THE WHOOT!

As I reflect on this school year so far, the feeling that comes to me most is gratitude. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead Willard, but even more so, I’m thankful for the trust and warmth you’ve shown me. Every day, I see the strength of our community—caregivers, teachers, and students—coming together with such genuine care for one another.

Gratitude, for me, goes beyond simply saying "thank you." It’s about feeling truly humbled and blessed to be part of something bigger than myself—a school community that is not just a place of learning, but a home where we support, uplift, and grow together.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me and for making Willard such a special place to belong. Here's to another wonderful week in Willard-land!

Warmly,

Ms. Battle

As we enter into this school year we will function & work from a theme/ place of PEACE. We will collectively model, learn, and teach from 4 Peace Pillars:

• Speak Peace: Thinking and acting with empathy, kindness, and curiosity
• Feel Peace: Using words & actions to help build a caring and safe environment
• Make Peace: Acting collectively to end all forms of racism, bias, bigotry, and bullying
• Know Peace: Finding enjoyment and connection as we strive for academic success in order to reach our full potential

To celebrate the launch of our Peace Pillars, our Culture and Climate Team will be holding a Peace Pep Rally for the kiddos this Friday!

We understand that some students may bring electronic devices, such as smartwatches, to school. These devices should be silenced and kept in the student’s locker throughout the day. Misused devices may be confiscated and kept with Ms. Battle or the classroom teacher.

Students may not be picked up from school unless the nurse calls home. This means that students should not be using their devices to call caregivers from the bathroom. It is important for the nurse to make these calls to ensure that proper procedures are followed, including a health assessment to determine the student's condition. This helps us keep families informed with accurate information and ensures that students are receiving appropriate care before they are dismissed. Allowing the nurse to handle communication also prevents confusion or unnecessary worry for families."

Students have been informed of the policy of keeping their electronic devices in their locker. Please help reinforce that the devices may not be taken out of their locker during lunch/recess and bathroom breaks.

We appreciate your partnership with this!

As we enter testing season, our teachers are working to create calm and focused classroom environments. One of the resources we'll be using to support students is from Calm Classroom!

If you want to support your kiddo at home, remaining calm and staying positive about taking the assessment eases anxiety for the student! As you know, these assessments are a snapshot and it's important that every student has the advantage to do their best. We don't want to cause test anxiety, rather, we want your child to be as prepared emotionally and mentally as possible!

D65 is excited to implement SAEBRS this school year allowing us to focus on the whole child! For more information about the implementation of the SAEBRS assessment, click here.

Looking to volunteer at Willard? Click here for our district's volunteer process!

We’ve welcomed 46 new families to the PTA so far this year, and we’d love to keep growing our PTA community. Your involvement and support enables us to provide discretionary funds for teachers, community and cultural celebrations, and much more. Please consider joining today!

Join the Willard PTA
Register to be a Willard/D65 volunteer
Shop the Willard Spirit Wear Store

Join us THIS Thursday, Sept. 12th from 6:00-7:15 pm in the Willard Library. Childcare will be provided, in addition to a Zoom link, if you're unable to attend in person.

Come learn more about the vision and mission of the PTA, how we'll partner with Willard staff, and ways to get involved.

Looking ahead to fall, be sure to save the date for:

• Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Oct. 18
• Parents’ Night Out Fundraiser on Nov. 2.

Details to come!

District 65 and the City of Evanston are excited to partner together to provide increased access to youth athletics programming. Participating in athletics provides opportunities for students to get physical activity, develop relationships with peers, learn the importance of teamwork, build self-esteem, learn valuable life skills, and more!

Students in grades 4-5 at all District 65 elementary and magnet schools have the opportunity to participate in flag football and cross country programs this fall. Registration must be completed through the City of Evanston by Monday, September 9: cityofevanston.org/register.

Confidential fee assistance to participate in athletics is available based on family size and total family income. Please complete the application on the City of Evanston's fee assistance webpage. Visit the District 65 athletics page to learn more.

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El Distrito 65 y la Ciudad de Evanston están emocionados de colaborar para proporcionar mayor acceso a la programación de deportes para jóvenes. La participación en programas deportivos proporciona a los estudiantes oportunidades para tener actividad física, desarrollar relaciones con sus compañeros , aprender la importancia del trabajo en equipo, desarrollar la autoestima, aprender habilidades valiosas para la vida, y más!

Los estudiantes en 4º y 5º grado en todas las escuelas primarias y magnet (especializadas) del Distrito 65 tienen la oportunidad de participar este otoño en los programas de futbol-bandera (Flag football) y de campo traviesa en atletismo (cross country). La inscripción debe llevarse a cabo a través de la ciudad de Evasnton a más tardar el lunes 9 de septiembre, en el sitio web: cityofevanston.org/register. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que la ciudad de Evanston ofrece programación para estudiantes en otras edades y niveles de grado durante todo el año. Hay más información disponible en el sitio web de la ciudad de Evanston.

La asistencia confidencial para el pago de las cuotas para participar en actividades deportivas está disponible en función del tamaño de la familia y del ingreso familiar total. Por favor llene la solicitud en la página web de la ciudad de Evanston para asistencia en pago de las cuotas. Visite la página de actividades deportivas del Distrito 65 para obtener más información.

Discovery Clubs registration opens today 09/02/24 and closes on 09/20/24. For more information, see the flyers below! If you have any additional questions, you can reach out to:

Raheem Lee (he/him/his)

Program Coordinator & Manager

Email: willard@rightatschool.com

Willard Welcome Packet

• English
• Spanish

District 65 Back to School Guides

• English
• Spanish

September

• 12th: Principal/PTA Town Hall, 6:00- 7:15 pm
• 13th: Peace Pep Rally
• 18th: School Improvement (No School)
• 19th: School Led Fire Drill, 10:20-10:40 am
• 20th: Picture Day + International Day of Peace
• 26th: Curriculum Night 5:30-7:00 pm at Willard
• 27th: Kinder Crowning (details coming soon!)