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"I love Willowwind because we do fun and creative activities. Everybody is really kind and they inspire one another to do good and kind things."
-Ishan ('19)
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Hello, friends.
Happy Valentine's Day! There are so many reasons that children love learning at Willowwind and there is no better time than now to spread the love in our school community! During the month of February, all donations to Willowwind will help build the school's scholarship fund. We believe that cost should not be a barrier to a Willowwind education and these scholarship dollars help ensure that we can provide financial support to Willowwind families who need it. Scholarships help create opportunities for children of all socioeconomic situations to join our community and experience the small classes, personalized learning, and engaging curriculum that Willowwind students experience and love every day.
Your gift can help make a difference in the life of a fellow Willowwinder. Please consider making a gift this month in support of Willowwind's scholarship fund. We are grateful for each and every gift--and each and every one of you! Thank you for helping us cultivate a more diverse, kind, and generous school community.
Give through Paypal and Venmo (@Willowwind-School).
In friendship and gratitude,
Dana Smith (she/her)
Director of Advancement
P.S. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@WillowwindSchool) to catch glimpses of what Willowwinders are up to during their busy school days.
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Ruth Manna Kicks off our 50th Anniversary Year
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Willowwind’s founding in 1972. Upon returning from winter break in January, Willowwinders had the great honor and pleasure of celebrating that milestone with Ruth Manna, former Willowwind teacher, director, and group discussion guru. Ruth was joined by Sandra Eskin, a former board member and alumni parent.
Ruth led a traditional Willowwind group discussion with our K-6 students, just like she did in Willowwind’s early days. 50 years later this tradition remains an important part of building community at Willowwind. Together we shared favorite memories from winter break and talked about the similarities and differences between group discussions then and now. Then it was time to move! Ruth led students and staff in creative movement with percussion instruments, and scarves. What a wonderful way to celebrate the school we love!
We are so grateful to Ruth and Zoe, longtime Willowwinders, for coming back to kick off our 50th anniversary year of celebration. We could not have enjoyed it more! Thank you.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Day
It has long been a Willowwind tradition for school to be in session on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We use this time to discuss the significance of Dr. King's work and the importance of carrying on his legacy of standing up for and supporting others. Among the activities they participated in, Willowwind’s K-6 students celebrated MLK Day by putting together supply kits full of warm winter items and other necessities for Domestic Violence Intervention Program. They also made cards with encouraging messages for the recipients. Students were excited to be helping others in our community, especially in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Preschoolers Embrace Service Learning Throughout the Year
Willowwind's preschoolers loved collecting toys in December for DVIP's annual holiday toy drive, so much so that they decided to use Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January as a springboard for further service learning. Our young friends wanted to honor Dr. King by doing something to make a difference and support our community. They will continue to collect food for the CommUnity Food Bank in Iowa City through the remainder of the school year. We are so proud of these young friends and grateful to their parents and guardians for donating items to those in need.
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Valentine's Day at Willowwind
A longstanding Willowwind tradition is secret Valentines. Willowwind's K-6 students and staff draw names randomly and spend a few days discreetly leaving clues and special treats for their Valentine. During group discussion on Valentine's Day, our K-6 community gathers for the big reveal as Willowwinders take turns guessing, based on the clues, who their secret Valentine is and present their final gift, a book.
Preschoolers exchanged Valentines with their friends and enjoyed a special popcorn snack while listening to stories about friendship, love, and kindness. It's been another fun year of spreading the love here at Willowwind!
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Prairie Cafe Entrepreneurial Learning Project
Willowwind's Foxes (5/6th grade) have kicked off their annual fundraiser, Prairie Cafe. Opening Prairie Cafe is the culmination of their entrepreneurial unit of study in through which they run a small business to self-fund the class's annual 4-day spring adventure trip to Camp Edwards in Wisconsin.
Students complete market analysis surveys with their potential customers and assess cost per meal factors to ensure the business is profitable while keeping costs low for customers. The Foxes identify individuals to be CEO, CFO, shift managers, and work crews based on interest, work ethic, and skill set. Students promote and manage their business, arrange for order pick up, plate orders, and serve students.
We are very proud of the students' hard work, facilitated by their teacher Ms. Ann and long-term substitute teacher Ms. Emily.
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Photos, from top inset: Students from the Foxes class help the preschoolers, walk through the Prairie Cafe line; message from Flora L. ('20); student climbing the wall to the high ropes course at Camp Edwards. | |
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Celebrating Student Writers
Recognizing and celebrating student writers is one of the biggest goals of the One Book Two Book festival. This annual One Book Two Bookfestival, hosted by The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, aims to recognize and celebrate student writers.
Willowwind is pleased to announce that Kalia C. (2nd) was recognized with "The Write Stuff" award for her poem titled "The Turtle Class Alliteration." This award recognizes work for its language, clarity, structure, and emotional impact.
Gabby A. (3rd) was also recognized with the "From the Heart" award for her poem titled "Musical Notes." This award recognizes work for its creativity, passion, and expressiveness.
Three additional Willowwinders, Jasper H. (2nd), Evan O.H. (6th), and Ben S. (6th) received honorable mentions for their submissions. Congratulations writers! We are so proud of all your hard work.
The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization’s annual One Book Two BookChildren’s Literature Festival will offer outdoor fun for the entire family while also recognizing creative excellence of several area students, Feb. 26-27.
Visit www.onebooktwobook.org for a full schedule of this year's event.
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100 Days Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder
The Cottontails celebrated their 100th day of school earlier this month! There were special projects, snacks and crafts to mark this milestone in learning. The transition from preschool to kindergarten is a big one. Students hone their reading, writing, and math skills, develop increased independence and responsibility, and learn how to collaborate with peers and show others kindness and respect.
We are so proud of these students and their teacher, Ms. Erin, for working so hard on developing these important skills. We are excited to see the continued growth in these young learners. Congratulations Cottontails!
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Turtles Celebrate the Chinese (Lunar) New Year
Students in the Painted Turtles (2nd/3rd) class learned about the Lunar New Year and created a Wish Tree project to share with other Willowwinders. Students wrote up a description of their project and presented to other classes and staff who all participated in writing wishes or intentions for the new year.
Learn more about this project HERE.
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2022 Partner Family Olympics
Partner Family Olympics is Willowwind's super fun version of the much more serious and difficult real Olympics. Over the the next couple of weeks, students work together in their partner families to compete in a wide variety of events like Book Balance and Table Bowling. When all of the fun has been had and we've cheered until we're blue in the face, there will be a metals ceremony to recognize the winning partner families.
GO TEAMS!
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Reconnect for the 50th Anniversary
Once a Willowwinder, always a Willowwinder. Whether you were a student, staff member, parent, or friend of the school, we encourage you to visit our 50th anniversary website where you can look through photo albums and let us know what you've been up to.
Be sure to save the date for Willowwind's 50th anniversary event on Saturday, October 15th 2022. Until then, here are four quick and easy ways to stay in touch with your Willowwind Community:
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Sign up for our monthly newsletter through the pop up at willowwind.org.
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Visit willowwind.org/alumni to reconnect. Can't wait to hear from you!
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Visit our anniversary website at willowwind.org/50th to view photo albums.
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Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Do you know someone who went to Willowwind? Share this email with them so they can reconnect.
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