The Puma Pride
November 4, 2019
Principal's Message
Hello, Willow Dale Families!
It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of November. Despite the rainy weather, the Halloween Parade was a success. The students were very excited to see their peers across the grade-levels in costume. Pictures and the video can be found in the newsletter. A big thank you to our Home & School Room Captains who organized and assisted with the classroom parties!
The late-night Halloween storm left Willow Dale Elementary and the surrounding community without power, which necessitated a school closing. I am happy to report that the power was restored to Willow Dale on Friday evening. Thank you to our families for your flexibility and patience during these weather-related closings.
Mr. Julius and I continue to visit the classrooms daily. It is so exciting to see how engaged the students are in writing. This year writing across the curriculum has become a main focus. As authors, students will pre-write, draft, revise, edit, and publish. Students in grades K-5 will learn that all good writing has six ingredients— ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. They will learn about these 6 traits of writing through class instruction, conferencing, and by studying real authors.
You can help your children by talking to them about their writing and asking sincere questions.
Here are some comments and questions that help a young writer:
• I like the part about...
• Can you tell me more about...?
• What skills/traits were you trying to use in this piece?
• Tell me what happened with more detail.
• How does this piece compare to others you have written?
• What will your next writing be about?
You, their audience and readers, need to bear with them as they learn their craft. Editing standards will be established, and the children will practice editing independently. Still, their finished work or published work will not always be perfect. Receive their writing in the same spirit of encouragement that you do their music, art, and sports performances. Writing every day will help the students progress as writers. This practice will help them become the best they can be at placing their thoughts on paper. Willow Dale has so many creative writers! Encourage your child(ren) to write at home by keeping a journal or diary, writing poems or stories about family events, and writing letters or thank you notes. Follow their progress along with the teachers throughout the year.
Over the last few weeks, your child's teacher started administering the Fountas and Pinnell benchmark testing in the primary grades. Testing will commence in grades 3-5 beginning this week. This assessment is given to determine a student's independent and instructional reading level and allows teachers to assess comprehension skills. The data collected by the teacher will be used to personalize learning for the students. If you have any questions about the assessment, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Please mark your calendar with the following events: November 5, 2019- No school for students. Monday, November 11, is an early dismissal day for teacher in-service. November 12 begins the celebration of American Education Week at Willow Dale. We are looking forward to having all of our parents visit on the designated day and time. The teachers have activities planned during these times so that parents can engage in learning with the students. Don't miss our first "Coffee with the Counselors" during the week. Mr. Julius and I will also be available. More information can be found below.
Teachers will be reaching out on November 8 to begin to set up Parent Conferences for December 19 (PM) & 20 (AM). Check your email for the “Sign-up Genius” invitation on Friday. If you have any questions or do not receive the email invitation, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
On behalf of the teachers, staff, and administration, thank you for partnering with us to ensure that every Willow Dale Elementary student is successful.
Have a great week!
American Education Week Parent Visitation Schedule
More information will be coming home from your child's homeroom teacher.
November 12
- Grade 2 -9:05-10:05 AM
November 13
- Grade 1- 9:15- 10:15 AM
November 14
- Kindergarten- 9:15-10:15 AM
- Grade 3- 2:00-3:00 PM
November 15
- Grade 4- 9:15-10:15 AM
- Grade 5- 2:00-3:00 PM
We look forward to seeing our families!
Coffee with the Counselors
During visitation times for American Education Week, both of our school counselors will be available to answer general questions and provide resources for parents. Mrs. LaRose (K, 2, 4) and Mrs. Zemitis (1, 3, 5) will have a table located in the main hallway with some informational handouts. We will also have some of our favorite books, both children’s literature and parenting books available for you to preview. We will be there for approximately 15 minutes prior to each scheduled session and for about 15 minutes after each session so feel free to find a time that works best for your schedule.
A video of the presentation that recently took place at WTHS with Dr. Katherine Dahlsguard about childhood anxiety will be shared with parents. This will take place on Thursday, 11/14/19 - 12:45 - 1:45. We will be showing about an hour of the presentation. If you weren’t able to attend but would like to view this educational presentation, please feel free to participate in this showing of the presentation. You will need to sign in at the office and the video will be shown in Room 18.
We hope you will be able to stop by and look forward to seeing you!
Willow Dale Book Fair
Dear Willow Dale Families,
Willow Dale’s annual Book Fair will be held in the library NOVEMBER 18-25. We will again be showcasing books from The Doylestown Bookshop.
Parents are welcome all week long from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, and at our special Family Shopping Night on Thursday, November 21st, from 4:30-7:00 PM. You are welcome to bring your children that evening, or you might want to come alone to purchase some surprises.
Your child will visit the book fair during regularly scheduled library classes. If your child plans to purchase a book on that day, please send along an envelope with cash or a check (payable to “Willow Dale Home and School”) for the purchase amount or limit. Average book prices range from $5-$20. Please note the state of Pennsylvania requires us to charge sales tax, so you will need to calculate the additional 6% sales tax. We will also accept credit cards during the parent evening this year.
Please consider purchasing books through the Willow Dale Book Fair for your children. Proceeds from the book fair provide funding for the reading, library, and makerspace programs. Thank you for your support!
Questions? Please contact us by phone at (215) 441-6093 ext. 17056, or email zuckla@centennialsd.org.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Zucker
Mrs. Lauren Zucker
Library Media SpecialistNovember Rotation Calendar
Picture Re-Take Day - November 15
Please bring in your previous pictures to exchange for a new photo to be taken.
If you have not had your picture taken, please order online at http://mylifetouch.com Picture Day ID: LW419469Q1. Some forms are also still available in the office.
Turn Clocks Back 1 hour - Fall Back
Saturday, Nov 2, 2019, 02:00 AM
Warminster, PA, USA
Joe Corbi Order Pick- Up
Monday, Nov 4, 2019, 05:30 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA - Cafeteria
Home and School Meeting
Contact the WDH&SA mailto:willowdalehsa@gmail.com
Monday, Nov 4, 2019, 06:15 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Election Day - ALL SCHOOLS Closed
Tuesday, Nov 5, 2019, 07:30 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser
Tuesday, Nov 5, 2019, 10:00 AM
1661 N. Easton Road, Warrington, PA 18976
Early Dismissal
Monday, Nov 11, 2019, 11:45 AM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Willow Dale Craft and Vendor Show
FEAST (Feeding Everyone at Special Times) program for the holidays
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.
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
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.
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.
American Education Week Parent Visitation Schedule
More information will be coming home from your child's homeroom teacher.
November 12
- Grade 2 -9:05-10:05 AM
November 13
- Grade 1- 9:15- 10:15 AM
November 14
- Kindergarten- 9:15-10:15 AM
- Grade 3- 2:00-3:00 PM
November 15
- Grade 4- 9:15-10:15 AM
- Grade 5- 2:00-3:00 PM
We look forward to seeing our families!
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