October 16th Parent Communication

Removal of Asynchronous Option:

Beginning on Monday, Nov. 2nd, it will no longer be an option for students to participate in
virtual learning “ASYNCHRONOUSLY” (watching the videos at a later time). All virtual
learners will be required to participate in the LIVE instruction.

Attendance Expectations:
We have aligned attendance expectations for virtual learners with those for in-person learners.
ALL students who participate in virtual learning will be REQUIRED to log in to Google
Classroom before 8:50am to be counted as PRESENT for the day. If a student does not log into
the first zoom class and participate LIVE, he/she will be marked absent for the day. An excuse
would need to be sent to the office within 3 days (excuses can also be emailed to the attendance
secretary, Missy Pastorek, at mep@whsd.org). If a student missed the first class, but is able to
participate in the live zooms for the rest of the day, he/she may be marked as “tardy.”
If students are not able to log in until after 10:30am, they will be marked as either, “late” or “half
day.” An excuse would still need to be sent in to the office indicating the reason for the
tardy/late/half day. Keep in mind that participating in any amount of virtual learning LIVE is
recommended over not participating at all. Students who are absent or late/tardy will need to
make up missed work. Assignments and zoom recordings will be posted on Google Classroom
for no more than 7 days.

Change of Arrival Time for Kiss and Drop:

Beginning on Nov. 2nd, Kiss and Drop will begin at 8:20am (instead of the current 8:10am) as we
attempt to give the teachers more time in the mornings for various meetings and professional
development. Please plan to drop students off beginning no sooner than 8:20am (beginning on
Monday, Nov. 2nd). Please continue to stagger the AM drop off (A-L 8:20-8:35 and M-Z 8:30-
8:45) so that we are able to avoid traffic congestion.

Red Ribbon Week:

The elementary school will celebrate the national Red Ribbon Week campaign on Oct. 32-31.
Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. Red
Ribbon Week started after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique
“Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally murdered by the drug traffickers he was
investigating in Mexico. After his death, people started wearing red ribbons to honor Kiki’s
sacrifice. Today, millions of people celebrate Red Ribbon Week by wearing red ribbons,
participating in anti-drug events, and pledging to live drug-free lives. In many communities, this
celebration has turned into a variety of activities to demonstrate the importance of making
healthy and smart decisions throughout life so that your dreams and goals can be achieved.

This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme is: “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be DRUG FREE.” WHES
Students are encouraged to participate in Spirit Week during the week of October 26th.
Monday (10/26): Dreaming of Good Choices (wear your pajamas to school)
Tuesday (10/27): Lei Off Drugs (wear your Hawaiian or beach gear)
Wednesday (10/28): Proud to Be Drug Free (wear red, white and blue)
Thursday (10/29): Hilltoppers are Drug Free (wear red/gray and WH gear)
Friday (10/30): Good Choices Shows Good Character (wear your fav character/costume)
Fall Celebration: Just a reminder, students ARE permitted to wear school appropriate (no
weapons of any kind and easy on the blood/gore) costumes on Friday, October 30th. We will
NOT have the Fall Parade; however, homeroom teachers will still plan low-key fall
activities. We are unable to accept ANY classroom donation items (food or trinkets) from
home. If parents want to provide a snack/treat for the class for the fall activities, they are able to
purchase food items from Metz (see attached flier for pricing and ordering information).

Donations:
While are WH families have always been SO, SO generous with regard to providing donations
for our building and individual classrooms, due to the current situation, we are unable to accept
ANY donations from home (tissues, wipes, etc.). Your kindness, generosity and willingness to
help have always been such a blessing to us.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:
Conferences will be held from 4-6pm on Tuesday, Nov. 10th and Wednesday, Nov. 11th from
8am until 1pm. All families are encouraged to participate in conferences with homeroom
teachers AND specials teachers. Please reach out to your child’s teachers via email, phone or the
communication app (Remind 101 or Class DoJo) to set up and appointment for a conference. All
conference will be held via Zoom or via telephone. We are not able to accommodate in-person
conferences.
 

PTO: is sponsoring a Virtual Book Fair (see link to order). Orders are due by Oct. 18th.
https://westmontpto.itemorder.com/sale  

Special Visitors:
The “Westy Stars” paid a visit to the kdg. classes this month. They explained the behavior
expectations for our Westy STARS and encouraged students to earn tickets to use as currency at
our school store (hosted in individual classrooms this year). See link below for video.
S-Stay Focused
T-Try Your Best
A-Act Safely
R-Respect Others
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gow8eLncYOLvQ52m7WGKqJdtJS6Y1OwB/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=5f
7b3564 

Act 80 Day:
The district has added an Act 80 Day to our calendar. Students will NOT have school on
Wednesday, November 25th. Tuesday, November 24th will be a FULL DAY. The student
holiday will run from November 25th through November 30th. School resumes on Tuesday,
December 1st.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Kuzmiak and Mr. Wilfong