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Happy Friday, Willard Families!

I know you're used to receiving my newsletter on Sundays, but this week we're switching things up! There are so many exciting and engaging activities happening this weekend that we wanted to make sure you had plenty of time to plan and participate.

We hope our students have had a wonderful week settling back into their routines after break. The energy and enthusiasm in our hallways and classrooms has been amazing even as we enter winter testing season! As we look ahead to the weekend, we're thrilled about the opportunities for our Willard community to come together.

Please take a few moments to read through this newsletter carefully—there's important information about upcoming events, deadlines, and celebrations that you won't want to miss. As always, if you have any questions or wonderings about anything you read here, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Thank you for being such incredible partners in supporting our Willard Elementary community. Your involvement and dedication make all the difference in creating a nurturing environment where every child can learn and be seen.

Enjoy your weekend, and we'll see you soon!

Best,

AP Ernvall

Our fourth graders had an unforgettable hands-on science experience this Wednesday as they explored the wonders of anatomy by dissecting sheep hearts! Students transformed into young scientists, carefully examining chambers, valves, and vessels while making real-world connections to their study of the circulatory system.

The excitement in the MPR was palpable as scholars used their observation skills, asked thoughtful questions, and discovered firsthand how this incredible organ works to pump blood throughout the body. Students were amazed and excited all day long!

A huge thank you to our dedicated fourth grade team and Ms. Noble for organizing this engaging learning opportunity. Your commitment to bringing science to life through hands-on exploration creates memories and sparks curiosity that will last a lifetime. Our scholars are so fortunate to have teachers who go above and beyond to make learning both meaningful and exciting!

Thanks again for all the parent support to help make our Family Reading Night - Camping Edition a success! If you lent any camping gear (lanterns, sleeping bags, blankets, tents, etc.), please pick up your donation before winter break. We very much appreciated it!

A major Shout Out to Mr. Molitor for organizing the 4th and 5th grade Choral Day at ETHS! The Willard Choir was fantastic, and the students couldn't stop singing during the entire trip there and back yesterday. It was wonderful to join together with other D65 schools, all under the direction of Mrs. Zegree, the Director of Choirs at ETHS. The students did a beautiful job learning and performing "De Colores" and "Lovely Day" – what an inspiring day of music-making!

This month, Mrs. Gena is sharing something a bit different to fit your busy schedules. She's created an easy-to-read flyer that explores how children's behavior connects to interoception—their ability to sense and understand internal body signals like hunger, emotions, and energy levels.

Understanding interoception can provide valuable insights into why children act the way they do and how we can better support them. The photo below includes a link to an extensive resource website, and we'll be diving deeper into this fascinating topic in an upcoming newsletter.

We hope you find this new approach helpful in supporting your child's development and well-being.

Calling all detective families!

Have you noticed your child performing magic tricks with their winter wardrobe? You know the one – where a perfectly good coat disappears between morning drop-off and afternoon pickup? Or perhaps you're familiar with the incredible shrinking glove phenomenon, where pairs somehow transform into singles faster than you can say "but you JUST had both of them!"

If you're nodding along while mentally calculating how many mittens you've purchased this season (and it's only December!), we have good news: Those missing items haven't actually vanished at all. They're having a party in our Lost & Found! Please encourage your students to browse the Lost and Found for their missing goods!

Our 3rd and 4th graders have an amazing opportunity to attend the Chicago Wolves "Get Schooled by Skates" field trip! This unique educational experience connects hockey to classroom learning through an interactive workbook that explores math, science, language arts, reading, and social studies in fun, sports-related ways.

Permission slips went home yesterday (Thursday). Please help your scholar locate their slip and return it to school as soon as possible so we can secure their spot for this exciting trip! Early registration helps us finalize transportation and ensure all students who want to participate can join us.

This is a wonderful chance for students to see how their classroom learning applies to real-world situations while enjoying an unforgettable experience with the Chicago Wolves.

If you have any questions or need another permission slip, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or me (Ms. E). We're happy to help!

Evanston Parks & Recreation winter registration opened November 10th and closes January 8th – don't miss out! Basketball and cheerleading programs are available this winter season. You can find complete details on pages 20-24 of the winter guide which can be viewed here.

For answers to common questions, check out the FAQ page. If you need additional assistance, reach out to Louis Jones at jonesL@district65.net.

Register today to secure your spot for winter sports!

Come together in community for this family-centered healing circle that centers children and their experiences about living in Evanston. Facilitated by EPL Engagement Librarian and trained Restorative Justice Facilitator Laura Florian, kids and their families will experience guided reflection, opportunities for share-outs, poetry, and song. Afterwards, create a colorful votive candle holder to take home. For children Grades K and older with parents and caregivers. No advanced registration required.

The City of Evanston is committed to promoting a Citywide culture of accessibility and inclusivity. To request an accommodation for a program, service, or activity, please call 847-866-2919 to make an ADA service request or fill out a request form online.

Behind every successful school day is a dedicated district team ensuring everything runs smoothly. From processing payroll and registering new students to maintaining technology systems and coordinating meal services, our district departments handle countless essential tasks that support our students' learning experience.

Want to learn more about who does what? We've created a comprehensive Roles & Responsibilities guide that breaks down the functions of each department. This resource will help you understand exactly how our district team supports your child's education and who to contact when you need assistance.

The guide below is available in both English and Spanish (página 2 - accessible by clicking the arrow button at the bottom of the document). Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the many ways our district team works behind the scenes to create the best possible environment for our students to learn and grow. Click on the photo below.

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!

December:

• 8th: D65 Committee of the Whole meeting (5:00-7:00pm)
• 9th: D65 Caregiver Council for Disability Inclusion Meeting (6:30-8:00pm)
• 10th: Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee meeting (6:00-7:00pm)
• 12th: Report Card Distribution
• 15th: D65 Regular Board Meeting (6:00-8:00pm)
• 17th: K-2 Winter Wonderland (at school)
• 17th: 3rd and 4th Grade Chicago Wolves Field Trip
• 18th: 5th Grade Northwestern Basketball Field Trip
• 22nd: Winter Recess Begins!