Willow Grove Principal's Message ~ May 16, 2025

Dear Families,

What a week at Willow Grove! Our kindergarteners took a big step forward during their first-grade field trips, exploring their future schools and dreaming big. We also had so much fun welcoming both new and familiar faces at Kindergarten Kick-Off. It was extra special seeing current families and soon-to-be kindergartners getting ready for their final year at Willow Grove!

We hope to see you at the PTO Family Picnic next week! Don’t forget to check out our BEARS Countdown to Summer below—each day is packed with joy as we head into a fantastic finish!

Warmly,

Jenny Smith, Principal

Upcoming Dates & Helpful Resources

MAY

• May 21 - Field Day - Information Below in Repeat Information

• May 22 - PTO Family Picnic 5:00-7:00 PM

• Friday, May 23 - Half Day | School Improvement Day 

  • Kindergarten (including Structured Kindergarten) and Early Childhood Structured: 8:40 AM - 11:45 AM. Parent drop-off begins at 8:25 AM.

  • Blended Early Childhood/ECSE: Blended/ECSE AM and PM alternate days on half-day attendance days. Even if your child attends PM, if it is a district half-day, they will attend AM hours. AM attends on Friday, May 23 (no PM students). Hours are 8:40 AM - 11:10 AM. Parent drop-off begins at 8:25 AM.

• Monday, May 26 - No School | District Holiday 
• Thursday, May 29 - Half Day | Last day of school & Report period ends/Trimester 3 report cards issued

  • Kindergarten (including Structured Kindergarten) and Early Childhood Structured: 8:40 AM - 11:45 AM. Parent drop-off begins at 8:25 AM.

  • Blended Early Childhood/ECSE: Blended/ECSE AM and PM alternate days on half-day attendance days. Even if your child attends PM, if it is a district half-day, they will attend AM hours. PM attends on Friday, May 29 (no AM students). Hours are 8:40 AM - 11:10 AM. Parent drop-off begins at 8:25 AM.

2024-25 School Year Calendar & Hours

Virtual Backpack

PTO Blog

NEW *BEARS Countdown to Summer!*

NEW *PTO UPDATES*

• End of Year Picnic -  May 22 from 5-7pm Pre-order food on MTK HERE!
• Need help for end-of-year staff gifts? Visit HERE! Or email the PTO for a list of staff "favorite things" at [email protected]
• Willow Grove PTO Board May General Membership Meeting - May 23, 2025
• 2025-26 Willow Grove PTO Board Application now open

Thank you for your support and involvement in making our school year memorable! If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR BLOG FOR DETAILS OF ALL THIS AND MORE!

NEW *Trimester 3 Report Cards*

As we approach the end of the report period, we'd like to remind families that Trimester 3 report cards will be issued on May 29th. This marks a significant moment to reflect on student progress and achievements. We encourage parents to review these reports with their children and celebrate their efforts and growth.

To view, parents will need to log into School Insight/TeacherEase. Returning families should have School Insight/TeacherEase log-in information. For new families or anyone who does not have an account established, you will soon be receiving an email from the district. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school's front office. If you forgot your password, please ensure you are selecting "Forgot Password" on the School Insight/TeacherEase log-in page. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive learning environment!

REPEAT *Student Summer Tech*

As we approach the end of the school year, we want to take a moment to touch base about student technology and expectations as we wrap up our time with students. Similar to this time last year, KCSD96 will collect all devices before break and return them when students come back in the fall. Please note, students will not be required to back-up any of their files as their data will still be in place when they get their iPads back in the fall.

Teachers will be collecting the following items: 

For Grades K, 1, and 8:

• iPad
• Case
• Logitech Crayon
• Block Charger + USB-C cable
• Optional: USB-C audio adapters

For Grades 2-7

• iPad
• Case
• Logitech Crayon
• Optional: USB-C audio adapters

This process allows us to track inventory, so everything is ready for the 2025-26 school year. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to set clear expectations with students about responsible device use when they receive them in the fall. It also helps us protect our resources by reducing the chances of devices being lost, stolen, or damaged. Finally, by keeping devices at school, we support healthier summer habits focused on outdoor play, social-emotional growth, family time, and rest. 

Please note, students who attend ESY will have access to their devices while they are here learning. Additionally, if a student uses their device as a communication tool, the district will not be collecting their device over the summer. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Smith. 

REPEAT *Field Day Information!*

Field Day Date: Wednesday, May 21st
We’re thrilled to be hosting Field Day at Willow Grove for all Kindergarten and Early Childhood students! This special event—rain or shine—is all about fun, movement, and teamwork. Students will spend the day rotating through a variety of playful stations, from silly races to parachute games and other high-energy activities sure to bring plenty of smiles. Please review the details below to be sure your child is ready for the fun!

Sun Safety:
Please apply sunscreen to your child in the morning before school. Students are welcome to bring their own sunscreen to reapply, but staff are not able to assist with application. We recommend practicing at home so your child is comfortable doing this independently.

Dress for the Day:
Plan for sunshine! Lightweight, long-sleeved, light-colored shirts are a great option if you’re concerned about sun exposure. Hats and sunglasses are welcome, too! If the forecast looks chilly, layers are perfect for adjusting throughout the day.

Shoes Matter:
Sneakers or gym shoes are a must—kids will be running, playing, and moving a lot! For safety reasons, please avoid sandals, Crocs, or open-toed shoes.

Staying Hydrated:
Please have your child bring a water bottle. Student water bottles will be accessible throughout the event.

Field Day Volunteers & Important Guidelines for All Families:
We’re so grateful for our parent volunteers who help make this day run smoothly. Just a reminder: volunteers must be pre-approved and may not bring additional children or guests. For the safety and focus of all our students, this is not a spectator event—any adult not on the volunteer list will be kindly asked to leave.

We can’t wait to celebrate Field Day with our students—it’s sure to be a blast!

REPEAT: Dental Exams - Current Kindergarten Only

Dear Parents/Guardians of Current KCSD96 Kindergarteners, 2nd, and 6th Grade Students ONLY:

Please note that your child’s completed dental examination has an upcoming due date, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is due no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.

If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form and return it to your child’s school nurse.

State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form - Click Here

In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination - Click here

REPEAT *March 4th Student Registration Opens*

Student registration for the 2025-26 school year opens on March 4th. Parents and guardians of new Kindergarten students (who have submitted all required documents) and returning KCSD96 students will be emailed a link to register their child for the 2025-26 school year.

Complete registration by April 15 to receive a $20 Early-Bird discount. Families with returning students who register after April 15 will pay the standard registration fee. 

Registering early helps us to plan for the upcoming school year.

Registration fees paid by April 15 for the 2025-26 school year are:

• Early Childhood Blended Tuition: $2,870 (or $335.07 monthly)
• Kindergarten: $90
• Grades 1-4: $110
• Grade 5: $120
• Grades 6-8: $135

Families new to District 96 can find more registration information here: https://www.kcsd96.org/about/registration

If you have any registration questions, please contact [email protected].

REPEAT *Kindergarten Registration*

Spread the word– Kildeer Countryside School District 96 is excited to welcome kindergarteners for the 2025–2026 school year! To ensure all students have the opportunity to build a strong and consistent educational foundation, children who are five years old on or before September 1st of a given school year will be enrolled in Kindergarten. Children who are six years old on or before September 1st of a given school year will be enrolled in first grade. In addition to the information below, we have more details on our website.

Registration Timeline:

• STARTING NOW: Begin the registration process by emailing all required documents to Cristina Castro, Administrative Assistant at Willow Grove Early Learning Center, at [email protected]. If you have a student currently enrolled in Pre-K at Willow Grove, you do not need to resubmit these documents.
• March 4, 2025: The district will send online registration links to families with approved documents.
• March 18, 2025: Dual Language Program Virtual Parent Night from 6-6:30pm. This is for parents of incoming Kindergarten students who are interested in learning more about the program. Meeting link to be provided.
• April 15, 2025: Early Bird Discount Ends for Registration. Dual Language Lottery due date.
• April 29, 2025: Virtual Dual Language Lottery at 5pm. Meeting link to be provided.
• April 30, 2025: Complete registration by this date to attend the Kindergarten Kick-Off event at Willow Grove Early Learning Center. Registered families get the sign-up right away once they are fully registered.
• May 14, 2025: Kindergarten Kickoff will be held at Willow Grove. This event is sign-up only for families who are fully registered by April 30. Students will receive a free t-shirt!

Required Documents:

• Child's birth certificate, passport, or visa
• Parent/guardian driver's license or passport
• Recent (within 30 days) mortgage statement, signed lease, or property tax bill
• Recent (within 30 days) utility bill
• Completed Enrollment Form, Residency Form, and Home Language Survey (available in multiple languages)

Please review the Health Requirements and submit the necessary health forms by the specified due dates.

For questions, contact Cristina Castro at [email protected] or call (847) 541-3660.

REPEAT *Safety First at Drop-Off and Pick-Up*

We want to remind everyone of the importance of following our parking and pick-up/drop-off procedures to ensure safety for all:

• Cones at Willow Grove Parking Lot Entrances and Checker & Essington: These are in place to prevent parking that obstructs visibility and creates dangerous conditions. Please respect these cones and avoid parking in these areas.
• Crossing Safely: When parking on Checker, always use the crosswalk at our circle drive exit or walk behind the buses near the entrance. Please do not cross through bus traffic. In addition, a parent/guardian must escort children to the entrance—never let them walk alone.
• No U-Turns: U-turns in front of the school during high traffic times are unsafe and illegal. Police monitor this and may issue tickets.
• No Double Parking: Please find a safe parking spot. Double parking, which we have seen on Checker nearest our school entrance, blocks the roadway and is not safe. 
• Safe Traffic Signaling: Always use your blinker when pulling into or out of a spot.

Thank you for your kindness, patience, and commitment to safety. Together, we can ensure a smooth and secure drop-off and pick-up process.