Willow Parent Bulletin # 24

One of the things we really work on with our Wildcats is owning our mistakes. We all make them, so it's important to acknowledge when we do and then work hard not to do it again. So, here goes.... I forgot to drop in the pictures last week. I of course realized this an hour after the Bulletin was sent to you. Ugh! As a result, this week you have an added bonus of extra pictures from our talented Wildcats! Who doesn't love seeing Valentines at other times of the year?

Please take a few minutes over the weekend to complete the 5 Essentials Survey. Your input is important as we look into future planning. We appreciate your perspectives!

Next Friday, March 1, is an early release at 11:40 AM. If you are changing your child's transportation that day, we need the call no later than 10:30 AM to make sure everyone is informed.

The following Tuesday, March 5, is the state-wide tornado drill at 10AM. We appreciate you having a conversation with your Wildcat ahead of time to help allay and fears.

On March 8, after 3 PM, you will be able to see your child's 2nd trimester grades through the Parent Portal. Remember that we use a standards based report card and mastery is not expected until the end of the year.

Thank you to the PTA for helping out with the WOW cart this week! We also appreciate them covering the cost of wagons for each classroom. The plastic bins that we had been mounting wheels on to carry the lunches were falling apart and noisy. The new wagons will make our midday procedures a lot smoother and quieter.

If you happen to be at the store this week, your classroom teacher would appreciate a tissue and/or disinfecting wipes donation. With all the colds and allergies, we go through them quickly.

Have a safe and fun weekend!

The National Reading Panel, using decades of research, has identified five critical areas of reading instruction:

What Is Fluency?

Fluency is the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. When students cannot recognize words accurately and automatically, fluency suffers, and in turn, reading comprehension is often compromised.

Each year, we are required by the state to have parents complete a survey called The 5 Essentials. It gives you a chance to let us know what we are doing well and areas in which we need to improve. It should take about 15 minutes. Your feedback is super important for us!

We had our first reader from Germany last week! Welcome new Wildcat! We also had 487 others representing 16 states... I an see a lot of you like the warmer climate 😉

If you've noticed anyone at Willow going above and beyond, please use the link to recognize him/her/them! 💖 I share your kind words with them in my staff bulletin.

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

Pancake Picnic March 9: https://hfparks.com/event/pancake-picnic/

Flashlight Egg Hunt March 22: https://hfparks.com/event/flashlight-egg-hunt/

Lucky Egg Hunt March 23: https://hfparks.com/event/lucky-egg-hunt/

Park Pride May 4: https://hfparks.com/event/park-pride/

Mother's Day Tea Party May 11: https://hfparks.com/event/mothers-day-tea-party/

Learn to Skate Classes: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/homewood---flossmoor-park-district/shop/programs/89858?subCategoryIds=4609164&subCategoryIds=4591354

March: Women’s History month/ Erin’s Law presentation #3

Disabilities Awareness month

Music in our Schools month

Mar 1: Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day/Early dismissal- 11:40 AM

Mar 2: Read Across America

Mar 4: End of Trimester 2

Mar 4-8: Social Worker Appreciation Week

Mar 5: tornado drill at 10AM

Mar 8: SEL Day

report cards sent home and available in portal after 3:30 PM

Mar 10: Daylight Savings begins

Mar 10-Apr 9: Ramadan

Mar 15: PreK Fun Friday

Mar 17: St Patrick’s Day

Mar 19: E-Learning day

Mar 21: Session #2 Tutoring ends

Mar 25-29 Spring Break

Mar 31: Easter

April: Multilingual Learner month

Autism Awareness month

April 1-5: Assistant Principal Appreciation Week

April 4: School Librarian Appreciation Day

April 9: Eid al-Fitr

Apr 12: PreK Screening

April 14-20: Volunteer Recognition Week

Apr 17: Early dismissal – 11:40 AM

Apr 19: PreK Fun Friday

April 22: Earth Day and Passover

Apr 23: School Bus Drivers’ Appreciation day

April 24: Administrative Professionals’ Day/ Bernie's Book Bank delivery

April 26: Arbor Day

May: Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month

Mental Health Awareness month

May 3: School Lunch Hero Day

May 4: Special Olympics

May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 8: School Nurses’ Day

May 10: Willow Art Show

May 12: Mother’s Day

May 17: PreK Fun Friday

May 18: Speech Pathologist Appreciation Day

May 24: Early Dismissal – 11:40 AM

May 27: Memorial day- no school