Willow Parent Bulletin #14

December 2, 2022

Can you believe?

It seems like Thanksgiving and conferences were a long time ago, not just last week. Thank you to everyone who came in person or via Zoom to partner with your child's teacher. If you didn't have a chance in all the hubbub last week, please take this quick survey to share your perspective on your conference. Thank you!

https://forms.office.com/r/bcZ432yJq1

A shout out, too, to the Starbucks on Halsted. Their manager, Jazmine, provided us with the delicious coffee during conferences.

This week we have had a huge amount of help from the PTA. We have had scores of parents coming in to volunteer at the Book Fair. We appreciate all of you giving your time to help our Wildcats with their purchases! The Book Fair is one of many opportunities PTA facilitates to help Willow. If you have not already joined, please consider adding your name to this great list of community members and Wildcats!

https://homewoodpta.memberhub.com/

We have had an uptick in students arriving just after the tardy bell. Students should be in the classroom and ready to learn by 8:05 AM. If you pull up after that time, an adult needs to walk your child into the office to sign in and obtain a tardy slip. The morning car greeters will not be letting late arrivals in through other doors. It's a great time to shift your morning routine forward 15 minutes. Once the snow comes, you'll need this extra time to safely navigate the roads. Please make safe and timely arrival a priority.

Thanks for bringing the Book Fair, PTA!

zoom_out_map

E-Learning....formerly known as snow days

Dr. McAlister sent an email this week regarding E-Learning days. For our students, we will use a combination of Zoom time with the class/teacher and independent work. We will be sending home a couple of things for you next week. Please stash them someplace safe in the event we will not be in session in the building.

One of those items is a QR code unique to your child called a Clever badge. He/she will use this in conjunction with the iPad. Hanging it on the fridge or someplace easily seen is a great idea. The second thing that will come home will be a packet of work. Only do these if we have a snow day. Your Wildcat's teacher will be going over specific pieces during the daily Zoom times, so completing it before then is of no benefit.

When we know ahead of time that the weather may not cooperate, we will be sending home your child's school issued iPad. It will come home charged and should be turned off when not doing the specific assignments the teacher has requested. We will not be sending home charging cords. The iPad should return to school with your child the next day we are in session so it can continue to be used as a learning tool in class.

Willow will also send you a quick attendance link to complete for any day we are not in the building. More information will be forthcoming.

Time to show that end of the year spirit!

Lost and Found

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. So to keep it short... the lost and found is packed with students items. If your Wildcat is missing anything, please stop in to take a look.

zoom_out_map

Things to do:

There are a lot of fun activities going on around town. Irons Oaks is hosting the following family fun:

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt

Saturday, Dec. 10

4:30-5:15 pm & 5:30-6:15 pm

Ages 2-12

Someone left candy canes in the woods and we need your help to find them! Follow clues to solve the candy cane mystery, make a s’more over a toasty fire and enjoy the loveliness of a winter forest. A non-paying adult must attend with participant. Event is held moonlight, rain or snow.

Fee: $10 R / $12 NR

Register online

Lil’ Elves Candy Cane Hunt

Saturday, Dec. 10 • 3:30-4:15 pm

Ages 1-5

Is your little a bit unsure of the dark? Your lil’ elf can hunt for candy canes during the day. Includes all of the night-time activities of the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt, except the darkness.

Fee: $10 R / $12 NR

Register Online

Preschool On The Wild Side

Explore the outdoors and make new friends on the third Thursday of each month. Each session will have a new theme to explore the outdoors through developmentally appropriate activities. Child must be accompanied by a non-paying adult. Children must be able to walk to attend class.

Daily Fee: $4 R / $5 NR

1-3yo. 9 - 9:45

3-5yo. 10 - 10:45

Register Online

Winter Nature Camp

Dec. 26-30 & Jan. 2-6 8:30 am-3 pm

Grades K-6

Get outside for winter break at Winter Nature Camp. Explore the winter forest while playing winter games, activities, hiking and crafts.

Daily Fee: $40 R / $50 NR

Register Online

Squirrel Appreciation Day

Saturday, Jan. 21 10-11am

Age 3+

Watching squirrels with the family is always a treat. Learn more about these fuzzy creatures as we celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day. Children must be accompanied by a non-paying adult.

Fee: $8 R / $10 NR

Register Online

Eye Spy Winter Wonderland

Jan. 26-Feb. 8

All ages

Come out to Irons Oaks between January 26 and February 8 to find some things hidden in the woods! Follow the QR code at the trailhead to your scavenger hunt checklist. Can you find them all? The park trails are open from dawn to dusk.

Fee: Free

Night Hikes

Thursday Dec. 8, 5-6pm

Monday Feb. 20, 5:30-6:30pm

There is something magical about the woods in winter. Our naturalist will lead you through the woods, while we enjoy the crisp clear air and, if we are lucky, maybe a little snow. Join us for a hike under the full moon in December and a new moon on the hike in February. All ages welcome, participants under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Fee: $8 R / $10 NR

Register Online

Cross Country Skiing Rentals

Ski rental is available when there is 4+ inches of snow. Call for an appointment to pick up.

Fees:

$10 Lessons – call for an appointment

$10/one-day rental

$15/weekend rental

$30/weekly rental

If you are more of an indoor kind of cold weather fan, The Homewood Science Center also has fun going on!

STEM Saturdays at 18022 Dixie Highway

Drop in from 10am-1pm / FREE

Nano / Early Math Counts Activities / Children's Book Inspired Making and Tinkering / Imagination Playground / Dinosaur Bones / LEGO / and MORE

Check out our NEW Exhibits: Behind the Wall, Pulley Power, brand new Makerspace, Ramps and Pathways, Lego Wall, Batmobile Illusion, Guacamole the T-Rex, and more!

Upcoming Events:
December 3: Holiday Chemistry Fun! - Jessica Kask (Dober) and Irma Avdic (University of Chicago)
December 17: Animals of the North Pole - Dawn Barksdale, DVM

The Homewood Library also has kid-centered fun happening:

Pokemon Trading Party

November 25 | 2 pm - 3 pm | Grades K - 6

Pokémon trade! Bring your doubles and your extras to the library, show them off, and trade with other collectors!

* Get one free Pokémon card from the library
* Get a raffle ticket for a Pokemon themed prize

Trading is voluntary. Fun is mandatory.

REGISTER HERE

Cookies & Comics: Superheroes!

December 8 | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | All Ages

This month's Cookies & Comics, we will discuss stories about your favorite DC/Marvel character or superhero who inspires you!

No Registration Required

Wings of Fire Party

December 27 | 2 pm - 3:30 pm | Grades K - 8

Let's celebrate all things "Wings of Fire"! We'll have dragon-inspired crafts, trivia, and more. Registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

Group Game Throwdown

December 30 | 2 pm - 4 pm | All Ages

We're gonna need a big group for this one. Come on over and we'll play all those group games that you love to hate and hate to love. Charades, Pictionary, Catch Phrase, and even the Fishbowl game. Everyone is welcome. Parents: this is the time to show the younger generation how it's done. It's sure to be a good time.

No Registration Required

Noon Years Eve Party

December 31 | 11 am - 12 pm | Grades K - 5

Come celebrate the new year at our "Noon" Years Eve Party! Join us for stories, crafts, and more. We'll end with a New Years Countdown at noon! Registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

And finally, You Matter 2, a local philanthropic group founded by HF graduate Destiney Watson, has a Winter Wonderland day full of fun planned. This group seeks to inspire and empower youth to be world changers.