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Happy Friday, Families! 🌟
You're receiving this week's newsletter a little early — I'm heading out to Seattle and Portland with my mom for her very first trip to the Pacific Northwest, and I couldn't be more excited to show her the sights! Thank you for your flexibility.
Inside this week's edition, you'll find Read-A-Thon highlights celebrating our amazing readers, important information specifically for 5th grade parents, and a rundown of upcoming events you won't want to miss. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll be back soon — hopefully with some great Pacific Northwest stories to share! 🌲 🌖 🧘🏻♀️ 🦀 🌋
Best,
AP Ernvall
💥 Willard Scholars Blew It Out of the Water! 💥
We are truly beside ourselves — the minutes logged, the money raised, and the passion shown by our readers left us completely speechless. What an incredible achievement!
Over the last month, something extraordinary happened at Willard — our scholars dove into their books and didn't look back. The number of minutes read and the funds raised were nothing short of jaw-dropping. As we reflect on those numbers, the pride we feel for every single student who participated just keeps growing!! This is a community of readers, and you all proved it in the most remarkable way.
🎉 Give yourselves a HUGE round of applause, Willard Scholars! 🎉
🏆 Top Readers By Grade:
🌟 Kinder - Eve Hartmann 🌟
🌟 1st Grade - Harrison Leber 🌟
🌟 2nd Grade - Edward Kukankos 🌟
🌟 3rd Grade - Oliver Boll 🌟
🌟 4th Grade - Joseph Hartmann 🌟
🌟 5th Grade - Mila Wegrzyn 🌟
Congratulations to our Top Readers and to every Willard Scholar who picked up a book and started the challenge! You are incredible! Keep reading — the world is yours! 📚
💙 Teacher Appreciation Week is Around the Corner 💙
Join us in celebrating our amazing staff during the week of May 4th! We have so many wonderful ways planned to show them how much they're appreciated — and we'd love for you and your students to be part of it! Scan the QR codes for more details, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Anna Vogelzang. Thank you!
🍎 Honor a Teacher, Inspire a Future! 🍎
As we approach Teacher Appreciation Week, feel free to show your appreciation for a teacher who has made a difference in your child’s life by making a gift to Foundation 65 in their honor. The teacher will receive a special note, and your donation will help fund innovative educational programs for District 65 students.
Fill out and return this Honor a Teacher form to Foundation 65 or go to https://www.foundation65.org/honor-a-teacher to fill out the form online! Thanks!
Order Your Willard Yearbooks
Order deadline: June 1st
It's time 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're also inviting families to make an optional donation so that every student can receive a yearbook, regardless of financial circumstances. Suggested donation: $15 per book. Thank you for your generosity and continued support of the PTA.
A huge thank you to PTA volunteers and Yearbook Editors Allyson Brown-Leber and Mike Boll for their dedication in creating such a wonderful keepsake. We also want to thank all of the parents, guardians, teachers, and staff who contributed photos throughout the year.
** If you have additional pictures you did not get to share regarding any event that took place this year, please email them to Ms. Ernvall ASAP! **
🚨 A 5th Grade Focus 🚨
🎓 Baby Photo to Fifth Grade Portrait! 🎉
Time is running out — and we need your camera roll! 📸
Our 5th graders are heading to Middle School, and we have something super fun planned to send them off in style. But we can't do it without YOU.
We're collecting baby and childhood photos of our scholars, and we need them as soon as possible! Dig out the cutest throwback pic you can find, include your scholar's full name, and send it over to Ms. Ernvall or your child's homeroom teacher right away.
Don't leave your kid out of the fun — submit that photo ASAP! 🥳
(Psst — volunteer opportunities for Promotion activities are coming soon too. Stay tuned!) 🙌
👕 It's T-Shirt Time 🎉
Our 5th graders are busy voting on their t-shirt design (future fashion icons, clearly 🙌), and we need to know their size before we place the order! Click this link and submit their size today — we don't want anyone missing out on the fun!
Willard Family Support Initiative Opt-In
Our community is coming together to support one another! District 65 welcomes donations from generous community partners in the form of food boxes, gift cards, clothing, and more — and we want to make sure these resources reach the families who need them most.
If your family could use some extra support, we invite you to fill out our confidential interest form. There's no obligation, and all responses are completely private. We'll work to connect you with the resources that show up and are available at school!
📝 Interested? Please complete this form.
Foundation 65 Community Showcase
We’re hosting our first-ever Foundation 65 Community Showcase, and it’s designed to be an easy, welcoming way to step into the work you’ve been reading about.
This FREE event will be on Sunday, April 26, from 2-4 at Fleetwood Jordain is designed with families in mind—hands-on activities, creative experiences, and a chance to see our teacher-led programs up close. From science experiments to literacy skills and math fluency, this is a great place for K-5 students to see great teachers and try out fun activities. Whether it’s a great afternoon with your kids or a great grandparent afternoon out, we would love to see YOU there!
Whether you stay for 20 minutes or the whole time, you’re invited.
💟 Willard Rummage Sale 💟
The Rummage Sale is fast approaching next month on April 25th!
There are many volunteers needed, both on the day of and on the days/weeks leading up to the event to make the Rummage Sale happen!
Please consider signing up for a time slot to volunteer here:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/8050D45A4A82CA1F58-62840626-willard
Lots of hands make light work… and not to mention is more fun! Thanks for your support in ensuring this event is a success once again!
📆 Mark Your Calendars 📆
Let's Dance the Night Away as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month on Friday May 8th, from 6-8pm at Willard Elementary school! Practice your Chinese Lion Dance skills, learn how to Bollywood dance, listen to K-pop music, create fun crafts and more! Plus, enjoy delicious Thai food catered by our own Willard Family Member and located right here in Evanston, Siam Splendour!!
⚽ Chicago Stars and District65! ⚽
Join District 65 Schools for a fundraiser at a Chicago Stars match on the lakefront! Get ready to cheer on the Stars as they face off against the Portland Thorns on Sunday, May 3rd at 12:00pm at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
For every ticket purchased, $5 will be kicked back directly to District 65 PTA/One Fund! Let’s pack the stands, bring the energy, and make this match a day to remember!
Date/Time: Sunday, May 3rd at noon
Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium 2235 N Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Ticket Link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/District6563
🔑 Focusing on Foster 🔑
May 13th: Foster School Family Night @Bessie Rhodes (6:00-7:00pm)
💫 On The Road To Haven... 💫
April 30th : Haven Feeder School Visit - Walking Trip (1:00-2:15pm)
Summer Programming - Community Options
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.
Writing Palooza – Saturday, May 2
Is your child passionate about writing? The Illinois Writing Project is hosting its annual Writing Palooza on Saturday, May 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Von Steuben High School (5039 N. Kimball Ave., Chicago), and students, parents, and teachers are all welcome!
The day is packed with breakout writing sessions led by university faculty and experienced teacher-writers, plus a keynote address by Dr. Tina Curry of National Louis University. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided, and the event wraps up with a student open mic reading — a wonderful chance for young writers to share their work and connect with a broader writing community.
To RSVP, look for the QR code on the flyer. If you have questions, reach out to the main office and we'll get you connected.
🚨 All Things PTA 🚨
Owl Notes!
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!
Dates to Remember
April:
- 18th: STEM Fest and Cardboard Carnival Showcase (11:00-2:00pm)
- 18th: D65 Electric School Bus Ribbon Cutting (12:30-1:00pm)
- 20th: D65 Regular Board meeting (6:00-8:00pm)
- 25th: Willard Rummage Sale (8:00-3:00pm)
- 26th: Foundation 65 Community Showcase (2:00-4:00pm)
- 26th: Registration deadline for 6th Grade and Selective Enrollment
- 28th: D65 Sustainability Community Meeting (Virtual)
- 30th: ABC Countdown Begins! (More Details Coming...)
- 30th: Haven Feeder School Visit - Walking Trip (1:00-2:15pm)
May:
- 3rd: Justin Wynn Awards Ceremony (10:30-12:30pm)
- 3rd: D65 Chicago Stars Soccer Game Fundraiser
- 4th: Committee of the Whole Meeting (5:00-7:00pm)
- 5th: 5th Grade Tree Planting!!
- 6th: School Improvement Day (Dismissal at 12:05pm)
- 8th: AAPI Celebration (6:00-8:00pm)