W.E.stchester Weekly
News from the Principal
Greetings WE Families,
Four-day weeks always seem very busy. We still try to make all things happen. I hope everyone was able to find some time to relax last weekend. The first-grade students will finish the CogAT test tomorrow. They did a great job navigating a computerized assessment. I have been in and out of classrooms, and it is exciting to see the work our students engage in each week. They are learning through examining texts, discussing their learning with partners, as well as exploring math concepts and connections.
I want to encourage you to stay informed. Our Board of Education and Superintendent have scheduled upcoming events for the community to provide feedback. Your input is important. These events are informative and designed for you to hear directly from the board members, Dr. Whitaker and others regarding our district improvements.
September 15, 6:30 p.m., BHMS Media Center - BOE Second Public Comment Meeting on Proposed Capital Improvements
October 2, 5:30 p.m., DHA Community Resource Center- Superintendent's Fall Listening Session,
October 9, 5:30 p.m., Talley St.- Superintendent's Fall Listening Session,
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
September 18th: Dine-out Community Que
September 17th: 4:30 SLT meeting
September 19th: Community Circle - All invited
September 22nd - 26th FALL BREAK
September 29th - October 10th: Parent-Teacher Conferences
From your very grateful principal,
Christine Knox
1st Grade CogAT Testing Starts September 3
From September 3-5, all 1st-grade students will be taking the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Unlike traditional achievement tests, which measure how well a student has learned the curriculum, the CogAT assesses a child’s ability to reason abstractly and recognize patterns and relationships in the world around them. Teachers can use CogAT scores to better understand a child’s pattern of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Our school district also uses CogAT scores to screen for cognitively gifted students.CogAT reports will be shared at Fall family conferences.
Important Information about Gifted Review
Each fall semester the gifted review team looks at existing student data to discuss students’ needs and determine if further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form (found at the website below) and turn it in to the Gifted & Talented Specialist at your child’s school before Wednesday, October 1. No additional information is needed. The Gifted & Talented Specialist for Westchester Elementary is Jennifer Querubin. For more detailed information about the review process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialist for your school at jquerubin@csdecatur.net or visit the following website: https://www.csdecatur.net/our-district-5f/departments/teaching-and-learning/gifted-and-talented-services
Reminders
School Lunch Policy: Please be sure to maintain a positive lunch balance for your child. This will help us avoid any unexpected lunch changes for students. Check your Parent Portal frequently to make sure your child has adequate funds for the cafeteria. You may also find the Parent Portal app (for Apple or Android) to be more convenient.