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W.E.stchester Weekly

W.E.stchester Weekly

News from the Principal

Greetings WE Families,

Beginning next week, Westchester families will receive one CSD district newsletter. The transition to one newsletter is in response to feedback from the CSD school community to streamline and reduce the volume of weekly communications to families from multiple schools.


The new district newsletter will include Westchester Elementary School news, district news, and links to all school newsletters. A link to the WE Weekly newsletter will be embedded next to the school's logo.


We have had a great week. The students did very well during the beginning of the year assessments. The STAR Assessment has replaced the MAP Assessment as part of our universal screening process in the City Schools of Decatur. This universal screening process means that all students participate in these assessments to allow us to begin making informed instructional decisions. This process will take place three times each year and you will be provided information about the results as well.


Thank you for your attention to completing all of the beginning of the year information. This ensures that we have the most accurate information. If there are any changes throughout the year, please make those changes in the Parent Portal.


School Lunch Policy: Please be sure to maintain a positive lunch balance for your child. This will help us avoid any unexpected lunch changes for students. Check your Parent Portal frequently to make sure your child has adequate funds for the cafeteria. You may also find the Parent Portal App (Apple or Android) to be more convenient.


Interested in serving on our School Leadership Team? Contact me at cknox@csdecatur.net


Mark your calendars:

  • Wednesday, August 28th - 12:50 p.m. Early Release

  • Thursday, August 29th - 6:00 p.m. Curriculum Night

  • Friday August 30th - 8:20 a.m. Community Circle


From your grateful principal,

Christine Knox

Calendar of Events

Media Center News

The Westchester Birthday Book program gives you the opportunity to both honor your child on their birthday and help our library collection continue to grow. To honor your child with a birthday book donation, send $20 cash or check (made payable to Westchester Elementary School) by Friday, August 30th. We welcome friends or other family members to participate in this program as well. Families are not limited to one book, share with your loved ones.

After receiving your donation, your child will choose a new library book during their birthday month during library time. We will affix a book dedication label to the inside of the book your child chooses indicating that the book is donated in their honor to our library. We would like for you to write a special message that will be printed on the label.

Your child may keep the new book for two weeks before returning it to the library. This book will be checked-out in addition to the regular library book(s). Your student will also receive a birthday card that includes a picture of them an their selected book(s).

We are only sending this sign-up sheet home ONCE (Forms are in your student's communication folder today). This form must be submitted, along with payment, by Friday, August 30. July and August birthdays will be celebrated in September and June birthdays will be celebrated in May.

PTA News

Our wonderful PTA still has openings for committee members. Please help out at our little school by volunteering, we promise you will have fun!

Dine Out

Dine Out/Spirit Nights support our school. You get to feed your family and help our little school. Each month we will host a Dine Out/Spirit Night to bring our Westchester community together.

Battle of the Bands

CSD News & Announcements

The news and announcements in this section are sent from the Wilson Center.

2024-25 Early Release Days

Reminder! City Schools of Decatur's first Early Release Day is Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Here is the schedule of release times by school level:

Pre-K: 12:15 PM

Lower Elementary: 12:50 PM

Upper Elementary: 12:15 PM

Middle School: 1:45 PM

High School: 1:35 PM

College Heights: (0-3 and the Pre-K program will remain on the normal schedule)

The remaining early release dates are listed below:


Friday, September 20, 2024
Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Friday, November 22, 2024

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

CSD Plans Launch of District App and Website, And One District Newsletter

REMINDER


Beginning next week, Westchester families will receive one CSD district newsletter. The transition to one newsletter is in response to feedback from the CSD school community to streamline and reduce the volume of weekly communications to families from multiple schools.


The new district newsletter will include Westchester school news, district news, and links to all school newsletters. A link to the Westchester newsletter will be embedded next to the school's logo.

CSD Grading Handbook

We're off to a fantastic start this school year, with teachers already diving into instruction and engaging students in deeper learning. Last November, the City Schools of Decatur Board approved a new grading policy for the 2024-25 school year. Please click the CSD Grading Handbook link below to help you understand the details and implementation. Additional opportunities for discussion and questions will be available during each school's curriculum night.


CSD 2024-25 Grading Handbook

Reminder: CSD is Moving from MAP to STAR Assessment


All CSD Pre-K through grade 12 students will take the STAR assessment instead of the MAP for the 2024-25 school year. The STAR assessment will be administered three times per year, beginning August 12 and then again in December and May. See frequently asked questions about STAR here.

The Teaching and Learning Department will host an informational webinar to provide an overview of STAR and discuss score reports on Tuesday, September 17, 6 p.m. Join the webinar here.


Additional resources:

  • To learn more about STAR, click here.

  • STAR vs. MAP? View a research study on score correlations here.

Mark Your Calendars! CSD Programs Overview Virtual Meeting

Save the date for a virtual meeting to learn more about the following support programs and services available to CSD students:

  • Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

  • Gifted and Talented Services

  • ESOL and Federal Programs

  • 504 and Psychological Services

  • Professional School Counseling

  • Behavior Support

  • School Social Work

  • Special Education

Click here to submit your questions about the Programs Overview before Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 4 p.m. A meeting link will be provided closer to the meeting date.

Rock Out with DEF at Battle of the Bands!

Join Decatur Education Foundation for a brand new community event! Head to Legacy Park on Friday, Sept. 6th, from 5-9 pm for a fun family evening of live music and community! City Schools of Decatur community circle bands will bring the tunes – you bring your school spirit! The school with the largest percentage of representation will win a music grant for their school ... along with a trophy and bragging rights, of course! We’ll have food vendors and sweet treats to supplement your picnic. Adults are $10, and KIDS ARE FREE! Get tickets here: https://decatureducationfoundation.org/def-events/battle-of-the-bands/

*If cost is an issue, please email Drew@DecaturEducationFoundation.org

Reminders from Last Week

Visit past newsletters for answers to your questions🤗

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