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Ms. Hamilton, Advocacy, 1st

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Hamilton's Advocacy Update 11-18-24

 

Upcoming Dates and Announcements:

 

Wednesday, Nov. 20                             Skate City Night 

Friday, Nov. 22                                      Class PJ and Stuffy Party

Monday, Nov. 25 – Friday, Nov. 29    NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break 

 

Specials for the last part of the quarter is PE.  Please make sure your child wears appropriate shoes each day. 

Class PJ/Stuffy Party:  We will finally have our PJ/Stuffy party this Friday, November 22nd, before Thanksgiving Break!   

Guidelines for stuffies: They must be small enough to fit in their backpack and you can only bring one.   Make sure they wear appropriate shoes to school.   

Advocacy Theme for November is Gratitude  

Learning Goals:  

  • Students will look at their skills, abilities, accomplishments, loved ones, and many other things to identify what they are grateful for. 
  • Students will increase their well-being and happiness with activities that promote a sense of togetherness and belonging with their advocacy and families. 
  • Students will reflect upon their successes and improvements using a self-reflection tool, consider how they’ve changed, and reflect on the people who made their progress possible. 

 

We are looking forward to a great month of gratitude and thankfulness! 

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 11-12-24

 

Upcoming Dates and Announcements:

 

 

 

Thursday, Nov. 14 

Panda Express Spirit Night 

Saturday, Nov. 16 

Fall Bazaar 

Wednesday, Nov. 20 

Skate City Night 

Monday, Nov. 25 – Friday, Nov. 29 

NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break 

The advocacy Theme for November is Gratitude  

Learning Goals:  

  • Students will look at their skills, abilities, accomplishments, loved ones, and many other things to identify what they are grateful for. 
  • Students will increase their well-being and happiness with activities that promote a sense of togetherness and belonging with their advocacy and families. 
  • Students will reflect upon their successes and improvements using a self-reflection tool, consider how they’ve changed, and reflect on the people who made their progress possible.  

We are looking forward to a great month of gratitude and thankfulness! 

FALL BAZAAR - NOVEMBER 16th

This year's Fall Bazaar promises to be extra special. With a new indoor location at Peak Martial Arts across from Westgate Community School, we will have a host of local artists and crafters to purchase items for the holidays! We will have a variety of baked goods, food trucks, coffee and hot cocoa. Admission is free! 

We are also still in need of volunteers, donors and vendors. Please sign up for providing baked goods for the bake sale or volunteer some time to help with set up, clean up, or manning the bake sale table. Or if you happen to be an artist or crafter, or know someone who is, look into grabbing a booth from us! 
 
VENDORS - Sign up here: 3rd Annual Westgate Bazaar
BAKE SALE DONORS & VOLUNTEERS - Sign up here: Westgate Events: Westgate’s Fall Bazaar 2024
 

 

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 11-4-24

Upcoming Dates and Announcements:

 

Friday, Nov. 8 

Half Day 

Monday, Nov. 11 

NO SCHOOL – Veteran's Day 

Thursday, Nov. 14 

Panda Express Spirit Night 

Saturday, Nov. 16 

Fall Bazaar 

Wednesday, Nov. 20 

Skate City Night 

Monday, Nov. 25 – Friday, Nov. 29 

NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break 

 

Advocacy Theme for November is Gratitude 

Learning Goals:  

  • Students will look at their skills, abilities, accomplishments, loved ones, and many other things to identify what they are grateful for. 
  • Students will increase their well-being and happiness with activities that promote a sense of togetherness and belonging with their advocacy and families. 
  • Students will reflect upon their successes and improvements using a self-reflection tool, consider how they’ve changed, and reflect on the people who made their progress possible. 

We are looking forward to a great month of gratitude and thankfulness! 

 

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 10-28-24

Upcoming Dates and Announcements: 

Monday, October 28th                       Individual Picture Retakes

Tuesday, October 29th                      Texas Roadhouse Spirit Night

Thursday, October 31st                    Halloween Carnival and Class Parties

 

Reminders:

As we prepare for our exciting class parties, we wanted to share a few important guidelines to ensure a fun and safe experience for everyone. Please review the following information carefully:

  1. Volunteer Guidelines:
    • No young children or siblings may accompany volunteers during the team parties. We appreciate your understanding as we maintain a focused environment for our students.
  2. Costume Expectations for Adults and Students:
    • No Masks or Face Coverings are allowed.
    • No Full Face Paint is permitted. Partial face paint is allowed if students can apply it themselves in the time they have to get ready before class parties. Face paint may not be worn to school.
    • No Weapons or items that could be used as a weapon should be part of any costume.
    • No Inappropriate or Offensive Costumes. Please ensure all costumes fully cover the body.
    • Costume Guidelines for Students (K-8):
    • Students may NOT wear costumes to school. Costumes should be brought in backpacks and will remain there until students are allowed to change after lunch.
    • Students will be in regular classes during the morning, so costumes and their accessories should not be a distraction.
  3. Thank you for your cooperation in making these parties a fun and safe celebration for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

If you would like to donate to our 1-2 Pod Halloween Party use the link below:

Classroom Party Sign Up Genius Link  

October Advocacy Focus: Using Your Voice & Bully Prevention 

This month, our focus is on using your voice and bully prevention. Everyone can share their voice to prevent bullying. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or community member. Some key things to think about.

A focus on preventing bullying is important, as is promoting positive actions such as kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Bullying affects witnesses as well as targets. Those who witness bullying often report feeling unsafe, helpless, and afraid that they will be the next target.

Students who bully others can also be negatively affected by the behavior with higher rates of physical and emotional health issues. 

Bullying is not only devastating while it’s happening; research shows that the negative effects can last a lifetime. 

Students can be especially effective in bullying intervention. It’s important for adults to encourage youth to be supportive of anyone experiencing bullying and to educate youth on how to advocate for themselves and for others. 

Everyone’s actions matter; we all have a role to play in bullying prevention. Our message to others is stronger when we are united by the common principle that bullying is never acceptable.

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 10-21-24

Oct. 21-23                               Trunk or Treat Candy Donation Gathering                                                         during both carlines

Monday, Oct. 21                     Events Committee Meeting 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Friday, Oct. 25                        Trunk or Treat 6:00-7:00 PM

Reminders:

  • Extra Clothes: Due to a stomach bug going around we are asking that you put some extra clothes in your student’s bag for the time being. We will take the necessary steps to help your child while they are here and we appreciate your support with this matter.

October Advocacy Focus: Using Your Voice & Bully Prevention

This month, our focus is on using your voice and bully prevention. Everyone can share their voice to prevent bullying. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or community member. Some key things to think about.

A focus on preventing bullying is important, as is promoting positive actions such as kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Bullying affects witnesses as well as targets. Those who witness bullying often report feeling unsafe, helpless, and afraid that they will be the next target.

Students who bully others can also be negatively affected by the behavior with higher rates of physical and emotional health issues.

Bullying is not only devastating while it’s happening; research shows that the negative effects can last a lifetime.

Students can be especially effective in bullying intervention. It’s important for adults to encourage youth to be supportive of anyone experiencing bullying and to educate youth on how to advocate for themselves and for others.

Everyone’s actions matter; we all have a role to play in bullying prevention. Our message to others is stronger when we are united by the common principle that bullying is never acceptable.

 

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 10-14-24

                     Dates and Announcements:

Tuesday, Oct. 15                     Board of Directors Meeting 6:00 PM

Friday, Oct. 18th                      Rockin’ Run Event 8:45-11:00 AM

Friday, Oct. 18th                      Kids Night Out/Parents Night Out                                                                        7:00-10:30 PM

Oct. 21-23                               Trunk or Treat Candy Donation Gathering                                                         during both carlines

Monday, Oct. 21                     Events Committee Meeting 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Friday, Oct. 25                        Trunk or Treat 6:00-7:00 PM

Our special for the 1st part of this quarter is I-lab. Our next special will be PE.

 

October Advocacy Focus: Using Your Voice & Bully Prevention

This month, our focus is on using your voice and bully prevention. Everyone can share their voice to prevent bullying. Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or community member. Some key things to think about.

A focus on preventing bullying is important, as is promoting positive actions such as kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Bullying affects witnesses as well as targets. Those who witness bullying often report feeling unsafe, helpless, and afraid that they will be the next target.

Students who bully others can also be negatively affected by the behavior with higher rates of physical and emotional health issues.

Bullying is not only devastating while it’s happening; research shows that the negative effects can last a lifetime.

Students can be especially effective in bullying intervention. It’s important for adults to encourage youth to be supportive of anyone experiencing bullying and to educate youth on how to advocate for themselves and for others.

Everyone’s actions matter; we all have a role to play in bullying prevention. Our message to others is stronger when we are united by the common principle that bullying is never acceptable.

 

ROCKIN' RUN - OCTOBER 18th

The Rockin' Run to support the Music Department will be held the morning of October 18th. There is still time to get those sponsorships in. We want to help raise as much as we can for the Music Department!

Funds raised will go toward purchasing the following items to help students make beautiful music: 

Marimbas/xylophones

Acoustic guitars

Keyboards

Music stands 

K-8 Students will receive prizes based on the amounts they raise. High School students will be working toward a shared goal. 5% of the funds they raise will be contributed to a shared fund to help them pay for an all High School experience or event (Fall Ball, Prom, Other??) 

Share the QR code with family and friends to donate to the fund online.

Fun Run Donation QR Code can be found here.

Checks and cash can be dropped off in the vestibule mailbox or turned into the front desk. Checks should be made out to Westgate Community School with the student's name in the memo. Cash should be in an envelope with the student's name on it and sealed.

ALL DONATIONS MUST BE IN BY OCTOBER 18th! 

EVENT DETAILS

Make sure your students bring their water bottles! 

Parents are invited to come and cheer!

Please drop off your student in the car line. Then, if you decide to wait for the event, park in the designated areas.  

Do not park in the front Parking lot as we will be creating a large running area in the front lot.

Parking is available on the side or back of the building and walk up. See the map attached to understand the layout and parking areas.

Parents will be able to stand on playground side of the fencing to cheer for their students.  

The event will be getting set up as soon as students are in the building and the car line is cleared.  

Run times are as follows:

5/6: 8:40 -9:00

3/4: 9:05 - 9:20

7/8: 9:25 - 9:50

K: 9:55 - 10:10

1/2: 10:15 - 10:30

HS: 10:35-11:05 (timing is tentative - high school may be running with the younger students for encouragement.)

  • Extra Clothes: Due to a stomach bug going around we are asking that you put some extra clothes in your student’s bag for the time being. We will take the necessary steps to help your child while they are here and we appreciate your support with this matter.

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 9-23-24

Dates and Announcements:

Sept. 23-Sept. 27th                     Scholastic Book Fair

Thursday, Sept. 26th                  11:30 Dismissal/Virtual Parent-                                                                           Teacher Conferences 1PM to 5PM

Friday, Sept. 27th                       No School/In-Person Parent Teacher                                                                 Conferences    8:00 AM to 8:00 PM        

Sept. 20th – Oct. 11th                  Fall Break-No School                                            

Reminders:

Parent Teacher Conferences:  Our 1st quarter parent-teacher conferences will be VIRTUAL this Thursday, Sept. 26th from 1 PM to 5 PM and IN-PERSON Friday, Sept. 27th from 8 AM to 8 PM. The sign ups will close on Monday at 4 PM.  If you would like a conference and haven’t signed up yet, use the link below:

Our Fall Conferences will be held VIRTUALLY on Thursday, September 26 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM and IN-PERSON on Friday, September 27 from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Please sign up for only one conference slot. 

Please note that you may not request a virtual conference on the in-person day or an in-person conference on the virtual conference day. 

I also included the conference sign-up for your child's specials this quarter.  They had Mr. Hopson for Music and Mrs. H for Art.  Their sign-up links are below.

1st Grade Sign-Up Genius

Music

Art

Scholastic Book Fair Information:

Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair: 

Dates:

  • September 23-24, 3:30-5:00pm
  • September 25, 3:30-5:30pm
  • September 26, 11:30am-12:30pm
  • September 27, 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm 
  • Students will also be able to shop during their lunchtime September 24-25

Book Fair Location: Teacher’s Lounge, Downstairs at Westgate 

There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage: 

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/westgate2023 

While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds. We will also be accepting cash, check (payable to Westgate), and debit/credit card. 

Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. We hope you’ll join your child at our school’s Fair and share a reading experience they’ll remember forever.  
 
PS: Need one more reason to visit the Book Fair? Every purchase at the Fair benefits our school! 

 Specials: Our Special is Art.  If you would like to subscribe to her Edlio page, click here. 

  • Extra Clothes: Due to a stomach bug going around we are asking that you put some extra clothes in your student’s bag for the time being. We will take the necessary steps to help your child while they are here and we appreciate your support with this matter. 

Advocacy Theme for September is Self Awareness

Students will practice managing their emotions learn how to use their strengths to overcome challenges.  They will learn how to name the things that make them unique, and how those character traits will help them succeed in their person and academic endeavors.

 

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 9-16-24

Dates and Announcements:

Wednesday, Sept. 18th             Student Count Day

Wednesday, Sept. 18th             Qdoba Spirit Night

Thursday, Sept. 19th                 1st and 2nd Grade Parent Engagement Night

Sept. 23-Sept. 27th                    Scholastic Book Fair

Thursday, Sept. 26th                11:30 Dismissal

                                                   Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences 

                                                   1 PM to 5 PM

Friday, Sept. 27th                     No School

                                                   In-Person Parent-Teacher Conferences

                                                   8:00 AM - 8:00 PM                                               

 Reminders:

 Specials: Our Special is Art.  If you would like to subscribe to her Edlio page, click here.

  • 1stand 2nd Grade Parent Engagement Night
    • No students, please. 
    • Parents and Guardians of 1st and 2nd grade students only.
    • This is an opportunity for you to connect with and get to know other Parents & Guardians.
    • Come for merriment and connections! 
  • Extra Clothes: Due to a stomach bug going around we are asking that you put some extra clothes in your student’s bag for the time being. We will take the necessary steps to help your child while they are here and we appreciate your support with this matter.

 

Advocacy Theme for September is Self Awareness

Students will practice managing their emotions learn how to use their strengths to overcome challenges.  They will learn how to name the things that make them unique, and how those character traits will help them succeed in their person and academic endeavors.

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 9-3-24

Important Dates:

Tuesday, September 2nd                     Lunch orders due for next week

Friday, September 6th                         Individual Picture Day

Monday, September 9th                       3-4 Parent Engagement Night

Tuesday, September 10th                    Skate City Spirit Night

 

Lunch Ordering:

Don't forget that lunch orders for the week of September 9th closes at 9:00 PM on September 2nd.

Lunch Program Ordering

  1. In order for your student to receive a hot lunch, orders must be placed using the links below. Although lunches are free this year, only students who have pre-ordered a lunch will receive a hot lunch.
  2. Click on the links below to place an order for that week. Submit a separate order for each student.
  3. Ordering closes at 9:00 PM on Monday for the following week.

    Week of September 9 - ordering closes at 9:00 p.m. on September 2
    Week of September 16 - ordering closes at 9:00 p.m. on September 9
    Week of September 23 - ordering closes at 9:00 p.m. on September 16

    Week of September 30 - No School - Fall Break!
    Week of October 7 - No School - Fall Break!

Individual Picture Day is this Friday.  Picture order forms went home in Friday folders a couple of weeks ago.  To place orders online follow this link.

If you use the paper form be sure your student returns it on the day of photos, September 6th or before.

You can order online using your student’s ID or the Picture Day ID EVY8D4T79. There will also be a QR code included for your convenience. 

Lifetouch partners with Shutterfly, so you can easily manage your photos if you have an account or create one. You will be notified within 3-4 weeks when the images are ready to view, download, and share.

Advocacy Theme for September is Self Awareness

Students will practice managing their emotions learn how to use their strengths to overcome challenges.  They will learn how to name the things that make them unique, and how those character traits will help them succeed in their person and academic endeavors.

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 8-26-24

Important Dates:

August 26th- 30th                                       Spirit Week

Friday, August 30th                            Early Release at 11:30 AM

Monday, September 2nd                    No School/Labor Day

 

Spirit Week is this week August 26th - 30th

Monday, August 26th - Team Day - Wear your favorite sports team gear. Whether it’s a jersey, hat, or even socks, let’s see that team pride!

Tuesday, August 27th - Class Colors Day Each grade has its own color. Wear your specific class color T-shirt if you have one, or simply dress in the colors of their grade group. Let’s paint the school in a rainbow of class pride!

  • Kinder - Purple
  • 1/2 Pod - Red
  • 3/4 Pod - Green
  • 5/6 Pod - Blue
  • 7/8 Pod - Gray
  • HS - Black

Wednesday, August 28th - Wacky Wednesday It’s time to get Westgate Wild! How crazy can you get? Wear something backwards, inside out, or come up with your own wild and wacky look. The wackier, the better!

Thursday, August 29th - Crazy Hair or Hat Day Let your creativity shine with the wildest hats or craziest hairdos you can imagine. It’s a day to let your hair down—or up, or sideways!

Friday, August 30th - Pajama Day We’ll wrap up Spirit Week with a cozy half-day. Roll out of bed and come to class in pajamas.

 

Hamilton's Advocacy Update 8-5-24

My name is Mrs. Hamilton, and I am your child’s Advocacy Teacher/ Advocate. Advocacy is more than just Homeroom. Advocacy classes are first and foremost a time for students to build supportive relationships with their peers and with an adult they can trust, as well as learn about social and emotional health. It is a time for everyone to feel recognized and welcomed into the classroom and school community. As your child’s Advocate, I will be your primary point of communication, so feel free to reach out to me at any time. I am committed to advocating for your child this year.

I am a 1st-grade teacher here at Westgate. This will be my 16th year at this amazing school!  I previously taught at Stargate Charter School in Thornton.  I received my Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and post-graduate hours in early literacy. The mission and vision of this amazing school keep me coming back year after year and being amongst a team of educators that put the social-emotional and educational needs of each student first is such a blessing! In my personal life, my husband and I have four amazing kids that we love spending time traveling with and just hanging out!

I have subscribed you to my Advocacy and Academic pages through Edlio. Edlio is our means of posting information to our class pages on the Westgate website. You will receive updates to your email automatically whenever I post to Edlio. You may also receive an email from me with the same information.  Please follow this link for weekly updates, academic information, upcoming events and other information.

This quarter, your child will have Music with Mr. Hopson, and Art with Ms. M. You are not pre-subscribed to their Edlio pages, so please go to Ms. M’s and Hopson’s  Edlio Pages on the Westgate Staff Pages website and subscribe.

This month, our August Advocacy theme is RISE!

At Westgate, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a part of our Whole Child Education program. PBIS is a system in which students, staff and the community create a set of school-wide behavioral expectations/core values, we teach those expectations in all our various environments, and then we CELEBRATE when we see students doing those things! At Westgate, we RISE (Respect, Integrity, Safety, Empathy).

Week 1

R

 

What does RESPECT mean?

Being kind to people, property, and yourself. Being considerate of our community.

Week 2

I

 

What does INTEGRITY mean?

Telling the truth and doing the right thing even when nobody is looking.

Week 3 

S

 

What does it mean to be SAFE at school?

Act in ways that won’t harm yourself or others.

Week 4

E

 

What is EMPATHY?

Understanding and caring about the feelings of others.

 

We will teach students what these 4 words mean—focusing on a different part of RISE each week—and what it looks like to live these values out at school and home. We will use RISE all year to celebrate positive behaviors.

I am excited for the school year and am looking forward to working with you and your child to help them grow!