Westlake's Monthly Newsletter
December, 2022
Principal's Message
During the month of December, Westlake continued to learn and have students strive through a focus on highly engaging and hands on academics. Students also worked on Social/Emotional Learning related to kindness and patience. This month's theme was Holidays Around the World and through these themes, students were able to gain knowledge working on skills such as; listening, following directions and learning about how others celebrate their holidays.
Students also spent time on Community based trips going to the Cranford Movie Theater, Shoprite, Dollar Tree, the playground at Crossroads, the recycling center and Garwood Lanes. Our Work Based Learning Program enabled students to go out to work in the Community where students worked at Olive Garden, Walgreens and Shoprite.
All the best,
Claudine Tantillo
Principal
Teacher Spotlight
What is Mrs. Fernandez most proud of?
"Our Westlake Dance Team! We meet twice a week to collaborate, create, and practice dance routines that we perform on school holiday events. Everyone is welcomed no matter their ability or behavior level. My only rules are that you have fun and are kind. I am proud that kids take an active role in creating the dances and helping others learn the dances. I also love seeing how much fun they have and how proud they are of themselves."
Paraprofessional Spotlight
Therapist Spotlight
Why did Mrs. Rocha choose Occupational Therapy?
“It is such a rewarding profession. You get to channel your creativity in ways that are helpful to our student population but also fun!
I am working on transitional/life skills with students who are graduating this year. It’s nice to know that what we are working on in OT are skills they will be using/will be helpful to them once they graduate Westlake!”
Ms. Shaw's Classroom
Kindness and Patience
By celebrating the month of kindness, the students read various stories about kindness (A Spot of Kindness, Be Kind, Kindness is my superpower, and more). The students learned about feelings and emotions, understand what it means to be kind and how to express kindness to ourselves and others.
Community Based Instruction
The students went on a virtual trip to the grocery store and worked on counting money as well as counting and retrieving items from the shopping list. During the Target trip, the students were given a $10.00 budget and worked on how to stay on the budget by rounding up each item to stay under budget.
Ms. Swisher's Classroom
Work Based Learning
Students have requested job applications for the movie theater positions. They have been working on interview skills within their classrooms. When we return to our school in January I will be sitting with students to complete their interview and select students for their Work Based Learning positions.
We continue to complete our in school work readiness activities. These activities include collecting the breakfast and lunch counts daily, completing supply and PPE orders, collecting pizza orders from staff, and distributing materials as needed.
Our external WBL sites are continuing to be successful. Students are currently working at Olive Garden, Walgreens, Westlake School, and ShopRite. I review their progress each week with the students and ask them to state one thing they are successful with and one thing they feel they could improve upon.
Mrs. Palmer’s Class Goes to Candyland!
Contact Us
Website: www.ucesc.org/schools/westlake_school
Location: 1571 Lamberts Mill Rd, Westfield, NJ, USAPhone: 908-232-4181