Happy New Year! As we move into the new year, we continue our work to support students’ academic success. This work is a partnership with parents, families, students, staff and the community. Our kids are amazing and it warms our school and our hearts this January to see our students’ smiling faces return from winter break.

The weather this time of year can be unpredictable. Please make sure students are coming to school with a warm coat for arrival and recess. We want our young learners outside as much as possible for recess so having the right clothes makes a difference. Please remember, our doors open for students at 9:00am Tuesday through Friday and at 10:00am on Mondays.

Attendance continues to be a high priority. Even when students arrive a few minutes late or leave early their learning is impacted. Ways you can continue to support these efforts include daily routines with wakeup and bedtime, and avoiding early pick-ups. Your children are incredible, and we want every minute from 9:25am to 3:55pm supporting their learning and doing our very best. We want each student proficient in reading, writing and math so their future is boundless and every child that wants to pursue college in their future has the skills to do so if they choose.

A family's plan for individual student dismissal may change on occasion. If your student’s typical plan for dismissal changes, please contact our office at (253) 931-4717 by or before 3:15pm. We will always support communicated changes; contacting the office by 3:15pm help ensure the office staff can connect with classroom teachers.

Thank you.

Lenny Holloman

At Willow Crest, we frequently remind students about our overarching behavior expectations to be respectful, be responsible, be safe, and be empathetic. We refer to these expectations as “the 4 Bs.” We teach students to behave in ways that develop good character and make school a positive experience for everyone. The 4 Bs are highlighted in our student handbook with the following definitions:

• Be Respectful: Treat others the way they want to be treated
• Be Responsible: Do what is right, even when no one is looking
• Be Safe: Choose what is best for myself and others around me
• Be Empathetic: Understand what someone else is feeling

These are important qualities, and we encourage you to have conversations with your children about them.

Highly Capable Programs

Referrals open January 9 through February 17, 2023

The Auburn School District is now accepting referrals for the 2023-2024 Highly Capable Program, a program that serves exceptionally intelligent, intellectually gifted students whose needs may not be easily met in the general education setting. Once a student is identified as highly capable, he/she is entitled to Highly Capable program services from the date of eligibility through graduation; annual testing is not required. Nominations close February 17, 2023.

Screening considers nominees who are currently enrolled in grades Kindergarten through eleven. Selection for highly capable programs reflects state guidelines for identifying intellectually gifted students. If you feel your child should participate in further testing, but doesn’t meet screening criteria, you may nominate your child. Nomination forms are school counseling offices and are available online by selection the For Families menu, Highly Capable, and then Highly Capable Forms.

Direct questions to your child’s school counselor or to:

Adam Ladage Director of Student Learning 8-12

aladage@auburn.wednet.edu (253) 931-4950

Submit information by text, email, phone, or online:

Phone/Text: (855) 790-9375

Email: 1258@alert1.us

Online: https://1258.alert1.us