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Advocacy - Mrs. Wild

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COMI-CON EXPECTATIONS: PLEASE READ!

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

As our field trip to Denver Pop-Culture Con approaches, we wanted to keep in mind the school policies and procedures for big field trips like this. Below we will detail these topics.

  • Behavior Expectations: We realize that this is a big field trip to a large venue, and we will need all students to be on their best behavior and represent Westgate in a positive manner. As such we are letting you know about expectations leading up to this event. We will continue to follow Westgate’s behavior policy and any infractions might lead your student to not attending this field trip. We recommend you having a conversation with your child about behavior expectations. Also, if there becomes a problem during the field trip, you will receive a phone call and are expected to pick up your student from the field trip.
  • Groups: We would like to let parents know that students will be in small groups with Westgate approved adult chaperones. It is the student’s responsibility to be respectful, stick together, and listen to their chaperone.
  • Check in Times: Parent chaperones will be given a detailed schedule; each group will be expected to check in with Westgate Teachers throughout the day. If you are a parent chaperone, look for more details to come from Ms. Nieto.
  • Costumes/ Cosplay: On this field trip students will be allowed to dress up in cosplay as it is the nature of this event. However, students must still follow all school dress code rules just like they would for Halloween at school. Please remember that our students are representing Westgate at the Pop Culture Con.
  • Money: We recognize that this can be a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students and as such we are allowing them to bring money, should they have time to purchase memorabilia. It is the student’s responsibility to hold on to their own money and to use it appropriately for school appropriate items they would like to purchase for themselves.

We are still looking for Parent Chaperones who have the approved background check. If you have any questions or concerns, please email your Advocacy Teacher.

MAPs Testing this week (May 13- May 17):

This week, we will be doing MAPS testing in 7/8
  • Monday: Reading Test in the afternoon
  • Tuesday: Math Test in the morning
  • Wednesday: Language Usage Test in the afternoon
  • Friday: Make up tests completed

MAY ADVOCACY UPDATE

Important Dates: 

  • May 3rd: Cosplay Day 
  • May 13th- 17th: Maps Testing 
  • May 15th: 8th Grade Physics Phair (5:30-7:30) 
  • May 21st: 7th Grade Finance Park 
  • May 22nd: All Work Due for Final Grades 
  • May 23rd: Park Day (12:30-3:00) 
  • May 24th: No School: Professional Development Day 
  • May 27th: No School: Memorial Day 
  • May 28th: End of School Year Party (1-3:10) 

Advocacy Update: 

During our time in Advocacy classes this month, we will focus on Mental Health. 

Announcements: 

Please look forward to an email from your student’s English/ Language Arts teacher regarding student-led conferences. 

SPRING CARNIVAL BASKET HELP NEEDED!

Hello All!
 
As you are aware, the 10th Anniversary Spring Carnival for Westgate is coming up on May 11. We are in desperate need of volunteers to bring in items for my Class Basket, "I Scream for Ice Cream."
 
Please visit the Sign Up Genius Link below to add your name and item you can bring.
 
 
Thank you!

Safe Community Survey Consent Form

Your child is being asked to take part in an online survey at his or her school. If you have questions about this study, please contact Dr. Allison Dymnicki, Principal Investigator, American Institutes for Research ([email protected], (270) 768-7063) or Dr. Sabrina Arredondo Mattson, Research Director, Safe Communities Safe Schools ([email protected], (303) 994-3120).
 
Purpose: We are doing a study to learn more about how to create a safer school environment for kids and how to help prevent school violence. As part of this study, we will ask students how they feel about their school and how they behave at school. This survey will be done in the fall or spring and may also be done again each year (for the next 3 years).
 
Time Required: The survey will take one hour or less. What the survey will ask about: The survey will ask students about bullying and violence at school; how well students get along with one another and with school staff; whether the school building is clean and well kept; and any student drug, alcohol or cigarette use.
 
You can see a copy of the survey here: www.safeschools.org/school-climate/survey.pdf
 
Who is paying for the study: The National Institute of Justice Risks: There are no known risks to having your child take part in this survey. Benefits: This project will help us learn more about how to make schools safer for all children.
 
Confidentiality: Your child’s answers will be anonymous. This means that your child’s name can never be connected to his/her answers. Your child’s answers will be kept private on a secure website found at the University of Colorado-Boulder and later kept at the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data. Your child’s name will not appear anywhere in these records. No one looking at these records will be able to find your child’s answers. Only members of the research team will have access to the secure website.
 
Voluntary Participation: Your child’s participation in this survey is voluntary and will not affect his/her grades. Your child may stop taking the survey at any time, and does not have to answer any questions he/she does not want to answer. Your child will not receive any money or a gift for taking the survey.
 
Informed Consent: If you have understood the information above and agree to allow your child to take the survey, please complete the survey below:
 

PHYSICS PHAIR PACKET_2019

THE 8TH GRADE PHYSICS PHAIR WILL TAKE PLACE WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 FROM 5:30-7:30pm IN THE 7/8 POD. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
 
Please take some time and go over the packet with your student. This is an amazing, end of the year project and your student is super excited to talk to you about their plans!

APRIL ADVOCACY UPDATE!

Important Dates: 

·         April 9th-11th: CMAS Math Testing (7th and 8th Graders)

·         April 15th-17th: CMAS Science (8th Graders)

·         April 19th: Civil War Training (8th Graders)

·         April 24th: Civil War Fundraising Dinner (6:30-9pm)

·         April 25th: Civil War Re-enactment (8th Graders)

·         April 26th: Washington Street Clean Up

·         April 29th: Sustainable Fashion Show

Advocacy Content: 

During our time in Advocacy classes this month, we will focus Environmental Education.

 

Announcements: 

  • CMAS will continue during the next two weeks, starting April 9th. Students will take one unit of Math over three days, and the 8th graders will take the science assessment. Here are a few reminders and tips to support your child during testing days.
    • Attendance: Please make sure your students are here on time and for their specific testing window. We know some things like appointments are made in advance and will work with students to make up any missed tests.Remember, we test in the afternoon.
    • Positive Attitude: “I Can.” “Do our Best.” Our students have so many talents and skills, and they should be proud to show what they are capable of as they work towards personal and community goals. Positive words of encouragement and support are always appreciated.
    • Breakfast and Snacks: Studies have shown that protein is an important fuel for the brain during testing. If you are able, you can also support your child’s performance by providing a protein-packed breakfast and lunch.
    • Sleep: As with every day of a growing teen’s life, sleep is an important parts of the equation for good body/ mind functioning.
 
  • Just a reminder, if your student wants lunch from an outside restaurant, the order must be placed by the parent and delivered to school by 12:20pm. The lunch orders can not be shared with other students due to food safety laws and food allergies. If you have any other questions about policies about food, please refer to the student handbook.
  • Look for a permission slip for a Safe Community Survey that the students will be taking.
  • Look for a permission slip for a Washington Street clean up on Friday, April 26th.

CMAS TESTING REMINDERS (MARCH 18- MARCH 20)

Hello,

 

This is just a reminder that CMAS begins this coming Monday, March 18.   Students in grades 7-8 will take one unit of English Language Arts over three days.  When we get back from Spring break, 7-8 students will take the math and 8 grade will take the science assessments. 

 

Here is the schedule in 7/8 next week.

 

Testing Schedule

8-8:15           Advocacy

8:15-9:15      L. Arts

9:15-10:15    Specials

10:15-11:15  Math

11:15-11:45  Lunch

11:45-12:15  Recess

12:15-1:00    Advocacy/Test Prep

1-3:05           Testing
 

 

Here are a few reminders and tips to support your child during testing days:

 

Attendance

Please make sure your students are here on time and for their specific testing window. We know some things like appointments are made in advance and will work with students to make up any missed tests. Remember, we test in the afternoon.

 

Positive Attitude

“I Can.” “Do our Best.” Our students have so many talents and skills, and they should be proud to show what they are capable of as they work towards personal and community goals. Positive words of encouragement and support are always appreciated.

 

Breakfast and Snacks

Studies have shown that protein is an important fuel for the brain during testing.  If you are able, you can also support your child’s performance by providing a protein-packed breakfast and lunch.    

 

Sleep

As with every day of a growing teen’s life, sleep is an important part of the equation for good body/mind functioning.

MARCH ADVOCACY UPDATE

This month in Advocacy:

Important Dates: 

March 5th: A Day in City Council Field Trip 

March 8th: Spring Dance (6:30 PM- 9PM) Doors close at 7:00PM 

March 9th: Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition 

March 18th: CMAS Testing 

March 19th: CMAS Testing 

March 20th: CMAS Testing 

March 21st: NO SCHOOL: Parent/ Teacher Conferences 

March 22nd: NO SCHOOL: Parent/ Teacher Conferences 

March 25th-April 4th: Spring Break 

Advocacy Content: 

During our time in Advocacy classes this month, we will focus on mindfulness, stress management, and CMAS testing. 

Announcements: 

Ms. Kaplan and Mrs. Wild will not be available for Friday Conferences. An email will be sent out this week with a Tuesday and Wednesday after school Sign Up starting on March 5th. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Kaplan at [email protected] 

 

FEBRUARY ADVOCACY UPDATE

Important Dates 

  • February 6th: Buddy Advocacy 
  • February 7th: A Day in City Government Field Trip 
  • February 14th: Kindness Day 
  • February 15th: No School- Staff Professional Development 
  • February 18th: No School- President's Day 
  • February 19th-22nd: Educational Hate Crimes Trial during Language Arts 
  • February 20th: Buddy Advocacy 

Advocacy Content 

During our time in Advocacy classes this month, we will focus on Healthy Relationships. 

Announcements 

Please remember that we do not participate in Valentine’s gifts and candy.  

This year for Kindness day, we will be heading to either the North Glenn Police Department and City Hall or the Thornton Police Department and City Hall. 

Calling for professional architects or volunteers to judge Ms. Kaplan’s “Create a School for 2050” project. If you are interested, please email Ms. Kaplan at [email protected] and more information will be provided.  

JANUARY ADVOCACY UPDATE:

Dear 7/8 Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Welcome back! We hope that you all have had a well rested break and are ready to kick it in to high gear to finish the year strong! It is hard to believe that the first semester flew by so fast. Hopefully we have all had time to reflect on the amazing things we have done as a Pod already this school year. We have a lot to be proud of- and we have a lot more to accomplish in this second semester. 

This month in Advocacy:

Our theme will be Self-Regulation. We will be focusing on identifying and managing emotions.

Service Committee:

Congratulations to the entire Westgate Community for bringing in 324 coats/warm clothes and 302.26 lbs of non-perishables for those in need this winter. 7/8 Service Committee's goal was 250 and 250 so we knocked it out of the park!!

Upcoming Dates:

January 18th- Class Pictures for K-12 students

January 21- NO SCHOOL (MLK Day)

January 25- J.A. in a Day

More Announcements:

Look for permission slips coming home with students this returning week for "Peer Relations" Survey. We are asking parents to sign these permission slips for students to take the short (2-3 minutes) survey in order to receive grant money from CDE. Further information will be on the permission slip.

Students will also be creating their S.M.A.R.T. Goals based on their MAPs scores for the Winter Session. 

 


 

DECEMBER ADVOCACY UPDATE:

December Advocacy Update:

Important Dates:  

  • December 6th: Marine Biologist Guest Speaker 
  • December 19th: End of Cans and Coats Drive
  • December 20th: Holiday Party (9:30-11) and ½ Day ends at 11:30, Parent Teacher Conferences 12:30-8:00
  • December 21st: No School for Students, Parent teacher conferences 8:00-8:00
  • December 24th-January 14th: Winter Break 

Advocacy Content:

During our time in Advocacy classes this month, we will focus on Optimism and Gratitude. The students will also create S.M.A.R.T goals with their MAP scores. 

Announcements:

  • We will be writing letters to K-8 school in Paradise, California that lost ½ their school in the wildfires in California. If you have any books that you are willing to donate to help them rebuild their school library, we would greatly appreciate it. Please bring them into your Advocacy teacher before break. 
  • Bio of Dr. Mikki Mccomb-Kobza who will be a guest speaker to our Science classes on Thursday, December 6th. Mikki is passionate about sharing her love of the ocean. Mikki is one of the top shark experts in the world. Her work focuses on the sensory biology and ecological physiology of sharks, skates and rays. Mikki is a tireless advocate for sharks and shark habitat. She seeks to highlight their global population decline and to frame new directions for their conservation. Mikki holds a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Florida Atlantic University and is the author of numerous scientific publications.