The Weekly News West Elementary
January 21, 2025
Be A Better You
For the 2024-2025 school year, West Elementary will be working on targeted practice on some “life” skills in addition to academics. Every week, we will practice a skill that will help us all be a little better. This week’s skill is EMPATHY.
Most people are pretty good at EMPATHY but a reminder never hurts. This week we will be practicing.
Keeping Practicing These "Be A Better You Skills"
9/23/24 -- Following Directions
9/30/24 -- Knowing your Feelings
10/7/24 -- Expressing your Feelings
10/14/24 -- Asking for Help
10/21/24 -- Ignoring Distractions
10/27/24 -- Self Talk - Flip the Script
11/4/24 -- Flexible Thinking
11/11/24 -- Reacting to Problems (AKA Size of the Problem)
11/18/24 -- Following the Group Plan
11/25/24 -- Being Grateful
12/10/24 -- Empathy
1/6/25 -- Sharing
1/13/25 -- Making Mistakes
"Nurturing Our Full Potential"
Grade 5 Presents -- Meredith Willson's "The Music Man Kids"
Musicians of the Month
Artists of the Month
Used Book Sale -- Thanks for the Donations
On Thursday, January 23rd and Friday, January 24nd students will be able to shop for used books. Students can purchase three books for $1 or six books for $2.
Thanks for all of the donations. Proceeds from this sale benefit our One School, One Book program and other literacy initiatives. Plus, this is a great way to get books in the hands of kids, and we are glad to find new homes for your old books!
Erin's Law Presentations
During January, The Child Advocacy Center and Best Self Behavioral Health will be presenting to all of our students. The nature of these presentations are to help students feel safe and speak up if they are feeling unsafe. The presentations will also help students to identify trusted adults that can help them in and out of school in unsafe situations. These presentations are part of Erin’s Law and are mandated by the New York State Legislature. If you have any questions please feel free to call our school social worker, Ms. Caprio at 677-3166 or check out NY State Department of Education website in regards to Erin’s Law http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/erins-law.
White Wiskers
Stay tuned for more information on how you can help -- Our self-contained special education classrooms are starting on another service learning project helping White Whiskers.
White Whiskers is kennel free dog shelter in Western New York working with senior dogs whose goal is to create a space to ease the stress that older dogs experience when they lose their homes and families. White Whiskers aims to provide a compassionate option to for these dogs to live out their years in safety, comfort, and peace. https://whitewhiskerswny.org/
In February we will be collecting supplies and making fleece tie blankets. Helping others, and animals too, is a great way to practice empathy -- caring for those around us.
See senior dog Dottie and some West El friends below.
Yearbooks -- On Sale Now!
Don't Miss Out on All the Great Memories -- Order Now!
Please visit https://inter-state.com/YearbookEntry/90991Z to order your yearbook.
Use this code -- 90991Z
PTA Membership -- Help Make Our School, Join PTA
For Membership and Information --
Membership -- https://westelementary.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/TheWestElPTA/
Free School Breakfast and Lunch
All school breakfasts and lunches are free for the 2024-2025 school year!
Sign up to add money your child's My School Bucks account for snacks or additional lunch items through Parent Portal or here -- https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home
Volunteer Acknowledgement Form 2024-2025
Please use the following link to fill out the West Seneca School District Volunteer Acknowledgement Presentation and Form. If you plan on coming in as a guest reader, to volunteer with PTA, or to work in your child's classroom for holiday parties, please adhere to the obligations and expectations of a responsible parent volunteer. The following guidelines/procedures shall serve as a review of your important role in our schools. Please be sure to fill out West Elementary's form.
Attendance Matters!
It is never too soon to start thinking about good school attendance.
There are only 180 days in the school year, and every one of these days matter!
And elementary school is just the beginning of a long educational career. Good habits start now!
Please give us a call or send an email if you are concerned about your child's attendance.
WE TV's "Be Well" Tribute to MLK!
Making Memories!
Snow and Recess -- A Magical Combination
Paws for Love
BILLS Spirit is Alive and Well and West El!
Miscellaneous Fun and Learning
Grade 5 Orchestra and Band Concert -- What a Show!
Bigs and Littles
We Love Our Guest Readers!
West Elementary's Mental Health Staff -- Contact Information
Ms. Elizabeth Caprio, School Social Worker
716-677-3166
Ms. Lisa Gill, School Social Worker
716-677-3261
Mrs. Nubia Cawthard, School Psychologist
716-677-3258
Mrs. Lea O'Malley, School Counselor
716- 677-3671
Save the Dates!
January
Tue 21st -- Popcorn and Paws 3-5
Wed 22nd -- Used Book Sale
Thurs 23rd -- Used Book Sale
Thurs 30th -- Grade 5 Musical Dress Rehearsal, School Performance, 2:00pm
Fri 31st -- Dollar Day - Sports Day
Fri 31st -- Grade 5 Musical, 7:00pm, West Elementary
February
Sat Feb 1st -- Grade 5 Musical, 2:00 pm, West Elementary
Tue 4th -- Popcorn and Paws K-2
Wed 5th -- Early Release, dismissal at 12:15
Wed 5th -- PTA Meeting 6:30 in Library
Fri 7th -- 100 Days Celebration
Mon 17th- Fri 21st -- Winter Break
Mon 24th-28th Dollar Day - All for Books
Tue 25th - Popcorn and Paws 3-5
West Seneca Schools Mission
We are an educational community that encourages kindness, inspires confidence, and instills the belief that together we can achieve anything.