Schedule 

Classes this quarter will be 45 minutes each (15 minutes longer than previously). Our goal is that by having more time in class, we can cover material more thoroughly and have more time to answer questions.

Seminar will now start at 9:00 am and end at 9:45 am on Fridays. 

No October HS In-Person Week 

In an abundance of caution, high school will not be hosting our in-person week this month. We know many of our students have jobs and are more active in the community than the younger students. As their social circles are larger, we are making every effort to limit any situation that may lead to students putting others at risk, whether it is each other or the people they may encounter outside of the school building. We are still planning on our November HS in-person week the week of November 16th, and we will send updates as they develop. 

However, we would still like to see our students, , we are offering a walk to the park for high school students on Friday, October 23rd. This will take place from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We will be walking with students to EB Raines park for lunch, and we will be outside the entire time to ensure a safer environment. Please see the email from your advocate for the permission form and more details. 

October Advocacy Topic: Bullying Prevention 

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. It started in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. From their website:  

PACER developed the initial campaign, National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week, to raise awareness about bullying. Historically, bullying had been viewed as “a childhood rite of passage” that “made kids tougher,” but the reality has always been that bullying can leave devastating and often long-term effects such as a loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression for those involved.   

This initiative has helped shift thinking away from bullying as “rite of passage” and toward the knowledge that bullying can be prevented and stopped through education and awareness.   

This month, 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 28th at 6pm 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!