Willow Parent Bulletin #25

Match 4, 2022

Shhhhhhh.......

I'm afraid to say it out loud in case I jinx us, but we have gone 3 weeks with no positive Covid results! Woooo-hooooo! Thank you, too, for the conversations you had with your wildcat regarding whether or not to mask. For those still masking, please take the 3 day weekend to be sure to get them washed!

Report cards went home today or can be viewed online. Remember that we use a standards based report card, so it's expected that your wildcat is progressing towards most standards still. You can see more about what curriculum has been and will be covered by checking our Atlas curriculum mapping system. Go to the website (www.hsd153.org), where it has departments, click Curriculum. O the far right, top button, you'll find the link. You can search by grade, subject, etc.

If your wildcat is missing a jacket, hat or gloves, there's a good chance it's in our overflowing Lost and Found. Please carve out a few minutes to stop by and look through there. As the weather gets warmer, we will look to donating the winter items. Please stop in before spring break to reclaim anything you are missing.

Next Monday, March 7, is a teacher institute day. The staff will be working on professional development. There are no students in attendance.

BIG thanks to all of you who took the time to complete the 5 Essentials survey!

Enjoy your three day weekend!

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Let the staff know how great they are:

You can use the link below to recognize any staff member at Willow! I'll be sure to share all the good things with the rest of our staff, too!

https://forms.office.com/r/Y0XRxP45ys

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Make a Difference-join PTA

The Homewood PTA plays an impactful role in what we are able to do as a building. Please join and support them.

Half-Price Membership for 2022-2023 School Year

Head on over to our Online Store today and purchase your 2022-2023 PTA membership for only $5! This membership supports the Homewood PTA organization, adds you to our monthly newsletter of school events, and gives you access to volunteer opportunities in your child's school. This offer won't last long, so join TODAY!

(Be sure to choose 2022-2023 from the drop down)

We need PTA officers

Homewood PTA provides programs, opportunities and support to the students, faculty/administration, and families of District 153. We rely on the participation of parents/family for day-to-day operations, and currently we have several open positions on our Executive Board. If you would like more information about becoming a PTA officer, please click here and send us a message!

Spring General Meeting, March 23rd @ 7:30pm

Parents, family, supporters, and staff of District 153 faculty are invited to attend the Homewood PTA virtual Spring General Meeting where our Executive Board will present Bookie's/Read-A-Thon grants to school libraries, present upcoming events and opportunities, and have two special guest speakers present on mental health and well-being among our student population.

Link will be provided in the coming weeks via Parent Portal.

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book blurb: "She Caught the Light"

She Caught the Light is about the life of Williamina Stevens Fleming, written by Newberry Honor winner, Kathryn Lasky. Williamina, “Mina” was an astronomer. This true story is based on her life starting in childhood and what drove her passion to discover a way to map the universe, during a time when women were discouraged from such things. One of the things I really liked about this book is that at the end is a timeline for quick reference and a glossary for some of the language used in the book. There also is a small descriptive factual biography as well as an author’s note section detailing what inspired her to write the story about Mina. She Caught the Light is available at the Homewood Public Library.

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Need Tax help?

The IRS Volunteer Income tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offers assistance to individuals who earn $58,000 a year or less, people aged 60 or older, people living with a disability and taxpayers with limited English-speaking skills.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program provides free tax assistance, with an emphasis on taxpayers over the age of 50 or who have low-to-moderate income. AARP membership is not required to receive assistance.

In Chicagoland, the Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program provides free basic tax return preparation for families earning up to $58,000 and individuals earning up to $32,000 per year.

Individuals with questions should contact IDOR’s Taxpayer Assistance Division at 800-732-8866.