Whoot There It Is

I can't believe we are in the final weeks of the 22/23 school year.

This has been a great school year, & I have truly enjoyed getting to know the various members of our school community on a deeper level. The work that we have done to bring normal back and to make things better has been nothing short of beautiful. I look forward to us ending the year strong as we continue to grow our Willard School Community.

LIBRARY:

Lots of learning has been happening in the Library this spring! Check out the bridges and buildings the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders made!

On May 11th, the first and second graders met author, illustrator and animator Mike Petrik. Each student received a free book from the Book Stall!

As we approach the end of the school year, all Willard Library books will be due back the week of May 21st. Be sure to ask your child what they have been reading from the library lately, and feel free to email Ms. Skoglund (skoglundc@district65.net) if you need more information. And be sure to visit the Willard Library Website for information about e-books, curriculum and more!

Photos to share in newsletter:

Bridge 1

Bridge 2

Building

As we wind down the school year we are looking forward to the Hootenanny music festival on May 30, 2023 7pm at the Fleetwood Jourdain Center.

We are also looking forward to offering our first ever Summer Rock Camp! June 12-16, 2023. There are scholarships available! thanks to the generosity of D65 Foundation. If you are interested in a scholarship please contact Mr. Fuerte at fuertea@district65.net

Music class update:

Kindergarten is learning C and F positions on the keyboard!

1st and 2nd grade is transitioning from Ukulele to Guitar!

3rd graders transitioning from recorder to natural trumpets!

4th and 5th graders continue to rock out on the songs of their choosing!

For more information visit our music website!

Our PE teachers are gearing up for Field Day on Friday, May 26th. We’re looking forward to having some caregiver volunteers to help run the event.

In class, students are learning both pickleball and track and field. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your kids active over the summer, feel free to reach out to either Mr. Bohn or Mr. Valchev.

Track and Field

Pickleball

Join us for end of the year updates.

Zoom

Please refrain from bringing your beautiful family pets on school grounds.

In addition to this being a city ordinance, we also want to maintain a safe & open space for staff & students to feel comfortable.

The start of kindergarten is an exciting new adventure and our school cannot wait to welcome our new students and families into our community! Registration is currently underway for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have an incoming kindergartener or know someone who does, watch this short video to learn more about the kindergarten experience in District 65. Kindergarten Registration Information

Please Join us to learn more about a day in the life at Willard Elementary School.

If you have family members or friends who are looking at Willard next year, please share this link with them.

Who:Kindergarten & New Families

When: June 1, 2023

Time: 6-7 pm

Open House

This is a school dance for our Willard Scholars, feel free to drop them off & enjoy your night. Just come back to pick them up by 7:45 pm. Parents are welcome to attend.

5th Grade Breakfast

• June 5th
• 9:30-10:15 am

5th Grade Promotion Ceremony

• We will have a separate ceremony for each class to provide an intimate/ personal setting.
• June 5th
• Times to come

5th grade picnic: Lovelace Park

• June 6, 2023 (Rain date: June 6th)

• 12-2pm

More details to come from the 5th Grade Teachers & Parent Support Team

Siga y suscríbase a nuestra nueva página de Facebook ‘Evanston/Skokie School District 65 en español.’ Esta nueva página exclusivamente en español tiene el fin de proporcionar un diálogo directo entre personas con miembros de nuestra comunidad de habla hispana del D65. Además de ser otra herramienta como recibir comunicaciones del distrito entero, ‘Evanston/Skokie School District 65 en español’ es un sitio donde podrá ver información en relación a los servicios multilingües del distrito, puntos de enfoque mensuales acerca de una variedad de temas tal como una herramienta directa para hacer preguntas acerca de todo conectado al D65. La página es estrictamente controlada por miembros de nuestro equipo de comunicaciones del D65. ¡Síganos hoy!

Presione aquí para visitar nuestra página Evanston/Skokie School District 65 en Español

Given some of the recent legislation being proposed as well as the news surrounding the tragedy in Nashville, we want to make sure we are providing support and resources for students, staff and families in our LGBTQ+ community who are impacted by the harmful rhetoric and media attention. Please access and share the resources below which include a list of community resources and lesson supplements. Although the District is not continuing with Equity weeks, educators may absolutely implement lessons from the resources provided in the past.

Community Organizations & Resources

Lesson Supplements/Resources

There will be at least two more LGBTQ+ staff and family sessions offered through Chicago Therapy Collective this school year. We are working to identify one more additional session and will provide updates once this has been confirmed. These virtual sessions provide an opportunity for our staff and families to build community, support each other and share valuable resources and support. Please help spread the word!

Staff Sessions, 3:30-5:00pm, Zoom Link

• (allies welcome and invited!)

• Wednesday, May 24th

This year we are committed to our BIG 5 & we ask that you will join us.

In everything that we do we are committed to:

1. Courtesy
2. Respect
3. Dignity
4. Professionalism
5. Humanity

Please partner with us as we live out the BIG 5 in our daily walk, talk, & communal interactions.

The process just became easier!

Click here to fill out the virtual D65 Volunteer Form.

We have a few opportunities coming up be on the look out...

Social Media:

• Follow Us For up to Date Pics of Willard Owl Awesomeness in Action!
• Facebook: @WillardOwls
• Instagram: WillardOwlsD65

PTA Townhall

• Tuesday, May 23rd
• 6-7 pm
• Zoom

Sneakerball

• Friday, May 26th
• 6 - 7:30 pm

Field Day

• Friday, May 26th
• 3-5: 9:20-10:50 pm
• K-2: 1:50-3:20 pm

No School- Memorial Day

• Monday, May 29th

Hootenany

• Tuesday, May 30th
• 7:00-8:00
• Fleetwood

Willard End of Year Family Celebration

• Friday, June 3rd
• 6:00-8:00 pm

5th Grade Promotion Ceremonies

• June 5th
• 1:30-3:30 pm

Last Day of School

• Tuesday, June 6th

Family and Community Engagement Retreat

• Saturday, June 10th
• 9-12 pm
• Willard

Email: mccoyc@district65.net
Website: https://www.district65.net/willard
Location: 2700 Hurd Avenue, Evanston, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 905-3600