Willow Grove Elementary Connect Ed
Week of September 11th, 2023
Week of September 11th, 2023
School Site Council Parent Rep Needed
We are in need of 1 parent/community member to join our School Site Council Voting Members.
School Site Council is the school governance body, which reviews school-wide data, develops a school plan, and allocates supplemental school funds in ways that further the goals articulated in the plan. The governance body consists of the site principal, school staff members, and parents/community members.
- Meetings will be held monthly throughout the school year via Zoom and/or in person.
- Meetings will be held in the evenings.
Names submitted will be placed on a ballot should it exceed the number of slots open.
Deadline for submission is Friday, September 15th at 10 a.m.
Please contact the Principal, Katie Lynn, with any questions.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING REMINDER
Just a reminder to abide by the parking signs on the public streets. Please do not to park along the south side of Via Azul. There is a sign that specifically says “no parking during school hours”. Cars parked on the street are causing a safety hazard as cars are veering into traffic. Thank you for your help in supporting safety during drop-off and pick-up.
More Than a Meal Application
Although all students now receive school breakfast and lunch at no charge, families are still encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application.
Please complete either an online application or a paper "Free and Reduced Meal Price Application Form." The paper forms can be obtained from and returned (completed) to any school office.
Our Online Meal Application Process is FAST, SAFE, SECURE, PRIVATE and AVAILABLE anytime, anywhere, and is the preferred method.
You will be notified by mail of your child's eligibility.
Please complete only one application (online OR paper) per family. The information you give will be used to determine your child's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals.
STUDENT COUNCIL IS BACK!
We are looking for Student Council Representatives! If you are in 4th or 5th grade, you can apply to be a Representative for our Student Council. Students who apply for this role should be leaders who demonstrate the three Grizzly Ground Rules. Applications are due to students' classroom teachers no later than Tuesday, September 12th.
OCOTBER PARENT EDUCATION COURSES
- Talking and Listening to Your Kids – 6th -12th Grade NEW
- Early Childhood Development: Shaping the Mindset TK-3rd Grade NEW
- Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK-5th Grade
- Using your Strengths to Navigate Life Storms – All Grades NEW
- Help Your Teen Manage Stress and Anxiety – 6th-12th Grade NEW
- Developing an Effective Individualized Education Program – All Grades
- Empowering Parents with Consequences that Work – TK-5th Grade NEW
POSITIVITY PROJECT
This week our school community will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Identifying and Appreciating the Good in Others. It’s important to deliberately work to identify and appreciate others’ character strengths.
Identifying and appreciating the good in others is a core tenet of the Other People Mindset. This isn’t always what comes naturally. Often, it’s easier to blame others for our problems or find flaws in others to use as excuses for our own jealousy, bitterness, or resentment. The problem is that this negativity usually leads to problems -- for ourselves, for the other person, and for our relationships.
Identifying and appreciating the good in other people helps you see the world through a more positive -- and less threatening -- lens. If you’re constantly seeing the negative traits of people, you’re going to think the world is comprised of bad people -- and you’re going to operate from a defensive posture. This isn’t to say that we should be naive or see the world, and its people, through “rose-colored glasses.” It’s just that we should strive to understand people’s intent. If you see the good in another, they are likely to see the good in you.
UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL GROWTH DAYS
Just a reminder that Monday, September 18th, is a District Professional Growth Day. It is a non-student day at school. Teachers will be engaged in professional learning around our new math curriculum.
Tuesday, September 19th is also a site-based professional growth day. All students in TK-5 will be dismissed from school at 12:45 p.m.
New Staff Spotlight- Maiko Agawa
News from PTA
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON ON SEPTEMBER 20th
The PTA is sponsoring a lunch for our teachers on September 20th. In line with this year's theme of "Together We Grow", we'd like to host an Unbe-LEAF-able themed lunch to support our faculty this fall.
These lunches are a special way to thank our teachers and staff for everything they do. Please consider volunteering, donating towards their meal, or sign up to bring needed items below.
When we welcomed back our teachers on August 15th, we treated the staff to a delicious Mexican Food lunch to show our appreciation for all the hard work Willow Grove Elementary puts in.
Your Staff Luncheon Chair,
Hannah Morris
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE – MOVIE NIGHT!
RUNNING CLUB STARTS OCT. 5TH
Exciting news! Willow Grove Running Club, an amazing opportunity for all grade level students to stay active, have fun, and build sportsmanship, starts on October 5th.
Proudly brought to you by the Willow Grove PTA in collaboration with the PUSD.
New feature this year: QR Cards!
Parents please show your encouragement. Sign Up Now!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094DAFAB2EABF85-wges#/
Join us in making this year's Running Club an incredible journey of health, teamwork, and achievement!
For more details contact Running Club Chair, Roopa Raghav at: tl.roopavathy@googlemail.com
COME JOIN THE PTA!
Anyone who wants to make a difference in the lives of Willow Grove students can join the PTA! This includes parents, grandparents, educators, students and friends. There is no commitment to volunteer when you join the PTA, although your time and talent is always welcome! Individual memberships start at only $20 each. With your help, this year promises to be full of exciting adventures for our Grizzlies.
WHY JOIN THE PTA?
Your PTA Membership and donations:
Help create a community and connect students and families together through a variety of ways including: fun events such as Movie Night, Grizzlies Got Talent Show, Cultural Night, STEM Night and College Field Day. Supporting teachers. Replacing playground equipment. Green folders, classroom and workroom supplies, and much, much, more!
News from the Willow Grove Educational Foundation
GRIZZLY GROWTH FUND CAMPAIGN – HELP US GROW!
The Willow Grove Educational Foundation is raising critical funds to continue our school's dedicated enrichment opportunities. Did you know your donations directly fund- an art program, P.E. instruction, impact and enrichment teachers, kindergarten aides, a music program, teacher stipends, library development, continued staff education, technology, instructional programs -- and NEW this year The Grizzly Gazette Newspaper, Odyssey of the Mind and math olympiad! Your tax-deductible gift of $375 per enrolled child helps meet our goal of "90 Days to $90k!" You can donate and learn more at www.willowgrovefoundation.org.
WHO WANTS TO WIN AN ICE CREAM PARTY?! The classroom with the highest GGF donations in the months of September, October, November & December, will be the winners of the GGF G.O.A.T. Award (Grizzly Growth Fund Greatest Of All Time) and have their own hosted ice cream party!! Be the parent of the year and help them win this fun prize by making your donation early. Corporate matches count towards the classroom total!
CONGRATS to our August class winner- MRS. INGLE’S CLASS!!
Thank you for your generous support of our school programs!
SHOP AND DINE FOR WILLOW GROVE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14!
Please join us this THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th for a Shop & Dine event at the Del Mar Highlands Town Center. Participating partners will donate 15-20% of sales back to the Willow Grove Educational Foundation. Need some new workout gear, stop by Vuori! Pick up something nice at Rumeur or Pretty Please! Save time and grab dinner from Sweetgreen. Don’t forget about a yummy dessert from Handel’s! Need a birthday gift? Geppetto’s can check off your list! Join us in shopping at these locations and more! Hope to see you there!
GOLF REGISTRATION KICK OFF
Our 14th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023 @ the Santaluz Club. We will have a shotgun start, dinner, raffle, auction, dancing and so much more!
Registration kicks off TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH! So stay tuned for more details!
Interested in being a sponsor? Please contact MelissaStark00@gmail.com
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND is coming to Willow Grove!
Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem solving program that teachers young people valuable skills today that empower them to become successful innovators, leaders and superstars of tomorrow! Want to learn more about this Foundation funded program, join a team or be a coach? Come to a student/parent info meeting- September 14th 6:30-7:30pm in the Multi-Purpose room. Questions? Please email Mrs. Kitchen at WillowGroveOdyssey@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE
Spring Gala- Saturday, May 5, 2023 @ Del Sur Ranch House. More details to come!
Menus
Grizzly Document Den
Show Me the Grizzlies
This week's artwork is from Avery in 3rd grade!
Ready to show the Willow Grove community your art skills? Each week a unique grizzly drawing will be featured in the ConnectEd. Simply take a picture of your child's artwork and email to jmelton@powayusd.com. Click here to view a sample video of how to draw a grizzly bear.
Principal, Willow Grove Elementary School
14727 Via Azul, San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 674-6300
https://willowgrove.powayusd.com/
Instagram:@willowgrovegrizzlies