Here's the latest newsletter! Here's a snippet:
"Challenge from our PSO to Westgate parents. We are looking to have more parents at our General
Meetings. These meetings take place on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:30pm til approx 7:30pm. The best part is it's on zoom so you don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home. You can even be in your PJs. The link for the zoom is sent out the Wednesday of the meeting both here in the newsletter and from Michele in the office through email. February's meeting is Wednesday Feb. 17th. Mark your calendars!!

Our challenge to you is the classroom that gets the most parents to attend the next meeting and stay
for most of the meeting, not only will that teacher will get a gift card to use for their class however
they see fit but the families in that classroom will receive a surprise in their materials at next material distribution day. Can you help your classroom win?"

This month we had a guest speaker, Sally Guzmán, the Family and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Edmonds School District's Diversity, Equity and Outreach Department. She shared about some of the ways they are supporting families, including distributing Chromebooks, Comcast Internet Essentials, hotspots, lunch delivery, connecting families to community resources to deal with financial, housing, health and mental health challenges, and the "hub" for students experiencing homelessness. If you have questions or need support, you can contact 425-431-1454 or familysupport@edmonds.wednet.edu Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Edmonds School District adopts a Black Lives Matter Month of Action in February. There were trainings for educators this week and there will be some district-wide events that anyone can attend including lunchtime read-a-louds. If you’re interested in getting involved in the BLM Month of Action Planning Committee, or planning committees for future awareness/education events including for LGBTQIA folks, Asian Pacific Islanders, Native American Heritage, Latinx communities, and Disability Rights, you can email Sally at GuzmanReyesS@edmonds.wednet.edu.

Other highlights:

• Check out your District Newsletter from 1/20/2021 for information about the Kick-off to Kindergarten event on February 8, Black Lives Matter Month of Action, and the April Levy vote - the school will be looking for volunteers to get involved in an election committee to help pass the capital levy to upgrade buildings, address capacity challenges and improve existing facilities.
• Westgate is also planning some school-specific events for incoming Kindergartners. Jump Start dates are still being finalized and it's likely it may look a little different next year than in the past. We are also still awaiting school board decision about moving Kindergartner or 6th grade out of Westgate to address capacity problems.
• No COVID/re-entry plan update until bargaining with union is finalized.
• There are still Spirit Wear items for sale - see this post for more details.
• We are still looking for Goodwill event volunteers for this Saturday! Details here
• Next month we'll be kicking off the Westgate Read-a-thon with a goal of raising $7000. Look out for more information soon!
• We're brainstorming ways to demonstrate our huge appreciation for teachers and all Westgate staff this year in our virtual environment. If you'd like to get involved with this effort, please get in touch!
• We're also thinking of ways to create more content for the Yearbook this year. You can always send in photos of your student doing remote schooling (Juggling during at-home PE, practicing an instrument for music class, checking out books from their library pick-up, or anything else!) to westgatechair@gmail.com. 
• ASB is working on a spirit day coming up at the end of this month and some clubs for students - stay tuned! 
• Thank you to everyone who gave for Holiday Help this year!
• We will be looking for a new PSO Secretary next year and a new PSO staff liaison! Speaking for the secretary position - this is a great way to get involved in the PSO! If you're interested, feel free to send any of us an email or reach out in the comments here or in the facebook group!

Full (draft) meeting minutes are available here.

Next meeting will be February 17, 2021 from 6:30-7:30pm. PSO meetings are open to all parents and staff and we welcome you to come, participate, ask questions, or listen quietly!

The PSO has the items pictured below on hand for sale, first come first served. Prices include tax. If you are interested, please email westgatefundraisingchair@gmail.com.

At the January PSO meeting, on 1/20/2021 at 6:30pm, I'm excited to share that we'll have Sally Guzmán, the Family and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Edmonds School District, joining us to share about supports for families and the District's engagement, outreach and equity efforts. Please join us!





Here's the zoom link info:

PSO Mtg this Wednesday 
Topic: PSO General Mtg 1/20/2021
Time: Jan 20, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85305123557?pwd=cDZlbkZReUZsWldQYW81WmcvNi91UT09

Meeting ID: 853 0512 3557
Passcode: 100081
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,85305123557#,,,,*100081# US (Tacoma)
+16699009128,,85305123557#,,,,*100081# US (San Jose)

Westgate's PSO depends on our community's involvement! Please join us on Wednesday 1/20/2021 at 6:30-7:30pm via zoom to learn about upcoming events including the Read-a-thon and participate in important conversations and decision making! Look forward to seeing you there!

Time: Jan 20, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85305123557?pwd=cDZlbkZReUZsWldQYW81WmcvNi91UT09

Meeting ID: 853 0512 3557
Passcode: 100081
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,85305123557#,,,,*100081# US (Tacoma)
+16699009128,,85305123557#,,,,*100081# US (San Jose)

This is a fundraising event for the Westgate PSO! Please sign up to volunteer! Adult volunteers are needed for set up, helping to unload items, clean up. Check out available shifts here: www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4daeac2aa6f5c07-goodwill