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Ms. Lounsbury, Advocacy

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Week of January 8th 2024

Dear Westgate Families!

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and relaxation. As we dive into the new year, we are excited to introduce our Advocacy Theme for January: Growth Mindset.

What is a Growth Mindset? A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's about embracing challenges, learning from criticism, and understanding that effort is the path to mastery.

Skills Students Will Learn: In the upcoming weeks, your child will engage in various activities and discussions across different classes that aim to cultivate a growth mindset. Here's a glimpse of the skills they will be focusing on:

  1. Resilience: Students will learn to bounce back from setbacks, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.

    Perseverance: Embracing the idea that success often involves sustained effort, students will be encouraged to stay committed to their goals, even when faced with difficulties.

    Adaptability: Developing the ability to adapt to new situations and learn from experiences will be a key focus, fostering a mindset that values continuous learning.

    Embracing Feedback: Students will be taught to see feedback as constructive, using it to refine their skills and enhance their understanding, rather than viewing it as criticism.

Extending Growth Mindset to Personal Lives: It's essential to emphasize that the principles of a growth mindset extend beyond the classroom. Encourage your child to apply these concepts in their daily lives:

  1. Goal Setting: Help your child set realistic goals and work with them to develop a plan to achieve those goals. Celebrate progress along the way, reinforcing the idea that improvement comes with effort.

    Positive Self-Talk: Encourage your child to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind them that their abilities are not fixed and that they can improve with dedication and hard work.

    Embracing Challenges: Teach your child to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Encourage them to approach new experiences with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

We believe that fostering a growth mindset will not only enhance your child's academic journey but will also contribute to their overall personal development. If you have any questions or would like to further discuss how to support your child in embracing a growth mindset, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you a fantastic start to the new year!

 

Mrs. Lounsbury

Week of December 4th

Hello wonderful families, 

 

Please sign up for a conference time using the link below. Below are the links to all 5/6 teachers. We also have a conference link for the Specials teachers’ students met with this quarter. If you would like to meet with them, please sign up for a time on their link.  

 

5/6 Teachers:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA4AB2EA3FFC70-46178805-winter 

Art: If you would like to sign up with our Art Teacher (Mrs. M – Formerly Ms. H) please follow this link to her sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA4AD2FA6FAC70-46449166-q2artconference  

ILab: Here is the iLab link for Quarter 2 conferences: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848A8AF2DA4FCCF8-46489022-ilab 

 

 

 
 

Christine Lounsbury

5/6 Teacher

Westgate Community School

K-12 Gifted Education for the Whole Child

Thornton, CO 80241

303-452-0967

Week of November 27th

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful break! 

During Academic Lab we will be focusing on math skills based on the needs of each student.  After looking at the Benchmark Assessment for Big Ideas in both 5th and 6th grade, we found some math skills that we need to reteach and practice.  

 

        Each teacher will take a small group and focus on the specific math skills: Mrs. Cundari - Equivalent Fractions
Ms. V. - Word problems and solving
Mrs. Lounsbury - Long Division 
Mr. Varela - Order of Operations 
Mr. McGinnis and Ms. Calder Exponents and Powers of Ten (this group was so large that it will be split into two groups. 
 
        We will share with the students which group they will be working with for the next three weeks. 
 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Cundari

 

Mrs. Lounsbury

Thanksgiving Food Drive Slides - Copy

We are having a food Drive at Westgate Community.  Please donate if you can. 
 
  • Who: Westgate Community School​
  • What: Bring Non-perishable food items for the Thanksgiving Food Drive​
  • Where: Items will be collected during PM car line. Then, all donated items will be stored near the front desk.​
  • When: Monday, November 13th – Thursday, November 16th​
  • Help us reach our goal of 1,000 items! All items donated will go to a local organization, SeniorHub. 
Mrs. Lousnbury 

Week of 11/6

Hello,
 

As we step into the beautiful month of November, we are thrilled to share with you our social-emotional focus for the month: Gratitude. This month, our students will be taking part in a variety of activities designed to foster happiness and togetherness during their advocacy sessions. 

 

Gratitude is a wonderful and powerful emotion that reminds us to appreciate the small and big things in our lives. It has been shown to boost well-being, promote a positive outlook, and strengthen our connections with others. We believe that teaching our students the art of gratitude is an important part of their overall education. 

 

Throughout November, our students will engage in books, videos, and activities that encourage them to reflect on what they are thankful for and to express their appreciation. These activities will not only deepen their sense of gratitude but also help build a strong sense of community within our school. 

 

We invite you to join us in this month of gratitude by having conversations with your children about what they are thankful for. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings, both at home and at school. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this focus on happiness and togetherness throughout our school. 

 
Mrs. Lounsbury 
 

Week of 10/30 Halloween Party information

Good morning, 
     Our Halloween party will be Tuesday, October 31 from 2:30-3:30.  If you are able to provide a treat or snack, please signup using the attached link and bring the snacks by Monday, October 30.  We appreciate your support and your generosity!
 
Please make sure that all treats are individually wrapped. Thank you! 🙂
 
 

Week of October 23rd

Hello!
 
October is a very busy month for us! Here is a reminder of all the events we are doing this month.
 
Upcoming Events:
 
Trunk or Treat
Westgate will be having a Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 20 from 5 to 7 pm.  Come in your costume and join the fun! 
 
Halloween Carnival:
The Halloween Carnival is a Service-Learning project that we will be putting on for the K-4 students on the afternoon of Halloween, 10-31 from 1:30 - 2:30.
The 5/6 POD will be creating Halloween Carnival games starting on 10/16.  Ms. Charlie will be helping us organize this event.  The students will be planning their games and if they need additional materials than what we have at Westgate, they may be asking for those items. If you have any further questions, please reach out to us. 
 
Halloween Student Parties:

• We will be sending out a sign-up form to volunteer for food items for our party.  Please note that we have severe nut allergies in the POD. 
All food and drink donations for the festivities can be left at the front desk or brought into school by the students in the morning.
• All food and drink items must be individually wrapped. 
 
 

Halloween Costume Expectations
Costume expectations for all students:
• No Masks
• No Full Face Paint (except what a student can apply themselves in the time they have to
get ready before class parties). Face paint may not be worn to school.
• No Weapons or anything that can be used as a weapon
• No inappropriate or offensive costumes – all body parts must be covered
• Students may NOT WEAR THEIR COSTUMES TO SCHOOL.
All students will be given time to change into their Halloween costumes. Students will be in classes during the morning.

Week of October 16th

Hello!
 
I hope that you all had a great Fall Break!
 
In the month of October, we are focusing on the empowering theme of 'Using Your Voice' in our school community. As a community, we play a crucial role in helping our students navigate the challenges they may face at school, including bullying. This month, we encourage you to engage in open conversations with your students about the importance of using their voices to stand up against bullying. By teaching them to speak up, report incidents, and support their peers, we can create a safe and inclusive environment where every child feels heard and valued. Together, let's empower our children to be advocates for kindness, empathy, and respect, ensuring that our schools are places where everyone can thrive.
 
Our advocacy will cover a range of topics around Bully Prevention and Using Your Voice, including: 
  • Understanding Bullying
  • Communication and Reporting
  • Empathy and Inclusion
  • Cyberbullying and Prevention
Upcoming Events:
 
Halloween Carnival:
The Halloween Carnival is a Service-Learning project that we will be putting on for the K-4 students on the afternoon of Halloween, 10-31 from 1:30 - 2:30.
The 5/6 POD will be creating Halloween Carnival games starting on 10/16.  Ms. Charlie will be helping us organize this event.  The students will be planning their games and if they need additional materials than what we have at Westgate, they may be asking for those items. If you have any further questions, please reach out to us. 
 
Halloween Student Parties:

• We will be sending out a sign-up form to volunteer for food items for our party.  Please note that we have severe nut allergies in the POD. 
All food and drink donations for the festivities can be left at the front desk or brought into school by the students in the morning.
• All food and drink items must be individually wrapped. 
 
 

Halloween Costume Expectations
Costume expectations for all students:
• No Masks
• No Full Face Paint (except what a student can apply themselves in the time they have to
get ready before class parties). Face paint may not be worn to school.
• No Weapons or anything that can be used as a weapon
• No inappropriate or offensive costumes – all body parts must be covered
• Students may NOT WEAR THEIR COSTUMES TO SCHOOL.
All students will be given time to change into their Halloween costumes. Students will be in classes during the morning.

Conferences

Hello,
 
Please read the attached information and fill out the time slot that works best for you.  If you could include your child's name as well that would be greatly appreciated. 
 
 
 Fall Conferences are Monday, October 2. 2023 in person from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. and Tuesday, October 3, 2023 virtually from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Each time slot will be 15 minutes. Please sign up for only one slot per child.  Sign up for the time slot that works best for you. Please indicate which teachers you are most interested in meeting with.  After sign ups close, we will detemine which teachers will attend which conferences. We will do our best to accomadate your requests. Sign up closes September 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm.  If you are signing up for the Tuesday, October 3, 2023 virtual conference a link will be sent to your email to attend the conference by Monday, October 2, 2023.  We look forward to meeting
 

Week of September 11th

Hello,
 
This week we are going to continue reading Hatchet. we have been identifying figurative language in the story. Students will use descriptive language to describe moments and places they have experienced
 
Here is a video of some of the types of figurative language students have been reading and using. .  
 
 
~Mrs. Lounsbury

Curriculum Night

Hello Parents,
      This year at Westgate we are presenting our curriculum night on August 31, 2023, at 5 pm to 6 pm. Virtual ONLY this year.  The link is below.  Please join us virtually to learn about our amazing 5th and 6th grade team of teachers and all about the curriculum that we will be teaching. There also will be a time at the end to ask any questions that you might have. 
       If you are unable to join us on August 31, the link will be uploaded to the Westgate page.
 
Christine Lounsbury 

Outdoor Education

Hey Families,

 

It's almost time for Outdoor Education in 5/6! We're going for one night, two days this year. We will need parent volunteers! Please read through this email for important information:

 

Class/Event: Outdoor Education

Description: Outdoor Education is a great opportunity! Students will get to participate in team-building activities, learn outdoor skills, and work on communicating with others.

Location: IDRAHJE  571 Co Rd 43, Bailey, CO 80421
Date: Sept. 18 & 19
Time: Drop off during regular school drop off Sept. 18th during morning carline, no later than 8:30 am.
Meeting Location: 5/6 pod
Pick-Up: Pickup during regular after-school carline Sept. 19th

 

Outdoor Ed: Please Make sure you complete all of the following to participate: 

-IDRAHAJE Online Enrollment Form HERE! 

-Westgate Digital Permission Slip  HERE!

-Completed Medication forms returned to Westgate (if applicable) found on the school website Here! 

-Pay $100/student fee (online in the payment portal, or drop cash or check in off the school lobby) found HERE! 

  

**Complete the volunteer form and background check to chaperone! HERE! 

email [email protected] for background check questions.
Westgate Community School is K-12 gifted education for the whole child and located in Thornton, CO.
www.westgateschool.org
 
Medications/ointments/supplements/vitamins:

All medications, over the counter, prescription, topical ointments, supplements, vitamins, or melatonin must have a fully completed medication order that is filled out and signed by a physician. A parent's signature alone does not meet the requirements for school staff to administer any kind of medication, topical, vitamin, or supplement. Any medication sent without the correct forms will not be sent on the trip and will not be administered to students. 

 

Students will not be allowed to carry or administer their own medications unless they already have a self-carry contract on file at the school, or have one completed by their doctor before the trip. All medications or supplements will be given by trained and delegated staff. All medications must be sent in their original container, and with a pharmacy label that matches the student if the medication is a prescription. Loose pills, gummies, or vitamins in plastic baggies or unlabeled containers will not be accepted. 

 

Medication forms are available on the school website under the health page. If your student already has medications and forms completed in the school health office, you don't need to take any further action. 

 

If you have any questions or concerns reach out to the school nurse, 

Kirsten Hopson RN, BSN [email protected]

 

 

If you DO NOT want your child to attend-please email your advocate letting them know your child will not attend this year. There will be a teacher at Westgate for students who do not attend and they will have classes/specials those days that focus on similar curriculum to outdoor education classes.

 

 

Thank you for all the 5/6 Teachers

Welcome 5/6 Students and Families!

Welcome Back to all Westgate Students!

   We are so excited to greet all of the 5th and 6th grade students and families this year!  Our team is looking forward to a positive and collaborative year amongst our POD! 

   Our community has a specific rule of no nut products in food and drinks this year to help those with food allergies.  Please refer to email from Holly Peterson sent August 1, 2023.  If you have any questions, please contact us. 

   This month we will be working on the R.I.S.E expectations in all areas of the school environment.  

   We look forward to an amazing year! 

 

Sincerely,

 Mrs. Lounsbury