WILDCAT NEWS
December 2023
News from Ms. Harcus
Dear Westside Family,
I hope you are all doing well and got to enjoy time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday. I can hardly believe it is already December and Winter Break is only a few weeks away!
We have had an amazing year thus far, full of lots of learning, growth, friendship building and fun. I am incredibly proud of all of our young scholars and the incredible staff that work so hard to teach and support them each and everyday.
As always, thank you for all of your support, I feel blessed to be part of such an amazing community. Happy Holidays and hope to see you soon!
Warmly,
Nikki Harcus
Important Dates
Monday December 11, 2023 - NO SCHOOL
Staff Professional Development
WINTER BREAK
Monday December 25, 2023 - First Day of Winter Break
Tuesday January 2, 2024 - First Day Back from Winter Break
School Day Hours
ARRIVAL
Supervision outside starts at 7:30 am
First Bell rings at 7:35 am - Students enter the building
Instruction starts at 7:40 am
DISMISSAL
2:40 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays
1:30 pm on Thursdays
Holiday Family Fun Night!
Holiday Family Fun Night on Wednesday, December 13!!!
This event will have lots of fun holiday themed activities throughout the school that evening. One of the most popular activities is the Kids’ Shopping Store - where kids can shop for their grownups (2 gifts per child)!
All gifts are $.50 or less and are gift wrapped so they are ready to be opened at home! The event will be held from 6 - 7:30 pm and our CEOS of Tomorrow 4th and 5th graders will also be selling their homemade candles (please bring along dollar bills).
District School Bus Information
Please click here, to review information about Crossing Guard Recognition Week in January and weather related bus delays.
Dudes on Duty
Dudes on Duty is Back!
Want to feel like a rock star, get some fresh air and exercise at the same time?! Then our Westside Elementary Dudes on Duty program is for you! We are asking family and community members to come hang out during our Friday recesses at Westside Elementary. You might be playing some basketball, throwing a football around or even playing an intense game of Rainbow Tag!
No matter what you're doing, please know that you will be having a positive impact on the lives of our Wildcats and having fun at the same time.
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Darga at sadarga@sunprairieschools.org or 608-834-7546.
Winter Gear Reminders
Winter Weather is quickly approaching. As the weather get colder and snow covers the ground; Please make sure your child has cold weather gear including:
- Coats and caps
- Waterproof gloves and mittens (knit mittens get wet easily)
- Waterproof boots
- Snow pants
All items should be labeled with your student(s) name so that lost items can be returned. Items that are not labeled will be put in the lost & found bin.
We encourage students to leave SNOW PANTS & BOOTS hear at school.
Child Find Notice
Annual Notice of Special Education Referral
& Evaluation Procedures
Westside Specials
Please take a moment to check out this information newsletter about your students "Specials", and all of the amazing things they do each day.
Spread Kindness, Not Germs
Please keep your child home if they have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Let your child's school know if they test positive for any communicable disease, such as COVID, influenza, strep, or pertussis. Your school's health assistant can provide guidance on when your child can return to school after testing positive.
Reporting a Student Absence
Parents/Guardians may report a student absence to Westside Elementary 24 hours a day by calling our Attendance Line at
(608) 834-7500, press 1 to report a student absence.
Please leave a short message with the following information:
- Child's name
- Teacher's name or grade
- Reason for absence
- Who is calling
Please contact the office, 608-834-7509 before 7:30 a.m. any morning your child will not be in school, even if they will be joining us late. If we do not hear from you, a safe arrival call will be made to you at home and/or work. We want to make sure every child is safe!
Student Appointments
- Name of Student
- Teacher's name or grade
- Time of pick up
- If the student will be returning to school
If you are picking up a student during the school day, you will need to sign them out in the main office and please bring your ID with you. We do ask that you give yourself adequate time for check out before your appointment.
Cafeteria Connection
Please take a moment to check out information from our School Nutrition Department about the Sun Prairie School Breakfast Program.
Reminder: ALL WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS receive FREE MEALS.
Westside Families DO NOT need to complete Applications or Pay for Food Service through Infinite Campus. Thank you!
Volunteer Background Checks
If you are interested in volunteering and/or being a chaperone, please check out the District's Volunteer Procedure.
Here are the links from the District website to the Background Check Form(s).
Thank you for considering!
Westside OPTS Updates
Who We Are & What We Do:
Westside OPTS is the parent-teacher organization at Westside Elementary School. All members are volunteers, made up of parents, grandparents and caregivers of Westside students, as well as teachers and school staff. Our mission is to support education for Westside Elementary School students by fostering relationships between the school, parents, and teachers.
How To Get Involved:
We are committed to supporting our teachers, students and families and we would love your help!
- Volunteer your time and/or talent! If you have a special skill, want to help with fundraising, or like to work on teacher appreciate activities, please let us know.
- Board Members:
Presidents - Chiquita Hall
Vice President - Matt Weyer
Secretary - Nikki Wachter
Treasurer - Cathy Weyer
Volunteer Coordinator - Holly DeGroot
OPTS Meetings
Westside OPTS meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except December) from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday January 9, 2024 at Westside Elementary.
We hope to see everyone there!
Mark Your Calendars to Support Westside OPTS this school year!
Share Nights – dine out and mention Westside – a portion of sales will come back to OPTS
• Tuesday, November 28th – Mod Pizza
• Tuesday, December 19th – Rosati’s Pizza
• Wednesday, January 10th – Burrachos
• Thursday, February 22nd - Liv’s Drink Emporium
• Wednesday, March 20th & Thursday, March 21st – Jersey Mike’s
Fun Events!
• Friday, January 19 @5:30pm – Movie Night – Encanto! Free popcorn + snacks for purchase
• Friday, April 5, time TBD – Spring Fling Dance
• Friday, May 24, during school day – Fun Run
• June – date TBD – end of year BBQ
Let’s Connect!
Via Email: westsideopts@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/westsideOPTS/about/?ref=page_internal
Fundraisers
Box Tops - Download the new Box Tops app and scan your receipts when you purchase any foods with a Box Tops label on the package.
Shoparoo - Free app where you scan any receipt, get bonus points, and pick Westside to receive funds. Monthly/yearly drawings.
Community Schools Reference Guides
Like and follow us here to keep current on all the wonderful things happening at Westside!