April 2024 Westgate Connect - New Parent/Guardian Newsletter
Welcome to Westgate Community School
WHERE TO FIND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Accessing Infinite Campus for Your Student Data:
- Create an Infinite Campus (IC) parent portal account using your registration email.
- Find more information in the Parent Portal Quick Guide.
Emails & SMS messages:
- Be sure you have an accurate email address in Infinite Campus to be able to receive emails in a timely manner.
- Text YES to 67587 to sign up for important text alerts and school information from Westgate and Adams 12.
Westgate Website:
- Westgate Wire: The school newsletter comes out the first week of each month.
- Classroom Pages: Find your student's classroom pages to see what they are working on.
- Parent/Guardian Pages: Access the Westgate Community School Handbook, the attendance form, classroom pages, curriculum map, lunch ordering, car line, health and counselor information, and so much more.
- Student Health: Go here for information on immunizations, allergy and medication notification forms, and information on when to keep your
Calendars:
- School Calendar: You can find all Westgate events, from field trips to fundraisers and more.
- Academic Calendar: Find out all the breaks, holidays, no school days, and conference days.
- 24/25 Bell Schedule: When does the bell toll? Find out when classes switch.
Westgate Phone App for iPhone & Android:
SAVE THE DATE |
Date | Time | Event |
May 30 | 2:00-6:00 PM | Westgate Carnival! - the end of the year fundraiser with food, bounce houses, silent auctions, and games! Don't miss it! |
TBD | All Day ?? | Kindergarten Assessments - we'll be sending out information on this event, so keep an eye out! |
Aug 2 | 4:00-6:00 PM | Back to School Night - Get out and meet other parents of Westgate! Enjoy food trucks, games, and meet the teachers and staff! |
Aug 5 | 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM | FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!! |
GET INVOLVED
- Westgate Community School Board of Directors and Executive Director
- Adams 12 Five Star District
- Westgate Community School community
GRADE | COLOR |
Kindergarten |
Purple
|
1st & 2nd | Red |
3rd & 4th | Green |
5th & 6th | Blue |
7th & 8th | Gray |
High School | Black |
What to Know for Kindergarten
Kindergarten Corner
No More Training Wheels: Incoming Kindergarteners Graduating to Independent Toileting and Car Seat-Belt Release.
Independent toileting is essential for kindergarten students. They need to be able to get to and from the bathroom independently, after learning the building. In addition, they need to be able to both use the bathroom and wash their hands independently, whether going #1 or #2. Many young children have help with wiping, washing, and changing clothes (in the event of an accident) at home, but that level of assistance is not provided in an elementary school, so practicing at home now will help set your child up for success when they arrive here in the Fall.
Another area of independence that is very helpful for starting kindergarten is being able to get in and out of the car and in and out of their car seat on their own. Carline moves fast, and it is essential that it move quickly for all students to transition efficiently and safely between home and school and then between school and home each day. Starting now with building independence for young children in this area will help carline to move smoothly and take less time for all students and parents once school begins.
Kindergarten readiness is BIG and has many facets. There are many articles and blogs on the following website that can help with knowing how to build independence at home and in what areas as your child moves closer to beginning kindergarten. We can’t wait to support their continued growth here at Westgate!
Additional Items to Work on Over the Summer:
- Sitting upright on carpet for 10 minutes
- Following 2-step and 3-step directions (cubby, cushion, carpet)
- Recognize and write their own name
- Zipping up a jacket
- Safe hands and bodies
- Opening lunch box and snacks
- Carrying own items
- Transitioning out of mid-day naps
- How to ask for help
Helpful Kindergarten Readiness Articles:
- Ready or Not Kindergarten, Here We Come! | NAEYC
- Kindergarten Readiness - First Things First
- Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten With These 20 Skills | Scholastic
- 9 ways to get your child ready for kindergarten (understood.org)
- Kindergarten Readiness: How To Help Your Child Prepare For School - Begin Learning
- Teaching Kindergarten Students about Safe Hands and Safe Feet | Everyday Speech
What to Know for High School
High School Hive
Gathering Great Habits: A Guide on What to Know When Starting High School
by Mechelle Martz-Mayfield, Communications & Marketing Director, with 24 years in English and College Prep Tutoring
Starting high school is a significant milestone for your child. Take it from me, someone who has worked with high school students in writing and college prep for over 20 years. High school is the place where your child begins to learn more about themselves, who they want to be, and how they want to present themselves to the world. This is a defining time that is filled with learning, creativity, and ingenuity. It can also be a time of frustration and anxiety.
As a parent or guardian, you want your child to feel supported and prepared. Especially here at Westgate, where it is likely your student will be not only starting high school, but also working on transitioning into college, we want you to know our staff is here to help them every step of the way. However, there are several important aspects to consider assisting your student with and working with them on over the summer before starting school. It's never too late to start working on great habits.
Let’s break down some key points to help you navigate this transition:
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Effective Time Management Techniques:
- Time management becomes critical from 9th grade through 12th grade. As a parent or guardian, you can support your child by teaching them how to manage their time effectively. Encourage them to create a study schedule, allocate time for homework, extracurricular activities, and rest.
- Help them prioritize tasks and avoid procrastination. Developing good time management habits early on will benefit them throughout high school and beyond.
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Focus on Study Skills:
- Academics play a central role in high school. Encourage your child to enhance their study skills:
- Teach them effective note-taking methods. There are a variety of ways to take notes. Have them try a few of the methods in the link provided to find what works best for them!
- Show them how to break down complex topics into manageable parts. This key idea that was taught to me by a professor in college, and I have taught it to all the kids I've tutored since. Have them pick out any article on the web, in a magazine, or in a newspaper, and start having them break down ideas.
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- What do they truly know from the article? What supports that?
- What in the article do they know to be the truth?
- How do they know what they know? Do they know information from school or a different source?
- What questions do they have about the information in the article?
- Where can they find out more information and get questions answered?
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- Discuss strategies for active reading and comprehension. Let them read for enjoyment over the summer, but encourage them to read more complex books. Check out this book classics list. Ask them questions about what they are reading. Offer to read it with them and have book discussions each week.
- Encourage them to seek help when needed, whether from teachers, peers, or online resources.
- Academics play a central role in high school. Encourage your child to enhance their study skills:
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Plan for the Future:
- High school sets the foundation for college and career paths. Discuss future goals with your child:
- Explore their interests and passions.
- Research colleges and universities together.
- Understand the importance of high school courses and how they impact college admissions.
- Encourage participation in extracurricular activities, internships, and community service.
- High school sets the foundation for college and career paths. Discuss future goals with your child:
Remember that starting high school can be overwhelming for students. Be supportive, have open conversations, and help them navigate this exciting phase of their education.
FRCC INFORMATION
High School & FRCC Links:
Front Range Community College - Direct link to the FRCC website.
Academic Calendar by Semester - See where our calendar and FRCC might be different.
- FRCC bus and transportation information
- eWolf Login info
- Lunch programs
What's in this Newsletter
- Welcome to Westgate
- Important Information
- Save The Date
- Get Involved
- What To Know for Kindergarten
- What to Know for High School