The Puma Pride
October 4, 2021
Principal's Message
Hello, Willow Dale Families!
As you are aware, our district leaders had to make the difficult decision to move our elementary students into the classrooms to eat their lunches due to an increased number of infectious diseases in our buildings. This shift was a recommendation by the Bucks County Department of Health.
CSD’s nurses have been monitoring our students and outbreaks which includes determining when our students can safely return to the cafeteria to eat their meals. At this time, we plan to reopen all elementary school cafeterias on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, as long as we do not encounter any additional outbreaks.
In order to best ensure the safety of all during lunchtime, please remind your child(ren) to remain masked until they sit down to eat, and to put their masks back on when they have completed their meal. Thank you for your understanding and support in this matter.
Finally, please understand we may need to temporarily revert to classroom lunches again this school year should we encounter any additional outbreaks. This measure will only be taken when absolutely necessary.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Have a PAWSome week!
Sincerely,
Dr. Perkins & Mr. Julius
Website: https://wdes.centennialsd.org/
Phone: 215-441-6093
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Education/Willow-Dale-Elementary-School-331460017756772/
Twitter: @Willow_Dale_ES
Next Newsletter- October 18
From the Home & School: Spiritwear Order Updates
Thank you for placing a Spirit Wear order this school year. As with many things, the pandemic has caused a disruption in the supply chain. There are several items on backorder at this time. We have been assured that all orders will be filled but some may be filled more quickly than others. We thank you for your patience and your support.
What's Happening in the Kindergarten Classrooms?
Celebrating the Fall Season
Chilly morning weather is here and Fall is upon us! Kindergarten has been discussing the four seasons, focusing on Autumn and apples. Students started with a story and directed draw of Johnny Appleseed. We tested out the three different types of apples to find our favorite. After a quick tally chart, we found our favorites! The results were surprising; Granny Smith was the winner! Students practiced their handwriting by completing a writing activity and followed up with detailed pictures to accompany their writing. Later this month we will be keeping an eye on our tree out front so we can watch as the leaves turn shades of orange and red.
JOIN the WILLOW DALE ELEMENTARY MATH CHALLENGE!!!
The more you practice, the better you will be at MATH!
All students in grades K-5 are invited to participate! The program is completely FREE and no sign-up is necessary. This is a great opportunity for families to be involved and enjoy math through fun and engaging math problems. We encourage parents and siblings to get involved in discussing and solving these challenges! Please submit your solutions to each Math Challenge by the due date. Head over to the website below to find out more information about the challenge, due dates, and how to submit answers!
Questions? Contact Ms. Schindler by email schira@centennialsd.org
throughout the year for those who regularly participate!
Questions? Please contact Ms. Schindler at Schira@centennialsd.org
Are You a Kindness Ninja?
Global Challenge
Last week for our Global Challenge!
- We will be collecting sneakers until Friday, October 8.
Thank you for assisting the Willow Dale Students and Staff in spreading kindness everywhere!
Third Grade String Instrument Information
Third Graders, if they are interested, can learn to play the Violin, Viola or Cello as part of our school district’s Orchestra Program. Students visited Mr. Regosch’s room last week where he demonstrated the instruments and talked about the program.
Participants will receive one 30-minute lesson each week for the school year.
The link below is a document that has an overview of the program.
It also contains the registration form for Mr. Regosch’s database, and instructions on how to order an instrument form the local music store.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rXq5UnmvQeEfEVY1_TC6M-AFEk3_KOzvd-Nsm2ixiuo/edit?usp=sharing
If you have any questions after reading through the materials, you can contact Mr. Regosch at regomi@centennialsd.org
No School or Early Dismissal on the following Days
- October 11 - In-Service Day No School for Students
- November 2 - In-Service Day No School for Students
- November 23 - Early Dismissal - 11:45 AM/ PM K-5 Parent Conferences
- November 24- K-12 Parent Conferences- No School for Students
- November 25 & 26 - Holiday ALL Schools and Offices closed
Specials Rotation Calendar
Chick Fil-A Mobile Spirit Night
Our first Mobile Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A is Tuesday at the Warrington location: 4:30 PM to 7:00PM
***This is a new type of Spirit Night!***
All orders MUST be done through the Chick-fil-A Mobile app! "Willow Dale" MUST be added to the special request section. Please see the flyer for all directions.
Thanks, as always, for your support!
Tuesday, Oct 5, 2021, 04:30 PM
Warrington Crossing 160 Easton Road Warrington, PA 18976
Willow Dale Home and School Meeting (Virtual)
Meeting Zoom Link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72442922250?pwd=NUxCZ2lmUFp0UVR2RFJtVStrTklDUT09
Meeting ID: 724 4292 2250
Passcode: 4WMdz1
Contact the WD H&S Association mailto:willowdalehsa@gmail.com
Monday, Oct 18, 2021, 06:15 PM
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Lifetouch Picture Day - Coming soon (Order forms will be distributed on Wednesday, October 13th)
Picture Day
Monday, Oct 18, 2021, 09:00 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School PA, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Red Ribbon Week at Willow Dale - 2021
Monday, October 25, 2021
“Wake Up Drug Free!”
Students and staff can wear their pajamas today!
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
“ We Mustache You to be Drug Free!”
It’s mustache day! Students and staff can wear a mustache anything -- Shirts, socks, accessories…
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
“It’s Crazy to Do Drugs!”
Students and staff can dress “crazy”. Have fun and be creative with your outfits (mismatched clothes, socks, sneakers, hats, hairstyles, backwards)
Thursday, October 28, 2021
“We are Too Smart to Do Drugs!”
It’s literature day! Students and staff can dress up as a character from their favorite book.
Friday, October 29, 2021
“Scare the Drugs Away!”
Wear your Halloween costume today!
Monday, Oct 25, 2021, 09:00 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School PA, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Trunk or Treat
Friday, Oct 29, 2021, 06:30 PM
720 North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Information About Multi-Tiered Systems of Support- MTSS
What is MTSS?
MTSS is a way to provide support and instruction for children who are struggling to learn due to academic and/or behavioral difficulties. Most students thrive in general education classrooms. For those who don’t, teachers provide a second-tier or level of support that focuses on the area(s) in which the child struggles. A child’s progress is studied and findings are used to make decisions about teaching and other learning supports. A third more intensive tier of support is provided if the student does not make progress in the second tier.
How We Determine Who Needs Additional Interventions?
At Willow Dale Elementary School, we are implementing the process to review elementary progress three times per year. This is referred to as “universal screening”. Teams use performance data to decide which students are achieving with the standard classroom instruction (tier 1), which students may need supplemental instruction (tier 2), and which students may need individualized instruction (tier 3). When students receive supplemental small group or individualized instruction, we check their progress frequently and use assessment data to monitor student progress. The key idea is to make changes when instruction is not working for a child. The first step is to provide small group or enrichment interventions. This is referred to as tier 2 interventions. If the student does not respond adequately, a more intensive, individualized intervention may be developed. This begins the tier 3 intervention period. Additional progress monitoring will be conducted during the tier 3 intervention process. If no change occurs and the school has tried several interventions, you may be asked to give your consent for a multidisciplinary evaluation. This multidisciplinary evaluation cannot be conducted without written parent consent.
Parent Participation
Parents are essential to their child’s success in school. When a child needs supplemental instruction, we will describe that instruction to you. We will also ask you to tell us about anything you think may affect your child’s learning. For example, it is important for us to know if a child has a particular learning style or strength, likes or dislikes school, moved frequently, misses a lot of school, experienced a trauma, or is having problems with friends at school. These types of characteristics or concerns may affect a student’s progress, and if we know about them, we can design an intervention more effectively. Parents frequently partner with the school to provide extra practice or enrichment to develop skills. If you do want to provide extra support at home, you can work with the school to make yourself part of your child’s program. The school will share the progress your child makes.
What Can Parents Do?
Things Parents Can Do
- Make reading an everyday habit.
- Talk with your child’s teacher(s) regularly.
- Check homework assignments and provide guidance when necessary.
- Review regularly provided reports.
- Celebrate your child’s strengths, talents, interests and success.
- Encourage appropriate school behavior.
- Participate in parent-teacher conferences and other school functions with your child.
Questions Parents Can Ask the Teacher
- What is my child being taught in his/her classroom?
- How are lessons designed to meet my child’s varying needs?
- What are the teaching strategies that my child’s school is using if he/she is struggling in the classroom?
- How can I help my child with learning and/or behavior at home?
- How will I be told my child’s progress so I know more about his/her skills and not just average grades?
- What happens if my child continues to struggle and the intervention strategy is not working?
For more information, contact:
- Mrs. Kelley O’Leary, MTSS Coordinator oleake@centennialsd.org
- Mrs. Kara LaRose, School Counselor Grades K, 2, 4 laroca@centennialsd.org
- Mrs. Leanne Zemitis, School Counselor Grades 1, 3, 5 zemile@centennialsd.org
- Dr. Catherine Perkins, Principal perkca@centennialsd.org
Title I Information
Willow Dale is a Title I School
Safety & Security
Visitors to the school must enter the school’s front foyer (white doors) and ring the bell, located next to the door that leads to the main office. Once buzzed in, our fantastic staff will be happy to serve you!
- Visitors must obtain a visitor’s pass from the main office.
- All visitors to the building must have his/her photo identification card scanned through the Raptor system to ensure everyone’s safety. Please make sure you have your driver's license or state photo ID card available upon entrance. The system will also ask questions related to health and wellness (COVID symptom check).
- Visitors or parents may be escorted to their room where their business or volunteer work is being conducted.
- Students are requested not to bring guests to school unless permission is granted in advance by the principal.
- Forgotten books, lunch money, lunches, etc. should be left in the office. We will see that they are delivered to the student.
- If a parent or designated adult is picking a student up from school early, a driver's license is required and the above process (step 2) must be completed to release the student.
Thank you very much for helping us maintain a safe school for our students and staff!
Breakfast and Lunch Information
ALL STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH DAILY
The USDA has extended the waiver to continue feeding under the Summer Programs which entitles all children 18 and under to eat for free. These programs have been extended throughout the entire school year.
Parents, please continue to apply for free and reduced programs, as this helps fund other programs in the district which could benefit families. Now more than ever, we need families to complete the Free and Reduced meal application even though all meals are currently free. Please complete the application today.
2021-2022 Bus Schedules
Attendance
Children who attend school regularly make the best academic progress, graduate, and go on to successful post-secondary education and/or careers.
Students, who arrive late (after 8:45 am), must report to the office for a late slip. Parents should accompany tardy students to the office to sign in the student.
If your child is going to be absent, please notify the school to let us know.
Reporting Absences
SUBMITTING ABSENCE NOTES
Attendance Notes can be Submitted Electronically via email at WDAttendance@centennialsd.org. Please know you will still receive automated phone calls (to the primary phone listed in Skyward) if you have not submitted an absence note via email on the days your child is absent from school.
**Absence notes must be submitted within 3 days of the student's absence, otherwise, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.
E-Mailing Attendance Notes
- Parents with children in Willow Dale may e-mail attendance notifications/notes to the following address: WDAttendance@centennialsd.org
- E-mail notifications are encouraged on the morning of the absence day. However, e-mailed absence notes may be sent on the day following the absence.
- When sending an absence notification please include the following information:
- Child's Name
- Child's Grade
- Child's Homeroom Teacher
- Date(s) of Absence
- Reason for Absence
- Contact Phone # for Parent/Guardian
- Other Pertinent Information
- While you may still continue to call the school on the day of absence, a follow-up e-mail or a written note is still required for the absence to be excused.
Email: WDAttendance@centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-441-6093
Childcare Arrangement Request
Transportation for childcare arrangements must be on a fixed schedule that is consistent from week to week. Transportation arrangements may take a week to arrange; please find alternative transportation for your child(ren) until you are notified of arrangements. Please confirm all arrangements with your child and your child(ren)’s teacher(s).
Please email completed forms to wdattendance@centennialsd.org.
Below is a link to the form.
Family Trips Scheduled During the School Year
Dear Centennial Families;
The Centennial School District Board of School Directors approved Policy 204.1, Family Trips Scheduled During School Year.
Although the scheduling of family trips during the instructional year is not encouraged, the Centennial School Board recognizes that students may benefit educationally by accompanying their parent(s)/guardian(s) on trips. The revision to the policy will allow the schools to approve up to five (5) days instead of three (3). Any trip beyond five (5) days will need the approval of the Superintendent.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) who are requesting approval for a family trip need to complete and submit the attached form to their building principal at least two (2) weeks before the trip.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Perkins or Mr. Julius.
School Safety Drills
We will practice fire, lock-in, lock-out, and weather emergency drills. These drills may or may not be announced. Unannounced drills more accurately indicate the preparedness of the school and the effectiveness of safety procedures. Your child's teacher will review the exercises and procedures with their classes. Please make the teacher aware of any concerns regarding your child's participation in the safety drills.
The Warminster Director of Emergency Management Services and the Warminster Police Department will be invited to observe our drills and provided feedback for improvement.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Perkins or Mr. Julius.
Willow Dale Elementary School
Email: perkca@centennialsd.org
Website: https://wdes.centennialsd.org/
Location: 720 North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Phone: 215-441-6093
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Education/Willow-Dale-Elementary-School-331460017756772/
Twitter: @Willow_Dale_ES