WILDCAT NEWS
February 2024
News from Ms. Harcus
Hello Westside Family!
I hope this latest newsletter finds you doing well and staying warm and healthy! This time of year it is always a good idea to remind your Wildcats about the importance of bringing and wearing coats, hats, gloves, boots and snow pants. If your child is in need of any of these items please do not hesitate to reach out to us, we have a whole closet of winter gear available!
February is Black History Month and we are excited to learn about and celebrate Black Excellence in our classrooms and as a school. We will celebrate in our All School Community meetings along with doing a whole school art project, several read alouds and special visitors. We will also be doing trivia every Monday and Friday. We are excited to host our 10th Annual Read Your Heart Out Day, a Celebration of African American Children and Families on February 9th. It is by far one of my favorite days of the year! February is shaping up to be another great month here at Westside!
As always please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
With love,
Nikki Harcus, Principal
Important Dates
Friday February 16, 2024 - NO SCHOOL
Winter Conferences
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
School Bus Driver Recognition Week
School Bus Driver Recognition Week
February 12th - 16th, 2024
Please ask your students to say "thank you" to the drivers and consider giving a small token of appreciation, such as cards or a prepackaged snack or treat. Your kind words, cards etc., will surely make the driver's week brighter!
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.
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.
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 information from our School Nutrition Department about the Sun Prairie School Breakfast Program.
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 February 13, 2024 at Westside Elementary.
We hope to see everyone there!
Mark Your Calendars to Support Westside OPTS this school year!
Share Nights – dine out and mention Westside – a portion of sales will come back to OPTS
• Thursday, February 22nd - Liv’s Drink Emporium
• Wednesday, March 20th & Thursday, March 21st – Jersey Mike’s
Fun Events!
• Friday, April 5, time TBD – Spring Fling Dance
• Friday, May 24, during school day – Fun Run
• June – date TBD – end of year BBQ
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
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