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Mrs. Haworth, Advocacy

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April Advocacy Update

Hello 7/8 Families!

Welcome to April! As we come back from Spring Break, we have a few things we would like to let you know. The Advocacy theme for April will be Social Awareness and Community Engagement. There will also be a focus on the global community with an emphasis on Earth Day and what we can to do keep our environment healthy for future generations.

April will also include both CMAS and MAPS testing which we will be starting the first week back. Below you can find a list for the testing that will be taking place. During testing we have divided up the afternoons so that students will get an even mix of their morning and afternoon content classes. We ask that do their best to get a good amount of sleep each night, they have a good breakfast and are present at school during testing.

Week

7th Grade

8th Grade

4/8 – 4/12
  • MAPS Testing Thursday and Friday AM
  • Science CMAS Tuesday AM and Wednesday AM and PM
  • MAPS Testing Thursday and Friday AM

4/15 – 4/19
  • ELA CMAS Testing Tuesday – Thursday AM
  • ELA CMAS Testing Tuesday – Thursday AM

4/22 – 4/26
  • Math CMAS Testing Tuesday – Thursday AM
  • Math CMAS Testing Tuesday – Thursday AM

 

Please email me with any questions or concerns.

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! ❤️ 

March Updates

Greetings 7/8 Families!

 

As we approach March and April there are some field trips, I would like you to know about. This way you can mark your calendars and be on the lookout in your email for the corresponding permission forms. Here are the field trip dates that we currently have.

 

Thu. 29 Feb.​

7th grade students will be going on a special field trip to Wild Bear Nature Center in Nederland for snow school. This permission form has been emailed. Please make sure you have both signed the permission slip and paid the $10 fee. If you need to pay, use this link: Westgate payment portal

 

Fri. 1 Mar.​

8th grade students will be going on a special field trip to Wild Bear Nature Center in Nederland for snow school. This permission form has been emailed. Please make sure you have both signed the permission slip and paid the $10 fee. If you need to pay, use this link: Westgate payment portal

 

Wed. 13 Mar.​

7th grade will be going on a field trip to the Museum of Nature and Science to learn about the mummification process used by the ancient Egyptians. The details and the permission form will be sent our shortly. We will need roughly 5-6 volunteers for this field trip. If you are available, please mark this on the permission form.

 

Wed. 13 Mar.​

8th grade will be going on a field trip to the Colorado History Museum to learn about the Native American tribes indigenous to the state of Colorado. . The details and the permission form will be sent our shortly. We will need roughly 5-6 volunteers for this field trip. If you are available, please mark this on the permission form.

 

Th. 21 Mar.

               8th grade will be holding a fundraiser for their Civil War reenactment in the High School from 6-8 pm.

 

Fri. 26 Apr.​

8th grade students will be participating in a Civil War Reenactment. Students will get trained and outfitted at Westgate on April 19th and then, along with other schools, reenact the Battle of Antietam at Chatfield State Park. More details and the permission form will be sent our shortly. We will need roughly 5-6 volunteers for this field trip. If you are available, please mark this on the permission form.

 

Please email with any questions or concerns.

January Advocacy

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:

  • 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:

  • 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!

October Advocacy 2023

Hello 7th and 8th grade families! 

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 

We have many activities coming up for the month of October. Please be aware of the following dates: 

  • Oct. 18th – Spirit Night at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (144th location) 
  • Oct. 20th – Trunk or Treat  
  • Oct. 24th - Spirit Night at Parry's Pizzaria & Taphouse 
  • Oct. 25th – picture retake day (must bring the original photo packet) 
  • Oct. 31st - Halloween party (more information to come)

Please reach out with any questions or concerns and have a great month! 

September Advocacy

Hi 7/8 families! 
 
This month in advocacy, we will be focusing on self-awareness. 
 
September: Self-Awareness

KNOWING YOURSELF IS THE BEGINNING OF ALL WISDOM.

Aristotle

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand one's own thoughts, emotions, strengths, growth areas, and values. It involves being conscious of how one's actions and behaviors impact oneself and others. Self-awareness is a crucial skill that contributes to personal growth, emotional intelligence, and overall well-being. 
 
Throughout September, Westgate Community School students will apply self-awareness in the following areas, through explicit instruction and purposeful practice, to improve their academic and personal development:
  1. Academic Performance
    1. Identify learning preferences, strengths, and areas for improvement
    2. Adopt effective student strategies and seek appropriate support when needed
    3. Set realistic goals, manage time efficiently, and monitor progress
  2. Emotional Intelligence
    1. Recognize and manage one's own emotions
    2. Understand others' emotions and empathize with peers
    3. Self-regulate emotions to make better decisions and have self-control
    4. Foster positive relationships and reduce conflicts in school environment 
  3. Social Skills
    1. Understand how a student's actions and words impact others
    2. Develop effective communication skills
    3. Active listening
    4. Conflict resolution
    5. Inclusive school climate
  4. Personal Growth & Well-being
    1. Reflect on values, beliefs, and personal goals
    2. Make informed choices about education, career paths, and personal development
    3. Recognize and manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges
  5. Leadership and Responsibility
    1. Understand strengths and areas of growth
    2. Develop leadership skills and take responsibility for actions
    3. Recognize impact on the school community
    4. Participate in extracurricular activities
    5. Volunteer and advocate for causes students believe in 
 
In our service learning with Ms. Charlie, we will going through the process of adopting a class pet! This past month, we spent researching and have decided as a class that we will be adopting a pet gecko! This month, we will email admin about why we want a class pet, how we plan on teaching younger grades about the pet, and applying for our grant.
 
Important dates coming up: 
  • September 8th - picture day 
  • September 20th - all missing work due 
  • September 22nd - grades due for teachers
  • September 22nd - Wild Style Fun Run 
  • September 27th - spirit night at Noodles & Company 
  • September 28th - high school information night (virtual) 
  • October 2nd - no school/ in-person conferences 
  • October 3rd - no school/ virtual conferences 
  • October 2-13 - Fall Break
 
Please reach out with any questions or concerns! 
 

Welcome to Advocacy 23/24

Hello Advocacy Families!

I am Allie Haworth (I go by Mrs. Haworth) 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.

This is my second year at Westgate and I feel as if I have finally found where I belong! I began by teaching small group intervention math 4 years ago. I decided I wanted to be a full classroom teacher and taught 7th grade math for one year and realized that math isn't where I belong. I received my B.S. in geology with an environmental concentration from Colorado State University in 2018 and wanted to follow my love of science, which is where Westgate comes into play!

I believe very much in the growth mindset. Every student is capable of learning new and challenging things in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable to make mistakes and learn. It's up to the teacher to create that environment and foster a love of learning!

When I am not in the classroom, you will find me at home with my husband and our 2 children. I have a three-year-old, Torin, and a 7-month-old, Freya. When I am able to have some free time with two littles, I love to hike, attend concerts, complete puzzles and collect cool rocks!

I have subscribed you to my Advocacy page and my classroom pages, so you will receive updates to your email automatically. On my pages, I will be posting academic information on my Edlio every week for you to look at. Monthly, I will post Advocacy specific information.

A new Student Use of Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices Policy has been created for this year. Since it is a new policy, I would like to go over it with you so that you can speak to your student about these changes.

Westgate has opted to add further restrictions to student possession and use of personal electronic devices at out school based on frequent and pervasive disruptions to our educational environment caused by these devices. The following Westgate policy includes the possession and use of cell phones, tablets of any kid, smart watches, ear buds, handheld video game systems, air tags, personal laptops , or any other device carried or worn by a student that is capable of game play or communication.

  1. It is recommended that your student does not bring any unnecessary devices to school at all.
  2. Cell phones will be collected at the start of the day and kept in a locked box in each of the 5th through 8th grade classrooms. Cell phones may not be carried throughout the day by any student. Refusal to put the phone in the lockbox at the start of the day will be considered a violation of this policy.
  3. Any other devices brought to school must remain in a backpack, to be stored in the students’ advocacy classroom in the designated backpack area and should be always in the off position.
  4. Devices of any kind, including personal cell phones, are not permitted to be carried by a student on their person during school hours. This includes being carried inside their pockets, hoodies, purses, fanny packs, undergarments, tec.
  5. Air pods or ear buds of any kind cannot be used at school at any time.
  6. Smart watches or any other kind of watch used for purposes other than telling time will be confiscated according to the policy.

The first week, students will be able to explore all the different options for Specials class. These include P.E., Music, Art, Design Thinking and Journalism. At the end of the week, they will choose their Specials classes. Once this happens, you will need to subscribe to the Specials teacher’s Edlio page once they are rostered on Monday, January 9th.

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 our various environments, and then we CELEBRATE when we see students doing those things! At Westgate, we RISE (Respect, Integrity, Safety, Empathy).

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 new school year and getting to know you and your student! Please reach out with any questions or concerns!