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For Parents » Willow School Student Handbook 2024-2025

Willow School Student Handbook 2024-2025

Welcome to Willow School. We are excited to have you as part of our Wildcat family! This handbook contains the basics for navigating our school. It is not meant to be all encompassing. We wanted you to have a quick and easy reference. 

You will receive a lot of communication from us. We want to be sure your child’s experience is both fun and educational.  We will need your help along the way. Once you have perused the handbook, please reach out if you have any questions. 

DAILY SCHEDULE        
Students should not arrive before 7:40 a.m.
Breakfast begins 7:45 a.m.
School begins 8:00 a.m.
Tardy bell rings 8:05 a.m.
Dismissal time is 2:50 p.m.
 
PreK/EC    
AM session is 8:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
PM session is 11:45 a.m. –  2:15 p.m.

WILLOW SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS    
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

PHONE NUMBERS         
Attendance Hotline             708-647-2200
Willow Office                 708-798-3720

PARENT PORTAL
HSD 153 Parent Portal provides parents and guardians of HSD students with real-time access to their student's records. In addition to using it to register, this system is provided as a convenience where you can monitor lunch balances, pay for field trips, or see grades when the are posted. At Willow, it is not used to post homework the way it is in other buildings.

- A -

If your child must be absent, please call the 24-hour attendance hotline at 708-647-2200 before 8:00 a.m.  Please leave your child’s name, teacher’s name, and reason for absence. If your child is sick, please state his/her/their symptoms. All unreported absences are unexcused.  You may request homework to be picked up in the office at the end of the day after the third day of absence. Please contact the teacher regarding work. Absences for personal reasons or vacations are considered unexcused absences.  Please request an extended absence form for vacations taken during the school 
Allergies, especially food allergies, can be life threatening. Our goal is to reduce the risk of  accidental exposure to food or other allergens which may cause anaphylaxis in the school setting.
  
If your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, please call and request a meeting with the school nurse. You will be asked to provide written documentation from your physician regarding your child’s specific allergies. The nurse will develop an emergency care plan that will accommodate your child’s needs throughout the school day. These  accommodations may include a peanut/tree nut free classroom and/or  peanut/tree nut free lunch table.   
 
The school nurse will provide you with all the necessary medication forms and will assist you with their completion. All emergency medications, prescribed by your physician, and provided by the parent, will be properly stored at school. School staff who interact with your child on a regular basis will be given a copy of the emergency care plan.  All school staff will be taught how to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and emergency medication administration.
 
In addition, if your child has been diagnosed with an allergy to latex, medication, bee stings or other environmental triggers, please contact the school nurse for these  concerns as well.    
 
We welcome an opportunity to meet with you to discuss your child’s allergies and implement a personalized health care plan. Together we can create a safe school environment for your child.
In order to assure student health and safety, animals, including household pets, are not allowed on school property while students are present, except in the case of a service animal accompanying a student or other individual with a documented disability.  This policy may be waived by the principals in the case of an educational opportunity for students, provided the animal is properly handled and students will not be exposed to a dangerous animal. Willow will have a therapy dog, Walter, on the premises this year
Supervision at Willow School begins at 7:40 a.m. Staff members are on duty and ready to receive students from 7:40 to 8:00 a.m. Students may not be dropped off before 7:40 a.m.
 
During these inclement weather conditions, students will come indoors upon arrival at school: 
  • air temperature or wind chills below 20 degrees
  • rain
  • when our outdoor play areas are not conducive to safe conditions
 
If your student arrives after 8:05 a.m., an adult needs to enter the office to sign him/her/them in for the day.
 
Please note it is Homewood School District 153’s long-standing policy that students are not allowed to ride their bikes to school until they are in third grade. If you are driving your student to school, please refer to the Transportation Safety section in this handbook.
All district students are assessed throughout the year in reading and math using  standardized assessments. The results are reported to teachers and administrators via a web-based data management and reporting system to determine student growth.  Students deemed at risk are provided with more individualized interventions and monitored more frequently.  
 
In addition to standardized tests, teachers create common, formative assessments that provide feedback on how well students have learned the intended curriculum and skills. Observation, one-on-one assessment, and teacher created assessments are also used to monitor student learning.
Each teacher will supply your student with an assignment book. This assignment book is one of the first lines of communication between you and your child’s teacher. Along with homework assignments, it will also occasionally have notes to you from the teacher. Please review your child’s assignment notebook every day. It should be returned to school each morning signed by a parent or guardian. 
Your child’s regular and prompt attendance at school is crucial to his/her success. Students arriving after the tardy bell cause a disruption to the class. They miss out on the classroom morning routines and activities that cannot be made up. Our school day starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:50 p.m.  We discourage making appointments during the school day unless it is absolutely necessary. Please view school as a priority, making sure your child attends every day and is on time.
 
The Compulsory Attendance Law requires that children must attend school and that it is the responsibility of the Parents/Guardians to see that they attend.  If there is an accumulation of unexcused absences that total more than 5% of the days (9 days) in the current school year, a student is considered truant and may be reported for truancy.  By law, absences are reported to the State Board of Education and are reflected on the school district’s report card.  Absence and tardy letters go home at each trimester.

- B -

Please label all coats, umbrellas, backpacks, gym shoes, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc. with your child’s name. Also, please do not allow your child to bring toys, including electronics, from home to school unless you receive a specific request for something from the teacher. 
Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If you would like to distribute invitations to your child’s birthday party using the classroom mailboxes, please understand that an invitation must be going to every student (or every girl or every boy) in the class.  Additionally, invitations may not be handed out on the school bus. Please do not send edible birthday treats. Refer to the food policy in this handbook.
 
Throughout the year your child may have the opportunity to order books through various book clubs.  As you purchase books, the classroom will earn points that will allow them to earn free books!  You may order at your own discretion.  When ordering, please follow your child’s classroom procedure.
Breakfast will be available to students between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. each day. The cost will be $2.45 and  $.30 for student who receive the reduced cost. (prices may fluctuate) Please be sure your free/reduced form has been turned in at the District Office. Until approved, your child will need money in his/her/their Portal account.
Students may be eligible for free bussing. Free bus transportation is provided to all students who live beyond 1½ miles from school and to students who would have to walk along or cross roads defined as presenting serious safety hazards.  Those students living in the area south of 183rd Street, west of Riegel Road, north of 187th, and east of Harwood Avenue are considered walkers and are not eligible for bussing.
 
If this is your student’s first experience riding a school bus, it is a good idea to keep an index card in his/her/their backpack with his/her/their name, address, phone and assigned bus route and stop number. Students receive color-coded bus tags. These tags should remain on their backpack and not be removed.  Regular bus drivers soon get to know their children and routines are quickly established.   
 
Kindergarteners will NOT be dropped off at any stop unless an approved adult is waiting at that stop for their child.  Students who remain on the bus because no adult was present to meet them will be returned to Willow School.  If you miss getting your child off the bus, please call the office and come directly to the school. Due to capacity limitations and insurance concerns, students must ride their assigned buses only.
 
In order for your child to be dropped off at a daycare provider, the daycare provider MUST have an address within the Homewood School District 153’s boundaries. More information is available and all arrangements must be made through our District Office by calling 708-799-8721, ext. 2504.

- C -

A good parent-teacher relationship is very important to your child’s success in school. Throughout the year, teachers will communicate with you through notes, telephone  calls, email, newsletters, report cards, various apps and conferences.  Much of our communication is now done through email, so please be sure that the teacher has your current address. We encourage you to contact your child’s teacher at any time with questions or concerns.  Teachers are not expected to return calls/emails/etc. after school hours. While we appreciate social media and the need to vent, the fastest way to resolution is to contact the office when you have a concern. 
Please notify the school office immediately if you change your address, phone number, cell number, email address, childcare arrangements, or emergency contact person.  There are times when we may have to contact you in case of illness or an emergency. Robo calls will go to the primary phone on file.
Our curriculum consists of English language arts (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and handwriting), mathematics, science, and social studies, and is aligned to the framework of the Common Core State Standards. The standards were created for grades kindergarten through high school in order to provide consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career. The National PTA has created a Parents’ Guide to Student Success that provides detailed information about expectations at each grade level. Curriculum maps for each grade level can also be found under on the district website.
If there is any legal custody or divorce settlement information of which the school should be aware regarding your child, notify the office verbally and in WRITING.  This  information must include copies of pertinent legal documents (court orders).  It is  extremely important that the school know if a student is not to be released to a specific person. This information needs to be brought to our attention at the beginning of each school year and as situations change.

- D -

All children deserve a positive educational climate to promote academic success. Each and every child has a responsibility to him/her/themself and the other students to contribute to a positive atmosphere. (Teachers focus on the students who are doing the right thing and praise them, then others usually perk up and try to act like them, too. ) Teachers try to make it easy for students to behave correctly with fun and engaging activities. Teachers also try hard to sense when they’ve had enough sitting down, work time, listening, etc. Students are required to follow the “Willow Way,” our school’s behavior expectations.
 

The Willow Way:  Be Safe, Be Caring , Be Ready

In addition to the school-wide PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) expectations that are taught to every student (see “P” for PBIS), each teacher has a behavior system set up within his/her/their classroom that is designed to provide a  standard set of expectations and consequences for the children within their particular class. Each teacher will provide you with an overview of his/her/their behavior program.
 
If a student’s behavior disrupts the learning of others or compromises his/her/their safety or the safety of others, it may be necessary to send a child home. Detailed information is available in the District 153 Discipline Policy Handbook, available on our website, www.hsd153.org.
Students are divided up by bus riders and “walkers.”  “Walkers” meet at designated doors where staff members release them once their pick-up person is in sight. If  students are still waiting for a ride at the end of dismissal time (3:00 p.m.), they are brought to the office. If your child is not at his/her usual spot for pick up, please check in at the school office.

- E -

E-Learning has replaced what was formerly known as snow days. On E-Learning days, your child will learn from home. This will include time interacting with the class and teacher via video conferencing software, as well as individual assignments. If we know in advance that we will be closed, your child’s iPad will be sent home with him/her/them.
On occasion, it may be necessary to pick your child up from school before the regular dismissal time at 2:50 p.m.  Please send a note to school with your child in the morning.  Students will be called to the office when you arrive to pick them up, not before.  Many times students miss out on valuable class time waiting in the office for parents to arrive.
In extremely severe weather or other extenuating circumstances, school may be closed. Our school district uses an automated phone calling system for emergency notification, so it’s critical that we have your current phone number and email on record. Emergency closing information will also be posted on the district website at www.hsd153.org or the district Facebook page. For further information, please tune in to local media outlets, including WGN-AM 720, WBBM-AM 780, WCGO-FM 102.3, and AM 1600 as well as cable TV channel CLTV.
The District philosophy is that it is not developmentally appropriate to identify students at this age as “gifted,” so no formal gifted program exists at Willow. However, students that are exceeding grade level expectations are provided enrichment activities that relate to math and reading. Participation is fluid and based on a review of the relevant data.
If there is a need to evacuate the building in an emergency, there are “safe sites” identified where we will bring the students.  Please do not come to the building--law enforcement will need your cooperation so they can handle whatever situation exists.   An automated call and/or text will go out to parents, informing you of the location of your  student. Proper identification will be required so your child can be released to you. Please follow all procedures at the evacuation site so that dismissal can be quick and orderly.

- F -

Field trips allow the children to have active learning experiences that help reinforce the   concepts and topics about which they are learning. Students attend regular school hours on field trip days. Children may ride their regular morning and afternoon buses. 
 
We may need volunteers to chaperone field trips (sign-up will be on the permission form); however, please remember that siblings are not allowed to attend.  Permission slips will go home prior to each field trip. Please be prompt in returning them. This will help immensely in getting ready for the trip.  Your child cannot attend without a signed permission slip.  Fees, times, and additional information will be on the permission slip. Payments should be made though the Parent Portal School Store.

Parents not chosen as chaperones should not “show up” anyway. Chaperones are expected to set a good example for the children in their care. A copy of the Chaperone Expectations can be found at the end of the book.
With the increasing number of food allergies and the overall goal of providing a healthy environment for our students, we have adopted the following procedures:
 
Holiday celebrations (Halloween, Winter, and Valentine’s Day)                Do not send any edible treats to school to share with students.
Birthday celebrations
Each student’s birthday is recognized and celebrated in the classroom as well as during morning announcements. Students are welcome to share a non-edible treat with classmates.
Classroom celebrations
If food is a part of a classroom celebration (Chinese New Year, 100s Day, etc.), parents will be notified in advance about what will be served.  If you prefer that your child not eat the food that is being served, please send an alternative snack for him/her.
Nut/Peanut Free Rooms
All students in a “Nut/Peanut Free Room” will be unable to bring this allergen to school for snack. Students can bring Sun Butter as a substitute. If you choose this option, please label the bag.
 
These added measures allow us to better ensure the safety of our students with allergies and provide healthy alternatives for all students.  It remains our intention to celebrate special days with our students, but we want to shift the emphasis away from food.  By modifying our food policies, we can ensure that these events are not only fun, but most importantly, safe for everyone.

- H -

Parents and educators have long stressed the importance of good writing posture and have known that the first and most important thing to teach a child is how to grip the pencil properly. For many, this is often a difficult and frustrating experience because pencils are not made with “little” fingers in mind!
 
illustration of tripod pencil grip
A pencil should be positioned so that there is equal pressure between the thumb, the side of the middle finger, and the tip of the index finger. All fingers are bent slightly. This is called a “tripod grip” or “tripod pencil grasp”. Students are told to have the pencil pointing towards him/her/them, then pinch with thumb and pointer fingers, and push back to rest on hand.
Homework will be used to reinforce the concepts that are worked on in class. Teachers may provide you with an overview of the classroom’s homework policy.  Please work together with your child to ensure that homework is completed and returned on time. Twenty minutes of time reading each night is recommended.

- I -

In an effort to keep all our students healthy and effectively control the spread of communicable disease within the school, we ask that you report all illnesses to the school office and/or the school nurse. Some examples are chicken pox, strep throat, pink eye, lice, COVID, RSV, hand/foot/mouth or the flu. A doctor’s note is not required for re-admittance to school for these illnesses; however, an extended illness of more than 3 consecutive days requires a doctor’s release.
 
If your child has symptoms of the flu, which is a serious illness, please contact your doctor. Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches.
 
Please do not send your child to school if you suspect any illness. Additionally, do not send your child back to school too early after an illness. In accordance with public health guidelines, he/she/they must be symptom free of fever (temp of 100 or higher), vomiting and/or diarrhea, for 24 hours. If an antibiotic is prescribed, he/she/they must be on it for at least 24 hours before returning to school. These same guidelines are followed when a  student develops symptoms during the school day and needs to be sent home. 
 
Pick up of a sick child is expected within 30 minutes of notification. If your child is sent home with a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, he/she/they should not return the next day.   
 
Please contact the school nurse at 708-647-5648 with any health related questions.
 

- L -

This may be many children’s first experience eating lunch in a large cafeteria. We make every effort to make them comfortable in this setting and there is adult supervision in the lunchroom to help your child. Children may bring their own lunch or purchase a lunch at school. Monthly menus and price information are available on our website. Lunch will be $3.35. Please review the menu and decide which days, if any, that you’d like your student to purchase a lunch. A student bringing his/her own lunch may purchase a carton of milk ($.30)or juice ($.50).
 
Please note that meals cannot be specially prepared for children with dietary  restrictions. Students with such concerns should bring lunch from home.  If your student has a milk allergy or milk disability, a milk substitution form must be completed, signed by a doctor, and be on file with the school nurse. A “peanut free” table is set up each day for those students with peanut allergies.
 
Homewood School District 153 has a computerized cafeteria management system. The system is designed to help with the record keeping requirements of the State of Illinois.
 
Each child will have an account in the system for lunch purchases. We can accept lunch account payments online through the Parent Portal. Simply log in to your account, click on the “Food Services” tab on the left and follow the instructions. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. You will  have the option to save your card,  set up recurring payments, or low balance notifications.
 
Families who apply and qualify for free or reduced meals will be notified by mail within ten days of the date of application by the District Office. Applications are sent home at the beginning of the school year and are available throughout the year in the office.  Please deposit money in the Portal for a hot lunch or send a sack lunch from home with your child until you have received notification of approval from the District Office.
   
Families must re-apply for free or reduced meals each year.
 
For further information regarding the lunch program, please contact Anne Simons at  708-799-8721 ext 2520.

- M -

Administering medication at school is done only in the case of an emergency or if  needed for your student’s participation at school. All medications that must be given at school, including over-the-counter medications, require a Medication Authorization Form that includes the doctor’s order and parental consent.  All medications will be administered by the school nurse or an administrator, not your child’s teacher. You must provide the medication in the original container and all prescription medication must display the student’s name as well as the name and dosage of the medication. The Medication Authorization Form is available in the nurse’s office or on our website under Parents, Registration, then Registration Forms.
When it is necessary to send money to school, ALWAYS send it in a sealed envelope with the following information:
 
  • Your child’s name
  • The purpose of the money and amount
  • Teacher’s name and room number
 
Money lost or misplaced by your child cannot be refunded. Please follow instructions if money should be deposited in the Portal instead of sent to the school.

- O -

The Willow School office is open each school day from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.  If you have any questions or concerns, please stop by or call 708-798-3720.

- P -

If you have a student at Willow School, the Parent Portal provides access to information regarding attendance records, bus routes, family contact info, lunch accounts, immunization records, report cards, and student fees  Go to our website at www.hsd153.org - click on Parents & Students; then Parent Portal on the left hand side of the screen. There is a user’s guide; however, if you still have questions, you can email them to [email protected].
 
As parents, you are instrumental in preparing your child for a successful school experience. The best learning activities you can provide for your child are those which  occur naturally and every day.  The experiences listed below are excellent opportunities for intellectual, basic skill, language, motor, and behavioral development for your child and are instrumental for a successful school experience:
 
  • Talking to (and with) your child stimulates language development. Reading to your child promotes language development and attending/listening skills.  Read to and with your child daily and make frequent use of the library. This will stimulate your child’s interest in reading.
  • Drawing pictures, coloring, and cutting out shapes and along lines are excellent  activities to develop fine motor skills.
  • Visits to the museum, library, and zoo, as well as family vacations stimulate intellectual and basic concept development.
  • Playing catch and having your child run, skip and hop are great opportunities to develop gross motor skills. 
  • Playing board games with your child is an excellent opportunity for your child to listen, take turns, share, and learn how to be good winners and losers. These behaviors are important within the group learning environment of a classroom.
  • Completing tasks and following verbal directions are critical to your child’s development as this enhances his/her/their ability to work independently within a classroom setting.
  • Showing daily interest in your child’s work and praising efforts. Be sure to check his/her/their folder every night.
  • Encourage your child to respond to conflict/disappointment by using        appropriate words and asking an adult for help. There is never a need for physical aggression at school!
  • Clearly communicate to your child your expectations of behavior and effort while he/she/they is at school.  It is important he/she/they know that you and the school are on the same page.
  • Promote your child’s ability to independently follow directions the first time they are given.
  • Promote your child’s independence and responsibility by having him/her/them complete a list of tasks or chores daily, and praise him/her/them for those accomplishments.
  • Encourage your child to speak in complete sentences using standard language.
  • Establish a brief daily home time to review academic concepts or to practice fine motor activities.
  • Familiarize your child with the sight words (a list available from your child’s teacher) that he/she/they will frequently encounter.
  • Encourage self-help skills like buttoning, zipping, tying shoes, and snapping.
  • Encourage good manners (sharing, taking turns, using “Please” and “Thank you”, listening to others, observing rules, etc.
PTA Room Representatives will arrange for two parents per classroom to attend the holiday parties - the two room parents along with two helpers providing the game and the craft.  Parents can sign up for these positions at Open House.  If you have children at multiple schools, please do not sign up for the same parties at other schools.
 
  • Halloween Parade and Party:  8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Winter Party:  9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  • Valentine’s Day Party:  1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Field Day: All students K-2 participate in field day at the end of the year. The classroom teachers will ask for volunteers to help out with this huge event.
 
Please notify the teacher if you do not wish to have your child participate in any classroom celebrations. Alternate activities will be provided.
The Parent Music Association works at supporting all the wonderful music programs within the district. Click here to find more information on the PMA website.
 
Homewood PTA exists to promote the welfare of students and encourages communication between the home and school. The officers and committee members work together with many other volunteers to plan and carry out programs to benefit students, parents and the school. Please consider membership in the Homewood PTA! Click here for more information and to sign up. 
PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. PBIS is a school-wide plan designed to address the behavioral and social-emotional systems needed for successful learning and social development of students. It is a pro-active approach that helps create and maintain a safe and effective learning environment. With PBIS, staff members define the expected behaviors by teaching these behaviors to the students as well as modeling and practicing the desired behaviors daily.
 
The Willow Way:  Be Safe, Be Caring, Be Ready
 
Students go through a series of behavior-related lessons to understand and internalize the school’s expectations, also known as the Willow Way. Posters in classrooms and common areas like the hallways and restrooms remind them of the Willow Way and what that behavior looks like in different settings.
 
Students are recognized for demonstrating the appropriate behaviors in school. Recognition is given on both an individual and class (group) level.
 
  • Individual – Students can earn Willow Wows for being “caught” demonstrating the Willow Way.  Students spend their Willow Wows to buy school-related or age-appropriate items off the Willow Wow cart or classroom treasure boxes.
  • Group (class) – Classes can earn Wildcat Certificates for being “caught” demonstrating the Willow Way as an entire group.  Classes collect their Wildcat Certificates to participate in monthly school wide celebrations.
 
Reinforcing the premise behind the Willow Way (Be Safe, Be Caring, Be Ready) at home helps the students internalize those positive behaviors and demonstrate them while in school.
During school hours, the playground is reserved for school use. We hope you enjoy it plenty after hours. If you see anything concerning, please contact the Willow Office or Homewood Police, depending upon the time of day. There is a smaller section behind the building that is only for our early childhood students. This section will be closed after school hours.

- R -

Weather permitting, the children will be going outside for recess daily. The state mandates that children have 30 minutes of play per day. Please keep this in mind when helping your child select clothing and shoes for the day.  Students will have indoor recess on rainy days, if the air temperature falls below 20 degrees, the wind chill factor is below 20 degrees, or the playground conditions are unsafe.
 
These same guidelines are used when students are arriving to school in the morning.
 
Children must wear snow pants, gloves/mittens, and boots to be allowed to play in the snow.
 
Report cards/progress reports are given the end of each of our trimesters in November, February, and May/June. The first trimester report card is distributed during Parent-Teacher Conferences in November. The other two are available on the Parent Portal. You will also get a progress report from Forefront during the first two trimesters instead of grades on the report card. We use a standardized report card, which means that the skills listed are not expected to be mastered until the end of the year. 
Have your child use the restroom shortly before coming to school, especially is he/she/they are riding the bus. We will have a  few restroom breaks during the day.  Please make your child’s teacher aware of any medical problems that might require more frequent use.  Please review bathroom etiquette with your child; go in, use the bathroom, wash hands thoroughly, exit. If you are the parent of children identifying as male, please familiarize them with urinals prior to the start of school.

- S -

Willow School issues a weekly bulletin. This bulletin contains important information about school programs, special achievements, pictures, and upcoming events.  Newsletters are emailed to our families each Friday. We appreciate your time in reading it.  
SEL is a curriculum designed to increase students' school success and decrease problem behaviors by promoting social-emotional competence and self-regulation. It teaches skills that strengthen students' ability to learn, have  empathy, manage emotions, and solve problems. Equipping your child with these skills will create a safer, more respectful learning
environment that promotes school success for all!  
 
We use a curriculum called Second Step for SEL and have also integrated its Bullying program. We also teach a program called The Zones of Regulation. By law we are required to teach Erin’s Law about personal body safety. https://www.erinslaw.org/ These presentations are done by our school Counselor and Social Worker.
Smoking, of any kind, is prohibited on school property. Please be aware the odor that comes with smoking often gets absorbed into your child’s clothing and backpack, then brought into the school building. 
Each class will have a snack time in their classroom.  Please provide your student with a small, light, nutritional snack such as dry cereal, yogurt, pretzels, fruit, or granola bars. The school does not supply snacks to students. Students can bring an appropriate beverage from home or drink from their water bottle. If your child is also bringing a sack lunch, please be sure he/she knows which is lunch and which is snack. Many of our classrooms are “peanut-free” due to allergies.  Please consider this when making your snack choice. 
 
PLEASE NOTIFY THE TEACHER AND THE SCHOOL NURSE IF YOUR CHILD HAS ANY FOOD ALLERGIES!
In order to provide our students with an opportunity to express their ability in the various multiple intelligences, your child will spend time in special classes throughout each week.  Curriculum maps for Art, Music and P.E. can be found under the Academics tab on the District website.
 
  • Art (once a week) – The students will learn about famous artists in history and  create artwork based on that learning.
  • STEM Lab (once a week) - The students will be developing computer skills while  also creating and exploring with hands-on materials.
  • Library (once a week) – Students are allowed to check out books each week when visiting the library. The books MUST be returned the following week by the day before their scheduled library day in order to check out new books.
  • Music  – "Tell me I forget..., Show me I remember...Involve me...I understand." Carl Orff  Active participation is the most meaningful way to experience music.  Music classes at Willow include chants, poems, movement, singing, and instrument play.
  • P.E. (every day) – Along with learning about fitness and exercise, the students will practice ball skills, hand-eye coordination, locomotor skills, rhythms and dance. Students will need a pair of gym shoes they can put on independently. These are to be left at school for P.E. classes. Please print your child’s name on each shoe with permanent marker, as they can easily get mixed up in cubbies.  ALL students MUST wear socks with their gym shoes (these may be left in your child’s backpack for days your child wears sandals). Girls MUST wear shorts or pants during P.E. class (they may be worn under a dress or skirt).
The SST Team is made up of different specialists in the building, for example:
 
  • Psychologist
  • Counselor
  • Social Worker
  • Administration
  • Speech
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Special Education
  • Interventionist
 
This group meets regularly to discuss students who are not yet showing  growth academically, social emotionally, or behaviorally. This team, along with parents, determine next steps to help insure student success.

- T -

In each K-2 classroom, students are assigned an iPad. These will stay at school, unless we know ahead of time we will be shifting to an E-learning day. IPads are used to supplement learning, but in no way replace classroom teaching. When you registered, you also completed an insurance form to cover any damage after the deductible is    covered.
The school office will be happy to assist anyone calling the school!  Teachers will not be interrupted when they are with students. However, you may be directed to leave a voicemail and the teacher will return your call as soon as possible. You may contact staff members by email as well. Email addresses can be found on the district website and are the best source of communication. However, teachers should not be expected to respond during the day while they have students.
If there is a change in routine transportation for your child, you MUST send a written note.  If a written note is not received, your child will be sent home by his/her/their usual mode of transportation.  Please do not rely on email as the teacher could be absent or unable to check email prior to dismissal.

Sometimes transportation arrangements change during the day. We ask parents to call the Willow Office before 2:00 p.m. when changing transportation for their child. This allows sufficient time to communicate the change with everyone involved and helps reduce confusion and anxiety at the end of the day, especially for your child. Students cannot have multiple stops going home. 
 
All permanent bus changes must be arranged with Alma Gonzalez at the District  Office, 799-8721 ext 2504.
Student safety is foremost in our minds. Please remember cell phone use is prohibited while driving.  When dropping students off or picking them up, please follow these precautions below:
 
  • When traveling westbound on Willow Road, pull onto the blacktop pad (off the actual street). Please pull all the way forward to allow other cars to pull in behind you. In the morning, Willow Staff will open the door and let your  child out so that you can quickly exit the drop off cue. After school, you can park to meet your child at his/her/their door.
  • When traveling eastbound on Willow Road, you and your student must use the crosswalk with the crossing guard. Please do not stop in the crosswalk areas to let children out.
  • Please do not make U-turns on Willow Road. This creates traffic flow issues and safety concerns for our students.
  • Students should remain in their seatbelts and car seats until the car has come to a complete stop. Children under the age of 8, by law, are required to ride in the back seat, properly secured.
  • NEVER, EVER DOUBLE-PARK! This is especially dangerous for our students! Please abide by the No Parking signs and stay away from areas where there are cones.
  • Please do not use the Highland Avenue cul-de-sac for student drop-off,  pick-up or parking. This area is designated for school buses only!
 

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In an effort to eliminate waste, District 153 shares information about community events with our families through our “Virtual Backpack.” Parents that wish to stay informed about local activities will be able to view the fliers from organizations on the District website, www.hsd153.org. Just click on the link/icon under the picture scroll on the website home page.

For the safety of everyone, all visitors must use the office entrance (Door A).  Visitors going beyond the office must provide a photo ID which will be scanned, generating a visitor’s pass. This includes going to the lunchroom, lost and found, or any meetings in the building.  For our students’ safety, there are no exceptions. Your ID will remain in the office and be returned to you when you sign out. Anyone wanting to visit their child’s classroom needs to contact the  classroom teacher prior to the visit and complete an observation form.  We appreciate your help in avoiding unnecessary classroom disruptions.  Please note - while visiting during school hours, cell phones, including texting, are prohibited. Smoking is always prohibited. Please be aware of smoke related odors that may linger prior to coming into the school.
Your help within your child’s classroom is welcomed and appreciated!  Our schedules are very busy and any help you can offer is wonderful.  If you have time to spare, teachers always have things they need help with, from cutting out pieces for a project to assembling journals, to just having an extra set of hands during those “messy” projects. Requests and sign-ups will be sent out in newsletters and notes home.

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Bikes, scooters, skateboards, and wheeled shoes are not permitted on school property before, during the day, or at pick up.
Universal screening of all students takes place multiple times during the year. STAR is our standardized assessment tool for K-2.  Students qualify for interventions based on this individual data, other classroom assessments, and teacher input. 
 
Built into each student’s day is WIN time…What I Need Time.  This is a 30-40 minute block of time dedicated to giving ALL students smaller group instruction. This time is need-specific, based on data and teacher observations.  This means the groups change fluidly when a child is ready for something new. WIN time allows each child the opportunity to excel at his/her/their own pace as he/she/they masters essential skills.
 
It is also during this time that some of our reading and math interventions meet with students. There are two levels of intervention within this time:
 
  • Tier 2 - This level of intervention is designed for students who are falling slightly behind in reading or math. Using standardized assessments and teacher input, students are placed into small groups. The focus of instruction is based on student needs and reviewing classroom concepts. Students who qualify for this  intervention may go to the Learning Center, Math Center or classroom interventions. Their progress is monitored frequently so that instruction can be adjusted.
  • Tier 3 - This level of intervention is designed to assist students who are significantly behind in reading or math. The focus of instruction is based on student needs and filling any gaps a student has in his/her learning. Students who qualify for this intervention will go to the Reading or Math Center. Progress will be monitored  regularly and if progress is not made, students may be referred for further assessment.  As progress is made, the level and intensity of intervention  may  be adjusted.
 
Students with Disabilities who do not qualify for an Individualized Education  Program (IEP), as required by the federal Individuals with Disability Education Act and implementing provisions of the School Code, may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the child (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.

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Willow is an exciting place for your child to learn and grow!  We will do EVERYTHING we possibly can to ensure that your child is safe and cared for in order to receive the best possible education!  We are going to have a wonderful year!

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You are an important part of your child’s success at school.  It will be imperative that lines of communication are open and honest so that your child’s needs can best be met. Once school starts, you will receive Willow’s Paw Pact. It’s a brief set of agreements on the roles we all play. A copy can be found in the back of this handbook.

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“Zones”  helps students identify their emotions by equating how they feel to a color.  They also learn steps to use to help themselves get back to “green” so they are “ready to learn.”