The Puma Pride
September 24, 2018
Message from the Principal
Happy Fall! Mr. Julius and I enjoyed seeing so many families at the Family Picnic on Friday. 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.
On Thursday, 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!
Included in the newsletter this week is a reminder about parent drop-off. Please take a minute to review the procedures so that we can ensure that everyone arrives to school safe and on time.
Have a great week!
Mrs. Perkins
Parent Drop-Off Procedures
The safety of your children and all of our students is our number one priority. We have established a number of procedures to keep all of Willow Dale’s students and staff safe as well as providing a smooth transition from your car to our care. Please review the procedures below to ensure a prompt and secure drop-off.
Drop-off
- Drop off time is from 8:25 to 8:45 am.
- The traffic pattern is a one-way system throughout the parking lot of Willow Dale. All cars are to enter via the entrance closest to Street Road.
- Please follow the arrows upon entrance onto the Willow Dale campus. The traffic pattern follows around the parking lot (on the loading dock side of the building, nearest Norristown/Street Roads), and winds around to the front of the building. Please follow the one-way arrows in the parking lot to ensure student safety. Do not cut across lanes for the sake of ease. This is a safety hazard, and we value the safety of our students and staff.
- Pull up valet style so that upwards of 4 vehicles at a time may unload. There is personnel on duty to help direct traffic and to ensure the safety of our students as they are dropped off.
- Enter the drop off area at the white doors (main lobby entrance) in the front of the building.
- Students should be ready to exit vehicles immediately and only from the driver side of the vehicle.
- Do not exit your car as this causes traffic to back up along Norristown Road.
- Parents wishing to assist their children or say goodbye should park in the designated parking area and escort their child safely to the main entrance.
- All cars will exit onto Norristown Road from the intersection nearest the Willow tree.
- Cars will then continue forward and turn RIGHT to arrive at the stop sign for Norristown Road. There are two lanes: Left turn only and right turn only.
We thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that morning drop-off runs smooth and is safe for all.
Willow Dale Library
Library Classes
Grades K-2 have one 45-minute library class every 6 days. Students typically participate in read-aloud storytimes that introduce them to fiction/nonfiction, literary genres, authors, book parts, and basic knowledge of library organization. During book selection time, students are guided in their choices of appropriate books depending on their interest and reading levels. Grade 2 receives additional instruction in introductory research and reference skills. Grades 3, 4, and 5 meet once every 6 days for 45-minute library classes that build on all the previous skills in order to develop independent and critical readers and users of information resources. At all grade levels, the teachers and teacher-librarian reinforce appropriate reading strategies and encourage self-selection of library materials.
MakerSpace
The Willow Dale MakerSpace is housed in the library and is an extension of library and classroom activities. All classes will spend time exploring, being creative, building, and challenging themselves throughout the year. The MakerSpace welcomes donations of the following:
- Clorox wipes
- Toothpicks
- Straws
- Rubber bands
- Aluminum foil
- Egg cartons
- Popsicle sticks
- Paper towel rolls
Summer Reading
Summer reading challenge forms are due by October 1. All students who participate will be entered in a prize drawing. Follow the link for more information.
Volunteers
Our library could not operate without the help of our parent and community volunteers who assist with the daily tasks of book check-in and check-out, shelving, assisting students in their searches for books, and general maintenance of the library collection. Many of our volunteers also help with the annual book fair. Volunteers usually work one morning or afternoon a week or every other week -- we will work with your schedule! All volunteers must have the required clearances before their first shift in the library. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jen Taylor at taylje@centennialsd.org.
Save the Date:
Willow Dale’s annual Book Fair will be held in the library NOVEMBER 12-19. This year, we will be showcasing books from The Doylestown Bookshop.
Parents are welcome all week long from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, and at our special Family Shopping Night on Thursday, November 15, from 4:30-7:00 PM.
Thank you for your continued support of the Willow Dale Library,
Lauren Zucker
@zuckerlauren
Meet the Willow Dale Elementary School Reading Specialists
Ms. Dougherty
I have worked in the Centennial School District for 22 Years. I’ve taught first, fourth, and fifth grade. For the last 16 years, I have had the pleasure of working as a Reading Specialist at Willow Dale Elementary School. I enjoy working with the students and helping them become wonderful readers.
Ms. Kremer
Hi! My name is Dawn Kremer and I am one of the Reading Specialists at Willow Dale. This is my 22nd year teaching and my 17th year as a reading specialist. I’ve worked at Willow Dale since 2010 and before that at Klinger.
I have a Bachelor’s degree from Chestnut Hill College in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and certified to teach in the classroom from preschool through grade 6. I studied Montessori Education for 6 years through Princeton Montessori and hold 3 certifications in ages 3-6, 6-9, & 9-12. My Master’s Degree is from Holy Family University as a Reading Specialist for grades K through 12. I have also studied Curriculum and Development at the graduate level at Temple University.
When not at Willow Dale I am busy with my family. This summer I celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary! I have 3 children; a son in 4th grade, a daughter in 6th grade, and a daughter in 9th grade. My son enjoys fencing, my younger daughter loves art, and my oldest daughter is a figure skater. We also have a golden retriever who loves to chase our 2 cats!
Joe Corbi's Fundraiser
- Kick-off during lunches on September 28
- Orders due by October 5
- Deliveries on November 5 (must pick up after school)