Westchester Weekly
All-Star Newsletter November 5, 2020
Principal's Corner
Greetings WE Families,
As we enter the season of Thankfulness, I'd like for you to take one moment and think of something you're thankful for. With so many things going on at the moment, it's helpful for me to recenter my focus to things that make me happy. I'll share a few with you. Facetime keeps my family and friends close, fitness classes help me prioritize health and minimize stress, and my dog Prince is a ball of joy. I hope you know that we're going to get through this.
I'd like for you to mark a few dates on your calendar:
- Thursday, November 12th 9:00 AM - WE Parent Coffee Chat via zoom
- Friday, November 13th 3:15 - WE Virtual Movie Screening (Secret Life of Pets 2)
- Friday, November 20th 3:15 - 4:30 WE Virtual Student Dance Party
Thank you for being such incredible partners in education. WE is a great school and I appreciate you!
Kindly,
Kimberly R. Watson, PhD
Principal
Westchester Elementary School
(404) 370-4400 Phone
(404) 370-3844 Fax
Storytime with Dr. Watson
News to Look Out For...
Report Cards- Avalible in Infinite Campus November 12th
KINDNESS WEEK November 16th-20th - Daily events to spread kindnessInstructional Update- Please Read
As we begin Term 3, we would like to express our appreciation for the continued support all families have given our Westchester teachers and students. We are setting goals with our students around independence and accountability, and they are rising to the challenge at every opportunity. Your children are extraordinary.
Although virtual instruction strives to promote independence, our young learners continue to need support from home with organization, engagement, and reinforcing behaviors that support learning. Please continue to reinforce our EL Design Principle of Responsibility for Learning by helping your student submit required work. Making a weekly practice of checking on what assignments are required and ensuring that they are completed to your child’s best ability is a way that you can support teachers in their efforts to accurately assess each child’s strengths and needs. Teachers use this information to plan next steps for your child and for the class as a whole.
Ms. Nation’s video below will walk you through the steps of looking at submitted and missing work. This is intended to guide you moving forward---please do not go back to submit all of the missing work you see, as this could be overwhelming and not necessary. As we move into Term 3, consider making this a weekly practice with your child.
Please reach out to your child’s teacher for any needed information about how to submit required work. Thank you for your ongoing collaboration. We cannot do this without you, and we are grateful for our Westchester families every day.
Best,
Mrs Manasso, Instructional Coach
Ms. Nation, Media Specialist
PTA News- Move-A-Thon
Congratulations to our fabulous Westchester Wolves for pulling off our first and very successful Move a Thon! They moved non stop, and with all their energy and love of their school, raised over $8000 and collectively moved 36,560 minutes!
Even if you did not participate in the Move-a-Thon, you can still support our school. We understand these are challenging times and not all parents were able to track minutes and fundraise for their child. Please consider donating to our PTA and help us continue to support our Westchester community.
You can continue to make donations through Sunday, 11/8 at the following link:
https://westchesterpta.org/peer-to-peer/
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Welcome to the Westchester PTA! Whether you're a returning family or new to our school, we are excited to have you as part of the Westchester community. Please visit our website to learn more about your PTA and join us.
Our PTA has designed an online store for school spirit wear https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/westchester-elementary-school?_k=c1y67h
NED Show Update
Hello Westchester!
As you know we recently hosted an all school live stream event called The NED Show. We trust your student was encouraged by the show which inspires everyone to become Champions at school and in life!
Here are a couple of our favorite follow up home resources from The NED Show website. You may want to use these with your child as they are designed to go hand in hand with the program.
The NED Pledge
Champion Choices
If you'd like additional resources, they are available here.
If you’d like to purchase a NED messaged item for your child they will be available at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00-1:00 pm until Thanksgiving.
And don’t forget to ask your student what they learned in the show about Never giving up, Encouraging others and Doing your best!
Community Circle Dates
Here are the upcoming dates:
11/11
12/9
Wellness Wednesday
While students completed their synchronous SEE Learning unit last Wednesday, October 28, Wellness Wednesday will continue through January. There will be no live classes going forward for SEE Learning but students are invited to participate in asynchronous offerings from the Wellness Wednesday website, https://www.csdecatur.net/wellnesswednesday. Individual schools may offer additional options.
Tonight! CSD Special Ed November Virtual Meetings
Assistive Technology and How it works!
Hosted by: Yael Cohen and Frank DeFilippo
November 5, 2020
6:00pm - 7:00pm
RSVP to Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
Yael Cohen, Occupational Therapist and Frank DeFilippo, Special Education Coordinator will present assistive technology tools to support students in CSD.
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CSD News
We are looking to hire Pod Facilitators to support our students through Virtual Learning. Spread the word! Click here https://www.applitrack.com/csdecatur/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute to apply!
A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur
A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur is beginning preparations for our 26th year of service to the City of Decatur community. As with everything else in 2020, this program will be a little different than we are used to! Due to the pandemic, we will be changing our program to be managed online. If your family would like to request assistance with holiday gifts for children who live with you, through 8th grade, you must complete the SurveyMonkey application by November 15: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020ASeasonofGiving If you have trouble with the form, questions, or concerns, please email us at aseasonofgiving@decaturga.com or call our voicemail, 404-378-8068, and leave a message. For those families who do not need assistance, and would like to participate, we would love your help! We have changed how we will handle the program for 2020. We will not be collecting physical gifts but providing gift cards to the families requesting assistance. If you would like to help us this year, please donate at https://legacydecatur.com/give/. Please select ‘A Season of Giving / Christmas Decatur’ for the organization in the donation form.
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Meal Service to Continue:
Meal Delivery Reminder: There will be no meal deliveries during the week of Thanksgiving Break, Monday, November 23-27. There will also be no meal deliveries during the Holiday Break from, Monday, December 15 through Tuesday, January 5, 2020.
Decatur Education Foundation
In non-pandemic years, we would be gearing up for our big fall party, Supper & Sips. Since we can't gather together in support of Decatur's kids to enjoy some delicious local food, drinks and fun games, we're launching our "Just Another Thursday Night at Home." While you won't enjoy the party and camaraderie of the Supper this year, you can still have that great feeling of fellowship by supporting our families with a gift to DEF. To participate: put on your jammies, pour yourself a beverage, get cozy on the sofa and click here.
Do you have some positive support to give to a Decatur student? DEF is still seeking some adult male volunteer mentors for their AIM Scholars Mentoring Program. AIM mentors are paired with 3rd grade students and “meet” regularly throughout the year. In just 2-4 hours per month, mentors help connect their mentees with educational and enrichment activities so they can find their passions and develop life skills. For more information, please visit decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring
Understanding Evaluation and Eligibility
Presented by Vickie Wingard
November 19, 2020
6:00pm - 7:00pm
RSVP to Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
experience in conducting psychological evaluations and in leading special education eligibility teams in the decision-making process. She also works closely with the Multi-Tiered System of
Support (MTSS) Teams at her assigned schools and is an important resource for identifying research-based interventions and progress-monitoring tools in order to document students’
Response to Intervention (RtI), which is a requirement for special education consideration.
Navigating Employment & Social Security Benefits
Navigating Employment & Social Security Benefits
Hosted by Sally Atwell
November 12, 2020
6:00pm - 7:00pm
*Target audience- parents of eighth grade & high school age students with an IEP
RSVP with Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
Sally Atwell, Benefits Navigator will guide families through an overview of how individuals with special needs can maintain disability benefits while working under the WIPA program (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance).
Community Work Incentive Coordinators provide information on:
- How your Social Security benefits and other State or Federal benefits would change if you were employed
- Work incentives such as Plan to Achieve Self Support, the Trial Work Period, and Impairment Related Work Expenses
- Other programs and services that can help you create a plan for successful employment.
Supporting Student Behaviors Virtual Meeting
RESCHEDULE MEETING
Supporting Student Behaviors Virtual Meeting
(in the classroom and at home)
November 18, 2020
6:00-7:00 pm
RSVP with Cheryl Grant cgrant@csdecatur.net
Supporting Student Behaviors
Ms. Reynolds will present behavior strategies to assist families and their students with the transition from virtual learning to in-person schooling. She looks forward to connecting with parents and offering meaningful support during these new ways of delivering the curriculum.
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Holiday Tree, Wreath and Candle Sale-WP PTA
Holiday Tree, Wreath and Candle Sale
The Winnona Park PTA is gearing up for its Annual Holiday Tree, Wreath and Candle Sale on December 5, 2020. Buy your item online and have it delivered fresh-cut right to your door December 4-6. This year's fundraiser will feature Fraser fir trees, wreaths, and Hanukkah candles all delivered directly within a 5-mile radius. Pre-Order your holiday items now to ensure free delivery! https://winnonaparkpta.org/product-category/holiday-sale/
Where do we get our Trees from you ask?
Cool Springs Nursery will deliver freshly cut Frasier fir trees and wreaths direct from their farm in North Carolina. There are several sizes to choose from, with prices ranging from $85 to $120. Wreaths and Candles are also available for $30 and $10 a pack, respectively.
The Fraser Fir tree has a symmetrical shape and very tapered, sometimes described as an upside-down cone. The needles are soft and short, deep green on the top, and a silverfish-blue on the bottom. The branches are strong with a sweet fragrance, and it has excellent needle retention. Due to the branches turning slightly upward, it has somewhat of a compact appearance.
Why this fundraiser is so important. The Winnona Park PTA supports many offerings and initiatives including:
- Classroom libraries
- Teacher and parent grants
- Field trips
- Guest speakers for all students
- Facility enhancements
- Various community-building events
- School community garden
- Yearbooks
- Incoming Kindergartener tees
Got questions about the specifics of these areas of support, reach out to us we would be happy to share them with you so that you understand the vital importance of the PTA that makes Winnona Park Elementary School so Special.
https://winnonaparkpta.org/product-category/holiday-sale/
Important CSD Contacts
Here are few other webpages that might be helpful to parents are:
Important CSD Contacts: https://www.csdecatur.net/domain/1658
www.csdecatur.net/opening - a repository for all documents, announcements, and communications about how CSD is handling the 2020-2021 school year.
www.csdecatur.net/nutrition - How to order meals
www.csdecatur.net/transportation
www.csdecatur.net/bustracker - How to sign up for the new Predictable Ryde Bus tracking app used for meal delivery, soon for the Fly-brary, mobile book delivery and when in-person learning resumes to track students on their buses
https://virtual.csdecatur.net/tech-help (how parents and staff can put in a tech support request)
https://virtual.csdecatur.net/students - classroom login information
https://virtual.csdecatur.net/parents - Virtual Learning Handbooks
*****************************************************************Please check our weekly newsletters, emails as well as your student's Google Classroom for all upcoming news and events.
Westchester Elementary School
Email: bnation@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Westchester
Location: 758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4400