Weekly Update
March 15, 2024
REMINDERS: Report cards were sent home today.
SECRETS
Fifth graders have been participating in a six-week program titled SECRETS through Columbia Gorge Discovery Museum. SECRETS stands for Soil, Ecosystem, Cycles, Relationships, Energy, Time = Change, and Survival. SECRETS is a curricular program hosted by parent volunteers and staff from the Discovery Museum. Through practical and experiential learning the curriculum is rooted in local ecology and our surrounding environment. Their studies will culminate in a SECRETS community day in April where they host the fourth graders in the gymnasium and present their skits and each fifth grade class will go on a field trip to Tamawanas Falls in May.
Here's what some are fifth graders like about SECRETS:
"I like how there are skits and activities. They are funny and enjoyable." - Drew
"I like the games, like when toss the tennis ball that's cut in half into a bucket on the floor. People have to catch it. The ball represents how the food passes through the ecosystem, through the food chain. Some food gets lost, but then the decomposers get them." - Henry
"I love SECRETS because we always get to do fun activities. Otter, Pika, and Pine Marten are really fun." - Foley
"I really like the games we play. I really like the animal they brought in. It was a beetle and it was really tiny and cute." - Lincoln
"I think SECRETS is really awesome because we get to play fun activities, but when we play these fun activities I'm learning things I did not know." - Love
Building
Rehearsing
Forming
Observing
Analyzing
Investigating
Contributions of Pants
If your child has outgrown any of their old pants or if you have a desire to get rid of some clothes that are no longer needed, we would welcome contributions of pants to keep in the office. We would benefit from pants for young children, sizes XS (4/5), S (5/6), and M (7/8). These are beneficial to have when students needs a change of pants.
Westfest!
Westside's PTO is hosting Westfest on Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 5 to 8 PM. Westfest is one of the PTO's premier fundraising events of the year. There will be items to bid on, fun games to play, and dinner. The PTO is seeking interested volunteers who would be willing to help the evening of the event. If you're able to volunteer, here's the sign-up form:
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.
PTO Fundraiser
PTO fundraiser information below.
Emergency closure make-up days
There will be school on 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