Willow Parent Bulletin # 18

January 13, 2023

Happy New Year!

We were happy to have all of our Wildcats back this week! It was a week of adjustments as sleep schedules got back on track. Remember that our tardy bell is at 8:05 AM and anyone arriving after that needs to come in through the office. Please do not send your child running up to a door after that time. The staff who work out front and at the doors have other duties that start immediately, so it's important for all our students that everyone is punctual.

If it's "one of those mornings," we get it... we have them, too. We ask that you still abide by the procedures that are in place for everyone's safety. (Use the crossing guards, reduce your speed, don't U-turn or double park, and check the signs.) The rules still apply, even when you are in a hurry.

If you have an issue or concern that comes up, please address it with the office so we can help. Having words with other parents or using social media won't get anything solved. We know that pick up and drop off can be frustrating, but we still need to be good examples for our Wildcats and treat each other respectfully. We need everyone to do their part.

Day of Service- January 16th

This is our second year having a Day of Service. Each of the schools has a different organization to support. Willow has partnered with the South Suburban Animal Shelter. Please see the flyer below regarding items for which they are in need. Drop off is that Monday, January 16th, at the James Hart entrance.

If you have a donation, but are unable to drop off that day, please contact the Willow Office to make other arrangements. Our wildcats might be small, but we are mighty when it comes to helping others!

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Family Conversations:

This week's conversation starter is about reminding your child how unique he/she/they are. Share this with them: There is no one at school, in our city, or even in the world just like him/her/them. celebrate what makes each member of your family special and unique! One way you could do this is by discussing the quote at the right from Piglet in Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne.

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Erin's Law Presentation

In Illinois, Erin's Law requires that all public schools implement child-focused sexual abuse prevention education that: provides parents and guardians with information on the warning signs of child sexual abuse, plus any needed assistance, referrals or resources to support victims and their families.

We use the Child Protection Unit from Second Step so that it best aligns with the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum your child already learns each week. Their program is described as:

The Child Protection Unit student lessons encourage help seeking behavior and positive student norms by teaching students to recognize, refuse, and report unsafe or abusive situations. The Child Protection Unit includes an array of teaching modes and gives students multiple opportunities to practice skills.

Specifically, the lessons aim to help children protect themselves by teaching them skills in three areas:

1. Recognizing unsafe and sexually abusive situations and touches

2. Immediately reporting these situations to adults

3. Assertively refusing these situations whenever possible.

Each lesson also includes an activity children can do with a parent or caregiver at home to practice the skills. You can see an overview at: https://www.secondstep.org/child-protection

These presentations will start this month. A second presentation will come later in the year.

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H-F Step Buddies

Join us for the first annual Step Buddies with the Homewood-Flossmoor High School SteppersTeam! Come practice with us, learn a routine, and enjoy snacks while getting to know the Steppers. Buddies will also receive a t-shirt to wear as they perform their routine with the Steppers Team members at an H-F Varsity Boys Basketball game. No previous stepping experience is required. All students grades K - 8th are encouraged to participate. Come step and have fun!

Practice Dates: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 and Thursday, January 26, 2023

Check-in: 3:30 pm in the South Building Cafeteria

Practice: 4:00-6:00 pm

Fee: $35.00

Game Date: Friday, January 27, 2023 (Steppers should wear black pants. Black shoes are preferred, but not required!)

Call Time/Check-In: 5:00pm in the South Building Cafeteria (Shirts distributed upon check in) Game Time: 6:30pm

Halftime Performance: 7:00pm

Game Tickets: All supporting family and friends of the Step Buddies must purchase a ticket for admission into the game on the H-F GoFan website: https://gofan.co/app/school/IL15520

8to18 Online Registration: If your student is in grades K - 8th and interested in attending the 2022-2023 Step Buddies Practice and Performance, please refer to the instructions on page 2 to sign up on the 8to18 Media/Athletics2000 Homewood-Flossmoor HS Dashboard at: https://hf.8to18.com/accounts/login

8 to18 Online Registration Ends: Wednesday, January 18, 2023