Ms. Papiernik, Advocacy

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CMAS Information

 
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!!

Announcements this week

Sign up for conferences using the link in the email sent on Friday. Sign up for ONE time slot 
Holiday shop will be open this week during the day and after school 
 
Monday: Preview for Holiday shop, Holiday shop will be open after school wit parent supervision only 
Thursday: Ms. Papiernik will be out all day and there is Reading MAPS  
Friday: Math MAPS 

Advocacy October

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

Free Park Pass for 4th Graders

The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, covering entrance, standard amenity, and day-use fees.
www.nps.gov
 

4th Grade Pass

Cost: Free pass valid for the duration of the 4th grader's school year though the following summer (September-August)

Available for: US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher

How to get:

  • Step 1: Get a paper voucher by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions.
  • Step 2: Exchange a printed voucher for the annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees (day use fee). Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site.
  • NOTE: Digital versions of the paper voucher, such as on smart phones or tablets, are not accepted to exchange for an annual 4th Grade Pass.

Additional Information:

Information for week of 9/25

Tuesday, September 26th is our field trip to Growing Gardens in Boulder, here are a few reminders for tomorrow. 
 
  • Bring a sack lunch, nothing that needs to be refrigerated or microwaved. 
  • Wear walking shoes, we will be on a farm/garden 
  • Wear our POD color green or a Westgate Shirt, if you don't have a Westgate or green shirt don't worry about it 
  • Dress appropriate for the weather. 
Please email with any other questions or concerns. 
 

Week of 8/28

August 28th - September 1st will be spirit week. The sprit days are: 
Monday: Pajama day 
Tuesday:  Throwback 
Wednesday: Crazy hair or hat
Thursday: Favorite book, TV,  or movie character 
Friday: No School!!! 
 

Advocacy Update

Dates and Announcements  

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 “Blackbeard the Pirate”

 

Testing: This week, we will assess students with NWEA Maps testing. Please make sure that your child is on time for school this week! Our testing in 3-4 will be Wednesday. This will help us figure out the best placement for your child in their academic classes, so please remember that their current placement is tentative as we work to make sure they can get everything they need from their class.

  • Specials: Our current special is Gym.
  • Water and Snacks: Please remember to send your child a spill-proof, reusable water bottle, that is labeled with their name. We have one snack time in the morning— healthy snacks are always the best option.  Please make sure your child knows which food is for their lunch meal and for snacks.  
  • Morning and Afternoon carline are “hug and go” only.  The staff asks that you please stay in your car and allow your child to exit the vehicle on their own.  This will allow the flow of traffic to move quickly.  
  • 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.  
  • Clubs: After-school enrichment clubs begin this week. If you would like to sign up, visit the school’s clubs page.  
  • Pete is retiring! Our facility dog Pete is retiring. His last day will be Aug. 25. Westgate is currently looking for a new facility dog. 

 

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  
  • Volunteers 
  • Advocacy:  
    • Our August Advocacy theme is RISE (Respect, Integrity, Safety, Empathy)!  
    • This week we will continue our Advocacy focus on our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program RISE.  Last week, we focused on the “R” for respect.  We talked about showing respect to others, to our community, to things in our classroom and so forth.  This week, our focus will be on the “I” in RISE which stands for Integrity.  Integrity is simply doing what is right even when nobody is looking.    

Zero Waste Wednesday's

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 name 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, let me know and the entire class will receive recognition automatically. I will keep track of the number of days your entire class has done this.
  • 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 lunch time at Westgate.

https://www.westgateschool.org/apps/pages/waste