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WILDCAT NEWS
November 2023
News from Ms. Harcus
Hello Westside Family!
I hope this newsletter finds you doing well! We have had an amazing first quarter of the school year! Our students and staff are working so hard and we are seeing our Wildcats grow by leaps and bounds. I am incredibly proud of our Wildcats and the successes they have had so far this year! I can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in the weeks and months to come!
Last month we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. This month we are celebrating and learning about Native American Heritage as part of Native American Heritage Month. We have an upcoming all school art project that will celebrate the month that we are very excited about!
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break. As always we are here for you, please never hesitate to reach out.
Take care!
With Love and Gratitude,
Nikki Harcus
Principal
Important Dates
- Wednesday November 22, 2023 - NO SCHOOL
- Thursday November 23, 2023 - THANKSGIVING DAY
- Friday November 24, 2023 - NO SCHOOL
School Day Hours
ARRIVAL
Supervision outside starts at 7:30 am
First Bell rings at 7:35 am - Students enter the building
Instruction starts at 7:40 am
DISMISSAL
2:40 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays
1:30 pm on Thursdays
Local Resources and Support Resources
Please click here, to see local resources available to
families in our community.
Winter Gear Reminders
Winter Weather is quickly approaching. As the weather get colder and snow covers the ground; Please make sure your child has cold weather gear including:
- Coats and caps
- Waterproof gloves and mittens (knit mittens get wet easily)
- Waterproof boots
- Snow pants
All items should be labeled with your student(s) name so that lost items can be returned. Items that are not labeled will be put in the lost & found bin.
We encourage students to leave SNOW PANTS & BOOTS hear at school.
Child Find Notice
Annual Notice of Special Education Referral
& Evaluation Procedures
Black Student Union (BSU)
Join Us!
Westside Black Student Union: for students who identify as Black or who would like to learn more about Black Culture and History. Please check out the flyer & permission slip.
Westside Specials
Please take a moment to check out this information newsletter about your students "Specials", and all of the amazing things they do each day.
Update Infinite Campus Information
This year Westside Teachers & Staff are using the Remind App as a way to communicate with caregivers. Having up-to-date information (i.e. phone numbers, email address, etc.) in Infinite Campus is important for your child's teacher to be able to contact you.
If you need assistance with updating Infinite Campus, please contact the office, 608-834-7509.
If you are not already connected with your child's teacher, be looking for texts or emails asking you to connect, or ask for the class code.
Spread Kindness, Not Germs
Please keep your child home if they have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Let your child's school know if they test positive for any communicable disease, such as COVID, influenza, strep, or pertussis. Your school's health assistant can provide guidance on when your child can return to school after testing positive.
Reporting a Student Absence
Parents/Guardians may report a student absence to Westside Elementary 24 hours a day by calling our Attendance Line at
(608) 834-7500, press 1 to report a student absence.
Please leave a short message with the following information:
- Child's name
- Teacher's name or grade
- Reason for absence
- Who is calling
Please contact the office, 608-834-7509 before 7:30 a.m. any morning your child will not be in school, even if they will be joining us late. If we do not hear from you, a safe arrival call will be made to you at home and/or work. We want to make sure every child is safe!
Student Appointments
- Name of Student
- Teacher's name or grade
- Time of pick up
- If the student will be returning to school
If you are picking up a student during the school day, you will need to sign them out in the main office and please bring your ID with you. We do ask that you give yourself adequate time for check out before your appointment.
Cafeteria Connection
Please take a moment to check out the information from our School Nutrition Department.
We offer 5 food groups at lunch every day.
They are grains, meat or meat alternatives, fruits, vegetables
and milk.
Reminder: ALL WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS receive FREE MEALS.
Westside Families DO NOT need to complete Applications or Pay for Food Service through Infinite Campus. Thank you!
Volunteer Background Checks
If you are interested in volunteering and/or being a chaperone, please check out the District's Volunteer Procedure.
Here are the links from the District website to the Background Check Form(s).
Thank you for considering!
Westside OPTS Updates
Who We Are & What We Do:
Westside OPTS is the parent-teacher organization at Westside Elementary School. All members are volunteers, made up of parents, grandparents and caregivers of Westside students, as well as teachers and school staff. Our mission is to support education for Westside Elementary School students by fostering relationships between the school, parents, and teachers.
How To Get Involved:
We are committed to supporting our teachers, students and families and we would love your help!
- Volunteer your time and/or talent! If you have a special skill, want to help with fundraising, or like to work on teacher appreciate activities, please let us know.
- Board Members:
Presidents - Chiquita Hall
Vice President - Matt Weyer
Secretary - Nikki Wachter
Treasurer - Cathy Weyer
Volunteer Coordinator - Holly DeGroot
OPTS Meetings
Westside OPTS meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except December) from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday November 14, 2023 at Westside Elementary.
We hope to see everyone there!
.
Let’s Connect!
Via Email: westsideopts@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/westsideOPTS/about/?ref=page_internal
Fundraisers
Box Tops - Download the new Box Tops app and scan your receipts when you purchase any foods with a Box Tops label on the package.
Shoparoo - Free app where you scan any receipt, get bonus points, and pick Westside to receive funds. Monthly/yearly drawings.
Community Schools Reference Guides
Like and follow us here to keep current on all the wonderful things happening at Westside!