A.P. Willits School

Dear Willits Families,

May was a whirlwind of excitement and discovery at A.P. Willits! From hosting our dazzling Kindergarten Circus and celebrating wellness during our Mental Health Fair, to hands-on learning experiences like the 4th grade squid dissection and a visit from a butterfly expert for our 2nd graders — the month was packed with memorable moments.

One of the standout highlights was our 5th Grade Shark Tank Trade Fair, a dynamic cross-grade collaboration between A.P. Willits and Virtual Enterprises High School students and staff. This innovative unit harnessed the power of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), empowering our students to explore invention, creation, marketing, and entrepreneurial thinking. With guidance from their high school mentors, our 5th graders confidently pitched their products, turning feedback into action and impressing their older peers with their creativity and professionalism.

As we wind down the final four weeks of school, we look forward to even more shared experiences with our school community — including the excitement of Field Day and the celebration of our 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony on June 24th. The learning and joy continue at A.P. Willits!

Warm regards,

Ms. Morgan

May was a Month of Magic and Milestones for Our Kindergarteners at AP Willits!

The second week of May brought an unforgettable experience as our Kindergarteners watched in awe while our baby chicks hatched! It was a joyful and educational moment, filled with wonder and excitement as the children witnessed new life emerge right before their eyes.

Then, on May 15, we rolled out the red carpet for a spectacular event — The Greatest Show on Earth: Our Kindergarten Circus! We were thrilled to welcome families and the entire school community to enjoy the show. The students dazzled the audience with their performances, showcasing their creativity, confidence, and teamwork in a celebration that truly stole the spotlight.

This week, first graders teamed up with partners to play a fun matching game using picture models. Through this hands-on activity, students explored how numbers can be made using different combinations of tens and ones. After matching the models, students recorded the number of tens and ones for each combination. Students discovered an exciting pattern: as the number of tens decreased by one, the number of ones increased by ten!” First graders teamed up with partners to play a fun place value matching game using picture models. Through this hands-on activity, students explored how numbers can be made using different combinations of tens and ones. After matching the models, students recorded the number of tens and ones for each combination. The students discovered an exciting pattern. As the number of tens decreased by one, the number of ones increased by ten!

This month, second graders delved into the world of poetry through both reading and writing. During this unit, students had the chance to explore a variety of poems from diverse authors. They reflected on each piece by considering:

• What was the author's purpose?

• What special meaning or emotion did the author want to convey?

• What did I enjoy about this poem?

Students diligently analyzed figurative language and developed a keen interest in idioms. But hold your horses, there’s more! To kick off our poetry writing unit, students embraced the beautiful spring weather we’ve been enjoying. Like many great writers, they sat outdoors and engaged all of their senses to observe their surroundings. They then transformed those observations into poems. While crafting poetry isn’t always a walk in the park, our second graders truly enjoyed these reading and writing experiences!

Our 3rd grade students had an exciting time exploring geometry concepts using geoboards! Through hands-on activities, students created a variety of polygons and line segments, gaining a deeper understanding of shapes and their properties. Students practiced identifying and constructing quadrilaterals, parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines, while also investigating the differences between less than right angles, right angles, and greater than right angles. The geoboards allowed them to visualize and manipulate geometric figures, making abstract ideas more concrete and engaging. It was a fun and interactive way to reinforce their learning!

The fourth-grade science trip to Alley Pond Environmental Center was an adventure into the wonders of nature! Students explored the great outdoors on a guided nature walk, discovering how animals and plants have adapted to survive in their environments. From camouflaged creatures to resilient plant life, every step offered exciting lessons in adaptation. Through interactive experiences and close-up encounters with local wildlife and plants, students gained a deeper appreciation for the incredible ways nature thrives and changes. It was a day of discovery, curiosity, and fun—a perfect blend of science and adventure!

The fifth-grade students took center stage at the AP Willits Trade Fair, proudly showcasing their hard work during the much-anticipated Shark Tank Challenge. With weeks of preparation behind them, these young entrepreneurs confidently pitched their innovative business ideas to a panel of Sharks made up of parents, special guests, and supportive high school mentors. Each “company” shared its mission, marketing plan, and product samples, hoping to secure deals with eager investors.

The event was filled with excitement, creativity, and impressive teamwork. From products designed to relieve back pain and headaches to solutions for everyday challenges, the students wowed the crowd with their problem-solving skills and business savvy. Many teams walked away with new “investors” and a renewed sense of pride in their accomplishments. Keep your eyes on these rising stars; they’re well on their way to becoming the next generation of successful entrepreneurs!

On May 2nd, the PE department hosted our annual schoolwide Willits Derby, and it was a galloping good time! At Willits, we celebrate all things pawsitive! So it was exciting for students to discover that animals can train, stay focused, and compete–just like people do! The 2025 Willits Derby Winner–Mrs. Stefanak’s class horse–was crowned in a blanket of roses!

Once the Derby excitement was reined in, we shifted gears and jumped right into Field Day prep! Students have spent the rest of the month learning and practicing the new Field Day events–getting ready to show off their teamwork during one of the most anticipated days of the year!

We can’t wait to kick off Field Day on June 10th–it’s sure to be a field-tastic finish to an action-packed year in PE.

Third grade students participated in an artist study, creating their own drawings and paintings of cities inspired by the work of James Rizzi (1950–2011). Students learned that Rizzi was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and that he was a Pop artist known for his work as a painter, sculptor, graphic artist, and designer.

Using Rizzi’s techniques, students created whimsical, brightly colored cityscapes inspired by his favorite place in the world—New York City. The students drew their cityscapes from memory, imagination, and photo references. Each piece was filled with creative charm and featured Rizzi’s signature touches, such as smiley, happy faces on buildings, moons, and suns. Students completed their work by adding color using a combination of markers and watercolor techniques.

As part of our school-wide enrichment celebrating the hatching of baby chicks, our kindergarten students explored the fascinating world of chick development and movement! The students learned about the anatomy of a baby chick, identifying key features like the beak, wings, feet, and feathers. To deepen their understanding of science and engineering concepts, students also reviewed the forces of push and pull. Using this knowledge, students designed and created their own push-pull baby chick toys! This hands-on activity not only reinforced key physical science concepts but also connected meaningfully to the real-life experience of watching chicks hatch in their classrooms.

Kindergarten and first grade students had a wonderful time learning American Sign Language, focusing on how to sign the names of family members. They also practiced combining these signs with numbers to express simple sentences like, “I have five people in my family.” To help them stay focused and energized, they enjoyed yoga brain breaks throughout the day, which provided a fun and calming way to reset.

In second and third grade, students embarked on a global adventure through the “Passport to Asia” project. Each student selected an unfamiliar Asian country to research and created a Google Slides presentation to share their findings with the class. This project sparked curiosity and encouraged students to explore new cultures and traditions.

Meanwhile, fourth and fifth graders took their learning to Europe by researching lesser-known countries on the continent. They used Canva to design visually engaging presentations that highlighted interesting facts and cultural insights. It’s been an exciting and enriching month of global exploration and creative learning across all grade levels.

This month in library students learned about the significance of Memorial Day. Students listened to stories, watched BrainPOPs and shared about family members who served in the U.S. Military. Students showcased their appreciation of Memorial Day by creating the American flag in pixel art. Some students even used animation to mimic the flag blowing in the wind. The younger students learned about the 13 stripes and 50 stars on the flag. Then, the students colored it in using red and blue crayons. Students had a fun time learning about this important holiday in our country.

As the flowers bloomed, so did the musical talents of our incredible students! The 2025 Spring Concert was a joyful celebration of hard work, creativity, and the power of music.

Our Junior Band took the stage for the very first time, performing crowd-pleasing pieces like “Homework Blues” and the classic “Yankee Doodle.” The students' enthusiasm and energy lit up the room — what a proud and unforgettable debut!

Meanwhile, the Senior Band delivered a show-stopping final performance as A.P. Willits students. The set included the dynamic “Rockology” and a powerful rendition of “High Hopes,” as recorded by Panic! At The Disco. The students' passion and talent resonated with the audience, leaving a lasting impression. The 5th grade students will be deeply missed as they move on to new adventures!

The 4th and 5th grade chorus delivered a captivating performance that highlighted their vocal talent and stage presence through a thoughtfully curated selection of songs. The chorus opened with the patriotic classic “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” enhanced by American flag choreography that added a vibrant visual element to their spirited singing. The chorus then performed “La Música,” a lively Spanish-language piece featuring syncopated rhythms that challenged and showcased their musical skills. Their rendition of “I Am” followed, offering a beautiful, flowing melody that allowed the students to demonstrate their ability to harmonize with grace and emotion. The performance concluded with a powerful interpretation of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, which served as a show-stopping finale that left a lasting impression on the audience.

The 3rd grade chorus also shone brightly with a performance that was both energetic and heartfelt. They began with “Music Changes Everything,” an upbeat, pop-inspired song that set a joyful tone and reflected the students’ enthusiasm for music. Next, they performed “Happiness” from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, a gentle and emotive piece that allowed them to express a softer, more reflective side. Their grand finale, “Step in Time” from Mary Poppins, featured dynamic body percussion and coordinated hand movements, creating an engaging and memorable close to their set.

Both choruses demonstrated remarkable dedication, talent, and a genuine love for music. The students' hard work was evident in every note and movement, making this concert season a truly unforgettable experience for all. The audience was left inspired and already looking forward to next year’s performances.

On May 29th, our talented string students took the stage for their Beginner Concert, and what a performance it was! With poise and passion, the students showcased the skills they’ve worked so hard to develop. After the concert, many students shared how proud they were of their accomplishments — and rightfully so! It was a memorable milestone in their musical journey.

On May 16th, A.P. Willits students came together for our annual Wellness Fair, a joyful and meaningful celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. The morning was filled with engaging, thoughtful, and fun activities designed to promote emotional well-being and build a stronger school community.

Students participated in mixed-grade workshops, fostering friendships and connections across grade levels. These activities encouraged self-expression, mindfulness, and teamwork — all essential components of a healthy mind and heart.

To kick off the day, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Fernan joined the morning announcements to highlight the power of a positive mindset and share uplifting affirmations with the entire school. Their message set the tone for a day rooted in kindness, self-care, and unity.

The celebration concluded, as all Unity Days do, with the singing of our beloved school song — a perfect reminder of the strength we find in community.

Promoting mental health in children is more important than ever. It helps students build resilience, manage stress, and develop the emotional tools they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Events like the Wellness Fair not only support individual well-being but also create a culture of empathy, understanding, and support throughout our school. It was a day truly enjoyed by all — and a powerful reminder that mental health matters, every day.

• 6/6 - Eid al-Adha - School Closed

• 6/9 - Adventure Park - 5th grade trip

• 6/10 Field Day

• Rain Date: June 12th

• 6/11 - PTA Meeting - 7:45 pm - Library

• 6/12 - End of the Year PTA Party/Picnic - 4:30-6:00 pm (Willits Backyard)

• 6/13 - 10:30 am - Senior Graduates Walk-through

• 6/17 - 5th Grade Buddy Day (morning only)

• 6/17 - Outside 5th Grade PTA Party (night event - off campus)

• 6/18 - 5th grade PTA event - Yearbook signing (morning)

• Students only during the school day

• 6/19 - Juneteenth - School Closed

• 6/24 - 5th Grade Moving Up at 10:00 am (HBT)

• 6/26 - Final Global School Play Day

• 6/27 - Last day of school - School Sing-a-long

• Next meeting: June 11th at 7:45 pm - A.P. Willits Library.
• June 12th - End of the year PTA Picnic - 4:30-6:00 pm - Willits Backyard
• Please be sure to join the PTA to receive their weekly newsletter.
• If anyone has any questions, feel free to reach out to the PTA co-presidents (Mrs. Haber & Mrs. Schneidman) at apwillitspta@gmail.com

JOIN SEPTA

• Become a Member Today! Please join SEPTA today... $12 goes a long way to help us provide programming and events for all of our students.

• We have parent SEPTA representatives at each school in the district so be sure to reach out to them with any questions as well (meet them at your next school PTA meeting)!

• Membership is our main source of fundraising, and your support directly benefits our children.

• SEPTA Memberships

• You can also print the following form and mail it along with a check to Sarika Shah (see info on form). Any questions? Contact Sarika Shah at getsarika@gmail.com.

PAST PRESENTATIONS

• To view the presentations from our past SEPTA meetings, please click on this LINK.

The school uses Blackboard Messenger to update you about upcoming events, share information about special Spirit Days as well as to alert you of any transportation changes/alerts.