Weekly Parent Update
Weekly Update 4/7/2024
West Lawn Students and Families
Great things are happening at West Lawn Elementary! I am so proud of our students and the gains they are making in their academics. And, there is nothing better than seeing their smiles and joy as they go about their day. Thank you for sharing your sweet children with us.
Important Information about the solar eclipse. According to the National Weather Service, central Nebraskans could see 70 % totality of the solar eclipse tomorrow around 1:50 pm. The eclipse will begin around 12:36 pm and end at about 3:06 pm. The peak will be at 1:51 pm. The total solar eclipse event will last anywhere from a minute to almost five minutes, depending on where in the U.S. you are viewing it from. According to NASA, it is never safe to look directly at a partially or uneclipsed Sun without proper eye protection. Only during the brief moments of totality during a total solar eclipse can you look directly at the sun without eye protection.
West Lawn Elementary will not be participating in viewing the solar eclipse as a whole school. We do not have proper eye protection for our students. We will have indoor recess in the afternoon to ensure the protection of your child(ren)'s eyes during the partial eclipse. Our teachers will discuss the solar eclipse with students and view the online live version during the afternoon.
If you would like to view the solar eclipse with your child you may call the school to check them out.
Lastly, if you know of any friends or neighbors that will have an incoming kindergartner please encourage them to get registered.
Nominations for Teacher of the Year accepted until April 25th 21st https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMKpWRcP3rzyBFUvBb56XJcruWaT2k-z6OSjtsbIHO-ufVAw/viewform
Autism Awareness Month
Friday, April 5th
Did you know? Autism affects 1 in every 50 school children in the United States.
One characteristic of autism is to show incredibly focused passion for topics of interest. What are you passionate about? Share something you are passionate about or bring the item to show.
Love and acceptance go a long way. Wear red to show your support and acceptance of autistic individuals!
Friday, April 12th
Did you know? Autism is the fastest growing disability in the United States and it is growing at 14% per year around the world.
Helpful tips
*Many students with autism like the consistency in routines. If there is a change in schedule they need to know about it prior.
*Some students with autism feel uncomfortable with making eye contact.
Crazy Sock Day (Friday the 12th)
Thursday, April 18th
Did you know? There is no cure for autism. Medicine can be used to help symptoms.
Crazy Sock Day
Friday, April 26th
Did you know? Autism occurs more often in boys than girls.
To celebrate the diversity of the human mind - wear rainbow colors or tie dyed clothing
Important Dates
- April 10th 4th grade Fax Gilbert Nebraska History Play Production
- April 10 &11th 5th grade NSCAS Science test
- April 16 & 17th 3rd & 5th grade NSCAS English Language Arts test
- April 17 & 18 th 4th grade NSCAS English Language Arts test
- April 19th No School Teacher Professional Learning and Planning Day
- April 23 -24th 3rd & 5th grade NSCAS Math test
- April 24-25th 4th grade NSCAS -Math test
- April 25th 3rd Grade Goldilocks Trial
- April 30th Family Night -Edgerton Science Explore It 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
- May 3rd Field Day
- May 14th Kinder Ready (incoming Kinders for 24-25 school year)
- May 15th 4th Grade to the State Capital
- May 20th 5th Grade Graduation (we are planning a 2:00 pm start)
- May 21st Kindergarten Graduation (we are planning from 12:30 -1:30 pm)
- May 22nd Last Day of School 11:00 am dismissal
Exciting News about a new Parent Resource
Grand Island Public Schools is excited to partner with the Cook Center for Human Connection and their website ParentGuidance.org. This is a mental health resource for parents and provides parents a trusted place to go for real answers, to find support and real help for their children.
GIPS Families are invited to attend a FREE online webinars.
You may register on the GIPS website HERE.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our School Counselor, Sarah Grigsby sgrigsby@gips.org and Regina Juhl rjuhl@gips.org or our School Social Worker Anabel Gonzalez agonzalez2@gips.org
Breakfast is Important and So Is Starting Instruction on Time
We will stop serving breakfast at 7:55 am and the cafeteria will be cleared of students at 8:00 am. Family emergencies do come up: if your child is late and needs a quick breakfast please give us a call. Thank you for understanding the importance of our work and sharing your child(ren) with us each day.
Good News Club On Tuesdays
What is happening inside our school
We are conducting an Attendance Challenge in our classrooms. Each day a room has all students present they earn a letter. The first word we chose is PRIDE. We take PRIDE in showing up. Once the class completes the full word their class will earn a reward. It has been great to see them cheer wildly as they hit their daily goal.
School attendance is very important for your child's success --today, tomorrow and their future. We are here to assist you with your child's attendance. Please reach out if you have questions or are in need of support.
Ms. Anabel Gonzalez -School Social Worker agonzalez2@gips.org
Mrs. Sarah Grigsby -school counselor sgrigsby@gips.org
Ms. Regina Juhl -school counselor rjuhl@gips.org
Drop off and Pick up
Thank you for being safe as you drop off and pick up your children. An important thing to remember is to not stop in the drive through lane. I would encourage you to drive up as far west as possible to drop your children off. Do not stop in the drive-through lane...this causes the traffic to back up. We all want to get to work on time and it is okay if your child walks a few extra steps. Finally, at pick up time do not park in the drive-through lane. This makes it unsafe for our students to use the crosswalk and causes the traffic to back up.
3022 College St, Grand Island, NE 68803