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Ms. Calder, Advocacy, 5/6

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January 27-31

Reminder Skate City will be happening on Wednesday, January 29 from 5:00 to 7:00.  We would love to have our Advocacy help show support for Westgate!
 
Kindness Week will be happening February 10 - 14.  Please read the posts from earlier weeks.  
 
Special reminders:
We will be having a food drive with a specific item for each day:

Monday – Spice it up Monday; dried herbs and spices​

Tuesday – Pasta Tuesday​; Dried pasta in boxes​

Wednesday – Veggie Wednesday​; Canned vegetables​

Thursday – Toiletry Thursday​; Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels​

Friday – Fruit-filled Friday​; Canned fruits

Our goal as a school is to collect 1,500 items. 
 
Also, I emailed out a permission slip for us to go on our Kindness Walk on February 14 to the Hope Montessori Academy.  Please fill out the form as soon as possible. 
 
Thank you!

January 21 - 24

Reminder Westgate will have Skate City Night on, Wednesday, January 29 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There should have been a flyer that went home in the Friday folder.  If you have any questions, please let me know. 
 
The Advocacy with the most students will earn $150 for the class.  
 
 

Dear Westgate Families, 

Kindness Week is Monday, February 10th through Friday February 14th. A few things for you to know about: 

  • We do not exchange Valentines cards, candy, or treats at school. If your student arrives with Valentine’s cards, candy, or treats, they will be asked to put them back into their backpack to be taken home.
  • Get your Kindness Day permission slip (virtually emailed to families) signed by Wednesday February 12th. Classes will be walking to different nearby businesses to deliver hand-made kindness cards to local businesses on Friday, February 14th. We do not need any chaperones for these trips.  
  • Be prepared to go rain or shine on Friday, February 14th (half day) – bring a warm jacket, gloves, beanies, etc. If needed because we will be walking outside. 

NEW this year – Kindness Week Food Drive! Let’s spread some kindness by collecting non-perishable food items for A Precious Child. The details: 

  • Bring non-perishable food items to your advocacy class from Monday, February 10th – Friday, February 14th. 
  • Last year in November we collected 1,100 non-perishable food items! Help us reach our goal of 1,500 this year! 

Monday, February 10th: Spice it up Monday - Dried herbs and spices 

Tuesday, February 11th: Pasta Tuesday - Dried pasta in boxes 

Wednesday, February 12th: Veggie Wednesday - Canned vegetables 

Thursday, February 13th: Toiletry Thursday - Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels 

Friday, February 14th: Fruit-filled Friday - Canned fruits 

 

In addition, there are different advocacy themes for each day aligned with the different love languages. Here’s a list of things that you can do to support your student’s learning at home. 

Monday, February 10th: Words of Affirmation 

Kindness Week Challenge #1 – Use kind words of affirmation with 3 or more other people you see today. It could be a family member, friend, teacher, grocery store worker, or anyone else. Set aside a few minutes daily where each person gives a positive word or phrase to another family member. 

Tuesday, February 11th: Quality Time 

Kindness Week Challenge #2 – Spend at least 30 minutes of quality time with yourself or someone you love today after school. Have a family game night, movie or show night, cook or bake something as a family, enjoy story time, crafts, exercise, or even some yard work together. 

Wednesday, February 12th: Acts of Service 

Kindness Week Challenge #3 – Do another act of service for someone when you get home! Cook a meal for the family, organize a shared space, help each other with chores, plan a relaxation evening, do a surprise improvement project, or care for a pet together. 

Thursday, February 13th: Gift Giving 

Kindness Week Challenge #4: Deliver the gift you made today in class to the person you made it for. Talk about how giving someone a gift made you feel. Dedicate an evening to creating homemade gifts for each other, create a family shared photo album, playlist, or video.  

Friday, February 14th: Kindness Day (Half Day) - various walking trips 

Kindness Week Challenge #5: Create a family “Compliment Jar”. Place a jar in a common area. Family members can write positive affirmations or compliments about each other on small pieces of paper and drop them in the jar. 

 

January 21 - 24

We will continue with Module 6 reading
"Neil Armstong: One Giant Leap for Mankind" working on the reading skills of Vocabulary and Ask and Answer questions.  
  For writing, the students will be continue working on their Argumentative essay by researching and start their rough draft. 

January 13 - 17

I hope that you all had an amazing and wonderful break!!
 
For the month of January, the theme for Advocacy will be Growth Mindset where we will be spending time changing our language to support positive outcomes even if we don't get something the first time! 
 
On Wednesday, we will be spending time on our Service-Learning project of Culture Awareness.  The students have been put into groups and will start researching to start the preparation for our Culture Awareness Fair (date to still be determined) 
 

As we think about Kindness week below is information of how we celebrate Kindness Week in February:

 

Dear Westgate Families, 

Kindness Week is Monday, February 10th through Friday February 14th. A few things for you to know about: 

  • We do not exchange Valentines cards, candy, or treats at school. If your student arrives with Valentine’s cards, candy, or treats, they will be asked to put them back into their backpack to be taken home.
  • Get your Kindness Day permission slip (virtually emailed to families) signed by Wednesday February 12th. Classes will be walking to different nearby businesses to deliver hand-made kindness cards to local businesses on Friday, February 14th. We do not need any chaperones for these trips.  
  • Be prepared to go rain or shine on Friday, February 14th (half day) – bring a warm jacket, gloves, beanies, etc. If needed because we will be walking outside. 

NEW this year – Kindness Week Food Drive! Let’s spread some kindness by collecting non-perishable food items for A Precious Child. The details: 

  • Bring non-perishable food items to your advocacy class from Monday, February 10th – Friday, February 14th. 
  • Last year in November we collected 1,100 non-perishable food items! Help us reach our goal of 1,500 this year! 

Monday, February 10th: Spice it up Monday - Dried herbs and spices 

Tuesday, February 11th: Pasta Tuesday - Dried pasta in boxes 

Wednesday, February 12th: Veggie Wednesday - Canned vegetables 

Thursday, February 13th: Toiletry Thursday - Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels 

Friday, February 14th: Fruit-filled Friday - Canned fruits 

 

In addition, there are different advocacy themes for each day aligned with the different love languages. Here’s a list of things that you can do to support your student’s learning at home. 

Monday, February 10th: Words of Affirmation 

Kindness Week Challenge #1 – Use kind words of affirmation with 3 or more other people you see today. It could be a family member, friend, teacher, grocery store worker, or anyone else. Set aside a few minutes daily where each person gives a positive word or phrase to another family member. 

Tuesday, February 11th: Quality Time 

Kindness Week Challenge #2 – Spend at least 30 minutes of quality time with yourself or someone you love today after school. Have a family game night, movie or show night, cook or bake something as a family, enjoy story time, crafts, exercise, or even some yard work together. 

Wednesday, February 12th: Acts of Service 

Kindness Week Challenge #3 – Do another act of service for someone when you get home! Cook a meal for the family, organize a shared space, help each other with chores, plan a relaxation evening, do a surprise improvement project, or care for a pet together. 

Thursday, February 13th: Gift Giving 

Kindness Week Challenge #4: Deliver the gift you made today in class to the person you made it for. Talk about how giving someone a gift made you feel. Dedicate an evening to creating homemade gifts for each other, create a family shared photo album, playlist, or video.  

Friday, February 14th: Kindness Day (Half Day) - various walking trips 

Kindness Week Challenge #5: Create a family “Compliment Jar”. Place a jar in a common area. Family members can write positive affirmations or compliments about each other on small pieces of paper and drop them in the jar. 

 

December 16-20

Happy last week in December!
 
We will continue our theme of Generosity this week, and on Wednesday we will be working on our Service-Learning theme of culture awareness. 
 
Reminder:
Winter Break will start on December 20 and the students will return on January 13, 2025.  I hope that you all have a safe and glorious Holiday Season!

December 9 - 13

Advocacy this week we will continue discussing the topic of Generosity! 
 
This week the students will preview the Holiday Shop on Monday.  The Holiday shop will be open during the following times:
 
Monday after school 3:30 - 4:30 
Shop hours
Monday through Friday 11- 1 and 3:30 - 4:30 M, T, Th, F; 
Wednesday has an extended hour 3:30 - 5:30 
 
During the school day students need to have money to purchase items, and afterschool the students need to have a parent present. 
 
Tuesday and Wednesday of this week the students will be taking the MAP assessment starting at 9:15; Tuesday will be the Reading MAPS assessment and Wednesday will be the Math MAPS assessment.  
 
Have a wonderful week! 

December 2 - 6

I hope that you had an amazing Thanksgiving with your family and friends. 
 
For the month of the December is Advocacy the theme is generosity.  We will be spending time embracing the season of giving.  
 
Next week the 5th and 6th graders will be taking the MAPS assessment for reading and math on December 10 and 11 at 9:15 to show the progress that the students are making.  Please make sure that students are eating a good breakfast, getting of rest and that they are present for the assessment. Thank you in advance for your support.  
 
Have a wonderful week!

November 18 - 22

Happy week before Thanksgiving!
 
We will continue working on our gratitude lessons this week in Advocacy. 
 
The 5 / 6 POD has decided to keep Rubik' cube out of our classrooms.  The Rubik's cubes have become in problem in our classrooms and distracting students from their academics.  Please help us in keep the Rubik's cubes at home.  If students need fidgets, they should be a one hand tool that helps the child focus. If the fidget becomes a distraction to themself or others, we will remind the students, the purpose of fidgets. Thank you for your support in helping our students be successful.  If you have any questions, please reach out to me. 
 
Reminders:
Next week is Thanksgiving Break and I hope that you have a wonderful time with family and friends! :)

November 12-15

I hope that you all enjoyed your days off!
 
After we finish, catching up with the October theme of using your voice we will focus on the following objectives for the rest of November. 
 

Advocacy Theme & Learning Goals for November  

-Students will look at their skills, abilities, accomplishments, loved ones, and many things they do have to identify what they are grateful for.  

-Students will increase their well-being and happiness with activities that promote a sense of togetherness and belonging with their advocacy and families.   

-Students will reflect upon their successes and improvements using a self-reflection tool, and consider how they’ve changed, and to reflect on the people who made their progress possible.

 

Reminder about chilly weather and recess:

Recess & Cold Weather  

Students will go outside for recess (and occasional classes) if the temperature is higher than 20 degrees and if it is not actively snowing. With that in mind, please send your students to school on cold days with warm winter clothing items. A waterproof down jacket, layers, beanies, gloves, wool socks, and scarves are a great way to set your student up for success. We also recommend putting their name in the tag of their jackets to help prevent lost jackets. If your student needs affordable winter items, there are a few locations that sell them nearby:  

Precious Child  

Clothes to Kids of Denver  

Goodwill  

Arc Thrift Stores  

Costco  

Walmart  

 

 

November 4 - 8

Due to Outdoor Education and working on the Halloween Carnival we are going to look at the theme of October, "Using your Voice" for half of November, and then we will finish out the month focusing on the theme of Gratitude during Advocacy. 
 
Thank you to all of you that supported the Halloween Carnival and donated snacks and drinks for the students on Halloween. 
 
On Friday, November 8 the students will have a half a day of school with Carline starting at 11:30. Also a reminder that we will not have school on November 11 to honor all the Veterans. 

October 28 - November 1

Happy Halloween week! :)
 
Please see the guidelines for costumes:
• No Masks or face coverings
• No Full-Face Paint (partial face paint is allowed if a student can apply it 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 K-8 may NOT WEAR THEIR COSTUMES TO SCHOOL. Students can bring their costumes, and they should stay in their backpacks until they are allowed to change into them after lunch. Students will be in regular classes during the morning and the costumes, and their pieces and parts should not be a distraction.

On October 31, we will have regular classes in the morning. After lunch the students will get their costumes on and prepare their activity for the Halloween Carnival that we are putting on for the K - 4 students. After the carnival, we will celebrate all of the hard work! :)
 
Have a safe and wonderful week!

October 21 - 25

Reminders:
 
 
It's almost Outdoor Ed time! This email has information for ALL students whether going or staying!
 
If your student is staying at Westgate please note the following:
-There will be alternative activities comparable to outdoor ed skills taught here in the classrooms (ex: how to set up a tent)
-There will be a 5/6 teacher here for the students not going
-Attendance is still being taken on those days and absences still count
 
If your student is going:
-Please review the attached packing list. (note there is an asterisk by seasonal clothing because it will be colder this year)
-Please keep all electronics at home- students are NOT allowed to bring any electronic items
-No food is allowed on the bus or needs to be sent with your student
-There is limited space for luggage- please pack your student's belongings in a small duffle bag, not a giant suitcase with wheels- it won't fit on the bus if everyone brings a big bag.
-Leave anything of value at home
 
 
 

October 14 - 18

Welcome Back!  I hope that Fall Break was an amazing reset for all of you!
 
The theme for October is "Using your Voice"
 
Students will build skills that encourage them to confidently use their voice to advocate for their own needs and the needs of others.  
 
We have lessons encouraging students to use their voice with integrity!
 
We will also be spending much of Advocacy time working on our service-learning Halloween Carnival games and activities which we will share with the K - 4 student the afternoon of October 31.  
 
Reminders:
Monday, October 14 - students will get their Rocking Fun Run T-shirts to decorate for the Run on Friday
Friday, October 18 - Rockin Fun Run
Wednesday, October 23 - 25 - Outdoor Education
Thursday, October 31 - Service Learning Project Halloween Carnival
 
 

September 23 - 26

This week we will work on the Halloween Carnival during Advocacy.  

On Monday during Advocacy, we will preview the Scholastic Book Fair.  
 
The hours for the book far are as follows:
  • September 23-24, 3:30-5:00pm
  • September 25, 3:30-5:30pm
  • September 26, 11:30am-12:30pm
  • September 27, 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm 
  • Students will also be able to shop during their lunchtime September 24-25
Parent Teacher Conferences signups close at 4:00 on Monday.
You should have received a signup from me for your Special Area Teachers signups, and you should have received an email signup from your child's ELA and Math teacher.  If you have any questions about conferences, please reach out to me.
 
Virtual Conferences will be from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 26.  The conferences will be sent out by the ELA and Math teacher that you signed up with. 
 
Conferences at Westgate will be on Friday, September 27 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. 
 
The final reminder is that Fall Break will be from Thursday, September 26 at 12:00 pm to October 14.  I hope that you have a wonderful and fun filled break. 
 
REMINDER Thursday is a half day of school.  Carline will start at 11:30 am. 
 

September 16 - 20

This week we be working more on self-awareness.  The students took a survey about characteristics, and it was fun for the students to see their top characteristic strengths. 
 
On Wednesday the students will find out what group they are in for the Halloween carnival and start preparing for the activity that they will run on Halloween for the K - 4 students on Halloween.  Ask them what their activity is and have them explain the activity to you. :)
 
Reminders:
Parent Teacher conference signups will be coming out your child's ELA and Math teacher today at 4:00 pm, and the window will close on September 20 at 4:00 pm. Please be sure to sign up to meet your child's teacher. 
 
Wednesday, September 18 will be Parent Connect night from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  We look forward to seeing you! 
 
Friday, September 20 we will have the Washington street clean up from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm.  Please make sure to complete the parent permission form that was emailed to you. 
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.  
Have a wonderful week!