The Westsider- November 6, 2026
GRATITUDE A-Z
Pick a category (like Food, Movies, or Places) and go around the table naming something you're grateful for in that category, following the alphabet. To pair with our character trait for the month, pick one of the letters shared and take turns explaining why you are grateful for that thing.
A: Apples, B: Breakfast burritos, C: Cheese..."
1-2-3-4, we declare a Penny War!!
Each classroom will have 2 jars to drop pennies in for positive points. Every penny is worth one point. Every silver coin is worth negative points. Each day from 11/9-11/13, Character Council members will collect donations at the beginning of the day to bring to the office to dump in each team's jar. On Friday, "Team Kindness Spirit Day", bills or checks (made out to Coco's Heart Dog Rescue) will also be accepted. Each bill or check is worth 100 points! All money collected will be donated to Coco's Heart Dog Rescue.
Points again:
Penny = 1 point
Dollar Bill = 100 points
Nickel = -5 points
Dime = -10 points
Quarter = -25 points
You’re invited! Join Superintendent Bell at the district office on November 11 at 7 a.m. for free coffee and a quick look at our future strategic plan. We want to hear your thoughts as we plan ahead. No RSVP required - just stop on by!
Dear Families,
This year we would like to honor our Veterans by showcasing them in a slideshow at school. This will not be published publicly or on social media- it is only for our families here at Westside.
If you would like to participate, email the following information to jeanne.kinney@rfsd.k12.wi.us
(Deadline, Friday, November 6, 20226 @ 4:00 pm)
Name of Veteran
Rank (if desired or known)
Branch of Service
Any other information (current deployment location, purple heart recipient retired....)
Name of the Westside student (and how they are related)
ie..
Tom Mortel
United States Air Force
Avionics Technician
Father of Mrs. Kinney
In classrooms, we will also be writing letters to Veterans. If you have a family member who is currently deployed, and you have a current address of the base they are serving from- please send that to me and I will send the letters from that classroom to the service person. Otherwise, we will send the letters to Veterans in our community.
In Gratitude,
Jeanne Kinney
Saint Bridget Catholic Church is hosting a community dinner on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026! This community, non-denominational event welcomes everyone.
- Delivery & Take-Out: 11 am – noon
- Dine-In: noon – 1 pm
The event is free, but you must register between Nov 1 - Nov 25. Registration is found on their website: saintbridgets.org in the "spotlight section.
Here are our cold weather guidelines for recess. We've had some colder mornings already so we ask that you help your student be prepared with the proper cold weather gear! We want our students outside enjoying recesses instead of sitting in the boring office!!
If you love the game of chess and would love to help foster new players in their love for the game, we would love for you to be a part of our 3rd-5th grade Chess Club!!
Where: Westside Elementary
When: 11:45am to 1:30pm once a week
How: please contact Abby Mazzei at abby.mazzei@rfsd.k12.wi.us
*All volunteers will need a current background check through the district.
2026-2027 Westside Yearbooks can be ordered!! Here is the link to order: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1017341308241480
Price starts at $20. There is a special going on right now until the end of October too!
Our Neighbors' Place, in collaboration with the River Falls School District, offers food assistance for low income families and/or families experiencing financial hardship.
Fill out this form if this is a program you may benefit from. Families can sign up anytime during the year and also drop the program at any point throughout the year. We are so grateful for Our Neighbor's Place
Bridging Brighter Smiles visits Westside a couple times a year to perform preventative dental hygiene services during the school day. Services include: x-rays, silver Diamine Fluoride, Sealant Retention Check, Teeth Cleaning, Oral Screening, and more. There is no cost for services. If this is something you would like for your student, please sign up on their website: https://bridgingbrightersmiles.org/forms/.