THE WHOOT!

Happy Sunday Willard Families,

What an incredible celebration of culture and community we experienced during our Hispanic Heritage Assemblies and Talent Show! Our 3rd through 5th grade TWI classes absolutely rocked the stage, bringing the entire school to life with their independent poems, historic imagery, and vibrant dances. The pride that radiated from our students' performances was truly something special to witness. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Lopez, Ms. Barriera, and Ms. Casas for guiding our students to shine so brightly!

Friday night's Talent Show was the perfect finale to an amazing week – and what a packed house it was! Our Willard families showed up and showed OUT, sharing their incredible talents while we all enjoyed a wonderful meal together. Principal Battle and I were completely overwhelmed by the turnout and the powerful sense of community engagement that filled the room. We hope you all had as much fun as we did!

We cannot thank Celia Carlino, her dedicated parent volunteer team, and the PTA enough for sponsoring this unforgettable event. Your generosity through time, finances, and TALENT was absolutely out of this world! You guys ROCK!

Here's to the amazing Willard community that makes moments like these possible!

With gratitude and Owl pride,

AP Ernvall

P.S. Go Bears! (😉)

As the seasons change and temperatures begin to drop, we wanted to send a friendly reminder about our outdoor recess philosophy! Our Outdoor Promise: If it's above 20°F and not raining, our scholars will be outside enjoying fresh air and active play! We believe in the power of outdoor time for healthy minds and bodies, even when it's chilly.

What This Means for Your Scholar: Please help us by sending your child dressed for outdoor success! As the weather shifts, this might mean:

• Warm coats and jackets
• Hats and gloves
• Appropriate footwear
• Layers for changing temperatures throughout the day

Indoor Recess = Tech-Free Fun! On those rare days when weather keeps us inside, we maintain a NO TECH indoor recess policy. Instead, scholars can look forward to:

• Board games and puzzles
• Creative art activities
• Building blocks and construction challenges
• Imaginative play opportunities
• And so much more!

Please join us in reinforcing this tech-free approach with your scholars – it's amazing to see the creativity and friendships that bloom during these unplugged moments!

We're Here to Help! It truly takes a village, and we're all in this together! If your family needs any support with winter clothing or gear as we approach the colder months, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to ensure every scholar can comfortably enjoy our outdoor adventures.

Thank you for partnering with us in keeping our scholars active, engaged, and enjoying the great outdoors throughout the year!

Thank you to everyone who attended the recent community conversations or took time to complete the survey – your voices and perspectives are invaluable as we navigate these important discussions together.

Principal Battle and I were pleased to participate in these conversations alongside many of you, and we remain committed to being present and engaged throughout this process. Your thoughtful questions and feedback continue to shape our understanding of community priorities.

Additional Opportunity for Discussion

The PTA will host another community conversation on Wednesday, October 22nd at Willard School from 6:15 - 7:30pm. This town hall meeting will provide an additional forum to discuss the Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program and address your questions and concerns.

For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be livestreamed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83640616857.

Please note that this is a community conversation organized and hosted by the PTA, providing an independent space for dialogue and discussion.

We encourage your continued participation as we work together to ensure all voices are heard in these important conversations about our districts' future and continue to visit the District 65 Phase III: SDRP Resource Hub for more information along the way!

All are welcome!! We're excited to offer a variety of clubs and activities designed to help students explore their interests, build new skills, and make lasting friendships.

Current Clubs & Activities:

• Chess Club – Sharpen your strategic thinking and challenge your classmates to a friendly match!
• Black Girl Magic Book Club – Celebrate stories, culture, and community through the power of reading.
• Art Club – Come and express yourself artistically on a regular basis! Ms. Lopez can't wait!

Stay tuned for announcements about additional opportunities to get involved.

Let's make this year amazing together!

Join us for an adults night out on the town!!!!

Please see the Willard PTA Weekly Newsletter for more information on Willard PTA happenings, membership, and directory. If you missed the most recent PTA Owl Notes, click here!

October:

• 21st: Human Body and Personal Safety Instruction Session
• 21st: Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee meeting
• 22nd: Willard Townhall/ Asamblea Comunitariade Willard
• 27th: D65 Regular Board Meeting (NEW DATE)
• 31st: 3rd Grade Drama Trip