Weekly Update
March 8, 2024
REMINDER: No school for students on Monday, March 11, 2024. It is a Teacher Work Day.
Read Across America Spirit Week
This week was filled with fun activities that focused on celebrating literacy. Guest readers from the greater community visited classrooms and read a book, each class decorated their door in the style of a book cover, and each day had a unique dress-up theme. The week's festivities culminated in a school-wide assembly on Friday afternoon!
Students as Teacher
Ms. Rappleyea's class chose to dress as teachers on Thursday
Career Day
Kindergarteners dressed in the style of their desired career on Friday
Fancy Formal Day
First Graders donned formal attire on Wednesday
Classified Staff Appreciation Week
Classified Staff Appreciation Week
This week was also Classified Staff Appreciation Week. From academics to social emotional learning to lunch, our work is not possible without the support, efforts, and dedication of our classified staff! Each class honored one or two classified staff members with an appreciation poster, and shout outs were shared during the Spirit Week assembly on Friday afternoon. Below are just a few reasons why we appreciate our classified staff as shared by students:
We appreciate Ms. Amber: "I've seen all the hard work that you do everyday and it's amazing. Thank you for your hard work!" - Samantha, 5th grade
We appreciate Ms. Sonja: "Thank you for your hard work. ❤️. Sllaayy!!!" - Alivia, 5th grade
We appreciate Veronica Jimenez: "Veronica, you make the best food. You make the school a better place." - Miles, 1st grade
We appreciate Jerry: "I can't believe there is someone like you in the world." - Granger, 3rd grade
We appreciate Mrs. Gallagher: "We hope you are our librarian teacher forever." - Jaylen, 3rd grade
We appreciate Ms. Jill: "Thanks for being so nice to me at lunch." - Rocco, 4th Grade
We appreciate Ms. Alexa: "Thank you for making me feel safe at recess." - Zade 4th grade
We appreciate Ms. Leslie: "I love you!" - Cash, Kindergarten
We appreciate Ms. Peggy: "Thank you for working here. You are the best!" - Ella, 2nd grade
We appreciate Ms. Julie: "Thanks for calling parents." - Marlen, Kindergarten
We appreciate Ms. Judy: "Dear Ms. Judy, We all love you. Thank you for helping us." - Quinn C., 1st Grade
Thank you to our classified staff for everything they do. We are a stronger learning community because of your daily contributions!
Spring Concerts
Spring concerts will occur by grade level bands:
4th and 5th Grade: March 20th
2nd and 3rd Grade: April 24th
Kindergarten and 1st Grade: May 15th
On the night of each concert, students are expected to arrive to school at 5:40 PM and go directly to their classrooms while families are asked to go the gym. The concert will begin at 6 PM. Once the concert ends, teachers will bring students back to their classrooms and families are asked to pick students up from their classrooms.
Report Cards!
PTO fundraiser
PTO fundraiser information below.
Emergency closure make-up days
There will be school on March 12, June 13, and 14 to make up for missed school due to snow days.
988 Lifeline
988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Text or phone 988.
School calendar
Our School Calendar is linked on our school website! https://www.hoodriver.k12.or.us/Page/2800
School communication
The following methods will be used by the school to communicate with Westside Elementary families:
Weekly Family Update Link will be sent to email and through text message. The weekly newsletter will contain important school information. It is delivered on Fridays at 5:30 pm.
Talking Points: You can opt to receive text messages or download the TalkingPoints for Families mobile app. You can also use TalkingPoints on the web. Talking Points is a great way to communicate with teachers, administrators, and office staff! There is no charge from TalkingPoints to use text messages, the mobile app, or the web. talkingpts.org
All Updates Posted
Calendar Posted
Other School Information
Volunteer information
Please make sure your volunteer paperwork is complete. Volunteer Forms can be found HERE
Peachjar shares resources and opportunities
We are using Peachjar! Parents/guardians receive digital flyers containing school and community resources that aim to improve the trajectory of students’ lives. This transition will also save our schools time and money while ensuring important information makes it home to parents.
Please visit this Peachjar webpage to see current opportunities for Westside Elementary School.
Contact us
Dan Barnard Acting Principal dan.barnard@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-387-5057
Nathan Smith, Acting Vice Principal nathan.smith@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-387-5054
Julie Davis Secretary/Bookkeeper julie.davis@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-386-1535 ext 4795
Erica Torres Bilingual Secretary erica.torres@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-386-1535 ext 4796