The Willard Weekly

Happy New Year, Willard Families, and Welcome Back!

We hope you had a wonderful Winter Break and that you had time to enjoy the season. We are rested and ready to take on 2025 and the new semester!

We have some events and reasons to celebrate coming soon. First, we have successfully launched our front door security system. We are still working out a few logistics, but we are off to a great (and more secure) start. I am also happy to share that our newly renovated student bathrooms on the first floor will soon be open for student use. Finally, our much anticipated field will be open this month. We will have a Ribbon Cutting Celebration and we hope parents can join us. (Please see the flyer below for details.) Students will be able to begin using the field the same day as our ceremony.

In terms of continued campus improvements, Willard is in the next group of schools to receive shade structures and we will also continue some minor improvements to the playground. We are also excited to share that since Measure R has passed, Willard will receive additional improvements. If you would like to give input about possible next projects, please be on the lookout for opportunities during various parent meetings: Coffee with the Principal, PTA, ELAC, and more!

Most importantly, our staff continues to work hard every day to provide our students with enriching learning experiences every day. In January, our students will take their iReady Diagnostic exams for Reading and Math. We will be sure to let you know when results are available to view.

We have a busy semester ahead. As always, be sure to keep an eye on the calendar below or our website calendar. We look forward to seeing you on campus very soon!

Our school has an opportunity to apply for a grant to help us become a Community School. Specifically, we would like to strengthen our ability to engage parents, to increase student attendance, and to support our students who are learning English. Over the next few weeks, you will have an opportunity to share your input with us. If you see us outside, please stop by and share your thoughts. You can also help by filling out THIS SURVEY.

For more information on Community Schools, please see the short video below. Thank you for your support.

Our field is almost ready for use! Please join us for our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on January 17th. The event will start at 8:30am and conclude at 9:00am. Parents are welcome!

On Monday, January 6th, we will return to school from Winter Break.

On Monday, please join us for Coffee with the Principal. This month, we will ask for your valuable input regarding how to improve our school attendance, parent engagement, and support for our English Learners. Join us for casual conversation and to also hear school updates. We look forward to seeing you there!

Can't stop by, but would still like to give input? Please fill out a short survey HERE.

On Wednesday, PUSD will begin its First Lottery for the 2025-2026 school year. This lottery will close on January 24th, at 4:00pm.

Who can apply?

• TK students residing in PUSD (Applications are required for all TKs)
• K-12 students residing in PUSD who wish to request a dual language program or school other than their neighborhood school
• Continuing PUSD students who wish to transfer from their current lottery school to their neighborhood school for 2025-26
• Children of full-time PUSD & City of Pasadena employees
• Families who missed the sibling/program priority application period

Important Dates

• Apply at pusd.schoolmint.com: Jan. 8, 2025, 9AM- Jan. 24, 2025, 4PM
• Results Available Online: Feb. 12, 2025 by 11:59PM

El jueves a las 8:15 a. m. tendremos nuestra reunión mensual de ELAC en el salón 103. Este mes, compartiremos nuestra Política de Participación de Padres para obtener sus sugerencias. También nos gustaria su opinión para nuestro plan escolar y para una oportunidad especial que nos ayudará a mejorar la asistencia, la participación de los padres y el progreso de nuestros aprendices de inglés. ¡Esperamos que puedan unirse a nosotros!

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On Thursday, at 8:15am, we will have our monthly ELAC meeting in room 103. This month, we will share our Parent Involvement Policy to get input. We will also be seeking input from our families for our school plan and a special grant opportunity that will help us improve attendance, parent engagement, and the progress of our English Learners. We hope you can join us!

On Thursday, we will host our monthly School Site Council meeting virtually.

Please see our AGENDA.

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/fwf-eeyh-muc

On Friday, the Annual Fund will host Free Dress Day. Students may come in an school outfit of their choice. (Please, no costumes or PJs.)

On Friday, at 9:00am, we will practice a Team Response Lockdown Drill. This drill simulates a hazard in the community which requires us to keep our students in classrooms. Staff will be unavailable until 9:15am. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.

On Saturday, January 11th, from 9-11am, we will host a Willard Preview Day/School Tour for families unable to join us during the week. Please help us spread the word to friends and neighbors interested in learning more about Willard. Thank you!

See all the things going on in our LEARNs program in their NEWSLETTER. Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Sanchez, if you have any questions. Thank you!

It is time to begin ordering your yearbook for the 2024-2025 school year. The best way to guarantee your copy is to pre-order. (Please see order form below.) Don't forget...last year we sold out!

You can use Access Code: 0004213YB

Please see below for PUSD Enrollment, Registration, and Lottery Dates.

We would like to remind our families that the first bell rings at 7:45am. At this time, teachers bring their classes in to start the instructional day. We ask that you help us build good habits in our students by having your student at school on time and lined up by 7:45am.

Once this bell rings, please help our students understand that it is time to start school by clearing the hallways and exiting the building. If students continue to see other adults on campus, it communicates that school hasn't really started yet, since parents are still present.

Additionally, we ask that you not engage teachers in conversation once their class is with them. If you need an appointment with a teacher, please come directly to the office, so that we could help communicate that with the teacher.

We are always happy to welcome you to campus, but we ask that it not interfere with our students' instructional minutes and that you help us keep our campus safe.

Thank you in advance for all your support.

We would like to remind our families that there is no Drop Off or Parking in the Staff Parking Lot. We have many staff members arriving in the morning looking to get to their classrooms and offices on time. (Families with a handicap placard are exempt.) Please help us be ready for your students by following this policy. Thank you!

We would like to remind everyone that Willard has a Uniform Dress Code Policy. We have a number of students not adhering to our Uniform Policy. We will begin enforcing Dress Code policy, asking students to change, and calling home.

Why Uniform Dress Code?

Uniforms contribute to a positive school climate. Students are less distracted by what they or their peers are wearing and focus better on school. This reduces potential bullying and peer conflict. It also helps create community and cohesion as a school. (Uniforms, also, make morning dress routines easier as there is no need to decide what to wear.)

JANUARY:

• 1/6 Return to School
• 1/6 Coffee with the Principal @ 8:00am
• 1/8 PUSD First Lottery Opens
• 1/8 TK Bloom Music @ 8:35am
• 1/9 ELAC Meeting @ 8:15am
• 1/9 SSC Meeting @ 3:00pm (Virtual)
• 1/10 WAF Free Dress Day
• 1/10 Team Response Lockdown @ 9:00am
• 1/11 Willard Preview Day for Prospective Families from 9-11am
• 1/13 School Tour @ 8:30am
• 1/14 Panorama SEL & School Climate Survey Opens (Closes on April 4th)
• 1/15 PTA Restaurant Night
• 1/15 TK Bloom Music @ 8:35am
• 1/17 Field Ribbon Cutting Ceremony @ 8:30am
• 1/20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
• 1/22 TK Bloom Music @ 8:35am
• 1/23 Huntington Gardens Field Trip (Killen/Reyes/Nhem/DeGroof)
• 1/24 Fire Drill @ 12:30pm
• 1/24 PUSD First Lottery Closes at 4:00pm
• 1/27 LA Zoo Field Trip (2nd Grade)
• 1/28 Parent Education Network - ELA Support at Home (Workshop) @ 5:00pm
• 1/29 Chinese Lunar New Year
• 1/29 TK Bloom Music @ 8:35am
• 1/31 December/January IB Unit Assembly and Awards

FEBRUARY:

• 2/1 Black History Month Begins
• 2/3 Coffee with the Principal @ 8:00am

The Willard Annual Fund is a key source of funding for programs at our school. In the past, the WAF has paid for science lab, language classes, and our library coordinator.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our Annual Fund. Any amount helps. Thank you!

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Willard

Please select the link to join. Your membership supports all of our students. Thank you!

https://sites.google.com/willardmagnetpta.org/home/

Follow our new Instagram account at:

https://www.instagram.com/willard_elementary_pasadena/

You can also follow our PTA Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/willardelementarypta/

Both are a great ways to keep up with school events!

Follow Us on Facebook!

Willard Facebook Page

Please make sure to sign-up for your Parent Portal account. Instructions and details can be found HERE. The Parent Portal is an easy way to keep your contact information up-to-date and monitor your child's attendance and records. You need to verify your data yearly, but only need to register your account one time, while your child is in a PUSD school. Please contact Mrs. Campos for help or your Verification Code. Thank you!

French Toast is partnering with our school for uniform sales. (A portion of sales goes toward supporting our school and students.)

Sizing Guide - English

Tabla de Medidas

Don't forget to see Willard's Family Handbook for the most comprehensive information.

Please see below for the December 2024 to February 2025 Menus:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Supper