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Wildcat Weekly

News from Westfield Elementary: August 23, 2024

WildcatWeeklyNews from Westfield Elementary: August 23, 2024

Westfield Principal Kristen Ulery

Westfield families:


It was so great to see everyone back at school this week! We had a lot of families at the Back to School Bash yesterday, and it was a fun way to kick off the school year!


Thank you for your patience this week as everyone learns new routines for transportation and arrival and dismissal.


Be sure to mark your calendars for curriculum night on Wednesday, September 4 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for guardians to come and hear about what your kids will be learning this year.


Have a great weekend!


Kristen Ulery

Westfield Principal

Buddies learn together the first week

A lot of time this week has been spent getting to know one another and learning the Wildcat expectations, especially for our kindergartners. Under the guidance of PE teacher Mrs. Hanneman and their classroom teachers, Westfield kindergartners were paired with fifth grade "buddies" who helped teach them how to play safely and respectfully on the playground. These buddies have been excited to get to know each other, and they will continue to do activities together throughout the year. As the year progresses, other grade levels will also have a chance to meet and work with buddies in other grade levels.

Curriculum Night - September 4

Join us on Wednesday, September 4 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to learn about what your child will be learning this year. There will be a presentation for all families at 6:30 p.m. in the gym, followed by two sessions with the teachers in their classrooms. The same information will be presented at both sessions, so families with more than one child may attend two different sessions.

Please turn in a Handbook Acknowledgement form for each child

The CCSD 89 Student-Parent Handbook is available online at www.ccsd89.org/handbook All families must return the Handbook Acknowledgement Form, indicating you have reviewed the 2024-25 Handbook. If you need a form, you can print one here: https://bit.ly/46WMTql

If you have more than one student in the district, you must return a form for each student.

The Technology Acceptable Use guardian form was signed during registration. You can view the student presentations here: www.ccsd89.org/acceptableuse

CCSD 89 schools closed September 2 for Labor Day

All CCSD 89 schools and administrative offices will be closed Monday, September 2, for Labor Day. School will resume on a regular schedule on Tuesday, September 3.

Students must have doctors note for cough drops, antacids

Any over-the-counter medication including cough drops, antacids, and ointments, will not be administered by building nurses without doctor’s orders on file. A parent or guardian must bring the over-the-counter medication to the main office in the original container with the doctor’s note.

Families can call school’s main number to report an absence

Parents who need to report their student’s absence can call the school’s general number, then press 1. To reach the nurse, press 2. The main office can be reached by pressing 3.

Families can find menus, nutrition info online

Lunch menus for all CCSD 89 schools will be available using the links at www.ccsd89.org/lunch Once you have opened a lunch calendar, clicking on any menu item will pull up nutritional information.


In addition to the traditional hot lunch options, you will notice that the menu now lists two cold entree choices each day. These are new items this year that were popular during taste tests. The cold entree options change weekly, so be sure to check the menu for this week's selections.

Want to know more about your child's day?

If you are tired of asking about your child's day and hearing "fine" or being told they did nothing or getting a shrug, try these questions to elicit more detailed answers.

GPS Parent Series: Use body language to enhance your personal power (August 26)

At noon and 7 p.m. on Monday, August 26, the GPS Parent Series will host professor and author Dr. Amy Cuddy for a free virtual discussion on how to access our personal power to focus on the impression we are making on others. Watch a preview More info: https://gpsparentseries.org/events/amy-cuddy/

GPS Parent Series: How to raise healthy gamers (August 27)

At noon and 7 p.m. on Monday, August 27, Harvard Medical School instructor Alok Kanojia, author of “How to Raise a Healthy Gamer”, will share tips for setting, enforcing, and troubleshooting healthy gaming boundaries. Kanojia will discuss essential communication strategies for reaching kids who have developed a serious gaming habit. Preview. GPS Parent Series events are free. More info: https://gpsparentseries.org/events/alok-kanojia/

GPS Parent Series: Reducing fear, anxiety in young children (August 28)

At noon and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, pediatric psychologist, parent coach, and author Dr. Ann-Louis Lockhart will offer practical real-world strategies that work to address dealing with an anxious (or overly anxious) child. Preview GPS Parent Series events are free. More info: https://gpsparentseries.org/events/ann-louise-lockhart-2/

Save a life! Community invited to donate blood August 28 at Glen Crest

There are still open spots for the community blood drive that will be held 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, at Glen Crest Middle School. Sign up to donate: https://donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/5607325

More info: www.ccsd89.org/blood

Kindergarten Scavenger Hunt-Thank you

Thank you to everyone who attended the Scavenger Hunt! Thank you to Shannon Tovey, Amber Liset, and Cate Cosme for organizing this great event.

Back to School Bash-Thank you

Thank you to everyone who attended our Back to School Bash! Thank you to Amanda Omaira for help with organizing such a fun event.

Committee chair kick-off meeting

If you are chairing or are interested in chairing an event for the 2024-2025 school year, we are asking that you attend our kick-off meeting on Wednesday, August 28th at 6:00 p.m. in the Westfield LMC. We will share important information and answer any questions you may have. See you there!

How to get involved…

Want to get involved in the PTC, but aren’t sure where to start? We have committee and chair positions open for the 2024-25 school year! Many volunteer opportunities throughout the year do not require a lot of time or planning. Please see the PTC Event Summaries and use the signup genius link to find out what is needed and to volunteer.

Signup genius: 2024-25 Chairs/Committees


PTC uses a “Volunteers at Large” email list to reach out to people when we need help/volunteers. This is not a commitment to any event, however, it allows you to stay informed when we need help. Please complete this form if you are interested in receiving emailed requests regarding PTC needs throughout the 2024-25 school year.

Volunteers at Large Interest Form

New PTC website

Westfield PTC has a new website which has a lot of helpful information and will be updated regularly. Please bookmark it! http://www.ccsd89.org/westfieldPTC

Spirit wear store online

Show your Wildcat pride by visiting the Westfield Spirit Wear site. There are many new logos and clothing this year that allow you to get the look you want!


https://apparelnow.com/westfield-elementary-spirit-wear-apparel

Save the date...Upcoming PTC events

Aug 28 - PTC committee chair kick-off meeting, 6:00 p.m. in Westfield LMC

Sept 4 - School store at lunch/recess

Sept 6 - First Mileage Club at lunch recess

Sept 12 - PTC meeting, 7:00 p.m. in the LMC

Stay connected with the Westfield PTC

Please feel free to connect with the PTC via:

Students, families can report crises and threats through Safe2Help

Students and families can confidentially call, email, or text the Safe2Help tip line to report bullying, threats, or classmates in crisis. Students or families can call (844) 4-SAFE-IL, which is (844) 472-3345; text SAFE2, which is 72332; email Help@Safe2HelpIL.com; or submit tips through the online form. Safe2Help submissions are monitored every hour of every day. More info: https://bit.ly/3BPxObO


Be sure to review requirements before bringing food for other students

If you’re bringing food to the school for a holiday party or other event, be sure you know which foods are approved. You can see the holiday party food list at www.ccsd89.org/holidayfood and the pre-approved food list at www.ccsd89.org/preapproved.


Need tech support for your CCSD 89 device? Use this site

Families that need support for iPad or Chromebook issues should use the district’s online help system. Enter your contact information and some details about the problem at: https://bit.ly/89techsupport


Stay connected with CCSD 89 and Westfield

Stay connected with the latest news by following Community Consolidated School District 89 on Facebook (facebook.com/CCSD89), Twitter (@CCSD89), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/@CCSD89). You can also follow Westfield on Twitter at @Westfield89

Families can call school’s main number to report an absence

When you call our school, you’ll hear a new message this year. All CCSD 89 schools received new phone systems over the summer. Parents who need to report their student’s absence can call the school’s general number, then press 1. To reach the nurse, press 2. The main office can be reached by pressing 3.

Kristen Ulery
Kristen is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters