Westhill Weekly News

Westhill Weekly News

December 16, 2024

#BESThill

As we approach the end of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on all the wonderful things our students have accomplished and the strong sense of community we’ve built together on campus. This is a time to celebrate our collective achievements, share some exciting updates, and look ahead to the second half of the school year.

 

Highlights of the Fall:

 

Academic Growth: Our students have made incredible strides in all areas of learning. Whether they’re solving complex math problems, diving into new reading and writing, or conducting hands-on science experiments, we’re proud of the hard work and curiosity our students have shown.

 

Special Events & Activities: This fall, we’ve had a busy calendar filled with events that brought our school community together:

 

  • Meet the Teacher & Curriculum Nights Our annual Supply Drop off and curriculum nights were a huge success, with the help of our PTSA, local food trucks, Champions Childcare, and construction team on site to share all about the exciting changes abroad.
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences: It was a pleasure connecting with so many of you during conferences (and after the power-outages!) to discuss your child’s progress and set goals for the year ahead.
  • PTSA Movie Night: What a turn-out and fundraiser! MARK YOUR CALENDARS: We look forward to offering another fun movie night January 31st!
  • PTA General Meetings: These have been packed with information and fabulous conversation (and last month a student presentation)! Thank you for supporting our school and providing your feedback on top initiatives.

 

Character Development: Each month we focus school-wide on a humanitarian characteristic- learning about traits such as kindness, acceptance, gratitude, responsibility, and respect. Our students have really embraced these values, whether learning through in class 2nd Step lessons or Kelso's Choices with with Mr. Abraham or by working together on group projects like our current "Essentials Drive".

 

DISMISSAL UPDATE

yellow sign saying: early pick up rules

Starting January 6, 2025

If you need to pick your student up early from school or change their dismissal plan, please do so BEFORE 3:45. Students leaving early is a huge huge disruption to classes (yes, we do teach up to the very last minute!) and with the last 15 minutes of the day being hectic already (wrap up lesson, debrief the day, pack up, lineup for correct dismissal location, etc.) this makes it very stressful for all involved. Therefore, we will no longer call classrooms after 3:45 to excuse students early. Thank you.

A Special Thank You

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped set up, run the (annoying) cash registers, and take down the book fair. It was fully staffed this year, which was great! Also, thank you to the PTSA for advertising the fair, helping recruit volunteers, and organizing Grownups & Donuts. And, of course, thanks to our shoppers for raising $2500 for new books for the library and for donating books for teachers' classrooms. Happy reading!

-Stephanie Dunnewind, Librarian

 

 

ESSENTIALS DRIVE

image of essential items you can collect

Student council came last Thursday to talk to classes about the Essentials Drive they decided to do (through Dec. 20th). We are collecting essentials such as toothbrushes, hand warmers, Band-Aids, etc. Student council will assemble these items into Ziplock baggies and distribute them to a local shelter where they will be shared with members of our community.

Example calendar with dates pinned

 

Upcoming Events

SPIRIT WEEK

Monday, 12/16: Sports Day. You can wear any sports related item, the colors of your favorite team, or blue and green for Seattle professional sport teams.

Tuesday, 12/17: Color Day by Grade. Each grade will wear a certain color! If your student needs an item of that color, send them to room 18 for a bracelet:)

  • Kinder: red or pink.
  • 1st: yellow or white
  • 2nd: green
  • 3rd: purple
  • 4th: blue 
  • 5th: black 

Wednesday, 12/18: Hat Day. Wear your favorite hat to school, or style your hair in your favorite way!

Thursday, 12/19: Opposite Day: Wear your shirt or hat backwards, turn your socks inside out, or dress in an opposite style than you usually do.

Friday, 12/20: PAJAMA DAY!

December 21-Jan 5: NO SCHOOL - See you back Monday, Jan. 6, 2025!

 

photo of front of Westhill Elementary

 

Contact info

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. If you need to change your child's dismissal plans- PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE not the classroom. Our teachers rarely have time to check their email or answer phones while teaching. You can reach out via the following links:

 

  • (425) 408-5500 front office
  • (425) 408-5510 attendance line
  • www.nsd.org/westhill
  • staff contact hours: 9:00 - 4:30