Last week was our last week of Social Studies.  Your students worked hard and learned a lot.  It was great fun teaching them how our country came to be. My favorite parts were when the students would cheer when the learned of our battles in the American Revolution.  With our country celebration its 250 birthday, I hope your students will make connections to what they learned in history. It has been a joy to teach them! Have a wonderful summer!

We are continuing our American History studies.  Last week we learned about the Battles of Lexington and Concord. We discussed the events that triggered the American Revolution. We will be spending time getting to know about the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  The students are really enjoying the Story of how our country was formed.  They even broke out in applause when they heard how the Patriots won the Battle of Concord.  It has been great fun getting to share a passion of mine with these students.

Last week, we discussed the French and Indian War, the taxation of the British on the colonists for the huge cost of that war, and how despite the British winning, the colonists were unable to settle the lands west of the Appalachian range and afford the unfair taxation.  This week, we will see how these things led to the American Revolution. As the year comes to a close, we will look at how the Founding Fathers developed our independent government.

We will continue to put the finishing touches on our research report on Inventions of Ben Franklin.  Students are learning about the life of colonists in the 13 colonies.  We will continue to explore the history, geography, and society of the 13 colonies and work up to the American Revolution.  

With testing on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, we will have Social Studies on Monday and Friday at our regularly scheduled time.  We are focusing on Early Colonial Settlers. Last week we explored the Lost Colony of Roanoke, The Mayflower Compact, The House Of Burgesses at Jamestown.  This week we will begin our exploration of the regions of the 13 original colonies.

We have been exploring the explorers who influenced the development of our nation.  History is all about perspectives. By looking at multiple perspectives from those involved in our history, students will develop stronger critical thinking skills. We discussed how history is a STORY and sometimes stories can devlop into myths.  We will continue examine history while looking at multiple source, primary and secondary, to help us determine whether something is fictitious or factual.  

We will wrap up reflection and reviewing bank statements from our trip to Young Ameritowne last week.  I hope that all the students had a wonderful time and am grateful for all of the parent volunteers who interviewed and participated in the day's activities. We can't wait to continue to take next year's 5th graders back there!

 

The 6th graders next year will be attending International Towne and the experience will be even better with the experience they gained at YAT.   

 

The next two weeks will focus on civics. We will be studying the three branches of government and the US constitution.   After spring break will be focusing on US History.

Wednesday 2/18 are our scheduled interviews. Students will complete their formal applications in class Tuesday. They may dress up for the day in Business casual attire if they would like.  All students will interview. We will hold elections for Mayor and Judge Friday 2/20. Positions will be posted for students Monday 2/23. No matter which position a student gets, they will have lots of fun, Students are asked to choose at least 6 positions.

 

Thank you to those who volunteered for Wednesday. I have reached out to the volunteers chosen. We had more volunteers than needed for the interviews. 

 

Also, if you did not fill in the permission form for children to go on 2/26, won't you please do so ASAP.  In addition, we still need 5 more parent volunteers to go to Ameritowne  on 2/26.  We have 5 who have signed up. We need 10 in total. It is great fun. You will be a helpful facilitator in a shop (just guiding the children-not doing the work).  It is a lot of fun. We really are grateful for parent volunteers. It makes it really special for the children!

 

Parents attending YAT need to have a background check. Also, would you please e-mail me directly if you are interested in attending that day or if you had originally signed up and had your plans change. Thank you! [email protected]

 

The link for the permission slip form is: YAT Permission Slip

 

 If you are interested in being a chaperone, please complete a background check here (Volunteers & Visitors - Support WCS - Westgate Community School) and email [email protected] . Background checks remain valid for one year. Please note that not all adults who complete background checks will be accepted to chaperone, and you will be notified if you are selected.

5th grade is going on a field trip to Young Ameritowne on February 26, 2026. Please complete the permission form here (Field Trip, Young AmeriTowne, Thursday, February 26, 2026 – Fill out form): by Thursday, February 19th. In addition, send your student with a sack lunch, comfortable walking shoes, and a water bottle for the day.

 

We are in search of 10 chaperones for this field trip. Volunteers must commit to the entire day. They will be supervising one of the shops and must be dedicated and available the entire time we are at Young Ameritowne. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please complete a background check here (Volunteers & Visitors - Support WCS - Westgate Community School) and email [email protected] . Background checks remain valid for one year. Please note that not all adults who complete background checks will be accepted to chaperone, and you will be notified if you are selected.

Similarly, we are looking for parent volunteers to help us conduct job interviews from 1:35-3:15 on February 18^th in the 5/6 pod. (Volunteers can do both the day of and the interview if you would like).

 

Here is the permission link again:

Field Trip, Young AmeriTowne, Thursday, February 26, 2026 – Fill out form

 

We are currently preparing for our day at YoungAmeritowne on February 26. Expect an email with sign up details for parent volunteers to accompany us on the day of the trip soon. In addition, we will need a few parent volunteers to carry out job interviews on the afternoon of February 18. The interviews will take place from 2:00-3:15pm.

 

This week in Social studies we will be continuing learning about the Free Enterprise System. We will focus on the concept of supply vs. demand. Students will also be learning about setting prices of items they will be selling from their businesses.

We will continue to learn about economics. This week we will explore supply and demand. In addition, we will start the Young Ameritowne lessons we will need for our field trip there on February 26. An email will go out this week about the different opportunitiea parents have to volunteer on the day of the trip (all day) or help with  interviewing 5th graders for their jobs on February 18 in the afternoon. Ms O’Leary and I will be emailing information to be a volunteer this week. Look out for correspondence via email.

 

We will begin our unit of Economics and Civics. At the end of February, we will be attending Young Ameritowne. Please stay tuned for more information about the curriculum. We will be needing volunteers to help with this event.  There will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer before we go and on February 26  (8:45-2:00pm) participate. I will be meeting with the team this week to firm up dates and opportunities for the event.  Stay tuned for more information to come and sign up sheets.

 

We made it to the last week of 2025! There is a lot planned for this week with SPIRIT week.  In addition, we will finish MAP testing and make-ups and wrap up the week with a 5/6 POD Winter Celebration Friday afternoon.There will be movies and a craft/room. A sign-up for bringing snacks for the entire POD to share is available.  

I just wanted to let you know that Saturday (today) is the Barnes and Noble Westgate Fundraiser.  As I have not met many of you yet, I wanted to let you know that I will be there around 11:30am if you would like to say hello and have a face to my name. 

I wish you all a wonderful week as we slide into the winter break. For all those celebrating holidays over the break, I wish you seasons’ greetings.  While this time of year can be hectic, it also can be filled with precious family moments.  

  

If you missed the e-mail about the celebration, here it is again!

Hello 5/6 families,

Thank you for your continued support this season. As Winter break approaches, we’re planning a Winter celebration on December 19th with one craft/coloring room and three G‑rated movies.

We would greatly appreciate help with snacks. Please sign up using the attached SignUpGenius. Remember:

• All food must be individually wrapped.
• All snacks must be banana‑free and nut‑free (including peanut, tree nut, coconut, hazelnut, or any other nut).

If you have any questions, please let us know. Thank you so much for your help and generosity!

Sincerely,

5/6: Holiday Party - December 19, 2025

5/6 team

🌍 Social Studies

In Social Studies, students are being challenged with locating coordinates on a grid. This is a skill that is both purposeful in math as well as geography. 🎯📈

In addition, students are making maps of continents and labeling them. 🗺️✏️ These handmade maps will complete our unit on cartography. It has been a wonderful unit filled with lots of hands-on projects and students gaining a deeper knowledge of the different maps of our Earth. 🌎🧭

Dear Families!

 

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to help guide your children through this important phase of their lives.  Each one of your children brings a special gift to share with our community.  I am so grateful for landing at Westgate Community School. As I reflect on all that I am grateful for this season, I always think of those who do not find themselves in a warm embrace surrounded by friends and family with a delicious bounty of food to share.  I hope that each of you feels valued and loved this holiday season.  I can't wait to see your students back at school in a week to continue all the amazing learning we have been doing. There is so much gratitude to share.  If things are rough for you right now, please know that I care deeply and would love to help if you need it. Blessings to all.  

 

Happy Thank-ful Celebration,

Ms. Tanya Muftic