Weekend Wire

12/12--VAPA

12/20--Friday Flag

12-23-01/03--Winter Break--No School

01/10--Friday Flag

01/10--PTA Family Art Night

01/17--Kids Heart Challenge Kick Off

01/20--Martin Luther King Jr. Day--No school

01/23--VAPA

01/24--Friday Flag

01/27--Professional Growth Day--Non Student Day

Dear Westwood Families,

I hope this message finds you well as we wrap up our first week back after the Thanksgiving break. It has been wonderful to see our students settle back into their routines and approach their learning with renewed energy and focus. The break was a great opportunity for rest, and now our students are fully engaged as we head into the final stretch before winter break.

In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, we focused on gratitude, encouraging students to reflect on the things they are thankful for. This week, our focus has shifted to kindness, as we continue to foster an environment of empathy and respect throughout our school community.

We finished the week with a lively Friday Flag Assembly, where we recognized students for their character and achievements with Character Awards. Students also had a blast participating in a fun game that brought our school community together in a spirit of teamwork and enjoyment. Additionally, our kindergarten students had the special opportunity to perform in front of the rest of the school and their parents, singing the heartwarming song "Put a Little Love." It was a truly memorable moment that showcased their excitement and enthusiasm.

Looking ahead, on Thursday, December 11, students will experience another VAPA curriculum, where they will practice creating media presentations for various causes using Canva tools. Kindergarten and first-grade students will design solutions to help animals cross roads safely. Second and third-grade students will create advertisements for a community event, and fourth and fifth-grade students will design a unique building for a specific community purpose. Each grade level will explore essential questions related to their project, such as how to help animals, connect with the community, or create meaningful spaces. The lesson will also include a WongAvery Global Language and Culture component, offering students a deeper dive into global languages and cultures via a YouTube playlist.

With just two weeks left before we break for the holidays, we are excited for all the learning and activities still to come. As we get closer to the official start of winter and the holidays, it's a time to reflect on all we’ve accomplished and look ahead to the special moments that this season brings.

Wishing you all a wonderful month ahead!

In Partnership,

Bill Egan

Dear Families,

This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Kindness. Kindness means being generous to others, never being too busy to help out, and you enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

Kindness is based on the belief that everyone deserves care, attention, and compassion. Kind people think about others' needs and feelings and take action to help. They are selfless, helping others because it's the right thing to do, not for any personal gain.

People who are kind have a strong sense of duty to care for others. Their acts of kindness inspire more kindness in return.

To practice and encourage the character strength of kindness at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.

Pre-K–K

Thank you for your support!

WOW! Westwood Roadrunners!!! What AHHHHmazing community support! All of our Giving Tree tags have been selected! You can STILL HELP! PUSD has over 338 families hoping for holiday support. Please pick up a grocery, gas, Walmart, Target gift card to help support our PUSD community. We are blessed in Westwood to have such generous families with the biggest hearts!

THANK YOU, Roadrunners!

Some reminders:

- Gifts must be UNWRAPPED when brought in

- Gift cards and gifts can be dropped of to our office

- RETURN BY December 11th.

The Westwood Elementary School Store is now open! Don’t miss your chance to grab the latest spirit wear and show off your school pride. From cozy hoodies to stylish t-shirts, we’ve got everything you need to represent in style. Stock up now while supplies last and be ready to cheer on our school in full spirit!

The Parent Ambassadors of PUSD's Special Education Department are offering a special holiday presentation to the families of students with special needs. Please share the following information with the families of your school site. We appreciate your support.

Knowledge & Network

Special Holiday Presentation

Tools to Find JOY in Your Family's Busy Seasons

Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 9:00-10:30 am

Make the holidays brighter and less stressful! Tina Campbell, Writer, and Chaos Coordinator will be speaking on the topic Tools to Find JOY in Your Family's Busy Seasons. Learning objectives include identifying the stressors and embracing the love of the season, obligations vs. celebrations, gift giving and receiving conversations, etc.

Please join us in person in the Community Room at the PUSD District Office, located at 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, or on Zoom. Meeting ID: 539 621 4111 Passcode: 370586. Please RSVP here.

We are excited to announce an upcoming E-Bike Class for students and their parent(s)/guardian(s), aimed at promoting safe and responsible e-bike usage. The class will take place in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Mt. Carmel High School on Wednesday, January 8th at 6:00 pm. Attendees are highly encouraged to arrive at 5:30 pm so they have enough time to find parking at the PAC.

We’ve been enjoying this book, Skating on a Wild Inland Sea by Jean E. Pendziwol

Can Ice Sing? Click HERE to find out.

Hear the Otherworldly Sounds of Skating on Thin Ice - National Geographic

• PUSD Cultural Observances

• Tech Tips for Chromebooks

• Positivity Project Book List

• Check out the TeachingBooks Literary Calendar!

Join in this global event!

December 9-13 Hour of Code

Activities Hour of Code (Login to Canvas for more information)

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin Computer Science Ideas Activities

Grace Hopper Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark

Computer Science Month Books on SORA

See what Computer Science books are on the shelf in Westwood’s library: Click HERE Hint: use your PUSD username/password to view the lists.

Need more resources and information? Visit Westwood Library Canvas Course to view the many resources available.

The used book sale will be held every Thursday, unless it’s raining, just outside the library. Proceeds of the sale go to buying books that students are asking for. It’s a great way to support the library. Only 25 cents a book!

Another way to support the library is to donate gently used children’s books appropriate for TK-5th grade , printer paper, hand sanitizer, or kleenex. You can drop them off in the library with a note.

I wish you a merry and bright holiday season! Thank you for supporting your child’s love of reading and learning at Westwood Elementary!

Mrs. Whitelock, Librarian at Westwood

The Parent Ambassadors of PUSD Special Education Department, in partnership with EFRC (Exceptional Family Resource Center) would like to share these valuable community resources with you. Please see linked Community Resource Update flier for details.

Apply to be a Parent Ambassador at Westwood Elementary!

Are you passionate about supporting students with IEPs? We invite you to apply to join our dedicated team of Parent Ambassadors at Westwood Elementary!

Parent Ambassadors are parent volunteers and mentors who support and enlighten fellow parents of students with IEPs and those seeking directions as they consider special education. Their contribution to schools and community is important to help all students learn and grow to reach their full potential.

Your contribution matters. Please lend a hand and spread the sunshine. Your involvement will make the world a bit brighter for those around you.

To apply to become a Parent Ambassador, please click here or the link on the attached flyer. Watch the video to meet some of our Parent Ambassadors. Visit our website for more information.

Please open the attachment for the live links.

2024-2025 yearbooks will be amazing! Order them now so you don't have to worry about them at the end of the school year and receive 10% off!

https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1015978769242468

1. Click here: https://web.treering.com/school/231813/2024/school-content/school-photos

2. Sign in and it will take you to School Photos 24-25 page

2. Click on appropriate folder and then click on Add Photos and upload your photos

3. Now your student will be represented in the yearbook!

Bill Egan

Principal

Email: kholmes@powayusd.com
Website: https://westwood. powayusd.com
Location: 17449 Matinal Road, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-487-2026
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWESRoadrunners
Twitter: @RoadrunnersWwes

Nondiscrimination Philosophy and Policy Statement

The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer/program and is committed to an active Nondiscrimination Program. PUSD prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For more information, please contact: Title IX/Equity Compliance Officer, James Jimenez, Associate Superintendent of Personnel support Services, Poway Unified School District, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, 1-858-521-2800, extension 2121, jjimenez@powayusd.com. For students, you may contact Title IX Coordinator/504 Coordinator Jamie Dayhoff, Director of Attendance and Discipline, Poway Unified School District, 1-858-521-2840, jdayhoff@powayusd.com.