Thank you to everyone who stopped by Crumbl this past Tuesday to support our Young Athletes! We appreciate you! Special Olympics is a time for some of our students to really shine, so it makes our hearts feel good to know you support them... in a delicious way, too!

Walter, our therapy dog, has been training hard to be the best pup he can be for Willow! Besides his classes outside of school, a trainer comes to help him in the building after hours. One of the next parts to his training is to get him use to the sounds, smells, and activity in the building. You may see him walking to school or heading home after. During those times, he is "working." He will also have a short walk in the hallway to get to his classroom. Students who learn in the room that he is in will receive specific notice and need to grant permission for any interaction.

Our Wildcats showed off their excellent audience skills during 2 presentations from Delta Dental. They always have a fun show that reminds our little people how important good dental hygiene is. Your Wildcat should have a small bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss when they come home today.

Celebrate National Superhero Day with your own superpowers - show kindness and courage to make Willow School a better place! Join us to celebrate National Super Hero Day Friday, April 26th, by wearing your favorite cape or superhero outfit to school. Please no masks! Don’t forget to say thank you to the real Superheros… your teachers!

The spurts of warm weather has brought an increase of bikes and scooters at Willow. The following language is from our Student Handbook:

Please note it is Homewood School District 153’s long-standing policy that students are not allowed to ride their bikes to school until they are in third grade. In addition to bikes, scooters, skateboards, and wheeled shoes are not permitted on school property before, during the day, or at pick up.

The office has amassed a large collection of glasses. Do any of these belong to your Wildcat?

The Day of the Child, celebrated on April 30, is a nationally recognized program that promotes the value of reading and healthy reading habits among all children. This holiday aims to connect kids and their families with the world of books, languages, and cultures.

In Spanish-speaking communities, it is also known as “El Día de los Niños” (Children’s Day) or “El Día de los Libros” (Book Day). Children are regarded as valuable members of society, and this day underscores the need to love, accept, and respect them. On this day, teachers in Latin American countries plan special activities for students, including games, music, and food sharing. Some families take their children on day trips, parks and sports centers organize unique activities.

At Willow School, we will be celebrating the holiday for the week of 4/29/24.

Your Wildcat visits the specialists each week for music, art, PE, STEM and library. These classes do not have a supply list of items to get through the year. If you are able, they would appreciate a box of tissues donated to help us eek through the allergy season. Thanks!

Please do not park in the Staff Parking lots. ( They all have signs that say this.) We have no spaces to spare and it causes staff to be late getting into the building.

Planning for next year is well under way. If you would like to share your perspective about how your child learns, please use the link below. We will also gather information from your child's current teacher. Here are some things to consider:

• We do not accept requests for specific teachers.
• Sometimes a best friend doesn't translate into a good classmate.
• Your Wildcat will be placed with a classmate or two from this year.
• The classroom teacher will provide us with academic levels and other pertinent information.

On April 8th, the Board of Education meeting, policy 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students was amended for Willow School. This means we will be going back to 1st day exclusion of students who do not have the required medical paperwork on file with the school nurse. This includes physicals and up-to-date immunizations, or if claiming religious exemption, all appropriate paperwork signed by the doctor.

Students not having this paperwork will be unable to start school. Please make any necessary doctor's appointment now. If you have a PreK student, going into Kindergarten, and his/her/their physical from this year was done AFTER August 21, 2023, he/she/they do not need a new one. Any physicals prior to August 21, 2023 need to be updated.

We were up to 12 states, with 441 readers last week!

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

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

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 2: Family Reading Night 6-7:30 PM

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