The Puma Pride
February 8, 2021
Principal's Message
Hello, Willow Dale Families,
Happy snowy Superbowl Sunday! Take a minute to check out the classroom happenings throughout the newsletter.
As a reminder, tomorrow is a 2-hour teacher in-service delay day. The school hours are 10:45 AM-3:30 PM for in-person and fully remote students. Fully remote students will log in at 10:45 am. Please report to bus stops two hours later than the usual pick-up time for those students in Cohort A. School doors open at 10:25 AM. Free grab and go breakfast and lunch will be available for all students.
Tuesday, February 9, will be Pajama Day for Cohort A students. Donate $1 to wear pajamas. The money will help our team support WD students in need.
We continue to welcome students back to the building. If you need to change your child’s learning model, please email the classroom teacher and wdattendance@centennialsd.org. Please note, if you have been fully remote and wish to return to the classroom, the cohort listed in Skyward may change. This ensures that we continue to follow the CSD Health and Safety Plan, which maintains six feet of distance in the classroom.
MAP assessments for students in grades 3-5 will continue until February 17. Reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
Lastly, Kindergarten registration is underway for the 2021-22 school year. If you or someone you know needs to register, please see the information in the newsletter.
Go, Buccaneers! Go, Chiefs!
Stay safe, well, and warm. Have a Pawsome week!
~Dr. Perkins & Mr. Julius
Photos From the Week
Classroom Highlights
February is Black History Month
Black History Month is a federally recognized celebration of the contributions African Americans have made to the United States and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice. By spotlighting important people through history on the student-led announcements, as well as incorporating related history lessons into classroom instruction, Willow Dale Elementary is honoring Black History throughout the month of February.
February 11th Marks the 100th Day of School for Grades K-5
- Dress like a 100-year-old
- Design a 100-day shirt,
- Wear your WD Spiritwear!
Valentine's Day Celebrations
This year all CSD elementary schools will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, February 10th. Homeroom Parents and teachers have coordinated virtual celebrations and/or activities. Unfortunately, the CSD Health and Safety Plan guidelines dictate that there will be no physical exchange of items for Valentine's Day. This means that children will not be able to distribute items to their classmates. Instead, teachers will be providing alternate activities.
Kamishibai Storytelling in the Third Grade
February 3 is a holiday in Japan--and it happened to be the day some of our third graders had the opportunity to hear a wonderful presentation by a Kamishibai storyteller. This day is officially known as Setsubun, or the bean throwing holiday, marking the end of New Year’s celebrations, and its focus is health for the coming new year. Children in Japan make Oni Baba masks, an evil being featuring horns and sharp teeth, to take home for their parents to wear. It is a playful tradition in which they will throw soybeans at them to ward off illness in the coming year.
This was just one of several Japanese holidays described to our students, in addition to the performance of four stories in the traditional Kamishibai style--using a small wooden stage, clappers to announce the story, and hand-drawn artwork to accompany the story. Kamishibai translates to “paper theater,” and is an ancient Japanese performance art that has been enjoying a revival of late. Tara McGowan, the performance artist who helped the students explore this art form, from the Princeton area, is renowned for her expertise and storytelling and artwork. Having spent a total of seven years in Japan, Ms. McGowan taught at the Japanese Language School and teaches about Japanese culture and art. She shared a number of artifacts and original pieces of Japanese art and crafts and has made available copies of some of these pieces for the children to create their own versions in school.
The third-grade connection to Kamishibai storytelling is a book in our textbook by Alan Say, called “The Kamishibai Man,” which explores this art form and tells of its decline with the advent of television. It also happens that Ms. McGowan has written an afterword in later publications of Mr. Say’s book. Ms. McGowan performed four separate stories for the children and piqued their interest in other stories to be read.
The entire third grade was entertained by the storyteller over two days, and we have the generosity of the Centennial Education Fund and the Willow Dale Home and School to thank for this amazing opportunity.
Third Grade String Program
Third Grade-grade String Program:
Last week our 3rd-grade students saw a special video from Mr. Regosch (our School's Orchestra Director.) He is starting up a special violin lesson program for the remainder of the year. 3rd-grade parents can watch this video and then fill out this google form to indicate interest.
- Access the form here.
He'd like to get started right away! So follow the instructions on the form to secure an instrument immediately. The music store has a HARD DEADLINE of February 12th to receive orders. Please email Mr. Regosch directly if you have a question.
Music Information for 5th-Grade Going to Middle School
Fifth Grade: Music Course information for Middle School
Fifth Grade Students watched a video from Mr. Regosch and Mr. Bauerle regarding 6th-grade music classes. All 6th graders must select a music class to take next year. The 6th-grade music class meets every other day, all year long, and students have several choices. Mr. Regosch would like all parents to watch the video again with their children, then choose their music course together using the google form link. The form must be completed on a Student's Chromebook.
All links are below. Please email Mr. Regosch with any questions.
Family Code Night
Willow Dale Elementary Celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Week! February 14th - February 20th
Random Acts of Kindness Week takes place for one week each year, always taking place in mid-February. It is a week dedicated to kindness and taking that extra, conscious step to brighten somebody’s day. The Willow Dale School community has made this a priority throughout the year. This week, we celebrate with others across the globe in highlighting the kind gestures that contribute to a positive school and community. Participation reinforces the power of kindness in making others, as well as the giver, feel valued. Kindness makes us happier, makes our hearts healthier, slows aging, and improves relationships. Kindness is CONTAGIOUS!
Help us spread kindness this week and every week!
Calling All Families for our Willow Dale Family Project
As part of our second No Place for Hate project, we would love for families and staff to create a collaborative cookbook with lots of family favorites and traditional recipes from your culture. This is optional but we would love as much participation as possible!!!
In classes, teachers read Everybody Cooks Rice and learned about how food is connected to cultural identity. Families often have food traditions and favorite recipes they love to make for meals or holidays. Please look in your child’s google classroom or Seesaw to find the recipe template for your family to use. Only one per family is necessary. Families will "turn in" a recipe slide with a recipe their family loves to make or something they traditionally make for holidays or family meals. There will be an example from the family of Mrs. Zemitis and a template you will use for your recipe. The slide has a space for inserting the name of your dish, your family name, ingredients, directions, and a picture of your dish. You can also get fancy with inserting a video or tik tok tutorial of you making your dish. Check out Mrs. Zemitis' TikToc of her family making chocolate covered pretzels on her sample slide. Click here to view!
The directions for how to complete the slide are in the notes section at the bottom of the slide. When it is all complete, please click the turn in button. Please let your child’s teacher or Mrs. Zemitis know if you need help or have any questions. You have until February 12th to complete your recipe slide. We will put it all together in a Willow Dale Family Favorites cookbook slides presentation and possibly printed to be shared with our school community!
Masks are required at Drop-off and Pick-up
Hello Willow Dale families!
As a reminder, for the safety of our students and staff, masks are required at drop-off and pick-up. Students should have their masks on before exiting the car. Please remain in your car unless absolutely necessary. Masks required if you exit. If you require help, please contact the front office.
Attention ALL Car Riders!
Car tags with your child’s official PikMyKid dismissal ID numbers have been distributed to all current car riders. Please make sure that from now on the car tag is displayed on your dash on the passenger side while on school grounds and that you make note of this number. If you need a card or additional cars, please contact the main office.
Please select one of the following choices when you arrive to pick up your child(ren).
- Carline 1- Line closest to the school building
- Carline 2- Line closest to Norristown Road
Downloaded the PikMyKid app today! Anyone who will be picking up your child should also register themselves with the application. Their screen will be blank, and they will not have any authorization until you allow it within the app.
For more information and instructions, go to this link
If you do not think the school has your mobile number on file or if your child does not appear on your app’s home page, contact support@pikmykid.com mailto:support@pikmykid.com after registration, with your child’s name, school, grade, and updated contact information for you.
We appreciate your patience during the setup as we are working on making the process as safe and seamless as possible.
Hybrid Schedule
Inclement Weather Day Schedule
Reminders for Cold Weather Days
Guidelines for Recess
Below 60 degrees—Jacket or long sleeves
Below 50 degrees—Coat and long pants
Below 32 degrees—Gloves and hats to go outside
Below 20 degrees—Shortened recess (5-10 minutes)
Below 10 degrees—Indoor recess
All temperatures represent the “feels like” number. Sometimes the windchill or windspeed may necessitate an indoor recess.
*If you are in need of coats, hats, gloves- Contact the School Counselors:
Ms. Zemitis: zemile@centennialsd.org
Ms. LaRose: laroka@centennialsd.org
It's Time for Kindergarten Registration!
If you have a neighbor or family member who needs to enroll their child in kindergarten, please pass this information on to them.
Resources for Families
https://www.education.pa.gov/about/Resources/ResourcesFamilies/Pages/default.aspx
Tech Support for Families
- Featured Videos -CSD Online Learning Resources - CSD STUDENT & FAMILY VIDEO TUTORIALS site.
- CSD Online Learning Resources
- Site contains videos and tutorials for students and families
- 1:1 Initiative Resource Center
If you have a technology issue, please submit a help desk ticket (link below) for the fastest response.
CSD Community Technology Support Desk Options for Support
- CSD Community Technology Help Desk: http://helpdesk.centennialsd.org/support/login (this option allows you to create an account, create and submit new tickets, view the status of your ticket, and leave comments on the ticket).
Willow Dale Elementary School's Technology Support Desk Contact
Please call Ms. Kwasniuk (215) 441-6000 and enter the extension 17020.
Important Message from the Nurse's Office
Parents, we need your help to keep our students safe and healthy.
Please remember to check your student for the COVID 5 every morning before they come to school.
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, please keep your student home.
- Do they have a temperature of greater than 100.3?
- Do they have an altered taste or smell?
- Have they been exposed to someone with a lab-confirmed case of COVID 19?
- Are they awaiting test results of a recent COVID 19 test?
- Do they have an unexplained cough or shortness of breath?
Thank you in advance for your support! We are all in this together!
- Mrs. Salita and Mrs. Kleinschmidt-Willow Dale Nurses
Attendance in Virtual Learning
Children who attend school regularly make the best academic progress, graduate, and go on to successful post-secondary education and/or careers. It is important, even on virtual days for students to join the classroom teacher for learning via Google Meet.
If your child is going to be absent, late, or leave early, please notify the homeroom teacher and the school to let us know. More details below.
The Centennial School District Policy can be found here.
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 by 10:00 AM 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
Email: WDAttendance@centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-441-6093
Nutrition Services 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.
We Need your Help!
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Willow Dale depends on funding based on the number of free and reduced applications approved. Please help us maintain our funding that directly assists our students.
This year, our numbers are lower due to the free meals provided. If you already receive SNAP benefits and have not applied this year, please take a minute to apply.
If your financial situation has changed, please visit schoolcafe.com to apply today!
Applications can be submitted at any time during the school year. All information submitted to the school is kept confidential. Since meal transactions are computerized, there is no discrimination or identification of free or reduced paying students, so all families are urged to consider this program.
For questions or assistance, please reach out to:
Mrs. Shannon Stone - Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services
StonSh@centennialsd.org 215-441-6000 x11015
2 Hour Delay Teacher In-Service ~ Students start at 10:45 AM
- Students in Cohort A will report to their bus stop 2 hours later than normal.
- School doors open at 10:25 AM.
- School starts for ALL students at 10:45 AM.
Monday, Feb 8, 2021, 10:45 AM
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Random Acts of Kindness Week
Sunday, Feb 14, 2021, 09:00 AM
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All Schools and Offices Closed - Presidents Day Holiday
Monday, Feb 15, 2021, 08:30 AM
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Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser Event
Monday, Feb 15, 2021, 11:00 AM
1661 Easton Rd, Warrington, PA 18976, USA
Help the Home & School Raise Extra Funds!
Child Care Arrangement Form
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 3 days before the trip.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Perkins or Mr. Julius.
Buses and Bus Schedule Information
CENTENNIAL 2020-2021 BUS SCHEDULE INFORMATION
***You can access your child's busing information in SKYWARD
Information can also be accessed by clicking on the below link.
- Type in your address to access your child's busing information.
- Addresses with east, west, north, or south use the abbreviation E, W, N, or S with no punctuation. If that does not work, omit using it in your address.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 215-441-6000.
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