Principal Piece
Willow Elementary Families,
We are hitting our stride as we work through the month of September. Please make note of the Title 1 Information below and call me with any questions. Your kids are off to a great start and we hope they are coming home with a big smile each day after school.
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.
Starting this month, we'll have a drawing every two weeks for students with 100% attendance. They can win prizes on display in the front atrium! Once your child get 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 for K,1,2 & 1 grand prize for 3,4,5
Remember, ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
Title 1 Information
Title 1 Annual Meeting- 2 Options
The Willow Elementary Title 1 Annual Meeting will be Wednesday, September 18th at 3:30 PM in the library or Friday, September 20th at 9:00 AM in the library. If you are unable to attend either meeting, please contact Mr. Porcello to arrange a different time.
AK STAR & Alaska Science Student Reports
The results from the Spring 2024 AK STAR and Alaska Science administration are now available for you to view in ParentVUE if your child tested in Mat-Su in spring 2024. Directions on how to view these reports are attached as well as the Family Guide to Assessment Reports. If your child tested in another district in Alaska in spring 2024, you will need to contact the previous district for results.
- How to view AK STAR & Alaska Science Individual Student Reports in ParentVUE
- Family Guide: AK STAR Assessment Reports, Spring 2024
- Family Guide: Alaska Science Assessment Reports, Spring 2024
Right to Know Letter: Please click the link below for the 2024-25 Title 1 Right to Know Letter
Right to Know Signed FY25.pdf - Google Drive
Important Dates in September
9/5: PTA Meeting in the library at 3:30 PM
9/11: Nordic Strings Performance at 1:30 PM-- Thanks to the Denali Arts Council!
9/16: AK Reads Act Day: No school for elementary students
9/18: Title 1 Annual Meeting at 3:30 PM (option1)
9/20: Title 1 Annual Meeting at 9:00 AM (option 2)
9/30: Safety Week begins more info coming very soon
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 in to the office by a legal guardian.
Special Thanks To Our Community Partners:
- Newman's
- Valley Fuel
- Alaska Fireplace
- Willow Caswell Fire Department
- Lone Wolf Tattoo
- 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/
