Cultural Fair! This is an evening you won’t want to miss. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, celebrate our vibrant community, and explore the rich diversity of cultures within our school. Our staff and parents have been working hard to make this event truly special, and I’m confident you’ll love every moment of it.
Warmest regards,
Jenny Smith, Principal
Upcoming Dates & Helpful Resources
- 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 *Thank you, PTO!*
We are beside ourselves with enthusiasm about the most recent Willow Grove beautification enhancement, provided by the PTO, with all of your parent support! The new mascot images in the gym have truly transformed the space, bringing fun and excitement to our Early Childhood and kindergarten students. These colorful additions have created a welcoming and engaging environment where our young learners can play, learn, and grow with pride in our school spirit. Be sure to check them out in our gym when you're at our Window to the World Culture Fair next week!
Thank you, PTO, for always going above and beyond to make our school a better place for everyone!
NEW *Medication Procedures and Handbook Policy*
As cold and flu season is upon us - a reminder from our student handbook: "For the safety of all, medication must be brought to school by the parent or another responsible adult. The medication must be in its correct prescription container, showing the child’s name, the name of the drug, the dosage to be given, and the time of administration. Medication containers must be stored in the health office and students may consume medicine only in the health office." This includes acetaminophen, cough drops, or any other nonprescription, over-the-counter medication.
NEW *Winter Weather Gear*
As we wrap up our first few days of December, you can feel that temperatures start to dip. Please ensure that you are sending your child/ren to school with appropriate outerwear including winter coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and gloves. If you need assistance with outerwear, please contact the front office.
NEW *Safeway Communication*
As you may know, Safeway is KSD96's transportation partner for student busing. In the case that you need to speak with someone about a transportation-related issue during non-business hours (for example, when your school front offices are closed early in the morning or late in the evening), please contact the Safeway Transportation main line at 224-434-2399.
NEW *PTO UPDATES*
Check this week's updated PTO Blog for information about:
- Dessert Day Renewals - needed for continued Dessert Day (for students who are at school for lunch only)
- Important information for winter party volunteers
- Looking for teacher/staff gift ideas? Check out GiftCrowd!
- Movie Night
- Pizza Bingo Donation Committee volunteers needed
REPEAT *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.
REPEAT *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
REPEAT *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!
REPEAT *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!!
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!