Westchester Weekly
Newsletter August 18, 2022
News from the Principal
Hello Westchester Community,
There is so much to be proud of as I watch the school year roll out. The students are amazing and are working so hard. The staff is so incredible. They show up each day ready and able to give their all for our students. Our parents are awesome and stepping up to support the work of sustaining a strong community. Thank you to the parents that have shared their interest in supporting our PTA board and our School Leadership Team. There is still time to join either of these important supports for our school.
Click here if you are interested in serving on the School Leadership Team.
Click here to find out more about joining our PTA
EL Education is an instructional framework that we follow here at Westchester. The EL Education definition of student achievement combines academic achievement, character, and high-quality work. Academic success is built on the strong character qualities of collaboration, perseverance, and craftsmanship. Through engaging and challenging academic work, students develop those strong character qualities that lead to their success. At Westchester, the three Dimensions of Achievement are evident in what WE students and teachers do each day. There is an explicit focus on the Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, Character, and High-Quality Work. I know you are equally excited to see your child thrive academically and develop the life skills of becoming an effective learner. I will continue to share more about our work as an EL Education school.
Mark your calendars! We are having our Curriculum Night on September 1, 2022. This is an evening for parents to hear about their child’s grade level expectations, routines and even some ways to help your child at home. Due to the nature of this meeting, we ask that you make arrangements for childcare. We will begin at 6:00 PM, parents will go directly to the grade level location for a brief video message from myself and the PTA.
Thank you for your support in making this the best year ever!
From your grateful principal,
Christine Knox
Another Great Week!
Steam-Y Friday!
Practicing Community Circle
Kindness matters!
Calendar of Events
August
- 8/16-17 & 8/18-19- MAP Test for K-1
- 8/23-25th- MAP Test for 2nd
- 8/30- Picture Day!
- 9/5/22- Labor Day- No School
Picture Day
Yearbook Committee Needed
Media Volunteers
MAP Testing
Dear Westchester Families,
During the weeks of August 15 through September 2, we will be administering the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. 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 3 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 in the morning during the week of August 15th. Second grade students will begin MAP during the week of August 22nd. Makeup testing may extend through September 2nd as needed. The tests will be administered by classroom teachers and proctors in their classrooms. MAP reports will be shared during Family/Teacher Conferences during the week of September 12th.
Times below include device set-up, logging in, and breaks.
August 18th/19th (Math)
K students- 9:00-9:35
1st grade students- 10:00-10:35
August 22nd/23rd(Reading), 24th/25th (Math)
2nd grade students- 8:30-9:30
August 29th through September 2nd
Makeups as needed
If you have any questions please reach out to our Instructional Coach, Christie Manasso cmanasso@csdecatur.net
Family resources::
School Nutrition - Accommodating Students with disabilities and/or Special Dietary Needs:
City Schools of Decatur will make accommodations for children with disabilities whose disability or special dietary need restricts their diet when that need is certified by a licensed physician. Milk intolerance is not considered a disability or food allergy. For modifications or substitutions to the school meals, the school’s Nurse or Nutrition Manager must have a written Medical Statement to Request Accommodations for Disabilities in the School Meal Programs Form on file that is signed by a licensed physician or licensed health care professional who is authorized to write medical prescriptions under State law.
Parents should submit a new medical statement each year or verify the accuracy of the medical statement yearly that a child requires special dietary meals or substitutions. Please contact Monique Breedlove at mbreedlove@csdecatur.net or (470) 237-0368 ext. 7608 to update your student’s records or for additional information.
Parents that need to request milk substitutions for their students should complete a “Medical Statement to Request Milk Substitutions form.” This form will need to be on file for a student to receive lactose-free milk in lieu of 1% or Fat-Free 8 oz milk, which is included with a full tray. Students that do not have this form on file but want lactose-free milk will need to pay $1.00 for lactose-free milk or $0.50 for 1% or Fat-Free 8 oz milk. All students that do not purchase a meal will be charged for the milk choice they select.
The Accommodations form and the Milk Substitutions form are located here.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Parent Literacy Events
The Teaching and Learning Department is excited to host several parent-focused literacy events this school year. The August and September sessions are listed below. Stay tuned for information about additional programs scheduled for the remainder of the school year.
August Events:
August 18 at 4:00 pm: American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education: Pursuing Clarity, Insights, and Opportunities in the Science of Reading Debate
August 24 at 4:00 pm: American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education: The Science of Reading Is More Than A Movement
August 24 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm: City Schools of Decatur and American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education with Dr. David Liben, Consultant and Author of Foundational Skills Development and Amelia Larson, Executive Vice President of ARC Innovations and Academic Partnerships
Meeting ID: 914 0253 9081 and Passcode: 632209
September Events:
September 15 at 4:00 pm: American Reading Company (ARC) Virtual Parent Education: Comprehensive Literacy for Turbulent Times - The Power Behind a Knowledge Building Curricula
If you have any questions about these events, please contact the Teaching and Learning Department at csimon@csdecatur.net.
Connection Sessions
Connection Sessions are conversations between CSD's Equity Director, various invited guests, and the CSD POGM* community. During each session, community members are introduced to a person who is integral to supporting the school system while we discuss thoughts, interests, and concerns regarding City Schools of Decatur. Each session uses a racial equity lens - always asking the question - "What does race have to do with this?"
These sessions may not always have the answers, but they provide an opportunity for members of Decatur's POGM community (as well as all others) to explore perspectives, pose questions, and share thoughts.
Each meeting starts at 6 pm. Access it by using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2yuj2tbs.
August 22nd, 2022 - Dr. Maggie Fehrman, Superintendent, CSD
September TBD, 2022 - Adena Walker, Chief of Human Resources, CSD
October 17th, 2022 - Billy Heaton, Principal, Talley Street
November 14th, 2022 - Courtney Burnett, Chief of Staff, CSD
December 19th, 2022 - Karen Newton-Scott, Principal, FAVE
* People of color, despite being minoritized in the US, are a global majority. Thus, previously entitled BIPOC Connection Sessions, the name of this event is now Connection Sessions for POGM (People of the Global Majority). There is conflict regarding the use of the term BIPOC and this article details many relevant concerns. In short, the term BIPOC, which stands for Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color, elevates some cultures over others in a way that does not reflect the respect each culture deserves.
Special Education Parent Engagement
September Meeting:
disAbility Link - Empowering Youth
Mr. William Thomas, Youth & Diversity Supervisor for disAbility Link, will give an overview of the services and supports offered through the Empowering Youth program for youths ages 14-29. disAbility link provides but is not limited to employment support, self-advocacy, social activities, and peer support.
Target Audience: Parents of students with disabilities ages 14-22 years old
Date: September 15
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Virtual
To RSVP, click this Link or email Cheryl Grant at cgrant@csdecatur.net.
For more information, please see the August Welcome Back Flyer.
Decatur Education Foundation
DEF has several volunteer opportunities that can fit easily into your weekly schedule! We need tutor volunteers for our Virtual Pals Tutoring program. If you can donate 1 hour per week to help a Decatur student virtually, you can apply here: https://forms.gle/YTbDUk8H4iS4qfD57 (High school students can earn volunteer hours!) We also need adult mentors for our AIM mentoring program and volunteer “coaches” for our brand new FOCUS Prep Program that is specifically for high schoolers in preparation for post-high school. For a mentor application, click here: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/6385892/Mentor-Application. If you’d like to become a coach, click here: https://forms.gle/F73gdN5fxzXqET5o7. You can also find all forms and information at our website, www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring. Together we make a difference for our kids!
Madison Soap Box Derby
Driver Registration Now Open: Madison Avenue Derby on Oct. 15th
Don't miss your chance to be a part of one of Decatur's most iconic neighborhood events! Driver registration is now open for the 11th Annual Madison Avenue Derby, the non-motorized racing event where amateur racers of all ages design and build human-powered soapbox cars to compete against the clock in a downhill race!
Join the excitement as a racer or spectator on October 15, 2022, for a day of family-friendly fun - proceeds from the event this year go to support the Friends of Refugees! REGISTER TO RACE NOW
Reminders from Last Week
Personal Belongings
Be sure to label all student items with their name. Many unclaimed items land in our Lost and Found each year. Previously, students were able to bring personal “stuffies” and toys to school with them. We are asking that all of these personal items remain at home unless it is a special event that has been communicated by your classroom teacher. If they are brought to school teachers will direct students to keep them in their lockers and not bring them to school again.
School Website
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with our Website. This is a great source of information that’s regularly updated. You can also connect to the PTA website. You will find helpful communication such as the Westchester Family Handbook.
Who Do I Contact?
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