Weekend Wire
March 14, 2021
WESTWOOD ROADRUNNERS
Roadrunners, We Are Proud of YOU!
DATES TO NOTE:
3/22-4/4--Virtual Book Fair
3/23--Spring Pictures
3/30--XPloration
3/30--Chambrone--Materials Distribution
3/31--Varga, Wilkinson & Williams Materials Distribution
4/1-4/30--Continuing Student Registration (TK-12)
4/8--1st & 2nd Grade(Virtual) Materials Distribution
4/9--Spirit Day-Dress in your Disney attire
4/12-4/16--SPRING BREAK--NO SCHOOL
4/27--XPloration
4/27--Community Conversations on Racial Equity (see flyer below)
4/28--Varga, Wilkinson & Williams Materials Distribution
4/30--Spirit Day--Dress like a Teacher Day
STAFF VACCINATIONS
Happy March! We are very thankful to be entering the phase allowing our staff access to vaccinations. As you can imagine it is a crazy process and different for everyone. Due to limited accessibility, some staff members may have to accept appointments during the school day. We have secured a limited- time substitute, however, we can only cover one class at a time with this model. Therefore, some classes may be forced into an asynchronous session. This applies to both on-campus and virtual classes.
If a virtual teacher secures a vaccination appointment during the instructional day, she will provide asynchronous learning for that portion of the day. If an on-campus teacher needs to schedule their appointment during the instructional day (either am or pm) that group will be provided asynchronous learning during their session.
We realize this causes the greatest disruption to the on-campus students as they will not be able to come to school that day. Unfortunately, with all the safety protocols and the limited substitute availability we simply have no other option. If we should find ourselves in this position, the classroom teacher will notify you ahead of time.
We apologize for the inconvenience. However, we know you are all in support of the health and safety of our staff.
Fondly,
Jennie Mikels,
Principal
GATE Updates
Thank you to those of you who were able to join our live GATE session this week. Attached is the link to our presentation if you were unable to join us. Thank you Mrs. Turner for sharing your depth of knowledge and the history of the GATE program.
ELEMENTARY HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM PILOT IN PROCESS
Learning Support Services is excited to share with our community that we are currently going through a pilot process for adopting a new K- 5 History Social Studies curriculum for our elementary schools. PUSD is piloting two State Board approved publishers, Studies Weekly and Teacher Curriculum Institute (TCI). The pilot team includes 20 individuals from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, school sites and experiences, which includes teachers, a Library Media Technician, principals and parents/guardians.
We are also actively aligning our pilot process to PUSD’s Racial Equity and Inclusion Plan, which can be found on PUSD’s Home Website, to ensure there is racial, gender, and orientation diversity and a variety of perspectives so that our students see themselves in the curriculum. We feel it is important to have conversations with community members on the pilot process and provide access to review the two pilot resources.
Learning Support Services will be hosting two community forums for parents and community members to attend. These will be Zoom sessions that will offer a brief outline of the CA Framework and Standards, overview of the pilot process, provide access to review the materials, and allow for a Q & A session.
The dates are:
Tuesday, March 16 from 5:00-6:00 OR Thursday March 18 from 6:00-7:00. If you would like an invitation to this Zoom session please, RSVP to the session you wish to attend. If you are unable to attend and wish to review the resources or have a question, please submit your request by clicking this link to share your information and we will email you the steps to gain access to the materials.
Learning Support Services looks forward to collaborating with our PUSD Elementary School parent/guardian community.
SPRING PHOTOS
Get those springtime outfits ready because spring photos will be available this year to all students on Tuesday, March 23rd. This spring photo-op is a 3/4 length shot with an environmental background that will be a great addition to your collection of photos. On campus students will have their pictures taken during their on campus learning time and virtual learners please sign up for a slot below.
If your child did not have the chance to get a picture taken for the yearbook then this can also be done during this time.
Library Newsletter
Bringing the Library to You
March 2021
Please return any Chromebooks for the following reasons to the library. Library hours are 7:45-2:15 Monday-Friday:
Chromebook doesn’t work properly (be sure to include the following information: your student’s names and state the reason it’s no longer functioning properly for example, sound issues). We will record that it was returned and you’re no longer responsible for this computer.
You will be leaving Westwood Elementary in the near future.
You have your own device and no longer want a district issued device.
We are celebrating Women’s History Month. We are kicking off Women’s History Month which takes place in the Month of March. Enjoy your choice of read aloud books of amazing women who paved the way for future generations of women. Click here to access this choice board Women’s History Month.
Happy St. Patrick’s day! Here’s a google slide presentation of the book, Leprechaun’s Gold by Teresa Bateman. Want to learn a little more about this holiday? Here’s a LINK for you from Britannica School.
Voting closes March 26th. Be sure to vote for your favorite one! I will let you know the winner for Westwood Elementary when the voting is finished. The winner for the State of California will be announced in May. Click here to vote: California Young Reader Medal Ballot - Primary Category
Now is the time to vote! Which is your favorite one?! Book trailers are included for you to review. Click here to vote: California Young Reader Medal Ballot - Intermediate Category Voting will take place the week of March 22nd. The last day to vote will be March 26th.
These books go directly to the library. A mounted bookplate with your childs’ name will be placed on the inside the front cover and your child will receive first-check-out privileges. It’s a great way to encourage your child’s love of reading and it makes a difference in the library enjoyed by many students and teachers. Or, donations of gently used, like new children’s books are also accepted. You may drop off your donations at the library. Library hours are 7:45-2:15 Monday through Friday.
Storytime Lessons with Mrs. Whitelock. Want to see what your children have been enjoying from the library? Go to Westwood Library Google Classroom.
Need more resources and information? Visit Westwood Library Canvas Course to view the many resources available.
Getting Started:
How to Put Books on Hold, Renew and Return library books - short tutorial
Library Services:
Checking Out Books for On-Campus Students
Checking Out Books for VLA Students
Happy Reading! Mrs. Whitelock, Librarian at Westwood Elementary
virtual book fair
FREE Dental Screenings, Sealants and Fluoride Varnish
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
Transfer Window Is Open
The Poway Unified transfer window is now open! Transfer requests for students who live in Poway Unified and would like to attend a school other than their school of residence should be submitted online … just go to the Poway Unified website and click on “Transfers” on the home page.
If you have a current child in a Poway school and would like a younger sibling to attend the same school, please submit a transfer request at this time. Transfer submissions are accepted even if your younger child is not yet enrolled. Then please enroll your child at their school of residence in May. The transfer window closes on March 31st.
Yearbooks
Your student will want to remember this unique year with a 2020-2021 yearbook! Your student gets to customize two pages just for them which will print in their individual yearbook so it will really be unique and special! Also, for every yearbook purchased a tree is planted!
Purchase yearbooks here:
https://tr5.treering.com/validate Use passcode: 1015978769242468
Or scan here:
Be a STAR in the yearbook! We want to see your pictures!! Please upload pictures from all sorts of things this year such as, Dress to Impress Spirit Day, Valentine's Day, Winter break fun, virtual learning, and lots more here:
https://tr5.treering.com/school/231813/photos/shared-photo-folders
Health Office Notes
Please remember to be proactive and prescreen your student at home prior to leaving for school. If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep them at home. If your child has developed any one of the symptoms below while at school, they must be sent home immediately. Parent(s) will be notified to pick up their student immediately.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Per the CDC Guidelines (use link below of Decision Tree updates as of 1/11/21):
The individual may return based on one of the following:
https://covid-19.sdcoe.net/Portals/covid-19/Documents/Health%20Practices/COVID-19-Decision-Tree.pdf
a) 10 days from the day symptom(s) first appeared, AND improved symptoms and no fever (or fever reducing meds) for the last 24 hours.
b) With proof of negative PCR COVID viral test, may return after 3 days if all symptoms are fully resolved; or after 10 days from the day symptom(s) first appeared, AND improved symptoms and no fever (or fever reducing meds) for the last 24 hours.
c) A signed note from a licensed MD, DO, NP, or PA (who manages that condition) must: confirm the chronic diagnosis (i.e., cites labs, date-of record when diagnosed); include provider’s contact information; explain how symptoms are unrelated to COVID-19; and be accompanied by signed consent for school to interact with MD, DO, NP, or PA.
Please call the Health Office for any questions or concerns.
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile
Does the Amazon driver know you by name? Got enough boxes to stack to the moon? Did you know that with every delivery you can raise money for Westwood Elementary?
1. Go to smile.amazon.com
2. Sign in to your Amazon account
3. Search for Westwood Elementary PTA San Diego
4. Sign up!
Or scan here:
PTA Membership
The year may look different but Westwood still needs you! Join the PTA so we can all work together to make this year the best possible.
About Us
Principal
Email: kholmes@powayusd.com
Website: https://powayusd.com/en-US/Schools/ES/WWES/Home
Location: 17449 Matinal Road, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-487-2026
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWESRoadrunners
Twitter: @RoadrunnersWwes