The Willard Weekly
May 19, 2024
WEEKLY MESSAGE
Hello Willard Families!
We are speeding to the end of school with only 9 days remaining! Thank you to all our families who came out to our International Dance Festival! It was great fun to have you there and especially to have you join us dancing! Be sure to check out the pictures below.
Our students have finished state testing and only a some students have make-ups this coming week. Additionally, all grades are finishing up their iReady end of year diagnostic exams. We also have a few year end events coming our way for our Kinder and 5th grade students. Please be sure to contact your child's teacher for details.
Finally, this week, we will be celebrating our Classified Staff. This includes our instructional aides, project/noon aides, and our LEARNs staff. Please be sure to let them know how essential they are to support our students and how much we appreciate them!
Have a wonderful week!
Our Wildcats represented us beautifully at the Pasadena Black History Living Museum, under the direction of Mrs. Daniel. We are so proud of our young performers.
Last Wednesday, the Pasadena Rotary celebrated our PUSD Teachers of Excellence. Mrs. Gray was honored at a luncheon. Check out the video below to see just why Mrs. Gray is such a treasure.
Congratulations to Willard Parent, Mrs. Robyn Wehrly!
Mrs. Wehrley teaches at Octavia Butler and was also selected and honored as a Rotary Teacher of Excellence. We are so happy for you!
Some of our Wildcats were treated to a special crepe snack for their hard work in reading. Thank you to Mrs. Heidi Neuroth and her husband for treating the kids. And, also thank to Mr. Silverman for helping to support this event. Mrs. Heidi and Mr. Silverman have both worked all semester supporting our Wildcats.
International Dance Festival
Last Friday, we had a wonderful time celebrating dances from around the world. Our students did a wonderful job! Thank you to our staff and Ms. Wittry for working so hard to prepare our students. Check out some pictures and videos below.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
Volunteers and Donations Needed for 5th Grade Picnic
Please help us make our 5th grade celebration picnic by donating food, supplies, or volunteering. Please sign up HERE to make the day extra special. Thank you!
A Special Gift
Vroman's Teacher of the Year Contest
Vroman's is hosting its annual Teacher of the Year contest. We know Willard has amazing teachers. Click on the picture below to see how you could nominate yours!
Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra
PYSO is hosting a summer camp for 4-5th grade students who play a wind or string instrument. Please see the flyer below for details and to register.
Yearbooks Are Here
Please be sure to see your child's backpack. There will be a few available for purchase from the front office. Thank you!
May 20th - 24th: Classified Staff Appreciation Week
Beginning May 20th, we will celebrate Classified Staff Appreciation week. Our classified staff includes our instructional/project aides and LEARNs staff. We know that our paraprofessionals are essential to our school to help provide the best learning environment to our students. Please be sure to let our classified staff know how much we appreciate all they do to make our school a wonderful place to learn.
May 20th: Lockdown Drill
On Monday, at 9:00am, Willard will practice a lockdown drill. Students will carry on with instruction as usual in their classrooms; however, the school will be closed to visitors until about 9:30am. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your support.
May 20th: LEARNs Alice in Wonderland Showcase @ 4pm
On Monday, LEARNs will host its Alice in Wonderland show at 4pm. Please be sure to contact your child's LEARNs teacher or Ms. Sanchez for details.
May 21st: Walk to Park - 2nd Grade
On Tuesday, 5/21, our 2nd grade classes will go on a walking trip to Eaton Blanche park at 9am. Please be sure to contact your child's teacher for details.
May 22nd: Astro Camp Deposits Due
We are making preparations for our current 4th grade students' Astro Camp trip. Please see the flyer below and reserve your student's spot by making your deposit of $75. Please contact Mrs. Campos if you have any questions. Thank you.
May 28th: Picnic for 5th Grade
On Tuesday, 5/28, at 9:30am, our 5th grade students will have their end of year picnic at Eaton Blanche park. Please help us make this an extra special event by donating food or volunteering. Please sign up at the link below:
May 29th: Growth and Development Presentation - 5th Grade
On Wednesday, 5/29, our 5th grade students will receive a Growth and Development presentation from our school nurse. Please be sure to let our health office or your child's teacher know if you would like to have your student opt out. Thank you.
May 30th: Kinder Culmination
On Thursday, 5/30, at 8:15am, we will host our Kinder Culmination celebration in the auditorium. Please be sure to mark your calendars. A small reception will follow immediately after in the Kinder playground. We look forward to seeing you there!
May 31st: City of Pasadena Art Contest Deadline
The City of Pasadena is sponsoring an Art Contest for all TK-12th grade students. Please click on the flyer below for details. Good luck, Wildcats!
May 31st: Culmination Ceremony - 5th Grade
On Friday, 5/31, our we will host our 5th grade Culmination Ceremony at 8:30am, in the auditorium. This will be a ticketed event and tickets will be given to students the week of the event. Please be sure to see the letter that went home with students for details. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone in your child's education with you!
May 31st: Report Cards Available on Parent Portal
On Friday, report cards will be available on the Parent Portal. Please contact Mrs. Campos if you need to open your Parent Portal account. Thank you.
May 31st: Last Day of School - Early Dismissal
SUMMER PROGRAMS/OPPORTUNITIES
PUSD Summer Opportunities Catalog
PUSD has compiled a resource for summer opportunities for PUSD students. Please click on the link below to browse the catalog.
A Message from Boys and Girls Club Summer Program
Hi All BGCP Families,
Just a reminder, registration opens on Monday, March 11th at 8am.
We hope to see you this Summer!
REMINDERS
Uniform Dress Code Policy
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.)
Neighborhood School Registration
Every child living within PUSD boundaries is assured placement in their neighborhood school Find My School. Through PUSD’s annual Open Enrollment, families can apply for their children to attend one of the district’s signature programs or schools. Some key 2023-2024 Enrollment Calendar Dates:
Ongoing Neighborhood school registrations begin for:
New to PUSD TK-12 students who prefer their neighborhood school.
Current PUSD students who are advancing to 6th or 9th grades and prefer to attend their neighborhood school. PUSD school locator
Preschool programs, including full and half-day, and dual language immersion are offered at select locations: pusd.us/ece.
For more information, visit pusd.us/enroll.
See the 2024-2025 enrollment dates at Enroll / 2023-24 Enrollment Dates. To get updates and reminders about open enrollment lotteries please sign up for our newsletter.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
MAY
- 5/20 Drill Lockdown @ 9:00am
- 5/23 5th Grade Awards @ 8:30am
- 5/24 IB Unit 5 and 6 Awards/End of Year
- 5/27 Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
- 5/28 5th Grade Picnic
- 5/30 Kindergarten Culmination Ceremony @ 8:15am
- 5/31 5th Grade Culmination Ceremony @ 8:30am
- 5/31 Last Day of School - Early Dismissal - School Ends @ 12:30pm
JUNE
- 6/6 Summer School (LEARNS and ESY) Begins
- 6/10 PEF Summer Begins
- 6/19 Juneteenth Holiday - SCHOOL CLOSED
- 6/26 School Offices Close for the Summer
AUGUST
- 8/19 First Day of School for 2024-2025
SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL
Willard Annual Fund
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!
Parent Teacher Association - Join Today!
Please select the link to join. Your membership supports all of our students. Thank you!
SOCIAL MEDIA
Willard's Instagram
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!
RESOURCES
Parent Portal
French Toast Uniforms Willard Uniforms
French Toast is partnering with our school for uniform sales. (A portion of sales goes toward supporting our school and students.)