Westgate News
October 4, 2021
Message from Principal Hearn
Hello families,
I can't believe it's already October! Thank so much for your commitment to keep our campus safe and healthy. Keeping your student home when they are sick is so important to keep others well.
Westgate Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Westgate Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 25-29, 2021. This year conferences will only be held by Zoom or phone conference – there is no option for in-person conferences at this time. Early release for students each day is at 11:40 am.
Student Tech Support:
Starting Friday, October 1, student technical support hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Families can contact our student support technical specialists by phone at 425-431-1211, or via email techsupport@edmonds15.org.
Edmonds School District Job openings:
We have several other job openings in the district. Please check our current openings. We are especially in need of substitute custodians, substitute paraeducators, school bus drivers and Food and Nutrition Services workers.
In Partnership,
Mr. Hearn, Principal at Westgate Elementary
Move 60
What is Move 60?
Move 60 is a free opportunity for kids to move their bodies and have some organized fun after school! Move 60 is a grant funded program for students grades 2-6 to participate in a before or after school exercise and physical activity program. This year it is in the afternoon at Westgate.
It is FREE and FUN and kids and their families love it!! The Move 60 program is at all 23 elementary schools, 4 days a week, 60 minutes a day, and the program varies in days/times depending on the school. The fall session starts today, Monday, October 4th. For more information: Move 60 website
Move 60 is Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday, 3:15-4:15 pm.
Ms. Hannah Smith is the lead instructor and she is looking forward to moving at Move 60 with your students starting next week! There is no Move 60 program on Fridays.
It's a fact- Healthy kids have improved cardio fitness and higher academic achievement!
Move 60 Frequently Asked Questions: Move 60 FAQ
Register! click here to register
Move 60 Miles Running Club!
Meet every Friday morning at 7:30 in the field to run or walk together and start the day! Ms. Megan Wolfe is the instructor, and your kids will really enjoy this active start to the day together. Move 60 Miles Running Club is open to students in First through 6th grades. More Information
From Previous Newsletters
Westgate Windows & Mirrors Community Book Club
It's not too late to join the new virtual Windows & Mirrors book club for Westgate families and staff! Read the book before the zoom meeting on the 18th and be ready to listen and share your thoughts about the book. This is a time to connect with others through a book and use the book as a window into another experience or a mirror that reflects your own experience in some way.
All Westgate staff and families are welcome!
Monday, October 18
4:00 - 4:45pm
Hosted by Ms. Wittmann (contact her if you would like to co-host!) Zoom link for book club meeting
You can get a copy of the book on your own or you can request a copy by contacting the Westgate office by Friday, September 25. The book will be given to you the following week so you can read it before the meeting.
To learn more about the concept of books as windows and as mirrors watch this short video of Rudine Sims Bishop as she explains why diverse books are important.
Vehicle pickup reminders - procedures listed here:
- Our staff will safely keep cars moving in the line, but you should be prepared to wait up to 5-10 minutes for drop off and 20 minutes for pick up.
- Students should exit and enter the vehicle on the curb side ONLY, and not towards the street. Parents should stay in their vehicle at all times if possible.
- Please do not park in either of the school lots to pick up or drop your student.
- Do not leave your car in the street unattended to come on campus and pick up your student in the car pick up lane.
- Be kind to our environment and consider turning off your engine while waiting for your student to arrive. Please avoid blocking our neighbor's driveways.
- If you arrive early (before 3:10), please consider the pick up line to be a no-idle zone.
- If your student is in 4th-6th grade, you may pick them up by our soccer field off 98th Street facing north.
- All of these same good neighbor requests apply on 98th as well. Our neighbors driveways should not be blocked, music and conversations outside of our neighbors homes should be appropriate and respectful for those working at home indoors.
What is the communication if there's a positive Covid-19 case at Westgate?
- Our nurse will work with the teachers, families, health department to determine who would be considered a close contact and who needs to be quarantined.
- Only those who have been determined to be, or are suspected to be, close contacts will be notified specifically and given instructions.
- The rest of the school will be notified in a general sense that we had a case, and notified if we end up closing an entire classroom.
Disability Awareness Month!
The Edmonds School District monthly equity theme for October is Disability Awareness Month, please check out these resources spotlighting some of the best disability-themed books. Here's a link to our Edmonds School District YouTube channel with special guests celebrating Disability Awareness Month.
Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing, communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Family Resource Information
Clothes for Kids: Clothes For Kids provides free clothing, shoes, and coats for kids 18 and under, at their convenient location on 168th Street SW - near Beverly Elementary. Any child who attends school in Snohomish County and requests help qualifies for Clothes For Kids. Clothes for kids is open NOW through the end of May. Students/parents can fill out a Request for Clothing form when they come to shop for clothing and shoes. ENGLISH Information and Request Form, SPANISH Information and Request Form, RUSSIAN Information and Request Form
Free and Reduced Form: If you haven’t applied yet for the Free and Reduced Lunch please stop by the Office to pick up a form or visit Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals - Solicitud de Grupo Familiar para Recibir Comidas Gratuitas y de Precio Reducido.
If you think you might qualify, please feel out the form because they're are many other benefits than just free and reduced lunches. Please check out the District Family Support webpage or contact our office 425-431-7470 to let us know we can support you. Westgate Elementary can get connect you the with the following medical, mental health, basic needs, housing, food bank, parenting resources:
NEED HELP PAYING YOUR UTILITIES?
You can also contact 2-1-1 to get rental and utility assistance.
WIC Program is a nutrition program for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under five. Apply for WIC here
Westgate Information
Principal: Mr. Hearn
Office Manager: Michele Hamilton
Main Office: 425-431-7470, option 9 to speak with staff
Attendance: 425-431-7470, option 1 to report absence
Westgate’s School Psychologists:
Kathleen Mayes (2nd, 4th, 6th, ISES) 425-431-1278 mayesk258@edmonds.wednet.edu
Tracy Mejia (1st, 3rd, 5th) 425-431-1847 mejiat779@edmonds.wednet.edu
District family support website
District mental health resources website
District technology support at 425-431-1211
Bus transportation support at 425-431-7230
School lunch menu
WA DOH K–12 COVID-19 guidance for 2021–22 school year
Office Hours: 8:10 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. daily
Campus Arrival Time: 8:20 a.m. (unless your student is having a school breakfast)
Breakfast Service begins at 8:10 a.m.
Classes are 8:40 am to 3:10 p.m.
Early Release: 11:40 a.m.
We are a closed campus at this time - no visitors or volunteers. There is no campus parking. Parking is for staff only at this time. Thank you for your cooperation
Email: HearnS@edmonds.wednet.edu
Website: wge.edmonds.wednet.edu
Location: Westgate Elementary School, 220th Street Southwest, Edmonds, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 431-7470