West Homer Elementary
May 2021
A Message from the Principal:
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members,
It is an understatement to say that this has been a wild year. In some ways it is hard to believe May has already arrived, and in other ways it seemed like it would never get here. I am so proud of our students, staff, and school community for pulling together this year and achieving the unthinkable. We did it! We did it together! And we did it in style! If this year has taught me anything, it is that nothing can stop learning. What we learned this year may not be captured in our achievement tests, but the creativity and perseverance, sacrifice and understanding, support and effort by students, staff, and community are a beacon of hope for the future.
Regarding academic achievement, students blew away our 14 million word school wide reading goal this semester reading well over 16 million words collectively! As a reward, a dunk tank has been ordered for field day and several of us will be at that overhand throwing station. Also, spring MAP testing is happening this month which will allow us to get a clear picture of student academic learning over the year and help us plan for next year. We have some exciting things happening this last month of school. Hold on and enjoy this last month!
Student Council Bookmobile Drive
Thank you all for donating books to the bookmobile. You all surpassed our goal of securing 1,500 books to fill the bookmobile to be distributed far and wide. Final number was 1,901 books that will fill the bookmobile for the summer! Yet another example of students and families making a positive contribution.
Orca Fun Run May 13th 2:45pm
Come watch students race the WHE cross country course as the final event of our cross country season. All students are encouraged to run. Start and Finish line will be on the back field. Please follow all mitigation protocols if you would like to attend and cheer them on!
Campus Beautification
My grandfather always told me to leave things better than I found them and this has been a value that has stayed with me my entire life. For the past few years we have built in time for each class to do an activity in service to the school on the last week. We believe these activities will help students take ownership of their school by contributing to the school community in a positive way, develop a sense of gratitude and giving back to a place they have occupied for the year, and help them move on knowing they have taken care of and improved the West Homer Community. Since grade levels will need to cohort, we will not be able to mix students in groups as we have done in the past and each class will approach this on their own schedule.
Transferring or Leaving
If you know you are going to be transferring to another school in district, in state or out of state, please let the office know. This helps us get an accurate count of pupils enrolled at each site.
Please stop by at any time if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Eric Waltenbaugh, Principal
Vision: The learning community of West Homer Elementary inspires and supports all students to be lifelong learners with the courage and confidence to make positive contributions to the world.
Mission: The mission of West Homer Elementary School is to build strong connections among community, families, staff, and students in a safe, healthy, nurturing environment that challenges each student.
Dates to Remember:
5/13 - Orca Fun Run @ 2:45pm
5/14 - 4th quarter Orca Standing Ovation Celebration of Achievement
5/17 - 6th Grade Promotion: 1:00pm – 1:45pm WHE Gym
5/18 - Field Day
5/19 - Last day of school!
*Campus Beautification Projects by grade level
*11:30 – 12:30pm PTO Chili Feed Lunch
Ms. Kristy's Book Recommendations
Be Careful What You Sniff for #1 (Magic Bone) by Nancy Krulik
Sent to the backyard for breaking a tick-tock-ticking toy, Sparky (an adorable but clumsy sheepdog puppy) immediately begins his favorite activity: diggety-dig-digging. Little does he know, he's about to dig up the most amazing toy ever--a magic bone! With one bite into that sparkling bone, Sparky is magically transported to London, where he makes new friends, sees the sights, and gets into a bit of trouble. Join Sparky on his adventure to see how he escapes and makes it back home!
The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this gawky teenager really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?
West Homer Elementary
Laura Peek - Nurse - LPeek@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Joni Wise - Secretary - JWise@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Email: EWaltenbaugh@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Location: 995 Soundview Avenue, Homer, AK, USA
Phone: 907-235-5750