Schools

Leary Staff Prepares for Big Move to New School

Construction is almost complete as the countdown begins for opening of the new Willow Dale Elementary.

With the start of the 2011-12 school year just weeks away, the final phase of the renovations are wrapping up, the Leary gymansium and hallways are filled with boxes ready for transport to their new homes, and Willow Dale Assistant Principal Michael Donnelly is on the floor of his office making a final review of the fire drill maps.

Donnelly and Willow Dale Principal Dr. Donna Dunar have spent the summer at Leary getting as much of the nuts and bolts and paperwork in place before the big move creates a whirlwind of activity. 

"We're going to get the keys on August 26," said Dr. Dunar. "We have tours scheduled for the 31st. I'm looking forward to welcoming our families and helping them orient themeselves to the new layout."

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The student and faculty handbooks have been finalized and the arrival/dismissal plans have been mapped out. Today, parents will start receiving the bus assignments from the district, which will also be available online in the next few days. The biggest concern right now for Dr. Dunar is the traffic situation in the mornings and afternoons.

"My biggest wish right now is for parents to utilize the bus," said Dr. Dunar. "There are no mega-buses, I heard that was a rumor circulating around. They are regular buses. Trust your child on the bus."

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The school district has assigned a bus to every child, according to Dr. Dunar. If a parent wishes to take their children to school, they must inform the teacher, who will ensure the student is part of the car-rider dismissal procedure.

For the car-riders, arrivals and dismissals will be performed by forming a single traffic line that will loop around to the back of the building. At the end of the school day, the driver holds up a sign with the child's name, then waits for the supervising teacher to send out the student, and finally exits the driveway.

"We're asking for flexibility from our Willow Dale families," said Dr. Dunar. "We have very positive expectations. I think our families are going to forge together and look out for one another."

Dr. Dunar hopes to create that environment from day one by holding an assembly on the first day of school. During the assembly, students will be introduced to two tools that will be used to create a fun and inclusive school experience: Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

The book helps with individual child development by illustrating how acts of kindness can fill a person's bucket, while bullying or mean acts can take things out of the bucket.

The FISH! Philosophy is geared more toward the total classroom experience. The management system was developed by John Christensen after he visited the Pikes Place Fish Market in Seattle. He was impressed by the animated disposition of the employees, who tossed fish back and forth and created a harmonious, fun workplace.

The philosophy is made up of four key concepts:

  • Be There
  • Make Their Day
  • Choose Your Attitude
  • Play

Dr. Dunar wants to give the parents plenty of opportunities to meet and become comfortable with each other. There is a family fun math night scheduled for September 22 at 6 p.m. (not September 26, as the school newsletter states). This is also a chance for parents to learn more about the new Everyday Math curriculum. There is also a family picnic scheduled for September 30 at 6 p.m.


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