Westchester Weekly
All-Star Newsletter May 5, 2022
News from the Principal
Greetings Westchester Families,
Thank you for the many tokens of appreciation for the teachers and staff. We have such hard working teachers and staff and such generous parents. I think that makes a pretty great place to live, work and learn. Westchester ES Crew is the best! They can be their best when we have such a supportive community behind us.
Field Day is coming! Coach Henry has a great time planned for all. It was amazing how quickly the volunteer slots were filled. Another example of the Westchester Community pulling together to serve our students. We are looking forward to our first Field Day with our students. The last several years kept us from having this event. So, we are super excited to make sure the students get the most out of this elementary school tradition.
We have started to wrap up our MAP testing. It is very encouraging to see the results and celebrate all the students that continued to show growth and met their growth goals. It is evident that their hard work each day results in continued progress.
I have really enjoyed working with our PTA board. We have a wonderful group of parents that have given their time and talents to serve our school. Many of these parents are moving on the F.AVE next year. I would love the opportunity work with more of our rising 1st and 2nd grade parents. Please consider joining our PTA board next year. We anticipate being able to have more events next year. Many hands make light work. Check out our PTA website for more information about joining the fun.
Our Community Circles have been such fun as we cautiously bring everyone back together again. It is a process to help the students understand the routines and expectations for such a large group. Thank you for your patience as we teach the students the routine of a large Community Circle. We are looking forward to May 27th when we will have all the students together. We want to extend the invitation to any parents to come and join us at 8:30 that morning. We will sing and celebrate the success of this school year.
Your very grateful principal,
Christine Knox
Wolves of the Week!
Upcoming Calendar Events
May is National Asian & Pacific Islander Month and Jewish Heritage Month
May 4th- PTA Meeting @ 6:00pm
May 5th0 Cinco de Mayo
May 6th- LIBRARY BOOKS DUE!
May 6th-Parent's Night Out 6-9pm @ Intown Stars
May 8th- Mother's Day
May 11th- 1st grade COL @ 9:00am
May 12th- 2nd grade COL @ 9:00am
May 13th- Field Day!
May 27th- Last Day of School!
Teacher Appreciation!
Reading Buddies!
This Crew keeps everything afloat!
Cinco De Mayo
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Talent Show!
Library Books Due TOMORROW!
Media Center Volunteers!
Contact Brooke Nation if you can help!
Yearbook Orders!
MAP Testing
We are finishing MAP test and our students are doing their very best! Thank you for getting your student to school on time, rested and ready to show their best!
May 5-6 (Math)
1st Grade- 8:30-9:15
Kindergarten- 9:30-10:15
May 9th-May 12th
Makeups as needed
If you have any questions please reach out to our Instructional Coach, Christie Manasso cmanasso@csdecatur.net
PTA News
Fuss Free Fundraiser!
The bike dudes have a very special announcement about the Fuss Free Fundraiser! Our Westchester families have been bringing it with the donations and we are just over halfway to our fundraising goal of $10,000. But we still have a bit to go to earn BOUNCE HOUSES at Field Day and the ultimate goal of WATER BALLOONS THROWN AT PRINCIPAL KNOX. Let's make it happen! Click here to make your contribution today!
PTA Call for Nominations
PTA Call for Nominations
Please fill out this google form if you are interested in joining the PTA and/or the Board, and also if you would like to nominate someone to be on the PTA. Please see our website for more information about the board positions. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our PTA meeting last night!
May 6th Parent Night Out at Intown Stars Gymnastics
Save the date for Westchester's next Parents Night Out at Intown Stars Gymnastics on May 6th 6-9pm and register here now!
Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
MESA Spring Festival May 7th
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH!
Through Mental Health America, W.E. advocate for decreasing stigma surrounding mental health/illness. Wear GREEN on Monday (May 2nd) to show your support for mental health and take a screener for yourself or your student to “determine if you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition”.
The Youth Mental Health Project also supports National Mental Health Awareness Month through recognizing the first week of May as Children's Mental Health Awareness Week by hosting a week of family events to “find connections and build community”! Check out the week’s events: https://ymhproject.org/cmhaweek/CSD Announcements and Updates
Launchpad for Learning Camp
It's finally here! Launchpad for Learning registration is now open! Just log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal, choose the appropriate school store, click on the Launchpad for Learning icon, choose the week that you would like to register your student for, and checkout! Watch this video for a brief, step-by-step demonstration of how to register on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
What is Launchpad for Learning?
Launchpad for Learning is an exciting, 2-week summer camp hosted by the City Schools of Decatur for students in grades K-8 in the 2022-23 school year. The Launchpad for Learning Summer Camp will be held July 11-22. Launchpad for Learning Summer Camp is an exciting opportunity for students to be introduced to upcoming grade-level standards with hands-on activities, field trips, and much more!
Questions? Contact Eddie Johnson at ejohnson@csdecatur.net.
CSD Super Saturdays for K-5 Students
Come get hands-on experience with grade-level standards!
The next Super Saturday is on May 14 from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm at Fifth Avenue Elementary.*
Super Saturdays are open to all K-5 CSD students but space is limited.
Click here to register and to learn more about the program. (*Location subject to change.)
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Parents Network
Join us for the next Parent Chat on May 9th, 7:30 pm-8:30 pm. The timing isn't quite right to get back to in-person parent meetings, but nothing stops us from gathering on Zoom.
A member of the leadership team will facilitate the event. There will be a suggested theme for discussion at each meeting, but the primary intent of these chats is to foster connection with those in attendance. PLEASE NOTE: These chats will not be recorded.
Register and learn more at https://www.decaturparents.net/events/parent-chats.
Decatur Education Foundation
It’s National Teacher Appreciation Week! Your words of love and appreciation mean everything to our teachers -- Express your appreciation for a teacher or CSD staff member with a Step Up tribute: Go to www.stepupforteachers.com, make a $25 contribution and you can leave a tribute message for your favorite CSD employee, and we’ll notify the honored person. For $50 you can honor two CSD staff members AND have a yard sign delivered to your Decatur address! To celebrate our DHS seniors, we also have yard signs for the Class of 2022! Your contributions support Teacher Innovation Grants and provide an encouraging boost that our teachers need to finish the school year!
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated to our Renfroe and Talley snack program! Those programs have enough snacks for the rest of the school year! There are still a few items left on the Weekend backpack program, to which you can donate from this link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1IVCVGY0GCF9S?ref_=wl_fv_le
To our DEF treasure hunters – we’ll be announcing the winners of the treasure hunt raffle NEXT WEEK, so stay tuned to DEF social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). It could be YOU! The treasure hunt is still active for anyone who would like a fun family activity, click HERE for info.
Reminders from Last Week
Extra Mile Award
Students: Do you know a teacher or CSD employee who has gone “the extra mile” this year? Nominate them for the CSD Extra Mile Award! The Extra Mile Award is an annual award that allows students to show their appreciation for the teachers or staff they feel go above and beyond what is expected of them.
Students (not parents) at any grade level can write an essay describing how their teacher (or staff member) goes the extra mile (parents can help younger children write the essay). The essays should be detailed and describe how the employee goes above and beyond.
Click here to submit a nomination. Students can also find the form any time via LaunchPad (it’s the purple icon labeled “Extra Mile Award nomination”). The deadline is May 25.
These awards will be presented at the CSD Opening Day Celebration in July.
Questions? Contact cburnett@csdecatur.net or 404-371-3601
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