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Ms. O'Leary, Advocacy, 5/6

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Hi all!
Your kids did a fantastic job finishing CMAS strong this week. In advocacy we had plenty of time for them to pause and do something that brings them peace.
 
We also chatted about Westgate's policy on buying/ selling/ trading items at school. There has been an increase in this with anything from pokemon cards to scrunchies. If you could please remind your students that this is not allowed at school, that would be very helpful.
 
Exciting news! We now have a portable AC unit in our classroom! Please have students bring a jacket to school with them on Monday as our classroom will be far cooler than it has been all year.
 
Next week we will be back in academic lab and focusing on wrapping up our service learning project!

Thanks for the support. let me know if you have any questions!

Hi all!
 
Reminder that this upcoming week is week 2 of CMAS testing! This week both 5/6 will complete ELA testing. They did fantastic last week! 
 
Testing often leads to afternoons of exhaustion for the students. We have done a few social awareness lessons while also allowing time for students to regulate and get ready for the afternoon.
 
Other announcements:
 
Last  Spirit Night of the Year - Stay & Play + In-N-Out Cookout Fundraiser April 29th!
Let’s celebrate our students finishing CMAS testing with a fun Stay & Play event! Bring the whole family, enjoy delicious In-N-Out burgers, and let the kids relax and play after all their hard work.
Meal tickets are $8 each - includes a burger, chips, and drink.
Purchase your Tickets on our Payment Portal today: IN-N-OUT Cookout | Westgate Community School
Or
Drop off check or cash with $8 per ticket in an envelope labeled with your name and In-N-Out
Ticket deadline: April 20th — don’t miss out! Tickets will NOT be available at the event!
Pick up your students in carline, then park and come over to the playground area where you can pick up your meal ticket. In-N-Out will begin serving at 4:30pm. 75% of ticket sales support our school and students.

Hi all!
Welcome back for quarter 4! 
 
Next week we start CMAS testing. 5th grade has math and science while 6th grade will test for just math. This is on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only. Please ensure your students are showing up to school on time ready to go! There will be snack and movement breaks provided.
 
For many students' fidgets will not be allowed in the testing. We have had conversations of how to fidget without a fidget. If they have any questions over the weekend, please let me know.
 
We are working on self-awareness this month! Focusing mostly on how to notice when we are feeling stressed, frustrated etc and how to handle it when it appears. 
 
As the year comes to a close (crazy, right?!) please keep an eye on this page for important dates of events. 
 

In‑N‑Out Burger Stay and Play Event

Join us for a fun‑filled evening of great food, community, and play at our In‑N‑Out Burger Stay and Play event!

📅 When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
🕟 Time: 4:30–6:00 PM
📍 Where: Westgate Community School
Children must be accompanied by a parent.
 
Tickets are $8 per person and include a hamburger or cheeseburger, potato chips, and a soft drink (Coke®, Diet Coke®, 7UP®, Dr. Pepper®, Pink or Lite Pink Lemonade). Meals come with spread, lettuce, and tomato. (Burgers are non‑customizable, except for food allergies.)
 
Purchase your Tickets on our Payment Portal Today: IN-N-OUT Cookout | Westgate Community School
 
Or drop off check or cash with $8 per ticket you want in an envelope labeled with your name and In-N-Out
 
Tickets must be purchased by April 20th, and we need to sell 200 tickets or more for this event—so help us spread the word!
 
You'll be able to pick up tickets on the day of the event and head on over to the truck to pick up your meals. 

Last week of February update

Hi all!
This week in advocacy we focused a lot on community building along with a bit of empathy. 
Spring break is coming up quickly but with that is a lot of daily reminders of RISE in the classroom.
 
In March we will focus on mindfulness! This is one of my favorite things to teach & I am so excited.
 
On March 4 at 4pm you should receive an email from your students' academic teacher with a conference sign up link. 
 
On March 5 at 8am you will receive a conference link from me for all of the special's teachers.
 
Conferences are March 12 (in person) 8-8 and March 13 (virtual) 8-12.

Advocacy Updates 2/20

Hi all!

Kindness week was a huge success. Your students were incredible on the field trip and the week was so much fun! Thank you for all the extra support.
 
We've continued our class discussions about empathy, and they are designing shoes to symbolize what it would be like for others to walk in their shoes.
 
Thank you for the continued support. As always, reach out with any questions, comments or concerns. Have a great weekend!

Is your student interested in being a student ambassador?

Applications for student ambassador program is open! Please have your students fill this out if they are interested. They can also complete this next week during advocacy. However, some showed interest in filling it out at home this weekend. Thanks so much! 
 

Last week of January!

Hi families!
 
We just had a fantastic week! The classroom culture is fantastic right now. We have been learning about and creating SMART goals. Many of your students have really wonderful goals to work towards. 
 
Please ensure you have filled out the permission slip for our Kindness week field trip. I sent this out on Wednesday. Let me know if you need any help!
 
Next week the students will be meeting with the new school counselor! She will be introducing herself and getting to know each student. 
 
In February we will be exploring empathy as a class!
 
Thank you all for the support. :) 
Have a great weekend.

Kindness week update!

Kindness Week at Westgate: Feb 9–13 
 We’re excited to celebrate Kindness Week with this year’s theme, Planting the Seed: An Acorn of Kindness. Students will take part in daily activities that grow compassion, connection, and community.
Our 7th and 8th graders are also leading a schoolwide food drive benefiting A Precious Child. Our goal is 2,000 non‑perishable items, with themed donation days to guide contributions:
  • Mon 2/9 – Protein Monday
  • Tue 2/10 – Pasta Tuesday
  • Wed 2/11 – Canned Veggies Wednesday
  • Thu 2/12 – Toiletries Thursday
  • Fri 2/13 – Canned Fruit Friday
Families are invited to support our Acts of Kindness for Teachers through donations and volunteer opportunities all week, including bathroom refresh items, hot chocolate cart supplies, carline volunteers, flower‑sale helpers, classroom readers, and more.
All sign‑ups and details can be found here: 
 
Cash or check donations may be dropped off at the front office (note: Kindness Week), or contributed online through Westgate Events.
 
Thank you for helping us nurture a culture of kindness that grows far beyond our school walls.

Welcome Back! Q3

Hi all!
I hope everyone had a healthy and happy holiday season! 
 
I am so excited for this semester! I will be posting on Friday with likely a lengthier update on events etc., so please keep an eye out!
 
Advocacy: We start our buddy program tomorrow! We are paired with Mrs. Reeder's 1/2 class. I hope this time is valuable for all students and I can't wait to see the connections made and the learning that happens.
The rest of the week (and January as a whole) will be focused on growth mindset! 
 
Thank you so much for you support and I hope everyone is excited for tomorrow! 
 
 

Hi all!
I cannot believe we are just about halfway through the year. Next week is full of a lot of fun things! 

On Friday (12/19) at 4pm you will be receiving an email from me with your students report card attached. If you have any questions, please send them to your students' academic teacher. 
 
Mrs. Calder sent out a sign up link for our end of quarter party on the afternoon of the 19th! We will have one craft room and three G rated movies. Here is the link that was sent out: 5/6: Holiday Party - December 19, 2025
 
Tomorrow morning (12/13) is our Barnes and Noble fundraiser! Events are happening all morning and it would be so fun to see you there. I will be there from about 10:30-12. 
 
Next week is also spirt week! Below are the days:
  • Monday, Dec. 15 – Pajama/Onesie Day Roll out of bed and head to school in your coziest pajamas or onesie!
  • Tuesday, Dec. 16 – Ugly Sweater Day Break out your most festive and tacky (school appropriate) holiday sweater.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 17 – Anything But a Backpack Day Get creative and bring your school supplies in something unexpected!
  • Thursday, Dec. 18 – Avatar Day Join the High School and dress as your element: Fire, Water, Air, or Earth.
  • Friday, Dec. 19 – Dress to Impress Day End the week in style with your sharpest look – it doesn't have to be black tie/formal, but it would be cool if you did. 
That was a lot of info so as always please reach out with any questions you may have. Thank you for the continued support and I hope this season is peaceful for all!

Advocacy update

Hi all!
In advocacy this week we have been working on creating activities to do with our buddies in Q3. It has been so fun to see them be creative with these. We will likely spend some time on these next week! 
 
MAPS testing for 5th and 6th grade is next Thursday (math) and Friday morning(reading)!
 
Next Saturday the 13th, please come support Westgate at Barnes and Noble! Students went home with a flyer this week in their Friday folders.
 
As always, thank you for your support and let me know if you have any questions!

One more announcment!

 

Buddy Program Announcement
5th/6th Grade Advocacy classes are partnering with 1st/2nd grade this year for an exciting buddy program! This is part of the 5th and 6th grade service-learning program, where our older students will serve as mentors to our younger students. It’s going to be more than just book buddies — each week may look a little different. Some days students might read together, other days they might create crafts like bracelets, or even play games.

The buddy program will take place weekly on Mondays for roughly 20 minutes during Quarter 3, beginning after Winter Break. Students are partnered based on their interests and personalities, with the hope of fostering meaningful and positive connections. Our older buddies have spent the first two quarters training and preparing to help inspire confidence, build friendships, and work on individualized goals together.

We’re looking forward to this program! If you have any questions or concerns, our Service-Learning Coordinator, Charlie Kahn, is happy to help at [email protected].

Hi all!
In advocacy this month we had our focus on gratitude! Next month we will explore generosity. Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a great holiday break!

Hi all!
We had a great start to November talking about gratitude! These conversations will continue and different activities will happen around the topic.
 
A few updates in our classroom:
- Please remind your kiddos that any drink other than water is not allowed at school except for lunch time.
- One of the teachers in the Pod is allergic to nuts and all scares from the year have been with nutella. If we could do our best to not bring Nutella into the pod that would be amazing. However, if it happens it is not the end of the world and students can eat it in my room and wash their hands. 
- Our microwave rule is to only have it on for one minute at a time. They can rotate back in line if they need something in there for longer. However, because lunch is already so short please do not send items that need extended time in the microwave. 
 
Thank you all for your continued support!