The Puma Pride
October 19, 2020
Principal's Message
Hello, Willow Dale Families,
What an exciting week ahead! We are ecstatic to welcome our Cohort A students back to school on Thursday and Cohort B students on Friday. Cohorts and busing information will be communicated Monday, October 19. Please see the video below, as well as additional important information included in this newsletter.
Thank you to the families who responded to the Return to School survey. If you have not responded or received a phone call, please call the office and provide this information as soon as possible. This will assist us in planning for a safe return.
As always, thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office.
Have a Pawsome week!
Dr. Perkins & Mr. Julius
Phone: 215-441-6093
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowDaleEl
Twitter: @Willow_Dale_ES
Hybrid Return to School Information
Special Schedule for the Week of October 19
Buses and Bus Schedule Information
CENTENNIAL 2020-2021 BUS SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Information will be updated and available on Monday
***You can access your child's busing information in SKYWARD
Information can also be accessed by clicking on the below link.
- Type in your address to access your child's busing information.
- Addresses with east, west, north, or south use the abbreviation E, W, N, or S with no punctuation. If that does not work, omit using it in your address.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 215-441-6000.
Kindergarten Visitation (students only)
Join the Willow Dale Home & School Pumpkin Parade!
Nutrition Services Information
All Students are Eligible for a FREE Breakfast & Lunch Daily
The USDA has extended the waiver to continue feeding under the Summer Programs which entitles all children 18 and under to eat for free. These programs have been extended throughout the entire school year. Parents, please continue to apply for free and reduced programs, as this helps with other programs in the district which could benefit families with other programs not related to the district.
CSD food service will continue to feed all children during the school year for FREE under the SFSP. There is nothing further required for the student/parent part in order to receive these free meals. We would like to strongly encourage ALL students to take advantage of these free meals no matter their status of free, reduced, or full pay. ALL kids eat for free. This includes breakfast and lunch. Not only does this benefit the students, but participation will also help support the food service department during these times.
Students will not have to use the keypad for meals. CSD staff will use a generic check-off sheet to keep track of all meal counts. These sheets do not go by student names as we would do with the registers, but by meal counts.
Child Care Arrangement Form
Please email completed forms to wdattendance@centennialsd.org by Monday, October 19, if bus transportation is needed for childcare purposes. Below is a link to the form.
Coats for Kids
Reading Tips for Parents
Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy. Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant difference in helping children develop into good readers and writers.
Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on children's literacy and learning.
Invite a child to read with you every day.
When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help the child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word he or she says is the word he or she sees.
Read a child's favorite book over and over again.
Read many stories with rhyming words and lines that repeat. Invite the child to join in on these parts. Point, word by word, as he or she reads along with you.
Discuss new words. For example, "This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?"
Stop and ask about the pictures and about what is happening in the story.
Read from a variety of children's books, including fairy tales, song books, poems, and information books.
Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Children who can't read well, can't learn. Help make a difference for a child.
The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special
Designed as a co-viewing experience for children and families, the special will address racism and help children learn ways to recognize and stand up to it. It will stream on HBO Max and PBS KIDS starting tomorrow, Thursday, October 15, and debut on PBS stations the same day. The special will re-air throughout October and November on PBS stations and the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel (check local listings).
“The Power of We” features Elmo and Abby Cadabby, who are joined by 6-year-old Muppet Gabrielle and her cousin, 8-year-old Tamir, as they learn how to become “upstanders” to unfair treatment based on skin – or fur – color. Current and former Sesame Street cast members Alan, Charlie, Chris, and Gordon will also take part in the special alongside celebrity and musical guests Yara Shahidi, Christopher Jackson, and Andra Day.
We hope you will join us for “The Power of We,” which is designed for families of all shapes, sizes, and colors. To continue meaningful conversations about racism with children in your life, check out our family viewing guide at SesameStreet.org/PowerofWe.
If you have any questions about “The Power of We” or any Sesame Workshop programming, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
-Your friends at Sesame Workshop
Students and Parents- Please Check Your E-Mail Regularly
Lost & Found
In the spring, the Lost & Found was full to the brim with cold-weather items. Since we did not return to school, we decided to store the items and offer times for parents and students to come in and pick up any missing items. Please see the attached video with pictures of some of the items. If you recognize the items, you can either make an appointment to come in and check out the Lost & Found storage area or when you stop by for library book pick-up, you can check it out. The items will be located outside the main entrance of the building. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 215-441-6093.
Items that are not claimed by the Thanksgiving break will be donated.
Become a Member of the Willow Dale Home & School Association!
Fire Prevention with Hartsville Fire Company
Library Book Pick Up/Drop Off
SQUATober Challenge
Help the Home & School Raise Extra Funds!
WT Robotics Hack A Pumpkin Contest
Red Ribbon Week
Monday, October 26, 2020
“Red-y to be Drug Free”
Students and staff wear red clothes to celebrate the start of Red Ribbon Week
In Health, 5th Grade will view Natural High videos and discuss core activities in their lives that uplift, inspire, and motivate them — to find their ‘Natural High’ rather than use alcohol or drugs.
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
“Run Your Own Life…Stay Drug Free!”
Wear sneakers and running shoes
9th annual Willow Dale Red Ribbon Run - students and staff have the opportunity to participate -- details TBD!
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Team Up Against Drugs
Wear your favorite team t-shirt
Morning meeting discussion of teamwork and how together we have the power to be bully and drug-free
Thursday, October 29, 2020
I’m Drug Free Because My Future Matters!
Students dress for their future careers or wear a college shirt
Staff dress for the job they would want to have if they were not a teacher
Students complete the My Future Matters paper and have class discussions about how staying drug free can help you succeed and be all you can be.
Friday, October 30, 2020
Follow Your Dreams: Live Drug Free
Students and staff wear pajamas (please wear regular shoes if in school for safety)
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.
Instrument Upkeep Service
Counselors' Corner
Here is the link to our virtual school counseling office. Please visit us to explore some different resources and activities for kids!
Thank you!
Mrs. Zemitis - K, 2, 4
Mrs. LaRose - 1, 3, 5
Puma Ambassadors
Our Puma Ambassadors did an assignment about what the No Place for Hate promise means to them and for our school.
- Featured Videos -CSD Online Learning Resources - CSD STUDENT & FAMILY VIDEO TUTORIALS site.
- CSD Online Learning Resources
- Site contains videos and tutorials for students and families
- 1:1 Initiative Resource Center
If you have a technology issue, please submit a help desk ticket (link below) for the fastest response.
CSD Community Technology Support Desk Options for Support
- CSD Community Technology Help Desk: http://helpdesk.centennialsd.org/support/login (this option allows you to create an account, create and submit new tickets, view the status of your ticket, and leave comments on the ticket).
Willow Dale Elementary School's Technology Support Desk Contact
Please call Ms. Kwasniuk (215) 441-6000 and enter the extension 17020.
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week Activities
Monday, October 26, 2020
“Red-y to be Drug-Free”
- Students and staff wear red clothes to celebrate the start of Red Ribbon Week
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
“Run Your Own Life…Stay Drug-Free!”
- Wear sneakers and running shoes
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Team Up Against Drugs
- Wear your favorite team t-shirt
Thursday, October 29, 2020
I’m Drug-Free Because My Future Matters!
- Students dress for their future careers or wear a college shirt
Friday, October 30, 2020
Follow Your Dreams: Live Drug-Free
- Students and staff wear pajamas (please wear regular shoes if in school for safety)
Monday, Oct 26, 2020, 08:00 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School
Two-Hour Delay - Students Start Virtually at 10:45 AM
Monday, Oct 19, 2020, 10:30 AM
Virtually
Home and School Meeting
Contact the WD H&SA mailto:willowdalehsa@gmail.com
Virtual Meeting Location: https://meet.google.com/qsb-jdvw-inq
Monday, Nov 2, 2020, 06:15 PM
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Schools Closed - Teacher In-Service Day
Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Picture ReTake Day
Monday, Nov 16, 2020, 09:00 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Picture ReTake Day
Thursday, Nov 19, 2020, 09:00 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Attendance in Virtual Learning
Children who attend school regularly make the best academic progress, graduate, and go on to successful post-secondary education and/or careers.
If your child is going to be absent, please notify the school to let us know.
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
Email: WDAttendance@centennialsd.org
Phone: 215-441-6093
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.
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