W.E.stchester Weekly
March 15, 2023
News from the Principal
Greetings WE Families,
It has been a wonderful week to wrap up the month of April. Yes! We are at this point in the school year. May is here. I can not express how much appreciation I have for this school community. It has been so exciting to be a part of the growth and learning that has taken place in each and every classroom this year. Our students are amazing ( just in case I haven’t told you that lately!)
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! The last few weeks have been so much fun with the children. It was great to see them so excited about setting a goal and seeing our collective work of achieving the smaller goals that lead to our final success. I heard stories about students talking among themselves outside of school about how they can help meet the goal. We did it! Over and above!!! The WEstchester families and community are incredible. I am ready for those water balloons!
Next Wednesday May 4th, we will host our incoming Superintendent and a team of district leaders from the Wilson Center to conduct a School Canvas. This is a part of Dr. Whitaker’s introduction to CSD. Let’s show her the fabulous Westchester spirit. We want all of our students to come wearing their Westchester blue and orange.
From your grateful principal,
Christine Knox
Calendar of Events
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL FRIDAY 4/28/23
What a fantastic job all our Wolves have been doing this year!
Friday 4/28 will be our second to last chance in 2023 to make Walk & Roll a great success.
This means everyone walking, rolling and riding the bus will get to put a ball in our Bike Dude-alicious special counter.
Get enough marbles and earn extra recess to shake off all those Westchester wiggles.
So, everyone, whip out that Google Family Calendar now before you forget!
Grade Level Supply Lists 23-24
Here are the lists for what your student will need for school next year. You may purchase them yourself or order them with 1st School Supplies!
MAP Testing Information
Dear Westchester Families,
During the weeks of May 1 through May 19, Westchester teachers will be administering the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test for Reading and Math. 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 three 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 between 5/1 and 5/4. Second grade students will begin MAP during the week of 5/8. Makeup testing may extend through May 19 for all students as needed. The tests will be administered by classroom teachers and proctors in their classrooms.
Times below include device set-up, logging in, and breaks.
Before testing
Teachers will share these 3 videos (What’s This Test About, Get Reading For the Test, Practice Test) to show students what the test might look like and how they will use the computer to answer the questions.
May 1st, 2nd, 4th
K students- 9:00-9:35
1st grade students- 10:00-10:35
May 8th, 9th (Reading) May 15th, 16th (Math)
2nd grade students- 8:30-9:30
May 17-19
Makeups as needed
If you have any questions please reach out to our Instructional Coach, Christie Manasso cmanasso@csdecatur.net
Family resources::
PTA News
WE Did It!
Our amazing community has raised more than our goal of $10, 000! The students, staff and families of Westchester are so thankful for your donations!
PTA Secretary
Liz Kamor
Hi! I'm running for the PTA Secretary role for the 2023-2024 school year. I'd most look forward to taking an active role in keeping Westchester the special place that it is. My husband Adam and I have three boys; Asher is a rising 1st grader, Ari will be in Pre-K at the Frazer Center, and Jacob is the 7 month old baby of the family. Getting to know the WE families and staff this year has been a highlight for us. Outside of the school and family world, I'm a Product Manager at CNN, Podcast addict (You're Wrong About, How I Built This), and trying to get into running.
CSD News and Announcements
Extra Mile Awards
Students: Do you know a teacher or CSD employee who has gone “the extra mile” this year? Nominate them for the CSD Extra Mile Award! The Extra Mile Award is an annual award that allows students to show appreciation for the teachers or staff they feel go above and beyond what is expected of them.
Students (not parents) at any grade level can write an essay describing how their teacher (or staff member) goes the extra mile (parents can help younger children write the essay). The essays should be detailed and describe how the employee goes above and beyond.
Click here to submit a nomination. The deadline is May 31.
These awards will be presented at the CSD Opening Day Celebration in July.
Questions? Contact cburnett@csdecatur.net or 404-371-3601
SGA Earth Day 5K
The DHS Student Government Association (SGA) is hosting their inaugural SGA Earth Day 5K at Legacy Park on April 29, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Proceeds from this event will support SGA’s future sustainability efforts and the Decatur Track and Field. Bring the family and enjoy sprint races and activities, music, prizes, and food vendors.
CSD Special Education Department
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Meeting
WHEN
Thursday, April 27th, 6-7pm
WHERE
This is an online event.
MORE INFORMATION
Ms. Alicia Lipscomb, Public Affairs Specialist, for the Social Security Administration will share an overview of how to access SSI for individuals with a disability.
What is SSI?
How do parents apply for their student?
What does it mean to qualify for SSI?
What comes with the SSI benefits
What recourse do families have if denied the benefit?
Target audience: Parents of students that are served through an IEP. (ECLC- 12th)
Click here to RSVP or email Cheryl Grant, cgrant@csdecatur.net
CSD Comprehensive Local Education Agency Implementation Plan (CLIP) Review and Input Meetings
Attention ALL CSD Staff, Parents, and Community Members! Please join us on Wednesday, May 3 at 5:30 pm and Thursday, May 4 at 5:30 pm to share your feedback on the CSD 2023-2024 CLIP. Your feedback is extremely important! You may view the current CLIP documents by clicking here or by visiting https://www.csdecatur.net/Page/1351. Please contact Willie Washington at wwashington@cscecatuir.net if you have any questions.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
LSOS & Revere Counseling
Exciting Collaboration between Little Shop of Stories & Revere Counseling and Care Management equals DONATED BOOKS to CSD Libraries!
City of Decatur
City of Decatur Downtown Master Plan Final Community Meeting
Join the City of Decatur for the third and final Community Meeting for the Decatur Town Center Plan 2.0, Thursday, April 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. This meeting will be an opportunity for the planning team to share what they have learned from the community and to introduce the plan’s concepts, ideas, and action items.
The Decatur Town Center Plan 2.0 is the first comprehensive look at downtown since the 1982 Town Center Plan. Whether you live, learn, work, or visit Downtown Decatur, your input helped shape the vision.
Decatur Education Foundation
It's time to Step Up for Teachers! The yard signs are being ordered and will be available for pickup soon! www.stepupforteachers.com is live and ready for your tributes to CSD teachers, paraprofessionals and staff. For a small donation,
you leave a message of appreciation, we'll notify the honored
person and post it on our website. For a gift of $50 or more, you
can select between a "We Step Up" or a "Class of 2023" yard sign. If you would like a sign but cannot contribute, please email drew@decatureducationfoundation.org with your tribute and your
sign preference. Together we make a difference for our teachers,
our schools and our kids.
Do you know a CSD teacher, paraprofessional or employee who has shown extreme care and compassion for a student at a time of great need or crisis? We are currently accepting nominations for the Clarence Strickland Make A Difference Award HERE. Nominations are due by April 20th and the recipient will be recognized at our scholarship event on May 15th.
If you’d like to enjoy live music for FREE, consider volunteering at Amplify Decatur’s Spring Concert in the Square THIS Saturday, April 29th. There are spots at every time of day available. Click here to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084caba628abff2-amplify1#/ Your evening of live music will support DEF, Decatur Cooperative Ministry and Giving Kitchen.
Come see some of our talented Decatur High musicians perform at No Ordinary Joe for an evening of live music at Waller’s Coffee Shop on Thursday, May 4th starting at 7pm. Tickets are now on sale at www.decatureducationfoundation.org/noordinaryjoe: $25 for adults/$10 for students. Big thanks to Waller’s for donating their space!
Reminders from Last Week
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