Nutrition Services: Try-It Thursday
Nutrition Services has started “Try-It Thursdays” – where students can sample new or less common fruits and vegetables at lunch. Students have the opportunity to explore how and where these foods are grown and the health benefits they provide. They may even find a new favorite to introduce to their families!
Stay tuned for Try-It Thursday on April, 22 with Sugar Snap Peas.
Check out last weeks featured fruit: Kumquats
March 2021 Newsletter
Please click here to view the newest Westwood Elementary newsletter.
February 2021 Newsletter
Please click here to view the latest Westwood newsletter.
December Newsletter
Please click to view the December Newsletter.
Remote Learning Newsletters
In an effort to keep communication easy to access, here are the most recent newsletters regarding the transition to Remote Learning.
Technology Troubleshooting Resource
October 19th Timely Updates
We are excited to have Group 1 and Group 2 students together again starting October 19th! Please click on the Parent Newsletter below for important information regarding this change.
School Pictures
Fall pictures will take place on October 22nd for all on-site students and staff.
- Picture packets will be sent home with students approximately one week prior to picture day.
- To order pictures you can complete the picture packet and send it along with cash or check with your student prior to or the day of pictures. You also have the option to order online at https://www.hrimaging.com/.
- All students will have their photos taken, even if the pictures are not purchased as these photos will be used for our school yearbook.
- Retakes will take place on December 3rd.
- All remote student families received an email regarding picture sessions on October 17th at Ankeny High School and on October 24th at Centennial High School. These pictures are by appointment only. Please reference the email regarding how to sign up.
Westwood Updates and Reminders
Dear Westwood Parents and Guardians,
In preparation for school in 2 days here are some friendly updates/reminders:
100% Remote Online Chromebook Pick Up:
Date: Wednesday, August 26th
Location: Westwood Elementary
When:
8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. park in the parking lot, use the front entrance and airphone to introduce self, state picking up remote online Chromebook and materials. Give the student(s) first name, last name, and grade. Front office will place Chromebook and other applicable materials on a table outside the front entrance for pick up.
3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. park in the parking lot and walk up to the front entrance. A staff member will be inside the front doors. Give the student(s) first name, last name, and grade. A staff member will place Chromebook and other applicable materials on a table outside the front entrance for pick up.
Arrival and Dismissal Key Notes:
August 25 Updated Arrival and Dismissal Map
Outside bus lane and car lane supervision: Adults will provide supervision for health and safety, but students will need to open and close vehicle doors.
Car lane-we will continue our dismissal process from last year. If you still have your assigned number with a hang tag, then please hang from your rearview mirror before entering the parking lot. If you are a new family and/or misplaced the hang tag, then clearly write or type your last name, first name of your child on an 8 x 11 piece of paper and place it in a visible part of the front windshield. A staff member will enter the number and/or student name(s) in our dismissal program and then associated students will be released from classrooms to the main exit. For health and safety, adults will provide supervision, but students will need to open and close vehicle doors.
Bus lane morning arrival kids can enter through any of the exits/entrances along the bus lane. For health and safety, adults will provide supervision, but students will need to open and close vehicle doors.
Dismissal day care and specialized transportation may exit any of the exits/entrances along the bus lane. For health and safety, adults will provide supervision, but students will need to open and close vehicle doors.
2nd grade will be dismissed from specials and 2nd grade bikers/walkers will be allowed to leave through the exits closest to their specials class.
Families should identify where siblings can meet up outside of Westwood elementary.
Examples may include the flagpole, Westwood sign, picnic tables near Westwood sign, front bushes outside the main entrance, playground blacktop, or even outside the exit door of the younger sibling.
Hybrid Schedule and Calendar for August/September
The first day of school is Thursday, August 27. Here is the hybrid calendar to begin the school year. The onsite group schedule is as follows:
Group 1 – Monday, Thursday, and alternating Wednesdays
Group 2 – Tuesday, Friday, and alternating Wednesdays
Students will report directly to class when they arrive on their assigned day. Doors open at 7:40 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and 9:55 on Wednesday.
When students are not at school, their teacher will provide required asynchronous learning activities for students to complete independently.
Thursday, August 27th and Friday, August 28th asynchronous/off site activities:
Groups 1 and 2 will have their first day of school on Thursday, August 27th. Group 1 will be onsite and group 2 will be offsite.
Note: For offsite learning August 27th-28th, teachers will be emailing parents independent activities that students can do with a focus on building relationships and making connections.
What does onsite (synchronous) and offsite (asynchronous) learning look like and sound like?
In a hybrid model, synchronous learning refers to on site instruction – when the students are in front of us. Teacher and the students are engaged in learning at the same time.
Look like/Sounds like:
Guided Instruction
Direct Instruction
Responding to Formative Assessment
Prompting, Cueing, Questioning
High leverage skills
In a hybrid model, asynchronous learning occurs away from the teacher or when students are offsite. This could include online interactive activities, skill based practice, extension work from on-site learning, or independent practice. Asynchronous activities may differ depending on developmental level.
Looks like/Sounds like:
Building fluency of skill
Self-Assessment and Analysis
Analysis of text
Independent Practice
Prep for future learning
Flipped instruction
The approximate amount of time your student will be expected to engage in asynchronous learning is below:
Kdg-2nd grade:
20-25 Reading
15-20 Writing
20-25 Math
15-20 Science/SS or integrated
3rd-5th grade:
25-30 Reading
25-30 Writing
25-30 Math
15-20 Science/SS or integrate
Schedule for students participating in online remote learning
A daily routine for students in the required online remote learning environment is critical. For this reason, daily schedules for synchronous and asynchronous learning have been developed. More details and information will be provided by your child’s assigned teacher.
Welcome to Kindergarten at Westwood Elementary
Please review the following PowerPoint for information regarding kindergarten at Westwood Elementary.
Kindergarten Registration PPT 2020 2021