This Veterans Day, West Hills elementary students will set up a field of American flags to honor America’s veterans and raise critical funds to support our ill and injured heroes.

Each flag in the Field of Flags honors a different veteran. And behind each flag is a unique story—a story about courage and freedom. A story about sacrifice. A story worth honoring.

For every $250 raised, DAV will send our campus 24 American flags to be planted in our field. Each flag is a donation to represent one veteran and our unwavering commitment to serving all veterans after they’ve sacrificed so much for our country. All donations will raise critical funds to support the life-changing services DAV (Disabled American Veterans) provides for veterans in need and their families. No donation is too small.

Will you fly a flag to honor veterans? Scan the QR code, or click here to add your flag to our field today!

This is just a reminder to our families that if you have not yet downloaded the PBIS Family App, its not too late.

In addition to being a platform for positive behavior reinforcement, PBIS Rewards will also serve as WHI's official parent communication app this school year. It is important that parents download the PBISR Family app in order to receive regular communication from your child's teacher and school. Below is a QR code that will take you to the app in your phone's app store. You will need to use the QR code that was given to you at Back To School Night or sent home with your student to link their account to your app. If you need another copy, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Over the last several weeks, students have been getting dropped off earlier and earlier at WHI in the morning. Please be aware that students should not be arriving before 8:15. We also ask that you do not arrive to line up to drop off before 8:15. This is creating a traffic issue with our school buses.

October 2nd @ 7:00 - PTO meeting at WHP

October 3rd - Evening parent/teacher conferences

October 4th - No school: Parent/teacher conferences

October 8th and 9th - Picture Days

October 9th - Fundraiser pick up from 4:00-6:00 at WHP

October 16th - Unity Day: wear orange

October 25th - 3 hour early dismissal

October 28th - Act 80 Day: No School

October 31st - Classroom Halloween Parties

Hello West Hills!

Well we made it through our first full month of school. Our school year is underway! Students are settled into their classrooms and new friendships are forming. It is amazing to see the development a child makes academically and socially in such a short amount of time.

Unity Day and Red Ribbon Week are both celebrated in the month of October. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Unity Day, this year, is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16th. Our Unity Day message this year is, “Promote Kindness, Acceptance, and Inclusion to Prevent Bullying.” Unity Day is an event that is celebrated all over the world. On this day we wear and share orange to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. No child should EVER experience bullying. When we stand together, no one stands alone. Parents, we know that bullying and division does not stop at our building walls. Stand alongside us by showing our community that we stand strong together!

This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme is “Life is A Movie, Film Drug Free” Red Ribbon Week takes place October 21st - 25th. We celebrate Red Ribbon Week to commit to living a drug free life. We celebrate everyone who lives life without drugs as well as those who have overcome addictions. We celebrate those who have found a better way of life leaving drugs behind.

Our entire West Hills campus will be participating in a variety of activities throughout the month of October in honor of Unity Day and Red Ribbon Week. Your children will have many opportunities to make a positive impact on themselves and on those around them. I am really looking forward to celebrating such important events with all of you!

October is a wonderful time of year for many reasons. The weather is perfect so get outside, enjoy the beautiful fall air, and appreciate being you! Keep yourself involved with activities that give you the daily exercise your body needs. You are all wonderful in your own way! Always be yourself. Be a friend, study hard, try your best at everything you do, and most of all, be the best version of you that you can be! Have a great month everyone!

Always Choose Kindness,

Mr. Walters

Medication: A physician’s order is needed for any medication to be given at school. This includes both prescription medication and over the counter medication. Medications need to be delivered to the school by a parent or guardian, and need to be in the original prescription bottle or original packaging.

6th Grade: Please turn in state mandated physical and immunization reports when they are completed by your family physician.

Have a great school year!!!

Meetings: PTO meetings this year will be held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at West Hills Primary. Because of Parent/Teacher Conferences, October's meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd.

Upcoming Events:

• Fundraiser Pickup will be on October 9th from 4:00-6:00 at WHP

As the weather starts to change, please remember to make sure your child is dressed appropriately to be outside. We will go outside for recess as much as possible so the kids should have jackets, hats, gloves, etc so they are comfortable for 30 minutes of outdoor time. Thank you!

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

As we embark on this exciting year in 5th grade, we want to focus on an important theme: teaching our students responsibility. This skill is vital for their academic success and personal growth. Here are some key ways we can work together to nurture responsibility:

1. Setting Expectations: Encourage your child to understand and meet homework expectations, classroom rules, and personal commitments. Clear expectations help build accountability.

2. Organizational Skills: Help your child keep track of assignments and materials. A planner or calendar can be a valuable tool for managing their time effectively. Each student has been given an agenda to write down assignments. Every teacher has their assignments written on the board. We are continuing to teach students how to fill out their agendas daily.

3. Decision-Making: Encourage your child to make choices and understand the consequences of their actions. Discussing real-life scenarios can reinforce this learning.

4. Ownership of Learning: Support your child in taking charge of their education. Encourage them to ask questions, seek help when needed, and reflect on their progress. Ask your child about their homework and classwork. They can refer to their agenda and show you what assignments they have.
   
   

We appreciate your partnership in helping our students develop these essential life skills. Together, we can create a supportive environment that empowers them to thrive.

Thank you for your continued support!

Fifth Grade Teachers

Author Spotlight: Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry is an acclaimed American author known for her impactful children's and young adult literature, including the award-winning novels The Giver and Number the Stars. With a career spanning several decades, her work often explores themes of memory, individuality, and moral complexity, earning her recognition as a leading voice in contemporary literature.

Fourth and Fifth Grades:

This month, fourth and fifth-grade students are set to embark on an engaging journey through Lois Lowry's powerful novel, Number the Stars. As they read, they will delve into the rich themes of bravery, friendship, and resistance, analyzing character development and plot structure while exploring the historical context of World War II and the Holocaust. Students will enhance their literary analysis skills by examining elements such as point of view, symbolism, and figurative language, discussing the author’s purpose and the impact of these choices. Through narrative, descriptive, and analytical writing assignments, they will express their insights and perspectives on the text. Group discussions and presentations will foster collaboration, allowing students to debate moral lessons and role-play to deepen their understanding of the characters’ choices. Additionally, they will engage in research projects that connect the novel to broader historical themes, encouraging critical thinking and fostering empathy. Overall, this immersive experience will not only strengthen their English Language Arts skills but also enrich their understanding of humanity and history.

Sixth Grade:

Sixth-grade students will begin a thought-provoking exploration of Lois Lowry's novel The Giver. As they read, they will analyze key themes, character motivations, and intricate plot development, delving into the societal structures and moral dilemmas that shape the narrative. Students will engage in literary analysis by examining elements such as setting, symbolism, and imagery while discussing the author’s word choices and their effects on tone and mood. Through analytical essays, they will critique the dystopian society depicted in the book and undertake creative writing assignments, encouraging them to envision alternative endings or delve into character backstories. Group discussions will allow students to explore the ethical implications of the society in The Giver, with presentations on crucial themes like individuality, freedom, and the importance of memory. Additionally, they will investigate real-world parallels to the book’s themes, such as utopia versus dystopia, and explore historical contexts related to control and choice. This immersive experience will enhance their ELA skills and deepen their understanding of complex social issues and the significance of human experiences.

STEAM and STEELS on Fridays:

Every Friday, students will continue to engage in exciting STEAM activities that align with the STEELS standards for grades 4-6 in Pennsylvania, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Through hands-on experiments, creative projects, and the use of technology, they will explore scientific concepts, apply engineering principles, and express themselves artistically while enhancing their mathematical reasoning in real-world contexts.

Choir is officially in full swing for this school year! However, any student in 5th or 6th grade is still welcome to join us! 6th grade students will be coming home with a letter this week explaining Chorus Fest. PMEA District 3 Chorus Fest will be happening on Friday January 17th at Brookville High School. Our school is permitted to take 9 students to participate in the festival this year with surrounding school districts. If you think your 6th grade choir student would be interested in participating in chorus fest please fill out the permission slip and return it to Mrs. Bricker. Practices will start in November every Wednesday from 3:05-3:40 in the chorus room. Parents will be responsible for picking up their child on Wednesday's after rehearsals at 3:40 pm at WHI, as well as on Friday January 17th from the festival.

Upcoming events: Holiday concert- Thursday December 19th at 6:30pm at Armstrong Jr/Sr High School

Cooler weather is coming and it's a perfect time to read a good book! The link below will give you some tips on encouraging your child to read.

Email: bpetras@asd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://wis.asd.k12.pa.us/
Location: 175 Heritage Park Drive, Kittanning, PA, USA
Phone: (724) 543-1121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/West-Hills-Intermediate-111184674071872