The Who's News

9/30 (Mon): Picture Day (Order here)

10/2 (Wed): National Custodial Appreciation Day

10/4 (Fri): Coffee with the Principal, 8:30 a.m.

10/9 (Wed): National Walk and Roll to School Day

10/10 (Thu): First School Climate Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm

10/10 (Thu): Kona Ice at Willett (after school)

10/14 (Mon): Indigenous Peoples" Day (No School)

10/30 (Wed): Davis Parent University Event, 7 pm

11/2 (Sat): Spooky Soiree Fall Auction Event

11/14 (Thu): Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day

Subscribe to the Willett PTA Calendar HERE.

• Teacher Name: Ms. Kado (like an avo"Kado")

• What grade do you teach?
• Kindergarten
• What is your favorite thing about being a teacher?
  
• I love being a teacher because learning is joyful and has no limits!
• What is your favorite subject in school?
  
• My favorite subject in school was Social Studies!
• What to Know About Me:
  
• I love going to the beach, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends!

WELCOME TO WILLETT MS. KADO!

Monday 9/30 is the first day of band classes! Below is the schedule for when the different classes will happen. Also, if you are renting an instrument from the school district, please make sure you’ve filled out the loan contract form. Thanks!

8:35-9:20am: Continuing Band

9:25-9:55am: Percussion

10:15-10:45am: Clarinets

10:50-11:20am: Flutes

11:25-11:55am: Trombones

1:05-1:35pm:Trumpets

This Wednesday, October 2 is National Custodian Appreciation Day! The Willett PTA thanks Jai, Guillermo, and Juan for caring for our school each day! Please add your thanks if you are on campus this week!

Please join us at the monthly Coffee with the Principal this coming Friday, 10/4 at 8:30 a.m. in the MPR. Coffee will be provided by the PTA!

What is Active4.me? Active4.me uses bar code scanning technology to log students bicycling, walking and carpooling to and from school. The program can send parents a text, phone call, or email notifying them their child arrived at school. Students can track their miles, calories spent, money saved and carbon reduction. Everyone can use this page to follow their schools efforts to promote student health and reduce carbon footprint through active transportation. GOOD FOR STUDENT HEALTH, GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

Thank you to all the students and adults who joined us for Willett Book Club Wednesday night. We had a lovely discussion about New From Here. The next book we will be reading is The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill and the next book club meeting is on October 23rd -- please join us!

If you'd like more information about the Book Club please click HERE or contact Mr. Fluetsch with questions at cfluetsch@djusd.net

A school climate committee is a group of staff and parents that work to create a positive learning environment for students. The committee's work can include:

• Understanding the school environment
• Working to understand how students and families feel about the school.
• Promoting positive social norms
• Helping create positive social norms and reduce bullying.
• Using data to inform decision-making and improve school climate.
• Engaging the community
• Combining Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), restorative practices, and social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives.
• Involving parents
• Being a key place for parents to get involved in anti-bullying and racial and social justice efforts.

We hope to have several parents join our committee as permanent members, but anyone is welcome to any meeting. Meetings are after school once a month for an hour. There is always an open forum portion to discuss items that are brought forth. We’d love to welcome you to the first meeting on October 10th at 3:30-4:30 where we will review last year’s meetings and data and set a general plan for this year!

Students, families, and members of the community are all invited to join us as we walk in support of kindness, anti-racism, and anti-bullying from Arroyo Park Soccer Field to Willett Elementary school. Will you join us? If so, please RSVP to this post (below)!

The first 150 students to sign-in at Arroyo Park will receive a free purple beanie! Students (especially younger students) may wish to join us for the second portion of our walk starting at Sycamore Park. The first 150 students to sign-in at Sycamore Park will receive a purple bracelet! We’d like to thank the Ruby Bridges Foundation and AAA for their help in sponsoring this event and providing us with free swag to share with our participants.

RSVP for the event here!

Learn more about the Ruby Bridges Foundation here!

Davis Parent University is a volunteer organization unique to our community. It is a committee composed of representatives from each DJUSD school who partner with school leaders and educators to determine the support that is most needed for our children, families and community. From there, the committee researches authors relevant to the topics recommended by the elementary, junior high, and high schools and the 2024/2025 school year will address communication and mental health with authors who will provide tools that apply to any and all stages of parenting.

The first event kicks off with an in person event highlighting speaker Ned Johnson, bestselling author of the acclaimed book, What Do You Say? How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home. We hope to see you on Wednesday, October 30th beginning at 7pm in Brunelle Theater. Space is limited, so please reserve your FREE tickets starting August 20 at the DPU website: davisparentuniversity.com.

Are you an international family? Be sure to check out how the International House of Davis (on the corner of College Park & Russell) seeks to support the International Parent Community HERE.

The PTA is looking for volunteers to oversee the following vacant positions or roles:

• End-of-Year Celebration Lead
• Jog-a-thon Committee Chair
• New Family and Membership position
• Parent(s) of 5th graders that would be willing to work on fundraising for the 6th grade end-of-year 6th grade party and Sly Park.
  

Contact Katie Lasker at president@willettpta.org for details and next steps if this sounds like something for you!

Our PTA provides funding for: Chorus, Library, Art/Cartooning in the Classroom, Garden, Davis Parent University, Paraeducator salary contribution, playground equipment, fun community-building events & more. Please consider donating and/or joining today!

•Next meeting:

•Executive Committee: 10/1 (Tue)

•General Membership Meeting: 11/19 (Tue) at 7 pm

Interested in being a yearbook photographer!? If you are interested and/or would like to send in photos, please email yearbook@willettpta.org, any and all photos are appreciated!

The Willett PTA will be purchasing yearbooks for all 6th graders this year. All other students can purchase yearbooks using the link HERE

Q: What is the Spooky Soiree?

• A: The Spooky Soiree is Willett PTA's annual fundraising dinner and auction, and this year’s theme is a frightfully fun costume party. It’s a fun-filled event that brings our community together for a night of laughter, delicious food, and spirited bidding—all while raising crucial funds to enhance the Willett student experience!
  

Q: I already donated to the PTA. Why should I attend?

• A: First off, a huge thank you for your generous donation! We truly appreciate your support. If you join us at the Spooky Soiree you’ll meet more amazing community members. Whether you choose to bid or just enjoy the lively dinner and auction atmosphere, it’s a great opportunity to connect with fellow parents and teachers outside of kid-focused events.

Q: Are there tickets left? When do you stop selling them?

• A: As of 9/18/2024, there are about 40 tickets left! Ticket sales will end on Friday, October 18, 2024, or when we reach our spooky cap of 140 tickets—whichever comes first!

Q: Are teachers invited?

• A: Absolutely! Willett PTA happily provides one free ticket to each teacher and administrative staff member.

Q: Do I have to dress up?

• A: Not at all! Costumes are highly encouraged for a night of ghoulish fun, but you’re welcome to come as you are!

Q: Is there a costume contest?

• A: Yes! We’ll be awarding prizes for the most spirited costumes, including categories like Best Couple/Group Costume, Scariest Costume, Over-the-Top, and more! So get creative!

Q: Do I have to bid on something?

• A: Nope! While we’d love for you to support the auction, your presence is what matters most. Join us for the fun, even if you’re not bidding!

Q: What kind of auction is this?

• A: Get ready for a thrilling auction experience! We’ll have three components:
1. An online silent auction starting Sunday, October 27, and ending at 7:30 PM on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Many items will be on display at the event on 11/2/24!
2. An in-person dessert auction featuring mouthwatering treats for sharing.
3. A live auction with about six highly coveted items up for grabs!

Q: What auction items do you have?

• A: We’re still gathering donations, but one standout item is a 7-night stay at a resort in Cabo San Lucas during Willett's Spring Break (3/23-3/30)! Other exciting offerings include “Principal for a Day,” a reserved parking spot, Kings and Warriors tickets, wine tastings, birthday party entertainment, and more! We’ll be highlighting specific items throughout October.

Q: Do I have to attend to bid on auction items?

• A: You can bid on the silent auction items online in the week leading up to the event—no attendance required! However, you’ll need to be there to bid on the dessert and live auction items.

Q: I have something or a skill to donate to the auction. Who do I email?

• A: We’d love to feature your thoughtfully curated basket or service donation! Please email Katie Lasker at president@willettpta.org.

Q: I want to volunteer at the event. Who do I email?

• A Thank you for your willingness to help! You can reach out to Erin at erinautrymontgomery@gmail.com.

Thank you to those that joined us to make new community connections at our Ruhstaller event on Friday 9/27! Keep an eye out for a spring get together, or let us know if you would like to plan something for your class, grade, or school wide!

• Nugget Scrip (cards available at Nugget, give back to Willett each time you shop)

• Farm Fresh to You Produce Boxes: Farm Fresh to You will give 10% back to Willett PTA if you enter the promo code WILLETTOWLS during checkout, or add it to your Account Summary if you (or someone you know) already receives a box. Sign up and browse options here.

October DJUSD lunch menu will be linked when available.

DJUSD Breakfast menu HERE.