A note from our Principal
Dear West Side Families,
I can't believe we have made it to December. We are nearing the midpoint of the school year, and that means we have a 2-week break coming up. Last year, I wrote about spending quality time with your kids during this holiday season. I absolutely agree with that this year as well, but I'd like to add to it a bit this year.
When you aren't watching Christmas movies, putting together Christmas puzzles, snacking on Christmas cookies, or playing family games on an especially cold afternoon or evening, would you encourage your students to read for 15-to-30 minutes per day? We do a great job of providing time for our students to read each day, whether it be through silent reading or through book groups. That being said, long breaks (like summer break or Christmas break) can have adverse effects on our readers because they get out of practice. Believe it or not, reading is a diminishable skill: if you don't use it, you lose it.
For that reason and for the added benefit of expanding our kids' imaginations, I sure hope you will help us out. Please set aside just 15-30 minutes of reading time for your kids each day over this coming break. If they balk at that, tell them it is the principal's orders. 🙂 We at West Side appreciate all the help you give us on a daily basis, and we hope this holiday season is one filled with joy and peace for you and your families. Merry Christmas.
Brian Gunderson
Principal
West Side Elementary
307-347-4298 (office)
🎄🎁⛄🔔🎅
Happy December and Merry Christmas!
December always goes by quickly as we decorate our school, get into the holiday spirit, and cram all the learning into a few short weeks!
In guidance this month, we will be talking about Online safety, (not giving out information to strangers). Next, the Washakie Coalition Prevention will be coming to talk about making good choices, especially in regard to substances. Lastly, we will talk about Perspectives and seeing two sides of the same coin.
I hope that you all enjoy the upcoming break and can spend extra time with your kiddos. As much as they get excited about gifts, what lasts longer and means more to them is time spent having fun together!
Heather Rollema
K-12 School Counselor
