Stinger Stories

Dear West Side Families,

If you have not started your winter preparations, you are likely headed to the store before the weekend. As you stock the pantry, you can also update your calendar with the many school events occurring over the next few weeks included in this edition of Stinger Stats - Career Day, WS PTA Spirit Nights/events, and our upcoming spring musicals! We hope you can support these events or attend in person to cheer on our students and school.

In this edition of Stinger Stories you will also find the second Parent-2-Parent Podcast episode. We launched this new podcast in December, where we answered the question "Is my child's reading on track?" This month, we partnered with Atlanta Wellness Collective to answer, "What do parents need to know about executive functioning?" Our Parent-2-Parent Podcast series is one way we hope to be responsive to parent needs, helping our students reach their fullest potential. Listen along on your way to work - or while your stuck at home this weekend!

I hope your family stays warm and safe this weekend. As always, if I can better support your child please do not hesitate to reach out at any time. There's no place like West Side!

Warm regards,

Christina

Christina Wagoner, Ed.D.

Principal

Our next Parent-to-Parent (P2P) podcast dropped today! Listening along with assistant principal, Lindsay Williams, and Andrew Wallace of Atlanta Wellness Collective as they talk about all things Executive Functioning. This episode is a recap of our in person P2P session that took place this month. Support for families, where they need it, when they need it!

LISTEN TO EPISODE TWO HERE!

As shared in Dr. Rivera's email to families earlier this week, you can anticipate the following should winter weather impact school opening or start times.

Evening communication: When we have been advised of inclement weather for the following day, you will receive an email from MCS by 5:00 p.m. and, if necessary, a follow-up at 9:00 p.m. These updates aim to share our most up-to-date information and timeline regarding possible school closings.

Morning communication: You will receive an email update by 5:00 a.m. that possible inclement weather could result in school closings. In such situations, we will collaborate with the National Weather Service, Marietta Police Department, Cobb County School District, and other metro-Atlanta school districts. Our goal is simple: make an informed, cautious decision as early as possible so you and your family can plan accordingly.

How will I know if/when schools are closed?

All MCS families will be notified of school closings in the following ways:

Email (to the address listed in Aspen)
Automated text and phone call (to the number listed in Aspen)
District website – www.marietta-city.org
Local television and radio broadcasts
District social media pages:

Instagram: @MariettaCitySchools
Twitter: @MariettaCitySch
Facebook: Marietta City Schools

MCS Office of Academic Achievement is in the process of adopting a new math curriculum for grades K-12. Families interested in reviewing the K-12 district math curriculum up for adoption are invited to visit MCS Central Offices on Thursday, January 29th from 9AM-4PM.

Greetings and Happy New Year from West Side Counselors!

As the new year begins, West Side’s Counseling Department is excited to continue to support our students’ academic, social, emotional and career development. We look forward to partnering with you to help every student grow, learn and succeed.

The counseling department will offer spring small group counseling sessions to support students in key skills areas. Groups meet weekly for five weeks at teacher-approved times, are solution-focused, and are short term. If you feel your child would benefit from extra support in a small group setting, please complete the parent referral form using the links below by January 29th.

K-1 SMALL GROUP COUNSELING PARENT REFERRAL FORM

2-5 SMALL GROUP COUNSELING PARENT REFERRAL FORM

Parents or guardians may submit a direct parent referral for their child to complete spring gifted evaluation. All referrals should be emailed to our gifted lead teacher, Anna Beaman (abeaman@marietta-city.k12.ga.us) by January 31st. Spring gifted evaluation occurs February 23-March 19. If eligible for gifted serves, students evaluated during the spring assessment window would receive services beginning in August 2026.

SIGN UP FOR A SESSION HERE

Come support our Tuesday drama cast by joining our community performances of Peter Pan, Jr! This program is FUN for all ages. Take flight on an adventure and enjoy the talents of our phenomenal students. Tickets can be purchased at the link below.

PURCHASE PETER PAN JR. TICKETS HERE

Save the date to support our Thursday drama cast in the production of Finding Nemo, Jr. You do not want to miss this underwater adventure. Ticket sales will be available in mid-February.

For the first time, our Singing Stingers will take the field to sing the National Anthem at the Atlanta United game on March 21. To join our Singing Stingers, ALL 3rd-5th grade students are also invited to take part in this exciting event. If your child is not a Singing Stinger and he/she would like to take part in this one-time music event, please email Mrs. McCutcheon (lmccutcheon@marietta-city.k12.ga.us). Students participating must purchase a minimum of TWO tickets to the game.

ALL K-2nd grade students and families are invited to attend the event to cheer on West Side & the Atlanta United! Tickets can be purchased below.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE

Our stingers are 100 days smarter. Kindergarten celebrated with a fun day of pretending to be 100 years old.

We are so proud of our second grade performers. They did a fantastic job in their play, Penguinaut, last week. Thank you Mrs. McCutcheon for your hard work and helping each of these stingers shine bright on stage.

Congratulations to our state honors chorus members! These ladies performed in a state wide chorus program in Athens, GA, representing our school and district exceptionally well! Bravo... Molly, Anna Jayne, Claire, Ruth & Annie!

Happy new year from the PTA! We look forward to Spring Semester with many PTA sponsored events, including Teacher Appreciation Week, Pastries with Parents, Teddy Bear Tour and Field Day. Keep an eye on social media and Beeline folders for announcements and ways to get involved with PTA this spring!

*Order Spirit Wear on Givebacks.

Need to order a long sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt for winter? Order anytime and it will come home with your Stinger. Spirit Wear orders are fulfilled once a week, all year long!

*Make your Direct Donation on Givebacks.

Any amount of giving helps support our students and teachers! Direct Donations are invested directly back into our school in lieu of year long fundraising efforts. Our 2025-2026 Legacy Projects include the revitalized outdoor dining area and SPARK for Specials projects.

*Be sure to follow West Side PTA on Instagram and Facebook!

Instagram @westsideelementarypta

Facebook group - West Side Elementary PTA

West Side Elementary School PTA Executive Board

Co Presidents: Kelli Bollman and Angela Kuehme

Co Vice-Presidents: Sarah Allen and Meghan Daniel

Treasurer: Anna Cipolla

Secretary: Rachael Brunelle

Parliamentarian: Rebecca Jones

If you own a small business and would like to be a part of giving back to our staff during PTA appreciation events this spring, please email westsideelementarystinger@gmail.com. Our PTA board or teacher appreciation committee members will reach out to share ways you might be able to support our staff this spring. Thank you!

Support West Side PTA now until February 15 with an online purchase of Krispy Kreme donuts! 50% of all donuts purchased online is donated back to West Side! A sweet win for our school and students!