W.E.stchester Weekly
News from the Principal
Greetings WE Families,
We are heading into the end of the first month of the school year. It has truly been a wonderful start.
All of the Universal screening Assessments( STAR Math, Early Literacy, and Reading) have been completed. This computerized adaptive test helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. You will receive a letter, along with the STAR family reports, in your child’s Thursday Communication folder today, August 21, 2025. As a part of the Georgia Early Literacy legislation, we are sharing the Universal Screening results. You will receive a letter communicating whether an academic risk has been identified or not. This allows us to identify needs and plan for the appropriate interventions early. You may find the STAR Family Information helpful as well.
Community Circle is one of our school traditions. We invite all families to join us on the last Friday of each month. As the year progresses the students take more and more leadership in presenting and sharing their learning. We sing a few songs, tell a few jokes and share our learning.
Due to a very tight academic schedule, we have made some adjustments to our monthly celebration. We will start at 8:20 am. However, this year we ask all parents to arrive at 8:15. Please enter through the auditorium breezeway doors and go straight to the auditorium. Parents will stand along the walls. I will share a few updates and announcements while we wait for the students to arrive. Then at the conclusion of the Community Circle, we will dismiss the Kindergarten and first grade students to exit the auditorium and our second grade students remain with the Special Areas teachers. After the K-1 students exit, we will signal parents to exit through the breezeway doors. I want to share a few reminders for the safety and efficiency of our gathering.
When entering, you will not have to sign in or show your ID since we will only be in the auditorium for a limited time. Please arrive by 8:15.
Sing along with us and enjoy the celebration.
During the dismissal, please wave to your child, rather than going to them and giving hugs. Students will remain with their class.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
August 28, 2025: Curriculum Night
Arrive at 6:00 and join us in the auditorium first for General announcements. We will dismiss you to the classrooms and then wrap up at 7:30. This is typically an adult only event.
August 29th, 2025: Community Circle - all are welcome
Monday September 1st: Labor Day - No School
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.
Students Invited to Apply for Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
Superintendent Dr. Whitaker invites student leaders and interested students to apply for the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. Councils are divided into age groups and invite student members to share their perspectives and experiences with the Superintendent on a variety of issues, offering a two-way system of communication between students and the Office of the Superintendent.
Students are also asked to attend each meeting (see dates below) at the Wilson Center after school in the Superintendent's Office. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 22, at 5 p.m. Selected students will be notified by Friday, August 29, 2025. Apply for the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council here.
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.