The Puma Pride
October 7, 2019
A Message from the Principal
October is off to a great start! It was great to see so many families support the Chick-fil-A Spirit Night on Tuesday evening.
Congratulations to our Kindergarten and Fourth graders! They are the first two classes to win the Playground Pride Award. These students regularly exhibit a Positive attitude, Act respectfully, Work responsibly, and they make Safe choices.
Congratulations are also in order for Mrs. McGarrey's and Mrs. De Los Angeles' classes. They won the Silver Spoon Award for having PAWSOME behavior during lunchtime! These classrooms will receive a special lunch by Mr. Julius and Mrs. Perkins courtesy of our Home and School Association. Way to go PAWSome students!
Tomorrow, October 7, is picture day. Students will rotate according to grade-level and classrooms to have their pictures taken. If for some reason you do not have the picture packet, you can access the information on the LifeTouch website. See the information below.
Eliminating Bullying is a resource for parents to assist the school in combating bullying behaviors. More information can be found on the NOVA website. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or the counselor.
Thank you to all of our parents and guardians for partnering with the school, teachers, and staff to help us ensure that your child is successful in school.
Happy Yom Kippur to all of our families who are celebrating. Have a great week!
School Closed on Wednesday, October 9 for Yom Kippur
Happy Holidays to our families celebrating the holiday.
Willow Dale First and Second Graders Raise Money for the Foundation Fighting Blindness
The second-grade classrooms held a "Hat Day" on Friday, October 4. They raised $192 for the Vision Walk. Willow Dale raised over $480 to fight blindness. The teachers agreed that the students learned life lessons that go far beyond the classroom!
Check out Liam's Team Page.
Thank you to everyone involved for displaying #pumapride!
Meet the Willow Dale School Counselors
Mrs. LaRose and Mrs. Zemitis
Who are our Willow Dale School Counselors?
- Mrs. LaRose, Grades K, 2, 4
- Mrs. Zemitis (formerly Ms. Hopkins), Grades 1, 3, 5
What do School Counselors do?
We are here to help students with problems related to academics, personal/social concerns, and family problems that may be affecting them in school. We may speak to students individually or in small groups. If you have concerns about your child, feel free to contact us by phone or email. Also, please visit our websites, which can be found by finding our names on the Willow Dale website.
We also visit classrooms to teach classroom guidance lessons to help students gain an awareness of self, others, and the world around them. Here is a list of some of the topics they might learn:
Understanding and expressing feelings ~ Conflict Resolution ~ Tattling vs. Telling ~ Personal Space ~ School Behaviors ~ Coping Skills ~ Conflict Resolution ~ Bullying Prevention ~ Self-control ~ Friendship/Empathy/Respect ~
Conflict Resolution ~ Career Awareness ~ Stress/Anger Management ~ Peer Relations ~ Peer Pressure ~ Career Awareness
Group counseling is offered to provide additional services to children with common needs or concerns. Groups typically meet once per week for a few weeks during the lunch period or WIN period. Types of groups offered include:
Friendship and Social Skills~ Anger/stress Management Skills ~Understanding Feelings~Family Issues such as Separation, Divorce, Grief and Loss ~Self-control and making good choices
While we do provide counseling in groups and individually, it connects to students’ performance in school. If you feel that your child could benefit from ongoing clinical therapy, we can help connect you to outside community resources.
Meet the Willow Dale School Nurses
Our school nurse, Mrs. Salita, and our assistant, Mrs. Kleinschmidt are always available to discuss any questions you may have regarding our students’ health and wellness. Please make sure you are communicating with the nurses in the health suite should there be any change to your student’s health needs. More information regarding the medication policy, required forms, and other health-related information can be found on the Willow Dale website.
A Friendly Reminder from Your School Nurses
Helpful tips for staying healthy:
- Frequent hand washing is the BEST way to prevent the spread of germs. Wash hands often with soap and water. (Sing the Happy Birthday song twice to wash long enough)
- Cover cough and sneezes with a tissue or use an elbow if no tissue is available.
- Do not share drinks, food, or unwashed utensils.
- Get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, and drink lots of water.
- Avoid people that are sick and stay home when you are sick.
- Disinfect surfaces that are prone to germs. (ex. phones, keyboards, and doorknobs)
- Talk to your doctor about the flu shot.
Email: salime@centennialsd.org
Website: https://www.centennialsd.org/Page/4416
Phone: 215-441-6093
Mrs. Salita, RN, BSN
Mrs. Kleinschmidt, RN, BSN
**MONDAY is Willow Dale School Picture Day
Monday, Oct 7, 2019, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Joe Corbi Fundraiser Order Due October 7
Monday, Oct 7, 2019, 03:45 PM
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
Red Ribbon Week October 21st - October 25th
Red Ribbon Week – 2019
The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign® is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a DRUG - FREE AMERICA
Monday, October 21, 2019
“Red-y to be Drug Free”
● Students and staff wear red clothes to celebrate the start of Red Ribbon Week
● In Health, 5th Grade will view Natural High videos and discuss core activities in their lives that uplift, inspire, and motivate them — to find their ‘Natural High’ rather than use alcohol or drugs.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
“Run Your Own Life…Stay Drug Free!”
● Wear sneakers and running shoes
● 9th annual Willow Dale Red Ribbon Run at recess - students and staff have the opportunity to participate in a walk/run on the blacktop
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Team Up Against Drugs
● Wear your favorite team t-shirt
● Morning meeting discussion of teamwork and how together we have the power to be bully and drug-free
Thursday, October 24, 2019
I’m Drug Free Because My Future Matters!
● Students dress for their future careers or wear a college shirt
● Staff dress for the job they would want to have if they were not a teacher
● Students complete the My Future Matters paper and have class discussions about how staying drug free can help you succeed and be all you can be.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Follow Your Dreams: Live Drug Free
● Students and staff wear pajamas (please wear regular shoes to school for safety)
Monday, Oct 21, 2019, 09:00 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Box Top Contest October 21st - October 25th
Home and School is sponsoring a Box Tops Contest October 21 - 25
- Winning classroom prize is a pretzel treat!
Grown-ups please send all of the box tops that you save in with your child, so they have a chance to earn a reward!
Soft Pretzel Day - October 25th
October Rotation Calendar
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