The Puma Pride
September 23, 2019
Message From the Principal
Happy Fall! Mr. Julius and I enjoyed seeing so many families at the Ice Cream Social and Family Movie Night on Friday. There were over 500 students and family members in attendance! A big "Thank You" to our Home & School parents who organized the event.
One highlight of the week was when we filled a row on the Principal's 200 Club Board. All of the students in the row received a certificate and an incentive. Congratulations to all of the students who were recognized for having a Positive Attitude, Acting Respectfully, Working Responsibly, and for making Safe Choices. We can't wait to see who will be next.
Last Friday, the entire fifth grade participated in a Team Building Day. Through a variety of games planned by the fifth-grade teachers, students were able to practice listening and social skills, work collaboratively with their peers, and learn about the ideas and abilities of the other students in the class, all while having fun. It was a perfect day! On Monday, Willow Dale students had the pleasure of meeting our guest author, Chris Van Dusen. Check out the pictures below.
Fun Friday started this week. Fun Friday is a weekly earned incentive. All students who have earned a percentage of the point allocation each week will participate. Students must earn 80% of those points in order to participate in Fun Friday activities. In order for students to earn points, students should meet expectations that are outlined in the PAWS matrix. The first Fun Friday was a huge success.
NWEA MAP assessments begin this week in grades K-5. Please refer to the letter sent via e-alert and included in the newsletter for more details.
All the best for a great week!
Dr. Perkins
Chris Van Dusen Visits Willow Dale Elementary
On Monday, September 16, author Chris Van Dusen visited with Willow Dale students and teachers to share about his life and books. Students loved learning about his writing and illustrations as well as all about his dog, Opal. Mr. Van Dusen helped to jump-start our building emphasis on the power of reading!
Fifth-Grade Team Building Day
On Friday, September 13, Willow Dale Fifth Grade participated in a Team Building Day. The students were randomly divided into four groups from the six homerooms They circulated through four different team-building stations consisting of arts & crafts, games, puzzles and problem-solving activities. Students were encouraged to use cooperative skills in order to be successful in completing these tasks. At the end of the day, students reflected on their favorite part of the team building activities. The entire fifth-grade team had an amazing experience!
Pictures from the Week
Here is some important information from Mr. Regosch, our band and orchestra director.
The deadline to sign up for an instrument is Monday, September 23rd. Mr. Regosch will be starting the lesson schedule very soon and needs to know if anyone else is interested.
Please visit his web page for copies of previous letters, links to the music store's online ordering system, and a simple form to let Mr. Regosch know if your child is playing. Several new copies of letters went home to some students as well. Thank you!
https://www.centennialsd.org/Page/4265
Please email Mr. Regosch if you have any questions after visiting the website!
NWEA MAP Assessments Begin
Dear Centennial Parents/Guardians,
Please take time to read the attached letter about the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessments. The first of the assessments will take place during the weeks of September 23 - October 4.
Monday, Sep 23, 2019, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale K-5 Classrooms
No School Monday, September 30
- September 30- Holiday: Rosh Hashana
Happy Holidays to our families celebrating!
Willow Dale Chick-fil-A Spirit Night
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2019, 04:00 PM
Chick-fil-A, Easton Road, Warrington, PA, USA
Willow Dale School Picture Day
Monday, Oct 7, 2019, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Home and School Meeting
Contact the WDH&SA mailto:willowdalehsa@gmail.com
Monday, Oct 7, 2019, 06:15 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Willow Dale First Annual Trunk or Treat
Friday, Oct 18, 2019, 06:30 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
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 will 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 was upgraded this year, therefore ALL visitors must present their driver's license when they enter the building.
- 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, photo identification is required to release the student.
Thank you very much for helping us maintain a safe school for our students and staff!
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
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.
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.
Willow Dale Elementary School
Email: perkca@centennialsd.org
Website: www.centennialsd.org/Domain/692
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