September Python Post
2024-2025
Westwood View Elementary
4935 Belinder Ave
Westwood, KS 66205
Kathy Keith, Principal
Email: kathykeith@smsd.org
Website: Westwoodview.smsd.org
Phone: (913) 993-5800
Twitter: @wwvpythons
X: @wvpythons
Vision
Instilling in students critical thinking skills and respect for core values of loyalty, perseverance and compassion.
Monthly Character Trait
Respect
Respect
Students will learn about ways to be respectful. Students are assigned to an animal family with one adult and 6+ students, after every school-wide character education assembly, students will meet with their assigned family to learn about the monthly trait. Parents are invited to our assemblies when their child is being individually recognized.
This month’s focus is Respect. One way to think about Respect is “seeing value in all people and things & treating them with care.” Many people feel Respected in different ways. We hope this month inspires discussions with your family about what Respect means to you and how you can practice it together!
Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Respect. Here are 2 “PurposeFull Pursuits” you can complete together!
A fun way to remind students to show Respect to others is to create a non-verbal cue. As a family, come up with a non-verbal way to cue your student to remember to show Respect to others. An example of this would be anytime you raise the “Respect Rooster” on your hand by closing the middle 2 fingers and bringing your pointer finger and pinky finger up, your student would be reminded to practice living out Respect.
Upcoming Dates
September
9/2 No School, Labor Day
9/3 No School, Professional Learning
9/12 Picture Day (Retakes and Class Photos 12/5)
9/20 Field Trip Fees Due
9/23-27 Book Fair (Students will shop during their Library Class time w/their teacher)
9/25 PTA Pastry with Parent/Book Fair Event 7:30am-8:10am @WV Library
9/26 PTA Literacy Night 3:30-5:30 @WV Library
9/27 PTA Skate Night 5:00-7:00pm @ Skate City
October
10/10 End of 1st Quarter
10/11 No School Teacher Work Day
10/14 No School Professional Learning Day
10/17 Grades Posted in Skyward
10/17 Parent/Teacher Evening Conferences
10/18 No School Parent/Teacher Conferences
10/25 PTA Carnival 5:00-6:30pm
November
11/1 No School Professional Learning Day
11/11 Veterans Day Assembly
11/25-29 No School Thanksgiving Break
Building WIGS (Goals) for 24-25
Increase student achievement and performance through targeted interventions with a grade level focus for all students.
Improve the social and emotional wellbeing of students by focusing on motivation, attendance, meaningful responses, and an overall plan for success.
Look for monthly updates in our newsletter.
Featured Staff Member - Mrs. Frick
A Few Facts About Mrs. Frick:
- She met her husband, Kevin, as a KSU student and has been teaching for 23 years!
- They love to take trips to the mountains with their daughter Olivia, 16, and son William, 12.
- Their family also loves hanging out with their two rescue greyhounds- Janie and Mikey.
Field Trip Fees Due September 20th
We are so fortunate to get to take multiple field trips for 24-25. This is made possible by parents paying individual student fees. Below are the fees for the year. We are asking that all field trip fees are paid by September 20th so that we can move forward with the scheduled trips. A check made out to Westwood View Elementary or cash in an envelope with your child's name can be turned in to your classroom teacher. If you need assistance please contact Stevilorson@smsd.org she will be able to provide resources as needed. Your classroom teacher will be able to share where each grade level is scheduled to go.
- K $45.00
- 1st $46.00
- 2nd - $35.00
- 3rd - $46.00
- 4th - $60.00
- 5th - $68.00
- 6th - $62.00
Class Room Parties🎉
Please note the below dates will be our classroom party dates. Only four MVP Trained Parent Volunteers will be able to attend the classroom parties. Please contact your child's teacher or room parent if you would like to volunteer to help. Ms. Lorson (stevilorson@smsd.org) will be able to check to see if you are currently MVP trained or assist you in signing up for the training. She will be sending a Sign Up Genius for training opportunities.
Fall, Winter and Spring Classroom Party Dates
October 31st 2:15-3:00pm *Parade will be open for all to watch on the back playground.
December 19th 2:15-3:00pm
February 14th 2:15pm-3:00pm
Car Rider Tags
Python Cafe
Lunch Visitors
- August 27 - May 9th visitors may visit students during lunch.
- Early Release Days will not be open for lunch visitors.
Lunch Schedule for 24-25
- 11:40-12:10 1st
- 11:45-12:15 Kindergarten
- 11:50-12:20 2nd
- 12:15-12:45 3rd
- 12:25-12:55 6th
- 12:30-1:00 5th
- 12:45-1:15 4th
Visitor Procedures
- Visitors may bring outside food for their students only or purchase an adult lunch from the cafeteria.
- Reserved seating is on the stage for you and your student.
- Due to limited space, only your student may join you for lunch.
- Only adults may visit during lunch, two per student.
- No reservations are needed, check-in and out of the office.
While we love having visitors, please be mindful of the number of visits per student and the limited space in the cafeteria. Currently, we are not limiting the number of visits but we hope that every student can have the opportunity to sit on the stage with their visitor.
Student Lunch Procedures
Safe, Responsible, and Respectful are the WV school-wide expectations.
- Safe: Eat your own food, stay seated.
- Responsible: Use time wisely, line up appropriately, and clean up your area.
- Respectful: Use good table manners, be polite, level 2 voice.
Students earn tokens for meeting the expectations above, tokens can be used to sit with a friend outside or play a game with a friend at our designated game table.
Python Voice Levels
4 - Outside Voice
3 - Strong Speaker Voice
2-Table Talk
1-Whisper
0-Silent
Lunch Prices
Elementary $2.85
Adult Visitor $4.30
SMSD Wellness Policy Reminders
- Non-food rewards and celebrations.
- Food can not be ordered and delivered for students' consumption.
- No birthday treats, or invitations for classmates.
Safety Drills
Buildings are required to have state-required safety drills per Senate Bill 128.
Those drills are:
- Four fire drills (one per quarter)
- Two tornado drills (one will be on the state-wide drill in March/April)
- Three emergency procedure drills (one each):
- Code Red – Schools must notify students and parents prior to the drill.
- Lockdown – No need to notify prior to the drill
- Evacuation - No need to notify prior to the drill
Fire Drill: 9/6, 11/1, 4/11 and 5/6Tornado Drill: 9/13 and 3/6
Crisis Drill: Lockdown 9/20; Code Red 9/27; Evacuate 10/4
News from the Nurse:
School is back in session and, as is typical for this time of year, we are seeing some illnesses. Currently we are getting reports of seasonal allergies, random viruses, and some cases of COVID (which may exhibit as allergy-like symptoms). We encourage everyone to take steps to stay healthy, including washing your hands, covering coughs/ sneezes, stay home if you are sick. If your child is home sick, please notify the school attendance line (913) 993-5110. Mr. Sheahan is our attendance clerk. Contact the school nurse if you have questions about your child’s illness or return to school guidance.
Thanks for all that you do!
Jo Ann Blevins, RN