Westchester Weekly
All-Star Newsletter October 14, 2021
Dear Westchester families,
October is a busy and exciting time! Classrooms are buzzing with engaged, happy students doing important work to develop the knowledge, skills, and habits of effective learners and ethical people. The Habits of Scholarship that we celebrate at WE (perseverance, craftsmanship, collaboration) are equally as valued as the academic work we do. The EL Education Core Practice of fostering habits of character says it beautifully: “Students are on a mission to do good work: work that is good in quality, good for the soul, and good for the world.” Please continue to keep yourselves and each other safe and healthy, and as always please reach out if there’s any way we can support you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Manasso
Coach Henry
Spotlights
Staff Spotlight on : Jennifer Querubin
Position at WE: 1st Grade Teacher
Hometown: Decatur, GA
Education/Background: I have always loved children and loved to teach. This is my 24th year teaching. Each year is filled with discovery, love, and new goals.
Family: I have my biological family here in Georgia, which consists of my mom, dad and sister. Then I have my personal family unit that consists of my husband and my 2 kids, Emily (age 10 ) and Daniel (age9). And then I have my married-in family, that consists of lots of cousins and brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws in California. I love all aspects of my family.
Favorites: My favorite music is jazz and 80's and 90's music. My favorite book is "Under Our Skin" by Benjamin Watson. My favorite movie is, "The Princess Bride".
Hobbies: I love reading books, spending time with my kids and taking long walks.
Hero/inspiration: My hero is every person that works to overcome an obstacle in their life. It's so easy to give up, but fighting against the odds, despite the hand dealt to you, is what creates grit and character. I'm most inspired by those that rise up.
Favorite thing about Westchester: My favorite thing about Westchester is the awesome colleagues I work with. I work with some of the best teachers ever, and I respect each of them for what they bring to the table.
So much Fun Learning!
Heidi is the teacher!
Chase demonstrates craftsmanship!
Shreehan perseveres in P.E.
Upcoming Calendar Events
September 15th-October- Hispanic Heritage month begins
October 15th-wear animal print or jungle-themed clothing on Friday October 15th to celebrate #NSLW2021
October 22- Community Circle- watch with us! at 8:30 am.
October 19th-25th- WE Fall Book Fair
October 25th-29th- Red Ribbon Week Fun
November 1st- Teacher Work Day- No school for students
Community Circle
WE Fall Book Fair
Author Visit
House has a problem. She’s a little spooky. She’s a little cobwebby. Oh, no! What if she’s. . . haunted?
National Bus Safety Week
Next week is National School Bus Safety Week Oct 18-22
Be Safe: Know the Danger Zone
Buses are big! If you can't see the driver, the driver can't see you! Protect yourself and others by staying out of the danger zone.
Red Ribbon Week Fun!
PTA News
WE SPIRIT GEAR POP-UP SHOP
Swing by the back of school next Friday, October 15th at morning drop-off for some free coffee and PTA spirit wear sale! We will also have PTA membership forms available for you to fill out to join!
FIELD TRIP SHIRTS
The PTA would like to continue our tradition of providing a free orange Westchester field trip shirt to all new students. This includes incoming kindergartners, 1st graders who did not receive one last year due to the pandemic, and any new student who has transferred into the school and has not received one. If your child(ren) meets this criteria, please complete this form for each child so we can get your student our signature orange shirt! When they are all in, shirts will be sent home in your student's backpack.
NEEDED: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) PTA BOARD MEMBER POSITION
We are currently looking to fill a critical new position on our Board this year — heading up our PTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee!! The Board position and committee will work to:
· Educate our community of adults and children on the heart behind matters of race and diversity
· Initiate previously unexplored and enhance existing conversations around acceptance and understanding
· Strengthen empathy between families through sharing of tradition
· Advocate for families and students adversely affected by incidents and concerns of inequity or discrimination
DEI Chairs in other schools love the position, because “it provides an opportunity to celebrate holidays and cultural traditions that are important to different families in a way that is not necessarily part of the curriculum. For example, celebrating Chinese New Year is not part of the official school calendar, but being on the DEI committee would provide an opportunity for parents to arrange such a celebration. Likewise, if your child is neurodivergent, then DEI creates a space in which to open that discussion up to the community - by hosting a reading of a book or celebrating during a federally-sponsored Day to create awareness. If you consider your family to be strongly feminist, DEI could create a program or activity during Women's History Month. Etc."
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in or if you have any additional questions about the position and being on the PTA Board — please let us know by sending an email to ptawestchester@gmail.com.
FIRST DINE OUT OF THE YEAR!
Join us at Raging Burrito on Thursday, October 28th from 5-9p for WE's first dine out of the year. Our school will get 10% of the profits and you and your family will get a tasty meal! Just mention WE during the ordering process (you can type it in for online orders).
COVID Surveillance Testing
Some of you have opted to have your student participate in the district’s upcoming weekly surveillance testing program. Westchester testing is expected to begin during the week of October 20th. The day and time of testing for Westchester will be Wednesdays between 8:30-10:00. Below are some resources that may be helpful for preparing your child for the testing and to know what to expect. Please reach out with any questions.
District Website: Surveillance Testing Page
Information from the Mayo Clinic about how to help your child prepare for a COVID test
School Nutrition Department
We are celebrating National School Lunch Week from October 11 - 15, 2021! We will be serving all your favorite meals with a newly named twist: see our menus for more details. Eating school lunch is one of the best ways to ensure a well-balanced diet for your child, at NO COST to your family during this school year. Children participating in school meals are less likely to have nutrient inadequacies and are more likely to consume fruit, vegetables, and milk at breakfast and lunch (FRAC.org). Very few packed lunches and snacks brought from home meet the USDA school nutrition program standards.
We are asking for ALL our CSD students to wear animal print or jungle-themed clothing on Friday October 15th to celebrate #NSLW2021 with us! Our nutrition staff will also be dressing up at every school site on that day. Throughout the week we will have themed coloring pages, stickers, bookmarks, and even fun music playing some days during meal service! Our goal is to increase lunch participation at every school site for the week. We want to give a big thank you to our community for continuing to support our school nutrition program.
The Power of the NOW & COMP Waivers
Jackie McNair, Parent Mentor of Gwinnett County, will present a detailed explanation of the New Options Waiver (NOW) and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP) for CSD families. These waivers can provide a financial bridge to assisting your student in having a positive outcome once they transition out of school. In this meeting, Ms. McNair will share how her family manages and utilizes the waiver to assist with sustainable supports for post-secondary transition.
*It is important for families to apply for these waivers while their child is in school.
Audience: Renfroe & DHS Parents of High to Mid. impact special needs students
Date: October 14, 2021
Time: 6pm-7pm
Location: Virtual
Click here to RSVP or email cgrant@csdecatur.net
City of Decatur
Decatur Acts on Affordable Housing Task Force Report
The City of Decatur has implemented several recommendations from the Affordable Housing Task Force report and will host three virtual focused conversations on the Missing Middle Housing policy to inform final policy recommendations: October 20 from 6-7:30 p.m., October 26 from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., and November 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. Each session will have a short panel discussion before entering into participant breakout rooms for further conversations, concluding with Q&A portion. Visit www.decaturga.com/affordablehousing to learn more about these recommendations and the history of housing in Decatur and to register for the sessions. If you wish to submit a question for the panel email Kristin.allin@decaturga.com.
In addition to the sessions, a community survey is available until November 15 to collect input from the community on potential zoning changes to Decatur’s neighborhoods. Visit surveymonkey.com/r/MissingMiddleHousingSurvey to complete the survey.
A hotline is also available from 1-4 p.m., Tuesday thru Thursday, Oct. 26 – Nov. 11 for the public to call to ask questions, make comments or learn about specific events. During this time period, call 470-868-5114.
Legacy Park Invasive Plant Removal Open House | Saturday, Oct. 16 • 2 p.m.
Trees Atlanta will partner with the City of Decatur to start work on a five-year woodland restoration and regeneration project at Legacy Park. Come out to Legacy Park on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. to learn about the invasive and native plants on the property, Trees Atlanta’s approach to invasive plant removal, and opportunities to get involved and help protect the park’s tree canopy. A short demonstration will follow the presentation, with attendees taking back invasive plant removal techniques and knowledge to their own backyards.
Tree Canopy Conservation Ordinance Open House | Thursday, Oct. 21 • 4-8 p.m.
Residents and property owners are invited to an open house to learn about proposed revisions to the City’s tree canopy conservation ordinance. The open house will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 21, 2021, in the dining hall at Legacy Park. A temperature check and wearing of a face covering are required for entry into the building.
The City Commission is considering changes to the City’s tree canopy conservation ordinance, including additional protection for trees located on single-family residential, townhome and multiple-family residential properties and new requirements for commercial developments.
Learn more about the tree ordinance at decaturga.com/dec/page/decatur-tree-canopy-conservation-ordinance-update. In addition to attending the open house, comments can be emailed to treeordinance@decaturga.com.
Decatur Education Foundation
The 10th Annual Madison Ave Derby is happening THIS SATURDAY starting at 11am! Bring the family out to see some creative and FAST handcrafted machines roll down Madison Avenue while enjoying food from Universal Joint and King of Pops. This year's Derby beneficiary is the Decatur Student Center, located in CSD Decatur High School and equipped to attend to our students' behavioral health and non-academic needs. To learn more about the Student Center, please visit www.decatureducationfoundation/behavioral-health. See you at the Derby!
Homework Help: We are continuing our Virtual Pals tutoring program in which we pair a 2nd-8th grade student with an upper high school student or adult volunteer to help with homework, time management, and motivation. If you would like to sign your student up for the program, you can go here: https://forms.gle/nLrKbwkXyvYjEAJB8
Could you be a mentor? We’re also seeking women and men volunteers to serve as mentors for our AIM Scholars mentoring program (third-grade students) and our REACH mentoring program (8th-grade students). For just a small amount of time each month, you can have a meaningful impact in the life of a student. For more information, please visit www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring
Pop-Up Takeout for DEF! Our friends from NaanStop and Greg Kodesh Realty are partnering with DEF for a dine-out/take-out on Thursday, October 21st, for which they'll be donating 20% of sales to DEF! They offer family meals including 2 entrees, fresh-baked naan, handmade samosas, basmati rice and chutneys (feeds 4). Just place your order before 5 pm Wednesday, October 20th and your order will be available for pick up between 5 – 5:45 pm on Thursday, October 21st - Link to menu: https://bit.ly/NSorderDecatur - Pickup at Avery/Bucher in Winnona Park neighborhood - masks/distancing required. It’s first-come, first-served, so get your orders in before they sell out!
Reminders from Last Week
Last Call! ROOM PARENTS/CONTACT INFORMATION REQUESTED
information to inform you of what is happening in the classrooms in
addition to your regular school communications. The information you
provide in this form will be shared with the room parents of the
specific homeroom.
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