Westchester Weekly
All-Star Newsletter May 6, 2021
Principal's Corner
Greetings WE Families,
This week is dedicated to appreciation for our teachers and school nurse. Basically, we are appreciating all of WE this week because everyone in the building makes an impact on the educational experience of our students. Thank you for sending so many kind and thoughtful expressions to the school this week. Our crew really deserves it! Our PTA and Room Parents really shined as they planned a fabulous week for the WE crew.
I know you are receiving so many communications right now, but I want to make sure you know that we are planning for a more traditional school year next year. Students can attend in-person learning 5 days a week from 8:20 - 2:50 each day. The district is working to finalize mitigation strategies and they will be communicated as soon as they are finalized.
Thank you for your partnership, patience, and support. WE have been in this together. Now, WE will enjoy a break very soon. Hang in there! You're doing a great job!
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 7th-28th- Return Library books
May 9th- Mother's Day
May 17th- Volunteer Appreciation -Coming Soon!
May 21st- Talent Show
May 19th- Career Day
May 20th- Virtual Author Visit with Lisa Wheeler & Loren Long
May 20th K 101
May 21st- Virtual Talent Show
May 24th & 25th In-person K tours
May 26th- 2nd Grade Celebration
May 28th- Last Day of School
FInal Community Circle
5/28-Duszak's Crew will host the entire 2nd grade for an EOY celebration! Second graders are moving up!
Teacher Appreciation Details
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.
K 101
Dear Rising Kindergarten Families,
We are thrilled to welcome you to Westchester in the Fall of 2021! Although school might look a little different, there is still lots of active engagement and learning happening daily. We have 4 fantastic Kindergarten teachers ready to help your students make this transition. Each Kindergarten has a full time paraprofessional working with them, which means your student will benefit from the expertise of two adults working with them at all times. Please mark your calendar for our upcoming events.
****Please click here to read more details about K101
You may also sign up here to receive our weekly newsletters.
F.AVE Welcomes Rising 3rd Graders
Dear Rising Third Grade Families,
We are looking forward to meeting you and your child soon as they begin their transition to F.AVE. For some students, this transition can seem like a journey into the unknown. For others, they get excited about the prospect of being here and anticipate this move with less trepidation. No matter where your children might fall on this spectrum of emotions, we want to offer just a few details to inform and support families joining our school community. There is no way we can provide you with all the information that answers all the questions you may have, but we will address some general things through these short snippets over the next few weeks. Details of each issue are below and will be included in your school’s weekly newsletters. I hope this information is helpful!
May 10 -Issue 1: General Information about F.AVE
May 17 -Issue 2: How we match students w/teachers-Transition Meetings
May 24 -Issue 3: Specific Information about additional services (Special Education, EIP, Links, 504 etc.)
May 19-21: Rising 3rd grade school tours- We are asking families to sign up to come for a 20-30 min tour of F.AVE between the hour of 1:00-4:30. You will receive a group number prior to arrival. Your number will indicate your starting place for the tour. It is important that you begin where assigned because we want to keep groups small to ensure distancing and safety. Don't forget to bring your masks. Sign up Here!
May 19- Rising 3rd grade Parent Meeting @ 6:30 PM- We will hold a Zoom call to present information to parents about F.AVE and 3rd grade expectations. Join the call using this link!
We will have tours open for families new to the school district or those families who remained virtual this school year in July! Stay tuned for more!
Principal Newton-Scott
WE MAP Parent Letter Spring 2021
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 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 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
2020-2021 Memory Books- Now Pay Online!
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 has ended for this school year. 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.
Chromebooks, chargers & Fundation kits will be returned on Friday, May 28th for in person students and Tuesday or Wednesday June 1st/2nd for virtual students.
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), 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). Second grade students are leading and End of the Year Community Circle video to share with the school and community! 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!
Families, you can sign up to receive F.A.V.E.'s weekly newsletter here
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
Extra Mile Award
Hey students! Do you know a teacher or other employee who has gone the extra mile this year? Nominate them for the 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 teacher or staff member goes above and beyond.
Submit your nominations using this link: https://forms.gle/SehMw6njfL9we3MZ9. The deadline for submissions is May 26.
Thank you to Decatur Education Foundation for sponsoring this award!
Decatur Education Foundation News
Step Up for Teachers! Take a break from the mayhem of May and show your teachers how much you appreciate their hard work with a Step Up for Teachers 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. The Step Up campaign supports our teachers in the classroom through Teacher Innovation Grants. Let's show them some love! If you’d like to leave a tribute but can’t give a gift at this time, you can send your tributes to info@decatureducationfoundation.org. We Stepped Up for Our Seniors! 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. The signs have been assembled by Wilson Support Center Staff (Thank You!) and are available for pick up anytime at the DHS Attendance Office.
Clarence Strickland Make a Difference Award
Our schools have been closed for most of the school year, but our CSD teachers and staff have continued to work tirelessly to support our students. Have you witnessed a teacher or staff person who has shown compassion for a student during a time of great need or crisis? Every year, DEF recognizes a CSD employee who has shown extraordinary compassion to help a student in crisis through The Clarence Strickland Make a Difference Award. Nominations for this award are accepted from community members or CSD staff and can be completed by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/YiF1pANPKnMfm26b6. Nominations must be received by May 26, 2021, and award(s) will be presented at the teacher’s Opening Day event in July.
Decatur Farm to School
Westchester Elementary School
Email: bnation@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Westchester
Location: 758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4400