Hello Parents,
We are so excited to kick of this school year strong and welcome students into the building for Orientation Week. Kindergarten will attend Orientation two days, either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. If you are unsure which days your child will attend, please reach out to his/her advocacy teacher for more information. We will spend this time in the classroom getting to know students and establishing a sense of community while setting expectations for learning. We will wrap up our Orientation Week with a Class Zoom Meeting on Friday, August 21st at 11:30 am. Students will have an all about me poster to complete as homework to be shared with the class on our Friday Zoom Call. Please see email for login details for the Zoom meeting. Below is an example of our Orientation Schedule.
8:00 – 8:20 Welcome and Morning Meeting
8:20 – 9:30 Rules & Community
9:30 – 9:45 Bathroom Break & Hand washing Lesson
9:45 – 10:15 Snack & Recess
10:15 – 10:55 How to use our classroom tool & practice
10:55 – 11:15 Bathroom Break & Hand washing
11:15 – 11:45 Hand washing & Recess
11:45 – 12:15 Lunch
12:15 – 12:40 Quiet Time
12:40 – 1:30 All About Me
1:30 – 2:15 Choice Time
2:15 – 2:45 Bathroom, Wash Hands, Snack, Recess
2:45 – 3:15 Carline Expectations & Craft
3:15 – 3:23 Clean-Up & Carline
Please pack the following items in your child's backpack: Two separate snacks, a cold lunch that does not need to be warmed up, a water bottle, a change of clothes in a gallon size ziplock back, one extra mask if possible. If not we will have an extra if needed.
Supplies and Technology:
Kindergarten will be sent home with their blue Westgate Supply Bag on the second day of their orientation. If you requested a computer, you can pick it up on the North side of the building as you exit carline (after you have picked up your child). If your child will not be attending orientation their supplies and computer will be available for pick up on Friday, August 21st from 9:00 am – Noon. Remember that computers will remain at home and will not need to be transported back and forth from home to the school. DO NOT SEND YOUR STUDENT WITH A PERSONAL DEVICE PLEASE.
August Advocacy:
Advocacy is intended to be a time for students to build supportive relationships with their peers and with an adult they can trust. It is a time for everyone to feel recognized and welcomed into the school community, even (and especially) during Distance Learning. We have always believed that Advocacy should be a scheduled part of the school day for students to engage in activities that support their social and emotional growth, career readiness, and academic success. During these difficult times, Advocacy continues to be a foundational component of our school community, which is why we are beginning every school day M-Th in live Advocacy classes where students can connect, socialize, and develop social emotional skills. Mrs. Novak and Ms. Washington will also be collaborating on an Advocacy/ Mental Health newsletter that highlights our monthly Advocacy themes and provides families with tangible activities and learning opportunities for social emotional skill development. Here is a snapshot of our monthly themes for first semester:
August – Coping with Transition and Change
September – Self Care and Mindfulness
October – Using Your Voice and Bullying Prevention (Self Advocacy)
November – Community! “Won’t you be my neighbor?”
December – Gratitude and Optimism
Students and families will receive more information about each monthly topic in the Advocacy/ Mental Health newsletter and information will also be posted on our website.
For questions about Advocacy, please email [email protected] directly.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, Aug 11: Board of Directors Mtg, 6:30pm
Monday – Thursday, Aug 17 – 20: Orientation Week
Monday, Aug 24: Synchronous Distance Learning Begins
Monday, Aug 24: FRCC Classes Begin
Tuesday, Aug 25: Board of Director’s Address to the School
ON THE HORIZON:
Friday, Sep 4: NO SCHOOL – Teacher Work Day
Monday, Sep 7: NO SCHOOL – Labor Day
