Hello Seniors and Parents,

 

First off, I want to express how much it saddens and pains me that we will not be able to celebrate several of your milestone moments as a class. Know that we as a High School team all share this disappointment with you and are working tirelessly to make those moments the best we can in our current circumstances.

Some of you had several questions, which Mrs. Novak addressed in her reply. If you haven’t seen that message, I urge you to check your inboxes. I will post the message here as well.

My plan for senior advocacy is to meet for an hour every Friday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. via zoom. I already sent you the join code and password. A reminder that you must sign in using your real first and last name to be allowed in to live zoom meetings. If you don’t have a zoom account set up, check out my zoom tutorial video posted here.

I also planned to check in with you all at 10:30 a.m. today to circle with you. That one is in your inbox as well, called “Monday Zoom Check-in.” Hope to see you soon!

 

-Brinkley

Here is a copy of an email from Mrs. Novak about some of your concerns we heard:

Hello Class of 2020!

 

I appreciate your communication, and I sure miss seeing your faces. This is such a difficult time for everyone, but especially for the Class of 2020 at Westgate and around the world. I have spent a lot of time thinking about your class and working with my team to come up with the best possible plan. 

 

First of all, I am sorry that you feel you have not received communication. All the communication that anyone has received in the building has gone to all grade levels/ all high school families. Nothing has been kept from the Seniors and I apologize if you feel that things have been withheld. 

 

Secondly, the news that came earlier this afternoon was extremely difficult news, and we were all grasping to some hope that we wouldn't get that news. Due to that change, we as a team had to take a couple of hours to communicate properly. I just sent out an  email to all High School families about everything you listed below (Prom, Graduation, Service Hours, Internship, testing and more). I copied that message below for your reference. It does answer your questions, but I want you to know that I am still open and available to hearing your concerns. We are striving to communicate as quickly as we get the information, and I appreciate your grace and understanding. 

 

So much is uncertain right now, and so much is out of our control. We desperately want to celebrate your wonderful class, and we commit to doing that in some creative and special way, but it will not be as it once was. We are planning, planning, planning and we will keep you updated. I am sorry that your class is experiencing this global pandemic as Seniors. 

 

Mr. Brinkley is sending you some information for Senior Advocacy, and I hope you all tune in so we can get together soon. I appreciate you all so much. I am sending you love and positive energy. See the message below... 

 

Hello, and welcome “back” from Spring Break, High School families! 

 

Earlier today, Adams 12 Five Star Schools and other Denver Metro area schools announced that school buildings will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. This decision impacts various end of the year events and activities, and the purpose of this email is to update you on the status of these events. Please take a few moments to read the announcements below and do not hesitate to respond with any questions or concerns. This is a challenging time for our community, and it is more important than ever to remain connected. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued partnership as we navigate school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This continues to be an evolving situation, and we will update families regularly as we learn more from the Governor’s Office and the State Health Department.

 

Spring Testing

 

As you heard from the District earlier this week, SAT and PSAT Spring testing dates have been cancelled until June, including the Colorado SAT testing date on April 14. The Colorado Department of Education and The College Board are working to generate possible solutions for PSAT and SAT administration. More information will be shared once it becomes available.  

 

Service Hours and Service Trips

 

Westgate has made the difficult decision to cancel all high school service trips scheduled for May. Habitat International has suspended all trips through May 2020, and due to the spread of COVID-19, we are cancelling the freshmen and sophomore trips, as well. The community service requirement for all high school students will be waived for the 2019-2020 school year.

Service is something that Westgate values, and we encourage all who are able to continue providing service during this time. Though it is no longer a requirement, we invite you to engage in service in whatever ways you can, from creating art in your neighborhood to visiting HelpColoradoNow.org. 

 

Senior Internships

The second semester Internship requirement will be waived for all current 12^th grade students. We understand that there are many obstacles in obtaining internship hours right now, and the health and safety of our community is our priority. If your senior has already completed the internship hours, please reply and let myself or Autumn Washington know that you have completed the full requirements. 

 

Prom

Initially, Westgate had moved Prom to mid-May in hopes that we would be able to celebrate together, but due to the spread of COVID-19 and continued social distancing mandates in place, we are cancelling Prom for all students this Spring. I want to thank all of the students who worked so hard on planning Prom this year. Your work has not gone unnoticed, and we appreciate you. 

 

Graduation

Commencement is an important and special milestone for our students. With the decision to keep school buildings closed for the remainder of the school year, we are saddened to announce that we are unable to host our scheduled Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020. Westgate remains committed to celebrating the Class of 2020 in some capacity, and we are actively planning creative and alternative plans for Graduation that we will share with families in the upcoming weeks. 

General Academics

All High School teachers will be contacting families today with information about Distance Learning. They will also be posting regularly on their classroom pages, so I encourage you to subscribe to their pages, if you have not already! 

As we embark on this distance learning journey, I want to remind you all that we are truly in this together. I have so much gratitude for you all, and I wish you the health and safety during this time. You will receive regular communication from your teachers regarding coursework, and I—along with other members of our Administration—will be available for Office Hours weekly. We’ve got this, Westgate!

 

Amanda Novak

7th-12th Grade Assistant Principal 

Westgate Community School

K-12 Gifted Education for the Whole Child

Thornton, CO 80241

303-452-0967