The Puma Pride
January 13, 2020
Service Project Opportunity, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for all Willow Dale students & families
Between now and January 20, 2020, our school will be holding our annual used children’s clothing and equipment drive for
Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons is a local organization that provides, free of charge, the basic essentials that low-income and homeless children need to be safe, warm, valued, and ready to learn.
Here’s how you and your whole family can help:
Bring in gently used or new items (see list);
Come to WDES on Monday, 1/20/20, 9 – 12 noon, to sort and bag all the donations; and/or
Volunteer to drive to the C2C local site to drop off our school’s donations that same day.
We need to know who can help on MLK Day, (all children must be accompanied by an adult), and who is willing to drive to the drop-off site. If you would like to volunteer for either or both, please let Mrs. Kerber know at: kerbha@centennialsd.org.
Sponsored by Willow Dale’s No Place for Hate Committee.
Pictures from the Week
Counselors Corner
Helping Kids Cope with Sadness – from Kidlutions: Solutions for Kids by Wendy Young, LMSW
The blahs, the doldrums. Whatever you call it, sadness is a part of life. So is learning how to deal with sadness. And when it comes to learning how to manage BIG feelings, kids look to us. Good thing there's lots we can do to help. And the earlier we help them, the better.
5 Ways to Help Kids Cope
1. Empathize
"You are so sad!" "This is tough for you." "Your sad is bigger than you are." "I'm sorry you're having a rough time right now."
2. It doesn't last forever.
Help kids understand that sadness (or any other feeling, for that matter) doesn't last forever. Sometimes even adults benefit from being reminded of this fact.
3. Empower them.
You can empower kids to feel more control over difficult moods, by helping them understand that they can do something about them. If nothing more, we can teach kids strategies to "think" differently about a situation. We can help kids train their brains to think more positively, even in tough times. (More about that in step 5.) This is not to say we are trying to deny that difficult feelings exist. Quite the opposite, as you shall see in the next step.
4. Name it, Claim it, Tame it.
Our goal is to help kids identify whatever feeling they are experiencing. When they can name it claim it (accept they are feeling it), they can tame it (deal with it). What a gift to give to kids. This is a key component of social-emotional development.
5. A Balanced View
This relates back to number 3. Thinking strategies are crucial. Help kids understand that they can feel their feeling, while at the same time not catastrophizing it. This helps kids gain a more balanced view, and hence a new perspective, which can help them cope better. Here's a few examples of how you can help kids balance out their thinking, "I know the rain ruined your outdoor party, but luckily, we have a house. The party will go on indoors." "We can't go swim today. That's disappointing. I know you would like to, but we can't. Let's find a time on the calendar when we can. We'll write it down." And so on.
*Visit http://kidlutions.blogspot.com for more great ways to help kids cope with feelings*
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
Candy Bar Bingo
Friday, Jan 17, 2020, 06:30 PM
Willow Dale Elementary School, North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA, USA
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, 02:45 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