Dear Westside Family,

Happy Friday! The sun is out and it feels like Spring, what a great way to start the Spring Break holiday! This week has been another fabulous week at Westside, we had 3rd-5th graders trying out for the Find Your Voice Talent Show, our students presented at Thursday Night's School Board Meeting (Glimpse Here), KG set their Leprechaun Traps, 2nd Grade collected pet supplies for Texas Humane Heroes, and 3rd grade hosted their annual Living History Museum today! It was eventful but full of learning experiences aligned to our Westside vision to "Lead, Grow, Inspire," each day! Our kids, staff, and community continue to shine in all we do at Westside!

I wish you a beautiful Spring Break with your families!

Enjoy the weekend,

Amanda Reyes Lillard

Principal

We want to ensure that every parent has a voice in Leander ISD’s mission to inspire and equip all students to succeed. As part of these ongoing efforts, I am asking for feedback about your child's school and critical school issues, such as academic preparation, student support, and parent engagement. This survey will take 15 minutes to complete. All responses are strictly confidential. No one at Leander ISD will know if you participate or be able to connect you to your answers.

Please note: If you have a child in more than one district school, please click link at the end of the survey to respond about another school. After the survey closes, we will share what we have learned and what changes we will make based on your feedback.

Engaging in an ongoing dialogue is critical as we work together to provide our students with the best possible education. Thank you for your participation and support!

Sincerely,

Bruce Gearing, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Leander ISD

Weekly Mental Health Minute: Stigma

YouTube: English, Spanish

Google Drive: English, Spanish

Scripts: English, Spanish

Welcome to March, Westside Families!

The Habit of the Month is Sharpen the Saw. Habit 7 is the habit of self-renewal. If we are using Habit 7, we make sure that we engage our minds, fill our hearts, take care of our bodies and renew our spirits. We make sure that we are not so busy “doing life” that we forget to take care of our core health. When we sharpen the saw, we:

• Seek balance with work and play or home and school

• Seek ways to strengthen all of us: mind, body, heart, and soul

• Discover ways to do these things by ourselves, for ourselves, and model it within our family.

Habit #7 Practice At Home: Take a walk in the garden or in another place where plants are growing new leaves.

• What does it mean to grow or renew each year?

• How do plants renew?

Discuss with you family or children the things that plants need to renew (water, soil, sunshine).

• What are the things that we need to be in a state of growth and renewal? Humans need to use their minds, bodies, hearts, and spirits.

Think of ways as a family that you can renew or use each of these things to renew yourselves this March.

• How do you feel when you are renewing/growing?

4th Grade will collect items March 24 - April 4 for the Leander Clothes Closet!

Please see flyer for items that are needed. Thank you!

In Leander ISD, we believe students receive a quality education regardless of the campus they attend; however, we understand there are circumstances when a parent may desire for their child to attend a school other than the campus they are currently assigned. The transfer window to open campuses for the 2023–24 school year is currently delayed and will most likely open after Spring Break.

Please click here for more information.

There are three ways to register:

1. In person on Saturday, April 1st from 9am-1pm at the LEO Conference Center for the "PreK Registration and Early Childhood Resource Fair". This will be a super fun event with a bounce house, balloon animals, and face painting! Everyone is welcome - even if your child may not qualify for PreK!
2. Online starting April 1st. Families interested in applying for the 2023-24 school year MUST fill out the new application on April 1st. They cannot use the currently open 2022-23 application.
3. In person at Westside from 7:30am - 6:30pm, Wednesday, April 5th.

Please check LISD's website for more information!

Join the PTA Board! Our Nominating committee is looking to fill spots on the board for next year. There are also openings to be the chairperson of a committee or to organize an event for Westside through the PTA!

Email nominating.westsidepta@gmail.com if you are interested.

It’s Cold and Flu Season!

Here are some friendly reminders to help stay virus-free this season:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds

- If soap and water not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your Cough; Cough and sneeze into a tissue then throw it away, or cough and sneeze into your upper shirt sleeve, completely covering your mouth and nose

- Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and objects such as toys and doorknobs
• Talk with your medical provider about getting a flu shot.
• Stay at home while you are sick.
• Call and inform the school nurse of confirmed Flu diagnosis.

LISD follows the Texas Department of Health Guidelines for illness-related exclusions from school. A student will be sent home if they have a fever of 100.0 Fahrenheit or above or any other contagious symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) and will need to remain home until symptom free for twenty-four (24) hours, and without the use of medications.

Heidi Grohs, RN, BSN

School Nurse

Heidi.grohs@leanderisd.org

512-570-7027

Westside Elementary Counseling Site

Counselor Referral Form

Phone: (512) 570-7016