The Puma Pride
Week of April 15, 2019
Message from the Principal
Hello Willow Dale Families!
What an amazing week of learning!
The week started with our third graders learning about the life cycle in science. Through a partnership with Penn State, our teachers bring this science unit to life with the embryology project. Every third-grade classroom housed an incubator with eggs. Acting as scientists, the students made observations, collected data, and were able to experience firsthand the hatching of chicks. Many of the students were sad to see the chicks return to the farm on Friday. Pictures can be found in the video below.
On Thursday evening, it was wonderful to see so many of our students and their families at Willow Dale for Open House and Young Authors Night. The students proudly shared their art and literary works in their classrooms and during our Open Mic in the Library. The participants also had the opportunity to meet a young published author who shared his journey to becoming a published author. Aidan Barrett shared tips on how to start writing a book and the process for publishing it. Pictures captured throughout the evening can be found below.
Our fifth-grade class enjoyed a fun-filled trip, bursting with history as they traveled to Philadelphia by train, toured the Museum of the American Revolution, and visited other historical sites in Philadelphia. Thank you to our fifth-grade teachers and parents for coordinating and chaperoning this valuable experience for our students.
The first Family Paint Night on Friday, April 12 was a huge success. All of our budding artists left with a beautiful masterpiece. Thank you to our School-wide Positive Behavior, Intervention, and Support team for planning this event. A great time was had by all those in attendance. It was so much fun! Plan are in place to host another painting event next year. Pictures can be seen below.
As a reminder, Thursday, April 17 will be a snow make-up day, with school in session. Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 22 are school holidays. Due to the holiday, the next newsletter will be sent the week of April 28. (No newsletter on April 21).
PSSA testing will begin on April 23 for our students in grades 3-5. An e-alert will be sent at the end of this week and on April 22 to the parents of the students participating.
On behalf of the faculty and administration, we would like to wish all of our families a relaxing spring break. Happy Easter and Happy Passover to those who celebrate.
Have a great week!
Cathy Perkins
2019 PSSA Dates
All elementary schools will administer the PSSA on the following schedule.
- English and Language Arts--April 23 to April 25, 2019
- Math--April 29 & April 30, 2019
- Science (Grade 4 Only)--May 1, 2019
Make-up Testing Windows
- ELA, Math, Science-Through May 3, 2019
- Maintain a pleasant home environment and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Try to make the morning(s) of the test pleasant ones. Do not add to your child's stress.
- Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep before each day of testing, and make sure your child eats properly each day of the test.
- Send your child to school each day of the test with a water bottle.
- Make sure your child has taken any needed medication.
- Ensure that your child is present during testing.
- Get your child to school on time each day of the test.
- If your child is too ill to attend, please call the school office.
- Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions and each question carefully. Remind them to ask questions about anything that is not clear.
- Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blank.
- Encourage your child to do his/her best! They have worked hard all year.
The teachers have been preparing the students for a stress-free testing experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher.
Week of April 8, 2019- Pictures
Fifth-Grade Visits Philadelphia
Willow Dale Fifth-grade Students Perform in Bye, Bye, Birdie at William Tennent High School
Second-Grade Classroom Guidance Lessons
Bullying Prevention
Ms. Hopkins, school counselor, visited the 2nd-grade classrooms to teach a series of four lessons for Bullying Prevention. In the first lesson, they discussed the difference between rude, mean and bullying behavior. They also role-played strategies for dealing with mean or bullying behaviors.
The students read several books on the topic. After The Invisible Boy was read, the groups talked about feeling excluded or left out and how we can be kind by making sure we include others. The book, My Secret Bully, taught the students that friendship power should be equal.
The students discussed the terms Bully, Target, Bystander, and Upstander. Upstanders do something to help by supporting the target, standing up for the target with words, and reporting the bullying to an adult. The beautiful book, Bird Child, had examples of all three ways to be an upstander!
Lost and Found
Are You in Need of an Easter Meal?
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.
Thank you!
Email: WDAttendance@centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-441-6093
Bus Change Request Procedures
If on a single occasion, your child must ride a different bus at dismissal due to an emergency/childcare purposes, the following must be done to facilitate the change:
- Requesting parent must send written notice (email or note) to the student’s teacher with the following information:
- Identify the bus (by number) in which the student will need to ride that day
- The reason for the request
- Name and address of the childcare provider
The childcare provider/parent must also send written notice to the student’s teacher advising of the childcare arrangement for that day.
The notes will be reviewed and signed by the principal and forwarded to Transportation to put the temporary bus change in effect.
Childcare Arrangements forms are only required for the following needs:
Any ongoing childcare needs that follow a specific schedule
Late arrival and early dismissal arrangements
Thank you for your continued support in following these procedures!
All Schools and Offices Closed
Friday, Apr 19, 2019, 08:30 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
All Schools and Offices Closed
Monday, Apr 22, 2019, 08:30 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Teacher Appreciation Day
Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
APRIL ROTATION CALENDAR
MAY ROTATION CALENDAR
Willow Dale Elementary School
#Puma Pride
Email: perkca@centennialsd.org
Website: https://www.centennialsd.org/Domain/692
Location: 720 North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Phone: 215-441-6093
Twitter: @Willow_Dale_ES