Family News

February 9-13 - Spirit Week

February 16-20 - February Break School Closed

February 24 - PAC meeting 5:00=6:00

February 26 - Black History Showcase - Student Run Through times to be shared

February 27 - Black History Showcase, parents invited 9:00-10:30

March 3 - UB Basketball Game 5:30-9:00

March 6 - Five Weeks Close

March 9-13 - Howard Students at the School - Alternative Spring Break

March 11 - Open House 4:00-5:30

March 14 - Kindergarten Open House 10:00-12:00

March 19 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 1/2 Day for students 11:00 dismissal

March 20 - EID - No School

March 25 - EID Celebration 4:00-5:30, New Family Open House

April 1 - STEM Night, Open House, Job Fair

April 3-10 - No School Spring Break

"Here Today, Ready for Tomorrow" is a powerful message, emphasizing that consistent, on-time school attendance builds crucial skills and knowledge for future success, from reading proficiency to social-emotional growth, requiring routine, communication with schools about barriers (like health or anxiety), and prioritizing school over non-emergency appointments.

Key Advice for Parents:

1. Establish Routines: Set regular bedtimes and consistent morning routines (laying out clothes, packing backpacks the night before) to make mornings smoother and reduce stress.
2. Prioritize School: Make daily attendance a top priority, aiming for every day, on time, as each day's lessons build on the last.
3. Address Anxiety: If your child complains of headaches or stomach aches, talk to teachers or counselors, as it could be anxiety, not illness, and a reason to stay home.
4. Minimize Absences: Schedule doctor visits, trips, and appointments around school breaks to avoid missing class time.
5. Communicate with Schools: Alert staff to any barriers (transportation, health issues, mental health) preventing attendance and partner with them to find solutions.
6. Track Absences: Be aware of how many days your child misses, as even two days a month adds up to significant missed learning.
7. Focus on the 'Why': Understand that missing school means missing out on academics, friendships, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills, which are vital for life beyond school.

By ensuring your child is present and engaged today, you're equipping them with the foundational skills, confidence, and community connection needed to achieve their potential tomorrow.

PAC is selling Night Out Books as a fund raiser for the school. You will be able to purchase as up coming school events, Literacy Night and Winter Showcase. You can also reach out to get materials sent home so you can help sell them to interested family or friends. These make great Christmas Gifts.

FAQs

What advantages do I receive as a member of the Night-Out Book Program?

Night-Out Book members enjoy tremendous savings at fine dining, casual dining, and fast food restaurants, as well as cultural events, movies, and other local entertainment centers. Your membership in the program also entitles you to receive valuable discounts on local services such as dry cleaning, car washing, and catering at some of the area's finest restaurants. Offers presented in the Night-Out Book are premium discounts that can only be obtained and used by members.

How Many Different Merchants are included in the Night-Out Book?

Our motto is "Discover the Area's Finest in Dining, Entertainment, and More..."
Night-Out Book members get the opportunity to do just that. Over 600 premium offers with savings of up to 50% are included in each edition of the annual Night-Out Book program. Members enjoy HUNDREDS OF "BUY ONE GET ONE FREE" discounts at over 200 merchants throughout the metropolitan and suburban Buffalo, and Niagara Falls area.

https://forms.gle/BWy5c6GEiRomCo1C7

Any parent who wants to chaperone a field trip, must complete the volunteer application.

PAC Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm. This month that is February Break, Feb. 24th at 5:00 is the next meeting.

The meeting is in person as well as on ZOOM, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83528350620?pwd=HPfQzAzIDjMozORJNmyP5bkeUaYYMJ.1

Next Meeting

At our school, student safety is always our top priority. Throughout the year, we practice different types of safety drills—such as fire, shelter in place, and lockdown drills—so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Each year we need to conduct:

• Fire Drills - We have completed 6 successful drills.
• Lock Down Drills
• Early Release Drill
• Shelter in place Drills

Please reassure your student that these drills are to practice, and nothing to be afraid of.

A lockdown drill helps us practice what to do if we ever need to secure the building from a threat. This is most like a safety concern in the school building. During these drills, teachers guide students to move away from doors and windows, stay quiet, and wait calmly until it’s safe.

We take care to explain each drill in a calm, age-appropriate way so that students understand it’s a practice and not something to be afraid of. Our goal is to help everyone feel prepared and confident, not scared.

Thank you for talking with your child about the importance of these safety routines and reassuring them that these drills are simply one of the many ways we work together to keep our school safe.

We will be conducting Lockdown Drills on 2/25 and 4/2,

I will send a reminder message and also let you know how the drill went after each event.

Final Drill 4/2

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Check out our updated website: https://www.westminsterccs.org/

With your support, we look forward to building on our school’s 30-year history

of educating our community’s children. With your help, we can grow our pride!