The Puma Pride
November 15
Principal's Message
Hello, Willow Dale Families!
The first trimester of the school year is coming to a close on December 2, 2021. This coming week we will celebrate American Education Week and all of the dedicated staff at Willow Dale. Look for information coming home from your child’s teacher about a family Gratitude Scavenger Hunt activity during the week. Please share your pictures using the link below. The Counselors are holding a virtual session for parents this week. More details can be found in the newsletter.
Teachers emailed information about signing up for Parent-teacher conferences that begin on Tuesday, November 23 from 12:30 PM until 8:00 PM. November 23 is a half-day for students, and on Wednesday, November 24, parent conferences are scheduled from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM -school is closed for students. Confirmation emails with the link to your virtual conference will be sent by Friday, November 19. If you have not scheduled a conference and wish to do so, please contact your child’s teacher.
During this Thanksgiving season, our students have been reflecting on what they are thankful for. I want to take this opportunity to share the many things I am thankful for as the principal of Willow Dale Elementary. I am grateful for our wonderful students who come to school every day, ready to learn. I am thankful for the support of the parents in creating an outstanding partnership for our students. I am thankful for the teachers, Instructional and Personal Care Aides, bus drivers, secretaries, nurses, lunchroom/cafeteria monitors, building custodians, support staff, counselors, psychologists, and administrators who are dedicated to increasing student achievement and have the best interests of our students at heart. I am thankful for our Home & School parents who selflessly give up their time to provide outstanding opportunities for our students. I am also thankful for our volunteers who enthusiastically contribute so much to our school. We are fortunate to have a cohesive team that is dedicated to our students, families, and the entire Willow Dale community.
On behalf of myself, Mr. Julius, and the entire Willow Dale staff, we would like to wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy, and relaxing Thanksgiving break!
Have a PAWSome week! We look forward to seeing you virtually soon.
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
Wear Your Kindness Shirt on Monday, November 15
Happy American Education Week
Fabulous 4th Grade Classrooms
Math Challenge Winners - Week 3
Congratulations to all of the Willow Dale Elementary Winners and especially Mrs. McGarreey's class who won the overall challenge! A special congrats to the lucky drawing winners Brayden Rogers, Liam Price, Emma Davis and Tyler Leemann.
Save the Date: Book Fair
Students will be learning about our virtual Book Fair in Library this cycle.
There will not be any books coming into the library this year. All orders may be placed online with the Doylestown BookShop from November 15th through November 19th. Families may visit doylestownbookshop.com and use code WDBF21 at check out. All orders will be delivered to Willow Dale and sent home with students.
We are also hosting an Open House at Doylestown BookShop on Thursday, November 18th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The bookstore will be closed to the general public and open to Willow Dale families. There will be mystery readers reading throughout the night and snacks will be available. We are also selling tickets for three raffle baskets containing books and Willow Dale swag.
Meet the Willow Dale School Counselors American Education Week - 2021
Have you ever thought…..How can my child see the school counselor? What types of topics does the counselor teach in the classroom or what would they talk to kids about? Who is our district social worker and what is her role?
We would LOVE to meet with you! We will be hosting a LIVE google meet during American Education week and all parents/guardians are invited to pop in and meet us!
What: Meet the counselors and listen to a short presentation about our role at Willow Dale.
When: Thursday, 11/18/21 - 12:00 - 1:00. The presentation will take place first and then the google meet will stay open until 1:00.
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/bkj-qtsv-can
Or dial: (US) +1 720-644-1708 PIN: 152 454 110#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/bkj-qtsv-can?pin=2225805940448
If you cannot make it to this session, we will share our presentation in an upcoming newsletter or you can always contact us directly.
We hope to see you then!
Mrs. LaRose and Mrs. Zemitis
Willow Dale School Counselors
Willow Dale Art Room Update
Here is an update about the Art Room from Mrs. Dow the K-5 art(ist) educator!
Hello my most amazing artists & families!
My name is Mrs. Dow. I have been the art educator here at Willow Dale for the past eight years!
This year we have been really creative using our art supplies to make incredible works of art!
With an emphasis on using a variety of materials, each student at Willow Dale will have the chance to create different works of art using different supplies like drawing, painting, printmaking, and clay materials.
The walls of Willow Dale almost look like our own little art museum. Each grade level has a display hanging up in the hallways to showcase what they have been learning. We also have one collaborative school wide mural on display where each student drew a self-portrait on a colorful sheet of paper to represent all the faces of Willow Dale. Each project takes us multiple classes of hard work using a variety of supplies and techniques! Each grade has completed a few different projects using all different mediums.
“Remember, the eARTh without ART would just be eh.”
Stay creative! - Mrs. Dow
Kindergarten: Kandinsky inspired mixed media dot paintings
1st grade: Warm & Cool Pattern Leaf drawings/paintings
2nd Grade: Painting style of Peter Max
3rd & 4th Grade: Art of Aboriginal Artists from Australia
Students looked at the art of aboriginal artists from Australia for inspiration for their dot paintings. Students demonstrated understanding of warm and cool colors for their paintings and using both traditional painting techniques and creative painting techniques to create their dots. Students demonstrated creating an interesting pattern in their backgrounds to make their work of art unique. Students used tempera paint for their paintings.
5th grade: art by Romero Britto
5th grade: Students looked at the art by Romero Britto for inspiration for their own drawing. Students chose one thing that means the most to them (food, hobby, animal, etc.) and drew that on their paper as the focal point of their artwork. Students then used their markers to create interesting patterns using good craftsmanship to fill in their papers. We looked at the color wheel and how colors across from each other (complementary colors) when put next to each other really make the colors stand out.
Working with Clay
Lifetouch Picture Retakes - November 22
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