WILDCAT NEWS
January 2021
News from Ms. Burke
Hello Westside Family!
Happy New Year to all of you! I hope this letter finds all of you doing well and staying healthy.
As you know we have welcomed back some of our Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Students in a Hybrid model. We are eager to welcome back some of our Third, Fourth and Fifth Graders later this month. As I have joined in Zoom Meetings as well as when I have gone into classrooms, I have been amazed at the hard work our students are showing up and doing each day. I am equally amazed at how hard our Teachers and Support Staff are working to ensure that our students get what they need in order to be successful in their Academic and Social Emotional Learning. I am so proud to be part of such an amazing community.
I know that the last year has not been easy for many of our families. I also know that recent events are weighing heavy on the hearts and minds of many of us. I want you to know that Westside is here for not only our students but for their families as well. We always say, “we are one family” here at Westside. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out.
I look forward to seeing you all in 2021 in person or over Zoom :)
Warmly,
Nikki Burke, Principal
No School Dates in January
Monday January 18, 2021 - NO SCHOOL
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Friday January 22, 2021 - NO SCHOOL
Staff Professional Development
"If I cannot due great things, I can do small things in a great way."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
Stop the Spread of Germs
Please talk with your child about the importance of these strategies to help prevent the spread of respiratory disease like COVID-19 when they are at school. It will be beneficial for all students to know these expectations when returning to in-person instruction.
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
- Don't come to school if you are feeling sick.
- Be Smart Stand 6 feet Apart.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Distance Learning Resources
Keep Up with Distance Learning
The Westside Distance Learning Website
will provide you with access to online learning resources.
Attendance in Distance Learning
We will take Attendance on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday because we know being present in class is important to student success. Attendance will not be taken on Wednesdays.
Students will have an entire school day, including the evening hours, to engage with learning and be considered present for class each day, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. If you student has not logged in by midnight, you will receive a courtesy blackboard connect email the next day to notify you of the absence. If you feel you received the message in error, please let us know and we would be happy to excuse or adjust the absence as necessary.
If your child will not be participating in Distance Learning on a given day,
please call our school Attendance Line at 608-834-7500 to report the absence.
Families,
Did you know…
All breakfast and lunches are free for every student this entire school year!
Since March, 2020 we have served 77,218 free breakfasts and 77,218 free lunches.
To receive free meals
- You may pick up a meal box at any of our distribution sites listed below.
- If you do not have transportation you may contact our office to set up delivery.
- Hybrid Students are offered free breakfast and lunch at school, these are served safely in the classrooms. Students who bring their own lunches are welcome to purchase a milk for $.40.
Weekly Meal Boxes
Weekly Meal Boxes are FREE to all children in the Sun Prairie Area School District. This applies to those who are 18 or under in a household.
A meal box contains 7 breakfast meals and 7 lunch meals.
Storage and cooking instructions are included in the box.
You can pick the free meal boxes up at the following locations and times:
Monday Westside Elementary (1320 Buena Vista Dr.) 11am - 12pm
SP Food Pantry (18 Rickel Rd.)12:00 - 3:30pm
Tuesday C.H. Bird Elementary (1170 N. Bird St.) 11am - 12pm
Camden Apartments (2601 Old Camden Sq.) 12:30pm - 1pm
SP Food Pantry (18 Rickel Rd.) 5pm - 7pm
Wednesday Sun Prairie High School (888 Grove St. door #15, back of bldg) 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Northside Elementary (230 W Klubertanz) 4:30pm - 5:15pm
SP Food Pantry (18 Rickel Rd.) 12:00 - 3:30pm
Thursday Cardinal Heights Upper M.S. (220 Kroncke Dr. door #3) 1:30pm - 2:15pm
SP Food Pantry (18 Rickel Rd.) 5pm - 7pm
Friday Prairie View M.S. (400 N. Thompson Rd, door #11, back of bldg) 10am - 10:45am
SP Food Pantry (18 Rickel Rd.) 12:00 - 3:30pm
Saturday SP Food Pantry (18 Rickel Rd.) 9am - 1:00pm
If you are unable to pick up a box, we are happy to deliver it to you. Please contact the Nutrition Department at 608-834-6544 or email nutritiondepartment@sunprairieschools.org
Caregiver Assistance
To complete the following google form requesting specific assistance click here.
Spanish translation, click here.
Westside OPTS Updates
Who We Are & What We Do:
Westside OPTS is the parent-teacher organization at Westside Elementary School. All members are volunteers, made up of parents, grandparents and caregivers of Westside students, as well as teachers and school staff. Our mission is to support education for Westside Elementary School students by fostering relationships between the school, parents, and teachers.
How To Get Involved:
While this school year will look different, we are still committed to supporting our teachers, students and families during this time, and we would love your help!
- Volunteer your time and/or talent! If you have a special skill, want to help with fundraising, or like to work on teacher appreciate activities, please let us know.
- We still have open positions for any anyone interested in joining our board. Currently, the Vice President and Volunteer Coordinator positions are open. This is a great time to join OPTS and see what it's all about!
OPTS Meetings
Westside OPTS meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except December) from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Our next meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday January 12, 2021. The link will be shared closer to the meeting date. We hope to see everyone there!
Let’s Connect!
Via Email: westsideopts@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/westsideOPTS/about/?ref=page_internal
Upcoming Fundraisers
Box Tops - Download the new Box Tops app and scan your receipts when you purchase any foods with a Box Tops label on the package.
Shoparoo - Free app where you scan any receipt, get bonus points, and pick Westside to receive funds. Monthly/yearly drawings.
AmazonSmile - Visit smile.amazon.com, enter your Amazon credentials, and select Westside OPTS in Sun Prairie as your charitable organization. Then, when you shop on Amazon, AmazonSmile will donate .5% of eligible purchases to Westside OPTS!
Love and Logic Message from Dr. Charles Fey
Effective Parenting
When parents can remain calm and respond to arguing with simple phrases, such as “I love you too much to argue” or “What did I say?” their children begin to learn that arguing and manipulating does not pay.
Setting limits without waging war
As many parents discover, setting unenforceable limits with kids often creates more problems than solutions. Learn the secret of setting limits that are enforceable by never telling a stubborn kid what to do—instead, only describe what you are willing to do or allow.
How to avoid power-struggles while helping their children learn to make good choices
Many of the power-struggles parents find themselves pulled into start when they try to ensure that their kids don’t make mistakes. Small mistakes and their associated consequences help kids develop the wisdom to avoid making larger ones later on.
Tools for neutralizing defiance
Parents can side-step power-struggles by responding to statements like “you can’t make me” by saying, “I’m going to have to do something about this…but not now. We’ll talk later.” Delaying consequences gives parents time to calm down and consider effective consequences.
How to replace anger and frustration with empathy
When we provide empathy before consequences our kids are forced to think about their poor decisions rather than our anger. That’s what really makes learning happen!
Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible.
Dr. Charles Fay
Like and follow us here to keep current on all the wonderful things happening at Westside!
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.
(SPASD District Policy JB
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.
NEW NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES ON SEX DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR, AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION
The Sun Prairie Area School District (“District”) does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate in any education program or activity extends to cover, but is not limited to, District students, certain admissions processes, and District employment. To access the relevant policy and procedures you can go to the District’s website. For inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District please contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, (the Director of Student Policy & School Operations, 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, 608-834-6624 or by email at titleixcoordinator@sunprairieschools.org.)