Willow Parent Bulletin # 9

The building is full of fall...pumpkins, ghosts, leaves... you name it! Check out the gallery below for an idea of all the colorful work adorning out classrooms and hallways!

I love picture day! It's so fun to see our Wildcats all decked out. They have an extra little swagger as they sit before the camera and give a big grin. A composite will go home in a couple of weeks from which you can order pictures on line if you'd like. If your child is absent or needs a re-take, those will be done November 16th.

On Friday, you'll receive an email from the teacher that includes a link for Sign Up Genius. Please use the link to choose a time for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Read the directions carefully as you will have the option of coming in-person or doing it online via Zoom. Conferences are an integral part of communication between home and school. Your attendance and punctuality are important.

In November we honor our Veterans. If you or a family member have served or are currently serving, we invite you to attend a breakfast and special program on November 10th. You can use the link, QR code, or phone number below to let us know you are coming.

We love dogs! We'll have our own therapy dog here next year. But, before he gets here, he's undergoing a lot of training. Congratulations to Walter for "graduating" from his first round, otherwise known as puppy Kindergarten.

With this in mind, the only dogs that should be on school property when students are present are certified therapy dogs or service animals. They should also be "working," which means the animal is wearing a vest or harness stating as such. While we understand that your pet my be friendly, our first priority is for the safety of both staff and students. We ask that you share this information with any grandparents, relatives, or care givers who may be doing pick up or drop off.

Below are more fine motor tips from our Occupational Therapist. We appreciate you helping at home! Overall hand strength is important for proper writing and cutting. (Having fast video thumbs isn't the same 😁)

Our second graders have been working hard on their writing skills! It's amazing to see how well they can write already! Below are some samples of reports on different habitats and spiders.

Have you ever dreamed of being a store manager? Are you free the week of November 14th-17th and possibly even the 20th? Do you like watching kids get excited to read? The Scholastic Book fair is being held November 14-17th for students to shop and the 20th for parents to be able to shop during conferences. It's a great way to start your holiday shopping!

The book fair is basically a mini book store and we need managers to help us run the stores. We are hoping to find 3-6 parents who are available that week to oversee the 3 fairs. Duties will include helping set up and break down your fair, knowing how to use the register and just generally making your fair run smoothly.

Erica Van Schaik is the fundraising chair and is in charge of overseeing the entire book fair and will help train you on how to run the fair, including how to work the register. If this sounds like something you could do to help us, please email erica.vanschaik@homewoodpta.org for more information.

Proceeds from the Book Fair come back into the building. For example, they are used to stock our new book vending machine that's part of pour PBIS program.

We're back! Last week 516 people took a look at the Bulletin. They were from 15 states and the United Kingdom. Wildcats, Wildcats, everywhere!

If you've noticed anyone at Willow going above and beyond, please use the link to recognize him/her/them! 💖 I share your kind words with them in my staff bulletin.

https://forms.office.com/r/L4vYqd7NpN

Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt October 27: https://hfparks.com/event/flashlight-pumpkin-hunt/

Trick or Treat Trail October 28: https://hfparks.com/event/trick-or-treat-trail/

Pumpkin Smash November 4: https://hfparks.com/event/pumpkin-smash/

Oct 20: Institute Day- no school/ Sign Up Genius for conferences sent out

Oct 27: PreK Fun Friday (no PreK classes) /World OT Day

Oct 31: Halloween- parade at 8:30- 11:40AM early dismissal

Nov: American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

Nov 5: Daylight Savings time ends

Nov 10: Veteran’s Day observed- 11:40 AM early dismissal

Nov 12: Diwali

Nov 11-18: Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week

Nov 13: World Kindness Day

Nov 13-17: School Psychologist Appreciation Week and American Education Week

Nov 16: Picture retakes

Nov 17: End of Trimester 1

Nov 15: Education Support Professionals Day

Nov 20-21: Parent/Teacher Conferences

Nov 22: no school

Nov 23-24: Thanksgiving/ Black Friday- no school

Dec 3: Day of People with Disabilities

Dec 7-15: Hanukkah begins at sundown

Dec 15: PreK Fun Friday (no PreK classes)

Dec 22: 11:40 AM early dismissal

Dec 23-Jan 7: Winter break