Westwood Elementary Newsletter

Welcome 2026 (well, almost)!

As we wrap up 2025 I want to thank you for all that you do to partner with us and your students education. We are truly grateful for such an amazing community, and appreciate all you do for your student.

As you know, we have partnered with the Cleveland Browns for their Stay in the Game campaign to improve attendance. We want students here each and every day on time to school. There will be incentives for students as we begin 2026 here at Westwood Elementary.

We are proud to have earned the Silver Award for Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) recognition for the 2024-2025 school year. Please check out our recognition from the State below.

Just a reminder that school hours are 9:10am-3:10pm and doors do not open until 8:55- please do not drop off early- students must stay in the car with you until 8:55am when staff opens the building doors.

Please continue to talk with your student about the "3 Bees"- consistent language and expectations can help make the day go smoother- both at school and at home! We appreciate all you do to help your child be successful at school.

If you drop off or pick up your student- please make sure you are only doing so in the designated pickup and drop off area where staff are located. We do this to ensure your student is safe and supervised by an adult, thank you for your cooperation. You can see more details below in the drop off and pickup procedures.

Please follow us if you are not already: Westwood Elementary-Elyria City Schools;

https://www.facebook.com/westwoodelementaryecsd

Your Partner in Education,
Ms. Stacey Gatten
Principal

January

5- School resumes

13- Tech E Club @ 8:00am

14- Marco's pizza night

19- Martin Luther King, Jr Day- no school

20- Student Council @ 8:15am

27- Tech E Club @ 8:00am

30- Professional Day for Staff- no school for students

As we welcome 2026, we are excited to continue working together to support every student’s success. One of the most important ways families can help is by making school attendance a priority. Showing up to school every day helps students build strong learning habits, stay connected with friends and teachers, and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Even a few absences can add up quickly and make it harder for students to stay on track.

We are proud to partner with the Cleveland Browns and the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network to encourage consistent attendance and on-time arrival. This partnership helps motivate students and families as we focus on strong habits and a fresh start in the new year.

To make January even more exciting, our school has fun attendance incentives planned to celebrate students who show up ready to learn! Students can look forward to lucky breakfast bags, a special “Stay in the Game” lunch table, and many other surprises throughout the month. These incentives are designed to encourage positive habits while making school a fun place to be every day.

Starting the day on time helps students feel confident, prepared, and ready to learn. As you settle into routines for 2026, here are some helpful ideas to support smooth mornings:

Tips for getting to school on time:

• Wake up at the same time every school day, even after weekends
• Create a simple morning checklist your child can follow
• Encourage students to pack their own backpack with adult guidance
• Set and practice a consistent “leave the house” time
• Keep bookbags and shoes in one easy-to-find spot
• Use a visual timer to help younger students stay on pace
• Talk through the next day’s schedule each evening
• Celebrate good attendance and on-time arrivals with praise

Thank you for partnering with us as we begin 2026 strong. Together, we can help our students build great habits, enjoy school, and Stay in the Game! 🏈

To ensure drop-off and pickup run smooth and effective:

· You may ONLY enter at 42101 Griswold to enter the car line. Adelbert entrance is only for Preschool. Please do not cut through- this creates additional traffic for EECV, and we want ALL students to be safe. Also please only drop off and pick up in the designated area, do not use the visitor parking for drop off as it it not an area that is supervised by staff.

· Please do not plan to arrive earlier than 8:55 for Elementary School drop off in the morning. If Elementary students arrive early you will need to keep your student(s) in the vehicle with you until staff comes out to unload students at 8:55am.

· Please do not plan to arrive earlier than 3:00pm for Elementary pickup in the afternoon.

· Once in the lot, please pull up to the car in front of you, as this will allow more cars to enter the lot, and keep cars off the street.

· Please be ready and prepared so that we can keep cars moving efficiently in the lot.

· Follow all directions from staff, they are there to help.

· Please drive safe and slow- this is a school zone and we need to keep all students and staff safe.

· You will exit at Griswold also.

We appreciate your help in keeping our students safe.

School hours are 9:10am-3:10pm.

Doors do not open until 8:55- please do not drop off early or allow students to walk early.

If you are dropping off, please hold your child in the car with you until 8:55am.

Please call the office to report your child(ren)’s absence at 284-8002 before 9:30AM. Our phone has 24-hour voicemail so that you may call and leave a message anytime. Please leave a voicemail if no one answers the phone in the office; voicemails are frequently checked and the office will receive your message.

Please make sure you always have a photo ID with you, when you come to the school, this is for the safety of our students.

The Main Office of any school building is a hub of activity. Students and staff are always on the go, in and out of the space throughout the school day.

It’s an active place for regular check-ins and meetings with students, as well as staff conferences and daily interactions with school principals and counselors. The Main Office is also a confidential space at times for conversations and interactions between school personnel and students.

Parents and caregivers are part of the equation, too. For any number of reasons, parents may be asked to come to their child’s school during the day. When that happens, parents should follow the district’s visitor procedures by using the school’s main entrance buzzer and intercom system to gain entrance to the school, and then signing in at the front desk.

If parents/caregivers do not have a meeting at the school but still need to come to the school during the day to see their child or to speak to a staff member, call-ahead notice or an appointment is required.

This ensures parents will be seen in a timely manner and upholds the safety practices of the school. To contact the Main Office, please call 440-284-8002

Our school address is: Westwood Campus, 42350 Adelbert St, Elyria, OH 44035

Our phone number will stay the same: 284-8002

Families may bring in prepackaged treats (with ingredients listed by the company that packaged it) BUT we are really encouraging non-food items. We have to be very careful of food allergies, to keep all students safe. Birthday treats ARE not required or encouraged, but okay, if you choose.

Birthday/Holiday treat ideas include:

Pencils, bookmarks, fidgets, pop-its, bracelets, crayons, squishes, pencil toppers or erasers, glow sticks, play dough, slinkies, stickers, prepackaged snack with ingredients listed (from the company that produces it).

Stay Connected: Opt In to Receive District Text Messages

Have you opted in to receive text messages from Elyria Schools?

If you haven't already, please take a moment to sign up to receive automatic text messages from Elyria Schools. This is a valuable tool in an emergency or when there's important, time-sensitive information to share.

To begin receiving text messages from Elyria Schools, parents and guardians must opt in. The service is free and signing up is simple:

Text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587

That’s it! You’ll start receiving important updates and reminders via text.

Need to stop messages later? Just reply with “Stop” to any of our messages.

Please note: our texting feature and robocall system are tied directly to the contact information on file for your student. It’s essential to keep your phone numbers and email addresses up-to-date with your child’s school to ensure you continue receiving calls and texts.

Don't miss out on timely updates—opt in today!

Hello Westwood Families,

• Physical Wellness

  • Start small with nutrition: Add one extra fruit or veggie a day instead of overhauling your whole diet.
  • Hydrate first thing: A glass of water in the morning sets the tone for the day.
  • Move daily: Even 10–15 minutes of walking, stretching, or light exercise counts.
  • Prioritize sleep: Aim for consistent bed and wake times, even on weekends.

  Mental & Emotional Wellness

  • Set intentions, not pressure: Focus on how you want to feel this year (energized, calm, confident).
  • Practice gratitude: Write down one thing you’re thankful for each day.
  • Limit screen time: Create phone-free moments, especially before bed.
  • Check in with yourself: Pause weekly to ask, “What do I need right now?”

  Stress & Balance

  • Breathe intentionally: Try deep breathing for 1–2 minutes during stressful moments.
  • Schedule downtime: Rest is productive—it prevents burnout.
  • Declutter gradually: One drawer, one space at a time.

  Social & Personal Wellness

  • Reconnect: Send a quick text or call someone you miss.
  • Ask for support: Wellness isn’t meant to be done alone.
  • Celebrate progress: Small wins add up—acknowledge them.

  Remember, wellness isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress and consistency.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out via phone: 440-284-8153 or email: mccallamanda@elyriaschools.org

Amanda McCall RN, BSN

Westwood Campus

440-284-8153

Hoodies, and similar tops or jackets with hoods, are "fan favorites" when it comes to school attire. We like them, too, but not when they are worn up and over the head during the school day.

The district's Student Code of Conduct provides direction on headgear, stating that it may not be worn over a person's head or scalp (excluding headgear that's worn for religious or medical reasons.) Hoods can make it difficult to identify an individual in an emergency, and they can also be a distraction in class. Please remind students that hoods may not be worn up during the school day.

The Student Code of Conduct also offers guidance on attire. Clothing must be school appropriate and may not present a health or safety hazard or disrupt the educational environment. Pants and tops must fit properly and be in good repair; crop tops are not permitted.

Additionally, footwear must be school appropriate--slippers and slipper socks are not permitted. Blankets also may not be worn in school.

Students may bring their cell phones to school but they must be turned off and put away during the day. An updated Ohio state law now prohibits students from using cell phones during instructional time throughout the school day. While Elyria Schools already has a policy in place that restricts cell phone use during learning time, this new law now requires that the policy be enforced in all schools.

As a result, students may not use their cell phones during the instructional day, unless part of a teacher-directed lesson. Phones must be powered off and stowed in a locker or backpack during school hours.

More details will be shared as the school year begins, but we’re asking for families’ attention and support in helping students understand and follow these rules. Our goal is to maintain a focused and respectful learning environment for all students.

While we’ll always start with reminders and redirection, continued disregard of the policy will lead to appropriate consequences in line with our student code of conduct. According to the law, exceptions can be made for medically documented situations, emergencies, or instructional needs that the classroom teacher considers essential.

Thank you for your partnership in preparing students for this important change and helping ensure a successful start to the year.

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please contact the main office and our staff will convey a message or assist you in reaching your student.

Website: https://www.elyriaschools.org/domain/30
Location: 42350 Adelbert St, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Phone: 440-284-8002