The "Last" Compass

Happy Last Week of School, Westside Families! Thank you all for an amazing year with you and your children. Our staff has been honored to serve this community and it's students, and we look forward to doing it all again next August! Be sure to let your favorite teachers/staff members know how much you appreciate them before the year is over :)

Last week was full of celebrations and memories made on campus including our 25th anniversary ceremony! Be sure to check out the photos below and on our Facebook page.

We only have about 70 yearbooks left to sell this week. If you would like one, please send in $30 CASH ONLY to Ms. Sepe. Yearbooks will be sold first come, first served with payment.

A big SHOUT OUT to our PTO and parent volunteers who supported our VPK celebration and hosting a wonderful Staff breakfast on Friday! These ladies have worked tirelessly this year to create such magical moments for our school. WE appreciate you so much! Our last PTO meeting will be May 21st at 3:30pm in the Media Center.

Important events this week:

• Monday, May 20th-K-2 Awards --8:15a (K) 8:50a (2nd) 9:30a (1st)
  
• Tuesday, May 21st- 3rd-5th Awards--8:15a (5th) 8:50a (4th) 9:30a (3rd)
  
• Wednesday, May 22nd-Early Dismissal @1:15pm
• Thursday, May 23rd-6th Grade Celebration Event @8:30am/Early Dismissal @1:15pm
• Friday, May 24th-Last Day! Early Dismissal @1:15pm

Summer Programs information is being shared by the district, so be sure to scroll down to see all the different options for childcare and enrichment programs. If your child was eligible for a Summer reading camps, please return the permission forms ASAP.

Our office will be open this week on Monday-Friday from 7:30am-3:30pm. Student check-outs end at 1:45pm Monday-Thursday, and at 12:30pm on Fridays.

**Summer Office Hours- 7:30-4:30pm Monday-Thursday. CLOSED Fridays**

Have a Great Last Week! ~Mrs.Woodbury, Proud Principal

Woodbury.Stephanie@brevardschools.org (321)956-5050 ext. 52802

May 20th

8:15a (K) 8:50a (2nd) 9:30a (1st)

8:15a (5th) 8:50a (4th) 9:30a (3rd)

May 23rd

6th Grade Celebration Event @ 8:30am

Hello 6th grade families! Here are some details to help you plan accordingly.

• Students need to arrive and check in to their classrooms by 8:00am.
• Attire is "dressed for success".
• Doors will open at 8:00am for guests. Please give yourself plenty of time to park and be checked in before the start of the ceremony.
• Please have a photo ID for every adult attending.
• Parking will be available in the front of our building as well as the side car loop after 8:00am.
• If you have a sibling who attends Westside that will be attending the ceremony, please do not check them into school that morning and simply bring them with you to the event. If they are in school prior to the ceremony, you will have to go to the office and check them out before they can join you.
• After the ceremony, students will return to their homeroom classroom to collect their things and report cards. ONE parent/guardian from each family will be able to check out their child at this time for the remainder of the day.
• Photo booths will be set up in the Commons as well to capture this special occasion.
• 6th grade students are not required to attend school on Friday, May 24th, and can begin their well-deserved summer!

Westside is excited to invite any graduating high-school senior who attended Westside to lead our 6th graders on their final walk around campus. This will be on May 22nd at 8:30am. Seniors will need arrive by 8:15am with their cap and gown. Please share with any seniors who might be interested.

In 1998, Westside opened their doors to welcome their first set of students. Since then, Westside has grown and flourished with many accomplishments. Last Wednesday, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary alongside previous principals and staff. Our ceremony was opened by Mrs. Woodbury who welcomed two of the three previous principals (Mr. Johnny Harper and Mrs. Passanisi Halford) and the school community. Sixth-grade student, Maren Hand, shared what life was like in 1998, Mrs. Williams (AP) highlighted our accomplishments as a school, and Ms. Rodgers (AP) commemorated the day by having our distinguish guests sign a fence cup that will be placed in our new fence mural. All students also received commemorative bracelets to wear. Our Jammers played songs, we watched a commemorative video, and Mrs. Woodbury and Mrs. McKinney lead the school in our Westside cheers!

On Friday, we also took a commemorative photo of our entire school and staff in the shape of a 25! Thank you to Westside parent, Mr. Koagel, and his expertise with drone photography for capturing this moment! Check out some of the photos below.

Running Club is planned to start late September/Early October and open to all K-6th grade students. Any student who participates in the Firecracker 5K or Tailgate 2-Miler this summer will earn early access to Running Club practices in early September.

**Also, anyone who runs one of the first 2 races will receive a Running Club Elites trucker hat 😊 A new item this year in the running club!**

1st Race of the Race Series “Firecracker 5K, July 4th”

Sign up at runningzone.com or https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Melbourne/Firecracker

*Sign your child up under “Schools” tab and then “Westside Elementary Elites Running Club”

If you cannot make it to July 4th Race, then there is always the….

2nd Race of the Race Series “Tailgate 2-Miler, Aug. 10th”

Sign up at runningzone.com or https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Viera/tailgate2miler

Any Questions? Please contact toenjes.robert@brevardschools.org or “Westside Elites Running Club” Facebook Page.

Don’t want to join Running Club or can’t?? You can still join us for the races and support the Team!!!

You may also sign-up early for ALL the races and save money. With shirts and medals $140 but you can opt for no shirts or medals and its cheaper!!! All the info and sign-up is at: https://www.runbrevard.com/

Brevard Public Schools is offering a variety of summer programs including summer camp childcare and enrichment experiences. You can click on the buttons below for different choices. Registration for BAS Summer Camps is open now, and the Summer Enrichment programs open May 1st.

With only a couple months left in this school year, we are beginning the planning for the 2024-2025 school year! When you log into your Parent Portal, you will be asked ONE quick question regarding enrollment verification. Simply answer accordingly and you are done!

Kindergarten registration is NOW open! See flyer below. You can also call our office or come in for more information. Kindergarten Orientation will be April 10th from 5:00pm-6:30pm. We can't wait to meet our newest Explorers!

Starting July 8th, you will be completing our new, efficient Annual Re-enrollment Forms ONLINE to update information and sign new permissions for the upcoming school year. Once done, you will be FAST PASSED for our Registration Day in August.

Did you know there are many new, exciting options in our cafeteria for breakfast and lunch? You can find our monthly menu shown and discover all our Food Services Program has to offer by clicking HERE. You can even order party treats made to order from our cafe! Email our Cafe Manager at: Ryan.Stacey@brevardschools.org

If we are moving to Rainy Day procedures, you will be sent an email/text to alert you of the change. This mostly affects bikers/walkers. **Please note that if there is lightning in the area, we will HOLD ALL dismissal methods until it is safe to have students outside.

To help us connect your child to you on days with inclement weather, please be sure to follow the procedures printed on the back of your orange car tags and shown below. Please do NOT walk to the building entrance to collect your child , but follow one of the options below.

Rainy Day Dismissal for Bikers/Walkers

• At registration, you indicated what your child's Rainy Day plan would be and staff are following those directions. If you want to change or check on the option you chose, please reach to your teacher.
• Option 1: School will hold child safely until rain clears. At that time they will be released to walk/ bike home.
• Option 2: Join FRONT car loop with orange tag and follow car loop procedures listed on back of car tag.

Thank you for your cooperation for future rainy days! If you do not have an orange tag, or lost yours, please come to the front office to pick up a new one or be issued one.

Website: https://www.brevardschools.org/WestsideES
Location: 2175 Degroodt Road Southwest, Palm Bay, FL, USA
Phone: (321) 956-5050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Elementary-School/Westside-Elementary-School-205330823211996/