September 6, 2023
Newsletter
September 6, 2023
Principal Message
Greetings from Westside Elementary!
We had a VERY successful 1st day of school. It was a hot one, and we don’t have air conditioning everywhere, so it was a little sticky but not too bad. The wind was very welcomed during our recess times. Every first day there are tears, but this year our parents really held it together…lol. It can be hard to send your child off into someone else’s care. We promise that your kids are in good hands!
Not sure how many of you noticed our staff t-shirt yesterday, but they say BELIEVE. Some of you who are Westside veterans may have also noticed that I am sporting a mustache (spoiler alert, the staff and my wife hate it). Both of these things are an homage to Ted Lasso. If you haven’t seen the show, Ted Lasso is a football coach who goes over to England to become a soccer coach with zero experience in the sport.
As coach of the Richmond Football Club, Ted Lasso turns the team around by creating a sense of belonging amongst his staff and players. The staff at Westside has always emphasized the importance of a positive classroom environment where every student has a connection to their teachers and classmates. When students feel connected in school they are more open to try and sometimes fail. When students are comfortable failing in front of their peers, their potential to learn and achieve is astronomical!
There are a lot of themes in the show that parallel what we believe in at Westside. Ted was quoted as saying “I believe in believe”. Our shirts say BELIEVE to remind us to believe in our students, each other and ourselves. We believe that all of our students are important and that they can learn. We believe that together as a staff we can learn and grow together in service to our students. We believe in ourselves. We believe that we can make a difference in our students’ lives.
Belief and belonging are important, but so is good communication. If at any point your child expresses continued frustration feeling like they belong in their classroom or over peer conflicts please reach out to your child’s teacher so we can address it sooner rather than later!
Here’s to a great year!
Jonathan Peterson
Important Upcoming Dates
Sept. 20 - Hearing Screening
Sept. 22 - Noon Dismissal
Oct. 3 - Picture Retake Day
Hearing Screening Volunteers
We are looking for 2-3 volunteers to assist our staff with hearing screening on Wednesday, September 20 from approximately 8:30 -11:00. Please call our office at (920)739-3578 or email gvandenberg@kimberly.k12.wi.us.
Notes From Our School Counselor
Check out our school counselor, Kayla LeBeck's September Newsletter to learn more about what is happening here at Westside. This newsletter has information about the first unit of Life Skills lessons and mindfulness!
School Photos
School photos will be sent home with students today. If you were unable to make a picture day in August and your child has not had their photo taken, the Westside picture re-take day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3rd. Please see the additional retake day information along with a link to pre-order your photos and contact the office at 920-739-3578 if you have any questions. Photo orders placed after August 20th will arrive at a later date.
Student Absences
If your child is going to be absent, tardy or leaving early. Please notify us by calling Westside at (920)739-3578 (you can leave a voicemail on the Westside attendance line at any time) or by emailing your child teachers as well as the office staff.
Ms. Gina - gvandenberg@kimberly.k12.wi.us
Ms. Stacie - sbergeron@kimberly.k12.wi.us
Westside Yearbooks
If you haven't already done so, you can order a Westside yearbook through your Infinite Campus portal or by completing an order form and sending it to the office with your $12.00 payment (cash or check payable to Westside). Yearbooks are optional and will not be delivered until the end of the school year. The deadline for orders is March 28, 2024.
Food Service
Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures & Traffic Flow
Our school day runs from 8:35 AM - 3:35 PM. See the below documents regarding drop-off and pick-up procedures as well as a Westside Traffic Flow Map.
Health Information
When to Keep Your Child Home
For information regarding when to keep your child home from school please see the When to Keep Your Child Home flyer from our Health Services Department.
Medication Consent Form
Medication Consent Forms are required for all over-the-counter and prescription medications. This includes cough drops, ointments, creams, etc. Prescription medications do require a physicians signature.
Hearing Screening
Lunch Hour Supervisors Needed
Are you interested in helping out at school, but just don't know how or when? Or do you know somebody (grandma, grandpa, etc.) who would like to help? If so, we have a great opportunity for you. We are looking for lunchroom supervisors for the 2023/24 school year. Being a Lunch Hour Supervisor is extremely flexible. You can work however many days a week fit your schedule, we are very flexible! Hours are 11:00am – 1:00pm and pay is $10.50/hour. If interested, contact the Westside Office at (920)739-3578.
Annual Public Notices 2023-24
Each year the Kimberly Area School District must inform all families and staff of certain information. The updated Public Notices document can be found on our website at https://www.kimberly.k12.wi.us/departments/pupil-services/notices If you need a printed copy, you can request one from any school office or the District Administration Office.
Community Events
We receive many worthwhile announcements to be included in our newsletters. Since we cannot include all information here, please go to the District's website and check out our Community Events page. Events and activities are listed there, and are updated often.
Notes From Our P.E. Teacher
Fox Cities Marathon Fun Run
The Fox Cities Marathon Weekend/Kids Fun Run is always a fun event for our Westside Families. The Kids’ events are Friday Sept. 15th and the 5K is Sept. 16th. If you are interested in signing your child/ren/family up for either the Diaper Dash, Toddler Trot, Kids Fun Run or 5K, please use the following link.
https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/142916/Groups/1279430
Sign up with our Westside Elementary team, we are part of the School Challenge. The schools that have the most participants can win between $250-$750 to be used for gym equipment.
As always, if you have any questions please email me anytime. Enjoy the remainder of the Summer!
Mrs. Amy Phillips
Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing
Each fall, winter and spring, intermediate students take the MAP tests in the area of mathematics and reading. The MAP test is a computer delivered adaptive test. The results identify your child’s achievement differently than a typical test. Rather than measure based on grade level expectations, it measures continuous academic growth from fall to spring and from one year to the next. It is one of many tools used to inform out instruction to meet your child’s needs. The MAP testing window for the 23-24 academic year has been outlined below. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions regarding testing.
Testing Window Dates by Grade:
- 5K - Oct. 30-Nov. 16, Jan. 22-Feb. 2, April 22-May 3
- 1st - Sept. 25-Oct. 12, Jan. 22-Feb. 2, April 22-May 3
- 2nd-4th - Sept. 11-16, Jan. 2-19, May 15-24
If you are unable to access specific content within this newsletter, please call us at (920)739-3578
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Pupil Nondiscrimination Statement: The Kimberly Area School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex, (including gender status, change of sex or gender identity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability ("Protected Classes") in any of its student programs and activities.