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Mr. McGinnis, Advocacy

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May 20th - End of Year Events

May Month Theme: Self-Care and Wellness
The students finished working on their Vision Boards and they will be bringing them.  I hope that they share their visions with you! :)
 
Upcoming Events:
May 22 - Senior Walk through and celebration
May 23 - Senior Graduation
May 29 - Continuation 2:15 - 3:15
May 30 - Half day dismissal at 11:30
     - Class parties in the morning (I will be sending out a treat and drink sign-up          sheet)
     - Dismal 11:30
     - Carnival 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm (information sent home in Friday folder)
     - Open House 3:00 to 5:00pm 
May 31 - Half day dismissal at 11:30
     - Move up day for 6th graders to meet 7th/8th grade teachers

May 3rd

It's great to be back to our regular schedule, but now I feel like we're hurtling towards the end of the year! 
 
We finished out our lesson of Social Awareness and Appropriate Friendships.  
 
Next week we will be celebrating Earh Week since Earth Day fell on one of our CMAS testing days.
- Below and also in your email, look for a permission form to fill out for our Washington Street cleanup on May 9. 
 
 
Best Regards,
Travis McGinnis
5/6 Advocacy
 
Below is an opportunity for some Summer Virtual Tutoring services.  Look at the links for more information. 
 

Dear Parent,

The Orton Gillingham Institute is offering Free Summer Tutoring for Students aged 6-13 or in grades 1st-7th.

Tutoring will be provided in 3 cohorts. One in June, one in July and one in August. Each cohort will be 3-4 weeks in length and provided virtually. Each grade will have several classes and will be hosted in the following time zones: EST, CST, MST, PST. 

The form for free tutoring will open on April 22nd, 2024, at 10 am EST and will close on May 21st, 2024, at 5 pm EST unless we meet the capacity for submissions before May 21st, 2024.

Based on your address, your child will be added to the corresponding time zone.

You can register up to 3 children in this program. We ask that you only submit 1 application, as multiple submissions may result in your application being removed.

You can apply using the linked form below.

If you have any questions about the Free Summer Tutoring program offered by The Orton Gillingham Institute, please reach out to us directly. Your school administration will not be able to answer questions about form submissions and acceptance into the program. Our contact information will be listed at the bottom of this email.

The last day of submission is May 21st, 2024. Children will be placed on a first come, first served basis. We will keep the form open until May 21st, 2024, or until we have reached capacity for submissions. We encourage you to apply early.

During Tutoring the following topics May be Covered:

Phonics

Fluency

Phonemic Awareness

Comprehension

Sentence Writing and Structure

Spelling

Morphology

Expressing Ideas in Writing

Vocabulary and Word knowledge

Syllabication and Syllable Division

And much more.

We specialize in reading intervention and will provide free tutoring covering many of the subjects above.

You may complete the form for free Summer Tutoring offered by The Orton Gillingham Institute by clicking on the link below. Please remember 1 submission per family.

You may read more about our testing and tutoring programs by visiting our website at: https://ortongillinghaminstitute.com/virtual-tutoring

___________________________________________________________________________

Free Tutoring Registration Form: 

https://form.jotform.com/241114406097046

If you have any questions please call (917) 563-2022 or Email: [email protected].



Best, 

The Orton Gillingham Institute

(917) 563-2022

https://ortongillinghaminstitute.com/

 

 

Week of April 15-19

This week's CMAS testing:

Monday and Friday will be the normal schedule.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will be CMAS testing in the morning and the students will not have Special on these three days. 
  • 5th grade will be CMAS testing from 9:15 - 10:45
  • 6th grade will be CMAS testing from 8:15 - 10:45
  • 10:45 - 11:45 we will have regular Math. 
  • From recess to the end of the day the schedule will be normal.
The Advocacy focus for this month will be self-awareness and learning to use social cues to adjust their self to each situation. 

Week of March 4th

Greetings 5/6 Families,
 
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! ❤️ 
 
Also, if you missed getting a slot for conferences but would like to meet with a specific teacher, please contact Ms. Calder to see what times are available. 
 
For those who did schedule conferences, we look forward to seeing you Thursday in person or Friday virtually. 
 
Best Regards,
 
Mr. McGinnis

A Note from Mr. Rowan to 5/6 Families

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]. 

Here is a link to the form. 

Sincerely, 

Mr. Rowan’s Advocacy 

Upcoming 5th & 6th Grade Field Trip (separate) Permission Slip and Chaperone Requests

We have two different field trips coming up: one for 5th grade, the other for 6th grade. Sign your child up using the link that matches their grade level. 

Dear 5th grade families,

Our students will be going on a field trip to the Denver Art Museum on Tuesday, February 27th from 9:45-2:00pm. Please complete the permission form here by Monday, February 26th. During the field trip, students will be participating in a program called Perception Games.

We are in search of 4 adult chaperones for the day. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please complete the background check via the Westgate website (if you have not done so this year already) and then email [email protected]. Note that not all parents who complete background checks will be selected to chaperone for this field trip.

Dear 6th grade families,

Our students will be going on a field trip to CU Fiske Planetarium on Tuesday, March 5th from 9:30-2:00pm. Please complete the permission form here by Monday, March 4th. During the field trip, students will be attending a lesson called “Climate Change in Our Backyards” and an activity with CU’s Environmental program.

We are in search of 4 adult chaperones for the day. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please complete the background check via the Westgate website (if you have not done so this year already) and then email [email protected]. Note that not all parents who complete background checks will be selected to chaperone for this field trip.

Best Regards,

Mr. McGinnis

Week of 2/5 - 2/9

February's Advocacy Theme is Empathy
 
The week of Valentine's Day we will celebrate Kindness Week.  Each day will have a different theme and activity that goes with the theme.  Please see the following schedule. 
 

Friday, February 9th â€“ Introduction to Kindness Week 2024​

Monday, February 12th â€“ Words of Affirmation​

Tuesday, February 13th â€“ Quality Time​

Wednesday, February 14th â€“ Acts of Service​

Thursday, February 15th â€“ Gift Giving​

No school for students on Friday, February 16th

I'm sending a permission slip for a Kindness walk to Primrose on Wednesday, February 14, where the students will be delivering the cards that they will be making this week.  

Permission slip: https://forms.office.com/r/XxQKTY7e8E

Week of January 8th - Welcome Back!

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!

Week of 11/27

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.

Week of 11/13

Westgate is hosting a Thanksgiving food drive, Monday November 13 through Thursday, November 16.  Please send any non-perishable food items to school or you can also drop off items during carline from 3:30-4:00.  We have set a goal for 1,000!  Let's beat it! We will be donating the items to Seniorhub.  
 
Let's make a difference in our community!
 
Reminder,
this week is a full week of school and then the students will be off the following week, November 20-24 for Thanksgiving break.  My wish is that you all have a restful and wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Week of 10/30

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. 

October 16 - 20

Welcome back!
 
I hope that you all had a great Fall Break! (If this is the first time you're receiving an email me from me for Advocacy, I apologize it's taken me a quarter to fix this. I've been missing your contact in the Edlio system that notifies you of the updates made on the school webpage>Academics>ClassPages>5/6th)
 
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.

Thursday, September 21st, Washington Street Clean Up

Greetings Families,
 
Thursday, September 21st, your child has the opportunity to serve the community. We regularly give back to the community by walking down and up Washington Street from the school to 120th, picking up litter to keep our street clean. In order to participate in this walking field trip, we need your consent. Please click on the link to the form to give us your consent. Thank you!