This week at West we have been practicing our new routines: students are now back in the cafeteria having lunch at their individual, assigned table (six feet apart, per the CDC)! We are getting used to the changes in our day, following all COVID safety protocols as recommended by the CDC and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We have also been practicing our new dismissal routines, with parent pickups in the gym happening at 3:10, staggered alphabetically by last name. This ensures COVID safety as well as a more organized dismissal system.
Parents - please be patient with us next week, as we anticipate longer drop off times in the morning and longer pick up times at dismissal in the afternoon (we simply have a higher volume of children now back at West, which will impact drop off and dismissal). I am fully confident that once we get our new routines down, lines will move much smoother and quicker! Your cooperation is sincerely appreciated!
Another busy week has come and gone at West! We had early dismissal on Monday, March 22nd at 11:45 for Parent-Teacher conferences. Students have loved being back in the cafeteria for lunch and also back on the playground equipment at recess! Students are sanitizing their hands before and after lunch/recess; all tables are being sanitized and cleaned between lunches, and our playground equipment is also being sanitized, per CDC guidelines for COVID safety. Our second grade students celebrated their "Book Awards" ceremony on Thursday! Great job Ms. Jitiam's and Mrs. Shaw's boys and girls!
Looking ahead to next week (March 29th - April 2nd) we welcome back our Westies! Students are encouraged to wear RED (or Westie gear) on Monday, March 29th! Show your Westie pride and Westie School Spirit! We have no school on Friday, April 2nd for Good Friday! Happy Easter on Sunday, April 4th!
Here is an update from our Consulting Teachers of Literacy, Mrs. McBride and Ms. Learning:
We are down to the Two Finalists, for our March Madness Tournament of Picture Books! The two remaining competitors are:
The Couch Potato vs. Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug
Which title do you hope becomes champion of our 2021 March Madness Tournament of Picture Books?
Be sure to join the West School Literacy Facebook group for all of our literacy updates!
Additionally, here is an important health update from Nurse Marisa:
Please continue to monitor your child's health each morning before sending them to school. If they are experiencing any of these symptoms please do not send them to school.
The symptoms to monitor include:
· Fever (100.0 or higher), chills, or shaking chills
· Cough (not due to another known cause, such as Asthma)
· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· New loss of taste or smell
· Sore throat
· Headache (when in combination with other symptoms)
· Muscle aches or body aches
· Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
· Fatigue (when in combination with other symptoms)
· Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies)
Students’ health will continue to be monitored at school. If any student is found to exhibit any of the above symptoms, we will call families to request the student be picked-up, and that you follow up for further guidance from your pediatrician.
We appreciate all you will do to help keep our students and staff safe at school.
If you have any questions I can be reached at 508-830-4357 or [email protected]
Thank you to everyone for their continued support and patience! WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE OUR WESTIES BACK!