Senior Advocacy

Course Description

The high school advocate is the first contact for parents about student communications coming from and going to school. During advocacy time at school, we begin each morning with a circle to greet each other and start our school day. In distance learning, seniors are welcome to join advocacy each morning and highly encouraged to join the Senior seminar live on Fridays. 

Advocates help students with social and emotional support and college and career readiness.

Posts

Graduation Performances and Speeches

Seminar is on for tomorrow, Friday April 23rd at 8:20am at Westgate. 
 
If your student plans to perform or give a speech they must be in attendance.  

Graduation Rehearsal - Mandatory for Graduation

Commencement Ceremony 

  • Graduation will be held at Westgate Community School on Thursday, May 27th at 6:00pm. We are just days/weeks away from completing our Phase II development of our open space. This space includes our brand-new amphitheater and we are so excited to host Graduation in this space. We have had some questions about what this space looks like, so I attached some photos so you can all view a sneak peek. We took Seniors to walk the space last Friday at Senior Seminar (our online students joined us on Zoom!) and I am happy to tour any other students who are interested in seeing the space.
  • Please complete the form (sent to parents via email) as soon as possible. This form will serve as an RSVP for Graduation so that we can appropriately prepare and reserve spaces according to health guidance. If you and your students are NOT attending Graduation, please let me or Amanda Novak know as soon as possible.
  • Seniors must attend two mandatory rehearsals to walk on Graduation Day. The first Rehearsal is at 12:00pm on May 21st at Westgate following Senior Brunch, and the second Rehearsal is at 4:00pm on May 27th (prior to Graduation).
  • We are still inviting Seniors to speak or perform at Graduation – if your student is interested in giving a speech or performing at Graduation, please have them reach out to me directly as soon as possible.

Decision Day Guidelines

National College Decision Day - May 1st 
Decision Day occurs annually on May 1st. For Westgate, it is a time to celebrate all the various decisions that our Seniors make post high school. Please update Autumn Washington with your post-secondary plans as you have them so that we can include you in our Decision Day announcement. We want to celebrate all our seniors and their decisions, including university bound, exploration year, trade school, entering the workforce, joining the military and more. More information about Decision Day will be coming soon, but there are some things that you can begin to prep for now if you want to join us in some of our Decision Day highlights!
 
One way we like to share out these awesome decisions are through a senior created slide deck or video. Below are some guidelines for you to create these if you want to start that now! If you do create a slide deck or video, please email the finished product to [email protected]. Feel free to watch the attached video as an example! 

 

Please refer to the following list for the SLIDE DECK: 

  • A picture of choice that represents you best (think a Senior pic or a cool headshot/selfie...keep it appropriate!)
  • University/College/Trade School/Work/Military Organization Name; i.e. University of Colorado Denver or A&A HVAC 
  • OR mention if you are taking an "Exploration Year", "Transition Year", or "Growth Year". 
  • Declared Major or field of interest in trade school or the workforce

 

Please refer to the following list for the VIDEO: 

 

  • 4 total photos
    • 1 of your awesome face (like Senior photo, headshot or awesome selfie...keep it appropriate!)
    • 3 other photos that may represent your HS career, your exploration of what you wanted to do after high school, fun moments with classmates (like service trips), or an image of other options you were considering.
  • Logo of choice representing your decision 
  • Answer these questions: 
    • What was an alternative option you considered doing after high school that you did not choose? (ie. I was considering going into the Air Force, going into the workforce first, volunteering at a hospital for a year before going to college, etc)
    • What did you officially choose as your decision? 
    • Please try to keep answers brief as lengthier answers will get condensed to fit into the video. 
  • OR you can create your own video incorporating these elements. Please keep in mind it should NOT have audio and can only be 10 seconds long. 

Senior Events Update

Good afternoon,
Listed below are updates that pertain to your student:
 
Prom: April 23rd 7pm-11pm at Stonebrook Manor 
On Wednesday, you would've received an email from Amanda Novak, high school assistant principal, with information regarding prom stating, 

Who: 9th-12th grade students are invited to purchase tickets. A limited number of tickets are available. Current students may bring guests, but they must complete and turn in a guest form at least one week prior to the event.  

When: Friday, April 23rd, 2021 from 7:00pm-11:00pm  

Where: Stonebrook Manor 

Cost: Tickets will be on sale beginning 4th quarter and the ticket price is still being determined 

COVID considerations: Masks will be still be required. Social distancing may not be maintained at all times as dancing is welcome at this event. Stonebrook Manor has large ballrooms with various spaces, including a large outdoor space, a parlor, and an upstairs area in addition to the main ballroom. Chaperones will encourage social distancing. There is food (dessert) and soda service included, so students may take off their masks to enjoy the food and beverages.  

"Bre-anch" is the 2021 Senior created version of the annual Senior Brunch that takes place leading up to Commencement and is intended to be a way for the school community to celebrate and honor the Seniors. The seniors who brace the sun for an 8:20 class on Fridays came up with this name, it's a mix of lunch, breakfast, and brunch. As May 21st approaches, we will ask for donations of breakfast items to ensure food is store-bought and individually wrapped to align with current guidelines. Please keep an eye out for further information as mid-May nears!   
 
National College Decision Day - May 1st 
Decision Day occurs annually on May 1st. For Westgate, it is a time to celebrate all of the various decision that our Seniors make post high school. Please update Autumn Washington with your post-secondary plans as you have them so that we can include you in our Decision Day announcement. More information about Decision Day will be coming soon! 
 
Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2021
Given updated guidelines, we are working diligently to plan a Commencement ceremony that would not only align with current restrictions and safety protocols but would also be a way to truly honor our Seniors as they graduate from High School and embark on their post-secondary journey. We will provide more information regarding Commencement in the coming weeks. 
 
Currently, we are inviting seniors to be a speaker or performer for Graduation. Applications and auditions will be discussed during senior seminar within the coming weeks. Seniors who wish to speak/perform at graduation are encouraged to reach out to myself as soon as they can.  
 
National College Decision Day - May 1st 
Decision Day occurs annually on May 1st. For Westgate, it is a time to celebrate all the various decisions that our Seniors make post high school. Please update Autumn Washington with your post-secondary plans as you have them so that we can include you in our Decision Day announcement. We want to celebrate all our seniors and their decisions, including university bound, exploration year, trade school, entering the workforce, joining the military and more. More information about Decision Day will be coming soon, but there are some things that you can begin to prep for now if you want to join us in some of our Decision Day highlights!
 
One way we like to share out these awesome decisions are through a senior created slide deck or video. Guidelines are posted in the Senior Advocacy Edlio and on the Senior Teams page are some guidelines for you to create these if you want to start that now! If you do create a slide deck or video, please email the finished product to [email protected]
 
Thank you for your patience with all the uncertainties. I am myself am a planner and this uncertainty and ambiguity has been difficult, but coming together, even around uncertainty, is a wonderful and enjoyable way to create community. Our Seniors are handling this year with such grace and I appreciate you being a supportive part of this community. 

Friday 1/15

Senior Seminar

Fridays 8:45-9:30

Zoom ID and password: Check your outlook calendar and/or Teams Files

Agenda

·        Graduation questions and what we know so far!

Important Dates

·        Senior Photos are past due! Please email me if you need more time!

·        Parents were sent a survey link for adopt a senior, please take the survey so your senior can participate in our fun adopt-a-senior program.

Senior Photos

Senior Photos are due tomorrow, Thursday, December 17th. 
 
Please check with your student if they have submitted them, by dropping them in the folder on teams or emailing me directly. Students are able to submit 3 photos and a quote to use to be featured in the yearbook. If more time is needed to submit senior photos, please reach out to me directly.
 
Have a safe and happy holiday season! 
Best,
Amanda Matthews
 
 

The Upstanders Viewing

The Upstanders is a film-based education program about resilience, attention, and the power of connection to end bullying. The film explores cyber-bullying, bullying among friends, families, co-workers and the brain science behind it all. We will be showing the film at 6pm on Oct 28, 2020, which will promptly be followed by a panel discussion.
 
Since Westgate was lucky enough to be a part of the filming for The Upstanders, you will see some of your very own Westgate staff members on the panel and in the film! The panel will also include access to further resources and materials.
 
Please register here for access to the webinar link! 

October 16 Update

Schedule 

Classes this quarter will be 45 minutes each (15 minutes longer than previously). Our goal is that by having more time in class, we can cover material more thoroughly and have more time to answer questions.

Seminar will now start at 9:00 am and end at 9:45 am on Fridays. 

 

No October HS In-Person Week 

In an abundance of caution, high school will not be hosting our in-person week this month. We know many of our students have jobs and are more active in the community than the younger students. As their social circles are larger, we are making every effort to limit any situation that may lead to students putting others at risk, whether it is each other or the people they may encounter outside of the school building. We are still planning on our November HS in-person week the week of November 16th, and we will send updates as they develop. 

 

However, we would still like to see our students, , we are offering a walk to the park for high school students on Friday, October 23rdThis will take place from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We will be walking with students to EB Raines park for lunch, and we will be outside the entire time to ensure a safer environment. Please see the email from your advocate for the permission form and more details. 

 

October Advocacy Topic: Bullying Prevention 

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. It started in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. From their website: 

PACER developed the initial campaign, National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week, to raise awareness about bullying. Historically, bullying had been viewed as “a childhood rite of passage” that “made kids tougher,” but the reality has always been that bullying can leave devastating and often long-term effects such as a loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression for those involved.  

This initiative has helped shift thinking away from bullying as “rite of passage” and toward the knowledge that bullying can be prevented and stopped through education and awareness. 

 

This month, we have the honor of doing a virtual screening of the documentary The Upstanders. Being an upstander is being someone who takes action when you see someone being bullied. You are bound to see some familiar faces as the documentary was filmed at Westgate. 

 On Wednesday, October 28th at 6pm there will be a virtual screening of the documentary as well as a panelists discussion of the film. These panelists include our very own Ms. Washington, Mrs. Novak, and Mrs. Collins as well as the director, Scilla Andreen. The link will be available through the newsletter in coming weeks. Email [email protected] with any questions. We hope to see you there! 

 

Update: September 25th, 2020

Dates of Conferences:

Thursday, October 1st from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Friday, October 2nd from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

*Please email your student’s advocate if you would like a conference and have not signed up. Our availability is quickly becoming limited.

 

Dates of Fall Break:

Westgate’s Fall Break is Monday, October 5th through Tuesday, October 13th.

You will still have your FRCC classes over Fall Break.

 

First Day of Quarter 2/PSAT Information:

All grades: Assignments will be posted on Wednesday, October 14th. Due to the PSAT being held at Westgate on October 14th, virtual classes will resume on Thursday, October 15th.

 

Juniors only: Please report to Westgate on October 14th for the PSAT. Please coordinate with your FRCC professors beforehand if you need to miss any college classes that day. We will be sending you more information for your PSAT day in the near future.

 

Quarter 2 Class Schedule:

During Quarter 2, High School will be continuing with distance learning. Class times have been extended by 15 minutes and begin slightly earlier. Please use the following schedule beginning on Thursday, October 15th:

 

Q2 High School Distance Schedule (New Times!)

Seniors: Note that your seminar time is extending by 15 minutes and will start at 9:00 am. 

 

 

Monday Schedule 

Tuesday Schedule  

Wednesday Schedule  

Thursday Schedule  

Friday Schedule 

8:10-8:40am  

Advocacy  

Advocacy 

Advocacy  

Advocacy  

 

8:45-9:30am 

Algebra 1 

US History  

English 11 

Spanish 1 

Geometry 

Algebra 1 

US History  

English 11 

Spanish 1 

Geometry 

9:00-9:45am: Senior Seminar  

 

9:45-10:30am 

Economics 

English 10 

Biology 11 

Earth Science 

Spanish 2 

Economics 

English 10 

Biology 11 

Earth Science 

Spanish 2 

 

10:45-11:30am 

English 9 

Biology 10 

Algebra 2  

Pre-Calc 

World Lit 

Health 9  

English 9 

Biology 10 

Algebra 2 

Pre-Calc 

World Lit  

Health 9 

 

11:30-1:00 

Lunch 

Lunch 

Lunch 

Lunch 

 

1:00-1:45 

Sociology 

Spanish 3 

Human Geo 

Sociology 

Spanish 3 

Human Geo