New Fundraisers Happening, along with some updates from the PSO. Make sure to take a second to catch up! We hope you are all having a good start to the year. 

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One of the ways the Westgate PSO supported students and families during the pandemic was by purchasing school supplies for all students. We’re excited to share we’re planning on continuing to fund school supplies for all students!

Teachers may request a few specific supplies and backpacks won’t be provided. More info will be coming.

If you’re able, you can donate to help support the PSO.

​We hope you are all having a fabulous summer!

This has been quite a year! Thank you to all the parents and staff that have been involved with the PSO during this pandemic year. We know it's been a challenge for everyone.

We hope the 2021-2022 school year will bring some new enthusiasm and an opportunity to build community again at Westgate!

Please look out for information about our first PSO meeting in the fall. Please feel free to email westgatechair@gmail.com with any questions or join the Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/westgateelementarypso) to connect with families in the meantime.

Join Zoom Meeting at 6:30pm on Wednesday February 17, 2021:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81073098520?pwd=UVpBZ1VLRC8yOWMwZXUwcmJyMVlJUT09

Meeting ID: 810 7309 8520
Passcode: 038461
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,81073098520#,,,,*038461# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,81073098520#,,,,*038461# US (Houston)

Did you know one of the things the PSO funds is new library books every year?! In the past the PSO has supported buying books with more diversity to ensure books represent our community, new graphic novels to encourage a love of reading, and new e-book resources.

Log on to the Get Movin' website (the same site we've used the last couple years for the Fun Run) at www.getmovinfundhub.com and register your student using the school code 5d360a2bccc9b.

This is where your student can log their minutes read. And, you can easily share your student's fundraising page via email, text, or on Facebook. Help get their classroom on the Leaderboard!
With your help, we'll reach our goal of raising $7000!

Here's where we stand now:

In addition to the read-alouds, there's a student art show, and another planning meeting coming up on 2/102021. You can find all the details here: https://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/departments/DEO/black_lives_matter___district_equity/b_l_m_month_of_action

Read the February Newsletters:
Vol 6 Issue 1
Vol 6 Issue 2

There's important info about the Read-a-thon, the  Challenge to get more parents to attend PSO meetings and win a prize for their student's teacher, spirit wear, and other ways to support the PSO.

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!

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

Please join us!

Agenda items include holiday giving, family support, teacher appreciation, fundraising updates and looking ahead to the Read-a-Thon in the new year. We welcome questions, feedback and participation from everyone who attends, but there's no expectations! 

Wednesday, November 18, 2020
6:30pm - 7:30pm
zoom link

We're also trying to identify the biggest concerns that families have through our Family Support Survey and what the PSO might be able to do to address some of these concerns. So far, kids' social relationships, academic progress, and both kids' and parents' mental health are the stressors that have been highlighted in the survey. If you haven't yet filled out the survey, please take a couple minutes now to do so here - your input is deeply appreciated. We'll be talking more about the results and some ideas coming out of the survey at the PSO meeting this coming Wednesday, November 18 from 6:30-7:30. 

Westgate staff have also been working hard to make sure classes have needed supplies and engaging kids creatively via zoom while dealing with the same uncertainty we're all facing about COVID and remote learning. Typically, one of the things the PSO organizes is the monthly staff appreciation luncheons; this month, at the PSO meeting, we're hoping to brainstorm ways families, classes, and the PSO can express appreciation for our dedicated Westgate staff. Please join us!

Lastly, there are some resources available on our website, including food, financial, mental health resources. If you know of other resources to add, please feel free to link them below. All this feels hard because it is hard! And there is help and support available. Take care of yourselves and each other. 

We've got links for the last three newsletters here! Info about the Family Support Survey, Charleston Wrap Fundraiser, Spirit Wear (including masks, golf umbrellas!), and writing to the Westgate Cougar!
​November 12, 2020 newsletter
November 4, 2020 newsletter
October 28, 2020 newsletter

Westgate families, the PSO wants to know how we can support you this year. We put together a quick 4-question survey to assess needs and concerns and we’ve begun the process of identifying school, district, and community resources.

Survey is available in English and Spanish here: https://bit.ly/WestgateFamilySupportSurvey

Resources are on the Family Support page. If you know of other resources we could add, please comment below!

This week's newsletter features a message from retired teacher, Mrs. Dreimiller!
​Read it here.