The Puma Pride
January 20 2020
Principal's Message
I hope everyone enjoyed the Saturday snow and are staying warm! As I visited classrooms this week, students were learning about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. On Monday, January 20, the Willow Dale community will celebrate the work of Dr. King by engaging in a service project. Students, staff, and families will come together to organize donations for Cradles for Crayons. There is still room for more volunteers and donations will be accepted on Monday morning. Thank you to all those who donated to the project.
It was great seeing so many families at the Candy Bar Bingo on Friday evening. Thank you to our Home & School volunteers for running a fantastic and fun family event. Congratulations to all the winners!
The coming week will be a busy one despite only having four days of school. Our Honors Band, Orchestra, and Choral students began practicing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school at McDonald Elementary School in preparation for Fine Arts Week. Reach out to Mr. Bauerle or Mr. Regosch if you have any questions.
The Drama Club is in full swing. Participants meet on Thursdays after school to rehearse for the annual musical. This year, the students will perform Little Mermaid Jr. Stay tuned for more information coming soon. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Martin.
Enjoy the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday tomorrow and have a great week. Stay warm!
Candy Bar Bingo Pictures
What's Happening in First Grade?
First graders have started 2020 off strong! We have been focusing our efforts on strengthening our reading. We are exploring story structure, setting, characters, and plot within our Journeys stories and our independent reading. Thank you to our Mystery Readers who have been visiting our classrooms. Our 5th-grade buddies even came to help us further strengthen these skills. In writing, we are continuing to add details and focusing on conventions. We really want our writing to come alive! In math, we recently culminated our measurement and data unit with a fun gingerbread graphing activity. We are now continuing to build addition and subtraction fact fluency. In social studies, we are concentrating on good citizenship. We even earned Playground Pride and Silver Spoon for the month of December by demonstrating what it means to be a good citizen.
December Silver Spoons Winners
Counselors Corner
6 Ways to Deal with Tough Times and Help Your Kids Do the Same
from Kidlutions: Solutions for Kids by Wendy Young, LMSW
Every Day is the Best Day in the Year
We all know that life isn't perfect. There are bumps in the road on the journey of life which are unavoidable. Yet, we can do much to inoculate ourselves against difficult situations and improve our chances of moving through them with much less wear and tear. How do we best buffer those bumps? A great attitude!
Great Attitudes Matter
A great attitude makes all the difference in the world when it comes to fortifying ourselves to face adversity and have hope when things seem a bit on the dismal side. This doesn't mean people with great attitudes don't feel sadness, frustration, anger or disappointment. Far from it. They feel a full range of feelings. They just move through them, refuse to perseverate on them and figure out a way to find a positive in a negative situation. This is something that can be cultivated in ourselves and in our children. Every optimist knows that how one looks at a situation is a choice. Simple tweaks in perspective can mean the difference between having a great day and feelings "done in". Which would you prefer? Which would you prefer for your kids?
Handling Difficult Times
People who move through difficult times faster tend to:
1. Keep things in perspective. "This is NOT the end of the world."
2. Manage their emotional reaction. "I'm staying calm. I'll handle this and be through with it." Our self-talk reigns supreme when it comes to how well we manage situations, how much they impact us and how quickly we recover from setbacks.
2. Acknowledge and accept feelings. "This is frustrating. I don't like it, but I cannot change what happened."
3. Move on from feelings. "This is not going to do me in. I'm not letting this ruin my whole day."
4. Problem solve. People who handle difficult times well can generate strategies that help them solve their current dilemma, or at the very least, to determine that they have no control over the situation.
5. Element of choice. "I can choose to stew over this all day, or I can let it go. I choose to be in the best mood I can. I'm going to let this go."
6. Find the positive. "People who move forward from disappointment quicker tend to dig deep to find shreds of positivity, even in tough situations. Anyone can do this and teach their children to do the same!
Amazing things happen when we shift our thoughts, perceptions, and beliefs. The power resides within each and every one of us.
*Visit http://kidlutions.blogspot.com for more great ways to help kids cope*
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
January Rotation Calendar
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.
All Schools Closed- Martin Luther King Holiday
Monday, Jan 20, 2020, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Cradles to Crayons
Monday, Jan 20, 2020, 09:00 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
All Schools Closed - In-Service Day
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2020, 08:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
2 Hour Delay
Monday, February 3 will be a two-hour delay for students. Students should report to their bus stops two hours later than their usual time. The school will open at 10:25 AM
Monday, Feb 3, 2020, 10:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Home and School Meeting
Monday, Feb 3, 2020, 06:15 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Valentine's Classroom Event
Friday, Feb 14, 2020, 02:30 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Chuck E. Cheese's School Fundraiser
Monday, Feb 17, 2020, 09:00 PM
1661 Easton Road, Warrington, PA, USA
After School Sports Club
Cold Weather Guidelines for Recess
Cold Weather Guidelines for Recess
Below 60 degrees—Jacket or long sleeves
Below 50 degrees—Coat and long pants
Below 32 degrees—Gloves and hats to go outside
Below 20 degrees—Shortened recess (5-10 minutes)
Below 10 degrees—Indoor recess
All temperatures represent the “feels like” number. Sometimes the windchill or windspeed may necessitate an indoor recess.
*If you are in need of coats, hats, gloves- Contact the School Counselors:
Ms. Zemitis: zemile@centennialsd.org
Ms. LaRose: laroka@centennialsd.org
From the Nurse's Office
The cold weather and the start of the flu season are upon us! Please consider having your child receive the flu vaccine. Check with his or her pediatrician regarding receiving a flu shot or flu mist. 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 fever/symptom-free for 24 hours. We are trying to keep all of our students happy and healthy during this time of year!
Health screenings started in the nurse’s office last month. For elementary schools, this includes a vision exam assessing near and distance vision and height and weight checks for all grades, kindergarten through 5. Also, under the Pennsylvania state mandates, hearing screenings are performed for kindergarten through grade 3. Yearly hearing screenings are only performed for grades 4 and 5 under special circumstances or concerns regarding a child’s hearing expressed by a parent and/or teacher. If there is a concern with your child’s vision, hearing, or growth during the school health screening, a letter will be sent home to notify a parent of the concerns and to recommend follow-up with a doctor. If necessary, notification of a parent via a phone call will be made. More information about health screenings can be found at the PA Department of Health website.
Please do not hesitate to call the nurse’s office for questions or concerns.
Mrs. Salita, RN, BSN, CSN
Mrs. Kleinschmidt, RN, BSN
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
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!
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.
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