THE WHOOT!
August 14th, 2024
A Note From Your Principal: Week of Jan. 13th
This quote reminds us of the power of community and connection. The quote, “We are not here to see through one another, but to see one another through,” reminds us of the importance of supporting each other, especially in challenging times.
Let's continue to strive to lift each other up, offer understanding, and work together to overcome obstacles. This is what makes Willard a special place—a community where we stand together. Here's to a wonderful week in Willardland!
With love,
Ms. Battle
✨On The Horizon✨
Willard PTA Science Fair
When: Wednesday January 22, 2025
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm Register your student and volunteer to be a judge!
The Willard PTA Science Fair is only two weeks away, but there's still time to register your student using this form. We also need adult volunteers to be judges. The time commitment is approximately 90 minutes. No science background is needed! We just want to give students the chance to talk about their science. If you can help, please sign up here.
Science Fair Kits
We have a limited number of take-home science fair kits to offer. If you would like to request a take-home kit, please select this option when registering. The form will show you a list of kits to see what is available. These kits will come fully stocked with all the supplies you need to do an experiment from home! **Note that ALL participants can pick up a free tri-fold poster board courtesy of the PTA from Ms. Boone starting Friday, Jan 10.
Still deciding on a project? See below for info about the different types of projects. This website has tons of great projects that are sorted out by age group. Remember, science fair projects are meant to be fun and to help students find ways to engage with science. We aren't trying to solve the mysteries of the universe. Ideally, keep your project to something that can be done in a couple of hours.
Types of Science Fair Projects
Science fair projects tend to fall into one of two categories, a demonstration or an experiment. A demonstration is just like it sounds, it illustrates a known scientific concept and shows how it works. A really great example of a demonstration is making a volcano out of baking soda and vinegar; the outcome is known (and really fun to watch). Demonstrations are great for younger learners, especially if this is their first time doing science fair.
An experiment, on the other hand, expands on the demonstration by actually learning the relationship between two variables. Let's go back to our volcano, now instead of one volcano, let's make four volcanoes, each time changing how much baking soda is added to the volcano. Now the project has progressed into an experiment. This allows us to learn and draw conclusions from our work. For older students, I highly encourage them to try out an experiment.
Any questions? Please contact Emilie Giacobbe at emgiacobbe@gmail.com.
Willard Updates
SAEBRS: Social Emotional Learning Assessment
Goal of a SEL Assessment:
Educators will use the SEL assessment data to...
Understand the strengths and needs of groups of students to inform SEL instruction and support in the classroom.
- Guide the use of evidence-based SEL practices that build on student strengths and address student needs.
For more information about the SAEBRS Assessment, see the communication here!
Spelling Bee
Hello families!
District 65 is excited to bring back the Spelling Bee in English and Spanish for 4th-8th Graders in the district this year. This email contains information about the English Spelling Bee; information about the Spanish Spelling Bee will be shared soon..
Details for the English Spelling Bee:
The District-Wide English Spelling Bee will take place on February 4, 2025 from 4:30-6:30pm at Chute Elementary
Classroom Bees will take place the week of January 13th.
School-Wide Bees will take place the week of January 20th.
Date of Regional Spelling Bee; February 25, 2025: The North Cook ISC Regional Qualifier will take place at Lincoln Hall School in Lincolnwood on Tuesday, February 25th
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¡Hola familias!
El Distrito 65 está emocionado por celebrar de nuevo el concurso de deletreo (Spelling Bee) en inglés y en español para los estudiantes desde 4to hasta 8vo grado este año en el distrito. Este correo electrónico contiene información acerca del concurso de deletreo en inglés; la información acerca del concurso de deletreo en español se enviará la semana que viene.
Detalles para el concurso de deletreo en inglés:
El concurso de deletreo en todo el distrito se llevará acabo el 4 de febrero del 2025 de 4:30 a 6:30 p.m. en la secundaria Chute.
Las eliminatorias del concurso en cada salón de clases tendrán lugar durante la semana del 13 de enero.
Las eliminatorias del concurso en cada escuela se efectuarán en la semana del 20 de enero.
Fecha del concurso regional de deletreo: 25 de febrero del 2025 - La etapa de clasificación regional ISC del área norte de Cook será en Lincolnwood en la escuela Lincoln Hall el 25 de febrero.
A Request From Ms. Harries: LEGOS!
Happy New Year families! I hope everyone had a fabulous winter break with family and friends. I spent time building a multitude of Lego sets and I am jazzed to keep playing and creating with students using Legos! I am reaching out to ask for donations. Any donations would be appreciated (base sets, minifigures, base plates, Lego sets with directions and all pieces). Thanks, in advance. Students can bring them to the library or they can be left at the office for the library helpers or myself to pick up.
-Ms. Harries (Willard Librarian)
Willard PTA
Right At School
Interest in Spring, Summer, & Winter Break Child Care Survey
Dear D65 Parents,
Families have expressed interest in having care offered for days of non-student attendance that are not Federal Holidays (examples: Spring Break and Summer Break). Our partners with Right At School provide an option for families at one or more of our schools (determined by need) during these periods of time and we're trying to understand if this is something we would like to pursue. Here is an example of how their Summer Camp is structured.
For Spring Break camp, the cost is $40/day. While Right at School cannot guarantee an exact price for summer rates at this time, they estimate approximately $250 per 5-day week of 10 hours per day for 8 total weeks.
Please take 1-3 minutes to indicate your interest in this type of care.
Thank you!
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Estimados padres del D65,
Las familias han expresado interés en que se ofrezca atención durante los días en que no asisten los estudiantes y que no sean feriados federales (ejemplos: vacaciones de primavera y vacaciones de verano). Nuestros socios con Right At School brindan una opción para las familias en una o más de nuestras escuelas (determinada por la necesidad) durante estos períodos de tiempo y estamos tratando de entender si esto es algo que nos gustaría implementar. A continuación se muestra un ejemplo de cómo está estructurado su campamento de verano.
Para el campamento de vacaciones de primavera, el costo es de $40 por día. Si bien Right at School no puede garantizar un precio exacto para las tarifas de verano en este momento, estiman aproximadamente $250 por semana de 5 días de 10 horas por día durante 8 semanas en total.
Tómese entre 1 y 3 minutos para indicar su interés en este tipo de atención.
¡Gracias!
Volunteer Process
Looking to volunteer at Willard? Click here for our district's volunteer process!
District Updates
Applications for Dual Language SAP III Committee
As our first class of sixth graders begin District 65's Dual Language program at Bessie Rhodes, we are excited to continue engaging with families about plans for future expansion in the district's middle schools.
The Multilingual Services team is forming a Dual Language Committee as part of Student Assignment Planning (SAP) Phase III. Details were presented at the December 16 Regular Board Meeting (watch recording and view presentation in English and Spanish).
The committee:
Will examine data and experiences of the TWI community to make a recommendation to the superintendent for the next location of the Dual Language Middle School program.
Will be made up of parent/caregivers of TWI, Dual Language and Spanish Language Arts students; school leaders and staff from D65 TWI schools, middle schools, and Multilingual Services; and subject matter experts.
Will meet three times in February and March 2025. The kick-off meeting will be held Thursday, February 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the JEH Board Room. Meetings will be held in a way accessible to both English and Spanish speakers.
Learn more about the Dual Language Committee on our SAP III website. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. January 17, 2025.
Apply to be part of the Dual Language Committee
It's so important that we have a representative group of participants. We value your perspective and strongly encourage you to apply!