Principal Piece
Willow Elementary Families,
We are mere weeks to the end of the school year. We hope your kids are coming home with a big smile each day after school! We want your kids to work hard all week and play hard all weekend! There is lots of information below you need to be aware of. Please call or pop in with any questions.
Sincerely,
Mr. Porcello
iReady Reading and Math Testing Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
Please see the test schedule below. As always, please make sure your kids come to school with plenty of rest, prepared for success.
- iReady Diagnostic Testing May 6, 7, 8, and 9
Kindergarten Round Up Thursday, May 1 from 3-5PM
Do you or someone you know have a child who is attending KG next year? Come on in for KG Round Up with Ms. K. You will get all the information you need for a successful start next Fall:)
🎨🎯2025 Artist in Residence with Mrs. Korpi 🎯🎨
Mrs. Korpi and our wonderful students are building outdoor tile murals. They are painting tiles to create the murals. Seven murals will be displayed in the alcove at the front of the school along with benches and fern planters. We are creating a reading space where classes can read during nice weather days.
Northern Elementary School Closure Make-Up Days
The following dates will be student contact days with students attending school:
- May 2 (Previously a Professional Learning day)
- May 21 (Previously a Scheduled Snow Day)
- May 23 (Previously a Teacher Work Day)
These adjustments will account for all required make-up days.
Field Day Thursday, May 22
Field day is set for Thursday, May 22 from 9:00 AM-2:30 PM. We look forward to celebrating the end of the year with your children. More information coming soon.
Track Season Grades 4 and 5
Track season has begun for our 4th and 5th grade students. Thanks to Coach Mitchell and run fast Wolverines!
Make Sure Your Kids Are Dressed for the Weather
Please make sure your children come to school prepared for the weather. Spring raingear replaces winter gear and is a must in Alaska. Make sure your kids have raingear to the end of the school year.
Attendance Matters!
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 child 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.
We have a drawing every two weeks for students with 100% attendance. They can win prizes on display in the front atrium! Once your child gets 100% attendance over two weeks, he or she will also have an opportunity to win a grand prize each quarter of the school year.
Perfect attendance in two-week intervals will also give access to additional privileges throughout the school year!
In Summary:
- For every two weeks of 100% attendance, each student gets their name in a drawing to win a prize. One student per class KG through 5th grade every two weeks.
- Each student is then eligible for a grand prize drawing each quarter.
- 1 grand prize per class each quarter.
Remember, ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
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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.
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.
Important Dates in May
May 1: KG Round Up 3-5PM
May 5: No Pre K Class
May 3: Community Clean Up at the Community Center 3PM
May 6-9: iReady Diagnostic Testing
May 10: PTA Spring Fling
May 12: No Pre K Class
May 16: Spring Concert 1:30-2:30PM
May 19: No Pre K Class
May 22: Field Day
May 23: Last Day of School
May 26: Memorial Day
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 working on being a Willow Elementary Math Master. Your kids should be working on their math fact fluency every day throughout the regular school year. Mastery in math facts lays the foundation for success in mathematics.
School Day Start Times and Important Information
- 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
Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up
- 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.
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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
- Roni’s Deli
School Info
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/