The Puma Pride
October 5, 2020
Principal's Message
Hello, Willow Dale Families,
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. We are so grateful for your support, and especially for the Willow Dale students' grit and perseverance since the beginning of the school year. This week, I visited several virtual classrooms and continue to be proud of the hard work of the teachers and the determination of the students learning in the virtual environment. Thank you to those of you reaching out to teachers, staff, and me with compliments and kind words regarding our efforts. I appreciate the calls for help, sharing of concerns, and constructive criticism. It definitely reinforces the concept of a team effort.
The highlight of Mr. Julius’ and my week was having the opportunity to see our students on the picture days and at the library book/material pickup. A big thank you to Mrs. Zucker and Mrs. Taylor for coordinating the library book pick up and drop off days. We all loved seeing the excitement each student expressed as they received their books. More information about reserving library books can be found below in the newsletter. We look forward to seeing more students this week.
NWEA MAP assessments begin this week in grades 3-5. Please refer to the letter sent via e-alert and included in the newsletter for more details. Administering this assessment virtually is new to everyone this year. We ask that students complete these assessments independently so that teachers can use the data to plan for interventions and enrichment that promote student growth. If you have any questions regarding the MAP assessments, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Have a Pawsome week!
Dr. Perkins & Mr. Julius
Phone: 215-441-6093
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowDaleEl
Twitter: @Willow_Dale_ES
October is Bullying Prevention Month
NWEA MAP Assessment Parent Information
NWEA MAP Testing Grades 3-10
With the FAll upon us, it is that time of year for our CSD MAP testing. If your student was enrolled in CSD last year, MAP testing should be familiar to them!
Please see the following letters giving an explanation and overview of MAP:
- Parent Letter NWEA MAP Assessment 2020-21 (English Ver)
- Parent Letter NWEA MAP Assessment 2020-21 (Spanish Ver)
For the most part, testing remotely using MAP Growth is similar to testing onsite at schools. Due to the fact that remote testing requires a caregiver to be involved in the process, the critical difference between the two scenarios is the communication between proctors and students. This three-way communication (student, parent, proctor) needs to be managed remotely at the school level to ensure that the test session is successful.
Teacher proctors need to be the first tier of support for students/parents. NWEA is unable to support parent questions or inquiries. The proctor/school staff may contact NWEA (for MAP Growth issues) or their standard support communication channels used through the district.
The biggest change this year will be how they log on to test, what to do if their Chromebook shuts down, or they lose connection to the Internet, and how you play a role in successful testing.
Your child’s teacher/proctor is the best person for you to contact first.
The primary purpose of MAP Growth is to figure out what students know and what they’re ready to learn next so teachers can provide the most appropriate content to help them grow. Helping your child answer questions compromises test data and makes it harder for teachers to provide personalized instruction. We recommend that you encourage your child to do their absolute best, but that you don’t provide any hints or assist them in answering questions. It’s also great to remind them that unlike some tests they have taken, every student who takes the MAP Growth test gets some answers right and some answers wrong because the test is adapting to the student and providing harder or easier questions based on their answers.
This information can be found on the CSD MAP Assessment Info page on our website.
Library Book Pick Up/Drop Off
Become a Member of the Willow Dale Home & School Association!
SQUATober Challenge
Students and Parents- Please Check Your E-Mail Regularly
National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Please check out these resources for virtual activities. If you are doing an activity where you would have pictures, we would love to share some of them on our social media channels as long as we have parental permission, of course. Photos can be sent to Nate Ross.
- https://www.gpb.org/blogs/education-matters/2020/09/09/hispanic-heritage-month-resources-for-teachers-parents-kids
- https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/month-ideas-celebrating-hispanic-heritage/
- https://www.insightintodiversity.com/virtual-resources-abound-for-celebrating-national-hispanic-heritage-month-from-home/
Send in Those Box Tops!
- Click here for Box Top Information
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)
A Message from the Music Department
Counselors' Corner
Here is the link to our virtual school counseling office. Please visit us to explore some different resources and activities for kids!
Virtual School Counseling Office at Willow Dale
Thank you!
Mrs. Zemitis - K, 2, 4
Mrs. LaRose - 1, 3, 5
- 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
Submit a Repair Ticket Online Through the CSD Community Technology Help Desk Portal
- 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).
Home and School Meeting
Contact the WD H&SA mailto:willowdalehsa@gmail.com
Monday, Oct 12, 2020, 06:15 PM
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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
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