Westchester Weekly
Newsletter September 8, 2022
News from the Principal
Hello Westchester Community,
The time is flying by. It is already the end of our first six weeks of school. The teachers have been preparing for Family conferences. This is an important time to connect with your child’s teacher and learn about the progress they have already made in school. Many of you have already scheduled time to meet. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on campus for conferences.
It is said that communication should be shared seven times and in seven different ways. Hopefully, we are getting the information to you in an effective manner. Please remember that Thursday 9/15 and Friday 9/16 are Early release Days. School dismisses at 12:50 PM. Please plan accordingly.
Friday September 16th is also the Westchester Spirit Night at the DHS football game. It’s football season and that must mean that Fall is here! I was on the playground today with the first graders and it was beautiful. Cooler temperatures are certainly welcome.
As always, I remain so thankful for the students, staff and families at Westchester. Have a wonderful weekend!
From your grateful principal,
Christine Knox
Calendar of Events
September
- 9/6-9th- 1st graders- CogAT
- 9/9- DHS Color guard Youth Night
- 9/13- BOE meeting @6:30 pm
- 9/14-Superintendent Search Community Conversation 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
- 9/12-16- Conference week
- 9/15 & 9/16- Early Release days 12:50 pm
- 9/15-10/15- Hispanic Heritage Month
- 9/27- Author visit with Erin Entrada Kelly
- 9/30- Community Circle with First Grade!
- 9/30-10/1 -Decatur Book Festival https://decaturbookfestival.com/session
Wolves of the Week!
Students at Westchester are demonstrating craftsmanship, one of our habits of scholarship.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Important Information about Gifted Review
Order your student's Picture
http://roger-cannon-photography.hhimagehost.com/WestchesterElementaryFall2022
Password: Child's Student ID Number
Room Parents - Contact Information
Room Parents at Westchester would like to have your contact information to inform you of what is happening in the classrooms in addition to your regular school communications. If you would like to share your contact information with your child's room parent, please click on the link below.
Link to opt-in form: https://forms.gle/KpjR1wReCeAZxnHs6
To the Moon Before Bedtime!
Family-Teacher conferences
Dear Westchester Families,
We will be scheduling family-teacher conferences during the week of September 12th. We look forward to a rich discussion about the academic and work habits-related progress your child has demonstrated throughout the first six weeks of school. You should receive an email/notification from your child's teacher with information regarding how to sign up for a family-teacher conference soon. Be sure to record the time and date of your child’s conference in your personal calendar, and arrive 5 minutes early for the conference.
At this conference, your child’s teacher will share information regarding how your child is adapting to the routines of the classroom, the behaviors your child exhibits that promote learning, as well as results from formative assessments that we have administered so far.
Thank you so much for collaborating with us. We look forward to partnering with you so that we can support your child's continued growth and success.
CSD News and Announcements
Decatur Book Festival!
The 2022 Decatur Book Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 1st at First Baptist Church of Decatur, and will include a keynote the night before on Sept. 30th. The event will highlight selected authors with new fall publications, featured in fifteen sessions presented in three tracks: adult fiction, adult non-fiction, and children & youth. Click on the session images below for more details.
All sessions are free to the public, but the keynote requires registration through EventBrite. Please note, due to Covid precautions, masks will be required while indoors and proof of vaccination will be required prior to entering all adult sessions (not required for children attending events).
Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefits
To continue free or reduced-price meal benefits for students, each household must complete a new application every year. Free and Reduced Meal Benefits will end on September 13, 2022, if the household has not reapplied for SY 2022-2023. If there is an interruption in benefits or the household does not reapply, the household is responsible for payment of meals until the Free and Reduced Application is processed. To help assure the continuation of benefits, the household must have an online or paper application turned in to the school cafeteria manager before September 13, 2022, or complete an online application by September 13, 2022, on the City Schools of Decatur’s webpage. Parents should be sure to list all the students in the household on the application. Only one application is necessary per family. Keep in mind that the application may take up to 10-days to process. If your child receives SNAP or TANF, you do not need to complete an application.
If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany Lawrence, City Schools of Decatur Nutrition Program, at tlawrence@csdecatur.net or (470) 237-0368 ext 7607.
Superintendent Search Community Conversation
The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education values input and feedback. The community is invited to engage in a facilitated conversation to share feedback for consideration as the Board prepares to develop the leadership profile for the Superintendent position. The Board is excited to offer two in-person opportunities for the community to engage and share their thoughts. You may attend either September 14, 2022, or September 28, 2022. A survey will be available for those unable to participate in one of the in-person events.
Although it is not required to attend, we are asking for anyone wishing to attend one of the in-person sessions to please register via this form.
Registering ahead of time will help us better plan the events and breakout sessions.
Event details:
Session One: Wednesday, September 14, from 6-7:30 pm in the Decatur High School cafeteria.
Session Two: Wednesday, September 28, from 6-7:30 pm in the Decatur High School cafeteria.
DHS Cheerleading Minicamp Fundraiser
The DHS Cheerleaders are hosting a minicamp to help promote Bulldog Spirit while raising funds to support the DHS cheer program.
If your child is between the ages of 4-12 and wants to experience cheering in the Homecoming parade and before the Homecoming Football game, sign up today for the minicamp!
Camp dates: September 12 - 14 Minicamp 4:30 - 6:00 pm
September 29 Practice and Mini Camp Swag Pick-Up 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Parade and Game date: September 30
Cost: $50
Click here to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact Ashaki Stinson (astinson@csdecatur.net) or Saadia Foy (sfoy@csdecatur.net).
K-5 Super Saturdays
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
B.Y.O.P (Bring your own picnic) THIS SATURDAY to Legacy Park from 4-8pm for some incredible live music from JohnBoy & SurroundSound and The Sundogs. Opening artists are talented DHS students songwriters and musicians Payton Kashdan and Nate Helfrich. There will be kids’ activities led by Decatur Prevention Initiative and student groups selling drinks and treats. Bring the family and come celebrate DEF’s 20th anniversary of supporting Decatur’s kids with the community! It’s going to be a great afternoon. This event could not happen without our presenting sponsor, Bark Technologies and partner Amplify. Thank you, Bark and Amplify!
Would you make a great tutor, mentor or coach for a Decatur student? We’ve got spots available for all those types of positions! Make a big impact in as little as 1-4 hours per month, depending on the role you choose. Go to www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring to learn more about each opportunity and sign up. Together, we make a difference for #ourkids.
MADISON AVE DERBY - REGISTRATION OPEN
MADISON AVE DERBY - REGISTRATION OPEN
Don't miss your chance to be a part of one of Decatur's most iconic neighborhood events! Driver registration is now open for the 11th Annual Madison Avenue Derby, the non-motorized racing event where amateur racers of all ages design and build human-powered soapbox cars to compete against the clock in a downhill race!
Join the excitement as a racer or spectator on October 15, 2022, for a day of family-friendly fun - proceeds from the event this year go to support the Friends of Refugees! REGISTER TO RACE NOW
Reminders from Last Week
Personal Belongings
Be sure to label all student items with their name. Many unclaimed items land in our Lost and Found each year. Previously, students were able to bring personal “stuffies” and toys to school with them. We are asking that all of these personal items remain at home unless it is a special event that has been communicated by your classroom teacher. If they are brought to school teachers will direct students to keep them in their lockers and not bring them to school again.
School Website
Check out our updated Website. This is a great source of information that’s regularly updated. You can also connect to the PTA website. You will find helpful communication such as the Westchester Family Handbook.
Who Do I Contact?
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