Principal's Update 08-30-2013, 09-06-2013, and 09-13-2013

Wow! We have had a great start to our year with students! I can't believe three weeks have already passed since our students returned in the last week of August. We started off the first three days working to get to know our students and working to build relationships with them. 

During our second week, the expectations of the Willow Creek Way were reviewed with students, and each classroom was assigned a location within the school to record themselves demonstrating the Willow Creek Way. All of the recordings were then compiled into one video that the entire student body watched together! The students did an excellent job and the video was really fun to watch! Every student in our school appeared in the video at some point!

On Wednesday of our third week, our teachers hosted our annual Curriculum Night for parents! Thank you to all of our parents who came out to learn more about what is going on in our school this year and the specifics of their children's classrooms. It was great to see so many interested parents. I have posted the slide show from my presentation on the bottom of my "Principal's Page" on the Willow Creek website. Please also note, I have invited and encouraged parents to read the book Mindset by Carol Dweck and join me at 6 p.m. on November 5th, before the PTO Meeting, to engage in a discussion about the book. Every staff member at WC read this book over the summer and we are working to develop a "Growth Mindset" in our students in order to prepare them to be College and Career Ready! I have additional copies of the book for anyone who would like to borrow a copy. Please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to send a copy home with your child.  

Our staff has been reviewing math concepts with our students over the past two weeks and they will comtinue to do so for one more week. On Monday, September 23rd everyone will begin Unit 1 of our new Math Curriculum. You should expect to see a shift in the way math instruction is being implemented this year, and our students will be encouraged to think more deeply about math concepts and understand them in more depth. Students will be required to complete Real World Tasks as part of how they will be assessed in math, and it is critical that students know their math facts. Please support us by working on math facts with your child(ren) at home! I will continue to provide parents with information about our new math program throughout the year!  


New!! Peachjar- Virtual Backpack

New for the 2013-14 school year, District 68 will be distributing flyers electronically through Peachjar, an e-flyer management system. Every year, a typical school sends home 2-3 tons of paper flyers to keep parents informed about school programs, activities, and events. Peachjar's e-flyer management system will provide savings to each school by reducing administrative workload and eliminating the costs of distributing flyers.

 

Parents will have e-flyers sent directly to their computer or smartphone and have the ability to view all flyers in the Peachjar folder on the school's home page. Parents can view flyers: when they want, what they want, and print only what they need. Parents can set delivery options by choosing to have new e-flyers sent immediately, daily, or weekly. Share flyers with other parents using Peachjar's "Share" feature.

Click the Peachjar icon on the Willow Creek School home web page to access this service.

 

Fun Run

The Willow Creek PTO is holding our annual Fun Run this Thursday, September 19th. Flyers and information regarding the Fun Run were sent home with students earlier this year and can also be found under the "Parent Organization" Section of our school Peachjar. Please be sure that your child is dressed appropriate for the weather on Thursday, as all students will be running outside if it isn't raining. Students will also need to wear gym shoes on Thursday, even if it isn't their P.E. day. Students will be provided with water and a popsicle following the race! The schedule for the Fun Run is listed below! Please come out and support our students by volunteering to help or watching and cheering our students on while they run!!

 

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.          First Grade

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.        6^th Grade

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.      AM K and Pre-K

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.      2^nd Grade

11:00a.m. – 11:30 a.m.       5^th Grade

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.          4^th Grade

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.          PM K and Pre-K

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.          3^rd Grade

 

Spiritwear

Information regarding Willow Creek Spirit Wear has also already been sent home with students. Orders are due into the school or online by September 27th. Information can be found online unti September 27th under the "Parent Organization" section of the Willow Creek Peachjar!

Volunteers Needed
Our Willow Creek PTO is always looking for volunteers! There are many opportunities available throughout the year and if you ar elooking to get involved in our school, please contact our PTO Co-Presidents Beth Renchin or Jan Rudolph for more information. There are two current volunteer opportunities that are posted under the "Parent Organization" section of our school Peachjar. You can still volunteer for our Fun Run that is coming up this Thursday or you can become a room parent and organize/plan classrooms celebrations!

Supporting Our Public Library

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month and to celebrate, District 68 is supporting the Woodridge Public Library's campaign to promote all the library has to offer. Just show your unexpired library card to your school secretary anytime between September 1st and 30th. Everyone who shows their card will receive a free gift and be entered into a drawing for a prize at the end of the month. Each school will have one prize winner.

Don't have a Woodridge Library card? Stop by the library in September to sign up for one and receive a prize! For more details on getting a card visit www.woodridgelibrary.org or call 630.964.7899. Remember, the library card is free and borrowing materials with your card is free.

Back to School Safety Reminder from the Woodridge Police Department
Please visit our school peachjar to read an important message about school safety from the Woodridge Police Department. This document includes guidelines for parents in regards to driving when school buses are present. Please be sure to stop when a bus has its stop sign out. We have had multiple cars blow the stop signs of our buses while we are loaded after school. We will write down license plates of these vehicles and notify the police when this happens.

Upcoming Dates to Remember
Tuesday, September 17th: Friday Schedule

Thursday, September 19th: Fun Run

Friday, September 20th: NO SCHOOL for Students, SIP Day for Teachers

Monday, September 23rd: Differentiated Engagement Blocks (DEB) Begin
                                              Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 p.m. @ JJH

Tuesday, September 24th:5th Grade Outdoor Education Parent Information Mtg., 6:30 p.m. @ WC

Tuesday, October 1st: PTO Meeting @ 1 p.m. and Room Parent Meeting @ 2 p.m.

Friday, October 4th: Fun Run Donations Due

Tuesday, October 8th and Wednesday, October 9th: 5th Grade Outdoor Education Trip

Check out the pictures below of our students whose names were chosen in our first two "Positive Paws" raffles of the year!