WILDCAT NEWS
October 2023
News from Ms. Harcus
We have had such an AMAZING start to the school year! I am amazed everyday by how incredibly kind, brave and resilient our Westside Wildcats are. I am so proud to be the Principal of this school and part of such a beautiful community.
This year we are continuing to have our All School Community Meetings. This year we will be recognizing two students from each classroom to celebrate Westside Wildcat Pride. Students are selected for their Academic Growth and for Demonstrating the Wildcat Way. We will celebrate our Amazing Wildcats each month at our All School Community Meeting!
October has included Hispanic Heritage Activities, Self-Portrait Celebrations and Spirit Week Fun. It is a Wonderful time to be a Wildcat!
We are looking forward to the continued academic and social emotional growth of our students. We have lots of fun and exciting ways to celebrate and grow our community! It is going to be a GREAT year!!!!
Warmly,
Important Dates
Friday October 20, 2023 - NO SCHOOL
Fall Conferences
THURSDAY'S
Early Release
Dismissal at 1:30pm
School Day Hours
ARRIVAL
Supervision outside starts at 7:30 am
First Bell rings at 7:35 am - Students enter the building
Instruction starts at 7:40 am
DISMISSAL
2:40 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays
1:30 pm on Thursdays
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Practices
Our school is working hard to implement our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices. SEL includes a focus on emotional development, self-concept, and social competence. Some of our SEL strategies include community building, teaching SEL lessons, and including SEL standards and skills throughout our days.
Another part of our SEL work is a short, 8 question survey in grades 3-12.
Students take this survey in the fall, winter, and spring to see how they're doing with things like making friends, setting goals for themselves, and understanding their emotions. Asking students these questions about themselves helps us understand where they need more instruction and support. Please reach out with any questions about this important work in our school!
Picture Re-Take Day - Tuesday October 24, 2023
School Picture Re-Take Day is Tuesday October 24, 20223
Empire Photography
- Picture day is paperless and 100% contact-free.
- Caregivers will receive an email from Empire Photography containing a link to their student's private, PIN-protected online photo gallery.
- Ordering photos will be completed online, and the orders will be mailed directly to the home address provided.
Please view the attached flyers for more information.
Westside Specials
Please take a moment to check out this information newsletter about your students "Specials", and all of the amazing things they do each day.
Technology Update
Please take a look through the links below for more information on some technology updates to our filter policy, our loaner Chromebook procedures, and our new focused browsing tool called Securly Classroom.
Time to Update Infinite Campus Information
This year Westside Teachers & Staff are using the Remind App as a way to communicate with caregivers. Having up-to-date information (i.e. phone numbers, email address, etc.) in Infinite Campus is important for your child's teacher to be able to contact you.
If you need assistance with updating Infinite Campus, please contact the office, 608-834-7509.
If you are not already connected with your child's teacher, be looking for texts or emails asking you to connect, or ask for the class code.
Spread Kindness, Not Germs
Please keep your child home if they have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Let your child's school know if they test positive for any communicable disease, such as COVID, influenza, strep, or pertussis. Your school's health assistant can provide guidance on when your child can return to school after testing positive.
Reporting a Student Absence
Parents/Guardians may report a student absence to Westside Elementary 24 hours a day by calling our Attendance Line at
(608) 834-7500, press 1 to report a student absence.
Please leave a short message with the following information:
- Child's name
- Teacher's name or grade
- Reason for absence
- Who is calling
Please contact the office, 608-834-7509 before 7:30 a.m. any morning your child will not be in school, even if they will be joining us late. If we do not hear from you, a safe arrival call will be made to you at home and/or work. We want to make sure every child is safe!
Student Appointments
- Name of Student
- Teacher's name or grade
- Time of pick up
- If the student will be returning to school
If you are picking up a student during the school day, you will need to sign them out in the main office and please bring your ID with you. We do ask that you give yourself adequate time for check out before your appointment.
Cafeteria Connection
Please take a moment to check out the information from our School Nutrition Department.
Reminder: ALL WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
receive FREE MEALS.
Westside Families DO NOT need to complete Applications or Pay for Food Service through Infinite Campus. Thank you!
Volunteer Background Checks
If you are interested in volunteering and/or being a chaperone, please check out the District's Volunteer Procedure.
Here are the links from the District website to the Background Check Form(s).
Thank you for considering!
Free Preschool Playgroups
Are you looking for a fun, enriching, social opportunity for your preschooler? For registration information please click here.
Westside OPTS Updates
Who We Are & What We Do:
Westside OPTS is the parent-teacher organization at Westside Elementary School. All members are volunteers, made up of parents, grandparents and caregivers of Westside students, as well as teachers and school staff. Our mission is to support education for Westside Elementary School students by fostering relationships between the school, parents, and teachers.
How To Get Involved:
We are committed to supporting our teachers, students and families and we would love your help!
- Volunteer your time and/or talent! If you have a special skill, want to help with fundraising, or like to work on teacher appreciate activities, please let us know.
- Board Members:
Co-Presidents - Katie Rikli
Vice President - Chiquita Hall
Secretary - Renee Gilman
Treasurer - Cathy Weyer
Volunteer Coordinator - VACANT
OPTS Meetings
Westside OPTS meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except December) from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday October 10, 2023 at Westside Elementary.
We hope to see everyone there!
.
Let’s Connect!
Via Email: westsideopts@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/westsideOPTS/about/?ref=page_internal
Fundraisers
Box Tops - Download the new Box Tops app and scan your receipts when you purchase any foods with a Box Tops label on the package.
Shoparoo - Free app where you scan any receipt, get bonus points, and pick Westside to receive funds. Monthly/yearly drawings.
Community Schools Reference Guides
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