Tuesday
May 13
Spring Fling
6:30pm
Thursday
May 15
1st Grade
Looking Ahead Meeting - 4pm
Friday
May 16
Spirit/Pizza Day
Monday
May 19
2nd Grade
Looking Ahead Meeting - 4pm
Tuesday
May 20
Lemonade Event
for Kindergarten Class of 2008-2009
Wednesday
May 21
4th Grade
Looking Ahead Meeting - 8am
3rd Grade
Looking Ahead Meeting - 4pm
Board Meeting
6:30pm
May 8, 2008
Spring Fling & Ice-Cream Social
Kevin Jones Returns
From Jo Ann - Teacher Professional Development
Looking Ahead Meetings Scheduled
Music Opportunity
Put a Lid On It!
WPO Treasurer Needed for Next Year
Spring Fling & Ice-Cream Social
Tuesday, 6:30pm, at Grace Church (10323 28th Ave SW)
Remember, Spring Fling is next week, on Tuesday May 13th. The program starts at 6:30pm, but please make sure students are at the church, sitting with their class, by 6:15pm. After the concert, stay for the ice-cream social and taste a special new flavor from Husky Deli – Lily’s Lemonade. Lily (in second grade) had the “ultimate ice cream experience” from our auction and designed and named her very own ice cream flavor, Lily’s Lemonade. Westsiders have one of the first chances to sample this new treat that will be available at Husky Deli for the entire year. There will be plenty for our students and their siblings; adults are welcome to sample after the children have been served. Spring Fling is sponsored by the WPO.
Kevin Jones Returns as the Educational Technology Coordinator
Westside School has been committed to developing a shared vision for educational technology among our staff and students. I am thrilled to announce that Kevin Jones returned to Westside, May 5, as our Educational Technology Coordinator. Kevin started this year as our third grade assistant, but he took a sick leave to have surgery. This is a much needed position which will help ensure our use of technology to support our mission and enhance our classroom environments and student experiences.
From Jo Ann
Teacher Professional Development
This week, while we are celebrating our wonderful teachers, I thought you should know how much they are committed to continuing professional development. We pride ourselves in being a learning community. That begins with our staff. This year though our professional development budget and through additional funds donated to professional development, Westside School has been able to provide our staff with many opportunities.
Before school started, the entire staff attended classes by the Red Cross in adult and child CPR and First Aid for continuing certification. The entire staff participated in a full day workshop to review the Westside mission and relate it to personal yearly goals. Claudia and Nancy attended the Conference of Early Learning at University of Washington; Kathleen, Erin, Claudia, Nancy, and David attended the PNAIS Alls Schools Conference for teachers. I attended the PNAIS Head’s Conference; trustee Jana Barber and I attended the PNAIS Institutional Leadership Conference. Several staff members completed courses required by Department of Early Learning (DEL) through the State Training and Registry System (STARS): Chris, Donna, Claudia, Nancy and me. Laura, Renee, Judith, Linda, Marsha, Kathleen, Claudia, Nancy, David and I attended “My Student’s Communication” presented by SLP, Randy Hall. Music teacher Cathy attended a music education in-service, and Chinese teacher Steven has participated in several learning days including “Endless Sands of Taklimaka,” Chinese and performing arts, and best practices of teaching Chinese. Erin attended two workshops, one on differentiated instruction and another on literacy centers. Marsha and Laura were busy with Seattle School District FOSS workshops on kindergarten science curriculum, and also attended a workshop on teaching math. Donna has attended a workshop for PE teachers. This August, three teachers – Renee, Kathleen and Margie – took a course presented by Mel Levine’s All Kinds of Minds, called “Schools Attuned.” Joe has been invited to present at the Island School to teachers on differentiated curriculum and the experiential learning. This summer Judith will be attending a workshop at Islandwood, David will attend the PNAIS Leadership Conference, Jana will participate in the PNAIS Institutional Advancement conference and Kathy will attend the PNAIS Administrative Assistants conference.
Thank you, staff, for your diligence! Bravo.
Looking Ahead Meetings Scheduled
The weeks are winding down for the 2007-08 school year, and many of you want to know what’s in store for your child next year. Come to a “Looking Ahead” meeting and find out; meet your child’s teacher for a brief Q & A session. Meetings should last no more than 30 minutes, and will be held in each grade level’s classroom. (First grade should meet in the first grade portable.) We hope you will have a chance to attend.
First Grade
Thursday, May 15, 4pm
Second Grade
Monday, May 19, 4pm
Third Grade
Wednesday, May 21, 4pm
Fourth Grade
Wednesday, May 21, 8am
Music Opportunity
PBS presents the 2nd year of From the Top at Carnegie Hall. Listen and see young classical musicians play as well as see what they do when they are not practicing and performing. The program is not scheduled yet on local tv, but the program can be watched online, as well, at http://www.fromthetop.org.
Put a Lid On It!
By Donna Jornlin, PE Teacher
Each month in P.E. class we focus on a healthy idea, from eating 5 fruits & vegetables every day to building strong bones with calcium rich foods. With longer daylight hours & warmer weather, out come the bikes, scooters & roller blades. This month we’re talking about helmet fit & safety. I’ve asked students to identify which sport matched the lid I was wearing, & if I was wearing it correctly! That progressed into a discussion of what a correct fit looked & felt like; the bike helmet sitting on top of your head, covering the forehead, not tilted back, just 2 fingers under the chin strap & no looser, & a strap on each side & meeting under your ear. P.E. homework was checking the fit & condition of your helmet & a surprising number remembered to do it. While their heads don’t grow quite as fast as their feet, it’s still a good idea to check the fit each year.
My springtime mantra seems to be “If you do it, they will follow....... in your footsteps!” Last spring, I suggested parking at Westwood or Safeway & having an adventure walk to and/or from school. This year we have even more incentive with gas prices cha-chinging away. Pack a snack & a frisbee or soccer ball & have some fun at the park!
Another kid’s marathon opportunity is coming up Sunday, June 29th in Bellevue. Go to seafairmarathon.com, click on “race info” & you’ll see the Kids Mini Marathon information. This is a terrific way to exercise together & do some goal-setting. Participants receive a t-shirt & goody bag for a $15 registration fee.
I’d like to thank all the parents for a wonderful week of fabulous food & cheery ambiance. What a wonderful gift!
WPO Treasurer Needed for Next Year
Do you enjoy spending other people’s money? Can you reconcile a bank account? Then you’re our man (or woman)! We have a candidate for each officer position except WPO Treasurer. If you are interested, or if you would like more information, please contact Amy Huber (amyhuber@comcast.net). The deadline for formal submissions is tomorrow, Friday, May 9th.
