The Puma Pride
March 9, 2020
Read Across America Week Picture Show
Fourth Grade Participates in a Global Read Aloud
This year, the entire fourth grade participated in a Global Read Aloud of the novel, Front Desk by Kelly Yang. The Global Read Aloud (GRA) provides an opportunity for students of all ages to connect with students across the globe to discuss a universal text. This year the fourth-graders used Flipgrid to discuss the novel with peers in other areas. At the end of the read aloud, students competed to determine who had the best understanding of the book. They battled it out to see who was the ultimate Kahoot champion.
And the winners are...
5th Place: Elimaris Berrios & Abigail Sullivan
4th Place: Dylan Berry, Jason Brandt
3rd Place: Gaby Palladino, Sarah Berboth, Charleen Gutierrez
2nd Place: Edwin Diaz-Fuentes & Tommy Rachlin
1st Place: Mazie Digas and Jaylin Ortiz-Villatoro
Congratulations to all of the participants, especially our top scorers!
Mr. Rokowski's Fourth Grade Classes Master Math Centers!
Mrs. Regensberger's and Mrs. DeLosAngeles' Super Scientists Experience Energy!
Energy is everywhere! While learning about energy, fourth-grade science classes were able to recognize the phenomenon of energy via firsthand experiences in physical science. Through experimentation, the lab experiment groups found that energy is present whenever there is motion, electric current, sound, light, or heat, and that energy can transfer from one place to another. Students engaged in the engineering design process while learning useful applications of electromagnetism in everyday life. They gather information about how energy and fuels are derived from natural resources, how that affects the environment and research the alternative sources of energy. Additionally, students had fun discovering energy transfer through waves (repeating patterns of motion) that results in sound and motion. Through hands-on activities using ropes, demonstrations with waves in water, spring toys, and a sound generator, the students encountered the phenomenon of waves. Check out the faces in some of the pictures below.
Science is so much fun in fourth grade!
Future Second Grade Scientists, Researchers, and Mathematicians!
Mrs. Hopkin's class practiced researching skills with their ocean animal research paper. Their favorite lesson this week was in science, where they learned about solids and liquids with hands-on activities. Students were amazed to see that Oobleck is unique because it can behave as both a solid and a liquid!
Oh, How Much the Kindergartners Have Grown!
The Role of the School Counselor
Our school counselors facilitate lessons in the classrooms to teach students a variety of topics including coping skills, conflict resolution, stress management, bullying prevention, and school behaviors. Here is Mrs. LaRose teaching some kindergarten students about the "Power to Choose". Mrs. LaRose read the students the book, What Should Danny Do? School Day by Ganit and Adir Levy and discussed making good choices. Students also completed a kid writing activity to illustrate their own power to choose. Be sure to stop by during Open House to check out their work!
MARCH MADNESS
Congratulations to our grades 4 & 5 winners. The final four teams, two for the girls and two for the boys will compete in the Willow Dale Championship Game on March 19 at 2:15 pm in front of their families and classmates. Good luck to everyone!!
Puma Cafe Winners
These PAWSome students enjoyed lunch with three friends at the Puma Cafe Winners on March 6. Keep up the PAWSome behavior!
Aubrey Burgy (K) Monaghan
Andrew Amato (1) Piazza
Maddie Miller (2) Davis, P
Jonah Campman (3) Kerber
Kamryn Wiedrich-Tidwell (4) Kohler
Ethan Campman (5) DeFortuna
Don't Miss Out on Participating in the Willow Dale First Annual Color Run/Walk!
Free Workshops for Families
Nominate A Teacher!
Prior to the 7:05 p.m. Phillies game on May 1, the top 10 All-Stars will be honored on-field during a pregame ceremony. The 10 All-Stars and 10 Honorable Mentions will also be acknowledged that night during a pregame Tent Party.
In order to nominate a teacher, please click on the link below to fill out the form. Essays should be 500 words or less. Please direct any questions via e-mail to community@phillies.com. See Official Rules for complete details. Enter by 4:59 p.m. ET on March 13, 2020.
Website: https://www.mlb.com/phillies/community/all-star-teachers-contest
Science Day
Mark your calendars, Science Day will be held on May 27th in partnership with the National Energy Education Development and PECO, Willow Dale will enjoy an Energy Carnival! Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade will be encouraged to create and display a science fair project at this all-day event. For an event of this magnitude, we are looking for sponsors and demonstrators. If you know any who would be willing to help, please forward that information to Mr. Scancella. More information will come soon so be on the lookout! Please contact Mr. Scancella with any questions scanmi@centennialsd.org.
March Rotation Calendar
2020 PSSA Dates (Grades 3-5)
All elementary schools will administer the PSSA on the following schedule. More information will be forthcoming.
· English and Language Arts--April 20, 21, & 22
· Math--April 23 & April 24
· Science (Grade 4 Only)--April 27
Make-up Testing Windows
· ELA, Math, Science-Through April 30, 2020
Daylight Savings Time - Spring Ahead 1 Hour
Sunday, Mar 8, 2020, 03:00 AM
Pennsylvania, USA
Early Dismissal
Friday, Mar 13, 2020, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Report Cards Distributed
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2020, 03:30 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Early Dismissal
Friday, Mar 20, 2020, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Parent/Teacher Conferences (optional)
Friday, Mar 20, 2020, 12:30 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Open House/Young Authors Night
Thursday, Mar 26, 2020, 06:00 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Princess and Prince Charming Ball
Friday, Mar 27, 2020, 06:30 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Easter Meals Available for Those in Need
After School Sports Club
Attendance
Children who attend school regularly make the best academic progress, graduate, and go on to successful post-secondary education and/or careers.
Students, who arrive late (after 8:45 am), must report to the office for a late slip. Parents should accompany tardy students to the office to sign in the student.
If your child is going to be absent, please notify the school to let us know.
Attendance Reminders
While coming to school each and every day is important, it is equally important to monitor our children’s health. If a child is sick, please keep him/her home. Our teachers will work with students who have fallen ill to make sure they do not fall behind in the classroom.
If your child is absent from school and your child's attendance has not been updated in the system prior to 11:00 a.m. on the day of the absence, you will be notified via a voice message that will come to the primary phone number listed in Skyward. In addition, an email will be sent to the first email address listed in Skyward. Please be sure that your phone number and email address is updated in Skyward. If an automated call is made, and you believe it to be in error, please call the main office of the school. Automated calls and emails may still occur even if you’ve contacted the school regarding the absence. Absence notes will still be required within 3 days of the absence. According to policy, if a note is not received by the third day, the absence is deemed an unexcused/illegal absence. You can send a written note in with your child on the day that he or she returns to school. You can also email the excuse note.
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.
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 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.
Email: WDAttendance@centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-441-6093
From the Nurse's Office
The flu season is upon us! Please consider having your child receive the flu vaccine. Check with his or her pediatrician regarding receiving a flu shot. Your child’s physician will be able to guide you in making the best decision. Also, you may always contact the Bucks County Department of Health for more information on flu shot clinics throughout the year at (215) 345-3318.
Remember, GOOD HANDWASHING is key to preventing the spread of germs. Remind your children to wash their hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, washing the front and back of their hands, between their fingers, and under their fingernails, with a good amount of friction. Make it fun for them and sing songs to make sure they are doing a good job! Encourage them to try not to touch their faces, especially their eyes, nose, and mouth unless their hands are clean. Stress the importance of this to your children in order to keep them healthy and able to learn!
The Willow Dale Nurse’s office does not keep cold and cough medicine in stock. If your child requires over the counter medicine, we advise they take it prior to the school day. Please be careful when administering any medication that may make your child drowsy.
If your child is having any fever or vomiting, they should stay home until medication-free/ fever/symptom-free for 24 hours. We are trying to keep all of our students happy and healthy during this time of year!
For more information, check out the Health Services website.
Please do not hesitate to call the nurse’s office for questions or concerns.
Mrs. Salita, RN, BSN, CSN
Mrs. Kleinschmidt, RN, BSN
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!
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 two (2) weeks before the trip.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Perkins or Mr. Julius.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Visitors to the school must enter the school’s front foyer (white doors) and ring the bell, located next to the door that leads to the main office. Once buzzed in, our fantastic staff will be happy to serve you!
- Visitors must obtain a visitor’s pass from the main office.
- All visitors to the building will have his/her photo identification card scanned through the Raptor system to ensure everyone’s safety. Please make sure you have your driver's license or state photo ID card available upon entrance. The system was upgraded this year, therefore ALL visitors must present their driver's license when they enter the building.
- Visitors or parents may be escorted to their room where their business or volunteer work is being conducted.
- Students are requested not to bring guests to school unless permission is granted in advance by the principal.
- Forgotten books, lunch money, lunches, etc. should be left in the office. We will see that they are delivered to the student.
- If a parent or designated adult is picking a student up from school early, photo identification is required to release the student.
Thank you very much for helping us maintain a safe school for our students and staff!
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.
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