Weekend Wire
October 24, 2021
WESTWOOD ROADRUNNERS
Welcome to Westwood!
DATES TO NOTE:
10/25--10/29--Red Ribbon Week
10/28--Make Up Picture Day
10/29 Costume Parade - front of school 8:15 - 9
10/29--Outdoor Movie Night
11/1--Professional Growth Day--EARLY DISMISSAL 11:20
11/5--XPloration
11/11--Veteran's Day--NO SCHOOL
11/15--Parent/Teacher Conferences--NO SCHOOL
11/16-11/18--Parent/Teacher Conferences--EARLY DISMISSAL 11:20
11/19--Regular School Day
11/22-11/26--Thanksgiving Break--NO SCHOOL
Carita Kim
I was born, raised and educated in Australia (Sydney). Then worked between London and Scotland for 13years in manufacturing....I still love anything mechanical. I met my husband Kenny by chance in London, & I guess the rest, as they say “is history”. We have been blessed with our son James ( almost 8yrs old) who was diagnosed by Radys with ASD when he was almost 5.
I vivdly remember being so overwhelmed and nervous at our very first meeting with the PUSD Preschool Assessment team – all the while trying to stay outwardly calm as we had James there for them to assess. I felt like a “deer in headlights”, feeling that I did not know “enough” about what ASD is and how it would impact not only James, but our family. Everythng was explained to us very methodically and clearly.......my husband and I told them “we just want him to be the best James he can be”. This is our entire wish for him...even til today.
James is high functioning, but he definitely has his moments. After his diagnosis, I realized that I had come to accept that he never looked at me in the eyes, his sleep regression was absolutely exhausting and meltdowns were frequent - because he could not communicate with us. Through all this, and I know there will be more.....but in differing and possibly more challenging ways, I have learned that everyones' journey is different, as each child is different ( a phrase you will hear many times). Our reactions can be vastly different as well, but the most important mindset we all share, that we truly want what is BEST for our kids.
So.... I am here to listen, guide, support & just give you a hug when you need it. I am paying it forward...as without the “village” of truly wonderful people who have helped and supported us on our journey...we truly could not have made it this far .
Jessica Felizola
My name is Jessica Felizola, this will be my son’s 3rd year at Westwood Elementary and his 5th year in PUSD SPED. I joined the Parent Ambassador program because I’ve been the anxious parent on what felt like the “other” side of the table. I am still that parent navigating sped with my family and the team at Westwood. When I heard about being a PA, it felt so exciting to know there would be support for parents across the board. Our hope is to be a bridge between parents and staff, a sounding board and another tool in your toolbox. I’m so honored and excited to be here. I look forward to getting to know you and your families.
Volunteer / Visitor Update
During the October 14, 2021 Board of Education meeting, the PUSD Board of Education provided the following update:
All volunteers must be vaccinated or provide negative PCR COVID test. PUSD is slowly expanding volunteers on campus. During the school day 1-2 volunteers per classroom, indoors/outdoors, per day will be allowed. Outdoor celebrations will have designated visitor areas once systems are developed.
At Westwood, we are beginning to develop our processes to manage larger groups of people on campus while keeping everyone safe and health. Please refer to the checklist below regarding the required items to be a WWES volunteer. Note that the criteria is slightly different if you were a volunteer in the past.
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS- You will need to email the needed paperwork to Lana Patel, lpatel@powayusd.com.
ALL volunteers will need to complete a Volunteer Code of Conduct, a current TB test (many TB tests on file are expired or will expire soon) and either a copy of your Covid 19 vaccination record OR a negative PCR Covid test dated within 1 week of the day you volunteer. For those turning in a negative Covid test, we will need a copy of the test EACH time you come on campus.
NEW volunteers will also need to complete the Megan's Law form.
Please allow at least 10 working days for your paperwork to be updated once it has been turned in to the office.
RED RIBBON WEEK
Red Ribbon Week begins Oct. 25th. Show your spirit and resolve to be drug free!
Halloween Events
We will be celebrating Fall and Halloween on Friday October 29th. We have created a viewing area for visitors to watch the event. We will no longer have Friday Flag on this day. Students are allowed to dress up that day and should arrive in costume. Please see the notes below for costume criteria. Please see video and parade route map below for details.
Our grade level teams have planned thematic activities for students later that day. Please look for communication regarding these activities. We understand many families continue to feel uneasy about large gatherings and periods of time students are unmasked. We are confident you will appreciate the plans in place that support a healthy community. We encourage those who are comfortable to enjoy activities in the community beyond the school day.
Costume Guidelines:
In order to maintain safety and order during Halloween activities, our students should adhere to the standards of appropriate dress for a regular school day: wear appropriate shoes (no high heels), no bare midriffs, etc. It is important to remember that we have very young children on campus that would be easily frightened by scary or gory costumes. Students should not wear imitation bloody clothes or horror masks. Students should not bring swords, imitation guns, pirate hooks, knives or weapons of any kind. The only masks allowed are the masks that students wear daily.
PUSD IS HIRING!!
NOON DUTIES NEEDED ON OUR CAMPUS
Parent/Guardian Health and Safety Agreement
Please click on this link: The Parent/Guardian Health and Safety Agreement (Spanish Version) and print/sign a copy for each student to submit to their school at the beginning of the school year.
Health Office Updates
https://covid-19.sdcoe.net/Portals/covid-19/Documents/Health%20Practices/COVID-19-Decision-Tree.pdf
Symptoms:
Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
TESTING INFO:
Please visit
https://www.powayusd.com/en-US/Communications/COVID-19-Updates
at the Covid 19 Updates page for testing sites and other important information.
Does your student have known chronic illness/condition such as allergies that would cause frequent coughing, runny nose/congestion or a condition that would cause any of the listed symptoms? Please have your child's physician complete the Certification of Chronic Condition for those specific symptom(s) to keep on file at school. This will help keep your student in school if the symptom(s) occur while at school. Students with this form on file can remain at school as long as symptoms are not severe. Please use the link below for the form or pick one up in our office.
Please remember to self screen your students at home prior to leaving for school. Keep them home if they have any of the symptoms listed above. Please feel free to call Miss Mary in the Health Office with any questions or clarification.
COVID RELATED INFORMATION
SPIRIT WEAR
Spirit wear sale is now closed! Thank you to all! Shirts will be delivered and distributed before fall break in November.
REFLECTIONS
PTA Reflections has changed the deadline to Monday October 25! Please use the link below to submit all your pieces. We look forward to seeing all your creative submissions.
RUNNING CLUB
Keep stepping up! Running Club is at 2,797 miles and heading for Bermuda! Have you checked out the running club webpage? Track your class and personal progress: https://www.westwoodelementarypta.com/running-club.html
Movie Night is Friday Oct. 29th! Join us for Hotel Transylvania 3. Click the link below of scan this QR code.
PTA MEMBERSHIP
The PTA has almost 300 members! It is so wonderful that so many families have made the choice to support Westwood Elementary through joining the PTA. If you haven't joined yet, it isn't too late. In fact, the class with the most memberships by Thursday, October 28th will earn a free candy bar at the Movie Night on Friday, October 29th. If you have already joined, your membership will go towards your child's class count for the Movie Night candy promotion! Join today at
YEARBOOKS
2021-2022 Yearbooks
Last chance for a discount for the yearbook! After October 31st the yearbook will be full price so purchase your yearbook today! https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1015978769242468
PTA MEMBERSHIP
Thank you to all of our families who have become PTA members. We are on our way to do great things at Westwood this year with your help. It isn't too late to join, so do so today:
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile
Does the Amazon driver know you by name? Got enough boxes to stack to the moon? Did you know that with every delivery you can raise money for Westwood Elementary?
1. Go to smile.amazon.com
2. Sign in to your Amazon account
3. Search for Westwood Elementary PTA San Diego
4. Sign up!
Or scan here:
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Top 3 students who earn the most Box Tops for the month of October will be given a FREE RUBIOS KIDS MEAL certificate! If you have recently downloaded the BT app & received a BT referral bonus, please email a screenshot of your earning to wwboxtops4educ@gmail.com to be entered in this month’s contest! Parents, don’t forget to scan your grocery receipts! Thank you for your ongoing support!
Here’s our top 3 earning students so far:
1. Kian/Wilkinson
2. Aiden/Cook
3. Emma/Medico
Just for joining, our school will earn 20 box tops or $2 for signing up for the Box Tops app! Enter our referral code on the "Create Account" screen. Our referral code is CK0Z26MF
How can you join? Simply download Box Tops for Education app and scan your grocery receipts to help earn $$$ for our school! Website to download the app: https://www.boxtops4education.com/ Check out all the participating Box Tops products CLICK HERE.
About Us
Principal
Email: kholmes@powayusd.com
Website: https://powayusd.com/en-US/Schools/ES/WWES/Home
Location: 17449 Matinal Road, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-487-2026
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWESRoadrunners
Twitter: @RoadrunnersWwes