Helpful Information

Some parents ask what they can do over the summer with their child to teach or review skills. Attached is our KINDERGARTEN READINESS PARENT LETTER that will guide you as you and your child anticipate a great kindergarten year!

Important Dates: As we near the school year, information will be shared about our August Meet the Teacher event and Curriculum Night. Our first Principal’s Message is the first Friday of August when this information will be shared.

• ENews: District weekly message to your email. Includes district-wide information.
• Principal’s Message: Weekly message sent to your email. Includes building news, events, and links to PTO information.
• Website: www.kcsd96.org/wg

8:40 AM - 3:05 PM

When children arrive at school they enter through a door in the front of the school for parent drop-off. Parents may not enter the school during our drop-off procedures for the safety of our students. Children who ride the bus are met by an adult at their bus and additional staff greet them and help them into the building and to classrooms. Children in the Clubhouse program before and after the park-district program are dismissed and supported by adults, as well. Our hallways are filled with staff welcoming and supporting children. We teach students morning check-in routines, helping them become more and more independent with arrival routines.

If you are dropping your child off, please park on Checker Drive and bring them to the designated door in the front of the building. Do not park in our circle drive, over any crosswalk, or in front of the fire hydrant. Our doors open to children at 8:25 a.m., with our official start to school at 8:40 a.m. This time for students to transition into their day provides a calming start to a child’s day. It’s important to note that parents dropping off their child are not allowed to escort their children to their homeroom, for the security of our building. Also, if a child is tardy to school, parents must bring their child into the office and sign them in.

When children enter their classroom, teachers have attendance routines in place to account for all children. Absences and late starts need to be called into our office or 24-hour attendance line by parents. Do not email, as this is not a reliable way for us to receive this message in a timely and orderly manner. There are resources related to health and wellness guidelines on our district website.

• Information about required Health Forms
• Food Allergy Management Information

Recess is 20 minutes, daily. We have a beautiful space for children to play that includes equipment, grassy areas, and a blacktop area. Students have outdoor recess during each school day except in the most inclement weather. Please make sure your child is prepared for very cold weather throughout the cold months, as they do go outside nearly daily. When the temperature, including wind chill, is below 10 degrees, students will have an abbreviated outdoor recess or indoor recess. To play in the snow, students must be prepared with mittens/gloves, snow pants, boots, and a hat/hood. If they don’t have the required snow clothing, they play on the cleared blacktop area. If families choose, children may keep a set of the required items to play in the snow at school in their cubby throughout the winter months. Parents may not have their child stay in for recess when they choose. This requires a doctor’s note. We do not have supervision adequate to allow for this.

Part of a student’s morning routine is to choose what they are having for lunch or indicate if they brought lunch from home. If a student is purchasing a lunch from school, they also select their choice of entrée. All students have a “debit-like” bar-coded card assigned to them for purchasing lunch. These remain at school. Students use their cards in the lunchroom if they order a hot lunch or just a drink, which students bringing a lunch from home may still access. Students only have their lunch cards in their possession through the lunch line process; adults manage the storage, distribution, and collection of the lunch cards. If your child is bringing lunch from home, you may pack any food you’d like. Our School Nurse and I will work with families to support children who have food allergies to maintain a safe environment for the child. It is very much appreciated to consider the way in which you pack cold lunch items. Please choose containers that are easy for your child to open and prepare foods in a way that is easy for your child to consume, such as cutting fruit. Practice having lunch from a lunchbox with your child before the start of school. The lunch period is 25 minutes in length. We support the children to learn these routines and they do very well! Throughout lunch there are many staff on hand circulating amongst the tables to support children in any way they need. Children are walked back to their classrooms after lunch.

As part of our ongoing commitment to student health, safety, and academic readiness, beginning the 25-26 school year, KCSD96 is updating our snack list to fruits and vegetables (pouches labeled 100% fruit/vegetable are acceptable).

Our intention is for all students to feel safe and included at school. Limiting snacks to fruits and vegetables helps us maintain clean, allergen-conscious classrooms where every child can thrive. We understand this is a shift for some families, and we appreciate your partnership in supporting this change. If you have any questions or need support finding snack ideas, please contact your school office.

At dismissal, bus students are walked to lines where attendance is taken for each bus. They are then escorted by a teacher to the bus. You must meet your child at their bus drop-off point, near the street. Do not stand in your garage or a great distance away from the curb. The driver must see the adult or they will continue on their route. If there is a change in who will be meeting your child at their bus stop, please notify us ahead of time, as early as possible. Bus drivers may not release children to others who have not been arranged directly with the school by the parent or guardian. If a bus is running late, we do our best to notify parents through our texting/email messenger system. Parent pick-up students are walked to the parent pick-up line and parents retrieve their children from the main office entryway. If someone other than yourself or another specified caregiver will be picking your child up, please inform the office, telling us who the person is. Never park in the front circle drive or along access drive curbs; these are for buses or emergency vehicles only. Some families utilize the Buffalo Grove Park District program, Clubhouse. These students are walked to our cafeteria for after-school care.

Children are encouraged to dress themselves for going outdoors, change shoes for PE, and independently use the bathroom. Students should wear coats/jackets that they can put on and zip/button up by themselves; this minimizes frustration and builds independence. We will always help them to make sure they are properly dressed for outdoor weather. A change of clothes is also necessary to have at school in case of accidents or spills. Please send an extra set of clothes in a large, clear zip lock bag labeled with your child's name. We have gym every day, and we ask that children have an extra pair of gym shoes at school. Label everything.

Food is not permitted to be shared with the class. If you choose to send something in to recognize your child’s birthday, non-disruptive and safe non-food items are acceptable (pencils, erasers, party store favors, etc.).

Learn about opportunities through your Willow Grove PTO by signing up for their MTK (Membership Toolkit)! We value our partnership with our wonderful PTO! It is important to follow their information so you don’t miss a thing! They’ll bring you exciting opportunities for your child and family.

Our district website has a link to parent Frequently Asked Questions for transportation with a lot of valuable information. Click here!

How do I pay for a school-purchased lunch?

You will receive detailed information about this in August, prior to the school year starting. Can my child access the school lunch on different days? Your child’s lunch purchasing schedule may vary. You may change each day if you’d like your child to receive the school lunch or bring a lunch.

What if my child has food allergies?

We take food allergies very seriously and have precautions in place for children with life-threatening allergies. We have peanut-free tables if parents choose to have their child use that. Parents of children with life-threatening food allergies should contact the school nurse before school starts for any questions/concerns. Unlike lunch, children may not bring in anything they want for Daily Snack, as those are consumed in the classroom.

May my child bring a water bottle to lunch?

Yes, you may send water with your child. It should be packed inside the child’s lunchbox. If you want your child to have a water bottle in class and at lunch, you need to have two water bottles. Disposable water bottles are permitted at lunch, but not to be used during the school day. See “Daily Snack” for further information on water bottles.

Can my child heat their lunch from home at school?

No, there are no microwaves available for children. If you would like to pack warm food, a thermos is recommended.

Are the lunches from home kept cold?

We do not refrigerate lunches from home. Please use an insulated bag and an ice pack.

My family follows a specific diet. Can the school help my child manage this with their school lunch choices?

We cannot monitor children’s choices for family lifestyle health preferences. There are too many dietary preferences for us to manage this. Our suggestion would be to preview our menu with your child and discuss the choices with your child and what you would like them to have, or pack a lunch from home.

The first week of school is a big milestone, bringing excitement and, at times, a little nervousness for both children and parents—especially if your child is experiencing separation anxiety. We want to reassure you that this is completely normal, and we’re here to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

We know that many parents wonder if they can walk their child to their classroom. While we understand the desire to do so, we are unable to accommodate this request. For security reasons and to help all students settle into their new environment, we focus on creating a calm and consistent arrival routine from the very first day. Sometimes, prolonging goodbyes—while done with the best intentions—can make the transition more difficult for children. Our staff is ready to provide a warm and reassuring welcome to each child, helping them start their day with confidence.

Here are a few suggestions to support your child’s transition into Willow Grove in those first few days:

• Prepare them for the morning routine. Talking to your child about what to expect can be very reassuring. You might say something like, "Tomorrow, we’re going to school! You’ll see lots of children getting dropped off or arriving on buses. When it’s time, the teachers and principal will welcome you and help you get to your classroom, where you’ll have a great day! After school, I’ll be waiting to hear all about it."

• Keep goodbyes short and reassuring. It’s natural for some children to have a hard time saying goodbye, but a confident and loving farewell can help them adjust more quickly. If your child is struggling, our staff will be there to support them. Most children settle into their day quickly, but if we ever feel a child is having an especially difficult time, we will reach out to you.
• Begin your regular routine from day one. While the first day of school is a special occasion, keeping the drop-off routine as close to their daily schedule as possible helps children adjust. If your child will be taking the bus regularly, we encourage starting this on the first day. You can still celebrate the milestone at home with a special breakfast, a book about starting school, or lots of hugs and encouragement. If there are any changes to your child’s pick-up routine, please be sure to notify the school in advance.
• Trust the process and know that your child is in good hands. We understand that the first day of school can bring big emotions for parents too. Children take cues from the adults around them, so showing confidence in their ability to handle this new experience can be very reassuring. If possible, try to stay positive and composed until your child is on their way inside—it helps them feel secure and ready for their day.

The first few weeks of school come with a lot of new routines, and we appreciate your patience as everything settles into place. There may be a few bumps—tears, late buses, or extra traffic—but soon, the school day will feel familiar and comfortable for everyone. We’re excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to help your child feel safe, happy, and ready to learn. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your support—we are looking forward to a fantastic school year!