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)! 

Hi all!

Picture day is September 5th! Order forms were sent home last week.

Outdoor Education work went home this week!

 

Friday folders are their responsibility to get on Friday afternoons! I encourage as best I can :)

 

This week we finished up our RISE work by exploring empathy. Next month we begin looking at more classroom norms around group and partner work. 

 

Your students are fantastic and I am so lucky to teach them! 

Parents! First of all, I am so sorry. I have been posting weekly to my pages but turns out I had incorrectly added your emails and very few of you were actually getting my updates. Mistakes happen but I am so sorry for whatever the lack of communication made you feel. 

I will likely re post the previous posts sometime next week so you can at least read them. I apologize in advance for the influx of emails from me.

This week in advocacy we were looking at safety in the classroom and outside of the classroom. We talked about why it was so important and talked as a class to see how we would be safe through the year. We were also able to go to the Chicken coop with Mrs. Kahan. This was so much fun and is something we will do often this year!

Next week we will start talking about empathy. I am excited for the lessons planned! We will have some time to practice empathy and see it in action.

Picture day is September 5^th! I have sent order forms in Friday Folders. I put the responsibility on the students to get their folders on Friday afternoons (with lots of reminders) so if they forgot them, they can get them on Monday.

Thank you for all of the support! We are on the same team and I can’t wait to see your students thrive this year.

This week in advocacy we have been exploring integrity! Next week we will start to examine safety and what it looks like in our classroom. :) We have been having a lot of fun conversations in advocacy and getting to know your students has been great. Thank you for the continued support. 

Welcome back!

 

I cannot believe how fast this Summer has gone by. I am so excited to embark on this journey with your students this year. 

 

If your family is new to Westgate the purpose of our advocacy class is to connect and create a space for your students to feel welcomed every single day. In short, I will act as their advocate for all things academic and personal that may happen during the school day. I am here for your student. 

 

On day one your student will be in their advocacy group for the whole day. We will go over the different functions of the classroom as well as different expectations. We have a few getting to know each other activities planned as well. After lunch, your students will have a chance to meet with all of the 5/6 pod to go over our RISE (Respect, Integrity, Safety and Empathy) protocol. 

 

Beyond day one, during Advocacy time, we will spend the month of August learning about each component of RISE in more depth. Each month will have a different theme associated with it and I will post here once a month to explain what that will look like. 

 

I know the start of a new school year can bring up a wide variety of emotions for you all as well as your students. All emotions are welcome, and I hope that you will reach out over email with any questions you or your students may have. 

 

We are all on the same team and I cannot wait to watch your students learn and grow through the year! 

 

Best,

Hannah O'Leary

(Miss O or Miss O'Leary)