Mrs. Lynn's Weekly Message
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
As we head into our final week before Winter Break, I would like to take a moment to share an important update and extend my gratitude.
We want to sincerely thank Mrs. Sullens for her time and dedication to Willow Grove. Over the past few months, she has been an incredible support to our students, staff, and families, and we are grateful for all that she has contributed to our school community. We wish her the very best in her new role at Morning Creek and know she will continue to make a positive impact there.
We will keep our community informed as we move forward with filling the Assistant Principal role and will share updates once a replacement is in place.
As we close out the week, I want to wish all of our Grizzlies and their families a wonderful, restful Winter Break. We look forward to welcoming students back on campus on Monday, January 5th.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
In partnership,
Mrs. Lynn
EMERGENCY PICK-UP PROCEDURES INFORMATION
Following our disaster drill last week, we would like to share important information about student pick-up procedures in the event of an emergency on campus. Our goal is always to ensure student safety while reuniting families in an organized and calm manner.
In the event that an emergency requires parent/guardian pick-up:
• Check-In Location: Parents and guardians will check in at the playground gate on Via Azul, located between the bus loop and the South Village Neighborhood Park.
• Student Reunification: Once a student has been officially signed out by a parent, guardian, or designated emergency contact, families will reunite outside of the bike rack gate.
• Remain Calm and Patient: We ask all families to remain calm and follow staff directions. These procedures help us ensure every student is released safely and accounted for.
Please note that procedures may change depending on the nature of the emergency, and we will communicate updates as clearly and quickly as possible.
We also encourage all families to take a moment to review and update emergency contacts in your child’s information, as accurate contact details are critical during an emergency situation.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our Willow Grove community safe.
HEALTH OFFICE MESSAGE
As we enter cold and flu season, we would like to share a few reminders about how we can
work together to keep our students healthy. Our best defense is preventing illness from
entering the classroom, using healthy habits in the classroom and at home, and ensuring
proper sanitization when illness is present.
Several communicable illnesses can be difficult to contain once they begin spreading on
campus, including (but not limited to):
• Pneumonia
• Influenza
• Covid-19
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
If your student is suspected of having (or has been diagnosed with) any of the illnesses
listed above, we ask that you please call and report the illness to the health office
and/or attendance line. In accordance with HIPAA guidelines, your child’s name and
personal information will remain confidential. When we are notified of a communicable
disease, our custodial team immediately begins enhanced cleaning and sanitizing
procedures to help prevent further transmission.
General guidelines for when to keep your child home for common symptoms:
• Fever: Stay home if fever is 100.4 F or higher. Return when fever went away in the night and is still gone in the morning without the use of medications such as Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) and other symptoms are improving.
• Sore throat, cough, stuffy/runny nose, sneeze: OK to attend with mild symptoms. Stay home and seek medical attention for difficulty breathing, swallowing, or excessive drooling. Return when symptoms are improving. If your child needs medication at school (such as an antibiotic) please contact the health office.
• Vomiting: Stay home if vomiting has occurred 2 or more times in 24 hours. Return when vomiting has ended overnight and your child can hold down liquid and food.
• Diarrhea: Stay home if your child is unlikely to make it to the toilet in time. If stool looks bloody or black, seek medical attention. Return when improving.
• Overall not feeling well: Stay home for any new illness or symptom that prevents your child from participating meaningfully in routine activities.
Please see Poway Unified School District Health Information website for more details. Thank you for helping to keep everyone in our school community healthy!
COUNSELOR CORNER
Check out the December edition of the Counselor Corner!
Counselor Corner-Dec 2025.pdf
Download
575.2 KB
POSITIVITY PROJECT
This week, our school will focus on the character strength of Self-Control. Self-control means having the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.
Having self-control helps people stay calm during tough times and avoid impulsive actions. It doesn’t mean you don’t have thoughts or feelings; it means you can manage them.
When working or gathering in groups, self-control is shown through “self-monitoring.” This means being honest about what works and what doesn’t. Group members adjust their roles to help the group succeed.
To practice and encourage the character strength of self-control at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.
Pre-K–K
Grades 1–2
Grades 3–5
12/17- 5th Grade Winter Concert
12/18- No Running Club
12/22-1/2- Winter Break
1/5- Return to School
1/13- Talent Show Tryouts
1/15- PTA Dance
1/16- Makeup Picture Day/5th Grade Panoramic Picture
1/19- No School (Martin Luther King Holiday)
1/26- No School (Professional Growth Day)
1/28- School Site Council Meeting
1/29- APEX Fun Run
1/30- Friday Flag & Spirit Day
WILLOW GROVE ADOPT A FAMILY IS BACK!
Please consider supporting families in our community this holiday season by contributing to our Adopt A Family! Gifts should be sent to either the Front Office or ESS Office by Wednesday, December 10th. Please turn in your unwrapped gift labeled with the family and child number. Thank you for your generosity!
LAST CHANCE FOR YEARBOOK EARLY BIRD PRICING!
Lock in Early Bird Savings!
Don’t miss out — get your Grizzly's yearbook for just $33.99 through 12/31/2025.
Celebrate the memories, the friends, and the fun!
Order now with school code: 094794M
Click Here to Order Your Yearbook
GRIZZLY ROUNDUP PARENT/CHILD DANCE COMING UP JANUARY 15th!
Saddle up, put on your boots, and mosey on over for a hootin’ good time at the Willow Grove Parent/Child Dance! Mark your calendars for January 15th from 5-7 PM and come celebrate at the Grizzly Roundup with friends, music, and tons of fun! The MPR will be transformed into a country western party complete with a DJ spinning your favorite tunes, a line dance lesson taught by Prodigy dance studio, multiple photo booths, and arts and crafts. Gourmet hot dogs and sausages with a twist will be available for purchase from Big City Dogz. Don’t miss out on the chance to make memories, show off your best moves, and have a great time! Wear your favorite western gear and get ready for an unforgettable night! Please note that this is not a drop off event and all students must be supervised by an adult. If you’d like to volunteer at the event, please email Rebecca Pike at [email protected].
2026 RUNNING CLUB VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Running Club has hit its stride! This continues to be a parent volunteer-run event so please see the attached sign up for running club dates January 8th through May 14th (last run club of the school year). New faces are welcome, so if you’re curious what running club is all about please sign up! Contact Emily Burns, Running Club Chair, at 206.355.0819 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
Click Here to Sign Up
SHOP OUR HOLIDAY STORE!
Our spirit wear store is featuring new items just in time for the holidays!
Click Here to Stock Up on Grizzly Gear
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: LAURISSA PALUDAN
We love our parent volunteers!
FOLLOW US!
Stay up to date with the latest PTA News and Events:
Instagram: @ptawillowgrove
Facebook: Willow Grove Elementary School PTA
Website: willowgrovepta.org
PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER - SAVE THE DATE!
The Willow Grove Educational Foundation is hosting its First Annual Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, March 7th at the Barnes Tennis Center! Please note, this is a date change from the originally planned January 24th.
Mark your calendars for a fun day of friendly competition, community spirit, and support for our school. More details and registration information will be shared soon!
COASTAL CHRISTMAS
The holidays are about to get a whole lot brighter at the Del Mar Fairgrounds with the return of Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular! Kicking off Friday, December 12th, and running for select dates through December 26th, this festive and immersive light display features shimmering lights and brings winter cheer to the beautiful California coast.
Coastal Christmas invites guests to step into their winter wonderland for a sparkling holiday escape filled with fun for the whole family. Tickets are on sale now at CoastalChristmasDelMar.com. Use promo code: WGROVE and 10% of proceeds from General Admission Tickets will be donated back to Willow Grove!
MINTED
We are thrilled to announce our fundraising partnership with Minted this holiday season. Make your holiday card and gift purchases count this year by using Willow Grove’s UNIQUE CODE: FUNDRAISEWGEF at www.minted.com
You’ll receive 20% off and Minted will donate 10% of your purchase back to us at the end of the year! Thank you so much for your support and happy holidays!
KENDRA SCOTT GIVES BACK EVENT
Join us for a special Kendra Gives Back shopping event benefiting the Willow Grove Educational Foundation!
In-Store Event:
Saturday, December 13th
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Kendra Scott | San Diego UTC
4309 La Jolla Village Dr, Suite 2330
Can’t make it in person? You can still support! Shop online at www.kendrascott.com on December 13th and 14th, and enter code GIVEBACK-KTYWJ at checkout. 20% of your purchase will be donated back to the Willow Grove Educational Foundation.
Click Here to Learn More About the Event
Follow Us on Social Media
Please follow us on our social media platforms for important news and updates from WGEF:
X (formerly Twitter) - @WGFoundation
Instagram - @willowgrovefoundation
Facebook - Willow Grove Educational Foundation
Ready to show the Willow Grove community your art skills? We are looking for unique grizzlies to spotlight! Each week a grizzly drawing will be featured in the ConnectEd and displayed in the front office. Simply take a picture of your child's artwork and email to [email protected] or drop the original piece off art in the office.
This week's Grizzly Artist of the Week is Mila from Ms. Abueg's 2nd grade class!
Bell schedule 25-26 (2).pdf
Download
332.1 KB
Willow Grove Handbook 25-26 (1).pdf
Download
649.3 KB
Katie Lynn
Principal, Willow Grove Elementary School
14727 Via Azul, San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 674-6300
https://willowgrove.powayusd.com/
Email: [email protected]
As we head into our final week before Winter Break, I would like to take a moment to share an important update and extend my gratitude.
We want to sincerely thank Mrs. Sullens for her time and dedication to Willow Grove. Over the past few months, she has been an incredible support to our students, staff, and families, and we are grateful for all that she has contributed to our school community. We wish her the very best in her new role at Morning Creek and know she will continue to make a positive impact there.
We will keep our community informed as we move forward with filling the Assistant Principal role and will share updates once a replacement is in place.
As we close out the week, I want to wish all of our Grizzlies and their families a wonderful, restful Winter Break. We look forward to welcoming students back on campus on Monday, January 5th.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
In partnership,
Mrs. Lynn
EMERGENCY PICK-UP PROCEDURES INFORMATION
Following our disaster drill last week, we would like to share important information about student pick-up procedures in the event of an emergency on campus. Our goal is always to ensure student safety while reuniting families in an organized and calm manner.
In the event that an emergency requires parent/guardian pick-up:
• Check-In Location: Parents and guardians will check in at the playground gate on Via Azul, located between the bus loop and the South Village Neighborhood Park.
• Student Reunification: Once a student has been officially signed out by a parent, guardian, or designated emergency contact, families will reunite outside of the bike rack gate.
• Remain Calm and Patient: We ask all families to remain calm and follow staff directions. These procedures help us ensure every student is released safely and accounted for.
Please note that procedures may change depending on the nature of the emergency, and we will communicate updates as clearly and quickly as possible.
We also encourage all families to take a moment to review and update emergency contacts in your child’s information, as accurate contact details are critical during an emergency situation.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our Willow Grove community safe.
HEALTH OFFICE MESSAGE
As we enter cold and flu season, we would like to share a few reminders about how we can
work together to keep our students healthy. Our best defense is preventing illness from
entering the classroom, using healthy habits in the classroom and at home, and ensuring
proper sanitization when illness is present.
Several communicable illnesses can be difficult to contain once they begin spreading on
campus, including (but not limited to):
• Pneumonia
• Influenza
• Covid-19
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
If your student is suspected of having (or has been diagnosed with) any of the illnesses
listed above, we ask that you please call and report the illness to the health office
and/or attendance line. In accordance with HIPAA guidelines, your child’s name and
personal information will remain confidential. When we are notified of a communicable
disease, our custodial team immediately begins enhanced cleaning and sanitizing
procedures to help prevent further transmission.
General guidelines for when to keep your child home for common symptoms:
• Fever: Stay home if fever is 100.4 F or higher. Return when fever went away in the night and is still gone in the morning without the use of medications such as Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) and other symptoms are improving.
• Sore throat, cough, stuffy/runny nose, sneeze: OK to attend with mild symptoms. Stay home and seek medical attention for difficulty breathing, swallowing, or excessive drooling. Return when symptoms are improving. If your child needs medication at school (such as an antibiotic) please contact the health office.
• Vomiting: Stay home if vomiting has occurred 2 or more times in 24 hours. Return when vomiting has ended overnight and your child can hold down liquid and food.
• Diarrhea: Stay home if your child is unlikely to make it to the toilet in time. If stool looks bloody or black, seek medical attention. Return when improving.
• Overall not feeling well: Stay home for any new illness or symptom that prevents your child from participating meaningfully in routine activities.
Please see Poway Unified School District Health Information website for more details. Thank you for helping to keep everyone in our school community healthy!
COUNSELOR CORNER
Check out the December edition of the Counselor Corner!
Counselor Corner-Dec 2025.pdf
Download
575.2 KB
POSITIVITY PROJECT
This week, our school will focus on the character strength of Self-Control. Self-control means having the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.
Having self-control helps people stay calm during tough times and avoid impulsive actions. It doesn’t mean you don’t have thoughts or feelings; it means you can manage them.
When working or gathering in groups, self-control is shown through “self-monitoring.” This means being honest about what works and what doesn’t. Group members adjust their roles to help the group succeed.
To practice and encourage the character strength of self-control at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.
Pre-K–K
Grades 1–2
Grades 3–5
12/17- 5th Grade Winter Concert
12/18- No Running Club
12/22-1/2- Winter Break
1/5- Return to School
1/13- Talent Show Tryouts
1/15- PTA Dance
1/16- Makeup Picture Day/5th Grade Panoramic Picture
1/19- No School (Martin Luther King Holiday)
1/26- No School (Professional Growth Day)
1/28- School Site Council Meeting
1/29- APEX Fun Run
1/30- Friday Flag & Spirit Day
WILLOW GROVE ADOPT A FAMILY IS BACK!
Please consider supporting families in our community this holiday season by contributing to our Adopt A Family! Gifts should be sent to either the Front Office or ESS Office by Wednesday, December 10th. Please turn in your unwrapped gift labeled with the family and child number. Thank you for your generosity!
LAST CHANCE FOR YEARBOOK EARLY BIRD PRICING!
Lock in Early Bird Savings!
Don’t miss out — get your Grizzly's yearbook for just $33.99 through 12/31/2025.
Celebrate the memories, the friends, and the fun!
Order now with school code: 094794M
Click Here to Order Your Yearbook
GRIZZLY ROUNDUP PARENT/CHILD DANCE COMING UP JANUARY 15th!
Saddle up, put on your boots, and mosey on over for a hootin’ good time at the Willow Grove Parent/Child Dance! Mark your calendars for January 15th from 5-7 PM and come celebrate at the Grizzly Roundup with friends, music, and tons of fun! The MPR will be transformed into a country western party complete with a DJ spinning your favorite tunes, a line dance lesson taught by Prodigy dance studio, multiple photo booths, and arts and crafts. Gourmet hot dogs and sausages with a twist will be available for purchase from Big City Dogz. Don’t miss out on the chance to make memories, show off your best moves, and have a great time! Wear your favorite western gear and get ready for an unforgettable night! Please note that this is not a drop off event and all students must be supervised by an adult. If you’d like to volunteer at the event, please email Rebecca Pike at [email protected].
2026 RUNNING CLUB VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Running Club has hit its stride! This continues to be a parent volunteer-run event so please see the attached sign up for running club dates January 8th through May 14th (last run club of the school year). New faces are welcome, so if you’re curious what running club is all about please sign up! Contact Emily Burns, Running Club Chair, at 206.355.0819 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
Click Here to Sign Up
SHOP OUR HOLIDAY STORE!
Our spirit wear store is featuring new items just in time for the holidays!
Click Here to Stock Up on Grizzly Gear
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: LAURISSA PALUDAN
We love our parent volunteers!
FOLLOW US!
Stay up to date with the latest PTA News and Events:
Instagram: @ptawillowgrove
Facebook: Willow Grove Elementary School PTA
Website: willowgrovepta.org
PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER - SAVE THE DATE!
The Willow Grove Educational Foundation is hosting its First Annual Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, March 7th at the Barnes Tennis Center! Please note, this is a date change from the originally planned January 24th.
Mark your calendars for a fun day of friendly competition, community spirit, and support for our school. More details and registration information will be shared soon!
COASTAL CHRISTMAS
The holidays are about to get a whole lot brighter at the Del Mar Fairgrounds with the return of Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular! Kicking off Friday, December 12th, and running for select dates through December 26th, this festive and immersive light display features shimmering lights and brings winter cheer to the beautiful California coast.
Coastal Christmas invites guests to step into their winter wonderland for a sparkling holiday escape filled with fun for the whole family. Tickets are on sale now at CoastalChristmasDelMar.com. Use promo code: WGROVE and 10% of proceeds from General Admission Tickets will be donated back to Willow Grove!
MINTED
We are thrilled to announce our fundraising partnership with Minted this holiday season. Make your holiday card and gift purchases count this year by using Willow Grove’s UNIQUE CODE: FUNDRAISEWGEF at www.minted.com
You’ll receive 20% off and Minted will donate 10% of your purchase back to us at the end of the year! Thank you so much for your support and happy holidays!
KENDRA SCOTT GIVES BACK EVENT
Join us for a special Kendra Gives Back shopping event benefiting the Willow Grove Educational Foundation!
In-Store Event:
Saturday, December 13th
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Kendra Scott | San Diego UTC
4309 La Jolla Village Dr, Suite 2330
Can’t make it in person? You can still support! Shop online at www.kendrascott.com on December 13th and 14th, and enter code GIVEBACK-KTYWJ at checkout. 20% of your purchase will be donated back to the Willow Grove Educational Foundation.
Click Here to Learn More About the Event
Follow Us on Social Media
Please follow us on our social media platforms for important news and updates from WGEF:
X (formerly Twitter) - @WGFoundation
Instagram - @willowgrovefoundation
Facebook - Willow Grove Educational Foundation
Ready to show the Willow Grove community your art skills? We are looking for unique grizzlies to spotlight! Each week a grizzly drawing will be featured in the ConnectEd and displayed in the front office. Simply take a picture of your child's artwork and email to [email protected] or drop the original piece off art in the office.
This week's Grizzly Artist of the Week is Mila from Ms. Abueg's 2nd grade class!
Bell schedule 25-26 (2).pdf
Download
332.1 KB
Willow Grove Handbook 25-26 (1).pdf
Download
649.3 KB
Katie Lynn
Principal, Willow Grove Elementary School
14727 Via Azul, San Diego, CA 92127
(858) 674-6300
https://willowgrove.powayusd.com/
Email: [email protected]