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Mr. Gale, Advocacy

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Gale Advocacy - May

Hello families!
 
Take a look at this list of important events coming up-- we have quite a busy May! I'm looking forward to the last month of school- if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. For the rest of May, we will be focusing on Self Care & Wellness in Advocacies.
 
Date Event
May 6-10
Westgate Earth Week!
This week we will be focusing on taking care of the planet.
You can drop off clothes for the Clothing Swap during PM carline.
May 6-10
Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 8th Reader's Theater -- Ms. Emby and Mr. Gale's Language Arts Only
May 8th Earth Day Field Day
May 9th
Great Global Clean-Up 
Send students to school with good shoes and a coat if it's chilly! We'll be spending an hour cleaning up and taking care of our campus in honor of Westgate Earth Week.
May 10th
Westgate Clothing Swap!
Instead of keeping or throwing away your children's clothing that they don’t wear or love anymore, you can give these items a new life. The benefits are apparent – it is better for your pocket and the environment. You can take whatever you like that fits you well free of charge! That way, you will get “new” free clothes, and the ones you don’t want anymore will find a new owner – so it is a win-win!
May 15th
Night of the Notables! 
this is an after-school event which students are strongly encouraged to attend. They will be presenting a huge research project they have completed in social studies!
May 17th
Final 3-4 Field Trip - To Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Please be sure you have signed the permission slip.
May 27th No School - Memorial Day
May 29th 3-4 Continuation from 10:15-11am
May 30
Half Day and Carnival
This will be a half day, and also Carnival and Open House. Carnival will be from 2-6, Open House from 3-5.
May 31 Our last day and a half day!

CMAS Testing Schedule

It is time for CMAS testing! CMAS testing for 3rd and 4th grade will take place between April 15th and April 26th. 
 
On Tuesday, April 16th through Thursday, April 18th, we will be taking the CMAS Math test.
 
On Tuesday, April 22nd through Thursday, April 25th, we will be taking the CMAS ELA test.
 
Testing is done in the morning. All students who come in late during testing times will not be permitted to enter the classroom. We encourage parents to not pick up students during testing. 
 
Students are encouraged to eat a big breakfast and get a good night's sleep if they can. This can be a stressful time for some, but they've got this!!
 
 
As a side note, some families choose to opt out of CMAS. If you want to opt-out, please complete the form here: Opt-Out Form.If you are opting out, you must state specifically which assessment you are opting out of (ELA and/or Math).
 

Gale Advocacy 2/26/24

Hello families!
 
We have a few important dates coming up for you to keep in mind!
 
1. Conferences will take place March 7th and 8th. On Thursday March 7th, conferences will be in-person. On Friday, March 8th, conferences will be virtual. Conference sign-ups will close on Friday, March 1st so please be sure to sign up before then if you would like to have a conference.
 
2. If you want to speak with the specials teachers students had this quarter, you will need to sign up for a separate conference. This quarter our class had I-Lab and Art. Please click HERE for the conference link for I-Lab and HERE for the conference link for Art.
 
3. We have TWO field trip dates coming up.
  • On Friday, March 15th we will be visiting the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. This is NOT an overnight trip! Please fill out the permission slip (sent in an email and linked HERE) by March 12th.
  • On May 2nd we will take a trip to the Denver Zoo and then spend the night here at school! We will send out more information about this as the date approaches.
4. Class picture day is Friday, March 1st. Picture forms came home last week (I noticed some forms didn't make it into backpacks, so you'll see them today if you haven't seen them yet). 
 
5. Science Fair is coming up on March 5th! Please see your student's science page for information on that.
 
6. Spring Break is the last week of March and the first week of April. Students will not have school from March 25-April 5.
 

Mr. Gale's Advocacy- 02/05/24

Hello families! 

This month in Advocacy we are writing letters to schools across the country in the hopes that they will write back! When we receive a letter back, we will be putting a pin in a large map we are creating in our pod. 

We also have an exciting week in February, Kindness Week! 

Kindness Week and What About Valentine’s Day? 

 

Kindness Week is celebrated during the week of Valentine’s Day or the week of February 12th. It 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​

 

For kindness week, our class will walk to Innovage on Wednesday, February 14th and hand deliver kindness cards. We will be sending out permission slips shortly, so keep an eye out for that! As we will be walking to Innovage, please have your child bring a warm jacket, gloves, beanies, etc. Be prepared for the weather if necessary!​

 

We will be joined by a high school class to build community within our school as well! Sadly, we will not be having any chaperones joining us at this time, but please feel free to email me if you would like to attend our next field trip.

 

But wait… What about Valentine’s Day? At Westgate, we do not exchange cards, candy, or treats. We instead focus this time on how we can show appreciation to members of our community. 

Gale's Advocacy 12/04/23

 

Monday, Dec. 4 – Friday, Dec. 8

Holiday Shop

11:15 – 1:00 PM School Day shopping

3:30 – 4:30 After School shopping

Wednesday, Dec. 6

5:00 – 7:00 PM

Spirit Night at Skate City

200 W. 121st Avenue

Wednesday, Dec. 6

Missing and incomplete work is due
   

Thursday, Dec. 14

8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Parent Teacher Conferences (NO SCHOOL)

(In-Person, at the school only)

Friday, Dec. 15

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Parent Teacher Conferences (NO SCHOOL)

(Virtual, online only)

Monday Dec. 18 – Friday Jan. 5

Winter Break NO SCHOOL
  • Specials: Our special is PE. 
  • 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  

Gale Advocacy 11/06/23

 
   

Friday, Nov. 10

Veteran’s Day – NO SCHOOL

Saturday, Nov. 11,

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Fall Bazaar

Monday, Nov. 20 – Friday, Nov. 24

Thanksgiving Break – NO SCHOOL
  • Specials: Our special is I-Lab. We will continue in this special until November 9. We will switch to PE on November 13.
  • 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!
  • Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.
 
  • 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.

Gale's Advocacy 10/23

Dates and Announcements

 

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Spirit Night @Parry's Pizzaria & Taphouse 100 E. 120th Avenue Northglenn, CO 80233

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Individual Picture Retakes

Oct. 23 – Oct. 27

2nd Quarter Clubs begin

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2:30-3:15

Halloween Party
  • Specials: Our new special is I-Lab. 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. 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 party. Please make sure that all items are labeled 3-4 Gale 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. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.
 
  • 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

 

Gale Advoacy

 

Wednesday, Oct. 18

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Spirit Night at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

14255 Lincoln Street, Thornton, CO 80023

Friday, Oct. 20

5:00 – 7:00 PM

Trunk or Treat in the Westgate parking lot

 

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Spirit Night @Parry's Pizzaria & Taphouse 100 E. 120th Avenue Northglenn, CO 80233

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Individual Picture Retakes
 
  • 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. Healthy snacks are always the best choice. 
  • 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

Gale's Advocacy 9/18/23

Dates and Announcements

 

Friday, Sept. 22,

8:45 AM-11:15 AM

Wild Style Fun Run

5/6:  8:45-9:15

K:  9:15-9:45

3/4:  9:45-10:15

7/8 10:15-10:45

1/2:  10:45-11:15

Wednesday, Sept. 27

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Spirit Night at Noodles & CO

 

14375 Orchard Pkwy, Ste 600,

Westminster, CO 80023

25% of qualifying sales will go directly to Westgate!

Monday, Oct. 2

8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

IN PERSON Parent-Teacher Conferences at Westgate

NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Tuesday, Oct. 3

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences online

NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Wednesday, Oct. 4 – Sunday Oct. 15

Fall Break - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
  • Specials: Our special is ART. 
  • Wild Style Fun Run – September 22
  • Students received their FREE ‘You Design-It T-shirt’ on Friday, September 15. Students are encouraged to bedazzle, paint, tear, decorate, or sew their t-shirts, so they can display their “Wild Style” as they raise awareness and funds.
  • Our goals are to change behaviors, and raise awareness and funds to support health, wellness, and fitness at Westgate. Give on behalf of your student at: Wild Style Fun Run Donations
  • Click here for details
 
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences:
  • Our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held IN PERSON on Monday, October 2nd from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Virtual on Tuesday, October 3rd from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please note that Tuesday’s conferences are virtual!
  • A sign-up genius form was emailed to all families on Friday, September 15.
  • Please note that you may NOT request a virtual conference on the in-person day or an in-person conference on the virtual conference day.
  • The sign-ups will close on Wednesday, September 27th at 4:00 PM.
 
  • Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. Healthy snacks are always the best option. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks. 
 
  • Advocacy:
    • Our September Advocacy theme is Self-Awareness.
    • Learning goal: Students will practice identifying their emotions and leveraging their strengths to overcome challenges

Advocacy 9/12/23

Dates and Announcements 

Monday, Sept. 11

Missoula Children’s Theater Auditions “Cinderella”

Monday, Sept 11 – Sat. Sept. 16

“Cinderella” Rehearsals

Saturday, Sept. 16

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Missoula Children’s Theater Performances “Cinderella”

Friday, Sept. 22, 8:45 AM-11:15 AM

Wild Style Fun Run

5/6:  8:45-9:15

K:  9:15-9:45

3/4:  9:45-10:15

7/8 10:15-10:45

1/2:  10:45-11:15
 
  • Specials: Our new special is ART. 
  • Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. Healthy snacks are always the best option. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.
  • Change to morning carline and drop-off: Staff members are now outside and ready to assist by 7:40 a.m. every day, and the school's doors open promptly at 7:45 a.m. Our goal is for all students to be in the building by 8:00 a.m. and we believe the extra five minutes will enhance the efficiency of our morning drop-off routine. 
  • Advocacy:
    • Our September Advocacy theme is Self-Awareness.
    • Learning goal: Students will practice identifying their emotions and leveraging their strengths to overcome challenges.

Gale Advocacy 8/28/23

Dates and Announcements  

   

Mon. Aug. 28 – Thur. Aug. 31 

Spirit Week:  

Monday: Pajama Day  

Tuesday: Throwback Tuesday  

Wednesday: Crazy Hair or Hat Day 

Thursday: Dress as your favorite book/Movie/TV Character 

Wednesday, Aug. 30, 5:00-7:00 PM 

Skate Night at Skate City (200 W. 121st Avenue Westminster, CO 80234) 

Thursday, Aug. 31, 5:00-6:00 PM 

Curriculum Night Virtual Presentations 

Friday, Sept. 1 

NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day 

Monday, Sept. 4 

NO SCHOOL – Labor Day 

Friday, Sept. 8 

Individual Picture Day 

Monday, Sept. 11 

Missoula Children’s Theater Auditions “Cinderella” 

Friday, Sept. 22, 8:45 AM-11:15 AM 

Wild Style Fun Run 

5/6:  8:45-9:15 

K:  9:15-9:45 

3/4:  9:45-10:15 

7/8 10:15-10:45 

1/2:  10:45-11:15 

 Spirit Week: This week is Spirit Week. See the above schedule for the themes for each day.   

  • Curriculum Night Virtual Presentations: Thursday, August 31, 5:00-6:00  
    Teams will send information and links to families as we get closer to the date. All presentations will be recorded and links to the recordings will be sent to families.  
  • We have a 4-day weekend coming up next weekend. There is no school on Friday, September 1, and no school on Monday, September 4.   
  • Switching Academic Classes:  We have begun switching to literacy, math, science, and social studies classes. Please remember that these placements will be fluid (may change) as we gain a better understanding of the learning needs of each student and to help us find their “just right” class.   
  • Specials: Our current special is Music.  
 
  • Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. Healthy snacks are always the best option. Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.   

 

ZERO WASTE WEDNESDAYS! 

How It Works: 

  • Every Wednesday is “Zero Waste Wednesday” here at Westgate. What this means is that if students have a lunch that doesn’t use any waste AT ALL (i.e., nothing to throw away, like baggies, cans, plastic cups, paper lunch bags, etc.), then their names will be entered into a raffle. Ten raffle winners will receive recognition over the intercom on Fridays for being the Zero Heroes of the Week. 
  • *Students who have school lunch will qualify if they accurately sort their lunch into the appropriate trash and recycling AND have a reusable water bottle for the day* 
  • Bonus Recognition: If there is an entire classroom that has zero waste lunch one day, the entire class will receive recognition automatically.  
  • Extra Bonus Recognition: The class with the most days with all Zero Heroes at the end of the year will be considered the Zero Hero champions of the year! 
  • Why: 
  • The goal is for families to start the conversation about alternatives to lunch waste, like glass or plastic lunch containers, reusable lunch bags and water bottles, and cloth napkins. If a student has any item that must be thrown away (at school or at home) their names will not be entered, and they can try again next week and every week after that. Hopefully, this will instill changes that will go far beyond Wednesdays during lunchtime at Westgate. https://www.westgateschool.org/apps/pages/waste  

Mr. Gale's Advocacy 8/06/23

Hello! 

 

I am Nicholas Gale and I am your child’s Advocacy Teacher/ Advocate. Advocacy is more than a Homeroom. Advocacy classes are first and foremost a time for students to build supportive relationships with their peers and with an adult they can trust. It is a time for everyone to feel recognized and welcomed into the school community. As your child’s Advocate, I will be your primary point of communication, and I am committed to advocating for your child this year. 

 

I will be starting my 6th year here at Westgate. I am excited to teach 3rd and 4th grade this year! I graduated from Metropolitan State University with my Bachelor's in Biology with Elementary Licensure. I knew teaching was for me when I taught at the Denver Zoo for a couple of summers educating young scientists about the environment and animals around the world.  

When I am not in the classroom, I can be found rock climbing, fishing, camping, traveling, playing Dungeons and Dragons or meditating! 

 

I have subscribed you to my Advocacy page and my classroom pages, so you will receive updates to your email automatically. I will be posting an Advocacy update monthly and posting to my academic classes weekly.  Please follow this link for weekly updates, academic information, upcoming events, and other information.   

 

This quarter, your child will have Music with Mr. Hopson. You are not pre-subscribed to his Edlio page, so please go to Mr. Hopson’s page and subscribe!” 

 

This month, our August Advocacy theme is RISE!  

At Westgate, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a part of our Whole Child Education program. PBIS is a system in which students, staff, and community create a set of school-wide behavioral expectations/ core values, we teach those expectations in all of our various environments, and then we CELEBRATE when we see students doing those things! At Westgate, we RISE (Respect, Integrity, Safety, Empathy).  

Week 1 

R 

 

What does RESPECT mean? 

Being kind to people, property, and yourself. Being considerate of our community.  

Week 2 

I 

 

What does INTEGRITY mean? 

Telling the truth and doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. 

Week 3   

S 

 

What does it mean to be SAFE at school? 

Act in ways that won’t harm yourself or others. 

Week 4 

E 

 

What is EMPATHY? 

Understanding and caring about the feelings of others. 

 

We will be teaching students what these 4 words mean—focusing on a different part of RISE each week—and what it looks like to live these values out during school and at home. We will use RISE all year to celebrate positive behaviors.  

I am excited for the school year!