Welcome to Willow Elementary School!

As you know, our newly adopted mission at Willow Elementary School is to provide a rigorous, well-rounded program, which affords students an opportunity to reach their highest potential. At the core, Willow is committed to educating children through building cooperative and interdependent relationships, promoting positive self-esteem, modeling high standards and expectations, fostering effective communication and collaboration, providing relevant learning experiences, encouraging community and global outreach, and preparing students to become intelligent, concerned and caring citizens of today, working for a better tomorrow.

In the new year ahead, we will push educational experiences outside the walls of the classroom. Student learning will include not only academic skills, but also those skills needed to successfully navigate our 21st century world. Innovation, leadership, critical inquiry, technology, media literacy, global awareness, health literacy, arts, cross-cultural understanding, and self-reliance are all skills critical in the development of the whole child. We do not accept that children are intended to be passive learners, but rather should be fully engaged in relevant exchanges on a continuous basis. At the end of the day, a Willow student can ask, "What did I do today to improve, myself, my community or the world?" To which, an authentic, personal and meaningful answer would follow.

To these ends, our staff is committed to learning and growing as educational professionals, caring partners, and artful innovators.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jessica L. Kiernan
Principal

Willow Elementary School Campus Safety Reminders

As you know, your partnership in maintaining a mutually supportive and respectful school environment is essential. To continue to do this, knowledge and support of the following are fundamental.

During School Visiting Procedures

---

• For safety and security reasons, all visitors and volunteers must sign-in and receive a visitor's sticker at the office before going to the classroom of destination. (Visitors may be asked for identification).
• Any classroom volunteer period must also be cleared and calendared with a child's classroom teacher.
• There should be no visitor or volunteer roaming the campus at any time. Each volunteer on campus is to be under direct supervision of the classroom teacher.
• At the end of the day when picking up your child, please help us by not approaching the classroom building until after the bell rings. This will prevent distracting the children from instruction when they see adults congregating outside of the classroom.
• In order to prevent supervision problems, parents/visitors will not be allowed on the playground while children are at recess. Campus supervisors must maintain focus on Willow students.
• It is also important to refrain from approaching a child who is not your own.
• Please also keep in mind that parent and visitor interactions should serve as positive models for Willow students.

Before and After School Guidelines

---

• Please help us maintain a safe campus by reminding your children that there is no supervision before or after school.
• The morning bell rings at 8:10 a.m. and students' instructional time starts at 8:15 a.m., therefore please do not send your children to school before 8:00 a.m.
• All students who do not go to the YMCA should be picked up or go straight home after school and should not loiter on campus after dismissal.
• During drop-off and pick-up times, be sure your student and their siblings are not climbing on tables or walls, and are keeping noise levels to a minimum as other classes may still be in session.
• During the 31 Minute Club period, parents are responsible for full supervision of their own younger children unless those children are formally enrolled in the 31 Minute Club.

We at Willow appreciate your continued partnership in your adherence to these important processes designed for the welfare of all Willow students, parents and staff. Thank you!

Be honest "· Don't deceive, cheat, or steal "· Be reliable - do what you say you'll do "· Have the courage to do the right thing "· Build a good reputation "· Be loyal - stand by your family, friends, and country

Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule "· Be tolerant and accepting of differences "· Use good manners, not bad language "· Be considerate of the feelings of others "· Don't threaten, hit or hurt anyone "· Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Do what you are supposed to do "· Plan ahead "· Persevere: keep on trying! "· Always do your best "· Use self-control "· Be self-disciplined "· Think before you act - consider the consequences "· Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes "· Set a good example for others

Play by the rules "· Take turns and share "· Be open-minded; listen to others "· Don't take advantage of others "· Don't blame others carelessly "· Treat all people fairly

Be kind "· Be compassionate and show you care "· Express gratitude "· Forgive others "· Help people in need

Do your share to make your school and community better "· Cooperate "· Get involved in community affairs "· Stay informed; vote "· Be a good neighbor "· Obey laws and rules "· Respect authority "· Protect the environment "· Volunteer