Principal's Update 02-21-2014

Another week blew by us and I can't believe we are into the last week in February already! We did not have school on Monday, but Willow Creek sixth grade students Clark Kelly and Kyle Leonard attended a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) event that was put on by the DuPage ROE on Monday! Some examples of the activities they were able to explore include lighting up a lightbulb through bicycle energy at the SCARCE & Eco-Friendly experiment and they were able to test out the Lego Robotics at the Lego Education Station!

The elementary bands performed their second evening concert on Wednesday to a full house in Jefferson’s gym.  The evening began with food catered by Doggie Diner and live music from the John Kattke (Willow Creek parent) Quintet.  The audience was also treated to pre-concert piano music by Maria D’Ambrose (a former Willow Creek student, now attending Downers Grove North High School).  The elementary bands, led by District 68 elementary band director Brad Payne, played music to highlight their developing skills and talents.  Each band performed a variety of short selections as well as a rousing encore. 

Kindergarten and first grade students celebrated 100 Day on Thursday! Each class participated in activities that were related to 100! Some examples included many first graders who dressed up as if they were 100 years old and a fun math activity where students grouped various snacks into 10 groups of 10 in order to make 100! In kindergarten, one activity students did was to count 100 fruit loops to create a fun necklace!!



Friday finished off our week with an assembly that was sponsored by the PTO! The assembly was titled "The Tricks to Eating Smart" and it was put on by The Great Scott's Magic in the Classroom. Through the use of magic in this assembly, students learned about the USDA's new MyPlate guidelines, why half of their plates should be fruits and vegetables, information about reading nutrition labels, and more!



This coming Tuesday, February 25th, Woodridge District #68 is partnering with the Woodridge Police Department to host an informational meeting for parents titled The Digital Age: Is My Child Ready? I will be in attendance at the meeting on Tuesday and highly recommend parents attend this session. The following topics will be covered:

• - Discuss the benefits and dangers of social networking sites
  
• - Show parents what our kids are really doing online and with mobile phone apps
  
• - Review state laws on cyber-bullying, as well as District 68 policy
  
• - Discuss survey results taken from students here in District 68 about the topics of cyber-bullying     and social networking
  
• - Offer suggestions and solutions for parents on how we can work together to keep our kids safe in this ever-changing digital age 
    

The Box Top Collection Contest is now complete, but we are still about 300 Box Tops away from our school goal of collecting 1500 Box Tops by the end of February! As a result, Box Tops can of course still be turned in at anytime, but we are encouraging students to bring in as many as they can by this Friday in order to try and reach our goal before the Box Tops are sent in for our next redemption of funds.

The Willow Creek Lost and Found is overflowing with items from the winter. As a result, we will be laying out items on a table in the back hallway and encourage students to come and collect any lost items this week before we donate the items that are not claimed. Please encourage your child to check the lost and found this week to collect lost or left behind items prior to the donation, especially if you know there are specific items that your child currently can not find!

Woodridge School District 68 is seeking the input of our parents and guardians on an important question. In developing the calendar for the 2014-15 school year, there has been much discussion regarding the continuation of the spring Parent/Teacher Conferences.The District is considering replacing the spring Parent/Teacher Conferences with regular school days. Whether or not the District has spring conferences, parents can always contact teachers and request a conference when desired during the course of the school year. Fall conferences will not be impacted regardless of the decision on spring conferences. A one question survey was sent out to all parents via a Skylert Message last Friday, but the survey can also be found in the "News" section on the home page of the district and school websites. The PROPOSED 2014-15 district calendar.can also be found on the home page of the district website on the lower right of the screen.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Tuesday, February 25th: The Digital Age- Parent Information Mtg., 6:30 p.m. @ Meadowview School
Thursday, February 27th: Roller Skating Party, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 28th: NO SCHOOL for Students, Teacher Institute Day
Monday, March 3rd - Friday, March 14th: ISAT Testing 
Tuesday, March 4th: Math Curriculum Presentation for  Willow Creek parents by Assistant Superintendent Greg Wolcott @ 6:30 p.m. in the WC Library, PTO Meeting @ 7 p.m. in the WC Library

Check out the pictures below of the students whose names were drawn in the "Positive Paws" raffle over the last two weeks!

Principal's Update 02-14-2014

Last weekend, the JJH Chess Team competed and took second place in the  SDEAA Conference Chess Tournament! Two Willow Creek 6th Graders, Kyle Leonard and Amber Moca, in addition to multiple former Willow Creek students who are now at the JJH, competed as members of the JJH Team! Congrats for all of their accomplishments, as this is the third year in a row that the team has had a podium finish! Way to go Willow Creekers!!

On Tuesday, District #68 hosted its annual Spelling Bee. Two students from Willow Creek participated in the district bee, 5th Grader Kailey Ferguson and 6th Grader Amber Moca. Both students did an excellent job representing our school!




All students participated in Jump Rope for Heart this week. Students enjoyed rotating through stations where they participated in different jump rope or heart healthy activities! They also learned various facts about maintaining a healthy heart while at each of the stations. Every student received a red duck for their participation in the event! Thank you to Mrs. Bailey for organizing and facilitating the event! 




The Student Council sponsored a candy lip sale this week. The sale was a huge hit and the students also enjoyed participating in the "Love Your Career Day" that the Student Council sponsored as well! We had a wide variety of careers represented by our students including a Principal, Zoo Keeper, Cook, Artist, Hair Stylist, Fire Fighter, Soldiers, Teachers, Athletes, Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Veterinarians, Olympians, Police Officers, CIA Agents, and a President!!  I was so impressed by the students' goals and aspirations and am so happy that they are thinking forward towards college and careers!





 

Our Service Club is still collecting supplies for soldiers through Tuesday. Students can bring in supplies on Tuesday to be included in the items that will be sent on later this week. Again, the list of items that are needed is posted on the Peachjar. Thank you to everyone who has already donated!

This year, our PTO has sponsored a series of assemblies related to Health and Fitness. Our next assembly is coming up this Friday! The PTO will also be sponsoring the "Plunge Into Fitness" challenge where students in kindergarten through 8th grade can earn a free weekday pass to Raging Waves Waterpark this summer! Students need to complete 25 hours of exercise and keep track of their activity on a log between now and April 14th in order to earn the pass! I have included links to the exercise log and a flyer with more information for parents to access online.  Paper copies will also be sent home with students this week!

Students in grades 2 and 6 will be participating in the CoGat Test this week. Students will take the tests in their classrooms with their teacher. The results of these tests will be used as one piece of information for evaluating students for the Gifted Program. Please make sure that students in these two grades get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast this week in order to help them do their best on these assessments.

ISAT Testing is also right around the corner. Students in third through sixth grade will participate in the ISAT Tests again this year. I will be sending a letter with more information for parents regarding the tests the week before we begin. In addition, llinois is among a group of leading states participating in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) - an internationally-benchmarked assessment of applied knowledge designed to measure the new Illinois learning standards. PARCC will replace the ISAT and PSAE in 2015. Before the PARCC test is administered statewide next year, field tests will be conducted this spring.  This is really a "test of the test" to see how well it works and whether there need to be any adjustments prior to the 2014-15 school year.

All Woodridge School District 68 schools will be participating in the field test this spring with various grade levels in each school taking different parts of the assessment. By doing so, students will take an additional two to six hours of testing this spring depending on content area, the PARCC component, and the grade level. The field test will not generate student-level scores. District 68 is looking forward to the opportunity to become more familiar with PARCC, which is aligned to the new Illinois learning standards. Third graders at Willow Creek School will be taking one component of the English Language Test and fourth grade will be taking one component of the Math Test. Both grades will complete these test during the designated testing window which is the last week of March before leaving on spring break. More information about the transition from ISAT to PARCC can be found on both the district website and ISBE website.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Monday, February 17th: NO SCHOOL, President's Day 
Tuesday, February 18th - Friday, February 21st: CoGat Testing for 2nd Grade and 6th Grade 
Tuesday, February 18th: Donations for Soldiers for the Service Club Collection Due 
Wednesday, February 19th: Elementary Band Concert, 5:30 p.m. Dinner, 7:00 p.m. Concert
Friday, February 21st: PTO Assembly, 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 25th: The Digital Age- Parent Information Mtg., 6:30 p.m. @ Meadowview School
Thursday, February 27th: Roller Skating Party, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 28th: NO SCHOOL for Students, Teacher Institute Day
Monday, March 3rd - Friday, March 14th: ISAT Testing 
Tuesday, March 4th: Math Curriculum Presentation for  Willow Creek parents by Assistant Superintendent Greg Wolcott @ 6:30 p.m. in the WC Library, PTO Meeting @ 7 p.m. in the WC Library

Check out the picture below of an a.m. kindergarten student whose name was drawn in the "Positive Paws" raffle this week! The group photo of students in other classes will be coming soon!

Principal's Update 02-07-2013

Our STAR benchmark assessments were completed with students on Wednesday of this past week. The assessments were originally supposed to be completed the week prior, however, due to our two days off for inclement weather, our assessments were pushed back. We typically send home the assessments results with students' report cards, however, due to the delay of testing, the results will not be sent home with the report cards on Monday, but they will be sent home with students for parents to review as soon as they can be printed by our Central Office.

Please note, our second set of Parent/Teacher Conferences this year will not be held until May. This is a change from the time of year that the second conference of the year have been held in the past. If you have specific questions regarding your child's progress, please know you may contact your child's teacher at any time.

Friday was our AR Celebration Assembly! We acknowledged the reading accomplishments of our students from 2nd Quarter! Students who met and exceeded their individual reading goals were recognized, as well as, the top and most improved readers from each class. In addition, we conducted a raffle where students names were drawn in order to win prizes. Students earn raffle tickets when they hit various milestones towards reaching their reading goals! Our top and most improved readers also participated in a "Medieval" Shot put game with their teachers! Check out the pictures from the assembly below!



The Students of the Month from the month of December had Pizza with the Principal on Friday during lunch! These students were chosen either by their teacher or their classmates for this honor. Individuals who are nominated for Student of the Month have demonstrated an ability to follow the school rules, be caring citizens, and show academic responsibility. December students of the month were as follows: 

Kindergarten: AM- Alex Dolle                   
                         PM- Adrian Herres
1st Grade: Boots- Evan Scheffer         
                  Cannis- Kayden Seidelman
2nd Grade: Armstrong- Jake Imrisek                
                    Mack- Gideon Harris
1/2 Wiese: Jose Chavez
3rd Grade: Leonard- Danny Pulinat            
                   MacNeil- Abby Bleau
4th Grade: Chapman- Zach Milos                
                   Durkin- Jacob Aboutar
5th Grade: Mehok- Bella Renchin                  
                   Wilkinson- Hailey Mendez
6th Grade: Franson- Nick Geringer                 
                   Keogh- Rileigh Weber 

All of the students in the school have been busy making Valentine cards for students in the school in Washington, IL which was effected by destructive tornadoes in the fall. The Student Council is sponsoring this activity and students in our clubs participated including the students in our Sign Language Club! Check out an example of the Valentine Card the students in our Sign Club created this week! The card is demonstrating the sign for Love!

                        

PTO is now running our second Box Top Contest of the year. Collection forms were sent home with students this past week and I have also placed the collection form for the content in the Peachjar so parents can access it if they need additional forms. Once again, the grade that collects the most Box Tops will earn a reward and the trophies that were awarded from the last contest will be passed to the grade that collects the most Box Tops. Each student who turns in a full collection sheet will be eligible to win a prize in a drawing of names as well!



Please remember that the Willow Creek Service Club is collecting donations for Soldiers this month. All donations should be brought into school by Tuesday, February 18th. Items needed are listed on the flyer that has been posted in the Peachjar.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Monday, February 10th: Report Cards Distributed
Tuesday, February 11th: District #68 Spelling Bee, 1 p.m. at the Woodridge Park District
                                           Student Council Valentine's Sucker Sale During Lunch, $1
Wednesday, February 12th: Student Council Valentine's Sucker Sale During Lunch, $1
Thursday, February 13th: The Digital Age- Parent Information Mtg., 6:30 p.m. @ Edgewood School
Student Council Valentine's Sucker Sale During Lunch, $1
Friday, February 14th: “Love Your Career Day.”  Students dress as their favorite career!
Monday, February 17th: NO SCHOOL, President's Day 
Tuesday, February 18th: Donations for Soldiers for the Service Club Collection Due 
Wednesday, February 19th: Elementary Band Concert, 5:30 p.m. Dinner, 7:00 p.m. Concert
Friday, February 21st: PTO Assembly, 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 25th: The Digital Age- Parent Information Mtg., 6:30 p.m. @ Meadowview School
Thursday, February 27th: Roller Skating Party, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 28th: NO SCHOOL for Students, Teacher Institute Day
Tuesday, March 4th: Math Curriculum Presentation for  Willow Creek parents by Assistant Superintendent Greg Wolcott @ 6:30 p.m. in the WC Library, PTO Meeting @ 7 p.m. in the WC Library

Check out the pictures below of the students whose names were drawn in the "Positive Paws" raffle this week!

Principal's Update 01-24-2014 and 01-31-2014

The month of January flew by, especially the last two weeks!
 
The children who are participating in our after school clubs have been busy! Our 1st and 2nd Graders in the Service Club have made blankets and bird houses that that they will be donating to a local nursing home! The students are currently working on projects for soldiers.  One of their projects is to collect items that soldiers need.  I have placed a flyer with a list of items that they are collecting in the Peachjar. Please consider donating for this worthy cause. All items can be sent into school and placed in collection boxes in the main hallway of the school!
 
Our sign language club members are quickly picking up the language and are having fun doing it! Recently, the students worked on reading books and signing the stories to each other. They also researched the signs for specific words they wanted to learn and have compiled them on a poster that they created and hung in the hallway for other students to look and at learn from while they are waiting in line for lunch and P.E.!

 
We will be holding our next Accelerator Reader Assembly this Friday. Students who have already earned a crown or a shield this year should bring them to school on Friday in order to wear them during the assembly. We will be celebrating the reading accomplishments of our students from 2nd Quarter during this assembly!

The month of February is American Heart Month. All schools in District #68 will be participating in the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart Event and Fundraisor. Every student will participate in Jump Rope for Heart Event during P.E. class throughout the week of February 10th. Students will learn about how to have a healthy heart. The students will receive a small item for their participation during class. In addition, packets were sent home with students this week whose families would like to participate in the fundraisor in order to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

 

The Willow Creek Student Council has planned several events for next week in honor of Valentine's Day. On February 11th-13th they will be selling lip shaped suckers during lunch for $1 each. On Friday, they have declared it, "Love Your Career Day" and all students are encouraged to dress like the career they want to go into when they grow up!

Greg Wolcot, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, will be presenting about the Math Curriculum on Tuesday, March 4th at 6:30 p.m. in the WC Library before the PTO Meeting at 7 p.m.

Our new district and school website was launched this past Friday. In order to find Willow Creek School specific events, parents will need to go to our school page to see the school calendar.

The District #68 Spelling Bee date has been changed. The Bee will be held on Tuesday, February 11th at 1 p.m. in the afternoon at the Wooodrige Park District Building.

Please note, due to our two inclement weather days last week, the distribution of report cards will be postponed until Monday, February 10th.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Monday, February 3rd: Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 p.m. @ JJH
Tuesday, February 4th: PTO Meeting, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 6th: Navigating the American Education System Meeting for Bilingual Families, Grades 4-8
Friday, February 7th: AR Assembly
Monday, February 10th: Report Cards Distributed
Tuesday, February 11th: District #68 Spelling Bee, 1 p.m. at the Woodridge Park District
                                           Student Council Valentine's Sucker Sale During Lunch, $1
Wednesday, Feburary 12th: Student Council Valentine's Sucker Sale During Lunch, $1
Thursday, February 13th: The Digital Age- Parent Information Mtg., 6:30 p.m. @ Edgewood School
Student Council Valentine's Sucker Sale During Lunch, $1
Friday, February 14th: “Love Your Career Day.”  Students dress as their favorite career!
Wednesday, February 19th: Elementary Band Concert, 5:30 p.m. Dinner, 7:00 p.m. Concert
Friday, February 21st: PTO Assembly, 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 25th: The Digital Age- Parent Information Mtg., 6:30 p.m. @ Meadowview School
Thursday, February 27th: Roller Skating Party, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 28th: NO SCHOOL for Students, Teacher Institute Day
Tuesday, March 4th: Math Curriculum Presentation for  Willow Creek parents by Assistant Superintendent Greg Wolcott @ 6:30 p.m. in the WC Library, PTO Meeting @ 7 p.m. in the WC Library

Check out the pictures below of the students whose names were drawn in the "Positive Paws" raffle the past two weeks!