West Weekly Updates
West Families,
We have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us at West! Between our Fall Family Night, Walk to the Park, Walk-a-Thon, and Parent-Teacher Conferences, there are several important dates to keep on your calendar. Please take a few minutes to review the information below.
Upcoming Dates and Events
Wednesday, October 21 – Early Release Day
Students will be dismissed at 12:25 PM. Please plan accordingly.
Thursday, October 22 – Fall Family Night
We hope you can join us from 5:30–7:00 PM for our Fall Family Night. We look forward to spending time with our families!
Friday, October 23 – Walk to the Park
Our first-quarter RRSK reward is a walk to Olin Park. Students must meet the following expectations to participate:
Zero office referrals
All schoolwork turned in
Consistently demonstrate our RRSK expectations: Responsible, Respectful, Safe, and Kind
Permission slips were due September 18. Please remember that returning a permission slip does not guarantee participation. Students must continue meeting the eligibility requirements through October 23.
We are excited to recognize our students who have worked hard to earn this opportunity!
Wednesday, October 28 – Walk-a-Thon
Our annual Walk-a-Thon is coming up! Students are welcome to wear costumes for the event. We ask that families follow a few guidelines to ensure everyone can participate safely.
No blood, gore, masks, weapons, or inflatable costumes.
Students must be able to put on, take off, and manage their costumes independently.
Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30 – Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are a great opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate successes, and identify areas where we can continue working together.
If you have not scheduled a conference, please call our office at 618-463-2134.
District Scorecard Progress
As part of our District Improvement Plan, we continue to focus on two important goals that directly impact student success.
Goal 1: Increase the percentage of students with perfect attendance weeks.
Attendance continues to be a priority at West. Every day of instruction matters, and students benefit from being present, participating in lessons, and building consistent routines. We will continue recognizing students for strong attendance and working with families to address attendance concerns.
Goal 3: Increase the percentage of students passing every class.
Our teachers are continually reviewing student progress and identifying opportunities to provide additional academic support. Our goal is to ensure students are learning, growing, and meeting grade-level expectations.
Both goals require a partnership between school and home. Thank you for making attendance a priority, monitoring your child’s academic progress, and communicating with teachers when questions or concerns arise.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Our Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program continues on Thursdays and Fridays thanks to funding through the Illinois State Board of Education.
This week, our students had the opportunity to try clementines on Thursday and kohlrabi on Friday.
A couple of interesting facts about this week’s selections:
Clementines: Clementines are a type of mandarin orange. They are naturally sweet, usually seedless, and a great source of vitamin C.
Kohlrabi: Although it looks a little unusual, kohlrabi belongs to the same family as broccoli and cabbage. It can be eaten raw or cooked and has a mild flavor with a crunchy texture.
Students are not required to eat the fruits or vegetables, but we encourage them to give new foods a try. Part of the fun is introducing our students to foods they may not have experienced before.
Gilson-West Parent Teacher Group
We would love to see more of our West families get involved with the Gilson-West Parent Teacher Group.
Our PTG supports school activities, staff appreciation, and opportunities for families to connect with our schools. It is also a great way for parents to share ideas and have a voice in supporting our school community.
You do not have to commit a significant amount of time to make a difference. Every contribution helps!
Learn more about the PTG here:
https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/87483236
Staying Connected With West
ParentSquare
ParentSquare remains our primary source for school communication. Please make sure you are connected and regularly checking for important announcements and updates.
Follow our Facebook page for school pictures, celebrations, reminders, and a look at what is happening around West.
https://www.facebook.com/West.Redbirds/
My Ride K–12 App
Families who use bus transportation are encouraged to use the My Ride K–12 App to stay informed about transportation updates. You will need your student’s six-digit “Other ID” from Skyward Family Access to register.
Important Phone Numbers
West Elementary: 618-463-2134
Bus Garage: 618-466-5400
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for another great week at West. I appreciate the continued support of our families and the work our staff puts in each day to help our students succeed.
We have several opportunities coming up for families to visit, connect with teachers, and celebrate our students. I hope you will take advantage of them.
Have a great weekend!
Every Redbird. Every Day.
TaRael Kee
Principal
West Elementary School