Westchester Weekly
All-Star Newsletter May 19, 2022
News from the Principal
Greetings Westchester Families,
At Westchester Elementary we are standing in solidarity with the families and loved ones of those that were killed and injured during the recent attacks in New York and Texas. Hate, in any form, is not tolerated at Westchester or in our Decatur community and our actions and hearts are with all those that feel the impact of this traumatic experience. We stand together to fight all injustice and hate. This is work that we must all do in creating a different world for our children. Our teachers, staff and students strive each day to make Westchester a place where kindness is the priority.
As we wind down to the final days of this school year, I want to remind everyone that in these last few days of school, we want to make sure everyone stays healthy and safe. If your child is not feeling well, it is best to keep them home. Students must be fever-free (without medication) for 24 hours before returning to school. Thank you for taking extra precautions during these remaining school days.
Students and teachers will be enjoying some fun end of the year activities. We want to invite parents to join us. I am respectfully and strongly encouraging masks at this time. If we all do our individual part then everyone can enjoy the festivities. Let’s make the last six days memorable.
From your very grateful principal,
Christine Knox
Upcoming Calendar Events
May is National Asian & Pacific Islander Month and Jewish Heritage Month
Book swap everyday until May 27th!
May 27th-Community Circle outside at 1:45pm
May 27th- Walk and Roll to School RELAUNCH
May 27th- Last Day of School!
Expedition Update
Westchester students and teachers are proud to share with you an overview of their most recent spring expeditions! Check them out HERE! We worked hard and are proud to share our learning with the community. We invited families to participate in our in-person Celebrations of Learning and recently, the staff engaged in a "High Quality Work Protocol” as summarized here:
“EL Education is distinguished in the educational landscape by an explicit focus on high-quality student work as an essential part of student achievement. One reason that others avoid this topic is that it is messy. Quality cannot be easily defined and quantified. EL Education believes, however, that when schools regularly engage in the difficult process of working together to define, recognize, and analyze quality work (and even quantify when possible), the results are positive and powerful. When a student is done with schooling, she is judged for the rest of her life not primarily by her ability to perform on tests, but by the quality of person she is and the quality of work she does. Developing an ethic of quality in students is vital.” - EL Education 2015
Walk and Roll to School! RELAUNCH
FIELD DAY!!!!! 🏁
Notes from the Nurse
FIrst I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you….. The outpouring of love from the students, parents and staff for Nurses week was incredible. I feel so loved and appreciated.
As we wind down the school year, I want to pass on a few reminders for the end of the year and summer.
If your child has medications at school, I will be in contact with you to arrange a pick-up day. Medications cannot be stored at the school over the summer for returning students.
If your child has a Medical Care Plan (diabetes, asthma, allergy, seizure) Please plan on having it updated over the summer with your child's health care provider. School Health requires an updated plan each school year.
If your child will require medication stored at school next year, please fill out a new Medication Authorization Form. All prescription medications require a prescribing providers signature (as well as parent/guardian signature). Over-the-counter medications only require a parent/guardian signature.
If your child is due for immunizations this summer, please plan on having them updated and a current 3231 sent to the school.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 404-370-4400 or ngarrison@csdecatur.net
Nurse Nancy
Yearbook Orders- Deadline Extended until we sell out!
If you ordered a yearbook online, your orders should arrive May 20th.
PTA News
Join the PTA!
What a wonderful time all the students had a field day last week! Thank you to our SUPER STAR Coach Henry for all the hard work she and the staff put on to make it such a special day! And thank you to all of our parents who came out to volunteer - the sign-up genius filled up in record time! And for all of those who donated to our fundraiser helping the PTA to be able to support such a great event. You can still donate until the end of the year - make your contribution here now!
We are still recruiting for next school year's PTA board and committee members. If you enjoyed helping out at field day, please consider joining as being part of the PTA really has that fun energy and cooperation! Please fill out this google form if you are interested in joining the PTA and/or the Board, and also if you would like to nominate someone to be on the PTA. Please see our website for more information about the board positions.
Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month - Week 3 & 4
Asian American Heroes in History! The US has a rich history of incredible AAPI Heroes. Learn about some with your family this week.
Duke Kahanamoku: Native Hawaiian five time Olympic medalist in swimming and father of modern surfing
Magee Gee: one of two Chinese American pilots to serve in WWII
Mamie Tape: Chinese American girl who fought for school integration
Larry Itliong: Filipino Farm Labor Movement Leader
Sammy Lee: Korean American Diver, Physician, and Olympic Medalist
Modern Day Asian American Heroes: These Asian Americans are leaders and ground-breakers in their fields
Tammy Duckworth: Thai American United States Senator for Illinois
Josh Delacruz: Filipino American Host of Nickelodeon's TV Show Blue's Clues Blues Clues song of AANHPI Month
Nathan Chen: Chinese American Figure skater and the first Asian American man to earn an Olympic medal in single skating
Kamala Harris: First Female and First person of Indian descent to serve as Vice President
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
The WINNERS of our DEF Treasure Hunt have been chosen! Congratulations to hunting groups “Cat Squad” and “The Two and Only People who say buy” who represent Winnona Park and F.AVE respectively. The winners have been emailed about collecting their prizes.
Only ONE more week of school! It’s not too late to express your appreciation for a teacher or CSD staff member with a Step Up tribute: Go to www.stepupforteachers.com, make a $25 contribution and you can leave a tribute message for your favorite CSD employee. DEF will notify the honored person. For $50 you can honor two CSD staff members AND have a yard sign delivered to your Decatur address. Do you have a graduating senior? We also have Class of 2022 yard signs to celebrate your DHS senior’s rite of passage. Your contributions support Teacher Innovation Grants and provide an encouraging boost that our teachers need to finish the school year! (If a contribution is a barrier, please email your tribute and request to drew@decatureducationfoundation.org.)
Decatur Farm to School
Do you have plans for a new garden or class project? You're full of fantastic ideas on how to incorporate farm-to-school principles into a teaching unit? Need funds for a "green" field trip?
The Wylde Center Decatur Farm to School Committee invites you to apply for a grant for 2022/23. Teachers, administrators, PTA members, and parent volunteers can apply on behalf of their CSD school. Please get your applications in before August 31, 2022. (Link here and on the Wylde Center website > Education > Farm to School)
2022-2023 DF2S School Grant Application
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