The Westgate Wire

Join us for a fun Parents' Night Out Beach Bingo event on February 22nd at Arlington Ale House! Rock your best tropical attire and you might just win the "best dressed" door prize! RSVP and pay via Zelle by 2/1/25 to receive two Bingo cards at the door. Let's make it a WestGREAT night to remember -- all for a great cause! RSVP here: https://forms.gle/Hys8se7L64iQr35Y7

Interested in going, but feeling uneasy because you don't know many people at Westgate? We can help with that! Fill out this quick form and a PTA member will be in touch! Click here: https://forms.gle/Y4JR2hjvw8F3wVhr6

Cold and Flu Season

There is a rise in common illness within our schools.

Please help us keep our students and staff healthy by following this guidance:

Consider keeping your child at home for a day of rest if they have any of these symptoms:

• Mild stuffy or runny nose and/or mild cough

• Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)

• Headache

• Stomach ache

Your child must stay home if they have any of these symptoms:

• Fever (100.4f or higher)

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Chills

• Feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches

• Frequent Cough, including congested (wet) or croupy cough

Your child may return to school when:

• Fever free for at least 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medication

• At least 24 hours since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea

• 24 hours after starting antibiotics if prescribed by a provider

• Symptoms are improving and they are well enough to participate in normal activities

Help prevent the flu and other colds by teaching your children good hygiene habits:

• Wash hands frequently

• Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth

• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid sharing personal items, food, or drinks.

Illinois Department of Public Health fact sheets for common illnesses

• Flu

• Strep Throat

• RSV

• COVID

Get Ready! The Westgate PTA will be hosting the SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR in the Westgate LMC during Parent Teacher Conferences on Friday, February 14th. Be sure to swing by and stock up on new books! And - as always - every purchase at the Book Fair benefits the Westgate PTA.

Students will preview the Book Fair with their classes on February 13th, and families can shop during Parent-Teacher Conferences.

All forms of payment will be accepted, but you can also set up an eWallet for your child in advance to make cash-free purchases. Click the link to access the Westgate Book Fair homepage to preview books and to set up an eWallet: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/westgateelementaryschool5

Throughout the month of February, classes will be working to complete chain links with kind actions that have been noticed. Classrooms will work together to connect their chains throughout the school. We can't wait to see the wonderful acts of kindness happening at Westgate!

Westgate Cares will be decorating quilt squares to create blankets for children who are critically ill or traumatized through the organization Project Linus. Please join us after school on Thursday, February 20th from 3:35 – 4:30pm for this activity. We have availability for 45 students to join us, so please sign up today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0549AEAC2DA3FC1-54497352-westgate. If you have questions, please email: westgatecarespta@gmail.com

• February 28th - Pajama Day

• March 21st - Westgate Spirit Wear

• April 25th - Crazy Wear (Hats, Socks, Mismatch, etc.)

2/13-PTA Book Fair

2/13-Valentine's Day Parties

2/14-Parent Teacher Conferences

2/17-President's Day-We do have school!

2/28-Westgate Variety Show at 6:30 p.m.