The Puma Pride
December 21, 2020
Principal's Message
Hello, Willow Dale Families,
This week marks the last week before Winter break. Our goal is to maintain as many of the Willow Dale holiday traditions as much as possible, especially during this unusual year. Take a minute to check out the classroom happenings throughout the newsletter.
Tuesday, December 22nd, is a half-day early dismissal, as well as Pajama Day. Students and staff are invited to wear their favorite pajamas to school, whether in-person or virtual. We ask for safety reasons that in-person students wear sneakers or other appropriate footwear to school before changing into slippers. Classrooms will have the opportunity for a brief virtual Santa Claus visit throughout the morning. Homeroom teachers will provide the Google Meet link and schedule. The day will conclude with the annual holiday sing-along, which will be shared in every classroom. All students will be dismissed, beginning at 11:45 am.
On January 4, 2021, the Centennial School District will be returning to our hybrid schedule model. Please take a moment to review your child’s Skyward profile designation (Hybrid A, Hybrid B, or Virtual). Should you choose to request a change to your child’s designation, please contact your child’s teacher or the main office by December 23, 2020.
Look for the next newsletter updates on Monday, January 4.
As the holiday season quickly approaches, I wish all of you the gift of health, happiness, and time with family this holiday season. I am thankful and blessed to work with dedicated educators, supportive parents, and community members, especially our talented students. Each of you is instrumental in making Willow Dale Elementary School such a wonderful place to learn and grow. To all of our families--Please take time to unplug, rejuvenate, and rest over the break. Stay safe and well.
With best wishes for the happiest of holiday seasons,
~Dr. Perkins & Mr. Julius
Phone: 215-441-6093
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowDaleEl
Twitter: @Willow_Dale_ES
Snow Time Fun
Kindergarten Has Been Busy!
In October we had a ball,
The leaves on the branches started to fall,
We found autumn colors and made this tree,
And now we’re sharing it with you to see!
Even though there was a lot of work to get done,
In November we had so much fun,
We went on a scavenger hunt to find leaves, sticks, bugs, and more,
And we even wrote what we are thankful for!
Now it is December and the holidays are upon us,
We now know lots of shapes like square, circle, and rhombus,
We are continuing to practice writing our names just like this,
We wrote them in a holiday card for a teacher that we really miss!
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!
What's Happening in Music
NEWS FROM ROOM 15......MUSIC!
It goes without saying, this has been a challenging year for all of us.
Teaching virtual, to hybrid, then back to virtual has been difficult.
However, your children continue to amaze me with their love of
Music.
So how do you teach music with limited resources? Our lessons so far
have consisted of steady beat and rhythm. Loudness and softness in
music. Studying composers and their famous works. Pitch and
melody. Instruments of the Orchestra. We even do a book about
music every Wednesday. I always love to hear the students when they
log on, “Yah! It’s book day!” All the basic concepts of how to
understand and appreciate music are being covered.
We have done many play-alongs and movement activities for the
students at home and in school. Every now and then, we have to be
creative using pencils, cups, anything around the house that can be
used as instruments.
Hopefully, things will get back to normal so all students can be in
school and we can sing together and play together again to make
beautiful music.
Below are some pictures of the students moving and playing
instruments during our hybrid time. Thank you for your help and
support. I hope to see everyone soon!
Mr. Frank Bauerle
News from Mr. Regosch
Band and Orchestra
The days of piling into the band room for a rehearsal or a lesson are on hold right now. That leaves many people wondering...what do band and orchestra look like this year?
Instead of learning in small groups in person, students meet me one-on-one for virtual lessons each week. Just like lessons in a normal school year, we are trying to move through our lesson book and learn as many new things as possible. Thank you all so much for (virtually) letting me into your homes. It’s been a joy getting to know your children better. Right now, students are working on a few winter tunes. If things come together, maybe we can show everybody what we’ve been up to! Fingers crossed!
Is your 4th or 5th-grade student interested in playing an instrument?
If you are not currently playing an instrument, it’s not too late to join up. The remaining Fourth and Fifth-grade students will receive information in the new year on a special winter/spring instrument opportunity. Be on the lookout!
Right now, the band and orchestra program is very different. But, we’re working hard and learning, and eventually, we'll be back to where we once were.
Musically,
Mr. Regosch
Mrs. Crawford's Class Sharing Some Gingerbread Activity Fun
Run, run, as fast as you can! You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!
Our third graders constructed houses and built bridges over the water to help the gingerbread man escape from the hungry fox.
5 ways to reduce COVID holiday disappointment for kids
Family Reading and Writing Ideas for the Winter Holidays
Family Reading and Writing Ideas for the Winter Holidays
Winter break means a well-deserved reprieve from homework and daily obligations. But before you know it, the holidays will be over and it will be back to the bus stop. To prepare for a smooth re-entry and a successful second semester, don't let school skills like reading, writing, and math slide completely during winter vacation. Try these family-friendly activities to keep skills sharp:
Read for pleasure. Whether your child is in the mood for holiday stories like The Night Before Christmas or the newest installment from his favorite series, winter break provides the perfect opportunity to stash schoolbooks and read for fun. Encourage relatives to give books as holiday gifts or gather in front of the fire (big kids too!) to take turns reading from classic tales.
Cook up an easy lesson. Invite your child into the kitchen to help you whip up a special dish — from Christmas cookies to potato pancakes. All of those half-tablespoon and quarter-cup measurements are great practice with fractions.
Write thank-you notes. Penning notes of appreciation to gift-givers teaches gratitude and helps polish writing and spelling skills. One final tip: a mug of hot cocoa can make this task feel more festive!
Make the most of car rides. Turn the drive to or from a holiday get-together into an opportunity to practice letters and numbers. You can look for license plates from different states, try to find the alphabet on the license plates, or count the number of red (or white or green) cars you see.
Maintain reasonable bedtimes. With no school to get up for in the morning, it can be tempting to let kids become night owls. A few days before school starts up again, ease back into the regular bedtime schedule so your child can start the year bright-eyed.
Have a family game night. Chances are many of your family's favorite board and card games reinforce skills such as counting, reading, and drawing. Gather the group to play games you usually don't have time for on school nights.
Below are some great electronic sites or apps that will reinforce what’s being instructed on in school. Your child’s teacher can supply you with passwords for any site that requires a login and password and he/she can’t remember!
- Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org
- Lexia www.lexiacore5.com
- RAZ kids (for K-2) www.kidsa-z.com (see teacher for login information)
- ST Math (‘Gigi’) (for K-1) www.stmath.com
- Epic www.getepic.com
- Starfall www.starfall.com
- ABCya www.abcya.com
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
How Can I Keep My Kids Motivated and On-Task While They’re Distance Learning?
Resources for Families
https://www.education.pa.gov/about/Resources/ResourcesFamilies/Pages/default.aspx
Weekly Virtual Schedules
Counselors' Corner
With the holidays right around the corner, here are some ways to reduce holiday stress.
The holidays are a time of great joy and excitement for children and their families. But they can also sometimes bring with them the added stress of trying to deliver the best holiday celebration ever. Children's Hospital Boston psychiatrist Stuart Goldman, MD, offers the following tips and advice to help children and parents enjoy healthy, happy holidays.
School Vacation
Add a little structure to your child's school vacation. Plan activities, such as playing board games, going to the movies or sledding outside. Consider scheduling activities the whole family can participate in together.
Get Outdoors
Keep children active. The winter brings less daylight, which can lead to more inside time and less physical activity. Try to get outdoors, even if only for a little while.
Bedtime
Make sure children get plenty of sleep. Holiday time often begets later bedtimes. Make sure you get your child gets back on his regular sleep schedule before going back to school.
Talk
Be mindful of past events, like the death of a loved one or a divorce in the family, that may resurface around the holidays. Address these changes in advance, explaining that the holidays will be different and that it's okay to express feelings about it.
Information is taken from: http://www.childrenshospital.org/patientsfamilies
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s counselor.
- Mrs. LaRose - Grades 1, 3, 5
- laroka@centennialsd.org
- X 17031
- Mrs. Zemitis - Grades K, 2, 4
- zemile@centennialsd.org
- X 17030
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.
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.
Early Dismissal
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2020, 08:45 AM
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Winter Break
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Schools Resume - Hybrid
Cohort B attends on January 7 & 8
All students virtual on Wednesday, January 6
Monday, Jan 4, 2021, 08:45 AM
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Home and School Meeting
Monday, Jan 11, 2021, 06:15 PM
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Help the Home & School Raise Extra Funds!
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.
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.
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