January Meeting Highlights

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!