Westside Pack Post

January was a very successful month at Westside! Our teachers had the wonderful opportunity to learn more about engagement strategies during our two professional development days. Our students are showing major growth in both reading and math and we are extremely proud of their hard work. It is difficult to believe that this month we will finish 2nd trimester.

February is going to be a great month at Westside and we know it will go by quickly. Our students will have many opportunities this month to continue increasing their knowledge.

Thank you for all you do at home to help your students succeed. We are lucky to have such a wonderful community who supports education.

Kelsey Anderson

Principal at Westside Elementary

February 2, 9, 16, and 23 - Late Start Fridays

February 9 - FAME

February 14 - Valentine's Day and 100th Day of School

February 19 - No School (Presidents Day)

February 29 - End of 2nd Trimester

March 1 - No School (teacher workday)

Every Friday will be late start in District 91. This gives our teachers time to collaborate and plan for students. The first bell will ring at 9:15 am and the dismissal bell rings at 2:25 pm.

Once a month, all students will have the opportunity to learn more about music and art through a 30 minute Fine Arts Mini Experience (FAME) taught by a PTO volunteer. FAME is an art and music program designed to familiarize students with historically well-known artists, composers, and their works. The content is presented by focusing on specific art and music elements as parts of a composition and by providing a connection, be it life experiences or artistic similarities of featured artists.

Just a quick reminder that part of our school funding each year is based on the percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. This funding is used for classroom paraprofessionals who work with small groups of students who need intervention or extension. We are so grateful for all they do to support student learning! It is crucial that all families fill out the free and reduced lunch form so we can continue receiving this funding. Even if your child doesn't eat school lunch, please fill out the form. The form should be filled out once per year, or when your financial circumstances change. You can list multiple siblings on the same form, so no need to do separate forms!

More information and the link to fill out the form can be found here: https://www.ifschools.org/domain/40

• PTO Meeting - Wednesday, February 7 at 2:45 pm in the Westside library
• February 14 - Valentines Day parties from 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm
• February 21 - McTeacher Night at McDonalds
• February 23 - Donut with a Grownup from 8:00 am to 9:00 am

This year one of our big focuses will be attendance. It is extremely important for students to be at school every single day. We understand that students can't control when they are sick and there will be some absences. Students are allowed 5 absences per trimester, excluding medically excused absences. If your child is absent, please call the office at (208) 525-7666 to report their absence. We miss your student when they are gone because all of our students are an important part of our Westside community!

Red - no drop off or pick-up (other than those using the handicap parking spot located in the staff parking lot)

Blue - drop off and pick-up zone

Yellow - crosswalks

Green - park and walk your student to their door

Westside is a school wide Title 1 school. Wondering what that means? All students have the opportunity to receive Title 1 services such as interventions in subjects they may struggle with and/or enrichment in subjects they excel with. Check out this PowerPoint for more information:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1H5Rw1XUnXUwnqSCkik-LVsGAxr9TQxNL/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=108139177252455257680&rtpof=true&sd=true

Happy February! We love a new month here at Westside and the excitement it brings. For the next few months, our counselor lessons are going to focus on the 6 Pillars of Character. The character traits include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. For February, we will begin with caring. In grades K-2, we will read the book "How Full is Your Bucket". We will use this story to learn what actions help us make friends and keep them. In grades 3-6, we will be discussing how others feel when our jokes go too far. We will also discuss how to stand up for yourself and others when you don’t like what is happening. I am looking forward to this month and the learning that will take place!

Mrs. Gallagher

Mrs. Anderson - https://www.facebook.com/mrskelseyanderson/

Westside PTO - https://www.facebook.com/groups/578020748921992

Email: andekels@sd91.org
Website: https://www.d91.k12.id.us/16/home
Location: 2680 Newman Drive, Idaho Falls, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 525-7666
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrskelseyanderson/