• Specials: Our special is I-lab. We will stay in this special for the rest of the school year.  

• Snack: Please make sure that your student brings TWO snacks each day, one for a morning snack and one for an afternoon snack. Make sure your child knows not to eat their snacks with their lunch.    

• May Advocacy: Our Advocacy Theme this month is Self-Care & Wellness 

• For the rest of May, we will learn about Self-Care and Wellness. Join us this May as we prioritize self-care and wellness at school. Let's make a conscious effort to prioritize our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. From mindfulness activities to healthy habits, let's come together to create a supportive and nurturing environment for all. Take a moment for yourself this May and prioritize self-care. Together, we can cultivate a culture of wellness and positivity at our school. 

• Specials: Our special is I-lab. We will stay in this special for the rest of the school year.  

• We are celebrating Earth Week May 6th – 10th  

Each day has a different advocacy topic and theme, and other days have special events going on. 

• Monday, May 6th: Plastic Education Advocacy lesson, Earth Day field day (during specials), Clothing collection during PM car line 
• Tuesday, May 7th: “Your Art, Our Earth” advocacy lesson, Clothing collection during PM car line 
• Wednesday, May 8th: Take a Simple Act of Green advocacy lesson, Zero Waste and Worksheet Wednesday, Clothing collection during PM car line. 
• Thursday, May 9th: The Great Global Cleanup advocacy lesson, 1st and 2nd grades will be cleaning up the school campus, final day for clothing collection 
• Friday, May 10th: My Planet, My Closet advocacy lesson, 3:30-5:30 Westgate Clothing Swap. 
• Monday, May 13th: “Your Art, Our Earth” projects are due by end of the day. 

• Snack: Please make sure that your student brings TWO snacks each day, one for a morning snack and one for an afternoon snack. Make sure your child knows not to eat their snacks with their lunch.    

• May Advocacy: Our Advocacy Theme this month is Self-Care & Wellness 

• We will begin May Advocacy with Earth Week. This year’s Earth Week theme is Planet vs. Plastic. Check out this video for a short introduction. See the above schedule for a list of activities and events throughout the week. 

• For the rest of May, we will learn about Self-Care and Wellness. Join us this May as we prioritize self-care and wellness at school. Let's make a conscious effort to prioritize our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. From mindfulness activities to healthy habits, let's come together to create a supportive and nurturing environment for all. Take a moment for yourself this May and prioritize self-care. Together, we can cultivate a culture of wellness and positivity at our school. 

• Specials: Our special is Art. We will stay in this special until April 26th.

• Field Trip to Four Mile Historic Park: As our Colorado weather becomes warmer, our classes have more opportunities to learn outdoors.  To further our learning history, we will be taking our classes to Four Mile Park. Our field trip to Four Mile Park will be after Spring Break, on Wednesday, April 10th 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 PM. 

• Please make sure your child wears their red Westgate shirt. If your child does not have a red Westgate shirt, any red shirt is fine.   
• Please pack a disposable sack lunch and water bottle for your child labeled with their name. Students will have morning and afternoon snacks at Westgate, before and after our field trip. 
• Please make sure your child wears comfortable shoes (we will be walking in dirt and livestock areas) and brings a light jacket (Colorado weather is always changing and spring is here). 
• If you are able to chaperone our fun adventure, please let your students advocacy teacher know in a reply to this email. 

• Mr. Rowan’s Advocacy has a request:  

Dear Westgate Families,  

Mr. Rowan’s 7-8 Advocacy is doing a service-learning project honoring and acknowledging Veterans. If you have a Veteran in your family, we invite you all to complete this form which contains a list of questions about your Veteran service. The responses to these questions will be utilized to create a video honoring the Veterans of Westgate Community School. This is totally optional whether you choose to complete the form or not. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected].  

Sincerely,  

Mr. Rowan’s Advocacy 

• Yearbooks: Yearbooks for the 2023-2024 school year are now on sale. Yearbooks are $32 each and a customization can be added to the cover for an additional fee. Yearbooks will be distributed to all K-8 students on the last day of school. High school students will receive theirs on May 23rd. The deadline to order is April 23rd. Purchase yours now! 

https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/view_account.asp?l=3880F406-0325-48D4-B415-D8D647F0D8BF 

• Toys at School: Our school policy states that toys should not be brought to school for any reason or at any time. Please keep toys at home. 

• Snack: Please make sure that your student brings TWO snacks each day, one for a morning snack and one for an afternoon snack. Make sure your child knows not to eat their snacks with their lunch. 

• March Advocacy: Our Advocacy Theme this month is MINDFULNESS!  

Join us this March as we delve into the power of mindfulness. In a world filled with distractions and noise, cultivating mindfulness offers a pathway to inner peace, clarity, and resilience. Through our advocacy theme this month, we aim to introduce and integrate mindfulness practices into our classes, fostering a supportive environment where individuals can thrive mentally, emotionally, and academically. 

Throughout March, our classes will incorporate various mindfulness techniques, including guided meditation, mindful breathing exercises, and reflective journaling. These practices will help our students develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and concentration skills. By nurturing a mindful approach to learning and living, we empower our community to navigate challenges with grace and intention. 

Together, we'll embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, embracing the present moment with openness and compassion! ❤️  

Hi Families,

Dates and Announcements     

• Specials: Our special is Music. We will stay in this special until March 8. 

• Parent-Teacher Conferences: An email was sent out to families on Friday, February 23 with a sign-up link to sign up for Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences. Our Spring conferences will be held IN Person on Thursday, March 7th, from 8 AM to 8 PM and Virtual on Friday, March 8th from 8 AM to 12 PM. Please note that Friday's conferences are virtual. Please sign up for ONE conference slot. 

• Class Photos: Class photo order forms went home in your child’s Friday Folder. If you are interested in ordering a class photo, please order online or return the order form with payment.  

www.lifetouch.com  

Picture Day ID: EVTJP2FSP 

• Mr. Rowan’s Advocacy has a request:  

Dear Westgate Families,  

Mr. Rowan’s 7-8 Advocacy is doing a service-learning project honoring and acknowledging Veterans. If you have a Veteran in your family, we invite you all to complete this form which contains a list of questions about your Veteran service. The responses to these questions will be utilized to create a video honoring the Veterans of Westgate Community School. This is totally optional whether you choose to complete the form or not. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected].  

Sincerely,  

Mr. Rowan’s Advocacy 

• Yearbooks: Yearbooks for the 2023-2024 school year are now on sale. Yearbooks are $32 each and a customization can be added to the cover for an additional fee. Yearbooks will be distributed to all K-8 students on the last day of school. High school students will receive theirs on May 23rd. The deadline to order is April 23rd. Purchase yours now! 

https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/view_account.asp?l=3880F406-0325-48D4-B415-D8D647F0D8BF 

• Toys at School: Our school policy states that toys should not be brought to school for any reason or at any time. Please keep toys at home. 

• Snack: Please make sure that your student brings TWO snacks each day, one for a morning snack and one for an afternoon snack. Make sure your child knows not to eat their snacks with their lunch. 

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  
• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 
• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 
• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• February Advocacy:  Empathy & Kindness 

• Learning Goals:  

• Students will be able to explain that empathy is the ability to understand how someone feels. 
• Students will be able to explain why empathy is important.  
• Students will understand how to read facial expressions and body language to predict emotions. 

• Skills for Self: 

• I can imagine what it’s like to stand in someone else’s shoes. 
• *Being empathetic strengthens the community.  
• *It is important to take someone else’s emotions and experiences into consideration.  
• *Deepens relationships with my classmates and people I know outside of school. 

Dates and Announcements

February 12-15 Kindness Week

February 13

11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Spirit Night at Smashburger 14375 Orchard Pkwy, Westminster, CO

February 14 Kindness Day + Walking field trip to Future Forward

Friday, February 16 NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

Monday, February 19 NO SCHOOL – President's Day

Wednesday, February 21 9:30 AM - 1:45 PM Field Trip to the Arvada Center

· Specials: Our special  is Music. We will stay in this special until March 8.

· Kindness Week: What is Kindness Week?

o Kindness Week is a long-standing tradition at Westgate. We celebrate and spread kindness by doing different activities throughout the week. Each day has a different theme, aligned with the different love languages.

§ Monday – Words of Affirmation

§ Tuesday – Quality Time

§ Wednesday – Acts of Service

§ Thursday – Gift Giving

§ Friday - NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

· Kindness Day:

o Kindness Day is in place of Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

§ Reminder, our students do not exchange Valentine’s Day cards, candy, etc., so please do not send your student to school with valentines or treats.

o On Feb. 14, our students are going out into the community to distribute hand-made kindness cards to our neighbors. All companies that participated in previous years are excited to continue this tradition and the new companies are looking forward to hosting our students. A permission slip for this walking field trip will be sent out by your child’s advocacy teacher at 4:00 PM on Monday, February 5.

· Toys at School: Our school policy states that toys should not be brought to school for any reason or at any time. Please keep toys at home.

· Snack: Please make sure that your student brings TWO snacks each day, one for a morning snack and one for an afternoon snack. Make sure your child knows not to eat their snacks with their lunch.

· Volunteers

o Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated. o Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form o Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 o Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form

· February Advocacy: Empathy & Kindness

o Learning Goals:

§ Students will be able to explain that empathy is the ability to understand how someone feels.

§ Students will be able to explain why empathy is important.

§ Students will understand how to read facial expressions and body language to predict emotions.

o Skills for Self:

§ I can imagine what it’s like to stand in someone else’s shoes.

§ *Being empathetic strengthens the community.

§ *It is important to take someone else’s emotions and experiences into consideration.

§ *Deepens relationships with my classmates and people I know outside of school.

• Specials: Our special is PE. We will stay in this special until February 5. 

• Toys at School: As a collective group of 1st and 2nd grade teachers, we want to remind all families that toys are not allowed at school. Our school policy states that toys should not be brought to school for any reason or at any time. 

To ensure a safe and focused learning environment for all students, the following consequences are in place for students who bring toys to school. The consequences include: 

• Verbal Reminder: The teacher will remind the student that toys are not allowed at school and explain the reasons behind this policy. The teacher will ask the student to put the toy in their backpack for the remainder of the day. 
• Temporary Confiscation: If a student continues to bring toys to school despite the reminders, the teacher may temporarily confiscate the toy and return it to the student at the end of the day. 
• Parent Notification: In case a student repeatedly brings toys to school, the teacher will notify the parents to discuss the situation and find a solution together. 

We believe that by enforcing this policy consistently, we can create an optimal learning environment for all students. 

• Westgate Quarter 3 Clubs Now Open! 

• Club registration is open and filling up quickly!  Register for clubs here. 
• UPDATE: Winter Fun Club and Wellness Wednesday Club are now accepting 2nd graders. 
• Outside club organizations are accepting registrations through their digital flyers found on our website. 
• Clubs begin Tuesday, 1/16/24, and run through 3/22/24. 

• Important Message from Nurse Hopson: It's cold and flu season!  Remember: washing your hands frequently is the best way to prevent spreading germs and getting sick.  

Wondering when to keep kids home? 

• Fever (a temperature of 100.4 or higher): must stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. 
• Vomiting/Diarrhea: must stay home until vomiting/diarrhea has stopped for 24 hours without the use of medications. 
• Coughing: must stay home if cough is severe, uncontrolled, rapid, interferes with student's ability to participate, or if wheezing is present. 

• Strep Throat: must stay home until 24 hours after starting antibiotics for strep throat. 
• Flu symptoms (fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, fatigue, body aches): must stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medications, and all other symptoms are improving, and the student feels well enough to participate in normal activities. 

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  
• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 
• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 
• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• January Advocacy:  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:  

• Resilience 
• Perseverance 
• Adaptability 
• Embracing Feedback 

• 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: 

• 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. 

• Specials: Our special is I-LAB. We will switch to P.E. when we come back from Winter Break. 

• 1-2 Pod Winter Party: Our Winter class party will be on Wednesday, December 13 from 2:30-3:15 PM.  

• If you are interested in donating food for our party, please do so at this Sign-Up Genius Link.  
• Please contact your child's advocacy teacher if you would like to volunteer for our party. You must have a current background check on file to volunteer. We will contact volunteers who are selected to help with the party via email. Only parents notified that they are selected to volunteer for the party should plan to attend.  Thank you for helping us make our class party special! 

• Winter Parent-Teacher Conferences 

• Our Winter conferences will be held IN-PERSON at Westgate on Thursday, December 14th from 8AM to 8PM and VIRTUALLY online on Friday, December 15th from 8AM to 12PM.  
• A 1st grade sign-up was sent to 1st grade families and a 2nd grade sign-up to 2nd grade families. 
• You may not request a virtual conference on the in-person day or an in-person conference on the virtual conference day, and parents may not request a conference outside the conference windows.  
• If you missed the signup, please contact your child’s literacy or math teachers to set one up.  
• Report cards and updated MAP testing data will come home in Friday Folders on Wednesday. We will reference these during our conferences on Thursday and Friday, so please have these available.  

• Cold Weather: 

• Front Doors open at 7:45; a.m. doors may open as early as 7:40 a.m. in inclement weather 
• Recess – In good conditions, students usually go outside in cold weather; precipitation/wind/ground conditions affect the decision. 

• Clothing – Please send your student with clothes appropriate for the weather conditions. This often includes dressing in layers in Colorado as temperatures can swing from freezing in the morning to 60’s in the afternoon! 
• Label It – We recommend that you add your student’s name inside their jackets and coats as they’ve been known to leave them outside! 
• In need of cold weather gear? – Contact our K-6 Counselor, Ms. Alexa Kinslow  

• Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. In addition, we have 2 snack times, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.  

• Emergency snacks are provided to students who do not have a snack (while supplies last). 

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  
• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 
• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 
• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• December Advocacy:   

• December is focused on the Greater Good, which is a time for us to consider how we can leverage our strengths and use the skills we have learned and practiced throughout the year to leave a positive impact on our community and the larger world. 

• Specials: Our special is I-lab We will continue in this special until December 13. We will switch to PE on January 8. 

• Holiday Shop: Every year, Westgate hosts a Holiday Shop in the teachers’ lounge. This gives the students a chance to shop for loved ones. 

• Each class will preview the shop during the school day on Monday. No shopping is allowed during the preview time. 

• Students must have cash, a check or voucher to enter the shop during shopping times. 

• Student purchases will be bagged and stapled shut. 

• After School (M-Th) - Students must be with their parent/guardian.  

• It is recommended that students in K-2 shop after school with a parent/guardian, not during the school day. 

• NO REFUNDS/EXCHANGES 

• Winter Parent-Teacher Conferences 

• Our Winter conferences will be held IN-PERSON at Westgate on Thursday, December 14th from 8AM to 8PM and VIRTUALLY online on Friday, December 15th from 8AM to 12PM.  

• A 1^st grade sign up was sent to 1^st grade families and a 2^nd grade sign up was sent to 2^nd grade families. 

• You may not request a virtual conference on the in-person day or an in-person conference on the virtual conference day, and parents may not request a conference outside the conference windows.  

• Cold Weather: 

• Front Doors open at 7:45; a.m. doors may open as early as 7:40 a.m. in inclement weather 

• Recess – In good conditions, students usually go outside in cold weather; precipitation/wind/ground conditions affect the decision. 

• Clothing – Please send your student with clothes appropriate for the weather conditions. This often includes dressing in layers in Colorado as temperatures can swing from freezing in the morning to 60’s in the afternoon! 

• Label It – We recommend that you add your student’s name inside their jackets and coats as they’ve been known to leave them outside! 

• In need of cold weather gear? – Contact our K-6 Counselor, Ms. Alexa Kinslow  

• Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. In addition, we have 2 snack times, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.  

• Emergency snacks are provided to students who do not have a snack (while supplies last). 

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  

• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 

• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 

• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• December Advocacy:   

• December is focused on the Greater Good, which is a time for us to consider how we can leverage our strengths and use the skills we have learned and practiced throughout the year to leave a positive impact on our community and the larger world. 

K

• Specials: Our special is I-lab. We will continue in this special until December 13. 

• Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Senior Hub 

• The Senior Hub is a nonprofit organization in Northglenn serving Adams County seniors, and they are in dire need of donations of nonperishable food items. 
• Donations are being collected in the PM carline Monday – Thursday from November 13 – November 16.  
• Click here for a list of suggested items. 

• Cold Weather: 

• Front Doors open at 7:45; a.m. doors may open as early as 7:40 a.m. in inclement weather 
• Recess – In good conditions, students usually go outside in cold weather; precipitation/wind/ground conditions affect the decision. 
• Clothing – Please send your student with clothes appropriate for the weather conditions. This often includes dressing in layers in Colorado as temperatures can swing from freezing in the morning to 60’s in the afternoon! 
• Label It – We recommend that you add your student’s name inside their jackets and coats as they’ve been known to leave them outside! 
• In need of cold weather gear? – Contact our K-6 Counselor, Ms. Alexa Kinslow  

• Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. In addition, we have 2 snack times, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.  

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  
• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 

• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 
• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• November Advocacy:  

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 seeing the positive impact of this focus on happiness and togetherness throughout our school.  

• Specials: Our special is Art. We will continue in this special until November 9. We will switch to I-Lab on November 13.  

• Hearing and Vision Screenings: Hearing and vision screenings help identify students who may have issues that are potential barriers to student learning.  

• K-2 Hearing and Vision Screenings are on Tuesday, November 7, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

• Please have your students wear their glasses or contacts on screening day. 

• Cold Weather: 

• Front Doors open at 7:45; a.m. doors may open as early as 7:40 a.m. in inclement weather 
• Recess – In good conditions, students usually go outside in cold weather; precipitation/wind/ground conditions affect the decision. 

• Clothing – Please send your student with clothes appropriate for the weather conditions. This often includes dressing in layers in Colorado as temperatures can swing from freezing in the morning to 60’s in the afternoon! 
• Label It – We recommend that you add your student’s name inside their jackets and coats as they’ve been known to leave them outside! 
• In need of cold weather gear? – Contact our K-6 Counselor, Ms. Alexa Kinslow  

• Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. In addition, we have 2 snack times, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.  

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  
• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 
• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 

• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• November Advocacy:  

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 seeing the positive impact of this focus on happiness and togetherness throughout our school.  

• Specials: Our new special is ART Don’t forget to subscribe to Mrs. M’s edlio page to get updates about this class. We will continue in this special until November 10. 

• Halloween Party: Tuesday, October 31st from 2:30-3:15 PM.   

• A sign-up genius was emailed to families on Tuesday, Oct. 17. If you signed up to bring items for our party, please remember to only send store-bought, individually wrapped items with a nutrition label.  Items can be sent to school with your child any time prior to our 1st & 2nd Grade Pod party. Please make sure that all items are labeled 1-2 party before dropping them off. 

• Costume Expectations for Classroom Halloween Parties 

• No Masks. 
• No Full-Face Face Paint (except what a student can apply themselves in the time they have to get ready before the party).   
• 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. 
• K-8 students may NOT WEAR COSTUMES TO SCHOOL.  All students will be given time to change into their costumes.  Students will be in classes during the morning. 

• HS students may wear costumes to school, but all expectations must be followed. 

• Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. In addition, we have 2 snack times, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.  

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  
• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 
• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 
• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• Advocacy:  

• In 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  

• Specials: Our new special is Art Don’t forget to subscribe to Mrs. M’s edlio page to get updates about this class. We will continue in this special until November 10. 

• 2nd Quarter Clubs - Sign Up Now! 

• Club registration is open through October 27 at 4 p.m. 
• Visit Westgate's Club page on the school's website to view details or download a flyer 
• 16 club options for Quarter 2! 

• Clubs will run from the week of 10/23 through the week of 12/8. (No clubs during Thanksgiving Break; the week of 11/20.) 

• Halloween Party: Tuesday, October 31st from 2:30-3:15 PM.   

• A sign-up genius was emailed to families on Tuesday, Oct. 17. If you signed up to bring items for our party, please remember to only send store-bought, individually wrapped items with a nutrition label.  Items can be sent to school with your child any time prior to our 1st & 2nd Grade Pod party. Please make sure that all items are labeled 1-2 party before dropping them off. 
• Please contact your child's advocacy teacher if you would like to volunteer for our party.  You must have a current background check on file in order to volunteer. We will contact volunteers who are selected to assist with the party. 

• Costume Expectations for Classroom Halloween Parties 

• No Masks. 
• No Full-Face Face Paint (except what a student can apply themselves in the time they have to get ready before the party).   
• 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. 
• K-8 students may NOT WEAR COSTUMES TO SCHOOL.  All students will be given time to change into their costumes.  Students will be in classes during the morning. 
• HS students may wear costumes to school, but all expectations must be followed. 

• Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. In addition, we have 2 snack times, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.  

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  
• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 
• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 
• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• Advocacy:  

• In 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  

• Specials: Our new special is ART. Don’t forget to subscribe to Miss H's edlio page to get updates about this class. We will continue in this special until November 10. 

• 2nd Grade Zoo Field Trip:  

2nd grade students will be going to the Denver Zoo this Wednesday, October 18th to take part in their Secret Science Days Program. Permission Slips were sent via email. 2nd grade will be away from campus from 9:30-2:00. Please send your 2nd grade student with a sack lunch and comfortable walking shoes for the day. (Please note that 1st grade will be going on a field trip later in the year and will be staying at school on this day.) 

• 2nd Quarter Clubs - Sign Up Now! 

• Club registration is open through October 27 at 4 p.m. 
• Visit Westgate's Club page on the school's website to view details or download a flyer 
• 16 club options for Quarter 2! 

• Clubs will run from the week of 10/23 through the week of 12/8. (No clubs during Thanksgiving Break; the week of 11/20.) 

• Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. In addition, we have 2 snack times, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.  

• Volunteers 

• Thank you, volunteers! Your help is greatly appreciated.  
• Complete an online Volunteer Interest Form 
• Complete a background check. Cost is $20.95 
• Complete a Volunteer Agreement Form 

• Advocacy:  

• In 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