Information for Families New to Willett

Welcome to Willett! We are happy to support you as you settle into your new school community (and maybe your new town!). Please have a look below for helpful information and if you have any questions about Willett or Davis, please reach out to newfamilies@willettpta.org.

Please also read and subscribe to our PTA newsletter, reach out to your PTA (president@willettpta.org), and, if able, attend our monthly Coffee with the Principal (1st Friday of every month at 8:30am in the MPR).

Subscribe to PTA email communications HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions for New Families

What is the bell schedule?

Every Day except Wednesdays:

8:30-2:35 Grades 1-3

8:30-3:05 Grades 4-6

8:30-11:50 TK/Kinder AM

12:00-3:20 Kinder PM

Wednesdays

8:30-1:35 Grades 1-6

8:30-11:50 TK/Kinder AM

10:10-1:35 Kinder PM

Who do I call with questions about the school day?

Willett’s front office is very helpful! Stop by, give them a call at 530-757-5460, or email to ask questions about absences, tardies, forgotten items, illness, early dismissal, etc. Email: tastapleton@djusd.net.

What’s the deal with school breakfast and lunch?

Lunch and “second chance” breakfast are free to all students. Teachers coordinate this during the school day.

What school supplies does my child need?

Davis does not have required supply lists. Just a backpack, lunch (if not eating school lunch), & water bottle. Please label all belongings!

Getting Connected to Your School Community

Get to know your child’s teacher! Attend “Back-to-School Night” on 8/23. Consider emailing your child’s teacher to schedule a meeting to discuss concerns/questions.
Get to know Principal Campbell! Attend “Coffee with the Principal” on 9/1. Email our principal if you have a specific concern that is not addressed by your child’s teacher.
Meet and get to know other families! Together we are an essential community. You can connect at:
- PTA association meetings (every other month)
- Monthly Coffees (1st Friday of every month)
- Community-wide events (Dessert & Movie Night September 8)
- Sycamore Park after 2:35pm (1st-3rd graders)

Help us craft the Willett Culture! The PTA is a vehicle for your interests and needs. Talk to one of us, come to a meeting, or join a community-building forum. Email president@willettpta.org to offer ideas and support.

Email our PTA New Families Ambassador with questions! newfamilies@willettpta.org

Information about the Willett Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)

We are volunteers who strive to build a strong sense of community at Willett and provide enriching programs that extend the work of the Davis Joint Unified School District. By joining the PTA, you become part of the network of parents and teachers who are working to enhance our children’s educational experience and social development. We are committed to supporting the children, parents, teachers, staff, and programming, all of which makes Willett excellent!
Funds to support all PTA-sponsored programs and purchases are generated through membership dues and through parent-coordinated fundraisers.
We meet every other month (September, November, January, March, May) on the third Tuesday at 7pm in the MPR or virtually.
PTA membership includes no obligations, but membership supports PTA activities as well as ensures diverse representation of us all. Please consider joining! Everyone is welcome (members & non-members) and we need your input!
If you are interested in joining the PTA please click here.

Information about DJUSD (our school district)

Calendars, General Info, Contact Info: https://djusd.net/

DJUSD Board of Education: https://djusd.net/about/governance/boe

Board Meetings (can be live-streamed): https://djusd.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=117173&pageId=1106100

Information about Willett Programs/Offerings

Before & After On-Site Childcare

Davis Kids Klub: On-site childcare after school, including care for younger students who are waiting for 4th-6th grade siblings with later release time (https://daviskidsklub.com/)
Catalyst Kids: Before and after school on-site childcare. (This used to be called CDC.) (https://www.catalystkids.org/locations/robert-e-willett/)

Instrumental Music Program 2023-24

Beginning string and band instrument lessons for interested 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, in addition to music education for all 1st-3rd grade students
Strings/band classes are once a week during the school day.
School instruments are available (limited supply) or can be rented through Watermelon Music.
More information please visit: https://sites.google.com/djusd.net/djusd-music/home

Willett Chorus

Grades 3-6, Monday and Wednesday in MPR 7:45am-8:15am and Winter/Spring concerts
Permission Slips/Enrollment Forms available in the Willett Office
Chorus Director-Lindsay Manville-Wiebe

Willett Book Club

Monthly meetings for 4th-6th graders and their families to discuss a chosen novel (evening meeting in the Willett library or via Zoom)
Novels are chosen by members of the book club
Organized by Mr. Fleutsch, our school teacher-librarian (cfluetsch@djusd.net)

Math Club

Weekly after school meetings where 5th-6th grade students work together on challenging math problems
Facilitated by 6th grade teacher Marla Cook

Robotics Club

DYR Robotics club that focuses on building and programming robots to compete in a set challenge (https://www.citruscircuits.org/dyr-school-programs.html)
Limited spots available to 6th grade students, facilitated after school by 6th grade teacher Marla Cook & teacher-librarian Mr. Fluetsch

Active 4 Me/Willett Scan and Notify Program (walk and bike to school)

For any student that walks or bikes to school
Volunteers scan in students as they arrive to school, caregivers can receive optional text/email that student arrived
Occasional Davis-wide competitions for students biking/walking to school
Sign up online (https://www.active4.me/Registration/willett) and then get key fob scan by bike racks in AM

School Lunch

School lunch is now available to all students for free
http://djusd.ss18.sharpschool.com/departments/student_nutrition/menus_and_documents

Click HERE for information on other PTA events and sponsored programs

English Learner Resources

Whitney Bowman, EL Specialist at Willett Elementary School (wbowman@djusd.net)

Davis Adult and Community Education Office (on the corner of Oak and 14th St)

Classes for parent-child school success for ESL students https://dace.djusd.net/programs/parent-child_school_success
Classes for adults English language learners: https://dace.djusd.net/programs/english_as_a_second_language

International House (10 College Park, Davis)

Offers English conversation classes and other arts and culture events, including International Parent Community gatherings.

Woodland Adult Education

English as a Second Language (ESL) - Beginning, intermediate and advanced classes are offered for English learners which integrate writing, speaking, listening and reading.
Classes are on-going and continuous throughout the calendar year both the morning and evening. https://adulted.wjusd.org/Departments/ESL---English-as-a-Second-Language/index.html

English Conversation Group @ Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library

Join the adult Conversation Group to practice your English in a fun and relaxed way with help from group facilitator. Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Drop in visitors welcome! https://yolocountylibrary.org/event/english-conversation-group-mary-l-stephens-davis-branch-library-2/

Groups and Organizations for Davis Families

Davis Parent University

A lecture series devoted to parent education supported by local volunteers and PTAs
https://www.davisparentuniversity.com/

Davis Phoenix Coalition

Supports and celebrates our diverse community, including an LGBTQ+ youth group, Yolo Rainbow Families, and social justice community engagement.
https://davisphoenixco.org/

Groups to help furnish your new place or gift unwanted items

Davis Fair & Free (Facebook)
Buy Nothing Project (Facebook, join your regional group)
Davis Kids2Kids Resale (Facebook)
Yolo County SPCA Store (920 3rd St.) for used items or donations
All Things Right and Relevant (2801 Spafford St) for used items and consignment

Popular Davis Gyms

Get Fit Davis (https://getfitdavis.com/)
Davis Swim and Fitness (https://davisswimandfitness.com/)
Fit House (https://www.fithousedavis.com/)
Physical Edge (http://www.physicaledge.net/)
Davis Aquatic Masters (https://www.damfast.org/)

Davis Farmers Market

A good place to begin foraging community connections while also purchasing local produce and goods.
https://www.davisfarmersmarket.org/

Finding and Riding a Bike (around town and to school)

Finding a Bike

The Davis Bike Campaign and Bike Garage (low cost refurbished bikes, Davis and Woodland locations). https://www.thebikecampaign.com/the-bike-garage
Davis Parents Facebook Group (post that you are in search of kids bike)
UC Davis Bike Barn (sales and rentals). https://bikebarn.ucdavis.edu/
Also available are one of the many local bike shops for new bikes

Learning to Ride and Maintain Your Bike