The Westmoreland Wrap Up
December 9, 2022
Our monthly focus...Diversity and Holiday Traditions
Thank you for participating in this project to decorate our hallways and help us learn about your family's celebrations!
Next week, Mrs. Dell'Aglio will be visiting classrooms to share her second principal's read aloud of the year entitled, Red and Green and Blue and White written by Lee Wind. Inspired by a true story, this is a tale of a community that bands together to spread light.
We look forward to seeing special guests, family and friends at our upcoming holiday concert on December 16th! Students' songs will be sure to get you into the holiday spirit!
Holiday Concerts, Friday December 16th
Parents and guests will not need to individually sign in or wear a visitor's sticker. Instead, we ask that you provide your first and last name and your student's first and last name when you arrive at check in. We will match each guest to students on our roster. This process verifies each visitor has a student enrolled in our school. Once guests are verified, you will proceed to the gymnasium for the performance. Student escorts will be available to lead guests to the gymnasium.
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students will perform beginning at 9:30am. Please feel free to arrive as early as 9am. There will be plenty of seats and all have great visibility of the performers. Each grade level will perform 4 holiday songs (approximately 20 minutes in length). Please keep the main aisle clear as students will enter and exit the gym after each performance.
*Students in Stepping Stones and LLD Programs perform with their grade level.
3rd and 4th grade students will perform beginning at 1:30pm. Guests may arrive as early as 1pm.
Students should wear "concert best attire"- collared shirts, pants, sweaters, skirts, and dresses. Please do not add stress to the season by going out to buy anything new.
A special feature on 3rd grader Scarlett Zidiak
However, this week, we wanted to highlight a specific student led project and initiative which has had a tremendous impact on our entire student population.
During Extended Learning time, 3rd grader Scarlett Zidiak had a wonderful idea. She decided to use some of her free learning time to create a special presentation to teach other students about Autism. Having a brother with Autism, this project idea was very personal and important to Scarlett. Throughout the month, she has visited many classrooms to share her presentation and we have all learned a lot from her.
Scarlett's presentation is personal and engaging and is aimed to help her fellow students understand how to be a friend to an individual with Autism. We are so very proud of you, Scarlett! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, wisdom and personal life experiences with us!
Holidays Around the World
New Ways to Help Others!
HOLIDAY COLOR WAR! WHICH TEAM WILL WIN???
PTO News and Upcoming Events
Thank you to all who donated to our fall clothing drive! The PTO raised over $400 from this fundraiser!
As we move into January, the PTO will be providing books for our One School One Book event! An additional fundraiser which ties in with the book as well as a family movie day are in the works!
Thank you for your support!
The Westmoreland PTO
One School One Book January 2023
It's that time of year! One of our favorite annual projects! ONLY 24 DAYS UNTIL WE REVEAL THIS YEAR'S ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK TITLE!!!!! Can you name some of the titles we have read together in past years?
- Charlotte's Web
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
- Mr. Popper's Penguins
- Apple Blossom the Possum
On Monday, January 2nd, students will attend our 11th ANNUAL ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK TITLE REVEAL assembly! We are sure you will hear all about it! Each family will receive a copy of our selected book to read together throughout the month.
Your child is not expected to read this book independently, as it may not coincide with his/her reading level. Parents should read the chapters aloud to their child(ren). Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader. It is also a fun, worthwhile family activity.
With the One School, One Book program, we aim to build a community of readers at our school. Everyone – students, parents, teachers and administrative staff – will be participating and we can all reap the many benefits.
A tailored reading schedule will accompany the book. Your family will be asked to read one chapter each evening (Monday-Thursday) which is approximately 10-15 minutes per night.
In school, your child will be invited to answer daily trivia questions to encourage and reward attentive listening.
I would like to personally thank the Westmoreland PTO for continuing to sponsor this program and allowing this wonderful reading journey to take place.
This unique opportunity would not have been possible without you!
We look forward to talking about this great story with both you and your child during the month. “When a whole school reads a book, there is a lot to talk about.” With your help, we are truly building a community of readers at Westmoreland School.
Care Plus Program and Upcoming Lessons
Throughout the month of December, all our elementary school students will be participating in a school wide lesson titled “We are all different, we are all the same.” This lesson will be conducted in their classroom by our school building Care Plus clinician, Miss Kirsty Kilminster. During this lesson students will watch the video “Acceptance is my Super Power” along with a discussion about the ways that students can be different. Following this discussion, students will create a puzzle piece all about what makes them special and unique.
The class lesson will conclude with a conversation about how our differences make our classroom complete. The puzzle pieces will be put together on display in their classroom to remind students that their differences are all an important piece of their classroom community. Should you have any further questions regarding this lesson, please feel free to contact clinical program manager Stephanie Domnitz at sdomnitz@fairlawnschools.org.
December 13th Care Plus Virtual Workshop
Next week, on December 13 at 6pm, Care Plus will host their next virtual parent workshop.
The topic is: Cool, Calm, and Coping. This presentation will explore big feelings and how children can manage them.
Below is the direct link to the meeting:
Topic: Care Plus Parent Workshop Series
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87006477351?pwd=YjBxa2s3c3lDY0lZQmRVMDFnT2hMZz09
Meeting ID: 870 0647 7351
Passcode: Fairlawn
Upcoming Important Dates:
December
16th: Holiday Concert (K-2 @ 9:30, 3-4 @ 1:30)
19th: Wear your fave holiday headwear!
20th: Wear your PJS!
21st: UGLY SWEATERS
22nd: Dress as a holiday character
22nd: Report cards released
23rd: HOLIDAY COLOR WARS!
23rd: 12:45 dismissal-no lunch served
26th-30th: Holiday Break