Westchester Weekly
All-Star Newsletter April 30, 2021
Principal's Corner
Greetings WE Families,
I hope you and your family are healthy and well. Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week! Our teachers worked harder than ever this year. Now, it's time to express our gratitude and love. I'd like to thank our PTA and Room Parents for partnering to plan a week of celebrations for our crew. Parents, feel free to do as much as you desire to make our teachers feel as special as they are.
You asked and WE delivered. Memory books (yearbooks) are on sale at Westchester for $10 each. Thank you so much for your support of this project. In the fall, we acknowledged that WE are in this together. We worked together throughout the year and created positive memories that can last a lifetime.
As WE continue to progress through the year in love, it's wonderful that we can close the year out in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. Our students will learn about and celebrate AAPI culture the entire month.
Kindly,
Kimberly R. Watson, PhD
Principal
Westchester Elementary School
(404) 370-4400 Phone
(404) 370-3844 Fax
Upcoming Calendar Events
May is National Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 4th-7th- MAP Testing
May 9th- Mother's Day
May 17th- Volunteer Appreciation
May 21st- Talent Show
May 19th- Career Day
May 20th- Virtual Author Visit with Lisa Wheeler & Loren Long
May 21st- Virtual Talent Show
May 26th- 2nd Grade Celebration
May 28th- Last Day of School
Community Circle Dates-
Here are the upcoming dates:
4/30- Ivey's Crew
5/14-Duszak's Crew
Teacher Appreciation Details
Monday, May 3: Breakfast for the Teachers!
The PTA will provide in-person teachers and staff with breakfast from Revolution Donuts to get the week off to a great start. Room parents will be dropping off treats to virtual homeroom teachers.
Tuesday, May 4: Shapes with Adjectives for your teacher
We ask that each student cut out 2 shapes of their choice (star, heart, circle, square) and write one word that they feel best describes his or her teacher and one specials teacher. Teachers will gather the shapes and The PTA subcommittee will hang them outside the front entrance to the school. There will be a box sitting on the table out front at Westchester for virtual students to drop off their shapes Monday May 3 or before 10am May 4th.
Wednesday, May 5: Flower Day
Each student is asked to bring in a flower, real or created, for his/her teacher. Virtual students will get coordination from their room parent to coordinate this for their teachers.
Thursday, May 6: Homemade cards
Each student is asked to bring in a homemade card with pictures, kind messages, etc. to express kindness and gratitude for his or her teacher. Virtual students will get coordination from their room parent to coordinate this for their teachers.
Friday, May 7: Cyber Attack and lunch!
We are coordinating a cyber-attack of appreciation on Friday. Each parent is encouraged to send a personal email of appreciation next Friday to teachers and other staff members. Let's not forget our Specials teachers and other important members of our community! Teachers will be reminded to check their inboxes at the end of the day (and they'll hopefully be greeted with a barrage of messages). Parents can look up email addresses for teachers and specials on google chrome or the CSD website: https://www.csdecatur.net/domain/287
Box lunches will be provided for teachers and staff.
WE MAP Parent Letter Spring 2021
4/22/21
Dear Westchester Parents and Families,
During the week of May 3rd, we will begin administering the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. MAP is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. In a typical school year, students would take the MAP test in the fall, winter, and spring. By taking it 3 times a year, teachers and parents are able to see how their student is growing in the areas of reading and/or math throughout the school year. Because we will only take the MAP test this school year in the spring, we will use this data to help us make better-informed instructional decisions for next year and to see trends in our longitudinal data over time as it connects to our goals as a school.
We will administer the MAP test to our K-2 in-person students in the morning, May 4-7. Virtual students whose families indicated interest in taking the MAP test on the district-sent survey will take MAP in-person ONLY in the afternoon, May 4th-7th. MAP will not be administered to any students virtually.
Kindergarten and first grade students will take the MAP math test in 2 sessions over 2 days. Second grade students will take the MAP reading and math tests in 2 sessions over 2 days. The tests will be given by classroom teachers and proctors in their classrooms. All CSD COVID mitigation strategies will be followed.
Schedule for Westchester In-person students: (Times include device set-up and logging in. Times are subject to change)
May 4th:
K students- 8:30-9:30 (session 1)
1st grade students- 10:00-11:00 (session 1)
May 5th:
K students- 8:30-9:30 (session 1)
1st grade students-10:00-11:00 (session 1)
May 6th:
2nd grade students- 8:30-9:30 (Reading)
May 7th:
2nd grade students- 8:30-9:30 (Math)
Week of May 10th: Makeups as needed
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Schedule for Westchester Virtual students who have opted to take the MAP test in-person:
(times include device set-up, breaks, and logging in). Please complete the Covid Compact prior to May 4)
May 4th:
Kindergarten and 1st Grade- 1:00-2:30 (math)
May 5th (as needed- only for K/1 virtual students who did NOT finish their test the day before):
Kindergarten and 1st Grade- 1:00-2:30 (math)
May 6th:
Second grade- 1:00-2:30 (reading)
May 7th:
Second grade- 1:00-2:30 (math)
May 11th and 12th: Makeups as needed (affected families will be contacted about details)
K/1/2- 1:00-2:30
Parents, if you have any questions please reach out to the Instructional Coach, Christie Manasso: cmanasso@csdecatur.net
Best,
Christie Manasso
Asian American & Pacific Islander Herritage Month
During the month of May we will celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We are excited to share the stories from our library that represent Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and we need your help. If you or someone you know is Asian American or Pacific Islander, please share with us anything you want us to know about. You can record a video, create a Google Slide deck with pictures, video and more. We look forward to hearing your story!
Email Ms. Nation to submit your idea or for questions.
2020-2021 Memory Books- Now Pay Online!
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Parents can paypal at pta4westchester@gmail.com
Include "Yearbook payment for Student's Name" in the payment memo.
Teacher Wishlists- Linked Here
Did you know that the teachers at Westchester have a public Amazon Wishlist? The Westchester Elementary Amazon Wishlist was comprised with the help of the PTA parents and is a way to support our teachers in any extra supplies or goods that would assist them in their process. Parents may browse the list and make purchases, which will then be shipped directly to the school. This is available as an option for those who would like to recognize our teachers in this way, and there are absolutely no expectations for people to participate. For more information, reach out to Laura Schiener (las3271@gmail.com) or Jessica Murdock (jessicahelenmurdock@gmail.com).
Talent Show
Attention all WE students and families! We are now accepting submissions for The 2021
Westchester Virtual Talent Showon Friday, May 21st.
Parents should submit student videos to: Westchester Talent Show 2021
All submissions must be 3 minutes or less.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 14.
Please send any questions you may have to Laura Schiener at las3271@gmail.com.
BinaxNOW COVID-19 Testing
As we continue to welcome more students to in-person learning, we are excited to announce that we are now partnering with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) to provide voluntary COVID-19 testing for staff and students. This program uses Abbott Laboratories BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests provided by the federal government. Our goal in providing voluntary COVID-19 testing is to rapidly identify and isolate COVID-19 cases and close contacts within the school community. Rapid antigen testing provides the district with an additional tool to utilize in conjunction with the mitigation and infection control measures currently in place.
Parents/guardians will have access to student consents through the Infinite Campus parent portal. The consent will be available in survey format. The survey will include a link to the full consent. Only students with a signed consent on record will be eligible for COVID-19 testing. Hard copies of the consent form will be available at your student’s school if needed. Tests will only be offered to in-person students and staff members.
For more information, go to https://www.csdecatur.net/covidtesting.
Library Book Returns
ALL student library books due to media center Friday, May 7th
Flybrary is comin to and end as of Thursday. Please begin looking for library books which have our Westchester stamp and barcode. Overdue notices will be sent home or emailed with students weekly beginning week of May 3rd & will continue through May 28th. Please contact bnation@csdecatur.net if you believe you returned the books, think you lost it or other questions. More information will be sent home regarding Chromebook returns.
School Supplies- Order Soon!
Order Securely Online Starting NOW thru June 27th!
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Enter the school ID, WES404
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Follow the directions to complete your order.
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Keep your online confirmation as your receipt.
Orders will be charged tax at checkout.
2nd Grade Moving Up Celebration
2nd Grade Parents,
WE are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of your children. WE're sad to see them leave us, but WE know they will be great at F.A.V.E. and we're sending them on in such a fantastic way. After surveying parents, meeting with 2nd grade teachers, PTA, and our SLT, we have planned a grand celebration for our scholars.
On Wednesday, May 26th, our 2nd graders will wear celebratory t-shirts or caps to school (virtual or in-person), view their celebratory video in their classes (all 2nd graders will contribute to the video), receive a congratulatory certificate, and parents will have the option to bring their child to WE in the afternoon for a cold treat (Kona Ice or King of Pops). Additionally, a beautiful congratulatory backdrop will be on display for 2 days so that parents can come to WE and take pictures with their 2nd grader.
The 2nd grade team will communicate details with parents over the upcoming weeks. The team is so excited to have this opportunity to send our students on with a big smile. Our students have earned it!
Kindergarten Registration
Counselor's Corner
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month!
Mental health matters! The month of May is dedicated to celebrating prevention, treatment, and living well through reducing stigma surrounding mental health concerns and how impactful traumatic events can be on our well being. Take time this month to connect with others and remember, no one is alone, support is available, and it is OK to ask for help. Here are some Tools 2 Thrive from Mental Health America!
Reminder!: Career Day is May 19th and W.E. need volunteers! If you are interested in participating, please fill out this Google Form, or email me at rpeacock@csdecatur.net
City Schools of Decatur Summer Program
CSD is delighted to share that we will offer an in-person summer program for students that qualify in grades K through 12. The program will run June 7-June 25 from 8:30 to 11:30am. Students will be invited to participate in the summer program based on eligibility criteria described below. Participation in the summer program is not required or mandated for any student. However, we highly encourage students who qualify to engage in this opportunity as it will set them up for success in the next grade level. For the summer program, which will be held at Talley Street Elementary and Decatur High School, availability of student transportation is limited.
Decatur Education Foundation News
t's that time of year again -- time to Step Up for Teachers! And what a year it's been. Show your favorite teacher just how much you appreciate their hard work during this unprecedented school year with a loving tribute. Just go to www.stepupforteachers.com, make a $25 donation and leave your tribute. We'll notify the honored teacher or CSD staff member and deliver a "We Step Up for Teachers" yard sign to your door in the coming weeks. If you’d like to leave a tribute but can’t make a gift at this time, you can email your tribute to info@decatureducationfoundation.org. The Step Up campaign supports our teachers in the classroom through Teacher Innovation Grants that are awarded every fall. Let's show them some love! To see all of the wonderful tributes, you can visit decatureducationfoundation.org/tributes-2021.
As a special gift from DEF to our DHS seniors, we are giving every member of the senior class of 2021 a “Congratulations Class of 2021” yard sign! It’s a little something to brighten a lackluster final year of high school. Details about sign pick-up are coming soon.
Westchester Elementary School
Email: bnation@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Westchester
Location: 758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4400