MAY 2026
MAY CONTENT
- RISE MAY - Self Care & Wellness
- Refer Friends & Family - We'd love to welcome them
- Our Teachers, Our Strength - Teacher Appreciation Week
- Evening Exploration: Physical Education BINGO
- 7th & 8th Grade Concert - Last of 2025/2026 school year
- Continuations - Outside event timings
- Carnival - Basket donations & Event details
- High School Student Published - Congrats!
- 7th & 8th Grade Dance - 90s Neon & $3 at the door
- Graduation - Celebrate the graduating class of 2026
- Westgate Weather with iLab - We finally got snow!
- Summer Program Resources - Options for summer fun
MAY EVENTS
(click TITLE ABOVE for redirect to our calendar of events online)
DAY |
DATE |
EVENT |
|---|---|---|
| THU | 5/7 |
8th Grade Field Trip - pack sack lunch
Teacher Appreciation Lunch
|
| FRI | 5/8 |
Kindergarten Field Trip - pack sack lunch
Class of 2016 HS Reunion
Senior Walkthrough
Teacher Appreciation Gifts
|
| WEEK | 5/11-5/19 | 12th Grade Service Trip |
| WEEK | 5/11 - 5/16 | 11th Grade Service Trip |
| WEEK | 5/11-5/15 |
10th Grade Service Trip
9th Grade Service Learning
|
| MON | 5/11 | End of Term FRCC - High School |
| TUE | 5/12 |
5th Grade Field Trip - pack sack lunch
Events Committee 8:15am - 9:30AM
Evening Exploration with PE 5:00-6:00 PM
|
| WED | 5/13 | 6th Grade Field Trip - pack sack lunch |
| FRI | 5/15 | 3rd & 4th Grade Night of the Notables 4:00-4:45 PM |
| TUE | 5/19 |
Events Committee Meeting 8:15-9:30 AM
Board of Directors Meeting 6:00-8:30 PM
|
| WED | 5/20 |
1st Grade Field Trip - pack sack lunch
7th & 8th Grade Band Concert 5:30-6:30 PM
|
| THU | 5/21 |
High School Graduation 10:00-11:30 AM
SAC Meeting 5:30-6:30 PM
|
| FRI | 5/22 |
High School Field Trip - pack sack lunch
2nd Grade Field Trip - pack sack lunch
7th & 8th Grade Dance 6-8 pm
|
| MON | 5/25 | MEMORIAL DAY - NO SCHOOL |
| TUE | 5/26 | High School Field Trip - pack sack lunch |
| WED | 5/27 | K-8 Continuation Ceremonies (please see below for times) |
| THU | 5/28 | 1/2 DAY Dismissal at 11:30 - 2026 CARNIVAL 2:00-6:00 PM |
| FRI | 5/29 | LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - 1/2 DAY Dismissal at 11:30 |
| SAT | 5/30 | Board of Directors Retreat |
RISE MAY - Self Care & Wellness
Skills
- Time management: Organizing and balancing time for work, rest, and leisure.
- Physical health habits: Engaging in regular exercise, eating balanced meals, and getting enough sleep.
- Mental health practices: Using techniques like journaling, meditation, or relaxation to maintain mental well-being.
- Setting boundaries: Knowing when to say no and managing personal limits.
- Self-compassion: Being kind to oneself and practicing positive self-talk.
Learning Goal
Learn and implement strategies for maintaining physical, emotional, and mental well-being to lead a balanced and healthy life.
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
Some children light up when they’re given the chance to explore, create, and truly be known—and Westgate is a place where those children thrive. Each year, our families and community members play a powerful role in helping others discover what makes Westgate special. Thank you for being our biggest champions!
We currently have a few open seats and would love to welcome families who are looking for a caring, innovative, and student‑centered learning environment. If you know a child who would flourish at Westgate—a neighbor, friend, or relative—please encourage them to learn more about our school. Your recommendation could be the beginning of something truly wonderful.
- Tell your family, friends and neighbors to check us out at westgateschool.org
- You can also direct them to our enrollment page: Enrollment Process - Enrollment - Westgate Community School
- They can also reach out to our Enrollment Director - Rochelle Goforth - [email protected].
We would be thrilled to welcome your friends and family into the Westgate community!
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Our Teachers, Our Strength
Even as Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, our gratitude for the incredible educators at Westgate lasts all year long. Our teachers are the backbone of everything that makes our school such a special place to learn and grow. Through their dedication, creativity, and care, they create classrooms where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired every single day. We are deeply thankful for all they do for our students, families, and community.
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Evening Exploration
📅 Tuesday, May 12 | 🕔 5:00–6:00 PM | 📍 Westgate Gym
Join us for an active and fun Family PE Night with Mr. Anderson! This event is designed especially for K–4 students, but all Westgate families are welcome to attend.
Families will move through different activity stations, including jump rope, hula hoops, soccer kicks, paddle volleys, and more. Complete each station to fill your Bingo card and earn a fun prize!
Space is limited to 60 participants, so registration is required. When you RSVP, please include how many people will attend. Register today: Westgate Community School: Evening Exploration with PE: Physical Education Bingo
We hope to see you there for a great evening of movement and fun!
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Westgate End‑of‑the‑Year Carnival
Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and fundraising as we celebrate the end of the school year—all in support of Westgate!
Where: Westgate Campus, 12500 Washington Street
Date: May 28, 2026
Time: 2:00–6:00 PM
More info: Westgate CARNIVAL - Community Events - Westgate Community School
Where: Westgate Campus, 12500 Washington Street
Date: May 28, 2026
Time: 2:00–6:00 PM
More info: Westgate CARNIVAL - Community Events - Westgate Community School
Wristbands & Tickets
- Wristbands are required for inflatable access.
- $25 presale | $30 at the door
- Wristbands include unlimited access to the inflatable play area plus one ticket.
- All students must be supervised by a parent or guardian—this is not a drop-off event.
- Wristband ordering will be available soon. Please check back for updates.
Purchase Options:
- Order online through our payment portal: Home | Westgate Community School
- Or drop off cash or a check in the vestibule box. Please include the attached PDF with your order.
Silent Auction:
- The silent auction is the highlight of the event, and this year we are trying something new! We will be using an online auction platform that allows you to bid right from your phone. This system offers easier bidding and checkout.
- The auction will close at 5:30 PM on the day of the event. Stay tuned for emails with details on how to participate.
- Auction items include popular grade-level theme baskets, as well as a variety of items and experiences from local and Colorado-area businesses. Winning bids will be finalized through the app and can be paid for immediately. Winners who are not present will be contacted.
Food Trucks:
A variety of favorite food trucks will be on-site for families to enjoy, including:
- Campfire Hotdog Grill
- Colorado Taco Truck
- The Snowy Churro
- Sip Fantasia
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Student‑Led Conferences (Outdoor)
On the same day as our End‑of‑the‑Year Carnival, families will be invited to participate in student‑led conferences held outdoors in the Amphitheater area.
Conferences will take place between 3:00–5:00 PM, with specific times assigned for each grade level. While the exact schedule is still being finalized, families will have designated grade‑level windows to meet with teachers and pick up final student work in the outdoor space.
Additional details, including grade‑level times, will be shared as soon as they are available. This format allows families to connect with teachers while also enjoying Carnival activities on campus.
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90's Neon 7th & 8th Grade Dance
- Date: Friday, May 22
- Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
- Cost: $3 at the door
Westgate 7th and 8th grade students are invited to a Neon 90s–themed dance! The dance will be held in the high school gym and feature a DJ and light refreshments. Admission is $3, payable at the door. This event is open to Westgate 7/8 students only, so grab your brightest neon and get ready for a fun night on the dance floor!
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7th & 8th Grade Concert Rocks!
It's that time again to rock out with the 7th & 8th grade band as they play new and classic hits! Please join use for some amazing music as we perform the last concert of the 25-26 school year.
- Date: Wednesday, May 20
- Time: 5:30 -6:30 PM
- Where: Westgate HS Pod
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Continuation Ceremonies – Wednesday, May 27
We are excited to celebrate our students during Westgate’s K–8 Continuation Ceremonies on Wednesday, May 27! These ceremonies mark an important milestone for our students, and we look forward to sharing this special day with our families.
All ceremonies are scheduled to be held outdoors in the Amphitheater, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, ceremonies will move to the gym, and families will be notified.
To help keep the day running smoothly, we ask that families move to the nearby open area for photos once their grade level ceremony concludes, allowing the next group to enter and prepare.
Ceremony Schedule
- 8:15 a.m. – Grades 7 & 8
- 9:30 a.m. – Kindergarten
- 10:15 a.m. – Grades 3 & 4
- 1:00 p.m. – Grades 1 & 2
- 2:15 p.m. – Grades 5 & 6
Thank you for your support and cooperation as we honor our students’ growth, achievements, and next steps. We can’t wait to celebrate with our Westgate community!
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HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Celebrating Student Achievements
Senior Mack Brands has a short story, “Echoes,” published in HOWL, Spring 2026 Issue 11, a nationally recognized magazine from the Front Range Community College Westminster Campus School of Writing and Literature. An amazing achievement! You can read it on page 58. HOWL 2026
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WESTGATE SENIOR GRADUATION
We are proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 as they reach this important milestone! Please join us for our High School Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, May 21, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. in the amphitheater.
This special event honors our seniors’ hard work, growth, and achievements, and we would be delighted to share this moment with their families and loved ones. We look forward to celebrating this exciting day together!
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Westgate Weather Watch with iLab
April had some solid storms, especially in the high country. These events brought much needed precipitation to the state, but it is not enough to overcome our record low snowpack totals. As a whole month we had well above normal temperatures and well below normal precipitation, except a couple of pockets in the Southwest mountains.
The outlook for May leans above normal temperatures and equal chances of normal precipitation. We are kicking off May with a large storm that has the capabilities to bring snow to Denver, but you never know what to expect with Colorado weather. Due to Denver's location to the mountains, we often have storms roll right over us so if you are hoping for a snow day be sure to flush and ice cube, wear your pajamas backwards and sleep with a spoon under your pillow.
During our Spring storm yesterday, we collected .83 inches of water in the rain gauge. We measured the accumulation in a couple of different locations on campus and calculated an average of about 5 inches of fallen snow over 24 hours. This was our largest precipitation event of 2026 by far!
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Looking for Summer Fun?
We know many families are on the lookout for engaging summer opportunities—and that it’s not always easy to figure out what’s available or where to start. We’ve gathered the following list to help point you in the right direction! This collection is not comprehensive and may change as new opportunities come up or others wrap up.
The programs are listed in no particular order and are shared for informational purposes only. These are community‑based options; Westgate does not sponsor or partner with these programs and is not responsible for their content or operations. For the most up‑to‑date details, registration information, and questions, please contact the individual providers directly.
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The Westgate Wire is a monthly newsletter that is typically published on the first Thursday of each month to keep parents and guardians informed about key events and updates at Westgate Community School. Please note that because it is distributed at the beginning of the month, some details may be subject to change. Additional updates will be communicated via email or text as needed. The Westgate Wire serves as one of several communication tools and does not replace timely messages sent throughout the month.
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