This format of Parent Bulletin has a lot of cool features! Recipients can easily translate it to a preferred language. It also keeps track of where in the world it's been opened. Last week, we had locations in Switzerland, Jamaica, the border between Mexico and Belize, Miami, Utah, Califormia and Washington state, to name just a few. We are hugely proud of our school and all your children! We appreciate that you share our news beyond the Homewood borders! Our village just keeps getting bigger!

All of the schools in D153 use PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). The "Willow Way" originated from this. We wanted simple language we knew our Wildcats could understand...Be Safe, Be Caring, Be Ready. To accompany this, we explicitly teach them what behavior "looks like" in different settings. They know how to walk the halls, navigate the cafeteria, fill water bottles and bathroom protocols.

You have probably also heard about "Willow Wows," too. This is the currency of our building. All of the adults are looking for students displaying the behaviors that have been taught as well as other things like random acts of kindness, helping each other, etc. When "caught being good" they earn a little ticket, or wow. Wows get safely stored in the room and can then be used to buy things or experiences of different value off the Wow Cart. ( If you have some free time during the day, we can always use extra help taking the cart to each classroom for shopping- let us know if you'd like to help!)

When a whole class is doing something well, like walking the hall quietly, they are rewarded with a class certificate. These get traded in for whole class celebrations like dance parties, special days, or assemblies.

Ask your Wildcat to tell you about the Willow Way! Hopefully he/she/they can also share some of the examples, too!

Our Willow Wear items can now be ordered online! Use the link below to choose the style of shirt that displays or tenets: Be Safe, Be Caring, Be Ready. Your order will come to the school and be sent home in your Wildcat's backpack.

Use password: UG2WZ

• Students coming for breakfast should try to arrive around 7:45 AM. He/she/they should not be bringing in their own breakfast to eat.
• Dogs, unless certified service or therapy, should not be on school property while children are present.
• Bicycles, scooters, shoes with wheels, etc should not be used at Willow.
• If you drop off in the morning, please pull all the way down.
• U-turns are not permitted
• please label your child's belongings: shoes, coats, water bottles, lunch boxes

You can view the Willow Handbook at the link below for other helpful information.

Do you know a teacher who has innovative teaching techniques or has made unique contributions to the community?

WGN-TV and Ankin Law are honoring their achievements by naming a Teacher of the Month.

The winning teacher’s school will win a $1,000 donation from Ankin Law, and be featured on WGN Midday News and WGN News at Nine

Go to wgntv.com/teacher to nominate today!

Homewood PTA General Meeting is Thursday, September 28th, 6-7pm in the James Hart Gym. Enter through Aberdeen and childcare will be provided, if needed.

Young people face unique challenges in coming out as LGBTQ+, both in school and at home, and PFLAG Homewood-Flossmoor is here to serve as a resource for all families – whether they are supportive and affirming or struggling to come to terms with their child’s identity.

PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Today, they have hundreds of chapters nationwide – and PFLAG Homewood-Floosmoor is proud to be their newest!

Homewood and Flossmoor have growing reputations as safe and welcoming places for LGBTQ+ families, so PFLAG H-F hopes to create a supportive space for local LGBTQ+ folks, their families, and loved ones to come together and continue to build community.

Our work is built on three pillars – support, education, and advocacy.

· We will hold monthly support meetings in Homewood and Flossmoor to bring people together and provide a safe space for learning, asking questions, and meeting others.

· We will share resources and information to push back against misinformation and increasing political attacks on LGBTQ+ people, so we can help our children, our neighbors, and our communities thrive.

· And we will harness the power of our collective voices to organize and make our communities safer places for all.

We are a grassroots organization, led by community members, parents, and advocates – and we hope you’ll help us spread the word!

We are holding our first monthly meeting on Sunday, September 10 in Homewood. PFLAG support meetings are for anyone 18+ who is or has a loved one who is LGBTQ+. Attendees will need to RSVP at our website to receive the exact meeting location.

You can learn more about us at PFLAGHomewoodFlossmoor.org.

When something significant happens in a family, the entire family is affected. Death, divorce and other losses may appear to be grown-up concerns but they do have a profound impact on children. Because of age and limited life experience, children may find it difficult to express their feelings of grief.

The RAINBOW program is designed to help our kindergarten, first, and second grade students who are experiencing a loss or painful transition in their family. RAINBOW groups are an opportunity for children to share feelings and experiences with other children who are in similar situations. The RAINBOW program is not counseling, however the setting is both supportive and confidential.

Willow School is fortunate to have sensitive and caring adults who have been trained through the RAINBOW program. These adults will help your child put their feelings into words, work through grief, build a stronger sense of self-esteem, and begin to accept what has taken place in the family.

The groups meet on Mondays from 3:00-3:45pm. Students enjoy a light snack, sharing time, a project or game and time for reflection. Children are expected to attend all meetings unless they are ill.

The complete fall 2023 RAINBOW schedule is:

September 18,

October 2, 16, 23, 30,

November 6, 13, 27,

December 4, 11

Families are invited to join us for part of the December 11 meeting.

If you feel your child would benefit from this program, please contact the Rainbow Coordinator, Ms. Snow at mailto:ann.snow@hsd153.org or complete this link:

https://hsd153-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ann_snow_hsd153_org/EeUeuZmfSqRDo71A5jM4LH0Bk3ismBioflqLs8orvlA7sA 🌈

What:Homewood Schools Fund Run 2023 permalink

When: 9/17/2023, 9:00 AM

Where: Begins and ends at James Hart Campus

Lace up your gym shoes and bring your family to Foundation 153's annual 5K run/walk and 153 yard kids’ dash. Our USA Track & Field certified course takes you through our beautiful Homewood neighborhoods. Experience the challenge of a 5K race or if you prefer a slower pace, join other families and friends as they walk in support of our wonderful school district. After the 5K, make sure to stay for the highlight of the day, the 153 yard kids’ dash, and cheer for our youngest athletes as they see who can cross the finish line without losing a shoe. Kids can also participate in a variety of activities such as field games and face painting. Hope you can join us for this great community event.

REGISTER HERE BEFORE AUGUST 27TH TO GUARANTEE YOUR T-SHIRT!

If you've noticed anyone at Willow going above and beyond, please use the link to recognize him/her/them! 💖

https://forms.office.com/r/L4vYqd7NpN

Sept 10: National Grandparents’ Day

Sept 11: Patriots’ Day- wear red, white and blue

Sept 15-Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept 15: Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset

Sept 17: Fund Run- see above to sign up

Sept 19: IT Professional day

Sept 21: Willow Open House 6:30-8 PM

Sept 25: Yom Kippur- no school

Oct: Bullying Prevention month

Oct 2: School Custodian Appreciation Day

Oct 6: no school

Oct 9: Indigenous Peoples Day- no school

Oct 9-13: Fire Prevention Week

Oct 16-20: School Bus Safety Week

Oct 19: Picture Day

Oct 20: Institute Day- no school

Oct 27: World OT Day

Oct 31: Halloween- parade at 8:30- 11:40AM early dismissal

Nov: American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

Nov 5: Daylight Savings time ends

Nov 10: Veteran’s Day observed- 11:40 AM early dismissal

Nov 12: Diwali

Nov 11-18: Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week

Nov 13: World Kindness Day

Nov 13-17: School Psychologist Appreciation Week and American Education Week

Nov 16: Picture retakes

Nov 17: End of Trimester 1

Nov 15: Education Support Professionals Day

Nov 20-21: Parent/Teacher Conferences

Nov 22: no school

Nov 23-24: Thanksgiving/ Black Friday- no school

Dec 3: Day of People with Disabilities

Dec 7-15: Hanukkah begins at sundown

Dec 22: 11:40 AM early dismissal

Dec 23-Jan 7: Winter break