*Weekly Family Email 1-27-23
Westgate Elementary School
# WE CAN WE WILL
Dear Westgate Families,
Wow! This week has been filled with generosity towards Gator Nation! Check out the brand new gym mats that were made possible by a generous parent donation! These mats are the finishing touch to our gym makeover!
In addition, we received a book vending machine and books from an outside donor! This week the very first students had the opportunity to use it! We are excited about this being another tool to help our staff support literacy for our students and to get additional books in our families' homes.
Here are two more ways to get involved! More volunteers are needed to make these events a success for our students!
Spring Party Volunteer Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040444aeaf23a1fc1-westgate#/
Spring Carnival Volunteers Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b48a4a72fa3f94-2223
Additionally, our students and teachers have been completing our winter benchmarking and MAP testing and many of our students are making growth! Thank you for continuing to read each night at home with your child for 20 minutes and if possible practice math facts. We are excited to see the growth our students can make by spring!
Thank you for ongoing support! Enjoy your weekend!
Amanda Moon
Principal
Gator Nation reveals their new Book Vending Machine!
Check out these news articles about our big day!
Upcoming Events
February
2 - 2nd & 3rd grade Music Concert WMS 6pm
10 - Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL
7 - CC Meeting & and Title One Parent Information Meeting 6pm
14 - Spring Parties 2:30pm
20 - President's Day - Professional Learning-NO SCHOOL
23 - 6th Grade Solo/Ensemble Night 6:30pm WMS
Westgate Geography Bee Champion, Thomas from Mr. Pesek's classroom!
Available to purchase in the front office daily while supplies last!
Check this out!
A Helpful Parent Resource regarding ADHD & ADD in Children
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) estimates that 5% of American children have ADHD. The average age to diagnose ADHD is 7 years old, but symptoms of the condition typically appear when a child is 3–6 years old. APA research also found that boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. Children’s Hospital has made available this “Just Kids Health” episode on ADHD and ADD in Children to help parents understand what normal behaviors are and when parents may consider getting their children assessed for ADHD. Westside is proud to partner with Children’s Behavioral Health in serving students in our community.
KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2023-24
Kindergarten enrollment for District residents for the 2023-24 school year begins approximately Feb 1, 2023. Please check our website at westside66.org as soon as possible after Feb 1st to start your enrollment online.
Children entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2023. Parents may wait to enroll their child(ren) in kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska law requires that child(ren) who reach the age of six prior to Jan 1st of the then current school year must be enrolled in school.
For questions about enrollment, please contact the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100 or
KINDERGARTEN OPTION ENROLLMENT
If you live outside of the Westside district and have a child eligible for kindergarten in 2023-24 who has a sibling attending our schools through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an option application for your kindergartener. The deadline to apply for Option Enrollment is 4:00 pm on
March 15th.
In addition to kindergarten, you can apply for any other grade level by the same deadline, 4:00 pm on March 15th.
Option Enrollment forms can be completed using this link:
IN-DISTRICT TRANSFERS FOR 2023-24
Are you a District resident and would like your K-6 grade child(ren) to attend an elementary school in Westside other than the area where you live? The deadline to submit an In-District Transfer request for the upcoming school year is 4:00 pm on March 15th.
An In-District Transfer request form must also be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has a sibling attending an elementary school outside of their home attendance area.. The deadline to submit this request is also 4:00 pm on March 15th.
In district transfer forms can be completed using this link: https://forms.gle/EHgruZWb9MH1UBtH8 Questions about In-District Transfers, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.
EARLY ADMISSION FOR KINDERGARTEN
Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance to kindergarten must turn 5 years old between August 1 and October 15, 2023.
For further information regarding early entrance testing, please contact Early Admissions at 402-390-3303.