The Weekly News West Elementary

For the 2023-2024 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 NEGOTIATING.

Most people are pretty good at NEGOTIATING but a reminder never hurts. This week we will be practicing.

5/6/24 -- Negotiating

4/29/24 -- Making Requests

4/22/24 -- Showing Concern

4/15/24 -- Starting a Conversation

4/9/24 -- Negotiating

3/18/24 -- Read the Room

3/11/24 -- Joining In

3/4/24 --Being a Good Sport

2/12/24 -- Empathy

2/5/24 -- Flexible Thinking

1/29/24 -- Avoiding Trouble

1/8/24 -- Apologizing

1/2/24 -- Reacting to Problems

12/18/23 -- Being Polite

12/4/23 -- Introducing Yourself

11/6/23 -- Offering Help

10/30/23 -- Expressing Your Feelings

10/23/23 -- Knowing Your Feelings

10/16/23 -- Giving a Compliment

10/9/23 -- Review

9/25/ 23-- Following Instructions

9/18/23 -- Asking for Help

9/11/23 -- Listening

Apex is coming -- Power Up!

West Elementary will be fundraising to equip our new multipurpose/gym space (the filled in pool area).

May 13th to May 24th

5/14 Pep Rally at 2:00

Fun Run on May 23rd in the afternoon

May 22nd!

School-wide parade!

Something special for Grade 5!

Great News -- On Monday, May 20th, West Elementary is hosting our championship event from 4:30 to 7:30. Stay tuned for a live stream link to watch from home. Here is a list of the students who will be representing West El. These students scored high in game play and completed online tutorials about the gaming industry. Way to go kids!

Joshua Matteson, Nana Owusu, Bryce Beasley, Aiden Scheiss, Tanner Conrad, Lucas Scroger, Jaxon Helminiak, Jase O'Neill, Brayden Beasley, and Walker Hartmann

Order your West Elementary yearbook now -- $13 --

Please visit https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob

Enter our school code -- 13752724

Very few will be available for purchase after orders close.

This Form has been fixed to accept answers --

Please use the following link to fill out the West Seneca School District Volunteer Acknowledgement 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:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxcVhc_HrwLPRtnhODkr3nB-Y3aYQJ1Y62bV3RMrP3HDi1tA/viewform

Classroom Placements for the Next School Year-Placement Input Survey

West Elementary School faculty members regard the placement of students into classroom groups one of our most important professional responsibilities. Our goal is to make the best possible decisions, not only for an individual child but also for groups of children. We are committed to developing classroom combinations that are balanced with regard to strengths and needs. It is our belief that balanced classes maximize learning opportunities and are in the best interests of children and teachers. We are professionally committed to creating heterogeneous classes for each grade level.

At West Elementary will work together to make the best possible educational decisions about each child’s placement for the 2024-2025 school year. We thoroughly consider the following variables to arrive at a decision for individual children and to achieve a balanced grouping for each classroom:

• Teaching Styles/Learning Styles
• Work Habits & Study Skills
• Gender
• Time-Intensive Needs
• Academic Achievement
• Social/Emotional Needs
• Behavior
• Special Education Services

While we encourage parental input about each of the above variables, parent requests for specific teachers can be problematic. Do not request a teacher by name. The best information you can provide to assist in our placement of students is a description of your child rather than a focus on the teacher. Please remember that we value your input, and it will be carefully considered in class placement; however, we do have an obligation to create educationally balanced classes based on the above criteria.

If you would like to provide some input about your child for consideration as teachers build classes for next year, please complete the Google Form below, Student Placement Survey, and submit no later than Friday, May 17, 2024. All surveys received by May 17th will be given serious consideration when based on the above guidelines. If you need assistance filling out this form, please contact your child’s teacher.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck_f5-W0ASY92rwwUhb962PF6t80fcei3VM31BQNVY2JGaCA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Although there are some supports in place for widowed people, young widowed parents fit into a different category. They do not feel comfortable participating in other groups for spouse/partner loss which are mostly comprised of older people in different stages of life. Young widowhood and solo parenting presents unique challenges with a specific set of needs that go largely unmet. They feel completely alone in their circumstances and experience a multitude of secondary losses which often include their social circles. The isolation is devastating for them, as well as their children. It's time to bring these people together.

Ms. Elizabeth Caprio, School Social Worker

716-677-3166

ecaprio@wscschools.org

Ms. Lisa Gill, School Social Worker

716-677-3261

lgill@wscschools.org

Mrs. Nubia Cawthard, School Psychologist

716-677-3258

ncawthard@wscschools.org

Mrs. Lea O'Malley, School Counselor

716- 677-3671

lomalley@wscschools.org

MAY

Tuesday the 14th -- Popcorn and Paws 3-5

Thursday the 16th -- Fine Arts Night 5:30 to 7:30

Wednesday, May 22nd -- Early Release 12:15, Grade 5 Concert

Friday the 24th -- Dollar Day - Mix/Match

June

Friday the 7th -- Dollar Day - Crazy Hair, Grade 5 Fun Night 6:00 to 8:00

Tuesday the 18th -- Field Day

Monday the 24th -- Fifth Grade Moving up Day

We are an educational community that encourages kindness, inspires confidence, and instills the belief that together we can achieve anything.