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:

The Black Lives Matter in Edmonds School District Planning Committee is doing lunchtime read-alouds on Facebook every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in February. This video features Westgate teacher, Mrs Chang!

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!

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

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

With new guidelines announced today for the next four weeks by Governor Inslee amidst rising COVID numbers this fall, we know the stress of COVID, losses, finances, isolation, remote schooling is worsening for many families. You aren't alone if you're feeling the weight of these concerns! Together, we're going to get through this.

As a PSO, we've been trying to be creative this year in finding ways to foster Westgate Cougar spirit and help students feel like part of the community even while we're learning from home - from the Cleanup in September, to the video assemblies, spirit wear, and writing to the Cougar! 

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. 

The Catalog Fundraiser is starting today and will go until Friday, November 20. This year, we're using Charleston Wrap®, which offers gift wrap, kitchen items, personalized gifts, gourmet foods and more. Simply register using our school code: 18502 and the Westgate PSO will receive funds for every purchase. 

Funds raised from this campaign will be used to buy a yearbook for each student, support the cost of supplying every student with school supplies, and help provide grants to teachers among other PSO programs.

Thank you in advance for helping us reach our goal by sharing our fundraiser with your friends and family!

The next PSO meeting will be held on Wednesday October 21, 2020 from 6:30-7:30pm on zoom. All members of the Westgate community are invited. Agenda items will include the Principal's Update, Fundraising Updates, Family Outreach, and Grant Requests from teachers and staff. There's usually time for questions at the end and we value your presence and involvement! 

Check out the latest few email newsletters: September 30 Newsletter includes Westgate Cleanup Photos - thanks to all who participated; October Issue 1 Newsletter with info about Fred Meyer Reward Program and other fundraising updates; and the October Issue 2 Newsletter with info about school pictures and the yearbook! You can see all the Newsletters by going here: ​https://www.westgatepso.org/news/category/newsletter.

September 24, 2020 Newsletter with enrichment resources. Read it here. 

• Thank you to the 29 people who joined us for part or all of the meeting tonight! 
• We welcomed our new Principal, Mary Freitas, who shared that the District is communicating with neighboring school districts about plans to reopen school buildings - information will be shared with the community as it comes. Goal is to get kids back in the school building - safely!
• Fundraisers will be different this year: our biggest one is usually the Fun Run in fall, but this year it'll be a Read-a-thon in the winter. We're continuing to encourage Shop with Scrip and Amazon Smile, as well as using PayPal for direct one-time or monthly donations. And look out for info about Holiday Catalog sales in late October/November. 
• We're anticipating that we won't be able to raise the revenue we have in years past because of all the challenges of 2020, but we want to sustain our support of teachers and staff while working toward educational equity by doing things like purchasing the school supplies for all students and making the yearbooks free of charge to all students. Therefore, we passed a budget with a deficit of around $21k! If you can make a donation or raise funds for the PSO, that will help us cover more of our expenses this year, leave some reserves in the bank, and ensure we can continue expanding the ways we support our Westgate community!
• We also know that parents and families need more support this year. We're looking for volunteers to help develop a survey to go out to Westgate families so we can understand what families' priorities are and then plan for how we can meet those needs! Please contact Laurie if you're interested in helping.
• Our first Volunteer event is the Westgate Cleanup on September 26 from 10am-12pm. Cleanup details and sign up here.
• Foundation for Edmonds Schools Virtual Run/Walk 5k is coming up on 10/3-10/4. Register and join the Westgate team here.
• Enrichment activities and resources are being compiled by Selina, our Enrichment Chair. Some free STEM, movement, and learning resources have been posted on the website already. Please share any other good resources you've found!

These monthly meetings are a chance to get involved, share your perspective, ask questions, and make suggestions. The PSO depends on you -- the Westgate Community — to get involved. Please join us at our next meeting on October 21 from 6:30-7:30. 

​Full (draft) Meeting Minutes available here. 

Our Enrichment Chair, Selina, has been gathering resources to share with families about remote activities available to families. If you have suggestions or other (especially free) resources, please write a comment below!

Move 60 program through Edmonds School District - free for K-6th graders in ESD
Cosmic Kids Yoga - you tube channel with free kids yoga, like "Sonic the Hedgehog Yoga Adventures"
GoNoodle - free movement and mindfulness videos for kids

Code.org - Learn to make your own game, app or computer drawings. Older kids use blocks, javascript and HTML. Express courses, Minecraft games.
The cat in the hat invents - STEM-based website through PBS Kids that challenges kids to be engineers and problem-solvers. They can design robots and play educational games.
Mystery Science - Stress free science lessons and experiments for kids K through 5th grade.

Rivet - A free reading app (and website) for kids with over 3500 leveled books.
Dance Mat Typing - free typing game website
National Geographic Kids - Explore the world through games and videos 
​Google Arts & Culture - Kids can access world-renowned museums from home.  You can tour the collections of more than 1,200 museums online through its catalog.

We may not be going to school in the building, but our beloved Westgate is due for its annual spruce up! Show your Westgate Cougar pride by signing up for a time to come volunteer (socially distanced, with masks!) to weed, trim bushes, and make our school look great! 
Volunteers must wear masks and follow guildelines to remain socially distanced. Please bring gardening gloves, garden tools, weed wacker, wheelbarrows etc for your own use as we won't be sharing tools this year. Sign up for a shift as a family (don't need to put down how many people in your family are coming).