Welcome Back, Wildcats!
Hello, parents and students!
We've had a great first week of classes here at Willowtree Elementary School; it's been such a joy to see all those smiling Wildcat faces back in the building. As we strive to keep this positive momentum going throughout the 2026-27 school year, we have a few updates to bring you!
Upcoming Events
- This coming Tuesday is our big Wildcat Welcome Bash, to be held on the playground from 5pm-7pm. There will be popsicles, music, games and door prizes.
- Your child will get extremely mad at you personally when they do not win.
- We agree with them; it is your fault.
- This event also kicks off our annual PTA fundraiser, as we work to secure improvements like new playground equipment, upgrades to our STEAM lab, and a replacement head for our Willie the Wildcat mascot costume, which as you know went missing under mysterious circumstances last spring.
- If you would like us to not tell your child about this event, you may donate to the PTA in advance.
- Donations can be made through the ShakeDown app, which you should have already downloaded.
Speaking of which...
Communications
We're constantly striving to improve our digital tools. After listening closely to your feedback over the summer, we've made some changes.
- Your child's bus can now be tracked along its route using the BUSSY app.
- We have been informed by our middle-school-aged students about the unfortunate connotations of that name, but the contract was already signed by then.
- We ask that you be mature about this so we can all move on.
- Homework assignments will be posted in the TakeHome app. The Class!ROOM app that we utilized last year is no longer supported.
- Unfortunately, we are told that the Class!ROOM app cannot be deleted from your personal devices without bricking them. We regret any inconvenience.
- If you have any tips related to the disappearance of Willie's head, you may submit them anonymously on the K12Snitchr app.
Supplies
- Our required supply list was sent out in the Class!ROOM app in July.
- If you have not already purchased the required supplies, we assure you it is far too late now. The green folder that you need is sold out everywhere within a 50-mile radius.
- We have received unconfirmed reports of small pockets of green folder availability just over the state line.
- Please send your child in with the proper green folder by Tuesday at the latest.
Transportation
As with previous years, we strongly encourage parents and students to make use of our bus system; we have been informed by our STEAM teacher Mr. Steve that Tuesday's car line was visible from space.
To ensure a smoother car line experience for everyone, we ask you:
- Please pull your car all the way up when dropping your student off.
- With that said, please also come to a full stop before letting them out of the car.
- You may not enter the afternoon pick-up line until after the morning drop-off line has cleared.
- Please do not be alarmed by the child in the headless mascot costume directing traffic; they are trying their best given the circumstances.
Academic Calendar
We have heard feedback from many families that last year's holiday and in-service schedule was "confusing", "capricious", "impossible to reconcile with having a job", and "likely created using AI, given the six-day observance of something called 'Tharksgmmmng' in mid-March."
We take these concerns seriously, and have instituted the following updates.
- We request that you download and install the HolidA-Z app, which will alert you no less than twelve hours prior to any no-school day.
- In order to practice usage of the app, this Monday will be a school holiday.
- Please submit any concerns you may have about this policy using the HLCPTR app's built-in chatbot; it will not solve your problems, but it may at least redirect your anger.
Thank you for all your support, and we look forward to making it a great year!
Oh–one more thing: Tuesday kicks off our first Spirit Week of the year!
Details will be posted by 10pm Monday evening in the Class!ROOM app.
Friends, it's Friday again at The Action Cookbook Newsletter.
If you can tell, school has started around these parts, and while it's been hectic this week, I'm sure things should settle down soon. While we wait for that to happen, I've got some more great Friday offerings. This week, I'm succumbing to seasonality again, making a fun and funky cocktail, cranking some delightfully retro rock, and more!
That's all beneath the paywall break, but if you're not a full subscriber yet, I think you should check it out! In the seven-year history of the ACBN, no one has ever regretted signing up. [citation needed]
Let's ride.
Suckin' on Chile Dogs
As noted in last Friday's newsletter, August is when I become obsessed with seasonal produce. (I am noting now that several people have already told me that they made the Sweet Corn Pasta featured in that newsletter, with highly positive results.)
Well, my biggest seasonal obsession is the Hatch chile.
These delicious green chile peppers only grow around Hatch, New Mexico, and once a year–for a very fleeting window–they show up in select produce sections here in Kentucky. When I see them, I buy them, even if I don't have a plan for them–and that's exactly what happened a couple weekends ago.
Chiles first, ask questions later, I say.
This is not to say that I don't know what to do with them; indeed, I've had some great results cooking with them in the past.
Scott Hines
Scott Hines
Scott Hines
Around this time last year, I made sweet corn ice cream and put Hatch chile sauce over it, and it was fantastic:
I didn't have as much ambition or time this year, but–partly inspired by last year's effort–I decided I could simply make a condiment out of it. I enjoy sauteed onions on hot dogs; why wouldn't I enjoy some green-chile spice in the mix?
So that's just what I made.
