West Point El. Parent Update

Week of October 20, 2024

Dear West Point Families,

We hope you are enjoying the Fall Break! As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, October 21 for Teacher Professional Day.

We would like to thank our PTA and Student Council for all their help with Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day last Wednesday, Thank you, also, to all who participated. We hope our students learned and will implement important safety rules for walking, biking, and rolling to school.

Tuesday, October 22 is the first day of 2nd Term. First Term report cards will be available on myDSD on Monday, October 28 at 4:00 p.m.

We would like to thank our parents for your commitment in helping your students earn their Attendance and Reading Brag Tags. Students have an opportunity to earn a new one each month. Parents can help with attendance by prioritizing school and emphasizing the importance of showing up on time each day. Parents can also set students up for reading and academic success by establishing and maintaining daily routines that include homework, home reading time, and getting enough sleep. We appreciate all your support!

Here are four important things to know for the coming week.

There is no school on Monday for Teacher Professional Day.
Picture retakes are this Wednesday, October 23.
Please review the Halloween costume guidelines (below) for our parade on October 31.
Yearbooks can now be purchased on myDSD. They cost $15.00 through December 31. Prices go up to $18.00 starting January 1.

We hope you have a wonderful week. Every day is a great day to be a Wildcat!

Sincerely,

Marjorie Conrad and Christie Bouy
Principal and Administrative Intern, West Point Elementary

Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day

Upcoming Dates

Monday, October 21: Professional Day, NO SCHOOL for students
Tuesday, October 22: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Ogden Nature Center and Fort Buenaventura
Wednesday, October 23: Picture Retake Day
Monday, October 28: 1st Term Report Cards available on myDSD at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 29: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Loveland Living Aquarium
Thursday, October 31: "Experience the Magic" Halloween Parade
Friday, November 1: Professional Day, NO SCHOOL for students
Friday, November 8: PTA Meeting, 9:30 a.m., in the faculty room
Tuesday - Wednesday, November 12-13: Hearing Screening
Wednesday, November 20: Community Council, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in the conference room
Wednesday - Friday, November 27 - 29: Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, December 3: West Point Elementary Choir Concert, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 6: School Choir and School Orchestra performing at West Point City Angel of Hope Ceremony, evening
Thursday, December 19: 5th Grade Colonial Fair
Friday, December 20: Last Day of 2nd Term, EARLY OUT
Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3: Winter Break, NO SCHOOL
Monday, January 6: Professional Day, NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 7: Students return to school

6th Grade Students Read to 2nd Grade Buddies

Halloween Guidelines

Students are invited to join in our Halloween celebration on Thursday, October 31. We will start the day at 9:05 a.m. with our Halloween Costume Parade, which will be held outside along the track in the back field. Students may wear costumes for the parade, but they need to be prepared to change out of their costumes immediately following the parade. Please send a bag to put costumes in so they don't get lost.

Watching the Parade: Parents can enjoy the parade, too! Please bring a camp chair or other outside chair and find a spot on the field. We need to keep the track and the playground black top clear.

Costumes: These guidelines are meant to help our Halloween celebration be respectful, responsible, safe, and kind for all.

Be respectful: Avoid stereotypes. Be racially sensitive and culturally appropriate. Students may not dress up as an ethnic or cultural group (i.e., a Mexican, a Geisha, a Native American, etc.). Culture is not a costume. Skin color must not be altered in any way.
Be responsible: Recognize that students in a wide age range will see the costumes. Costumes should be family friendly. Costumes may not be gory or threatening.
Be safe: No weapons, real or pretend are allowed (i.e. light sabers, swords, hooks, Wolverine claws). Masks may not be worn. Crowns or hats may be worn.
Be caring: Costumes should be fun and exciting, not political or offensive.

PTA Information

Thank you for supporting our PTA Membership Drive! Please contact our PTA President, Christie Maxfield if you would still like to join or would like to help with an upcoming activity. christiemaxfield@gmail.com

Experience the Magic

Magical Manners

Our new magical manner for this week is a continuation of last weeks, "Respond to Compliments." Sometimes we feel uncomfortable when someone says something kind to us and we are not sure how to respond. Saying "thank you" is a great way to let someone know you appreciate the kindness they have shown you. We are also adding to this challenge this week by making genuine compliments we can give to others throughout the week.

52 Modern Manners for Kids

October's LETTERING Focus - A is for Attentiveness

Attentive listening is an important skill whether at school or at home. It is giving close and thoughtful attention to the things people say and do around us. Removing distractions, especially electronics, is essential for being present in a conversation. Being attentive to others can help our students be successful in connecting with others, learning from others, showing others we care, and building relationships.

Excellence Project

We are excited to see the many projects students have chosen to work on this year. If you have not already done so, please have a conversation with your child and help them choose one thing they would like to learn more about or become better at this year. We want every student to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from setting and working towards a goal for personal improvement!

October Brag Tags

462 students earned their September Attendance Brag Tags. Way to go! That is 76% of our student body. We would like to see if we can improve that percentage for October. Please help your student be at school everyday. Students can earn a brag tag if they have 0-1 absences for the month. They earn their reading brag tag by reading at home at least 18 days during the month.

Mental Health Series for Parents

Our DSD Student Services Department has facilitated amazing supports for our parents this year. This year's Mental Health Series for Parents offers parents unlimited access to live monthly sessions and recordings, as well as key takeaways from each topic. Each session is led by expert facilitators, providing ongoing support whenever needed.