Weekly Update

Dear WSES Families:

I hope you enjoyed the fun video that our Lost & Found Ambassadors created. This update includes information about and Lost & Found, OBOB, our annual Giving Tree, and upcoming PTO skate nights!

Ocean Kuykendall

Principal

Westside Elementary School

We are thankful for our parent volunteers that have been leading our OBOB groups this year for our 3rd-5th grade groups. Our teams have been working hard and have 3 upcoming competition events. OBOB competitions are open to WSES families and students to watch! Consider attending to support classmates. These are great events that may inspire students to participate in the future!

February 6, 3:45 p.m.: WSES/MSES/CL OBOB Invitational (at Westside)

February 20, 3:45 p.m.: Westside OBOB Battle

February 27, 3:45 p.m.: Make up date for WSES OBOB Battle in the event of a snow day on February 20

Skate Nights are here and we need your support! Check out the link to see the time slots and roles for Skate Night Volunteers offerings for December, January, February and March. Volunteers are what make this evening happen and we can't do them without parent volunteers! Click here to check it out and sign up!

Fun Food Friday Volunteer Shifts are posted for January, February and March. Many 4th and 5th Grade parents are needed. Click here to check it out and sign up!

Click here to check it out and sign up!

There are two different articles that Wildcat Columnists wrote for this newsletter. The first article is a biography on third grade teacher Mrs. Harjo, written by third grade Columnist Izara Dyer. The second article is an interview that fourth grade Columnist Addison Hill held with Mrs. Gallagher, Westside's librarian.

Link to Izara's article on Mrs. Harjo

Link to Addison's article on Mrs. Gallagher

Westside’s very own Lost ‘n’ Found Matchmakers, one of our Wildcat Ambassador positions, have been hard at work keeping our Lost ‘n’ Found organized. However, our Lost ‘n’ Found is overflowing. Families are strongly encouraged to come and look through the Lost ‘n’ Found for any of their children’s missing clothing, lunch boxes, water bottles, stuffies, or soccer cleats before Thursday, December 19th. All unclaimed items will be donated on Friday 12/20.

The student Matchmakers also produced a video that families are strongly encouraged to watch.

Here are the links. YouTube Link OR Google Drive Link

All proceeds from Westside Gear go directly to funding programs for the students and to fulfilling Teacher Grants. Thank you for your support and school spirit! Orders are fulfilled weekly and will be ready for pick up in the front office. You'll get a confirmation email when your goods are ready for pick up.

PTO will be hosting Fun Food Friday during lunch recess. Popcorn and Organic Popsicles will be sold on alternating Fridays for 50 cents each. Smelly Pencils also known as SMENCILS will be sold each Friday for 1.00. Students may also purchase a punch card for $5.00 which will be stored at school. This option is very helpful! All proceeds go to PTO to fund Art Residencies, School Wide Family Events, OMSI visits and more! You can sign up to volunteer at Fun Food Friday Here. Our school calendar will indicate the schedule Fun Food Friday. The next Fun Food Friday Event is Dec 13.

Please be aware of the amount of days your student misses by tracking the days your student is absent. If your child misses 10 days of school each school year, they will have missed 130 days of school by the time they graduate high school. That equals half a year of school missed!

For more information on the importance of attendance, please visit our school district website.

Print this sheet and hang it on your refrigerator or another central place in your home.

AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination—fosters a safe and open culture, high expectations for teachers and students, and collaboration in all classrooms. AVID focuses on reinforcing academic behaviors and higher-level thinking. AVID strategies help Elementary students develop the academic habits they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, and college, in an age-appropriate and challenging way. Children learn about organization, study skills, communication, and self-advocacy. AVID Elementary students take structured notes and answer and ask high-level questions that go beyond routine answers.

Winter Break Dec 23- Jan 3

• The following methods will be used by the school to communicate with Westside Elementary families:

  • Weekly Family Update Link will be sent to email and through text message. The weekly newsletter will contain important school information. It is delivered on Sundays at 5:30 pm. It will also be posted on the website

  • Talking Points: You can opt to receive text messages or download the TalkingPoints for Families mobile app. You can also use TalkingPoints on the web. Talking Points is a great way to communicate with teachers, administrators, and office staff! There is no charge from TalkingPoints to use text messages, the mobile app, or the web. talkingpts.org

  • School Webpage www.hoodriver.k12.or.us/Domain/511

  • All Updates Posted

  • Calendar Posted

  • Other School Information

To submit an anonymous tip or incident report, use one of the three following methods:

• Email tip@safeoregon.com
• Call or text 844-472-3367
• Enter information on SafeOregon website
• Enter information on SafeOregon webpage for Hood River County School District

CONSIDER FOLLOWING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK

On Instagram: @westside_elementary_school

We are now using Peachjar! Parents/guardians receive digital flyers containing school and community resources that aim to improve the trajectory of students’ lives. This transition will also save our schools time and money while ensuring important information makes it home to parents.

Please visit this Peachjar web page to see current opportunities for Westside Elementary School.

Ocean Kuykendall Principal ocean.kuykendall@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-387-5054

Dan Barnard Vice Principal dan.barnard@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-387-5057

Julie Davis Secretary/Bookkeeper julie.davis@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-386-1535 ext 4795

Erica Torres Bilingual Secretary erica.torres@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-386-1535 ext 4796

Araceli Avila Bilingual Family Engagement Specialist araceli.avila@hoodriver.k12.or.us 541-386-1535 ext 4737