THE PUMA PRIDE

Dear Willow Dale Families:

Here at Willow Dale, we are enthusiastically looking forward to the start of the new school year! As an entire staff, we are committed to creating a school where everyone is treated with kindness and where all of our students learn and grow! Please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the Willow Dale team if we can be of assistance.

Warmest regards,

Mike Devitt, Interim Principal

Donna McCormick-Miller, Interim Assistant Principal

Katie Gill, Principal

Christopher Oswald, Assistant Principal

Kathy Folk, Administrative Assistant

Alyssa Benner, Administrative Assistant

To learn more about your new building administrators, click here

AUGUST

August 18: Grades 1-5 Teacher Assignments available in Skyward

August 25: New Student Tours and Kindergarten Orientation

• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: New Student Tours
• 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Kindergarten Orientation - Last name A-L
• 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Kindergarten Orientation - Last name M-Z

August 27

First Day of School Grades 1-5 (9:05 AM - 3:35 PM). School doors open at 8:45 AM.
First Day of School for Kindergarten Students Last Name A-L (9:45 AM - 1:30 PM)

August 28

First Day of School for Kindergarten Students Last Name M-Z (9:45 AM - 1:30 PM)

August 29:

• No School
• Kindergarten Teacher Assignments available in Skyward after 4 PM

SEPTEMBER

September 1: No School

September 11: Back to School Night (Grades K-5)

• Students Last Name A-L (6:00 PM - 6:45 PM)
• Students Last Name M-Z (7:00 PM - 7:45 PM)

September 12: HSA Back to School Picnic (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

September 15: Home and School Meeting (6:15 PM - 7:00 PM)

School Links

2025 Willow Dale Supply List

Child Care Arrangement Form

Reporting Student Absence

Student Lunch Account

Skyward Family Access

Early Dismissal/Change in Transportation

Home and School

District Links

Student Registration

Employment at CSD

CSD Weekly Update Archive

Food & Nutrition (Menus)

District eFolder (Community Flyers)

Student and Staff Wellness

Please review the information and updates below regarding Kindergarten Orientation on August 25 and the first two days of school for Kindergarten students.

A special orientation program for Kindergarten students and their parents/guardians will be held on Monday, August 25 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Willow Dale Elementary. All Kindergarten students and their parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to attend!

The first two days of school, August 27 & 28, will have a modified school day for Kindergarten students ONLY. All students in Grades 1-5 will follow the regular school day schedule (Doors open at 8:45 AM; Students dismissed at 3:35 PM).

Kindergarten students will be divided alphabetically, allowing for smaller screening groups, and each student will attend one of the first two days based on their assignment.

Aug 27-Kindergarten Students Last Names A-L ONLY: Arrive to school by 9:45 AM. Depart at 1:30 PM.

Aug 28-Kindergarten Students Last Names M-Z ONLY: Arrive to school by 9:45 AM. Depart at 1:30 PM.

The delayed arrival at 9:45 AM and early dismissal 1:30 PM will allow Kindergarten students to arrive/dismiss on their own and ensure all K-students are safely transported each day.

Transportation on August 27 and 28: There will be a special bus transportation schedule for Kindergarten students for August 27 and 28. This schedule will be distributed later in August. Parents/Guardians are also welcome to drive their Kindergarten child to school. If you will be driving your Kindergarten child to school on August 27 (A-L) or 28 (M-Z), please arrive between 9:30 and 9:45. For pick-up, please arrive between 1:20 and 1:35. The drop-off/pick-up location will be at the front of the school. VERY IMPORTANT: So that we know how your Kindergarten child will arrive to and from school on the 27th or 28th, your assistance in completing this form would be appreciated.

Lunch: Lunch will be served at 10:50 on these two days. Students may bring their lunch or buy their lunch (if buying, please set up a lunch account prior to the first day of school - link here). Also, here is the link to apply for free and reduced meals. Note: Breakfast will not be served to Kindergarten students on August 27 and 28, but breakfast will be available for Kindergarten students on all other school days (there is no cost for breakfast in CSD).

Name Tags: Name tags for the start of school will be distributed to families at the Kindergarten Orientation on August 25. These name tags will include a shape symbol. This shape will be used to designate their class assignment for the Starter Class on August 27 and 28. Please affix this name tag to your student's backpack. Feel free to coach your student on their Starter Class shape! Once the regular homerooms are established, we will shift to a color designation for Kindergarten homerooms. The kids will receive T-shirts in their homeroom color, courtesy of the wonderful WD Home and School Association!

Arrival and dismissal are precious times in the life of an elementary school. Ensuring student safety is our highest priority. At the same time, we want our procedures to be clear, calm, and convenient. Below are a few reminders on how you may assist with a smooth arrival to and dismissal from school.

Arrival Reminders

Bus Riders:

• Please have your child at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled bus arrival time.
• Bus schedules will be posted in late August.
• Bus Seating: Seating on the bus is organized by grade level. Kindergarten students are seated at the front with grade 5 students toward the back. If a younger student rides the bus with an older sibling, the older sibling is welcome to sit in the younger sibling's grade zone. We ask that the younger sibling not move to the older sibling's grade zone on the bus.

Car Riders:

• Doors Open at 8:45: Our doors open for students at 8:45. If you arrive before 8:45, please have your child wait with you in your car until the school doors open at 8:45.
• Drivers Remain with Vehicle: Drivers are asked to remain in your vehicle while the student exits the vehicle. If your child needs assistance exiting the car (e.g., they are bringing in a project or have an oversized instrument), please use Car Rider Line 1 (closest to the school sidewalk), and a staff member will be available to assist.
• Extreme Patience Requested: Please be patient as you are driving through the car line. Remember, we have two car lines for arrival. Please remain in your car line. Kindly do not move until the car in front of you moves. Please do not pull out and around another car while you are in the car rider line. Wait for the direction of the school security team before exiting the student loading zone.

Dismissal Reminders

Bus Riders:

• Kindergarten and Grade 1 Students: A parent (or other adult listed as an emergency contact) must be present at the bus stop or the student (K and Grade 1) will not be allowed to exit the bus.
• Bus Seating: Seating on the bus is organized by grade level. Kindergarten students are seated at the front with grade 5 students toward the back. If a younger student rides the bus with an older sibling, the older sibling is welcome to sit in the younger sibling's grade zone. We ask that the younger sibling does not move to the older sibling's grade zone on the bus.

Car Riders:

• Vehicle Tags: Car Rider Vehicle Tags will be provided to every student. Please have that tag visible on the dashboard. If need a replacement tag please contact your child's homeroom teacher.
• Extreme Patience: Please be patient as you are driving through the car line. Remember, we have two car lines for dismissal. Please remain in your car line. Kindly do not move until the car in front of you moves. Please do not pull out and around another car while you are in the car rider line. Wait for the direction of the school security team before exiting the student loading zone.

Attendance Notes can be Submitted Electronically via email at wdattendance@centennialsd.org. Please know you will still receive automated phone calls (to the primary phone listed in Skyward) if you have not submitted an absence note via email on the days your child is absent from school.

**Absence notes must be submitted within 3 days of the student's absence, otherwise, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

E-Mailing Attendance Notes

• Willow Dale families may email attendance notifications/notes to the following address: wdattendance@centennialsd.org
• E-mail notifications are encouraged on the morning of the absence day. However, e-mailed absence notes may be sent on the day following the absence.
• When sending an absence notification please include the following information:

1. Child's Name
2. Child's Grade
3. Child's Homeroom Teacher
4. Date(s) of Absence
5. Reason for Absence
6. Contact Phone # for Parent/Guardian
7. Other Pertinent Information

• While you may still continue to call the school on the day of absence, a follow-up e-mail or a written note is still required for the absence to be excused.

On behalf of the Home and School Association, we are thrilled to partner with you in supporting our students, teachers, and school community. Meet the team:

President- Julie Yuen

Vice President- Kristen Olejniczak

Treasurer- Kate Vogel

Secretary- Ashley Baron

To stay connected and be involved, please take a moment to re-enroll or join the HSA for the 2025–2026 school year. Your involvement—big or small—makes a difference!

Did you know you can shop at ShopRite in Warminster and get money back for the school? Here's how it works!

Reminder to get your clearances to volunteer as Homeroom Captain, Chaperone Field Trips, and Volunteer at Events!

Start Your Career at Centennial!

We are also currently seeking cafeteria/recess monitors and building substitutes for the 2025–2026 school year. For more information contact Mike Devitt at Willow Dale (215.441.6000 x17001). To apply please visit the Human Resources job opportunity page here. For questions, please call 215-441-6000, Ext. 11034. Please check out our employment website for a complete list of vacancies. https://www.centennialsd.org/employment

Open Opportunities:

• Bus Drivers

• Bus Mechanic
• Paraeducators (Instructional Assistants/ Personal Care Assistants)
• Cafeteria/ Recess Monitors
• Athletic Coaches
• Long Term Subs
• Special Education Teachers
• AND MORE!!!

The Transportation Department would like to thank you in advance for your patience during the start of the new school year. All pickup times will become more consistent after the first two weeks of the school year.

Centennial 2025-2026 Bus Schedule Information

Bus schedule information will be posted and available in Skyward as of August 22nd. Please look for the Transportation tab as you log into Skyward.

As a reminder, please have your child/children be at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup. If you have any questions, please contact us at 215-441-6000.

Childcare and Shared Joint Custody Forms
Childcare and shared joint custody forms need to be completed yearly and approved by the school administration prior to the start of school. Please click HERE to access the form.

Download the Free Stopfinder App Today!

The app can be downloaded to any iOS or Android enabled device and is available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.

APPLE APP STORE GOOGLE PLAY

Click here for Stopfinder App Instructions

Forget what you’ve heard about so-called “parent apps.” Stopfinder is redefining the term with its easy-to-use, all-in-one parent engagement app designed by parents for parents. Know in real-time where your child’s bus is, and the ETA, and have the most accurate information about your child’s bus schedule in the palm of your hand.

The pricing for meals for the 2025-2026 school year will be as follows:

Elementary School Breakfast is FREE for all students; Lunch cost is $3.05

Students who qualify for Free or Reduced Priced Meals will not be charged for Breakfast or Lunch.

Please be sure to check your child(ren)’s Food Service Account at schoolcafe.com for the current balance. Payments can be made online at schoolcafe.com or by paying at the register with cash or check. The District is encouraging families to fill out the Free and Reduced Applications as there are many other benefits that come along with it. You can apply online at schoolcafe.com or contact us to receive a paper application.

Please check out the website for more information.

Also, if you are looking for a job that works with your child(ren)’s schedule, please consider a position in the Food and Nutrition Department. Apply here.

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact the Manager of Food and Nutrition, Lori Deni, at denilo@centennialsd.org

Interim Assistant Principal: Donna McCormick-Miller x 17002

Website: https://wdes.centennialsd.org/
Location: 720 North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA 18974, USA
Phone: 2154416093
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowDaleEl