The Compass
Week of April 24, 2023
It's Staff Appreciation Week!
Additionally, we are celebrating the efforts of our Brevard After School Staff! If your child participates in this program, please be sure to share your gratitude for all they do before and after school.
Here are just a few ideas you can spoil staff:
- Send them a heartfelt note or email
- Treat them to a snack pack to enjoy
- Registered Volunteers- offer to watch their class at recess for an extended break
- Deliver a special lunch or breakfast
- Flowers or small plant
- Gift cards to their favorite shops or restaurants
- Summer fun items
- Cute "teacher" shirts or fun school supplies
- Movie Tickets for all those upcoming summer films
PTO will also be collecting donations or gift cards in the car loop again on Monday to help fund prizes to giveaway. Thank you to those who gave on Friday...we collected almost $200!
***NOTE: The office will close at 1:45pm on Friday for a Staff Event.***
Thank You Volunteers
Chrissy Wise * Nicole Thompson * Alyssa Campbell * Mary Ellis * Melissa Lies * Emily Torlak * Jessica Gibbens * Christina Austin * Melody Satterfield * Denise Ramos * Tawanna Parrish * Patty Koagel * Jorie Rottman * Julia Watwood * Alisha Hand * Brittany Boydston *
Family Fun Night a Success!
Purple UP Day honors Military Children
Westside's Club Corner
Monday, 4/24
- 5th Grade Science Boot Camp @2:30-4:00p
- Beginning Orchestra @2:30-3:30p
Tuesday, 4/25
- Intermediate Orchestra 7:15a-8:00a
- 5th Grade Science Boot Camp @2:30-4:00p
- Beginning Orchestra @2:30p3:30p
- Odyssey of the Mind @2:30p-4:30p
- Modern Artists @2:30p-4:00p
- DOVE Bible club @2:30-3:30p
Wednesday, 4/26
- Chorus @2:30-3:30p
- 5th Grade Science Boot Camp @2:30-4:00p
Thursday, 4/27
- Intermediate Orchestra @2:30p-3:30p
- Great Van Goghs @2:30p-4:00p
- 5th Grade Science Boot Camp @2:30-4:00p
Friday, 4/28
- Jammers @1:30p-3:30p
- Ceramics Club @1:30-3:30p
Re-Enrollment for 23-24 School Year Now Open
Once your Parent Portal is set up, you may begin the re-enrollment process at anytime by following the directions below (printed or video). Deadline for re-enrollment is May 1, 2023.
If you do not have access to an electronic device (computer, smartphone or tablet), please come into our office to use our school-based laptops. Our office is open Monday-Friday from 7:30AM-3:30PM.
Kindergarten Enrollment for 23-24
Additionally, we are hosting a Kindergarten Orientation for families and their students on the evening of April 12th, so save the date!
For your planning purposes, the first official day of Kindergarten is Aug. 15th; however your child may be invited to a "soft start" between August 10-14 to help them become acclimated with our campus, classrooms and friends.
Last, if your child will be joining us for Kindergarten next fall, there is a VPK opportunity shown below for any child who did not attend PK.
Summer VPK Program
Hello Westside Families! BPS is hosting a Summer Voluntary PreK program for students who are eligible to attend kindergarten in August 2023 and did not attend the school year VPK prgram.
Summer VPK will be held at Sherwood Elementary Monday-Friday from May 31-July 25, 2023 (7:30AM-3:30PM daily). A Meet & Greet will be hosted on May 31st from 11:30am-3:30pm for students/families attending.
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Upcoming Events
- April 24th- Hurricane Nicole Make Up Day
- April 24th-27th- 5th Grade Science Boot Camp Week 2
- May 2nd & 3rd- FAST Assessments ELA/Math (3rd-6th)
- May 4th- Spring Music Concert
- May 9th & 10th- PM3 Assessments ELA/Math (PK-2)
- May 12th- 6th grade Dance
- May 15th-16th- NGSSS Science 5th Grade
- May 19th- 6th Grade vs. Staff kickball game
- May 22nd- Awards K-2
- May 23rd- Awards 3-5
- May 24th-26th- Early Release Days
- May 25th- 6th Grade Celebration
- May 26th- Last Day of School
Summer Opportunities
BPS to Host Summer Enrichment
Save the date! Registration for Summer Enrichment programs opens on May 1st!
BPS is offering great opportunities for all students in Brevard County. See the flyer for more info & be sure to check back for the registration link!
MHS B-ball Camp
Here are some of the details:
First Week Time - 9AM to 3PM (half day pickup at 12)
Second Week Time - 9AM - 12PM
Age/Grade Range - Grade 3 thru those entering Grade 9
Cost - $150.00 for the week for campers who will be there for full day week 1, $75.00 for the week for half day campers.
All campers will be $100.00 for week 2.
Payment methods accepted : Cash or Check
Lunch Options - we have partnered with Dominos and McDonald's to be able to provide food that campers will be available to purchase daily.
Parents can email application attached to the bottom of this newsletter to: melhighbball@gmail.com and can pay in person on the first day of camp or drop off the check or payment to Melbourne High School.
BAS Summer Camp
Brevard Before & After School Registration for Summer Camp 2023 will open on Monday, April 10, 2023 at 8:30am. You may visit our website at www.Brevardafterschool.com for registration information.
EFSC Golf Camp
Summer STEM Camp
Join our PTO
Are you a small business owner or have business connections to help with recess improvements, staff appreciation and other events? If so, we'd love to connect! Email us at: WestsidePTOpalmbay@gmail.com
Upcoming Needs for Registered Volunteers:
**IF you are able to support any of these, please email our PTO at address below**
Kindergarten Lunch Support (Daily) 11:00-11:45a
Parent Lunch Fridays- 10:30am-12:30pm
PTO will continue to sell Spirit Shirts at all Westside events OR you can send in the money in an envelope with your child's full name, teacher name, material & color of shirt, and size desired. Cotton shirts (teal or black) are $10 and Dryfit shirts (black only) are $12.
Have questions or need more information? Email us at: WestsidePTOpalmbay@gmail.com
We Need Your Voice!
Our last SAC Meeting will be May 1st at 3:00pm. The purpose of the School Advisory Council is to be a community stakeholder voice to provide feedback and recommendations, help develop school initiatives, and guide our School Improvement Plan.
You do not have to be a registered volunteer to attend any meeting, simply check in at the front office with your photo ID.
For more information on our agendas and purpose, please contact Beth McKinney at McKinney.Beth@Brevardschools.org
Why Volunteer
Do you want to attend upcoming field trips with your child? Help out in your child's classroom? Participate in class parties or special events? Help support our school with hours or donations? Then become a BPS Volunteer!
If you are interested in being a registered volunteer this school year, please visit the District website located HERE. Currently, it is FREE to have your fingerprinting and background checks completed, so don't delay! Our BPS safety protocols require any adult on campus during school hours must be a registered volunteer.
Friday is Family Lunch Day!
We had a good turnout for our Parent/Student Lunch Day last Friday! Thank you to the families who joined us and we look forward to seeing more of you this Friday.
At this time, we must follow the parameters listed below per BPS guidelines:
- This opportunity will only be available on Fridays.
- Only adults on the approved pick-up list for a child will be allowed to have lunch with students. You will need to present your photo ID at the front office and receive a visitor's tag. When done, you must sign out before leaving campus.
- A designated area will be provided for the adult and student.
- Adults will only be allowed to eat lunch with THEIR child and we request only two adults per child please.
- Adults who are not registered volunteers will be monitored by school staff at all times.
- Adults will be permitted to be on campus for lunch for their child's 30-minute lunch block (times listed at end of newsletter for all classes). Once your child's lunch is over, we kindly as you to sign out and exit campus. If you have multiple children and want to have lunch with all of them, you must wait for additional lunch times in the front office, glass booth, or your vehicle.
- You may bring in food from outside sources for your child only. Any leftover drinks or snacks will not be allowed back in class however.
Wireless Communication Device Policy
We are asking parents to review the BPS Wireless Communication Device policy (po5136) and the Cell Phone Contract which are attached to the end of this newsletter. It will also be posted on our school website and social media forums. You can also access po5136 at the BPS link HERE.
If your child has obtained a wireless communication device such as a smartphone since registration in August 2022, you will be asked to complete a Cell Phone Contract for this device. This week, we will be identifying those students who need updated contracts and send them home to you. Please feel free to reach out to our office for a copy as well. As a reminder, Westside Elementary's procedures are that cell phones are to be powered off and in backpacks while on school grounds unless permission has been given by an administrator. Students who violate the WCD policy may receive disciplinary action. Reminder: if a student needs to contact home we will provide access, or if you need to speak to your child, please call the front office and we will connect you.