Parent Communication
Week of May 30th - June 3rd, 2016
- Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL: Monday, May 30th
- Field Day: Thursday, June 2nd @ 12:45 - 3:15 PM (weather permitting)
- Colonial Williamsburg Simulation: Friday, June 3rd from 1:30-3:30 PM
- 4th Grade Picnic @ Pioneer Park: Monday, June 6th from 12:35 to 3:00 PM
- Check out the Summer Keyboarding Challenge
- Here's the ABC Countdown schedule
Week of May 23rd - 27th, 2016
- Field Day: Thursday, May 26th @ 12:45 - 3:15 PM
- SIP Day - NO SCHOOL: Friday, May 27th
- Here's the ABC Countdown schedule
Week of May 16th - 20th, 2016
- Applications are being accepted this week (due Friday 5/20 at noon) for next year's Student Directors for Morning Announcements. This year it's different: all interested fourth graders are invited to apply using this online form. Applications are due by Friday at noon.
- Check out the students' Designing an Improved Colony Project Green Screen Presentations
- Book Fair Preview: Monday, May 16th @ 9:05 AM
- Band Instrument Try-Outs: Tuesday, May 17th @ 11:05 AM
- Rainbow Day Photo: Friday, May 20th @ 9:05 AM - WEAR BLUE!
- Box Top Winner Ice Cream Party: Friday, May 20th @ 3 PM
- SIP Day - NO SCHOOL: Friday, May 27th
- Here's the ABC Countdown schedule
Week of May 9th - 13th, 2016
- Here's the ABC Countdown schedule
- MAP Testing Schedule:
- Monday, May 9th @ 10:30 AM
- Unit #10 Math Test - Tuesday, May 10th
- Author Visit - Aaron Reynolds: Thursday, May 12th
- Book Fair: Monday- Wednesday, May 16th - 18th
- Preview: Monday, May 16th @ 9:05 AM
- SIP Day - NO SCHOOL: Friday, May 27th
Week of May 2nd - 6th, 2016
- Band Demonstration: Thursday, May 5th @ 1:30 PM
- Wind in the Willows Field Trip: Friday, May 6th
- Here's the ABC Countdown schedule
- MAP Testing Schedule:
- Monday, May 9th @ 10:30 AM
- Unit #10 Math Test - Tuesday, May 10th
Week of April 25th - 29th, 2016
- PARCC Testing Schedule:
- Monday, April 25th @ 1:35 PM - ELA Unit #3
- MAP Testing Schedule:
- Friday, April 29th @ 10:30 AM
- Monday, May 9th @ 10:30 AM
- Safety Patrol Field Trip to the Cubs Game: Thursday, April 28th
- Wind in the Willows Field Trip: Friday, May 6th
- ABC Countdown starts on Friday!!
Week of April 18th - 22nd, 2016
- PARCC Testing Schedule:
- Monday, April 18th @ 1:35 PM - Math Unit #2
- Wednesday, April 20th @ 9:05 AM - Math Unit #3
- Friday, April 22nd @ 10:35 AM - Math Unit #4
- Monday, April 25th @ 1:35 PM - ELA Unit #3
- Unit #9 Math Test: Thursday, April 21st @ 1:35 PM
- Poetry Slam with Reading Buddies: Thursday, April 21st @ 11:05 AM
Weeks of April 4th - 15th, 2016
- PARCC Testing Schedule:
- Monday, April 11th @ 1:35 PM - ELA Unit #1
- Wednesday, April 13th @ 9:05 AM - Math Unit #1
- Thursday, April 14th @ 1:35 PM - ELA Unit #2
- Monday, April 18th @ 1:35 PM - Math Unit #2
- Wednesday, April 20th @ 9:05 AM - Math Unit #3
- Friday, April 22nd @ 10:35 AM - Math Unit #4
- Monday, April 25th @ 1:35 PM - ELA Unit #3
- Please contact me if you would like to send in a snack for all students before testing.
- The Leader in Me Leadership Day - Friday, April 15th, 2016
Week of March 29th - April 1st, 2016
- NO SCHOOL - Monday, March 28th, 2016
- Unit #8 Math Test Retake - Wednesday, March 30th
- Art Appreciation Lesson (Dali) - Friday, April 1st
- PARCC Testing Schedule:
- Monday, April 11th @ 1:35 PM - ELA Unit #1
- Wednesday, April 13th @ 9:05 AM - Math Unit #1
- Thursday, April 14th @ 1:35 PM - ELA Unit #2
- Monday, April 18th @ 1:35 PM - Math Unit #2
- Wednesday, April 20th @ 9:05 AM - Math Unit #3
- Friday, April 22nd @ 10:35 AM - Math Unit #4
- Monday, April 25th @ 1:35 PM - ELA Unit #3
Week of March 14th - 18th, 2016
- Unit #8 Math Test: Tuesday, March 15th
- Leader in Me WIG Assembly: Tuesday, March 15th @ 3 PM..... Don't forget to wear a wig!
- Spring Conferences: Thursday and Friday, March 17th and March 18th
- NO SCHOOL - Spring Break: Monday - Monday, March 21st - 28th
Week of March 7th - 11th, 2016
Week of February 29th - March 4th, 2016
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Week of February 22nd - 26th, 2016
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Week of February 15th - 19th, 2016
- Jimmy Garoppolo (NFL player and former Westgate Wolverine) spoke to the students about what it takes to be a leader!
- NO SCHOOL - President's Day: Monday, February 15th
- Kindness-A-Thon Week: February 16th-19th
- Six Flags Read to Succeed Forms due this week!
- Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt PicCollages (see below)
Week of February 8th - 12th, 2016
- Valentine's Day Party: Friday, February 12th from 2:30-3:30 PM
- NO SCHOOL - President's Day: Monday, February 15th
- Kindness-A-Thon Week: February 16th-19th
Week of February 1st - 5th, 2016
- Schoolwide Fiction Unit Summative Assessment: Tuesday & Wednesday, February 2nd and 3rd
- Gary Paulsen Dinner Menu - Dessert Option Presentations: Monday, February 8th
Week of January 25th - 29th, 2016
- Book Fair Preview: Tuesday, January 26th @ 9:05 AM
- Read-A-Thon Pizza Party: Wednesday, January 27th @ 12:35 PM
- Westgate Open House: Thursday, January 28th, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Week of January 18th - 22nd, 2016
- Westgate Open House: Thursday, January 28th, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM
- Unit #6 Math Test: Tuesday, January 26th
Week of January 11th - 15th, 2016
- MAP Testing (Math Survey): Tuesday, January 12th, from 9:15 to 10:35 AM
- No School:
- Monday, January 18th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Tuesday, January 19th - Teacher Institute Day
Week of January 4th - 8th, 2016
- MAP Testing (Math Survey): Tuesday, January 12th, from 9:15 to 10:35 AM
Weeks of December 7th - 18th, 2015
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Week of November 30th - December 4th, 2015
- Unit #4 Math Test - Tuesday, December 1st
Week of November 16th - 20th, 2015
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Week of November 9th - 13th, 2015
- Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11th): Students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue.
- Fall Conferences - Just a friendly reminder to use Sign-Up Genius in order to sign up for a fall conference time on November 23rd or the 24th. Here's the link in case you still need to sign up.
- Be sure to check out the Glacier Time-Lapse videos and River Table photos and videos under the Science tab.
- Follow our class on Twitter - @TombsClass
- SIT Conference - February 20th, 2016
- This is a great opportunity for the students to learn from other students in the area of educational technology.
The conference registration is open until January 22nd! The conference is held at Deer Park Middle School, in Lake Forest. It really is such a cool day and opportunity for students in 3rd - 12th grades to experience a conference by kids for kids. Click on this link to access the flyer.
- This is a great opportunity for the students to learn from other students in the area of educational technology.
Week of November 2nd - 6th, 2015
- 4th Grade Band Concert - Thursday, November 5th @ 7PM
- SIT Conference - February 20th, 2016
- This is a great opportunity for the students to learn from other students in the area of educational technology.
The conference registration is open until January 22nd! The conference is held at Deer Park Middle School, in Lake Forest. It really is such a cool day and opportunity for students in 3rd - 12th grades to experience a conference by kids for kids. Click on this link to access the flyer.
- This is a great opportunity for the students to learn from other students in the area of educational technology.
- Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11th): Students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue
- Please donate any extra/left over Halloween candy and place in the bin on the stage. The candy will be donated to 3 different homeless shelters.
- Be sure to check out the Glacier Time-Lapse videos and River Table photos and videos under the Science tab.
- Follow our class on Twitter - @TombsClass
- Maker Time - Straw Structures Challenge (see photos below)
Week of October 26th - 30th, 2015
Halloween Reminders:
Halloween Reminders:
- All school lunch period: 12:30PM to 1:30PM (Zipline lunch available for those students staying at school)
- Students leaving for lunch may not return to school until 1:25PM (Doors will not open until 1:30PM.)
- At 1:30PM students returning to school may enter the building through the Main Doors (Door #1) or the Primary Doors (Door #2). Students will not be let in the building prior to 1:30PM.
- Parents may not prepare “goodie bags” to be passed out to students at school.
- At Westgate, Halloween costumes promoting excessive violence, sharp objects, weapons, and unnecessary gore will not be allowed at both the parade and party.
- Halloween Parade starts at 1:45PM (A SchoolMessenger will be sent out at noon announcing cancellation of the parade or the reduction of the parade route.)
- The classroom Halloween Party will begin after the parade.
Week of October 19th - 23rd, 2015
Picture Retakes: Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
LMC Pumpkin Contest Drop-off: Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
Field Trip to The Art Institute of Chicago: Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Picture Retakes: Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
LMC Pumpkin Contest Drop-off: Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
Field Trip to The Art Institute of Chicago: Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Week of October 12th - 16th, 2015
Field Trip to The Art Institute of Chicago: Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Halloween Reminders!
Field Trip to The Art Institute of Chicago: Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Halloween Reminders!
- All school lunch period: 12:30PM to 1:30PM.
- Students leaving for lunch may not return to school until 1:25PM (Doors will not open until 1:30PM.)
- At 1:30PM students returning to school may enter the building through the Main Doors (Door #1) or the Primary Doors (Door #2). Students will not be let in the building prior to 1:30PM!
- Parents may not prepare “goodie bags” to be passed out to students at school.
- At Westgate, Halloween costumes promoting excessive violence, sharp objects, weapons, and unnecessary gore will not be allowed at both the parade and party.
- Halloween Parade starts at 1:45PM (A SchoolMessenger will be sent out at noon announcing cancellation of the parade or the reduction of the parade route.)
- Kindergarten families please refer to your teacher’s letter for details and information regarding Halloween at Westgate.
Weeks of September 28th - October 9th, 2015
NO School (for students only): Friday, October 9th
NO School: Monday, October 12th - Columbus Day
Picture Re-take Day: October 20th
Halloween Extravaganza:
We are planning our annual Halloween extravaganza for the afternoon of Friday, October 30th. Students will be in costume (in the afternoon) to celebrate the special day! Teachers and parents are planning a fun afternoon of games and activities! Although most children take part in the costume parade and parties, their participation is completely voluntary. As you are planning your child’s costume, please remember we are a kindergarten through fifth-grade elementary school. Students remaining in school during lunch should plan on costumes with limited make-up accessories. We are requesting your cooperation in selecting school-appropriate costumes that avoid violence, sharp objects, weapons, unnecessary gore, etc. At the discretion of the principal, students with inappropriate costumes will not be able to participate in the parade. If you are unsure of the appropriateness of your child’s costume, please contact the office.
The costume parade will start at 1:45 PM (please note lunch changes below for Halloween). Weather permitting; the parade will begin outside on the sidewalk. Students in grades 1st and 2nd will exit the building using the Primary Doors and line up on the sidewalk along Dwyer Street. Students in kindergarten and 3rd grade will exit the building using the Main Doors and line up on the sidewalk in front of school. Students in grade 4th through 5th will exit the Grove Street door and line up on the sidewalk along Grove Street west of Dwyer Street. The office team will lead the parade and students will parade in the following order: Kindergarten, 3rd , 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades.
The parade will walk north on the west side of Dwyer Street to Sigwalt, and then return to Westgate walking south on the east side of Dwyer Street. Parents are welcome to line the parade route outside along Dwyer Street. (Students will exit the Primary Door, Main Door, and Grove Street Door. The entire school will meet on the southwest corner of Grove Street and Dwyer Street.) The parade will be canceled due to rain or the route will be reduced due to extreme cold weather. A SchoolMessenger will be sent out to Westgate families at 12:00PM announcing either the cancellation of the parade or the reduction of the parade route.
Traditionally, many students go home for lunch on Halloween to change into a costume. However, in recent years, more children remain at school for recess and lunch. To ensure all children will be able to go home and return for the Halloween parade at the same time, the lunch time for ALL grades will be from 12:30 -1:30PM as follows:
Grades 1-5: Lunch 12:30-1:00/ Recess 1:00-1:30PM
(Zipline will be the lunch for all students buying school lunch)
If your child is in grades 1-5, then please complete the portion on the next page and return it to your child’s teacher by Friday, October 23rd.
Students leaving the school for lunch will use the following exits: Main Door (Door #1), Primary Door (Door #2), and 5th Grade Door (Door #16.) The Cab Doors (adjacent to the North Parking Lot, Door #13 ) will not be used for lunch dismissal.
Remember: Students leaving for lunch should not return to school prior to 1:30PM. Returning students should line up at the Main Entrance (Door #1) or Primary Door (Door #2). There will be no supervision prior to 1:25PM. Students may not enter the building until 1:30PM
Children who stay at school for lunch will have the opportunity to change into their costumes during the lunch/recess hour. There will be limited adult assistance for costume preparations and it is advisable to keep the costume simple.
Special Note For Kindergartens…. All kindergarten students should come to school dressed in their costumes. AM classes will have their parties during their class time and will parade outside (weather permitting) around the Circle Drive during the morning class time. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the AM parade will be canceled. There will be no indoor parade accessible to parents. THE AM KINDERGARTEN PARADE CANCELLATION NOTICE WILL BE MADE BY 9:00AM THROUGH SCHOOLMESSENGER AND EXTERIOR PA SYSTEM. The PM Kindergarten children will join the all-school parade in the afternoon. The AM Kindergarten children are invited back at 1:45 PM to join in the all-school parade if they so desire. All AM Kindergarten children participating in the afternoon parade need to be accompanied by an adult. Please refer to homeroom Kindergarten letters for more information regarding Halloween festivities.
We know students look forward to this event, and we hope you will join us!
Caz Badynee
Principal
NO School (for students only): Friday, October 9th
NO School: Monday, October 12th - Columbus Day
Picture Re-take Day: October 20th
Halloween Extravaganza:
We are planning our annual Halloween extravaganza for the afternoon of Friday, October 30th. Students will be in costume (in the afternoon) to celebrate the special day! Teachers and parents are planning a fun afternoon of games and activities! Although most children take part in the costume parade and parties, their participation is completely voluntary. As you are planning your child’s costume, please remember we are a kindergarten through fifth-grade elementary school. Students remaining in school during lunch should plan on costumes with limited make-up accessories. We are requesting your cooperation in selecting school-appropriate costumes that avoid violence, sharp objects, weapons, unnecessary gore, etc. At the discretion of the principal, students with inappropriate costumes will not be able to participate in the parade. If you are unsure of the appropriateness of your child’s costume, please contact the office.
The costume parade will start at 1:45 PM (please note lunch changes below for Halloween). Weather permitting; the parade will begin outside on the sidewalk. Students in grades 1st and 2nd will exit the building using the Primary Doors and line up on the sidewalk along Dwyer Street. Students in kindergarten and 3rd grade will exit the building using the Main Doors and line up on the sidewalk in front of school. Students in grade 4th through 5th will exit the Grove Street door and line up on the sidewalk along Grove Street west of Dwyer Street. The office team will lead the parade and students will parade in the following order: Kindergarten, 3rd , 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades.
The parade will walk north on the west side of Dwyer Street to Sigwalt, and then return to Westgate walking south on the east side of Dwyer Street. Parents are welcome to line the parade route outside along Dwyer Street. (Students will exit the Primary Door, Main Door, and Grove Street Door. The entire school will meet on the southwest corner of Grove Street and Dwyer Street.) The parade will be canceled due to rain or the route will be reduced due to extreme cold weather. A SchoolMessenger will be sent out to Westgate families at 12:00PM announcing either the cancellation of the parade or the reduction of the parade route.
Traditionally, many students go home for lunch on Halloween to change into a costume. However, in recent years, more children remain at school for recess and lunch. To ensure all children will be able to go home and return for the Halloween parade at the same time, the lunch time for ALL grades will be from 12:30 -1:30PM as follows:
Grades 1-5: Lunch 12:30-1:00/ Recess 1:00-1:30PM
(Zipline will be the lunch for all students buying school lunch)
If your child is in grades 1-5, then please complete the portion on the next page and return it to your child’s teacher by Friday, October 23rd.
Students leaving the school for lunch will use the following exits: Main Door (Door #1), Primary Door (Door #2), and 5th Grade Door (Door #16.) The Cab Doors (adjacent to the North Parking Lot, Door #13 ) will not be used for lunch dismissal.
Remember: Students leaving for lunch should not return to school prior to 1:30PM. Returning students should line up at the Main Entrance (Door #1) or Primary Door (Door #2). There will be no supervision prior to 1:25PM. Students may not enter the building until 1:30PM
Children who stay at school for lunch will have the opportunity to change into their costumes during the lunch/recess hour. There will be limited adult assistance for costume preparations and it is advisable to keep the costume simple.
Special Note For Kindergartens…. All kindergarten students should come to school dressed in their costumes. AM classes will have their parties during their class time and will parade outside (weather permitting) around the Circle Drive during the morning class time. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the AM parade will be canceled. There will be no indoor parade accessible to parents. THE AM KINDERGARTEN PARADE CANCELLATION NOTICE WILL BE MADE BY 9:00AM THROUGH SCHOOLMESSENGER AND EXTERIOR PA SYSTEM. The PM Kindergarten children will join the all-school parade in the afternoon. The AM Kindergarten children are invited back at 1:45 PM to join in the all-school parade if they so desire. All AM Kindergarten children participating in the afternoon parade need to be accompanied by an adult. Please refer to homeroom Kindergarten letters for more information regarding Halloween festivities.
We know students look forward to this event, and we hope you will join us!
Caz Badynee
Principal
Weeks of September 14th - 25th, 2015
MAP Math Test: Tuesday, September 15th @ 9:15 AM
Week of September 7th - 11th, 2015
Picture Day: Tuesday, September 8th
MAP Reading Test: Wednesday, September 9th @ 9:15 AM
Patriots Day: Friday, September 11th - Wear red, white, and blue!
Week of August 31 - September 3rd, 2015
Picture Day: Tuesday, September 8th
Parent Night
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015
6:00-6:30PM
PE, Art, Music
(10-minute information rotations, 6:00PM, 6:10PM and 6:20PM, in the classrooms)
6:30-7:15PM
Grades, 3, 4, 5 and PM Kindergarten information sessions in classrooms
7:15-7:45PM
Principal Welcome, PTA Greeting, and Introductions in Commons
7:45-8:30PM
Grades 1, 1/2 , 2 AM Kindergarten information sessions in classrooms
Lunch Times
1st & 2nd Grades 11:35AM-1235PM
5th Grade 12:05PM-1:05PM
3rd & 4th Grades 12:35PM- 1:35PM
November Parent-Teacher Conferences… Sign-Up Genius
We will continue using Sign Up Genius (http://www.signupgenius.com/) for both the Fall and Spring conferences. Parents will not need to rush to school on Parent Night or Open House to sign up for conferences. Please take time to review the website (you will not be able to sign up for conferences yet.) More information will be available in upcoming Westgate Weekly and on teachers’ websites. There will be provisions for parents without access to the internet to sign up for conferences. We will share more details with parents in the Fall.
Picture Day: Tuesday, September 8th
Parent Night
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015
6:00-6:30PM
PE, Art, Music
(10-minute information rotations, 6:00PM, 6:10PM and 6:20PM, in the classrooms)
6:30-7:15PM
Grades, 3, 4, 5 and PM Kindergarten information sessions in classrooms
7:15-7:45PM
Principal Welcome, PTA Greeting, and Introductions in Commons
7:45-8:30PM
Grades 1, 1/2 , 2 AM Kindergarten information sessions in classrooms
Lunch Times
1st & 2nd Grades 11:35AM-1235PM
5th Grade 12:05PM-1:05PM
3rd & 4th Grades 12:35PM- 1:35PM
November Parent-Teacher Conferences… Sign-Up Genius
We will continue using Sign Up Genius (http://www.signupgenius.com/) for both the Fall and Spring conferences. Parents will not need to rush to school on Parent Night or Open House to sign up for conferences. Please take time to review the website (you will not be able to sign up for conferences yet.) More information will be available in upcoming Westgate Weekly and on teachers’ websites. There will be provisions for parents without access to the internet to sign up for conferences. We will share more details with parents in the Fall.
(http://westgatesocialwork.weebly.com)
Check out the Westgate social work website for useful resources and information to help your child.
Check out the Westgate social work website for useful resources and information to help your child.
Launching of Schoolwide Reading Curriculum
We are embarking on our first units of study in Reading Workshop, geared towards establishing our reading communities.
Reading Workshop Unit of Study: “Launching”
Goals of the Unit:
This unit will establish the reading behaviors, rituals and routines for Reading Workshop. Our goal is to establish a community that fosters active listening, thinking, engagement, and participation in all aspects of a Reading Workshop. We will be spending time getting to know ourselves and each other as readers, setting goals for ourselves as readers and establishing an initial repertoire of strategies to further develop across the year.
Students are expected to be reading an independent reading book at all times---this book travels between home and school. You will also see students using their Reading Notebooks to gather and develop thinking about their reading.
Home/School Connection:
Talk to you child about his/her reading life.
● What are you reading? Why did you select this text? What are you thinking about as you are reading? What are you reading next?
● Talk with your child about your own self as a reader—your interests, habits and passions as a reader.
We are excited to embark on our literacy journey and look forward to sharing more information about how your children are developing and growing as readers and writers.
Reading Workshop Unit of Study: “Launching”
Goals of the Unit:
This unit will establish the reading behaviors, rituals and routines for Reading Workshop. Our goal is to establish a community that fosters active listening, thinking, engagement, and participation in all aspects of a Reading Workshop. We will be spending time getting to know ourselves and each other as readers, setting goals for ourselves as readers and establishing an initial repertoire of strategies to further develop across the year.
Students are expected to be reading an independent reading book at all times---this book travels between home and school. You will also see students using their Reading Notebooks to gather and develop thinking about their reading.
Home/School Connection:
Talk to you child about his/her reading life.
● What are you reading? Why did you select this text? What are you thinking about as you are reading? What are you reading next?
● Talk with your child about your own self as a reader—your interests, habits and passions as a reader.
We are excited to embark on our literacy journey and look forward to sharing more information about how your children are developing and growing as readers and writers.