Dolphin Weekly Waves
Week of Sept. 18-22, 2023
From the Principal
Sleep....A Secret Weapon to School Success!
We have been in school 32 days and are reaching the time when school, combined with our busy schedules, is beginning to wear us down. Sleep is so important and is a critical part of a child's overall health. Sleep can also be an important factor in the way children behave. Lack of sleep has been linked to allergic rhinitis and problems with the immune system, anxiety and depression, attention span, impulsivity, memory, and emotional stability. Consistent bedtime routines are helpful to be sure your child gets enough sleep.
Suggestions for sleep routines:
- Keep a regular bedtime.
- Make the bedroom, and especially the bed/mattress, a no-screen/device zone, even during the day.
- Eat a healthy diet
- Set the thermostat to a slightly cooler temperature
- Keep the bedroom quiet or use a noise machine to mask outside sounds
- Avoid caffeine, large meals, and sugary treats before bedtime
How much sleep is enough? Children ages 3 to 5, should get 10 to 13 hours of sleep per 24 hour period (including naps). Children ages 6 to 12 should get 9 to 12 hours of sleep per 24 hour period (including naps).
Parents..... Adults, we need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night!
Calendar Note.... Picture Days - Tuesday and Wednesday, September 26 and 27 - A schedule will come soon.....
We are continuing our journey to be the BEST each of us can be! Have a wonderful week!
Angie Garrison, Ed.D.
Principal
West End's Mission: Our West End Community maximizes students’ potential by providing instruction that builds our students’ knowledge, strengthens their skills, and develops in them career-ready characteristics for success in an ever-changing world.
The Book Fair is Here THIS WEEK!
Do you have what it takes to “Crack the Case”? Come get clued in to the best new books at the West End Elementary Book Fair!
September 18-22, 2023
Monday - Thursday 7:30 am – 3:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am - 2:15 pm
PLEASE add 7% SALES TAX when sending in money for your student to shop.
Visit our Online Book Fair to shop or purchase a gift card. https://efairs.literati.com/?school=west-end-elementary-school-easley-sc
Your purchases allow us to add books to our school library! Thank you in advance for your support of our students and school!
Cognia Parent Survey
This fall, West End (and all schools in SDPC) will go through the accreditation process. This process involves working with a recognized accrediting body. We will work with COGNIA - a group of folks who are skilled at helping educational organizations determine their strengths and weaknesses. We need your help! This process begins by surveying our families to gather input that will be used in the accreditation process. Please use the following link or QR code to complete the 5 minute survey. Thank you for helping us work to continue meeting the needs of your children!
Preschool Story Time is Each Wednesday at 11:00am!
If you have a little one aged zero to four, join us for our "Read with Me" preschool story time here at West End. We meet each Wednesday at 11:00 to hear a story, practice our nursery rhymes, and learn through play!
"First Responders Read"
Thank you to all of the special guests that came to read to our classrooms and teach us more about Patriotism last week! We appreciate you!
"Your Opinion Matters!"
West End families, we value your opinion on school related matters! Please use the Google form below to give us input, feedback, new ideas, or ask a question! We appreciate your time and how you make West End better! This form will be opened all school year long!
September's Core Character Skill is "Confidence"
Here are things parents can do to help kids feel good about themselves:
- Help your child learn to do things
- When teaching kids how to do things, show and help them at first.
- Praise your child, but do it wisely.
- Be a good role model.
- Ban harsh criticism.
- Focus on strengths.
- Let kids help and give.
Teachers will be choosing a student from their homerooms that have greatly demonstrated this core skill all month long to be our second "Distinguished Dolphin!"
Attendance Matters!
If your child is absent, please remember to send in parent notes, doctor/dentist notes, etc. so that attendance can be coded correctly in PowerSchool. You can also complete the Google form at the link below with details for the absence. A message is sent to our Data Entry Clerk via email including that information as a note for the absence(s).
Tech Fees are due!
Nominate a West End Teacher for "Teacher of the Month" Honors
Each month, you have the opportunity to honor a teacher of your choosing as the "West End Teacher of the Month!" Simply complete this form telling us why the teacher you chose is deserving. You may nominate as many times as you wish. Thank you for supporting our teachers and recognizing the hard work they put in to teaching your child each day. 😍
Title 1 Annual Newsletter
Parents- your child attends a schoolwide Title 1 school. We would like to tell you more about what that means. Please read the 2023-2024 West End Title 1 Newsletter. We will discuss this more in detail at our "Kick Off" Open House event on September 7.
Information, Reminders, Links
- MySchoolBucks - Sign up for a MySchoolBucks account for online payments for tech fees, field trip fees, t-shirt sales, etc.
- All students K5-5 will be assigned a device for classroom and home use. Before sending the device home, a $25 Tech it Home user fee to cover accidental damage to the device, charging device, and carrying case should be paid. More information about the Tech It Home Fee.
- Schoology is a learning platform that allows parents to communicate with teachers, stay on top of student assignments, and monitor student progress (grades 3-5). Access Codes will come home soon. Please let us know if you need help getting connected.
- Securly is a powerful tool designed to help parents monitor and set limits on their child's school-issued device. Please let us know if we can help with the program.
SDPC Adult Learning Center
Did you know that:
- Pickens County has a highly successful adult education program which year after year is among the state’s most effective programs in a number of categories,
- The Learning Center served over 500 residents of Pickens County during the last school year by offering GED preparation, high school diploma completion, workplace literacy, ESL and civics instruction, parenting classes, career preparation, and assessments for SC Works,
- The Learning Center had 78 graduates last school year and a combined 339 graduates in the last four school years which includes the “Covid years,” and
- The Learning Center partners with Tri County Tech to offer the IBEST program in healthcare, manufacturing, and College 101. Students can be concurrently enrolled seeking to complete a GED or high school diploma while earning college credit and workplace-recognized credentials – all at no cost to the student?
Connect with our West End Family!
Be sure to follow West End on Facebook!
Twitter- @westendelem
Instagram- @westendelem
Phone (864)397-2500
Dr. Angie Garrison, Principal Email: angiegarrison@pickens.k12.sc.us