The Puma Pride
December 20, 2021
Principal's Message
Hello, Willow Dale Families!
The classrooms have been bustling with learning. This week marks the last week before Winter break. We hope our families enjoyed the Winter Concert. A big “Thank You” to our teachers, students, and parents for a fantastic evening. Check out the student performances in the videos below.
Thursday, December 23 is “Pajama Day.” Students and staff are invited to wear their favorite pajamas to school. We do ask for safety reasons, that students wear sneakers or other appropriate footwear to school before changing into slippers. Santa Claus will briefly visit the classrooms throughout the day. The day will conclude with the annual holiday sing-along in the classrooms. It is also a half-day of school for students. All students will be dismissed beginning at 11:45 AM.
As the holiday season quickly approaches, I wish all of you the gift of health, happiness, and time with family and friends this holiday season. I am thankful and blessed to be working with dedicated educators, supportive parents, and community members, and especially, our talented students. Each of you is instrumental in making Willow Dale Elementary School such a wonderful place to learn and grow. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the holiday. To all our families--Please take time to unplug, rejuvenate, and rest over the break.
With best wishes for the happiest of holiday seasons,
Dr. Catherine Perkins and Mr. Daniel 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
Vocal and Instrumental Music News
We have been very busy these past few months here in Music. Students continue to learn basic concepts of Steady Beat, Rhythm, and Tempo. Students are improving their voice by singing every class and working to use good posture and breath. Earlier in the year, 5th grade learned how to play Handbells while other classes used Rhythm Sticks, Triangles, Tambourines, and their favorite, Boom Whackers! However, the big news this December was our Winter Concert.
Your Children worked very hard to prepare for the concert and boy did they deliver!
Mr. Regosch and I are so proud of the Bells, Orchestra, Band, and Chorus. After 2 years, it was nice to perform a concert live and in person. We cannot wait for the Spring Concert! Thank you for all in attendance and your continued support. Enjoy the pictures and video clips of the concert below. Have a great New Year!!
Musically,
Frank Bauerle and Michael Regosch
Video Links of Winter Concert
Second graders have been so focused and hard at work. In Fundations, we are learning the vowel consonant e and open syllable types. Students are doing a fabulous job of marking up their words.
The boys and girls are reading a variety of wonderful leveled readers in small group.
In our math classes we are beginning to compose two-digit and
three-digit numbers and will work on decomposing throughout the winter. Continue to practice building math fact fluency. Keep practicing at home!
Math challenge #6 is currently underway! These will be due on January 6th after our break. The classroom with the most participation will win EXTRA RECESS! Congratulations to Mrs. Lapsley’s class for winning 3 times!!
We are finishing up Social Studies. We learned about goods and services, how people use our environment, how communities change, and citizenship. We will begin science after winter break!
When the boys and girls show PAWSOME behavior in various school settings they can earn tickets. The Prize Patrol was here this week so they could cash in their tickets. Keep showing your pawsome behavior!!!!!
Holiday Giving Tree Project
Our Home and School Association organized a giving tree this year to collect cards to help families who are in need within our school community. We also had several very generous donations from various people within our community who provided gift cards as well as specific gifts for families. The generosity of our community is absolutely astounding and heartwarming. Our gift card collection this year reached $2050. The many gifts provided by other individuals and groups, along with the gift cards enabled us to help spread holiday cheer to a total of 27 families this year including 74 kids!
This collection was the most generous we have ever experienced and would like to thank those that were able to provide towards the collection. This is truly a testament to the families, staff, and community members that work together to support and help each other within our Willow Dale family. Happy Holidays to our entire Willow Dale community!
Thank You Willow Dale Home and School!
Math Challenge #6
Welcome to the Math Challenge #6. When the weather gets cold, we enjoy drinking hot chocolates, making
snowflakes, baking cookies, or playing in the snow! Enjoy this winter themed challenge.
If you are new to any of the problem solving strategies, check out our complete overview of elementary problem
solving strategies at https://www.mathinaction.org/problem-solving-strategies.html.
Peaceful Peer Mediators
Ten of our Willow Dale 5th grade Puma Ambassadors are currently being trained by Mrs. Zemitis and Mrs. LaRose in the peer mediation process. Peer mediators are students who are trained in mediation techniques and have been taught skills in communication and problem solving. The peer mediators help the students involved in a conflict talk to one another and understand one another’s point of view. Finally, they help them brainstorm and choose ideas that will solve their problem. The 5th grade peer mediators will soon be ready to help solve conflicts and help keep Willow Dale a peaceful school community.
Specials Rotation Calendar
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