The Who's News
Willett PTA Newsletter: Week of October 28, 2024
Important Upcoming Dates
10/28-11/1: SPIRT WEEK at Willett!
10/29 (Tue): Restaurant Fundraiser at Panda Express, 4-9 pm
10/30 (Wed): Davis Parent University Event, 7 pm
10/31 (Thu): Last day to donate to SOCKtober Event
11/1 (Fri): Coffee with the Principal, 8:30 am in MPR
11/1 (Fri): Movie Night: Coco, 6:30-8:30 pm in MPR
11/2 (Sat): Spooky Soiree Fall Auction Event
11/7 (Thu): Kona Ice at Willett (after school)
11/8 (Fri): Teacher Work Day, NO SCHOOL
11/11 (Mon): Veterans Day, NO SCHOOL
11/13 (Wed): Willett Book Club, 6:45-7:45 pm in Library
11/14 (Thu): Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day
11/18-22: Conference Week (early dismissal)
11/25-29: Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL
Subscribe to the Willett PTA Calendar HERE.
What's Happening at Willett?
Who's News Spotlight: Ms. Tara
Hello! My name is Tara Stapleton- I go by Ms. Tara to the students. I have worked at Willett for twenty years. Both of my children went to Willett and so I always dreamed of working here and being a part of this great community. Before I worked at Willett, I was a director of a child development center on the UC Davis campus.
I love my job at Willett, some of the things that I do at Willett are- attendance, first aid, and communication with teachers, staff, and students.
My favorite subject at school was Art and silent reading.
Fun fact about me is that I love Dachshunds! I currently have two long haired Dachshunds named Charlie and Sally. I also have a niece Enya and a nephew Loic at Willett which I think is very special.
💗 Thank you Ms. Tara for all you do for Willett!
Spooky Soiree help needed!
We need your help to make the in-person auction extra spooky and well run! Help us decorate by signing up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BACA628ABFA7-52486181-spooky#/
Spooky Soiree Online Silent Auction open for bidding through Saturday 11/2!
Please support the PTA by browsing and bidding on the many silent auction items (starting as low as $10) to support our programs at Willett! It is only with your financial support that Willett PTA can fund $94,000 worth of programs and needs across our elementary school including the following: TK/Kinder mascot shirts, 1st grade yoga, 2nd grade Dance, 2nd grade cartooning, 3rd grade Dance, 3rd grade Pioneer Day, 4th grade A Touch of Understanding Assembly, 6th grade outdoor education buses, Art Enrichment Classes and supplies, Assemblies, Chorus, Library (all library books), Garden of Learning, Girls on the Run program, Parent Education, Paraeducator increase in hours (math), Student Council Student Lunch Clubs, $200 to every teacher's budget in classroom and special programs, Playground and PE equipment, Mini grants to teachers for classroom needs, Community building events (movie night, science night, Lunar New Year, End of the Year Celebration), Staff Appreciation, and Coffee with Principal.
Delicious Desserts Needed for the Spooky Soiree Auction...Sign up by THIS WEDNESDAY 10/30!
We’re looking for creative and festive desserts that will entice our guests and make the auction a highlight of the night. Whether it’s ghostly cupcakes, creepy cookies, or a bewitching cake, we welcome all spooky creations! Your participation will not only help sweeten the evening but also support our school’s initiatives. If you’re interested in donating a dessert, please let us know by October 30th by emailing willettroomparent@gmail.com. We’d be happy to acknowledge your generosity in our event materials and during the auction. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make our Spooky Soiree even sweeter. Together, we can create a memorable night for our community!
Date: November 2nd
Location: Wildhorse Golf Club
Dessert Auction Drop-Off Time: Between 4:30-6:30 pm
Restaurant Fundraisers: Panda Express THIS TUESDAY, October 29th
A Willett Restaurant Night is coming up THIS TUESDAY at Panda Express! If you go, you need to present the attached voucher (in English or in Spanish).
Panda Express
1491 West Covell Blvd.
Tuesday October 29th
4-9pm
Bring this flyer to present to cashier (English)
Bring this flyer to present to cashier (Spanish)
Davis Parent University Event THIS WEDNESDAY: Ned Johnson on October 30th at 7 pm
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 AVAILABLE NOW at the DPU website: davisparentuniversity.com.
Student Council Community Event: SOCKtober
Student Council would like to do community service this month with SOCKtober! They are asking for NEW socks to be donated by THIS THURSDAY October 31st. We will donate them to local organizations. There are laundry baskets outside of G32, in the office and inside the New MPR. The goal is to collect 250 pair of new socks, no matter the size. Thank you.
Coffee with the Principal THIS Friday 11/1
Stop by the MPR THIS Friday, November 1 at 8:30AM for coffee and conversation with Principal Campbell and fellow Willett families. Ask questions, hear updates, and connect with your community.
Movie Night: Friday, November 1st 6:30-8:30 pm in the MPR
Join us on Dia de los Muertos to watch Coco! Wear your pajamas and bring a blanket. We will be serving free popcorn and hot cocoa. This event is free to our Willett community thanks to our wonderful PTA.
It’s the day after Halloween and it’s FriYAY! You don’t really want to think about making dinner or thinking about it because you’re rushing to get to the movie night. So we got you covered! We will be selling slices of Pizza Guys pizza for $2 each or a large pizza for $20. In an effort to order enough pizza, we are taking pre-orders. It is a good faith order that you will pay for the pizza at Movie Night by cash or check. If you preorder, we will set aside your pizza until you arrive. If you do not preorder, you can buy pizza at the event until we sell out. Here is the form to preorder.
If you have a picture of a loved one who has passed, please feel free to send their picture in so we can add them to our ofrenda. Many people make altars or “ofrendas” (offerings) in their homes to honor their loved ones who have died. To ensure you get your photo back, please have the student’s name and teacher’s name. The photos can be sent in during the week of October 28th.
We need to borrow crock pots and are looking for a few other items. Sign-up here!
If you're interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Yolanda Freshour (yfreshour@djusd.net) or Noelle Fogliasso (nfogliasso@djusd.net)
Thank you for TK/Kinder Pumpkins
You may have noticed a Fall festive looking scene in the TK/Kinder area this week. A big thank you to the family who donated the pumpkins! Special thanks to those who showed up to volunteer and our wonderful teachers for hosting this great event again!
Willett Book Club - November Book
The Willett Book Club will meet on Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 in the Willett library, from 6:45 to 7:45 pm. We will be discussing the novel Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp. All students and their chosen adult(s) are welcome to participate. For questions or more information, please email Mr. Fluetsch: cfluetsch@djusd.net .
RUBY BRIDGES WALK TO SCHOOL DAY (Thursday, November 14th)
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.
Attention 6th Grade Parents: SLY PARK ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER TRIP JANUARY 27-31, 2025
If you weren’t able to attend the Sly Park Info meeting last Thursday 10/24, the green sheet they handed out of what the kids will need to bring is attached. Also, we received an email regarding the trip with the following information:
- Sly Park Dates and Attendance: Willett 6th grade students will be attending Sly Park Outdoor Education Science Camp the week of January 27th-31st. All students can attend regardless of whether their families provide any money, but a financial contribution is asked for if you are able.
- Sly Park Finances: We currently sit at $5,575 raised so far. That leaves roughly $28,425 to be raised. This is a lot of money to raise...and it needs to be raised within the NEXT TWO MONTHS. If you are at all able, please support our school going on this important trip. Monetary contributions can be made at https://willettwebstore.myschoolcentral.com/(S(izaxzluv2k2crj1iwcqfuavg))/Index.aspx
- Here are Sly Park slides from the presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/177vE1j4XEBj4TuZzeZrIjFvyBn3LedRvzo-tDwJlFN0/edit?usp=sharing
- The website for Sly Park is here: https://slyparkcenter.org/
Email your 6th grade room parent if you have further questions.
6TH GRADE SEE’S CANDIES “YUM-RAISER” NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 6, 2024
Help sweeten the journey for our Willett 6th graders! We’re excited to offer a delicious selection of See's Candies as part of our fundraising. Your support helps us reach our goal for their upcoming class trip, and we’ll receive profits from every item you purchase. Treat yourself and your loved ones while making a difference—every bite counts! Thank you for your support!
https://www.yumraising.com/secure/robertewe_willett_wonderland__future_leaders_61/WenMcN2704/candy
Active4.me Scarf Contest
Return of the scarf contest! Active4.me students can earn a fleece scarf after scanning 20 trips November through December. Temperatures can get down to the lower 40's/upper 30's, and a warm scarf may help your student stay warm on those cold winter mornings.
If you are new to Willett and your student walks or bikes, please consider signing up online by clicking here: Registration We will issue your student a bar code tag when we receive the signed registration form.
Planning Ahead with the PTA
Volunteers Needed!
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
Contact Katie Lasker at president@willettpta.org for details and next steps if this sounds like something for you!
Order Your Yearbook and Be A Volunteer Photographer!
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 HERE:
🦉✨ NEW IN STOCK ✨🦉
The cutest addition to your collection has landed! 😍 Grab your very own Willett Hootie Owl Plushie for just $12 and show off your school spirit in the most adorable way possible! 🎓💙 Perfect for snuggles, gifts, or just because—who can resist that fluffy face? 🥰
🎯 Get yours now and support the Willett fam! Limited quantities, so don’t miss out! #WillettHootie #OwlLove #SchoolSpirit #WillettFam #PlushieGoals
Willett Jog-a-Thon Update
It's hard to believe it but Spring is just around the corner and that means so is our biggest Spring fundraiser- The Willett Jog-a-thon! The PTA is looking for committee chairs to oversee this event.
What is the Jog-a-thon?
ALL students will have the option of running laps as part of the Jog-a-Thon and/or P.E. Volunteers will keep track of the number of laps they run in 15-20 minutes. Different grades will run at different times during the school day.
How is this a fundraiser?
All families are invited to sign up their students for the fundraiser. Students can collect pledges or pledges-per-lap from family and friends. All collected funds will be donated to the Willett PTA.
If this sounds like something you want to volunteer for or want more information please email president@willettpta.org.
Other Helpful Info
Davis Scholastic Chess Club (DSCC) in November
The Davis Scholastic Chess Club (DSCC) is resuming activities in November.
Coach John
(c) 916.996.1428
DSCC Meetings (online)
Tuesdays @ 7-8 PM
11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17
DSCC Meetings @ North Davis Elementary
Thursdays @ 5-6 PM
11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19
USCF Tournaments @ North Davis Elementary
11/17 (Su) @ 1-5 PM
12/22 (Su) @ 1-5 PM
Easy Ways to Support Willett!
Nugget Scrip Cards: Cards available in the front office or at Nugget. After you get a card, register HERE and then show your card when you shop at the Nugget! Willett PTA will get a small percentage back 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.
International Parent Community at the I-House
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.