Advocacy Focus for March 

Our Advocacy focus for March is “Going Green, a look at Environmental Issues and their Solutions”.  All classes will be working and learning about environmental topics and how we can make a positive impact.

Spring Conference Sign Up 

Conferences are coming up on March 18th & 19th.  On the 18th, conferences will be from 8:00am - 8:00pm.  On Friday the 19th, conferences will be held from 8:00am - 12:00pm.  We will be posting the sign-up link on Friday, March 5th, so please look for that in your e-mail or the advocacy pages.  The 20-minute slots are first come, first serve.  

DEAR

March is National Reading Month!

The Westgate Events & Fundraising Committee is hosting the 3rd annual Drop.Everything.And.Read (DEAR) fundraiser during this time.This is a great time to celebrate reading, encourage students to be readers and give to your community!

Please consider reading a diverse selection of books. Students need books that provide both windows and mirrors if we are going to create more readers, writers, and people who feel included and recognized, and who understand that the world is far richer than just their experiences alone.  The National Education Association recommends these books and authors to get you started.  Reading is Fundamental offers this Diverse Book Finder link.

Donations can be made to Westgate by...

Check

Make payable to 'Westgate Community School'

12500 Washington Street

Thornton, CO 80241

ATTN:  Teri Garrick

*NOTE:  Please add D.E.A.R in the memo for donations.  

Every bit helps.  Donations from $5 - $25 are gladly accepted.

You can also donate here:

https://www.westgateschool.biz/Westgate-Events-25-admin-fee-events.htm

All donations will be used for needs such as:

• Finishing our playground

• Finishing the environmental educational campus

• Purchase of new technology equipment

• Additional teacher training

 Contact Events Fundraising if you have any questions/comments.

Snack

Each class will have snack at some point in the morning.  Please do not send your child to school with candy or treats as a snack.  The snack should be (somewhat) healthy.  Cookies, brownies, & similar items are considered treats.  A good snack to bring would be fruit/vegetables, cheese, jerky, etc...  

Upcoming Dates:

March 18th & 19th: Conferences

March 20th - 30th: Spring Break

March 31st: Beginning of 4th Quarter

Welcome Back!

We are very excited to have kids back in the building on Monday! 

Reminders:

1. Make sure your child comes with a cold lunch and water bottle.  There will not be access to a microwave, and the water fountains are blocked off.  However, your child can still fill up their water bottle throughout the day.

2. Please make sure your child brings back any hard copies & packets that were picked up earlier this quarter.  We will be using those in class. Your child is also welcome to bring any school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, markers, etc...

3. Make sure your child has a jacket! We will be having outdoor recess whenever weather permits!

If your child is staying online, please make sure you have accessed the daily schedule along with the times for Zoom.  There will likely be a lot of technical issues to work through this week, so I appreciate your patience as we work through this new way of doing synchronous online learning.  Please reach out to me if there are any issues and I will do my best to get them resolved as soon as possible.  All live lessons will also be posted as a recording in Teams if your child is unable to attend synchronously.  

Office Hours

Now that we are back in-person, Office Hours will be moved back to Fridays.  My Office Hours will be on Fridays from 2:30 - 3:30pm by accessing our normal Zoom link.

Advocacy Focus for February 

Our Advocacy focus for February is Growth Mindset & Grit.  Our class will be working on helping students learn to reframe failure and have perseverance and tenacity in their academic and personal lives.  Identifying and replacing the negative self-talk that so many of us are accustomed to with positive self-talk will also be part of this unit. 

Kindness Week

At Westgate, we believe in promoting kindness every single day. During the week of Valentine's Day, however, we traditionally focus on celebrating and prioritizing acts of kindness as a way to show our love, admiration and appreciation for one another and for our community. Just because we are navigating COVID this year does not mean we cannot continue to celebrate and promote kindness, it might just look a little different! 

This year we are challenging our community to perform at least 200 acts of kindness as a school. We invite you to document and share your acts of kindness with us! Each day has a kindness type/ style and a challenge that goes with it. You can follow the suggestions for each day and document the kind act. Please share by using the hashtag #ShareYourKindness to tag your act of kindness on social media (social media tips are below), or you can send a picture or video directly to communications@westgateschool.org. The week will culminate in a reimagined Kindness Day where we will collect cards and letters of appreciation and then Admin will deliver via contactless delivery to local first responders, essential workers, and seniors at Bonaventure. 

2/8 Monday - Words of Affirmation, Encouragement and Love

• Write a letter, send a text, or make a phone call to someone you appreciate 

• Send messages (letter, texts, etc.) to five people with whom you’d like to send words of affirmation 

2/9 Tuesday - Acts of Service 

• Do something kind (like a conscious act of kindness) for someone today 

• Share a compliment, smile (even behind your mask, your eyes will smile too!) at somebody, help clean up, etc.! 

2/10 Wednesday - Quality Time 

• Enjoy intentional quality time with someone in your bubble 

• Play a board game, make dinner together and eat around a table, read a book, take a walk, etc.! 

2/11 Thursday – A Day of Giving 

• Share a gift with someone (you don’t need money to give a gift!)

• Cook a meal, bake a treat, make a craft or just give something from your heart to someone else!

2/12 Friday - Kindness Day Reimagined 

• Throughout the week, we will collect letters for essential workers and first responders. Admin will complete a contactless delivery on this day!

• Free Kindness Day! How many acts of kindness can you give today? 

Social Media Tips - Post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to share your acts of kindness

Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/westgatecs

Tag Westgate’s Twitter: @westgatewild 

Tag Sharon Collins, Executive Director: @EdSharonCollins

Westgate’s Instagram is: @WestgateWild

Use #ShareYourKindness when posting on all platforms!

Upcoming Dates

Week of February 11th - Kindness Week

February 15th - Presidents’ Day - No School

February 16th - Teacher Work Day - No School 

 

Specials

Our class will have P.E. as a specials class this quarter!  See the link in the distance learning schedule below.  The Zoom link for P.E..

4^th: Hepner  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83384991159 4

Meeting ID: 833 8499 1159 

Supply Pick-Up

Supply Pick-Up will be on January 8 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM (South side of the school – near Lobby).  There will be Math hard copies as well as the Studies Weekly Newspapers for you to pick up if wanted.

Important Dates

• January 5 – Complete the technology readiness check for MAP assessment. Email me with troubleshooting questions.
• January 6, 7, 8 – Pre Assessment and NWEA MAP assessment days. Note: January 8th is a Friday and all three days require synchronous attendance. See the assessment schedule and Zoom links below. This assessment is crucial to planning for your student’s academic needs
• January 8 - Supply Pickup
• January 11 - Regular Distance Learning classes begin on Zoom. See the distance learning schedule.
• January 18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
• Week of January 25th - PALS Testing - More information to come

Theme of the Month

Our Advocacy focus for January is Self-Compassion & Regulation.  The learning goal for January is: Students will learn the basic tenets or self compassion (Self-kindness vs.  Self-judgment, Common Humanity vs. Isolation, Mindfulness vs. Overidentification). Students will examine their own places for growth and they will work toward changing negative self-talk into positive mantras. Self-regulation will include topics such as coping skills, identifying and managing emotions, goal setting, & self-care. 

Conferences

Winter Parent Teacher Conferences will take place from 8:00am - 8:00pm on Thursday, December 17th and from 8:00am - 12:00pm on Friday, December 18th.  

The link for the sign-up https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050845A5AA2DA0F85-winter 

 Please sign up for a time to meet with me via zoom.   The Zoom link is the same link that is used for all the classes and I will resend it via email as well.

 

Advocacy Themes of the Month

Our new focus for December are Optimism & Gratitude! We will focus on ways to think more positively, as well as ways in which we can show who and what we are grateful for.  

Conferences

Winter Parent Teacher Conferences will take place from 8:00am - 8:00pm on Thursday, December 17th and from 8:00am - 12:00pm on Friday, December 18th.  The link to the sign up will be emailed to all parents on Monday, December 7th and will also be available on every teacher’s Advocacy pages.  Please sign up for a time to meet with your child’s teacher!

Important Dates

Last day of school for kids - December 16th

Conferences - December 17th & 18th

Return to Distance Learning - January 6th

MAP Testing - January 6th - 8th(please check your email in January for more details)

Supply Pick-Up - January 8th (please check your email in January for more details)

I wish all of you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving 

 

There are no assignments for the week of Nov. 23rd-Nov. 29th

 

Please join me on zoom for Advocacy at 8:30 on Monday Nov. 30th

 

Students please read a few minutes every day and if possible work on MobyMax Math as well.

 

Have a great week!

Advocacy Update 

Math and MobyMax 

Email from Director Collins: You will notice that K-8 teachers will be including 10 minutes of math practice each day as an assignment for every student beginning next week.  We believe this daily practice is important for growth and retention of math concepts school-wide.  Just as we ask for students to read each day, we are now adding daily math practice to our expectations. This assignment will not replace any standards-based instruction during math class but will be a supplement to support on-going growth. 

In order to meet Director Collins expectations, as a 4th grade team, we will be requiring a minimum of 10 minutes per day spent on MOBYMAX.com.  If your student has not taken the initial Math placement test, they must do this in order to be assigned lessons to improve their over math skills and attain the desired growth levels.   

Your student should have their individual login for MobyMax.com and If not, they can send an email to their advocate for it.  As a parent, you can login as well using their information to track their progress and see any updates. 

Supplies Pick-Up 

Supplies can be picked up on Friday, November 20th, from 9:00am – 12:00pm.  The majority of these supplies were already in the previous pickup, but we are adding math packets that we will cover for the rest of the quarter.  

Thanksgiving Break 

There will be no school during the week of Thanksgiving! 

November 23rd - 27th - No School 

As a reminder, here is our distance learning schedule moving forward: 

Monday/Wednesday LIVE Zoom Meetings  See link in Teams 

8:30 - 9:00 - Advocacy 

9:30 - 10:00 - Language Arts 

11:00 - 11:30 - Math 

1:45 - 2:15 – Specials 

Tuesday/Thursday LIVE Zoom Meetings  See link in Teams 

8:30 - 9:00 - Advocacy 

9:30 - 10:00 - Social Studies 

11:00 - 11:30 – Science 

3:00 – 4:00 – Office Hours 

Advocacy Theme for November – Community 

The Advocacy theme for November is Community. Now more than ever, we need community. We will spend our time discussing the different communities we belong to, learning about other communities, and having fun together to create a welcoming community amongst ourselves. 

Enrichment Opportunities for 4th graders! 

 Spanish Introduction will be held on Mondays from 4-5. Students will learn Spanish vocabulary and have a chance to practice it in conversations. Email Jason.brinkley@westgateschool.org for the Zoom information. 

 Mrs. Maslen is hosting Online Game Time for a few more Mondays this quarter from 4:15-4:45. Students will get to connect with their peers by playing games through the Jackbox.tv platform. Please email lora.maslen@westgateschool.org for the specific dates and the Zoom information. 

 Ms. Ross is hosting Acrylic Painting Club on Wednesdays from 4-5pm. Students will learn basic acrylic painting techniques. Email jasmine.ross@westgateschool.org for the Zoom information. 

Enrichment Opportunities for 4th graders! 

 Spanish Introduction will be held on Mondays from 4-5. Students will learn Spanish vocabulary and have a chance to practice it in conversations. Email Jason.brinkley@westgateschool.org for the Zoom information. 

 Mrs. Maslen is hosting Online Game Time for a few more Mondays this quarter from 4:15-4:45. Students will get to connect with their peers by playing games through the Jackbox.tv platform. Please email lora.maslen@westgateschool.org for the specific dates and the Zoom information. 

 Ms. Ross is hosting Acyrlic Painting Club on Wednesdays from 4-5pm. Students will learn basic acrylic painting techniques. Email jasmine.ross@westgateschool.org for the Zoom information. 

Now that we are going back into distance learning the need for connection and community is of great importance. Katie Goforth and Julie Ruhl will be hosting grade level Social Zooms for all students throughout the day every Friday. Social Zooms are intended to be an unstructured space for kids to connect. Ms. Katie and Mrs. Ruhl are hosting the Zoom, but the purpose of the Social Zoom is to allow students to connect organically. They will ensure the Zoom remains school appropriate, safe and comfortable for all students! 

• There is a social zoom in the morning and one in the afternoon to accommodate different family needs.
• In Fourth Grade, the Social Zooms will be from 11:15-11:45am and 3-3:30pm
• Here is the AM [11:15 am] Link: https://zoom.us/j/98629368262?pwd=Ym5VNTh2bG5ZMXZuU2E3c2pORU10Zz09
• Here is the PM [3:00pm] Link: https://zoom.us/j/96680911182?pwd=dzFuSHJpUHg0WUJCYTRFOG96WVNHUT09
• The passwords for each meeting is posted in your students Teams.
• Social Zooms are completely optional! You can join none, one, or both! 
• Ms. Katie and Mrs. Ruhl will be monitoring the Zoom to maintain school expectations. If there are concerns during the Zoom, they will provide warnings and redirect behavior, but if the behavior continues, the student may be removed from the Zoom. 
• If you have any questions, please email chandra.valenza@westgateschool.org - we hope to see your student Friday!

 I will stay on zoom for an additional 15 min after each Content Class to answer questions for students who need additional instruction.

Jeff Hepner is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting 

Topic: Mr. Hepner's Class 

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime 

Join Zoom Meeting 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82266611605?pwd=dS8vN3JMMklTQURmeTlmRnVzdmdJdz09 

The zoom link is the same for all classes and is posted on the Teams pages as well

Picture days will be Wednesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 29. These days are for students and staff who did not get their picture taken in September, and for students who would like retakes. *Retakes will only be given if the student brings the original photo package back to the photographer.* In general, we will be photographing in-person learners on Wednesday (because that is not costume day!) and online learners on Thursday. Online learners need to contact me for a time slot for Thursday. A staff member will be coming to the classrooms on Wednesday with the list of those students who did not already get the picture taken.