Mr. McGinnis, Advocacy, 5/6

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Greetings Advocacy Families,
 
Below is the testing schedule for when we return from Spring Break in April. 
April 8 -10 
CMAS Math – am 
CMAS Science – am 
 
 
ELA – 1:35 t0 3:15 PM 
 
The 1st week no specials 
 
1:05 – 1:35 Advocacy – take out for recess 
CMAS Math – am 
Science/SS - am (40 minutes each) 
 
ELA 1:35 to 3:15 PM 
 
The 1st week no specials 
 
1:05 – 1:35 Advocacy – take out for recess 
 
April 15 - 17 
CMAS ELA – am 
 
10:15 t0 11:15 – specials 
 
11:15- 11:45 – Advocacy 
 
12:45 – 1:35 – math 
 
Regular science/SS 
 
 
CMAS ELA – am 
 
10:15 to 11:15 – specials 
 
11:15- 11:45 – Advocacy 
 
12:45 – 1:35 – math 
 
Regular science/SS 
 
 
April 24-25 
Thursday am – Reading MAP Testing 
 
Friday am– Math MAP testing 
 
Rest of the day is regular 
Thursday am – Reading MAP Testing 
 
Friday am– Math MAP testing 
 
Rest of the day is regular 

Spring Specials Conference Links

Greetings McGinnis Advocacy Families,
 
Linked here are the Specials Classes if you would like to get feedback on how your student has been doing in Specials, or what they have been doing, and when they were in these Specials most recently.  
 
Here is the link for PE conferences. (Quarter 3 Now)
 
Here is the link for parents to sign up for iLab conferences (Quarter 3 January)
 
Here's the link for music conferences: (Quarter 2 November)
 
Here is the Art conference sign up link. (Quarter 2 December)

NEW Food Drive for Kindness Week

Let's spread some kindness by collecting non-perishable food items for A Precious Child.

The details -

  • Bring non-perishable food items to your advocacy class from Monday, February 10th – Friday, February 14th.
  • Last year in November we collected 1,100 non-perishable food items. Help us reach our goal of 1,500 this year!

Monday – Spice it up Monday

Dried herbs and spices

Tuesday – Pasta Tuesday

Dried pasta in boxes

Wednesday – Veggie Wednesday

Canned vegetables

Thursday – Toiletry Thursday

Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels

Friday – Fruit-filled Friday

Canned fruits

Week of January 27th

Greetings 5/6 Advocacy Families,
 
Just a reminder Westgate will have Skate City Night on, Wednesday, January 29 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There should have been a flyer that went home in the Friday folder.  If you have any questions, please let me know. 
 
The Advocacy with the most students will earn $150 for the class.  
 

Kindness Week is Monday, February 10th through Friday February 14th. A few things for you to know about: 

  • We do not exchange Valentines cards, candy, or treats at school. If your student arrives with Valentine’s cards, candy, or treats, they will be asked to put them back into their backpack to be taken home.
  • Get your Kindness Day permission slip (virtually emailed to families) signed by Wednesday February 12th. Classes will be walking to different nearby businesses to deliver hand-made kindness cards to local businesses on Friday, February 14th. We do not need any chaperones for these trips.  
  • Be prepared to go rain or shine on Friday, February 14th (half day) – bring a warm jacket, gloves, beanies, etc. If needed because we will be walking outside. 

NEW this year – Kindness Week Food Drive! Let’s spread some kindness by collecting non-perishable food items for A Precious Child. The details: 

  • Bring non-perishable food items to your advocacy class from Monday, February 10th – Friday, February 14th
  • Last year in November we collected 1,100 non-perishable food items! Help us reach our goal of 1,500 this year! 

Monday, February 10th: Spice it up Monday - Dried herbs and spices 

Tuesday, February 11th: Pasta Tuesday - Dried pasta in boxes 

Wednesday, February 12th: Veggie Wednesday - Canned vegetables 

Thursday, February 13th: Toiletry Thursday - Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels 

Friday, February 14th: Fruit-filled Friday - Canned fruits 

 

In addition, there are different advocacy themes for each day aligned with the different love languages. Here’s a list of things that you can do to support your student’s learning at home. 

Monday, February 10th: Words of Affirmation 

Kindness Week Challenge #1 – Use kind words of affirmation with 3 or more other people you see today. It could be a family member, friend, teacher, grocery store worker, or anyone else. Set aside a few minutes daily where each person gives a positive word or phrase to another family member. 

Tuesday, February 11th: Quality Time 

Kindness Week Challenge #2 – Spend at least 30 minutes of quality time with yourself or someone you love today after school. Have a family game night, movie or show night, cook or bake something as a family, enjoy story time, crafts, exercise, or even some yard work together. 

Wednesday, February 12th: Acts of Service 

Kindness Week Challenge #3 – Do another act of service for someone when you get home! Cook a meal for the family, organize a shared space, help each other with chores, plan a relaxation evening, do a surprise improvement project, or care for a pet together. 

Thursday, February 13th: Gift Giving 

Kindness Week Challenge #4: Deliver the gift you made today in class to the person you made it for. Talk about how giving someone a gift made you feel. Dedicate an evening to creating homemade gifts for each other, create a family shared photo album, playlist, or video.  

Friday, February 14th: Kindness Day (Half Day) - various walking trips 

Kindness Week Challenge #5: Create a family “Compliment Jar”. Place a jar in a common area. Family members can write positive affirmations or compliments about each other on small pieces of paper and drop them in the jar. 

Kindness Week Permission Slip

Hello!
 
This year for Kindness Week, students will be traveling to local businesses to deliver cards. Below is the link to our class's trip. Please fill it out so your student can join us on this trip. We need a response if your child will or won't be joining us on the walk. 
 

January 13 - 17

I hope that you all had an amazing and wonderful break!!
 
For the month of January, the theme for Advocacy will be Growth Mindset where we will be spending time changing our language to support positive outcomes even if we don't get something the first time! 
 
On Wednesday, we will be spending time on our Service-Learning project of Culture Awareness.  The students have been put into groups and will start researching to start the preparation for our Culture Awareness Fair (date to still be determined) 
 

As we think about Kindness week below is information of how we celebrate Kindness Week in February:

Dear Westgate Families, 

Kindness Week is Monday, February 10th through Friday February 14th. A few things for you to know about: 

  • We do not exchange Valentines cards, candy, or treats at school. If your student arrives with Valentine’s cards, candy, or treats, they will be asked to put them back into their backpack to be taken home.
  • Get your Kindness Day permission slip (virtually emailed to families) signed by Wednesday February 12th. Classes will be walking to different nearby businesses to deliver hand-made kindness cards to local businesses on Friday, February 14th. We do not need any chaperones for these trips.  
  • Be prepared to go rain or shine on Friday, February 14th (half day) – bring a warm jacket, gloves, beanies, etc. If needed because we will be walking outside. 

NEW this year – Kindness Week Food Drive! Let’s spread some kindness by collecting non-perishable food items for A Precious Child. The details: 

  • Bring non-perishable food items to your advocacy class from Monday, February 10th – Friday, February 14th
  • Last year in November we collected 1,100 non-perishable food items! Help us reach our goal of 1,500 this year! 

Monday, February 10th: Spice it up Monday - Dried herbs and spices 

Tuesday, February 11th: Pasta Tuesday - Dried pasta in boxes 

Wednesday, February 12th: Veggie Wednesday - Canned vegetables 

Thursday, February 13th: Toiletry Thursday - Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels 

Friday, February 14th: Fruit-filled Friday - Canned fruits 

In addition, there are different advocacy themes for each day aligned with the different love languages. Here’s a list of things that you can do to support your student’s learning at home. 

Monday, February 10th: Words of Affirmation 

Kindness Week Challenge #1 – Use kind words of affirmation with 3 or more other people you see today. It could be a family member, friend, teacher, grocery store worker, or anyone else. Set aside a few minutes daily where each person gives a positive word or phrase to another family member. 

Tuesday, February 11th: Quality Time 

Kindness Week Challenge #2 – Spend at least 30 minutes of quality time with yourself or someone you love today after school. Have a family game night, movie or show night, cook or bake something as a family, enjoy story time, crafts, exercise, or even some yard work together. 

Wednesday, February 12th: Acts of Service 

Kindness Week Challenge #3 – Do another act of service for someone when you get home! Cook a meal for the family, organize a shared space, help each other with chores, plan a relaxation evening, do a surprise improvement project, or care for a pet together. 

Thursday, February 13th: Gift Giving 

Kindness Week Challenge #4: Deliver the gift you made today in class to the person you made it for. Talk about how giving someone a gift made you feel. Dedicate an evening to creating homemade gifts for each other, create a family shared photo album, playlist, or video.  

Friday, February 14th: Kindness Day (Half Day) - various walking trips 

Kindness Week Challenge #5: Create a family “Compliment Jar”. Place a jar in a common area. Family members can write positive affirmations or compliments about each other on small pieces of paper and drop them in the jar. 

Week of December 2nd - Advocacy

Greetings 5th Grade Advocacy Families,

I hope that you had an amazing Thanksgiving with your family and friends. 
 
For the month of the December is Advocacy the theme is generosity.  We will be spending time embracing the season of giving.  
 
Next week the 5th and 6th graders will be taking the MAPS assessment for reading and math on December 10 and 11 at 9:15 to show the progress that the students are making.  Please make sure that students are eating a good breakfast, getting of rest and that they are present for the assessment. Thank you in advance for your support.  
 
Have a wonderful week!

Week of November 18th - Advocacy

Greetings,
 
This week our class set Gratitude Goals. They pick one person to show gratitude towards. They will be reflecting on their goal on Friday. 
 
As of Monday November 18th, Rubix cubes of any kind and shape are banned. They will not be permitted as a fidget. They must remain at home. 
 
Thank you,
5/6 Team

Outdoor Education Information for Staying & Going

Hey Everyone!
 
It's almost Outdoor Ed time! This email has information for ALL students whether going or staying!
 
If your student is staying at Westgate please note the following:
-There will be alternative activities comparable to outdoor ed skills taught here in the classrooms (ex: how to set up a tent)
-There will be a 5/6 teacher here for the students not going
-Attendance is still being taken on those days and absences still count
 
If your student is going:
-Please review the attached packing list. (note there is an asterisk by seasonal clothing because it will be colder this year)
-Please keep all electronics at home- students are NOT allowed to bring any electronic items
-No food is allowed on the bus or needs to be sent with your student
-There is limited space for luggage- please pack your student's belongings in a small duffle bag, not a giant suitcase with wheels- it won't fit on the bus if everyone brings a big bag.
-Leave anything of value at home
 
Best Regards,
Mr. McGinnis

Halloween 5/6 Snack Party

On October 31, we will be doing our Service-Learning project by putting on the Halloween Carnival for the K - 4 students from 1:30 to 3:00.  The students are working so hard creating great activities!  Because the schedule of events has changed this year, we will not be having a specific Halloween party; however, we wanted the students to be relax and enjoy a snack after their hard work from 3:00 - 3:15.  If you are interested or would be so kind to sign up for a snack or drink, the students would appreciate it.   
 
Please bring your treats and drinks into the front desk or your child can bring it up to the POD Thursday, October 31.  
If you have any questions, please reach out to your Advocacy Teacher. 🙂
 
 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA4AB2EA3FFC70-52510330-halloween

September 23 - 26

Greetings Advocacy Families

This week we will work on the Halloween Carnival during Advocacy.  

On Monday during Advocacy, we will preview the Scholastic Book Fair.  
 
The hours for the book far are as follows:
  • 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
Parent Teacher Conferences signups close at 4:00 on Monday.
You should have received a signup from me for your Special Area Teachers signups, and you should have received an email signup from your child's ELA and Math teacher.  If you have any questions about conferences, please reach out to me.
 
Virtual Conferences will be from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 26.  The conferences will be sent out by the ELA and Math teacher that you signed up with. 
 
Conferences at Westgate will be on Friday, September 27 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. 
 
The final reminder is that Fall Break will be from Thursday, September 26 at 12:00 pm to October 14.  I hope that you have a wonderful and fun filled break. 
 
REMINDER Thursday is a half day of school.  Carline will start at 11:30 am. 
 
REMINDER: Don't forget to sign up for Outdoor Ed before it's too late!!
 
Event: Outdoor Education 
Description: Outdoor Education is a great opportunity! Students will get to participate in team-building activities, learn outdoor skills, and work on communicating with others. 
Location: IDRAHJE  571 Co Rd 43, Bailey, CO 80421 
Date: Oct. 23-25 
Time: Drop off during regular school drop off Oct. 23rd during morning carline, no later than 8:30 am. 
Meeting Location: 5/6 pod, during school hours, only approved volunteers and students 
Pick-Up: Pickup during regular after-school carline Oct. 25th 
 
 
Outdoor Ed: Please Make sure you complete all of the following by September 30th to participate:  
  1. IDRAHAJE Online Enrollment Form HERE!  
Go to the red “Group Participants” button, then the “Register/Login” button 
  1. Westgate Digital Permission Slip  HERE!! 
This is where you can designate if you would like to volunteer.  
**Mrs. Dewar will email volunteers separately. If you do not have a confirmation email from her then you are not cleared to join the trip. 
  1. Completed Medication forms returned to Westgate (if applicable) found on the school website Here!  
  2. Pay $220/student fee (online in the payment portal, or drop cash or check in off the school lobby) found HERE!  
 

Week of September 16 - 20

This week we be working more on self-awareness.  The students took a survey about characteristics, and it was fun for the students to see their top characteristic strengths. 
 
On Wednesday the students will find out what group they are in for the Halloween carnival and start preparing for the activity that they will run on Halloween for the K - 4 students on Halloween.  Ask them what their activity is and have them explain the activity to you. :)
 
Reminders:
Parent Teacher conference signups will be coming out your child's ELA and Math teacher today at 4:00 pm, and the window will close on September 20 at 4:00 pm. Please be sure to sign up to meet your child's teacher. 
 
Wednesday, September 18 will be Parent Connect night from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  We look forward to seeing you! 
 
Friday, September 20 we will have the Washington street clean up from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm.  Please make sure to complete the parent permission form that was emailed to you. 
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.  
Have a wonderful week! 

Volunteer Opportunity for Outdoor Education

Greetings 5/6 Families!
 
Don't forget to sign up!
**Volunteers to chaperone will be emailed on Sept. 27 during conferences and is first come, first serve.**
 
Event: Outdoor Education 
Description: Outdoor Education is a great opportunity! Students will get to participate in team-building activities, learn outdoor skills, and work on communicating with others. 
Location: IDRAHJE  571 Co Rd 43, Bailey, CO 80421 
Date: Oct. 23-25 
Time: Drop off during regular school drop off Oct. 23rd during morning carline, no later than 8:30 am. 
Meeting Location: 5/6 pod, during school hours, only approved volunteers and students 
Pick-Up: Pickup during regular after-school carline Oct. 25th 
 
 
Outdoor Ed: Please Make sure you complete all of the following by September 30th to participate:  
  1. IDRAHAJE Online Enrollment Form HERE!  
Go to the red “Group Participants” button, then the “Register/Login” button 
  1. Westgate Digital Permission Slip  HERE!! 
This is where you can designate if you would like to volunteer.  
**Mrs. Dewar will email volunteers separately. If you do not have a confirmation email from her then you are not cleared to join the trip. 
  1. Completed Medication forms returned to Westgate (if applicable) found on the school website Here!  
  2. Pay $220/student fee (online in the payment portal, or drop cash or check in off the school lobby) found HERE!  
 

Week of 9/9

Since we worked on our "Original Works" piece last week, we will begin working on this month's theme Self - Awareness. 
 
Reminders of upcoming events:

Sept. 10th is Skate City Spirit Night (Skate City Westminster 200 W. 121st Ave. Westminster, CO 80234) 

Sept. 18th is Student Count Day- make sure your student is present that day! & Spirit night at Qdoba (1005 W 120th Ave., Westminster, CO) 

Sept. 20 Washington Street Cleanup - please see additional information below and fill out the permission slip.

Sept 23-27th is the Scholastic Book Fair 

Sept. 26 & 27th are Conferences Sept. 26th is a Half Day- dismissal is at 11:30 am. 

Sept. 30- Oct. 13: Fall Break! 

Dear Families,

On Friday, September 20th our class is going to be celebrating World Cleanup Day by helping clean up trash along Washington Street from 12:45-2:00pm. Please complete the permission form by Tuesday, September 17th. On the 20th, send your student with comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle for the day.

Washington Street Cleanups are a regular part of our environmental education connection at Westgate. We are not in need of any chaperones for this event. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] 

 

Advocacy Week of 9/3/24

September 3 - 6

 

Welcome September!
 
This month the focus is on, Self-Awareness, a key part of our advocacy efforts. Through various activities and lessons, your child will develop essential skills like recognizing their emotions, understanding their strengths and challenges, and learning how their actions impact themselves and others. These skills are crucial for their personal growth and success, both in and out of the classroom. We encourage you to engage in conversations at home about what they’re learning to reinforce these important concepts. 
 
The following topics will be covered throughout the month of September during advocacy classes--
  • Emotional Awareness: Recognizing and understanding their own emotions, which helps in managing reactions and building empathy for others.
  • Self-Reflection: Developing the habit of thinking about their actions, decisions, and behaviors, and how these affect themselves and others.
  • Strengths and Weaknesses Identification: Recognizing their strengths to build confidence and understanding areas for growth to set realistic goals.
  • Goal Setting: Learning to set personal and academic goals based on their self-assessment and developing a plan to achieve them.
  • Self-Regulation: Developing the ability to manage impulses, stay focused, and persevere through challenges.
  • Personal Values Identification: Understanding what they value and how it influences their behavior and choices.
 
Students will be working on an "Original Works" piece. The students will create a piece of art that will then be turned into mugs, keychains, and several more items that you can order to remember your child's year. Look for upcoming information in October for your ordering form. 
 
On Wednesday during our Service-Learning Day, we've started having the students process what group they are in for the Halloween Carnival preparation and begin working on the craft or game that they will create to share with the K-4 students during our Halloween Carnival. 
 
Upcoming events:

Sept. 10th is Skate City Spirit Night (Skate City Westminster 200 W. 121st Ave. Westminster, CO 80234) 

Sept. 18th is Student Count Day- make sure your student is present that day! & Spirit night at Qdoba (1005 W 120th Ave., Westminster, CO) 

Sept 23-27th is the Scholastic Book Fair 

Sept. 26 & 27th are Conferences Sept. 26th is a Half Day- dismissal is at 11:30 am. 

Sept. 30- Oct. 13: Fall Break!