W.E.stchester Weekly
March 15, 2023
News from the Principal
Greetings WE Families,
Once again, it has been a week of appreciation and awe for all things WEstchester! Oh My Goodness, WE certainly has amazing students, teachers and parents. Everyone SHOWED UP in so many ways. Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!
Teacher Appreciation Week started with Chalk the Walk! The messages and tokens of appreciation throughout the week were so nice. Our teachers work so hard and our parents are so generous! We have been spoiled with messages, snacks and fun!
Celebrations of Learning are here! First Grade really showed what they learned about plants. Kindergarten has some of the cutest entomologists! Second Grade is ready to take on the world in various careers. Our Specials teachers supported the learning in so many ways as well. This is truly what is grounded on the core principles of EL education.
It is hard to believe we will be at the two week mark. 10 days left of the 2022-2023 school year. It has been a wonderful year. We are in the various planning stages for the 2023-2024 school year. There are many ways to get connected. Our PTA board is looking for committee chairs and we will have School Leadership Team elections in August. If either of these roles are appealing to you, send me an email at cknox@csdecatur.net and I can share more with you about the work that our volunteers do.
From your grateful principal,
Christine Knox
On the Scene
Bounce!
Popsicles kept us cool!
Yummy!
Hip, Hip Hooray
3 Cheers for Field Day!
Westchester and CSD Communication Survey
Hi Westchester Families,
Please complete this survey to help us best plan for and implement communication structures that will keep our Westchester families informed of the important happenings in our school community. All schools will be conducting a similar survey.
The results of these surveys will be shared with other school and district leaders to help inform areas of strength and growth throughout the district.
This survey should take you approximately 10 minutes to complete, and will provide us with valuable information about our communication platforms, frequency, and content. Thank you for your support.
Grade Level Supply Lists 23-24
Westchester Elementary parents...Did you know the average parent has to visit two and a half stores to get everything on their child's back to school supply list? Not when you order from 1st Day School Supplies! In just a few clicks you'll have everything you need and only the brand names you trust and respect like Ticonderoga, Crayola, Elmer's and Clorox.
Better yet, you'll save up to 30% when you order from 1st Day school Supplies compared to shopping at big box retailers like Target, Walmart and even on Amazon.
So, what are you waiting for? Buy early and save this year with 1st Day school Supplies.
Yearbook Reorder
Yearbooks are here and so cute! If you ordered a yearbook online your yearbook was delivered to students. If you missed the first order, you can submit this form and check to get one but they will go fast. So act quickly.
MAP Testing Information
Dear Westchester Families,
During the weeks of May 1 through May 19, Westchester teachers will be administering the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test for Reading and Math. MAP is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Students take the MAP test in the fall, winter, and spring. By taking it three times a year, teachers and parents are able to see how their student is growing in the areas of Reading and Math throughout the school year. We will use this data to help us make informed instructional decisions for our students.
We will administer the MAP test to our K-1 students between 5/1 and 5/4. Second grade students will begin MAP during the week of 5/8. Makeup testing may extend through May 19 for all students as needed. The tests will be administered by classroom teachers and proctors in their classrooms.
Times below include device set-up, logging in, and breaks.
May 15th, 16th (Math)
2nd grade students- 8:30-9:30
May 17-19
Makeups as needed
If you have any questions please reach out to our Instructional Coach, Christie Manasso cmanasso@csdecatur.net
Family resources::
PTA News
PTA Board Nominees
We are so thankful for the parents who have volunteered to serve on our PTA Board. Here are the nominees. All PTA Members will have the link to vote. Voting ends Wednesday, 5/17.
CSD News and Announcements
Extra Mile Awards
Students: Do you know a teacher or CSD employee who has gone “the extra mile” this year? Nominate them for the CSD Extra Mile Award! The Extra Mile Award is an annual award that allows students to show appreciation for the teachers or staff they feel go above and beyond what is expected of them.
Students (not parents) at any grade level can write an essay describing how their teacher (or staff member) goes the extra mile (parents can help younger children write the essay). The essays should be detailed and describe how the employee goes above and beyond.
Click here to submit a nomination. The deadline is May 31.
These awards will be presented at the CSD Opening Day Celebration in July.
Questions? Contact cburnett@csdecatur.net or 404-371-3601
FAVE and Talley Elementary Orchestra
Calling all rising 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders interested in playing the violin, viola, cello, or bass!! Click here to complete the FAVE and Talley Elementary Orchestra interest form.
Math Chats
If you missed Part 1: What are the new math standards? OR Part 2: What is mathematical modeling? of the three-part Math Chats series, please watch the video recordings linked below.
Part 1: What are the new math standards? Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dto_UROTIko5k4kUpwyagQiH-H9H_XZM/view?usp=sharing
Part 2: What is mathematical modeling? https://drive.google.com/file/d/19g4nlt-Xh-zOHgDvlxvKjxB4CP1hIHd5/view?usp=sharing
The next session, Part 3: How to help my child with the new standards? will be held on May 18 at 9:30 or 5:30. Both sessions will present the same information. All sessions will be virtual. To learn more about math in CSD, please visit our webpage at https://www.csdecatur.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=4833.
Bus Registration Open
CSD Summer School for Grades K-8
Registration for summer school for grades K-8 ends on May 19, 2023. Participation is by letter of invitation only.
Launchpad Summer Camp!
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
It's time to Step Up for Teachers! www.stepupforteachers.com is live and ready for your tributes to CSD teachers, paraprofessionals and staff. For a $25 donation, you leave a message of appreciation, we'll notify the honored person and post it on our website. For a gift of $50 or more, you can select between a "We Step Up" or a “Congratulations Class of 2023" yard sign. Please note that we cannot deliver signs this year. If you would like a sign but cannot contribute, please email drew@decatureducationfoundation.org with your tribute and your sign preference. Proceeds from the Step Up campaign help fund Teacher Innovation Grants that are awarded every fall. Together we make a difference for our teachers, our schools and our kids.
A Big THANK YOU to ColorWheel Art Studio for choosing DEF as their recipient of their Empty Bowl fundraiser to address food insecurity! They raised $3,000 that will go towards our Lighten the Load program that assists Decatur families with meeting basic needs. Together, we make a difference for our kids!
Don’t Cook, Take a Break, It's May-hem! Dine out with NaanStop for DEF next Thursday, May 18th! To place your order in advance, click here: https://naanstop-decatur.square.site/. Order by 7:00am that morning and pick up between 5:00 pm and 5:45 pm on Thursday at Avery/Bucher in Winnona Park. 20% of proceeds will be donated to DEF, thanks to Naan Stop and Greg Kodesh Realty.
Reminders from Last Week
Visit past newsletters for answers to your questions🤗
Westchester Elementary School
Email: bnation@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Westchester
Location: 758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westchesterelementarycsd