Next week is our Open House! We hope to see you on Sept 21st so you get a chance to see how hard your Wildcat has been working! You can also stop in the big gym and sign up for Scouts, PTA, PMA, and learn more about Foundation 153. You can also use an iPad to order Willow Wear or satisfy that sweet tooth by purchasing caramel apples. Open House is a time for your child to show off his/her/their school to you. If you need to have a personal conversation with the teacher, please plan to schedule a different time.

Parking is always at a premium, so plan ahead. We will open at 6:30 PM and only Door B will be open. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Sunday is the Fund Run, which is a great family event. There are plenty of us "walkers" so don't be dissuaded by the title. There is also the 153 yard dash for kids. Come out and meet some of the other 153 families while supporting an organization that directly returns support to your child. See below for more information!

One of the mantras in my home when I was little was, "Practice makes permanence." We apply that same concept when it comes to safety at school. For example, the National Fire Protection Agency reported only 1 civilian death from over 3,000 fires in schools between 2014-2018. Schools have done fire drills since I was a student 50+ years ago so that from a young age, safely exiting the building becomes ingrained.

Schools have added more drills over the years. We now do tornado and bus evacuation drills every year. Unfortunately, we also live in a time when crisis preparation drills are necessary. Code yellow drills are put into place if there is a danger outside the building in the community. An example of when one of these might take place could be an environmental hazard, a robbery nearby, or a dog loose. During a code yellow, no one is allowed into the building and no one can exit.

The more serious of the drills is a code red or lock down drill. It means there is potential danger inside the building. This can happen if we have an adult who didn't check in through the office or is angry. The Homewood Police practice this type of drill in our buildings during the summer.

Both code red and yellow drills are practiced during the year with students. This is required, by law. The best thing you can do at home to help prepare your Wildcat is to reinforce the importance of listening to the adults, staying quiet, and following the directions right away.

In the event we would need to evacuate, for any reason, our safe spot is Faith Lutheran Church in Dixie Highway. There are specific procedures in place in the event this should happen. If ever necessary, please follow the protocols provided at that time.

Safety extends beyond drills. Throughout the year we will cover bullying and Erin's Law. As those presentations come, more information will be sent home. Information is always presented to students in language and through concepts that are age appropriate. We are well aware of the balance between equipping them with the skills to stay safe and scaring them. Our counselor, social worker, administration and SEL teacher are always available to answer questions.

All health forms are due to Nurse Soto no later than October 1, 2023.

Students must have a School Physical Exam when of entering:

• First year of pre-school
• Kindergarten

Students who do not have appropriate paperwork on file will be excluded from school beginning October 2, 2023. Appointment cards for dates after this will not be accepted. Exams cannot be more than 1 year old.

When you have 600 students under the age of 7, accidents of the wet kind are bound to happen. When this occurs, students come down to the nurse's office where they can change into dry clothing. If your child comes home with wet belongings, please wash their loaner clothes and send them back. If you are switching out clothes for the season or find extra pants at home, please consider donating them to us. We are always in need of restocking.

The District's BPEM had it's first get together of the year this week near the Willow playground. Students decorated cookies, had snacks, blew bubbles, and chose new books. We love getting a chance to see our former students, too! This meet and greet helps our new bilingual families meet other community members and staff.

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. Willow Wear can also be ordered during Open House in the big gym.

Use password: UG2WZ

Over the last few weeks, we have had multiple incidents of older students climbing onto Willow's roof. It's important for you to notify police when you see this. Our roof has numerous sky lights and other hazards, not to mention the danger while climbing up and down. Please help us maintain a safe environment for our former Wildcats, too.

Each year our Tech expert, Mrs. Gardner, creates and incredible yearbook for our school. Through October 31, the price is 10% off. You also get 2 pages in the book to personally customize.

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!

The Patch also has an easy way to shout out a Willow staff member.

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.

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 15: PreK screening- no PreK classes

Sept 15: Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset

Sept 15-Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept 17: Fund Run- see above to sign up

Sept 19: IT Professional day

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

Sept 22: PreK Fun Friday- no classes for PreK

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: PreK Fun Friday (no PreK cl;=asses) /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 15: PreK Fun Friday (no PreK classes)

Dec 22: 11:40 AM early dismissal

Dec 23-Jan 7: Winter break