Willow Wolverine Newsletter

Willow Elementary Families,

We made it through another school year! Your kids did an outstanding job this year with significant gains in reading and mathematics. We have more students at and above grade level than ever before in both reading and math. We have students catching up with multiple years of growth from Fall to Spring at every grade level. Students, be proud of your outstanding achievement! Next year will be even better!

Parents and Guardians, thanks so much for your partnership in working with your children.

Sincerely,

Mr. Porcello

Thank You Fabulous Wolverine Staff

Thanks to our wonderful Wolverine Team who kept us going through the year with a smile and a tireless work ethic. Enjoy the summer:)

Open House Tuesday, August 12 from 3:30 PM-5:30 PM

Start the new school year right and come to Open House. Meet your new teacher, see the classroom, and get all the information you need for a successful start to the 2025-26 school year. Everyone who shows up goes home with a special treat!

First Day of School for Willow Elementary

• Thursday, August 14 at 8:10 AM for 1st-5th Grade
• Thursday, August 21 at 8:10 AM for PK and KG

Attendance Matters Year Two!

To reach their full potential, we want your children to come to school every day. It’s okay to keep them home when they are sick. However, when they are healthy and well, send your kids to school to be an active member of the classroom. Don't let inclement weather interfere with regular attendance. When school is open, get your children to school.

The Plan: modified from last year

• For every month of 100% attendance, each student gets his/her name in a drawing to win a prize. One student per class KG through 5th grade every month of the school year- Sept thru May.
• Each student is then eligible for a grand prize drawing each semester.
• 1 grand prize per class each semester- drawing in Dec and May

Remember, ATTENDANCE MATTERS!

Coming Soon!: Willow Elementary Read-A-Thon 2025-26

We are working on an Independent Reading Initiative for the 2025-26 school year. We want your kids to actively read in "Just Right" Books all year long. Make sure you and your kids make time to read together this summer for at least 20-30 minutes a day. It's a great way to spend some quality time together! The Willow Public Library is open all summer! The more you read, the more you know!

How to Choose “Just Right” Books:

Too Easy!

Have you read it lots of times before?

Do you understand the story very well?

Do you know almost every word?

Can you read it smoothly?

Just Right!

Is the book new to you?

Do you understand a lot of the story?

Are there just a few words on each page you don’t know?

When you read, are some places smooth and some choppy?

Too Hard!

Are there more than 5 words on a page you don’t know?

Are you confused about what is happening in this book?

When you read, does it sound pretty choppy?

Willow Elementary Math Masters

Ask your child if he or she is a Willow Elementary Math Master. Your kids should have worked on their math fact fluency every day throughout the regular school year. Mastery in math facts lays the foundation for success in mathematics.

Willow Public Library Summer Reading Program

Every Thursday June 5-July 21 from 12:30 PM-3:30 PM. All youth up to age 18 are welcome for lunch, fun, and prizes.

Summer Food Service Program First come first serve/boxes contain 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches

Northern Location: Su-Valley High School Tues only: June 3-July 29 pick-up 10AM-11:30AM

Southern Location: Wasilla Middle School Thurs only: June 5-July 31 pick-up 11AM-1PM

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Thank You Willow Elementary PTA

Thank you fabulous Willow Elementary PTA! We are so grateful for all you do for our students, school, and community. You make every day brighter for our kids and we can't thank you enough!

Title 1 Information

Title 1 information is always available on the district website and in our front foyer. You can always stop in or call the school with any questions. Our Title 1 program is funded by the federal government to help with student achievement and success.

• Doors open at 9:10 AM every Monday
• Doors open at 8:10 AM Tuesday through Friday
• Students go directly to the gym upon arrival to eat breakfast
• 9:15 AM-9:30 AM every Monday
• 8:15 AM-8:30 AM Tuesday through Friday
• Students not eating breakfast at school will go directly to their classroom
• Willow Elementary will not serve breakfast after 10:00 AM Monday through Friday
• Remember, PE, Art, and Music Specials are always in the afternoon after lunch and recess
• Every school day ends at 3:00 PM

• Students must be dropped off at the car/drop-off line during morning arrival. Parents/guardians can then park and enter the building as needed.

• Students must be picked up from the gym via the car/pick-up line during dismissal. Parents can then park and enter the building with their kids under their care.
• Please call by 2:30 PM if you will be picking up your student or another person is picking up for you, this allows us to ensure proper communication to the classroom and pick-up line.
• Reminder - Only parents/legal guardians are allowed to call in any changes to a student(s) pick up status.

Busing/Bus Passes

• Please call by 2:30 PM if a bus pass is needed for your student, this allows us to ensure proper communication to the classroom and bus drivers.
• Any student walking unsupervised to and from the bus stop must have written permission on file at the school office.

Reminder - Only parents/guardians are allowed to pickup students unless specifically called to the office by a legal guardian.

Closure and Delay Information

There is always a potential for school closures and delayed start times. Please see the bullet points below to help your household tap into school and district updates.

• There is a snowflake on the far right of the district homepage. Click on the snowflake and you will be directed to district wide closure and delay information. Willow Elementary is in Region #6.
• You will hear from Willow Elementary with specific information on campus closures or delayed starts.
• If we have a delayed start, we will not serve breakfast but will serve lunch at the regularly scheduled times. We will not have preschool on delayed start days as well.
• If there are power outages regionally or locally, the district page is your best bet for up-to-date information.

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Special Thanks To Our Community Partners:

• Newman's
• Valley Fuel
• Alaska Fireplace
• Willow Caswell Fire Department
• Willow Equipment Rental
• Willow Lions Club
• Three Bears at Pittman Rd
• Willow Museum
• QAP/COLASKA
• Willow Elementary PTA
• Willow Food Pantry
• Alaska State Troopers
• Willow CERT
• Sunshine Clinic
• Roni’s Deli

Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Brian Porcello, Principal

907-495-9302

Email: brian.porcello@matsuk12.us
Website: matsuk12.us
Location: 31706 W Parks Hwy - Willow, AK
Phone: (907)495-9300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSBSDWLE/