The Westmoreland Wrap Up
September 16, 2022
National Start With Hello Week 9/19-9/23
Next week, we will honor National Start With Hello Week. This initiative was born out of the Sandy Hook Promise and aims to encourage kindness and combat hate. Students will participate in activities each day which remind us that small acts of kindness, like a simple "hello" can make someone's day and make them feel special. The activities for each day are outlined below. We look forward to a great week!
Christy Dell'Aglio
International Dot Day
Did you know September 15th is know as International Dot Day?
On September 15, 2003, author and illustrator of children’s books, Peter H. Reynolds released his book “The Dot.” In the story, the main character Vashti felt like she couldn’t draw — but her art teacher wouldn’t accept that. “Just make a mark, and see where it takes you,” the teacher said to Vashti.
So, she marked her paper with a small dot and signed her signature. The next day, Vashti was surprised to find her paper with the dot hanging in a gold frame behind the teacher's desk. Vashti was so proud of her work that she started creating drawings with different kinds of dots.
Eventually, Vashti was able to pass the lesson about confidence that she had learned from her teacher onto someone else. A dot might be small, but it’s a powerful way to show your unique individuality and creativity. And that’s the story that inspired International Dot Day.
“The Dot” has inspired millions of children and adults.
This story was also the inspiration behind our Authors of the Month wall! Student's work will be selected each month to hang in gold frames near our main office. Parents will receive a special letter sharing this great news!
Back to School Night, 9/21
The night offers two IDENTICAL K-4 sessions. This schedule was devised with the hope of accommodating parents of children across multiple grade levels, or perhaps siblings or twins in the same grade level with different teachers.
You will be able to attend one teacher's session from 6:30-7:00 and the second teacher's session from 7:00-7:30.
Specialists' sessions overlap. This will enable you to stop in and meet a specialist or two before or after a homeroom session.
Any questions, please contact Mrs. Dell'Aglio at any time.
Upcoming Intervention Services and Meeting
These programs provide services to those students who require additional academic support in the areas of reading comprehension, language arts, and/or mathematics.
The District has also scheduled a Parent Information Session to be held on September 28, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., in the Memorial Middle School Auditorium in order to provide you with information about these programs.
Final eligibility letters will be sent to parents on or around September 23, 2022.
Parking, Pick Up and Drop Off Reminders
Dropping off my own two children before driving to work can certainly test my patience.
If one person fails to follow traffic rules and patterns, it can throw a wrench into your whole routine....
That is why we need your help! We ask that you please follow all traffic rules during pick up and drop off.
- Please do not double park. The FLPD will be giving out tickets.
- Please do not block any driveways of our surrounding neighbors. They need to get to work too.
- You should only park in the proper direction of the traffic flow. Please do not park facing the opposite direction or facing on-coming traffic.
- Please do not park in areas with painted lines or cones. This ensures our school buses have enough room to turn and navigate the road safely.
- If your child is walking to/from your car. Please HAVE THEM USE THE CROSS WALK. Do not call your child to the car and allow them to cross the street in the middle of the road. This is VERY DANGEROUS. Have your child use the cross walk at the corner and walk to your car on the side which you are parked.
- Please be patient and understanding. Children are watching.
If you are walking or biking to school:
- Please listen to the directions of our Crossing Guards Ken and Len. Wait until they stop traffic and signal you to enter the crosswalk.
- As always, say good morning and thank them for crossing you:)
Westmoreland PTO Information
Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring a visit from Mr. Michael Fondacaro and his Beyond the Chair Presentation for our students in grades 3 and 4. He shared valuable life lessons with the students about acceptance, perseverance and determination.
The first Friday of each month is a Westmoreland School Spirit Day! The PTO is running a Spirit Wear Sale. Orders are due by 9/30. See the notice below to order your gear.
Membership forms and pizza sale forms (for 12:45 dismissal days) are also attached below.
Preorder your mums and save the date for the PTO's fall festival scheduled for October 7th.
22-23 School Calendar and Delayed Opening Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: Elementary students have 3 special 12:45 dismissal days due to parent teacher conferences on November 8th, November 10th and March 2nd. Lunch is not served on 12:45 dismissal days. Students are asked to bring a snack or light lunch.
On delayed opening days, students report to school at 10:10am.
Health Curriculum Letter
The notice only needs to be returned if you are opting your child out of any health topics outlined in the notice.
Please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Dell'Aglio with any additional questions.
Instrumental Music Sign Ups for Grade 4 Students
Parents may register their child using this form for either orchestra or band. Instrument choices for each ensemble are as follows:
Orchestra: Violin, Viola, Cello
Band: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Combined Percussion
PTO Scholastic Book Fair
Security Drills
As per new Legislation A-5727/S-3726, public schools must inform parents of monthly security drills. This communication is to inform you that your child participated in a state mandated training drill on 9/13/22 entitled a "lockdown drill". All school occupants were notified that this was only a drill and no danger existed.
Upcoming Important Dates:
Week of 9/19: Start with Hello Week
9/20-9/21: PTO Book Fair
9/21: Back to School Night Presentations, 6:30-7:00 and 7:00-7:30
9/26-9/27: School Closed for Rosh Hashanah