Skip to main content

Ms. Knoles, Advocacy, 5th/6th

Posts

Month of October

I hope that you everyone had an amazing Fall Break!
 
For the Month of October our focus is on using your voice, and the week of October 19 we will be focusing on Anti Bullying activities and lessons that the whole school will be participating in.  On Friday we would like everyone to wear orange which is the color to promote Bullying prevention. 
 
Upcoming events for the month of October:
- 10/20- Dave & Buster's Night  
- 10-22- Highschool Info Night for 8th graders 6-7pm- Virtual 
- 10/22- SAC Meeting 5:30-7pm- Virtual 
- 10/30 Halloween Class Parties - 5/6 parties, 1:15-2:15  
- 10/30 Trunk or Treat 5:30-7:30pm  
 
Thank you all for participating in Parent Teacher Conferences.  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to any of the 5/6 Teachers. 
 
Have a wonderful remaining month of October!
 
 
Dear Westgate Families,
We are excited to let you know that Original Works artwork and order forms will be coming home with students on Friday. If your child receives a Friday Folder, you should find these materials inside.
Original Works allows families to purchase keepsakes featuring their child's artwork while supporting our school.
Ordering Information
Families can place orders online using the information included with their student's artwork packet.
If you are unable to order online, there are two convenient options:
  • Call Original Works Customer Service at 518-584-9278 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. EST)
  • Complete the paper order form and return it to school
To be included with the initial online order processing, paper orders should be returned to the school by October 30, 2026. Orders received after that date will still be processed, but shipping and delivery dates cannot be guaranteed before winter break.
Thank you for supporting our young artists and celebrating their creativity!
Warm regards,
Westgate Community School
 
 
Westgate Community School Retake Day is Coming!
Monday, October 26, 2026
 
Students needing retakes or who have not yet been photographed on our original day may have their picture taken on Picture Retake Day.
For retakes: Please bring the original package back with you if available!
 
For new orders:
You can order with order form
You can still order on mylifetouch.com.
Create an account or login with your Picture Day ID: EVTRVR4C3

Month of September

Happy September!
 
This month in Advocacy we will be focusing on Self-Awareness by defining what self-awareness means, strategies to cope with situations, and practice ways to take care of self. 
 
The week of September 14 we will be having Spirit Week and the Book Fair.
 
 
             Spirit Week Themes:
Monday: Country versus City
Tuesday: Tacky Tuesday
Wednesday: Westgate Wednesday
Thursday: Throwback Thursday
Friday: PJ day
 
 
The Book Fair will be open after school for students to shop with their parents:
Monday–Friday: 3:30–4:30 PM
Tuesday: 3:30–5:00 PM

August 17-21

I hope that your child is enjoying and learning new things at Westgate. 
 
During Advocacy we will continue learning about the expectations of R.I.S.E. at Westgate.  We have had some great discussion about Respect and Integrity so far.  
 
Below are some reminders about upcoming dates:
 
Monday, 8-13
- First day of Clubs (4:00-5:00)
- Payment due for Outdoor Education (see email from Mrs. V)
 
Thursday, 8-20
- Red Robin Spirit Day (11:00 am – 10 pm) 
- MAP testing ELA 
 
Friday, 8-21
- MAP testing math
 
Wednesday, 8-26
- Parent Engagement Night 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
 
Monday, 8-31 - Wednesday, 9-2
- Outdoor Education (see email from Ms. V)
- If you aren't attending Outdoor Education, students will come during regular school hours, and we will do indoor education with those students)
 
Friday, 9-4
- Fun Run in the morning
- Half a day for students with Carline starting at 11:30
 
Monday, 9-7
- No School due to Labor Day
 
Friday, 9-11
- Individual school pictures
 
Many things are happening, if you have any questions, please reach out to me as I would love to help you!
 
Every year, our school community comes together for one of the most energetic and inspiring events of the season—our annual Fun Run! This lively tradition fuels our Specials programs—P.E., Music, Art, and iLab—by raising funds that empower teachers to bring unique and essential resources into their classrooms. 
 
This year the fun run to support iLab will be on September 4th! 
 
We provide race bibs for each of the students on the day of the race where we mark their laps. This year I think I will provide each class with stickers of our race logo to send home with each student on the day of the race to make things easier and then students don't have to worry if they lose their race bibs (last year we put stickers on the bibs). 
 
We encourage students to ask family members and friends to donate to their run for them to earn prizes. By pledging flat-rate donations, family and friends can help students unlock support-level prizes knowing their donations help these classes and teachers. The flyers show the prize levels students can earn, and information will be going out in the newsletter and can be found on our website: WESTGATE COMMUNITY SCHOOL FUN RUN.  We will also be sending out reminder emails throughout the month. 
 
Students and parents are also able to purchase a race day t-shirt for a limited time in our Spirit Store: Westgate Community School | Spreadshop
 
We are looking forward to race day and we encourage you to put some of this information in your posts on your advocacy page, so parents know it's coming soon! 

August 10-14

Good afternoon,
  If you are going to Outdoor Education to the Keystone Science School, please click on the website for all the information.  
 
 
If you have any questions, please let us know. 
 
Dear Parents, 

Tomorrow our pod will be participating in a new school program called Nourish in Nature. As part of this environmental education initiative, students will enjoy lunch outdoors during their regular lunch block.

  • 5th/6th Grade: Wednesdays
  • 7th/8th Grade: Thursdays
  • Lunch Time: 12:15–12:45 p.m.

 

To help students make the most of this experience, we ask that, if possible, lunches brought from home do not require microwaving only on Wednesdays. This allows students to spend the entire lunch period outside, increases their daily time in nature, and gives our pod the opportunity to eat all together.

 

Students who receive a school lunch will have their meals brought outside and served as usual. At the end of lunch, students will clean up their eating area and return indoors to resume classes.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're excited to offer this new opportunity for our students!

Charlie Kahn (she/her/hers)

Environmental Education Director

Westgate Community School

K-12 Gifted Education for the Whole Child

Thornton, CO 80241

303-452-0967

westgateschool.org

August 3-7

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!
We are off to great start, and I am enjoying getting to know your child!
 
Each month we have a theme that we focus on in our Advocacy class.  For the month of August, we are focusing on R.I.S.E. (Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Empathy) expectations. Each we will take a look at each letter in R.I.S.E where the students will be about to define what each characteristic is, what it looks like, and what it sounds like all over Westgate!  
 
In the 5/6 POD, Mrs. Lounsbury has a severe allergy to Nuts, especially coconut and hazelnut.  This is an air born allergy so food, lotions, hair products can be extremely severe to her.  Please be cognitive about what your child is bringing to school.  We want to keep Mrs. Lounsbury safe and healthy!  Thank you for your understanding and assistance in this matter. 
 
Fidgets in the 5/6 POD! 
We have talked to the students about what is an appropriate fidget in our POD to help keep all students successful.  A fidget is a tool that fits in your hand, doesn't make noise, and helps the student focus on their learning.  Again, please make sure you are aware of what your child is bringing to school.  
We realize that some students have specific plans that allow other items, and they can continue to bring the items that helps them with success.  If you have any questions about fidgets, please reach out to us and we would be more than happy to clear up and questions. 
 
Outdoor Education is August 31 - September 2.  Mrs. Vasilopoulos sent out an email last week with communication about trip to Keystone Science Center where the students will be attending a three day and two-night trip.  Please complete the forms so we can plan ahead for this great opportunity.  If your child will not be going, there is also a form to complete, and they will attend school and have outdoor education activities at Westgate during the regular school day. 
 
Again, welcome to the school year, and if you have any questions, please reach out to me with any questions or concerns!