Westchester Weekly
All-Star Newsletter May 26, 2022
News from the Principal
Greetings Westchester Families,
Here we are! We have come to the end of the 2021-2022 school year. In my short time here, I have seen first hand what a tremendous school community we have. The spirit of Crew is alive. A core practice of EL Education is “We are crew, not passengers”. Each class, our staff crew and our community crew are all working together to make this small school the gem that it is.
Tomorrow is the day for our Community Circle. This is our last day of school so we are going to have it at 1:45 PM. Come and wrap up the 2021-2022 school year with us. We ask that you leave all bags, purses, etc at home or in your cars. All visitors must come to the front door and sign in. We will close our Community Circle by 2:15 to prepare for dismissal.
From you very grateful principal,
Christine Knox
Upcoming Calendar Events
May is National Asian & Pacific Islander Month and Jewish Heritage Month
May 27th-Community Circle outside at 1:45pm
May 27th- Walk and Roll to School RELAUNCH
May 27th- Last Day of School!
First Grade presents:
Students enjoy the swing!
Walk and Roll to School! RELAUNCH
Report Cards
Dear WE families,
Your child’s end of year Report Card will be available to view in the Parent Portal on Monday, June 6th. Please log into the parent portal to access your student’s report card at that time. You may access the directions here or watch this video.
City Schools of Decatur uses standards-based reporting to report K-2 student progress. In standards-based grading, reporting is based upon the progress toward mastery of the standards in each academic domain.
The report card is issued three times per year. The report card includes meaningful comments from teachers, assessment on the domains, and feedback on Habits of Scholarship and Work Habits.
Thank you for partnering with us this year on behalf of your child’s growth and achievement. Have a wonderful summer!
MAP Test Results
Dear Families,
Today we are sending home your child’s MAP® Growth™ test results in the Family Report. These tests contribute to determining your child’s instructional level and measure their academic growth throughout the school year (and from year to year) in math and reading.
Westchester uses MAP, as well other benchmark assessments, to measure student progress three times per year. We also use a variety of ongoing classroom assessments to plan differentiated learning to help all students grow academically. MAP Growth tests from NWEA® are unique in that they are adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. This means the test becomes more difficult when your child answers a question correctly. And when your child answers a question incorrectly, the test becomes easier. Ultimately, your child took a test specifically targeting their learning level.
Your child’s MAP Growth results are represented as RIT scores. Like inches on a ruler, the RIT scale measures in equal intervals, regardless of a student’s grade—and it remains stable over time. As a result, we can accurately measure students’ growth in between tests and understand if they are performing on, above, or below grade level. RIT scores enable teachers to recognize where to focus attention to optimize your child’s learning and to monitor their progress. For more information about MAP Growth, visit: NWEA.org/Parent-Toolkit.
Sincerely,
Christie Manasso
Instructional Coach
Westchester Elementary
Rising 3rd grade F.AVE Families
We have enjoyed getting to know you and our future Falcons. It was such a treat to get to see and meet the children in person last week. They are adorable and we look forward to them joining us next year. I wanted to share a couple of things with you before leaving for the summer.
A Day in the life of a F.AVE Falcon
Video of Morning drop off and Afternoon Pickup
Our 2021-22 Parent Handbook (we will send an update in August)
Your child's current teacher has done a great job at letting us know all about your child as a learner, the social and emotional needs, successful friend pairings, etc. We have a wealth of information both quantitative and qualitative. In addition to this, we have had teacher to teacher transition meetings for students with specialized services through special education, intervention supports, 504s, etc. We will read every note and review all data shared to match students with teachers. Our process takes the entire month of June. However, if you have a need above and beyond this to share information with us, please have your current teacher attach to the information that is being shared with us. If that is not possible, then you can use the Parent Information Form to do so. Please remember that we can not honor specific teacher requests by name, but characteristics are the best way to communicate what works for your child.
Summer Reading
PTA News
Westchester PTA Thanks YOU!
The success this year that the PTA had in helping fund initiatives such as media center/classroom materials, outdoor umbrellas/shades so our kids can safely eat outside, community events, field trips, Wylde Center Partnership, and so much more is thanks to YOU! Our success depended upon you and your families. Please accept our deepest thank you for all you have done to help the PTA succeed this year. We want to wish you all a healthy, safe, and happy summer. See you next year!
Join the PTA!
Speaking of next year..we are still recruiting for next school year's PTA board and committee members. If you enjoyed helping out at field day, please consider joining as being part of the PTA really has that fun energy and cooperation! Please fill out this google form if you are interested in joining the PTA and/or the Board, and also if you would like to nominate someone to be on the PTA. Please see our website for more information about the board positions.
Save the Date for the Back to School Bash!!
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
It’s not too late to express your appreciation for a teacher or CSD staff member with a Step Up tribute: Go to www.stepupforteachers.com, make a $25 contribution and you can leave a tribute message for your favorite CSD employee. DEF will notify the honored person. For $50 you can honor two CSD staff members AND have a yard sign delivered to your Decatur address. Do you have a graduating senior? We also have Class of 2022 yard signs to celebrate your DHS senior’s rite of passage. Your contributions support Teacher Innovation Grants and provide an encouraging boost that our teachers need to finish the school year! (If a contribution is a barrier, please email your tribute and request to drew@decatureducationfoundation.org.)
Decatur Education Foundation would like to thank the following Step Up Circle Sponsors for their commitment to helping us help Decatur’s kids!
Big thank you to Townley Kenton, Keller Knapp Realty, Lampe & Farley Creative, Mathnasium-Decatur, Amy Widener - Keller Williams, Pillow Law, Oakhurst Market, Casie Hughes - Keller Williams, Stability Engineering, Oakhurst Realty Partners, and Universal Joint for a successful school year!
Decatur Farm to School
Do you have plans for a new garden or class project? You're full of fantastic ideas on how to incorporate farm-to-school principles into a teaching unit? Need funds for a "green" field trip?
The Wylde Center Decatur Farm to School Committee invites you to apply for a grant for 2022/23. Teachers, administrators, PTA members, and parent volunteers can apply on behalf of their CSD school. Please get your applications in before August 31, 2022. (Link here and on the Wylde Center website > Education > Farm to School)
Reminders from Last Week
Notes from the Nurse
FIrst I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you….. The outpouring of love from the students, parents and staff for Nurses week was incredible. I feel so loved and appreciated.
As we wind down the school year, I want to pass on a few reminders for the end of the year and summer.
If your child has medications at school, I will be in contact with you to arrange a pick-up day. Medications cannot be stored at the school over the summer for returning students.
If your child has a Medical Care Plan (diabetes, asthma, allergy, seizure) Please plan on having it updated over the summer with your child's health care provider. School Health requires an updated plan each school year.
If your child will require medication stored at school next year, please fill out a new Medication Authorization Form. All prescription medications require a prescribing providers signature (as well as parent/guardian signature). Over-the-counter medications only require a parent/guardian signature.
If your child is due for immunizations this summer, please plan on having them updated and a current 3231 sent to the school.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 404-370-4400 or ngarrison@csdecatur.net
Nurse Nancy
Visit past newsletters for answers to your questions🤗
Westchester Elementary School
Email: bnation@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/Westchester
Location: 758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westchesterelementarycsd