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.

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!

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! 

 

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.

• 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

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:

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!

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!

 

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!

Hi all!

This week in advocacy we talked a bit about bullying, what it means and how to ask for help if needed. We also practiced our lunch clean up procedures and revisited some classroom norms. 

 

Next week, and for the month of November, we will be focused on gratitude! I am especially excited for this month. 

 

I am so lucky to be your kid's teacher! Please reach out with any questions. 

 

The fun run was a huge success! It was so fun to see the kids have fun!

 

This week we worked on practicing our group work skills. We did this through a fun survival island game!

Next week we will do some reflecting on this quarter along with goal setting for next. Then, we will keep working on some group work exercises.

Hi all! Happy Friday. I apologize for no posting last week. 

 

In advocacy this week students participated in international dot day and completed their original works artwork! More information on original works will be sent home soon.

 

Conference sign up links will be sent on September 22. You will get a sign-up link from your students' academic (ELA, math) teacher.

 

 

FUN RUN information! Down below :)

 

Don't forget the Let's Gogh! Fun Run will be happening on September 26th! Here are the run times for the different PODs:   

 

Be sure to encourage your family and friends to sponsor your student and have them in before October 3^rd to count toward your student's award achievement! Find more information on the Westgate FUN RUN page! 

 

I can't believe how quickly this quarter has gone. I am so incredibly lucky to have each and every one of your students in my class. They are fantastic kids, and I can already see so much growth!

Hi Parents! Lots of info below about outdoor education and spirit week!

In advocacy this week we went to help Mrs. Charlie in the garden and talked about what it means to be a good teammate. We will do the same next week. :)

All of these must be filled out for outdoor education!

-IDRAHAJE Online Enrollment Form  HERE! 

Go to the red “Group Participants” button, then the “Register/Login” button  

ONLY complete the form for the student attending 

-Westgate Digital Permission Slip   HERE! 

-Completed Medication forms returned to Westgate (if applicable) found on the school website Here!  

 -Pay $220/student fee (online in school store, cash or check in school lobby) found HERE!  

If you DO NOT want your child to attend-please email your advocate letting them know your child will not attend this year. 

We still need more male chaperones to attend!” 

 

Spirit week next week!!-see calendar 

• September 9-12: Spirit Week 

Get ready for a week full of fun, creativity, and Westgate pride! Join us in celebrating Spirit Week with these exciting daily themes: 

• monday, Sept 9th – Rainbow Day – Brighten up the halls by wearing your favorite color or go all out and wear the whole rainbow! 

• Tuesday, Sept 10th – Crazy Hat/Hair Day – Let your imagination run wild! Sport your silliest hat, wildest hairstyle, or both! 

• Wednesday, Sept 11th – Westgate Wednesday – Represent your pod with pride! Wear your Westgate gear or your pod’s color. Kinder – purple, 1/2 – red, 3/4 – green, 5/6 – blue, 7/8 – gray, HS – black 

• Thursday, Sept 12th – Throwback Thursday – Flashback to your favorite decade - think tie-dye, neon, overalls, or retro vibes! 

• Friday, Sept 13th – Pajama Day – End the week in ultimate comfort. Rock your coziest pajamas (school-appropriate, of course)!