Willow Parent Bulletin #26

March 11, 2022

the bigger picture

One of the things all schools do is look at their data...are their students growing? Some data is standardized, so it compares them to other students nationally who are the same age. This gives us good information, but what we really want to do is look at where a child starts and where they end each year. We know children aren't "standard" and that a lot of different factors play into how students do at any given time.

Our district uses a measure called the STAR test. It can be administered 3 times a year to see how children progress throughout the year. We've worried so much about our students the last 2 years, but our scores for reading and math show that they are doing as well or better than scores over the last 3 years. That's a good thing! The hard work from teachers, interventionists, and you parents is showing. Let's keep working together so that we continue this positive trend.

Did you know the District has this cool curriculum mapping tool called Atlas? If you go to the website, http://www.hsd153.org, Departments, Curriculum, and District Curriculum Maps on the right hand side, you can search by subject or grade level. You can find what's been covered already and what we will be teaching the rest of the year. This can help guide what you do at home when you work with your wildcat. Your wildcat's teacher is also the best resource you have!

Don't forget that next Thursday is an early release at 11:40. We do have school the next day. The following week is our spirit week. Please see the attachment below for each day. Spring break starts March 28 and students come back on April 4th.

zoom_out_map

Speaking of fantastic:

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

Beyond academics

Teachers work as much on helping our wildcats be good little people as they do on academics. After 2 years of having interactions through the screen, we have seen the need to focus on their social emotional needs and also how to be a good classmate. I found this graphic from Pathway 2 Success that shows all those different skills on which we work. All of these are areas in which you can help at home!

In search of...

We are looking for future wildcats! If you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2022, he/she can come to Willow for Kindergarten next year. Due to space issues, we will skip this year's Kindergarten Orientation. Next week we will have a video ready for prospective wildcats and information about picking up informational folders. In the meantime, please complete this quick survey so we know how to reach you!

Please let anyone else you know, who lives in the District, about the link or QR code below. Thanks!

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=sePsXjEIeEq5by6y2Nbz5whAjRgeUXpBit6yhPKoUNJUQk5FNDRCTTZLT0RLWkJZVkJCWDc0RFM0Ui4u

zoom_out_map

book blurb: "Best Friends in the Universe"

Best Friends in the Universe written by Stephanie Wilson is a super fun tale written from the perspective of the two main characters, Hector and Louie. Stylized illustrations highlight their friendship and what happens when the best friend line is crossed. Homewood Public library has both formats, printed and ebook version, available for checkout.

PTA information

BUTTER BRAIDS

Butter Braid order forms are going home with all students this week. We will accept physical checks and order forms, but we would prefer you use the online order form and pay online

SPRING BULBS

The Spring Bulb Sale is also back. Place your order online at homewoodpta.fpfundraising.com.

GENERAL MEETING: WED., MARCH 23

All District 153 families, faculty and staff are invited to attend the PTA's Spring General Meeting on Wednesday, March 23rd at 7:30pm. We will be presenting our three school libraries with grants for book purchases and will have two guest speakers. Dr. Shaniqua Jones of Purple Path will be speaking on Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices, and Amelia Fulgham of Midwest Family and Community Resources will be speaking on mental wellness.

Follow this link for the meeting

Passcode: 390273

lost and found

We still have a lot of "lost" items waiting to be claimed. We will donate the remaining items after spring break. If your wildcat is missing anything, please come and check.