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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] - 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

Bully Prevention

October is Bullying Prevention Month and 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 28^th at 6:00pm 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!

MAP Reports

MAP reports will be sent out by Friday, October 23rd.  Please look for this email.  

Office Hours

Office Hours will be held every Friday from 2:30 - 3:30pm.  Please join the Zoom link if you have any questions!

Halloween

Students can wear costumes on Thursday, October 29th in honor of Halloween. Students can only wear their COVID mask (no Halloween masks or full painted faces). We will not have a class party and students cannot bring snacks to share. Students must also wear their costumes to school.  There will be no opportunity to change into a costume.

Spirit Week:

Monday, Oct 26th Pajama Day

Tuesday, Oct 27th Crazy hair day

Wednesday. Oct 28th School Spirit: Wear your Westgate gear!

Thursday, Oct 29th wear your Halloween costume. The only mask your student can wear is the Covid face covering.

Original Works: 

It is that time of year for our annual ‘Original Works’ fundraiser. For those who are new to the school or for those who have forgotten – because of all the things we have to remember these days – this is a fundraiser where kids create artwork in the “classroom”, and families have an opportunity to purchase products with their creative artwork on them. The school gets a percentage of all sales. This is typically our 3rd largest single fundraiser of the year, but with things being so different, it has the potential to be one of our largest fundraisers for the current school year. 

Important Original Works Dates: 

Now until October 16th – Kids will create their artwork. They may continue to work on this at home!

October 19th through November 2nd – Families will be able to order products on the Original Works website. 

November 2nd – Order deadline date to guarantee all orders are turned around quickly and in plenty of time for the holidays. 

Late November to Early December – Products will be delivered directly to families’ homes. 

Important Dates for the Month: 

Oct. 21st- Spirit Night at Freddy’s 4 PM – 8 PM (14255 Lincoln Street, Thornton, CO 80023) 

Oct. 27th- Board of Directors Meeting 

Oct. 28th and 29th- Picture Retakes 

Welcome back!

Our theme for October is Bully Prevention.

Back to School

What does that mean if I’m an in-person student? 

• Students will be in school as normal from Monday - Thursday

• Friday will be an at-home work day with no pre-recorded videos (just like first quarter)

• Students will be allowed to attend office hours which are on Friday

What does that mean if I’m an Online student? 

• Zoom Advocacy with Mrs. Valenza (see her email for details)

• Pre-recorded lesson videos and independent assignments every day, Monday - Thursday. 

• Friday will be an at-home work day with no pre-recorded videos (just like first quarter)

• Students will be allowed to attend office hours which are on Friday

There will not be any birthday treats allowed this quarter.  Please leave toys at home as well.  

Original Works: 

It is that time of year for our annual ‘Original Works’ fundraiser. For those who are new to the school or for those who have forgotten – because of all the things we have to remember these days – this is a fundraiser where kids create artwork in the “classroom”, and families have an opportunity to purchase products with their creative artwork on them. The school gets a percentage of all sales. This is typically our 3rd largest single fundraiser of the year, but with things being so different, it has the potential to be one of our largest fundraisers for the current school year. 

Important Original Works Dates: 

Now until October 16th – Kids will create their artwork. 

October 19th through November 2nd – Families will be able to order products on the Original Works website. 

November 2nd – Order deadline date to guarantee all orders are turned around quickly and in plenty of time for the holidays. 

Late November to Early December – Products will be delivered directly to families’ homes. 

Important Dates for the Month: 

Oct. 14- First day of Quarter Two for ALL 

Oct. 15th- School Accountability Committee meeting 

Oct. 21st- Spirit Night at Freddy’s 4 PM – 8 PM (14255 Lincoln Street, Thornton, CO 80023) 

Oct. 27th- Board of Directors Meeting 

Oct. 28th and 29th- Picture Retakes 

Please remember to send your student with a Lunch that does not require heating as there will not be Microwaves available.  They should bring a refillable water bottle as well.  The bottle filing fountains will be working but the drinking fountains will not.  They should bring in a choice book to read as well as their copy of "Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing"

Please refer to the individual class pages for details about the assignments for Tues.- Friday

Looking forward to seeing you in person on Monday!

• There will be a 30 minute Social Zoom in the morning, and a 30 minute Social Zoom in the afternoon so that we can be flexible with family schedules. 
• In 4th Grade, the Social Zooms will be from 11:15 am-11:45 am and 3:00 pm-3:30 pm]
• Here is the AM 11:15 am Link:

  Join Zoom Meeting

  https://zoom.us/j/98629368262?pwd=Ym5VNTh2bG5ZMXZuU2E3c2pORU10Zz09

   

  Meeting ID: 986 2936 8262

  Passcode: 1UBUKx

   
• Here is the PM 3:00 Link:

  Join Zoom Meeting

  https://zoom.us/j/96680911182?pwd=dzFuSHJpUHg0WUJCYTRFOG96WVNHUT09

   

  Meeting ID: 966 8091 1182

  Passcode: 4cKQ9Y
• 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 [email protected] - we hope to see your student Friday!

Welcome back!  We are excited to get started and get to know all of our students! Since there is so much that will look different this year, please take the time to read the entire update.  If you have any additional questions, please reach out to your child’s advocate. 

Zoom Link & Office Hours 
 

All of our Zoom meetings, including office hours, can be accessed by clicking the link below.  Please check your e-mail for the password.  My office hours will be on Tuesday & Thursday from 3:00 - 4:00pm.  Office hours are a great time to ask questions, find clarification, or get additional instructions on an assignment.   

Passcode: Please check your e-mail for the password 
 

Orientation Schedule 

Monday, August 17th - Mr. Hepner’s Advocacy 

Tuesday, August 18th - Mrs. Maslen’s Advocacy 

Wednesday, August 19th - Mr. Baldwin’s Advocacy  

Thursday, August 20th - Mrs. Greder’s Advocacy  

Friday, August 21st - 11:00am - First Advocacy meeting via Zoom for all teachers.  Please check your e-mail for more details.  Bring your homework from orientation day to this meeting! 

We will primarily be working on teaching kids the skills they need to be independent at home through distance learning.  This includes learning where all information and classes are, as well as how to use certain websites and programs.  We will also be MAP testing during orientation week.  This will be very important data for teachers moving forward, so please encourage your child to do their best! 

Important Dates 

Friday, September 4th - No School (Teacher Work Day) 

Monday, September 7th - No School (Labor Day) 

Communication 

The best method of communication for all 3-4 teachers is email.  You should always receive a response within 48 hours (excluding weekends).  We love communication and believe it is valuable for our students to know that their teachers and parents are working together for their benefit.  Please see the communication pathway in the Community Handbook which suggests always communicating with your child's advocacy or content area teacher regarding concerns first. 
 

Zoom 

We will be using Zoom to virtually conduct all of our classes.  In order to run these classes as smoothly as possible, we have come up with a list of norms for students to follow.  Please review these norms with your child.   

• Their username should be their first name and last initial 
• Ex: John S. 

• Please do not use any distracting backgrounds 
• All students’ cameras should be turned on at all times.  If there is an issue, please communicate this privately with your child’s advocate. 
• Students should have their microphone muted until it is their turn to speak 
• Please use the chat function appropriately.    
• Be present & engaged during meetings and lessons 

• Eyes on the computer screen or material 
• Raise your hand or click the “Raise Hand” button 
• Be prepared to answer questions & participate in discussions 
• Ask for permission to step out (i.e. water, bathroom, etc…) 
• Bring necessary materials and have them ready 

Students who do not follow these norms will receive redirection, but a failure to cooperate during class could result in removal from the room and communication home. 

Advocacy 

The school-wide advocacy focus for the month of August is Coping with Transition & Change. We will focus on topics such as team building, embracing ambiguity, & learning how to be students and classmates during remote learning.  

Schedule 

Students will be required to attend live Zoom classes Monday through Thursday.  If a student is unable to attend a live Zoom session, they should watch the recorded lesson that will be posted to Microsoft Stream, which can be found in each child’s Microsoft Teams. The schedule for 3-4 is as follows: 

Monday & Wednesday 

• Advocacy - 8:30 - 9:00 
• Language Arts - 9:30 - 10:00 
• Math - 11:00 - 11:30 

Tuesday & Thursday 

• Advocacy - 8:30 - 9:00 
• Social Studies - 9:30 - 10:00 
• Science - 11:00 - 11:30 

Friday 

• Students will focus on assignments & activities from the teacher.  There will be no live Zoom meetings on Fridays.