willow grove school

My son is going to be attending kindergarten at willow grove this September. Can anyone explain the parking/drop off situation? Do I walk my child in or drop him off? How is the parking situation? What are the school hours? Also, any feedback on the school? Thanks again.

mommy to 2 July 23, 2008 1:39 pm | Link

You may want to read this previous thread - http://www.hackettstownlife.com/forum/22619

Here are the hours - http://www.hackettstownlife.com/forum/10208#10209

Do you need before care? http://www.hackettstownlife.com/forum/3473

Web page - http://www.hackettstownlife.com/forum/23546#23571

Hi Mommy to 2! My daughter is also starting kindergarten at Willow Grove this year. Did your son get to attend any of the kindergarten orientation sessions? I've heard a lot of great things about the school and staff, and I'm really excited. And sad, of course, to see my baby growing up so fast :)

As a staff member,(and a mom of 3 who all attended there),I can tell you we have a wonderful atmosphere at Willow Grove. There are people to guide you with drop off and pick up, so don't be too stressed. Things run incredibly smoothly there...you will be impressed!!!

I understand feeling sad about your baby growing up so fast...my oldest is off to college in the fall. Enjoy each stage while you can...they are only ours for awhile.

See you in the fall!

And by the way...welcome all to the extended Willow Grove family!

you'll love it there. Great school, great principal and they foster an environment that allows kindergartners to transition socially as well as scholastically

Both of my sons attended Willow Grove, the drop off and pick up system in place works, but it would be a lot easier if some of the people just relaxed a bit! Always in a BIG hurry to get in and out....It all clears up in about five minutes anyhow. As your child gets a little older, you can drop them off at the bottom of the hill in the Willow Grove development and they can walk up, but that is not for kindergartners.

I am so glad to hear all this positive feedback on Willow Grove. My son will be attending for 4th grade in the fall (his first year there). I was nervous, but my fears have been relieved by hearing all these wonderful things. Thank you.

Alisonchocolatier July 24, 2008 8:45 am | Link

My son went to Willow Grove school from K-4th grade. Very good school, he loved it.

Mo93 July 24, 2008 8:49 am | Link

Hello all! My daughter just left Willow Grove 4th grade. My son will be in 2nd grade in Willow this year. It is really a great school. The principal really cares about the kids and is involved. The pickup/drop off can be a bit hectic but once you get used to it...it is fine. They also have Aftercare there too. They have great incentives for the kids there and really involve them. Both of my kids had Mrs. Lobby for Kindergarten and she was a sweetheart. They also have a breakfast program that starts at 730am. School starts at 830am and ends at 3:00pm. IF you need info on aftercare I can give it to you. My kids are in the Catholic Charities aftercare camp for the summer. Everyone is great there! Good luck! You and your children will enjoy the school! And I can relate to letting your lil ones go. But it gets easier! :)

My daughter is going into 3rd grade at Willow Grove and I am very happy with the school. Parking is only a problem because the lot is small and can't handle the amount of cars that come through, but they have a system in place that controls the incoming traffic. The Kindergarten classes usually get out about 2:50, which helps with the parking situation. You will be in and out before the real craziness begins. The breakfast program starts at 7:45 and my daughter has been going ever since Kindergarten and loves it- she gets her socializing in and is not late for school. You don't have to sign up to go, you just go when you want. They serve breakfast until about 8:15 or so. They have someone that helps the kids get their breakfast if they need it. Kindergarten children have their own entrance and playground. In the morning, they do not wait outside with the older children, they go right into their entrance and wait in the rotunda. If they go to breakfast, at 8:20 they are walked down to the rotunda.

I'm happy to see the very negative comment by Pampur was deleted off of this post...the personal attack on the teacher made me very sad. The person attacked is one of the sweetest souls I know and goes the extra mile for her students.

No one is perfect, but anyone who is so dedicated and professional deserved that type treatment.

OOPS! I meant DIDN'T deserve that type treatment. Mea culpa.

I have three daughters, all three have gone to Willow Grove. My youngest will be entering 3rd grade this year. Mr. Sarcone is a very nice principal. He does a great job at the school. I have never had a problem with any of my children's teachers. They are all great!

Sandy July 28, 2008 11:56 am | Link

I'm so glad to read all this positive feedback. I'm really excited to join the "Willow Grove family" in September when my daughter starts kindergarten. I was really impressed with the orientation sessions that they held in the Spring.

I have a feeling both of us will be really happy there. :) Although my daughter is (understandably) extremely nervous about leaving the comforts of her pre-school for the unknowns of kindergarten.

My son just finished Kindergarten at WG and loved it as did we. The parking lot has its moments because it really is too small, but they have a good system for dealing with it to keep it moving. There are staff members out with portable radios controlling traffic, etc and you will see the principal out there the first week making sure it works and the new parents understand. The only days that are bad are days when there is no turnover of spots like concerts, etc, but its easy to park in the development next to the school and walk up the access path if you plan in advance for it. I'm glad he's excited, but it made me upset summer is going that fast, but when I told my son that august 1 is this week his response was "oh good that means we get to go back to school next month"