Friday
January 25
Tour 9:15am
Spirit/Pizza Day
Parents
Night Out!
5:30-9pm
Saturday
January 26
Open House
1-3pm
Tuesday
January 29
Tour 9:15am
Thursday
January 31
Experience
Learning Night
6:30pm
Friday
February 1
In-Service Day
No Classes;
Childcare Available
Last Tuition Payment Due for 07-08
Monday
February 4
Re-enrollment applications mailed
Tuesday
February 5
Tour
9:15am
January 24, 2008
Experience Learning Night - Thursday, Jan 31
Westside SPIRIT - Donate and Win!
Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Awards
Re-enrollment & Tuition Assistance
Penguins in Nancy's Class
Afterschool Enrichment Pick-Up
Experience Learning Night
What We Do with Words
Thursday, Jan. 31 6:30-7:30 pm,
PK to 5th Grade
By David Bergler, Director of Studies
“My father told me once that words and letters hold the secrets of the universe. That in their shapes and sounds I could find everything, could see beyond myself to something special... perfect.” ......…….. Eliza, in the movie Bee Season
Words have always fascinated me. I love how they sound, their multitude of meanings, and their vast and varied origins. I appreciate a storyteller or an author who paints a virtual picture as they weave their tales. Music may be the soundtrack of our lives, but words create the lyrics.
I’m often asked what I like about Westside. My first response has always been, I love how our kids learn. Strolling through the classrooms I see engaged children, interacting with their peers and teachers, all deeply involved in the outcome. Letters lead to words, words, lead to sentences, sentences lead to stories. This alchemy, at times, can be difficult, mysterious, and fun. On Thursday evening the children of Westside School will become the wizards, mixing the cauldron of language and serving words to their guests.
Join us for Experience Learning Night, and experience first hand an evening of word and language games. You are invited to join your child in their classroom on Thursday, January 31, starting at 6:30pm. The students are anxious to teach you about words and letters. They will be using games and activities that are part of their daily learning experience. After spending time in your child’s classroom, we encourage you to visit the other classrooms for a better understanding of the sequence of learning that takes place here at Westside School. We hope you will be able to join us.
Westside SPIRIT
Donate and Win!
Enter and win! Enter early and enter often! Get your procurement forms in before Friday, February 1st, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for $100 gift certificate to West Seattle favorite, JaK’s. That’s enough for a nice date night (Valentine’s day is fast approaching!) Remember, you don’t have to have the item, the completed form is plenty at this stage! Don’t procrastinate…we’re counting on you! Don’t’ wait until the last minute (but if you do, all forms are due February 15th, before mid-winter break.) Questions? Shoot an email to janabarber@comcast.net.
Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award Nominees
By Sarah Wildflower, Librarian
Every year I read books which have been nominated for a Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award. In March, every child votes for their favorite book. Last year, Westside School’s favorite book was The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens. So far, children have thought My Father the Dog was hilarious. A Mother’s Journey did not get a lot of excitement, but Grant in second grade noted that it told a similar story to March of the Penguins and Happy feet. Who is Melvin Bubble? caused not only a lot of laughter, but also attempts to whistle The Itsy Bitsy Spider just like Melvin did. It was so funny that Anthony and Blake shrieked several times!
In all classes children are learning to use the library and are choosing their preferences. Kyle in Nancy’s class absolutely needed a book on fighter jets and luckily we have a few of those. Matthew was finally able to borrow Haunted House – it’s so popular that I can’t keep the two copies on the shelf.
Re-enrollment, Tuition Rates and Tuition Assistance
Re-enrollment contracts for the 2008-2009 school year will be mailed out to families on February 1st. A signed copy of the contract, along with a $1,000 deposit is due by February 29. You do not need to reapply to the school. Your contract and deposit secures your space for next year.
The Board of Trustees has set the tuition rates for 2008-2009.
They are as follows:
K – 5th Grade: $9500
Full Day PK: $8500
Half Day PS/PK: $5700
If you are interested in applying for tuition assistance, you can pick up the application forms in the office. We use the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in New Jersey, and forms must be sent to them by March 1. If you are currently receiving tuition assistance, you must reapply every year.
Penguins in Nancy’s PS/PK Class
By Nancy Levine, PS/PK Teacher
We may not be enjoying the bitter temperatures we’ve been experiencing here in Seattle, but the Pre-S/Pre-K class has been learning about animals that do-particularly the penguins of Antartica. Here’s some information we would like to share with you:
Reese: “Penguins have some wax on their feathers…”
Brandon: “The water slips right off.”
Ava S. “They have feathers.”
Kai: “ Penguins are a kind of bird.”
Brandon: “They ‘fly’ under water.”
Nathan: “They eat fish.”
Lily: “…and krill”
Luna: … “a kind of shrimp.”
Caja: … “and squid”
Ava W. : “Emperor dads sit on their eggs.”
Ava S. “The moms go to get the food.”
Brandon: “They are gone for two months.”
Grace: “The dad’s put the egg on their feet.”
Nathan: … “to keep them warm. When the mommy swims, the daddy takes care of the baby penguin.”
Reese: “Penguins live in water and in the snow.”
Eli: “There’s also a macaroni penguin. They have straight things (yellow feathers) by their eye.”
Afterschool Enrichment Pick-Up
The teachers of the after school classes have asked that the parents be prompt in picking up their children. Childcare is unable to take students who have not previously signed up.
Below you will find the dismissal times for each class.
Tuesday Chess 1st-5th 4:30pm @ room 118 (2nd Grade)
Wednesday Science Adventures 4:30pm @ room 117 (4th Grade)
Thursday Yoga 4:30pm @ Gym
Thursday Book Club 4:00pm Library
Friday Chess K 3:45pm room 114 (Laura’s Kindergarten Class)