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Week 4 May Advocacy

For our final Advocacy newsletter, we would like to end our month-long focus on wellness with the themes of service and hope. Resiliency and empowerment grow when people are given the chance to help and make a difference. We have a unique opportunity to encourage students (and each other) to be helpers in our community. 

 

In Advocacy this year, students have learned about and practiced skills related to self-awareness, self-regulation, bullying prevention, optimism, gratitude, mindfulness, self-compassion, healthy relationships, growth mindset, environmental appreciation, and finally, wellness. As we conclude the school year, let’s take all of these lessons and put them into action! In this newsletter you will find a note from Ms. Novak and Ms. Valenza as well as links to local volunteer opportunities, a message of optimism and an article that makes the connection between "good deeds" and "feel goods." 

 

It has been an honor to share in social emotional learning with you all this year, and we wish you the best this summer. We can't wait to connect in the fall! Until then, remember that you can access the Social-Emotional Resources Page  for resources found in the May wellness newsletters. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Ms. Novak, Ms. Valenza, Ms. Washington, Mr. Chermak and Mr. Rowan

Week of May 11th Advocacy

Thank you all for joining Westgate on our wellness journey in Advocacy this month! Advocacy is a cornerstone for Westgate’s program because we believe that all people thrive when their social emotional needs are being met. We hope to help our students build social emotional skills, learn to connect their bodies and brains through physical wellness, and build and maintain powerful community relationships. Physical, mental and emotional wellness is the foundation of this work.

 

In this newsletter, you will find a message from Ms. Novak around wellness and the changes we are all experiencing. You will also find links to different workbooks, cards and activities that can help you and your family identify and work through emotions and engage in self-care. I have also left links to the wellness BINGO cards and the Virtual Calming Room. We hope you have time to engage in these activities by yourself or together, and know that we can make it through the Pandemic and Distance Learning together. #bettertogether

 

 

David Rowan

Restorative Practices Coordinator

Week of April 20th Advocacy from Mrs. Valenza

Monday - If you are doing one of the choices for the “Earth Day Assignment” please use this day to work on that and send it to me as you finish it.  

I will also be doing a live Zoom with the chickens and goats at 12:30pm this day! Tune in to see the ladies and ask questions.  

Time: Apr 20, 2020 12:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) 

https://zoom.us/j/9514179342?pwd=eG1WT0IrbjVPREkvYnp5SFA1NXZOUT09

Meeting ID: 951 417 9342        Password: see email

 

Tuesday- Use this day to finish up your “Earth Day Assignment” and send it to me. If you’re not doing the assignment enjoy your day off. 😊  

 

Wednesday-  You have 2 options today...Join the Lorax and Mr. Rowan for a live reading of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. Or head to Mrs. Valenza’s staff profile page to hear a pre-recorded reading of the story.  

Topic: The Lorax Read Aloud with Question and Answer 
Time: Apr 22, 2020 01:15 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) 
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79083049885?pwd=cXdiMk9vYjh6Z2Y4dGl5NHpvUVJHQT09

Meeting ID: 790 8304 9885                    Password: see email 

 

Thursday - Today I want you to make sure you get outside for a walk. With all the water we’ve been getting (in the form of snow) the plants should be popping! Take notice of this. What flowers can you find? What new buds are popping up on the trees? Is there sign of life? Can you find any birds nests? If you want to get really fancy you could download a plant identification app – Plantifier is a relatively good one that is also free! Send a picture to Mrs. Valenza with your favorite sign of life.  

 

Friday - Food is one of the biggest ways an individual can make positive choices for the health of the planet. This game from National Geographic is a fun way to see where your food could potentially be coming from. There are a lot of challenges you can do including a chocolate challenge.  

Advocacy Activities from Ms. Valenza

7/8 Advocacy Activities 

 

Monday- I have a strict belief that the more we know about a place the more we want to care for it. We can’t travel many places right now, but we can still appreciate what Earth has to offer. Let's travel using Google Earth. (https://www.google.com/earth/) Use the Search function to look up these different places: 1. Your house 2. Westgate Community School - you'll get to see what it looked like before we had our playground 3. Favorite nature area to visit 4. Favorite City to visit 5. Somewhere you want to visit      Use the Street View function (the little guy above the black and white Earth on the bottom right hand corner of the screen) to look around each of these places.  

 

Tuesday – It's time to harness your inner artist and your inner child. Ask your parents if you can use some of your recyclables to create a recycling art masterpiece. You’ll need some tape too! You could build a robot, a castle, a new friend, use your imagination! Send a picture to Mrs. Valenza once you’re done.  

 

Wednesday - Load up a good playlist, your favorite album, or your favorite song on repeat for a 15 minute walk (at least!).  

 

Thursday - Earth Day is next Wednesday. What better time to learn about this EPIC day??? Here is one article from Scholastic. 

               And this history article is straight from the Earth Day website. Make sure to watch the video on this page from the 1st Earth Day where Denver is featured!  

               Ask yourself, family members, neighbors: Where would you be during the 1st Earth Day in 1970 as a middle schooler? On the capital steps? At school? Riding your bike around town?  

 

Friday - Originally we were going to have an Earth Day fair at Westgate but that can’t happen anymore. We’re going to celebrate in a little different way. Head to Mrs. Valenza's Staff Profile page to see what she wants you to do! 

Week of April 13th Distance Learning

I really enjoyed seeing the kids this week and getting started with distance learning. We are so proud with the progress we have seen on Moby Max. As a team, we wanted to update you with a few changes.
  • Students and parents/guardians can only attend their advocates office hours.
  • Optional enrichment opportunities begin this week. 
  • Advocacy will be held Monday and Friday. Times will stay the same for the rest of the year. 
  • If you have not been able to log on to MobyMax please contact your advocacy teacher. 
  • If you need to reach out for support, there are resources located in the Counselor’s Corner. Mrs. Collins and Ms. Washington will also be hosting a Community Connection on Friday April 17 if you are interested in attending.
Advocacy Zoom Link: Monday and Friday (10:30-11:00 am)

Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2241131032

ID: 2241131032

Password: check email

Office Hour Zoom Link: Monday (2:30-3:30pm) and Thursday (1:00-2:00pm)

Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2241131032

ID: 2241131032

Password: check email

This week's Assignments: Please remember to also check your Special teacher's pages for assignments.

7th Grade:

Literacy: Content clue; Reading: Citing Textual Evidence Math: Scale Drawings                                                              Social Studies: The Macedonian Empire                                Science: The History of the Earth

8th Grade:

Literacy: Writing: Journal #1 (this is ONLY found under the "Writing Assignments" tab and will not show up under your regular assignments tab). Reading: Different Media            Math: Define functions and Identify domain and range      Social Studies: The Road to American Independence      Science: Properties of Waves and When Waves Interact

We will also be starting our Enrichment sessions this week: links and passwords have been sent to your email. This is an optional session and open to all 7/8 students. :)

Tuesday 4/14: 10:30-11:30 am: Show and Tell                        Wednesday 4/15: 10:30-11:30 am: Take a Walk                      Thursday 4/16: 10:30-11:30 am: Kahoot!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected]

Ms. Kaplan