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, lunch bags, etc.) then they will receive a stamp on their hand from the Zero Hero Team.

**students who have school lunch will qualify if they accurately sort their lunch into the appropriate bins – trash and recycling.

Why Focus on Lunches?

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. Hopefully, this will instill changes that will go far beyond Wednesdays during lunch time at Westgate!

• School doors open at 7:45am
• School pick-up is from 3:30-4:00pm
• It will be hot, so pack a water bottle if you can
• We have snack every morning, so don’t forget to pack one! 
• Even though it’s the first day, don’t forget your backpack or lunch (if you need help signing up for our free school lunches, send me an email)

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!