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Advocacy- Ms. Chalstrom

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Advocacy: End of Year Events and Sign-Up 5/24/21

Hello Families, 
It's hard to believe that the school year is almost over. This has definitely been a year to remember. I am really excited to celebrate the grit, growth, and flexibility our Kinders have demonstrated this year. Below you will find the dates and times of important events as well as a sign-up genius for teacher conferences and another sign-up genius for our end of year celebration. I appreciate all of your help and support to make these last two weeks memorable. 
 

5/21 - 5/28 Parent Teacher Conferences Sign-Up 

End of Year Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday 6/3 from 1-8pm and Friday 6/4 from 8am - 12pm. Teacher conferences will be held over Zoom and will be 15 minutes long. Please click here.

6/2 Move up Day

We are excited to welcome the first grade teachers to our Kindergarten classrooms. First grade teachers will provide a brief presentation about the amazing things they can expect in first grade next year.

6/3 Kindergarten Continuation Ceremony

Our Kindergarten Continuation Ceremony will be on Thursday 6/3 at 8:15am. All continuation ceremonies will be held over Zoom (zoom link will be emailed out the week of continuation). Students will be presented with a Continuation Certificate, small gift, and a round of applause. The ceremony will be recorded for any families unable to attend at that time.

6/3 Kindergarten End of Year Celebration

We will have an end of year celebration following our continuation ceremony. Students will make end of Kindergarten crowns, eat lots of goodies, have as many dance parties as they want, and have a last run around the playground. We cannot have parent volunteers join us in the building, but I promise to take pictures and email them out for you all to enjoy. I will need your help to make this celebration everything that out Kinders deserve. Please click here to view our sign-up genius to donate treats, drinks, and bubbles. 

6/3 Last Day of In-Person Learning - Half Day! 

Students will be released at 11:30am 

6/4 Asynchronous Day - Final Field Trip Friday & Last Day of School! 

Today will be our final day of the school year. Students will access our final field trip Friday on Seesaw. You will also be able to view the virtual yearbook pages students signed for one another in our Seesaw classroom. 

May Advocacy: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Dear Families, 
Many of you have probably heard that physical health and mental health are inescapably linked. You may even have some personal examples of how exercise or eating well has made you feel better, or how you feel more tired or run down when you eat too much sugar or fast food, or when you don't move your body throughout the day. During the month of May, we are going to continue to explore these themes and share about how physical wellness impacts mental health and how emotional wellness impacts our physical health – it goes both ways.

 

On the Horizon 

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week (May 3 – 7) - See the flyer for details. Please refer to the Sign-Up Genius below for ways to donate to this event https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4DA9AD2CA5FD0-teacher Additionally, here is the link for any monetary donations: https://www.westgateschool.biz/Westgate-Events-25-admin-fee-events.htm  Please reference “Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week 2021”.

Monday – Teachers & Staff Breakfast. A small gift will be provided to teachers and staff.

Tuesday – Teachers & Staff Lunch. #TBT Share your favorite memory with your teacher.

Wednesday – Carline Appreciation. Decorate your car and create signs to show your appreciation while in carline.

Thursday – Snack Cart for Teachers & Staff. Create a “Virtual Award” to share with you teacher.

Friday – Virtual Appreciation. Create a piece of artwork, poem, or a video to share with your teachers and staff online or via email.  

Virtual Silent Auction (May 17th – 23rd) Watch your email and social media for details.

Upcoming Spirit Nights:
WED, MAY 26th (1pm – 9pm) 
Yogurt Yum 3969 E 120th Ave             
Thornton, CO 80233

May 11th Board of Directors Meeting 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM 

May 14th Events & Fundraising Committee Meeting 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM (Zoom) 

May 14th Friday Community Connect 11 AM – 12 PM (via Zoom) 

May 20th School Accountability Committee Meeting 5:30 PM – 7 PM (Virtual ) 

May 21st Senior Brunch 10 AM - 12 PM

                Senior Graduation Rehearsal 12 PM - 1:30 PM

                Outdoor Movie Fundraiser 8 PM - 10 PM WG Parking Lot

May 27th Commencement Class 2021 6PM - 7:30 PM WG Outdoor Auditorium

May 28th No School 

May 31st No School - Memorial Day 

June 3rd Half Day In Person and Online 7:45 AM - 11:30 AM last day in person

                Parent Teacher Conferences (Zoom) 1 PM - 8 PM

June 4th Half Day Asynchronous 

                Parent Teacher Conferences (Zoom) 8 AM - 12 PM 

April Advocacy - We Love the Environment! 4/5/21

Hello Families, 
April's advocacy is all about the Earth and taking care of the environment. We will take what we learned about conservancy in March and build on it to understand how and why we can take care of the Earth. We will spend more time outside exploring and learning using our outdoor campus. Kindergarten will go on a birds and bugs scavenger hunt, go on a listening walk, and repurpose twigs, leaves, and rocks to make beautiful art. All Westgate students will also design and create an Earth Day Quilt Square in celebration of Earth Day. 

 

Westgate is Giving Away Trees!

Westgate recently received a grant from the National Wildlife Federation as well as a sponsorship from the West Adams County Conservation District for a tree giveaway in conjunction with Earth Day.   

The trees are large tube trees and you can choose between a Rocky Mountain Juniper or a Ponderosa Pine.  Both are native to Colorado, drought resistant and hardy. Reserve your tree now as the supply is limited and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Current Westgate families can choose to pick-up their trees during carline on Thursday, April 22nd or drive thru the community pick-up that will be offered from 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22nd.  To maintain COVID precautions, the trees will be delivered directly to you while you remain in the car.

NOTE:  the tree giveaway is for the community so please forward this information to whomever you think might be interested.

Service-Learning Exhibition starts April 22

                This year, for service learning, students stayed in their advocacy classes to work on projects. Classes chose a topic and then made projects to educate others about that topic.

                Projects will be completed and ready for exhibition on April 22 and will be available to view on the left side of the webpage here.

These projects are available for you to learn about and support a range of causes such as bees, unhoused populations, and wild animal habitats.

Community Clean Up – April 22 - 25

Trash pickups are always a popular activity around Earth Day so let’s join the popular crowd. Unfortunately, we still can’t be together doing this as a group so you will pick up litter wherever you’d like! We have a goal of picking up 2021 pieces of litter between April 22 and April 25.

                You can choose 30 mins to an hour sometime within those 4 days to head out and make your community a little cleaner.

Westgate has Washington Street adopted from 120th-128th. If you’d like to pick up litter along our adopted street you are more than welcome!

                Please fill out this form to indicate you’d like to participate. You’ll receive a sticker, bags, gloves (if you need them) and a general safety video the week of April 19.

                Send pictures and how many pieces of litter you picked up to Mrs. Valenza at [email protected]. There will be a running total on the environmental education page of our website so you can follow along the whole weekend.

                If you post to social media use the hashtag #WCSEarthDay2021

On the Horizon:

 

● Wednesday, Apr 7; Spirit Night at Taziki’s

● Friday, Apr 9; Events & Fundraising Committee Mtg, 830a

● Friday, Apr 9; Friday Community Connect, 11a

● Friday, Apr 9-15; Board of Director Election 

● Tuesday, Apr 13; Board of Directors Mtg, 6:30p

● Thursday, Apr 15; School Accountability Committee Mtg, 5:30p

● Friday, Apr 23; NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

● Friday, Apr 23; HS Prom, 7-11p

● Thursday, Apr 29; Environmental Education Webinar 5p

 

April Advocacy - We Love the Environment! 4/5/21

Hello Families, 

April's advocacy is all about the Earth and taking care of the environment. We will take what we learned about conservancy in March and build on it to understand how and why we can take care of the Earth. We will spend more time outside exploring and learning using our outdoor campus. Kindergarten will go on a birds and bugs scavenger hunt, go on a listening walk, and repurpose twigs, leaves, and rocks to make beautiful art. All Westgate students will also design and create an Earth Day Quilt Square in celebration of Earth Day. 
 

Discussion Questions for Home: 

What is your favorite thing the Earth provides us with?

What do you appreciate about the Earth?

What is the coolest invention for the environment?

What would you invent to help the environment?

What animal do you want to protect the most?

Would you rather be The Lorax or The Once-ler?

Would you rather live by the ocean or in the mountains?

Westgate is Giving Away Trees!

Westgate recently received a grant from the National Wildlife Federation as well as a sponsorship from the West Adams County Conservation District for a tree giveaway in conjunction with Earth Day.   

The trees are large tube trees and you can choose between a Rocky Mountain Juniper or a Ponderosa Pine.  Both are native to Colorado, drought resistant and hardy. Reserve your tree now as the supply is limited and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Current Westgate families can choose to pick-up their trees during carline on Thursday, April 22nd or drive thru the community pick-up that will be offered from 5-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22nd.  To maintain COVID precautions, the trees will be delivered directly to you while you remain in the car.

NOTE:  the tree giveaway is for the community so please forward this information to whomever you think might be interested.

On the Horizon:

 

● Wednesday, Apr 7; Spirit Night at Taziki’s

● Friday, Apr 9; Events & Fundraising Committee Mtg, 830a

● Friday, Apr 9; Friday Community Connect, 11a

● Friday, Apr 9-15; Board of Director Election 

● Tuesday, Apr 13; Board of Directors Mtg, 6:30p

● Thursday, Apr 15; School Accountability Committee Mtg, 5:30p

● Friday, Apr 23; NO SCHOOL – Professional Development Day

● Friday, Apr 23; HS Prom, 7-11p

● Thursday, Apr 29; Environmental Education Webinar 5p
 

March 3/15/2021

Hello Families, 
Parent teacher conferences are right around the corner. Conferences will be held on Thursday 3/18 and Friday 3/19. Conferences will be 20 minutes long and held via Zoom. If you have not yet signed up for a conference please contact me via email so we can get you scheduled. 
 

DEAR: Drop Everything And Read!

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.

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.

 

YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year are now on sale! Yearbooks are $30 and can be purchased online only through May 4. Click here to order. 

 

On the Horizon: 

Mon 3/15 Kindergarten Brings Leprechaun Traps to School
Thurs 3/18 (8am - 8pm) Parent Teacher Conferences 
Fri 3/19 (8am - 12pm) Parent Teacher Conferences 
Thurs 3/18 - Tues 3/30 Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
Wed 3/31 Return to School First Day of Quarter 4! 

 

March Advocacy: 3/8/2021

Hello Families, 
We will be participating in asynchronous learning 3/8 - 3/12. Students will access pre-recorded lessons and activities on Seesaw each day. Learning Materials were sent home in your student's backpack in the yellow, green, and purple folders. You can access our weekly learning calendar here. 
 
Parent teacher conferences are right around the corner. Conferences will be held on Thursday 3/18 and Friday 3/19. Conferences will be 20 minutes long and held via Zoom. You can sign up for a conference here. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out via email.
 

DEAR: Drop Everything And Read!

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.

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.

 

YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year are now on sale! Yearbooks are $30 and can be purchased online only through May 4. Click here to order. 

 

On the Horizon: 

Mon 3/8 - Fri 3/12 Asynchronous Learning from Home via Seesaw
Tues 3/9 (6:30pm - 8:30pm) Board of Directors Meeting
Thurs 3/11 (5:30pm - 7pm) School Accountability Committee Meeting
Fri 3/12 (11am - 12pm) Friday Community Connect
Fri 3/5 - Fri 3/12 - Sign Up Genius for Conferences Available
Thurs 3/18 (8am - 8pm) Parent Teacher Conferences 
Fri 3/19 (8am - 12pm) Parent Teacher Conferences 
Thurs 3/18 - Tues 3/30 Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
Wed 3/31 Return to School First Day of Quarter 4! 

March Advocacy: Going Green 3/1/21

Hello Families,

The “inspiration” for this month’s theme was spurred by the wildfires we had in Colorado last year (which now has its own Wikipedia page). If you are like me you wanted to do something, anything! One of those somethings is education. We have the very special opportunity to educate our students about the environmental issues facing us today.

This month students will apply what we have learned about natural and man-made resources, the weather, and seasons to learn more about environmental issues facing us today. Kindergarten will focus on the environment and insects and animals. We will learn about endangered species on land and in the sea. We will also investigate the importance of Bee's and what we can do to protect them. Learning about these things at these ages is imperative to ushering in a generation that cares about the world around them.

This month’s advocacy is a lead into April’s theme of “We Love the Environment!” So, remember that by understanding the environmental issues we all face we can also see the light and hope.

Vocabulary: 

Climate Change - Climate change describes a change in the average conditions — such as temperature and rainfall — in a region over a long period of time. 

Sustainability - using resources in such a way that they will continue to be available in the future.

Endangered  -  wild animal or plant that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A species is considered threatened if it is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.

Engaging Your Student at Home: 

Below are a few guiding questions you can use to open up a discussion about what we are learning at school. I have also included a few resources you can watch at home with your student. 

 

Why do people litter?

Should single-use plastics be banned?

What animal do you want to protect the most?

Should we protect bees?

Read Aloud: What Does it Mean to be Green

Read Aloud: I can Save the Earth

Animated Story: The Life of Lilly the Sea Turtle

Read Aloud: Michael Recycle

Animated Story: Save the Bees

YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year are now on sale! Yearbooks are $30 and can be purchased online only through May 4. Click here to order. 

 

On the Horizon: 

Wed 3/3 (4pm – 8pm) : Spirit Night Chipotle
951 E 120th Ave Unit A, Thornton, CO 80233-5719
Tues 3/9 (6:30pm - 8:30pm) Board of Directors Meeting
Thurs 3/11 (5:30pm - 7pm) School Accountability Committee Meeting
Fri 3/12 (11am - 12pm) Friday Community Connect
Fri 3/5 - Fri 3/12 - Sign Up Genius for Conferences Available
Thurs 3/18 (8am - 8pm) Parent Teacher Conferences 
Fri 3/19 (8am - 12pm) Parent Teacher Conferences 
Thurs 3/18 - Tues 3/30 Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
Wed 3/31 Return to School First Day of Quarter 4! 

Kindness Week 2/8 - 2/12

Hello Families, 

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 [email protected]. 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: @Westgate Wild Use #ShareYourKindness when posting on all platforms!

February Advocacy: Grit and Growth Mindset 2/1/21

Hello Families, 

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 [email protected]. 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: @Westgate Wild Use #ShareYourKindness when posting on all platforms!

Advocacy 1-25-21

Hello All, 

This month our advocacy theme is self-compassion and self-regulation. Students will learn why they or others may become dysregulated, what dysregulation may look or feel like, and how to respond and re-regulate. We will learn the basic tenets of self-compassion (self-kindness vs. self-judgment, common humanity vs. isolation, mindfulness vs. overidentification). Students will examine their own areas for growth and they will change their negative self-talk into positive mantras.

In-Person PALS Assessment Week

We are preparing for our week of PALS assessment coming up January 25th - 28th. During this week, your student will attend ONE DAY of in person instruction. There will only be 4 students in person each day. On days where your student is not in the building there will be asynchronous learning available using recorded lessons and Seesaw activities. Students remaining online for quarter 3 can pick up supplies at the front office on Friday the 28th. 
 
Please be sure that your student arrives to school on their specific day with all their learning materials from home as well as a sack lunch, water bottle, two snacks, and a mask or two. There will not be access to drinking fountains, hot lunches will not be available this week, and there will not be any before and after school care provided. 
 

On the Horizon: 

January 25th - 28th PALS Assessment in person for select students

January 29th - Supply Pick Up for Mrs. Matthews Kinder ONLINE ONLY STUDENTS. 

February 1st - In Person and Synchronous Learning Begins

February 15th - No School Presidents Day

February 16th - No School Teacher Work Day

January Advocacy: Self Compassion and Regulation 1/18/21

Hello All, 

This month our advocacy theme is self-compassion and self-regulation. Students will learn why they or others may become dysregulated, what dysregulation may look or feel like, and how to respond and re-regulate. We will learn the basic tenets of self-compassion (self-kindness vs. self-judgment, common humanity vs. isolation, mindfulness vs. overidentification). Students will examine their own areas for growth and they will change their negative self-talk into positive mantras.

In-Person PALS Assessment Week

We are preparing for our week of PALS assessment coming up January 25th - 28th. During this week, your student will attend ONE DAY of in person instruction. There will only be 4 students in person each day. On days where your student is not in the building there will be asynchronous learning available using recorded lessons and Seesaw activities. Click here to access the sign-up genius and select which day you would like your student to attend. 
 
Please be sure that your student arrives to school on their specific day with all their learning materials from home as well as a sack lunch, water bottle, two snacks, and a mask or two. There will not be access to drinking fountains, hot lunches will not be available this week, and there will not be any before and after school care provided. 
 
ONLINE ONLY FAMILIES: please be on the lookout for an additional email from me so we can make alternative arrangements for your student to complete the assessments on January 22nd. 
 

 

Social Hours & Enrichment: 

With the continuation of distance learning the need for connection and community is of great importance. Katie Goforth and Julie Ruhl continue 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 Kindergarten, the Social Zooms will be from 9-930am and 12:45-1:15pm
  • Zoom Links will be posted in Seesaw each Friday
  • If you have any questions, please email [email protected] 
We will also continue to offer student enrichment for all students. For more information and to view enrichment options click here. 

 

On the Horizon: 

January 15th - Sign-Up Genius for PALS Testing Emailed to Advocacy

January 18th - No School Martin Luther King Holiday

January 18th - 22nd - Begin Learning Lab for Special Populations canceled

January 25th - 28th PALS Assessment in person for select students

February 1st - In Person and Synchronous Learning Begins

February 15th - No School Presidents Day

February 16th - No School Teacher Work Day

You can access our weekly learning calendar here. 

January Advocacy: Self Compassion and Regulation 1/11/21

Hello All, 

I am so excited for the new year and the possibilities and hope 2021 brings with it. I hope you all had a restful break and are ready to get back into the swing of things refreshed and renewed!

This month our advocacy theme is self-compassion and self-regulation. Students will learn why they or others may become dysregulated, what dysregulation may look or feel like, and how to respond and re-regulate. We will learn the basic tenets of self-compassion (self-kindness vs. self-judgment, common humanity vs. isolation, mindfulness vs. overidentification). Students will examine their own areas for growth and they will change their negative self-talk into positive mantras.

We will also lean into advocacy and dig a bit deeper into these themes through service learning. You'll remember that last quarter our service learning theme was optimism and we made a video teaching others what optimism means to us and named the things we are optimistic for this new year. This semester we will focus our service learning on mindfulness and perseverance.

Distance Learning Schedule 

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:30  Zoom Advocacy 8:30 Zoom Advocacy 8:30 Zoom Advocacy 8:30 Zoom  Advocacy  Asynchronous Learning
9:30 Zoom Literacy 9:30 Zoom S.S/Science 9:30 Zoom Literacy 9:30 Zoom S.S/Science  
11:00 Zoom Math 11:00 Show & Share 11:00 Zoom Math 11:00 Show & Share  
12:15 Zoom Specials: Art
11:45-12:15
Office Hours
 12:15 Zoom Specials: Art 11:45 - 12:15 Office Hours  
Small Groups TBD Small Groups TBD Small Groups TBD Small Groups TBD  
         

 

Social Hours & Enrichment: 

With the continuation of distance learning the need for connection and community is of great importance. Katie Goforth and Julie Ruhl continue 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 Kindergarten, the Social Zooms will be from 9-930am and 12:45-1:15pm
  • Zoom Links will be posted in Seesaw each Friday
  • If you have any questions, please email [email protected] 
We will also continue to offer student enrichment for all students. For more information and to view enrichment options click here. 

 

On the Horizon: 

January 11 - Distance Learning Begins

January 15th - Sign-Up Genius for PALS Testing Emailed to Advocacy

January 18th - No School Martin Luther King Holiday

January 18th - 22nd - Begin Learning Lab for Special Populations

January 25th - 28th PALS Assessment in person for selected students

February 1st - In Person Learning Begins

February 15th - No School Presidents Day

February 16th - No School Teacher Work Day

Advocacy 12/7/20-12/11/20

Hello All,

This month in advocacy we have a chance to slow down and instill the habits of gratitude and optimism in our community! Students will understand optimism – what is it and why it is important. Students will also examine their own mindsets and actively practice optimism. Students will learn about the importance of gratitude, they will practice gratitude every day throughout the month with the goal of creating habits for daily gratitude.   

 Vocabulary  

Gratitude- the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. 

Optimism - hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something 

Appreciation – recognition and enjoyment of someone or something 

Positivity -  the practice of being or tendency to be positive or optimistic in attitude 

 Questions you may ask your student at home  

What makes you happy? 

Who are some of your favorite people? 

What are you grateful for? 

Does gratitude feel different this year? 

Has it been hard for you to be optimistic this year? 

How do you like to be cheered up by others?  

What are some things that you just can’t be optimistic about? 

Do you tend to see the glass half full or half empty? 

What foods are you grateful for? 

What does positivity look like to you? 

How will you show gratitude during the holidays? 

How will you show optimism during the holidays? 

On the Horizon: 

12/4 - 12/11 Fun Services Holiday Shop (virtual) www.funservicescolorado.com/holidaystore.html

12/6 - Sign-Up for Conferences goes live at 8:00am

school code: WSTG

12/17 - Winter Break Begins!

12/17 - 12/18 Parent Teacher Conferences

Advocacy Update: Community 11/30/20

Hello All,  

This week we will wrap up what we have learned about communities by making connections between our classroom and school community. We will identify what makes our classroom and school community similar and unique and brainstorm ways we can support our classroom and school community each day. 

Vocabulary  

Community - a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. A social unit that has commonalities such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identities. Examples – could be your specific neighborhood community, our Westgate community, scientists, teachers, LGBTQ+, specific sports teams  

Collaborate – to work together for a certain goal  

Connection - a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else   

You can access our weekly learning calendar here. 

Around the Corner

11/30 Last Chance Supply Pick Up 4 - 6pm

11/30 Original Works fundraiser EXTENDED Deadline

12/1 Giving Tuesday. Click here for more details!

12/1 Westgate K-12 Online Applications Open

12/2 Spirit night at Your Pie 5 PM – 9 PM 14342 Lincoln St, Thornton, CO 

12/4 - 12/11 Fun Services Holiday Shop (virtual) www.funservicescolorado.com/holidaystore.html

school code: WSTG

12/17 - 12/18 Parent Teacher Conferences

November Advocacy - Community 11/16/20

Hello All,  

This week we will expand what we have learned about communities by exploring our family community. We will identify what makes families similar and unique and brainstorm ways we can support our family each day. 

Vocabulary  

Community - a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. A social unit that has commonalities such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identities. Examples – could be your specific neighborhood community, our Westgate community, scientists, teachers, LGBTQ+, specific sports teams  

Collaborate – to work together for a certain goal  

Connection - a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else   

You can access our weekly learning calendar here. 

Around the Corner

11/16 - Begin Daily 10 min Math on Moby Max requirement

11/20 - Supply pick up at Westgate 9am - noon

11/23 - 11/27 Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL!