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Happy Sunday, Willard Family!

Can you believe another week has zoomed by? Before we dive into all the latest happenings, here's something to kick things off with a smile:

Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything. 😆

Settle in and enjoy this week's edition of the newsletter that somehow keeps finding its way to your inbox. We've got updates, shoutouts, upcoming events/fun, and the usual mix of news that only our family could produce. Let's get into it!

Best,

AP Ernvall

We have 76% of our 5th graders registered for next year. Please Please Please, let's get the remaining 24% registered so your students can have a easy free flowing day one!

We only have 200 Kinders registered in the district for next year. If you have a child who is going into Kinder, please help us out by getting your scholar registered ASAP. Here is a link and please let us know if you need support in doing so. It is super helpful if you can assist us in getting students registered!

What an incredible evening we had last Friday! The Willard community came together to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and it was so much fun! Families got their groove on learning Bollywood dance moves, crafted beautiful origami, discovered how to write their names in Chinese characters, indulged in some absolutely delicious food, and so much more!

A huge, heartfelt thank you to Yu Jin and her amazing team for pouring so much love and energy into making this event such a special experience for our community. Your hard work and dedication whether through planning, working a station, serving food, or simply being present was so appreciated!

If your family wasn't able to join us this time, we missed you — but don't worry! We hope you'll be able to celebrate with us at our next community event.

🌟 Did you know? May is AAPI Heritage Month, and this year's theme is "Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together" — emphasizing collective action and the bridges we build across communities. How fitting for a night like ours! May was chosen for AAPI Heritage Month to honor two milestone moments: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869 — a feat made possible in large part by Chinese laborers. Here is an additional resource for more:Awareness Days

Let's keep celebrating, learning, and growing together!

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Calling All Owls! Come celebrate the last day of school at our end of the year bash, OwlPalooza! We'll have facepaint, balloon animals, DIME DJ & dancers, and a dunk tank (watch out Ms. Ernvall!) But we need your help to make this event a success. Please consider donating your time and/or supplies to our community: Sign Up Genius Here. Pizza and popsicles will be served; please bring your own water bottle, blanket, lawn chairs, snacks, lawn games & sports balls!

Join us for a fun and relaxing day at the Willard garden! Each season of change brings opportunity for growth. We will be planting our wishes or intentions for the next school year on special seed paper and watch our "wishes" grow. Parents, friends, children, and community members are welcome to join.

Let’s grow a greener, stronger community—together.

Date: Sunday, May 31
Time: 2:00pm-3:30pm
Location: Willard Garden, 2700 Hurd Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

This event is open house style. Arrive and leave as it fits in your schedule!

It's LAST CALL to order your yearbook! Click here to order online, or complete this form and drop it off at the Willard front office with cash or a check made out to Willard PTA. Paper order forms are also available at the main office. Don't miss this opportunity to hold onto the memories, faces, and moments that made this school year one to remember.

We are gearing up for spring planting during May 20 and June 3 during the school day and seeking parent volunteers. We have something very special planned to grow our intentions or wishes for next school year.

Classrooms will visit the Willard Garden for a 30 min session to plant two items this year:

1) Students will be planting in our Willard Wish space. As our school undergoes many transitions next year (the good bye to our beloved TWI family, 5th graders moving to Haven, Kingsley students joining our family, etc), we are inviting our students to write their "wish" for next year on special seed paper and plant their wish they would like to extend to the next year and watch it grow. There is space that has been tilled around the garden for our wishes to be planted.

2) Students will each be planting a seed or plant within our school garden to watch grow.

To sign up for May 20 or June 3 spring planting, use the signupgenuis link found here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090448A4A929A1FC1-58310551-parent#/

**There will be opportunities to serve in the garden and/or to water our new trees throughout the summer!

Celebrate the last day of school with a sweet treat! Do-Rite donuts will be served on the playground between 8:30AM and 8:50AM on Friday, June 5th. Rreorder your donuts today! Order a half dozen or a full dozen and share with friends! There will also be coffee for sale for $1 for the grown ups. Use the link below to place your order:

Pre-Order Link

Make sure you place your orders early, as the preorder slot will close at 10 PM on 6/4. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Your kids will be thrilled to learn that Field Day is happening on Friday, May 22. Parents and caregivers can help by donating healthy snacks and assisting with activities like the sponge pass relay and yarn ball toss. Please sign up to help here!

A big thank you to Mr. Bohn and Mr. Rielley for organizing another amazing Field Day!

Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054BAEA92DAAF58-63562425-willard

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This section of the newsletter highlights flyers from community organizations, partnerships, and programs that your family might enjoy. While these organizations are independent from our school, they offer wonderful opportunities to explore as we head into Spring Break and Summer.

Don’t miss a beat with all things Willard PTA! 🦉 Check out the Weekly Newsletter for the latest happenings, membership info, and our handy directory. If you missed the latest Owl Notes, click here to catch up!

Please see these elections resources for more information. If you are interested in taking on an executive role for the 26-27 school year, please email willardowlspta@gmail.com

Executive Roles for 2026-2027

• Co-President (3 vacancies)

• Vice President of Equity (1 vacancy)

• Vice President of Communications (1 vacancy)

• Co-Treasurer (1 vacancy)

• Secretary

• VP Fundraising

• Vice President of Affinity (2 vacancies)
  

Qualifications for Executive Role Nominees

• PTA member for at least 30 days

• Completed an Illinois PTA approved introductory course or will within six months.

• Is knowledgeable of and adheres to the Purposes and Basic Policies of the PTA.

• Has a sense of fairness and justice.

• Shows enthusiasm for PTA.

• Is able to give PTA a high priority in their schedule.

  *Ideal candidates should help provide representation for Willard and Kingsley.

🚨 Please see the OwlNotes for more details!

May:

• 18th: D65 Regular Board Meeting (6:00-8:00pm)
• 19th: BGM Magic Showcase (5:00-6:30pm)
• 19th: Rising 6th Grade Family Night @Haven (5:30-6:30pm)
• 20th: D65 Caregiver Council for Disability Inclusion meeting (6:30-8:00pm)
• 22nd: Willard Field Day!!
• 25th: No School - Memorial Day
• 27th: Willard Q4 PTA Town Hall @Willard (6:00-7:30pm)
• 28th: Willard Choir Concert (5:45-6:45pm)
• 29th: Griffin's Tale
• 29th: Purple Crayon Players Assembly
• 29th: TWI and Transitioning Family Party @Willard (5:00-7:00pm)