December Python Post

4935 Belinder Ave

Westwood, KS 66205

Kathy Keith, Principal

Email: kathykeith@smsd.org

Website: Westwoodview.smsd.org

Phone: (913) 993-5800

Twitter: @wwvpythons

X: @wvpythons

Instilling in students critical thinking skills and respect for core values of loyalty, perseverance and compassion.

Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Empathy. Here are 2 “PurposeFull Pursuits” you can complete together! Empathy is understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.

Schedule a family movie night so that you can specifically watch for feelings and emotions. Let everyone know that you’d like them to point out how the characters in the show are feeling and that you will pause periodically to discuss Empathy. As emotions are identified, invite one another to Empathize by sharing about a time they felt that way or imagining how they might be feeling in that moment.

Review the definition of Empathy as a family! Remember that Empathy is understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings. Find a time to sit in a circle together and celebrate all the ways you have seen each other practice Empathy. Take turns sharing responses to the following prompts or make up your own! Remember to practice Empathy as you listen to each other.

● What is 1 way a family member has shown you Empathy lately?

● Share about a time when you felt like someone really listened to you.

DECEMBER

• 12/5 Picture Retakes & Class Photos
• 12/12 Winter Music Program 1st & 2nd Grade@6:30pm
• 12/19 Winter Parties @2:15-3:00pm
• 12/20 Early Dismissal@ 12:30pm, Teacher Workday
• 12/23-1/3 No School, Winter Break

JANUARY

• 1/3 No School, Teacher Workday
• 1/20 No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 1/21 No School, Professional Learning

Each grade level will be having our traditional Winter Party on Thursday, Dec. 19th from 2:15-3:00pm.

• Parents that would like to volunteer, please contact your classroom teacher and they can get you in contact with their room parent.
• If you are volunteering please note that non-school aged children or additional visitors are not allowed due to space and safety.
• All donated snacks need to be store-purchased, check with your room parent for donations. Teachers will have to check labels for allergies so please get them a picture of the label or the actual item as soon as possible, December 18th is the latest time to do so. All items that have not been approved by Monday, December 18th will not be able to be used.

If you missed picture day or if you are not satisfied with your pictures, retakes are scheduled for December 5th @ 8:10am.

We will also be doing whole class photos on this day. All students will have their picture taken with their class which will be available for purchase and for the yearbook.

Ann Frigon is our new WV Building Secretary. She is a member of the community and her children all went to WV! Please make sure to welcome her and introduce yourself if you are in the office:)

A Few Fun Facts About Ms. Reicherter

• She was born in California and lived in Oregon until the sixth grade before moving to Kansas.
• She always knew she wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember!
• She Graduated from the University of Kansas and attended High School at Shawnee Mission East. A true Jayhawk and Lancer!

Looking to give to WV teachers and staff this holiday season?

To participate in a school-wide holiday group gift for the WV teachers and staff, send donations via Venmo @wwvpta or drop a check off at the front office by Friday, December 13th. Add “Holiday Fund” to your Venmo or Check note. This is a great way to say "thank you" to classroom teachers, specials teachers, custodial, cafeteria, learning support staff, office staff and others!

Our WV November Service Project was a huge success! We participated in a canned food drive with all of the SMSD elementary schools. Our amazingly generous WV community donated 3,652 canned food items, filling up 100 boxes in support of JCCB (Johnson County Christmas Bureau), serving families in need in our community. Our 5th-grade classes donated the most cans for a total of 2,025 winning the week-long school-wide competition. Great job Westwood View!

We start our assessment window the week of 12/5 and ends 12/14. We are excited to share how our students have made growth 2nd quarter! Please check with your classroom teacher on which days your student will take the ELA and Math Assessments and help us by getting your student to school on those dates!

Mark You Calendar

Spring Testing Windows

3/26-4/11 Grades 3-6th Only

4/30 - 5/9 Grades K-6th

USE OF CELL PHONES/PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES SMSD is committed to providing highly effective and consistent learning spaces across the district. During instructional time, the personal use of cell phones and other electronic devices that are not district-issued is prohibited unless explicitly directed by school staff. Cell phones and other personal electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during the day in order to respect the educational environment of the classroom. Medical exemptions may be applied. Initial violations will fall under the Discipline Matrix as a Level 1 offense. Subsequent violations will result in progressive disciplinary action.

If you need to contact your student during the school day, you can call the office @ 993-5800 and we will make sure your student gets the information.

If your student forgets something during the school day and needs that item, the classroom teacher will notify you. We strive to teach our students to be responsible and independent. Many items that students forget are not needed, we can provide or make due.

• We ask that items not be dropped off during the school day unless you are notified and asked to do so by the classroom teacher.

If your student is sick and needs to go home, the nurse will contact you. If you are worried about your student and their illness, please call our nurse, Mrs. Blevins at 993-5800. We are happy to help make your student comfortable during the day by providing items you approve such as cough drops, advil, etc. Forms must be signed to do so and medication must be provided.

The dates of the remaining drills are listed below. See the definition of the crisis drills below. For those of you that attended our PTA Safety Meeting earlier this year, I hope the information shared was helpful. If you have questions or concerns about any of our mandatory drills, please do not hesitate to email me at kathykeith@smsd.org or call.

Tornado Drill- 3/6 @ 11:00am

Fire Drill - 4/11 @ 8:30am; 5/6 @8:30am

Crisis Drills - have all been completed 1st quarter

2024-2025 WV Building Calendar

ABCD Schedule

2024-2025 District Calendar

School Website Westwoodview.smsd.org

Traffic Flow Map

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures 24-25

Canvas Access