Mission: The learning community of West Homer Elementary inspires and supports all students to be lifelong learners with the courage and confidence to make positive contributions to the world.

Vision: The mission of West Homer Elementary School is to build strong connections among community, families, staff, and students in a safe, healthy, nurturing environment that challenges each student.

Catapults, a hydraulic claw, fractals, marble trajectories, various ball toss, plinko, and target games, along with the entire student body, many parents, and Fireweed Academy students filled our gym on January 30th resulting in an ocean of joy and excitement!

The enginuity, creativity, student leadership, and community involvement on display at this event are a prime example of our school living our Mission and Vision stated above. Thank you for your support in making this community event happen!

This month our PTO kicks off our Parenting is the Digital Age Series with a Digital Safety talk by Officer Browing of the Homer Police Department February 5th and the showing of Screenagers - Elementary Edition (Trailer HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzzzeCny6oU) at the Porcupine Theater February 18th: https://porcupinetheater.com/purchase/2793/

If you are looking for some ideas or practical steps to take to help your children with their screen use, you want to set them up for success if you are considering buying them a device of their own, or you just want to learn more about the research behind children and screens, this film is for you!

Screening will be free to all and there will be concession for sale provided by the theater. You do not need to preregister, but if you know you are going, click on the link.

We are launching a new conference sign up system through google appointments that allows you to choose your conference time. On Monday, February 3, your child's classroom teacher will send you a link with their appointment schedule where you can choose an appointment time that is convenient for you.

Spring conferences are student-led, and students have been reviewing artifacts of their work, reflecting on their progress and setting goals for the spring. They are excited to share thier learning with you!

Friday, February 7th at 1:20pm

Amazing turnout for the Spelling Bee this year! Congratulations to 4th grader Chloe O'Keefe who wins this years Spelling Bee and will represent West Homer Elementary at the State Bee!

We are excited to announce Rober Ostrom will be our Artist in Residence February 17th - 28th. This clay workshop will include multiple sessions for each class over the 2 week time frame and result in a school installation.

• February 3 - P/T Conference appointment link sent home
• February 5 - Digital Safety with Lt. Ryan Browning at WHE Library @ 5:30pm
• February 7 - Early Release @ 1:20pm
• February 10 - 14 - Scholastic Book Fair
• February 13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
• February 14 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
• February 17 - Make-up Day for Snow Day
• February 18 - Screenagers film at the Porcupine Theater @ 6:00pm

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District requests input from staff, parents, and community members at the districtwide KPBSD budget development meeting, scheduled at the following locations:

• Homer Community – Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM Homer High Library
• Central Peninsula - Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM Kenai Central High Library
• Seward Community – Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM Seward High Library

As new budget information becomes available, it will be posted here: http://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/departments.aspx?id=38. If you have questions, please call Natalie Bates at 714-8888.

As you know, December 13, 2024, was a school closure day for our Southern Peninsula Schools. The make-up day for this closure has been scheduled for Monday, February 17, 2025 (President’s Day).

The schools impacted include:

• Chapman School
• Fireweed Academy Charter School
• Homer Flex
• Homer High School
• Homer Middle School
• K-Selo School
• McNeil Canyon Elementary School
• Nikolaevsk School
• Ninilchik School
• Paul Banks Elementary School
• Razdolna School
• Voznesenka School
• West Homer Elementary School

Family trips are important life events and don’t happen often. When your family chooses to be away from school, our goal is to support you and your child in keeping up with their academics so they don’t fall behind when they return. Our teachers are happy to put together meaningful activities to help them keep up with their learning. We ask that you follow our procedure well in advance (a week is good) so we can be well prepared.

• 5 -9 days – pre-arranged absence form completed
• 10 + days – pre- arranged absence form completed and meet with principal

Even if you don't think you qualify, still apply as it may result in federal dollars for our school.

West Homer PTO is for everyone!

You are invited to join us in being part of the PTO. We spend the year building community here at West by celebrating staff and students, fundraising, and hosting community events. All these activities remind us how much we can invest in our schools and the people who make West Homer a place to learn and building connections. Please reach out if you would like to help organize the spring talent show, staff appreciation week, or the end of year BBQ. Email us at ptowesthomer@gmail.com.

Talent Show Auditions will be during lunch and recess on February 25th and 26th.

Saturday, February 8, 2025