Westridge Family Notes
Westridge Elementary School | October 8, 2021
Learning Highlights
Second grade students are working on our addition facts. One way we do that is with dominos. We sort them first into groups for like sums, then write down the number models to show the addens used.
On Monday, our West Des Moines Fire Department visited our kindergarten and first grade classrooms! We learned how to dial 911 and were reminded that we need to learn our phone numbers and addresses.
Second grade students started The Global Read Aloud this week. We will read a new book written by Duncan Tonatiuh each week for the next few weeks.
We saw so many smiles when they returned to school.
"This was the best day of my life." - kindergarten student
Leader in Me: Habit 2 - Begin With the End in Mind
During October, Westridge leaders are learning about different ways to live Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind. Habit 2 helps us begin to define who we are, who we want to be as well as teaching skills that empower students to get goals and stick to them. Accompanying the link below - is a page shared in Friday take home folders. One side will allow your student/family to connect more to the practices below OR spend
time to create a family mission statement.
Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind
Fall Conference Information
Fall Conference Dates:
Monday, October 25th (no students / full day for conferences) 8:15am - 4:15pm
Tuesday, October 26th from 4:15 - 8:00pm
Thursday, October 28th from 4:15 - 8:00pm
This fall we will offer virtual conferences and then will only hold in-person conferences for extenuating circumstances.
Conferences will be 20 minutes long.
Families will receive communication on October 8th on how to sign-up for fall conferences.
We look forward to connecting with you through our fall conferences. Please remember you can always reach out to your student’s teacher any time you have questions about your student’s learning.
Please sign up for your conference using SchoolBookings at:
https://www.schoolbookings.net/code/ug7q4
(code: ug7q4 if needed).
Social-Emotional Learning In Classrooms: District Communication
WDMCS understands that embedding Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an essential part of a well-rounded education. We are excited to prioritize this as part of our staff professional development and in the classroom with your students.
SEL helps us all learn skills and attitudes to manage emotions, achieve positive goals, show empathy, and maintain positive relationships.
As we connect this important work to our Iowa Social-Emotional Learning Competencies, we will also use Panorama’s Social-Emotional Learning Survey this fall (between October 18 - 29). This survey will provide an opportunity for your students to give us their individual feedback and perspective so SEL can be effectively integrated into our daily instruction.
Crosswalk Information
1st & 3rd Wednesday
The third Wednesday of the month, we encourage staff and students to wear Westridge attire or school colors.
Early Dismissals
Don't forget...every Wednesday is an early dismissal at 3:10 pm. This includes the first day of school. Please make necessary arrangements.
Upcoming Dates:
October 8: Fall Parties: We will not have parent volunteers for the Fall Parties. To keep the spirit of fun & community - we will have Fall Parties in each classroom beginning at 3:15pm.
October 25, 26, 28: Fall conferences
Westridge Elementary School
Beth Brewer, Principal
Jeannette Barnes, Assistant Principal
Website: https://www.wdmcs.org/schools/westridge/
Location: 5500 E.P. True Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-633-5400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdmwestridge