Westlake's Monthly Newsletter
March, 2023
Supervisor's Message
"The more that you read the more things you will know, the more that you learn the more places you'll go!"-Dr. Suess.
The month of March "tipped" off with the National event, Read Across America, to remind students that whether reading to oneself, listening to a story or thumbing through a book to explore the colorful pictures, even in this day and age of technology, there is no better experience than getting lost in a book. Special "guests" such as administrators, UCESC staff members and classmates read and engaged students with stories and interactive activities to promote the joy of reading.
As a month long celebration of all the influential and incredible contributions women have accomplished throughout history, meaningful lessons that embraced women from all walks of life, history, and diversity in race, religion and cause were the focal point of active classroom discussions, research and visual presentations that addressed gender biases and the movement towards gender equality.
In honor of Read Across America, I'll leave you with my favorite author Shel Silverstein:
"Listen to Mustn'ts, child, listen to the Don'ts.
Listen to the Shouldn'ts, the Impossibles, the Won'ts.
Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me.
Anything can happen, child, Anything can be."-Where the Sidewalk Ends
Till next time my friends, be good to yourself and each other!
Best,
Robert Peneno
"Mr. P"
What's on Tap
April 3: DLM state testing begins
April 5: Board Meeting
April 7-April 14: Spring Recess (School's Closed)
April 19: Yoga
April 21: Pet Therapy at Westlake
April SEL Themes
Autism Awareness Month
Responsibility
Self Care
Westlake's March Spotlights!
Student of the Month
Principal's Award
Teacher Spotlight
A Tip from Ms. Barnum!
Stepping back and letting kids make art in the way that pleases them can be hard especially when it’s messy or not done to look like the example. But it’s honestly the most rewarding when a student completed a piece all on their own.
Paraprofessional Spotlight
Fun Facts About Ms. Jackie!
1. Her favorite color is burgundy.
2. She was a theater major in high school.
3. Currently, Ms. Jackie is in school to become a social worker!
4. She loves to do puzzles and watch movies.
5. Family means everything to her.
Behavioralist Spotlight
What does Ms. Gewirtzman love about being a Behavioralist?
“What I love most about being a BCBA is getting the opportunity to work with teachers to support our students in moving past barriers in learning to reach their fullest potential. I enjoy working with teachers to help create meaningful individualized educational programs for each of the students we serve.”Ms. Palmer’s Classroom
The month of March is a very busy time in Mrs. Palmer’s room. The spring holidays are rapidly approaching and that means it is time for Spring Holiday candy orders. The focus has been on vocational work this month as the students are in full blown work mode as staff and parents send in order forms for chocolate lollipops and pretzels.
There are many steps involved in completing an order for Spring Holiday chocolates. First the students review the order to verify how many lollipops and pretzels are needed. Students then gather the correct lollipop and pretzel molds and begin to prepare the next steps: the chocolate wafers are prepared; measured, melted, and poured scooped into the pouring bottle. The lollipop sticks and/or pretzels are placed into the molds and the chocolate is poured into the molds then placed into the refrigerator to harden.
In the meantime students are busy measuring ribbons, cutting, tying and curling them to decorate each bag for every lollipop and pretzel.
Once the lollipops have hardened and been carefully decorated, each item is individually wrapped in a plastic bag, tied with beautifully curled ribbons and is collected for the correct order.
Taking orders for Spring Holiday lollipops and pretzels is a job that Mrs. Palmer’s class has been doing for the last 21 years. It is an enormous undertaking but it is one that provides an invaluable learning experience for the students. This endeavor focuses on many work skills: reading order forms, following directions, setting up and cleaning up a work space, working with a partner or supervisor, asking for help, staying focused and on task and working until the task is completed.
The students take great pride in their work and love knowing that so many families will enjoy the chocolates and pretzels that were so carefully crafted by them.
Mr. K's Classroom
This month, we focused on Women’s History Month and Empowerment. Each day, we explored new ways to find our own empowerment and independence. Students were able to explore their own empowerment by having autonomy over our classroom space. They explored this through assisting with passing out materials, keeping their desk space clean and organized, and encouraging their peers during class activities.
For Women’s History Month, we learned about many incredible women throughout history including Clara Zetkin (the organizer of the first International Women’s Day), Jane Goodall, Amelia Earhart, Georgia O’Keefe, Malala Yousafzai, Maya Angelou, and so many more. We decided to build on last month’s theme of Cooperation & Friendship as well in our celebration of Women’s History Month. Through the help of all of the other classes here at Westlake, we created a collaborative quilt poster with a Maya Angelou quote on it. Every student helped contribute to the collaborative poster, encouraging cooperation across the school. Additionally, with the poster hung in the hallway, students feel empowered by their help in beautifying our school!
March at Westlake!
“We all have purpose even if we’re still striving to understand what that is.”AB
Westlake Out and About!
Can-Do-Cafe!
The Westlake Can-Do-Cafe opened its doors on February 7, 2023 and is open every Tuesday morning from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Staff and students from Westlake and Hillcrest Academy South come to the cafe. The students sell hot chocolate, coffee and tea. Along with the drinks the students also sell banana bread, pumpkin bread and sour cream coffee cake that they previously made in class as part of the Food Preparation program. All the jobs of the cafe are staffed by the students: seating the customers , taking and filling orders, bussing the tables, and taking the money and making change. A mobile cafe cart is also staffed by students and overseen by a therapist.
Mrs. Palmer’s class is not only learning the specific skills needed to work in a food service setting but they are also learning valuable soft skills such as how to talk to customers, appropriate social skills, and cooperation with co-workers that will transfer to any job setting. Both the student workers of the Can Do Cafe and all of its customers really enjoy the experience of having a school run coffee shop.