May 24, 2024


Hello families!

Here is what we will be working on in class next week!

Math:

Students have completed all math units and are reviewing skills in preparation for third grade.

Phonics:

Students will review the sounds of consonant -le syllable types next week (i.e. ankle, wobble, jungle...)

Writing:

Students are continuing to build their writing skills by creating stories based on life experiences.  We are also dabbling in poetry as a fun exercise to learn about different styles of writing.  Our goal is to work on similes, haikus, and alliteration poems.


Thematic:

Students will complete a fun end-of-year experiment next week to wrap up Engineering.


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

In preparation of sending students home with their wonderful work that has adorned our classroom walls this year, we are requesting that each student bring a large brown paper bag on Monday (ones you can get from a grocery store).  They will have a chance to decorate it and fill it with their projects, etc by the end of the year.


As a farewell to 2nd grade, we have an exciting mini field trip planned for next week!  On Friday, May 31st, we would like to take the class to Valley Oak Park next to the school.  This will be at the end of the day from 1:40 to 2:55pm.  Chaperones are greatly appreciated!  Any and all may attend, but please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to join us for some end of year fun.  A bright pink permission slip has gone home in Friday Folders and must be returned as soon as possible.  By Thursday 5/30 at the latest!

Westlake News:

Infinite Campus Parent Portal:

In August, we will be sharing middle school and high school schedules via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. They will not be individually emailed, they will only be released in the portal. To make sure you will have access to this information, please take the following actions:

The parent portal is a great way to see your student’s schedule, attendance, and more!


Front Street Animal Shelter Donation Drive:

Our Middle School Elective, Community Giving, is supporting Front Street Animal Shelter by hosting a donation drive. Would you like to help animals in need? If so, please consider joining our Middle School Explorers by donating new and gently used items, such as cat and dog food, blankets, towels, and pet toys. This donation drive runs through Friday, May 31st. Donated items may be dropped off in your grade level flex space. For more information, please contact Mrs. Hubbard at shubbard@westlakecharter.com.


Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL:

On Monday, May 27th, in honor of Memorial Day, Westlake Charter School and BASE will be closed.


K-8 Field Day:

Mark your calendars for our K-8 Field Day on Tuesday, June 4th. Help us end an amazing year by signing up to volunteer or make a donation for Field Day. CLICK HERE to volunteer or make donations to Field Day.


Families, we need your help! This year, June 4th will be a free dress day and each grade level will represent their grade level by wearing a different colored t-shirt. Please see below for what color shirt to have your child wear that day!



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week in art class, our creative project will involve using plastic spoons to construct flowers and bees. The students will have the opportunity to personalize their spoons by using tape, glue, and paper to add unique colored flower petals and bee wings. 


PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

May 17, 2024


Hello families!

Here is what we will be working on in class next week!

Math:

Students are continuing to work on Unit 9 which is a review unit to get ready for third grade!  They will be re-assessed after each section for a chance to improve their previously recorded grades.

Phonics:

Students will review the sounds of "au" and "aw" next week.

Writing:

We will continue our Narrative Writing unit and craft stories based on their real-life experiences.


Thematic:

Students have completed their unit on Engineering!  We are done with thematic for the year, but will be squeezing in one more experiement related to engineering.  The remaining time will be spent assessing students on their Running Records level and reviewing past thematic units.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Students earned another 50 tickets for staying safe on campus and following expectations.  They were treated to a lunch party with yours truly!  We had a blast today eating our food, dancing around, and growing our community.  


Our final field trip of the year is approaching! We will be going to the Sacramento Zoo on Monday, May 20th.  After our trip, students will craft a narrative piece based on their experience.  Family members who are not chaperoning are welcome to meet us there and join your student, but will have to pay the regular admission fee to enter (it appears the prices change daily... click here to view pricing)

Westlake News:

Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL:

On Monday, May 27th, in honor of Memorial Day, Westlake Charter School and BASE will be closed.


Spirit Shirt Contest - Submissions Due Friday, May 24th:

It’s time for Westlake to pick the student drawing for next year’s Friday spirit shirt! This contest is open to all Westlake Charter School students. On an 8.5x11 sheet of paper, students should draw a black and white picture of what Westlake means to them. Students should make sure their drawing includes the school name. Email submissions to admin@westlakecharter.com or turn it into the front office. All entries must be received by Friday, May 24th. Winners will be announced in the Family Weekly on June 2nd. 


K-8 Spirit Day - Book Character Day:

Friday, May 24th is Book Character Day! What better way to show our love for literature than to dress up like our favorite book character?! Don’t forget to show your WCS spirit by posting pictures on all social media platforms and using the hashtags #WestlakeCharter and #WCSSpiritFriday 

Please remember to follow the dress code guidelines below for spirit day:


Social Media & Mental Health Workshop Resources:

CLICK HERE for the slides from the Social Media & Mental Health Workshop that was led by our school counselors and psychologist.  CLICK HERE to view the one pager with additional information that was shared.



K-8 Field Day:

Mark your calendars for our K-8 Field Day on Tuesday, June 4th. Help us end an amazing year by signing up to volunteer or make a donation for Field Day. CLICK HERE to volunteer or make donations to Field Day.


Families, we need your help! This year, June 4th will be a free dress day and each grade level will represent their grade level by wearing a different colored t-shirt. Please see below for what color shirt to have your child wear that day!



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week in art class, our creative project will involve using popsicle sticks to construct stick people. The students will have the opportunity to personalize their figures by using tape and paper to add unique hairstyles and colorful clothing. Excited to see their creativity shine through in this fun and engaging craft!


PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

May 10, 2024


Hello families!

Here is what we will be working on in class next week!

Math:

Students are continuing to work on Unit 9 which is a review unit to get ready for third grade!  They will be re-assessed after each section for a chance to improve their previously recorded grades.

Phonics:

Students will review the sounds of "oo," "ou," "ue," and "ew" next week.

Reading:

Students will continue an author study on Kevin Henkes.  While they are reading these books, they are completing a variety of projects that will be displayed for Open House.

Writing:

We will continue our Narrative Writing unit and craft stories based on their real-life experiences.


Thematic:

Students have completed their Government unit.  Next week we will move on to Engineering and figuring out how they can solve real world problems!

Upcoming Assessments:

Math will be re-assessed throughout our current unit.


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Open House is next week!  Our classroom will be open from 5:30-7:00PM.  The students and I are looking forward to seeing families and showing off all of our hard work from second grade! 


Our final field trip of the year is approaching! We will be going to the Sacramento Zoo on Monday, May 20th.  After our trip, students will craft a narrative piece based on their experience.  If you are interested in chaperoning, please know there will be a fee of $9 cash or check that will be collected the day of the field trip. Family members who are not chaperoning are welcome to meet us there and join your student, but will have to pay the regular admission fee to enter (it appears the prices change daily... click here to view pricing)

Westlake News:

Spirit Shirt Contest - Submissions Due Friday, May 24th: It’s time for Westlake to pick the student drawing for next year’s Friday spirit shirt! This contest is open to all Westlake Charter School students. On an 8.5x11 sheet of paper, students should draw a black and white picture of what Westlake means to them. Students should make sure their drawing includes the school name. Email submissions to admin@westlakecharter.com or turn it into the front office. All entries must be received by Friday, May 24th. Winners will be announced in the Family Weekly on June 2nd. 


K-8 Field Day:

Mark your calendars for our K-8 Field Day on Tuesday, June 4th. Help us end an amazing year by signing up to volunteer or make a donation for Field Day. CLICK HERE to volunteer or make donations to Field Day.


Families, we need your help! This year, June 4th will be a free dress day and each grade level will represent their grade level by wearing a different colored t-shirt. Please see below for what color shirt to have your child wear that day!



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week in art class, our creative project will involve using popsicle sticks to construct stick people. The students will have the opportunity to personalize their figures by using tape and paper to add unique hairstyles and colorful clothing. Excited to see their creativity shine through in this fun and engaging craft!


PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

May 3, 2024


Hello families!

Here is what we will be working on in class next week!

Math:

Students are continuing to work on Unit 9 which is a review unit to get ready for third grade!  They will be re-assessed after each section for a chance to improve their previously recorded grades.

Phonics:

Students will review the sounds of "oo," "ou," "ue," and "ew" next week.

Reading:

Students will continue an author study on Kevin Henkes.  While they are reading these books, they are completing a variety of projects that will be displayed for Open House.

Writing:

We will continue our Narrative Writing unit and craft stories based on their real-life experiences.


Thematic:

Students have learned about the three branches of government, why democracy is important, and how different countries' democracies work.  Next week, students will be learning about International Relations.

Upcoming Assessments:

Math will be re-assessed throughout our current unit.

Students will complete their Government assessment on Friday, May 10th.


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Our final field trip of the year is approaching! We will be going to the Sacramento Zoo on Monday, May 20th.  After our trip, students will craft a narrative piece based on their experience.  If you are interested in chaperoning, please know there will be a fee of $9 cash or check that will be collected the day of the field trip. Family members who are not chaperoning are welcome to meet us there and join your student, but will have to pay the regular admission fee to enter (it appears the prices change daily... click here to view pricing)

Westlake News:

K-8 Field Day:

Mark your calendars for our K-8 Field Day on Tuesday, June 4th. Help us end an amazing year by signing up to volunteer or make a donation for Field Day. CLICK HERE to volunteer or make donations to Field Day.


Families, we need your help! This year, June 4th will be a free dress day and each grade level will represent their grade level by wearing a different colored t-shirt. Please see below for what color shirt to have your child wear that day!



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week in art class, your children will be exploring their creativity by learning how to make beautiful flowers using colorful tissue paper and pipe cleaners. Excited to see their blossoming art skills come to life through this fun and engaging craft activity!


PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

April 26, 2024


Hello families!

Here is what we will be working on in class next week!

Math:

Students are continuing to work on Unit 9 which is a review unit to get ready for third grade!  They will be re-assessed after each section for a chance to improve their previously recorded grades.

Phonics:

Students are working on "ou" and "ow" vowel teams.

Reading:

Students will continue an author study on Kevin Henkes.  While they are reading these books, they are completing a variety of projects that will be displayed for Open House.

Writing:

We will continue our Narrative Writing unit and craft stories based on their real-life experiences.


Thematic:

Students have learned about the three branches of government this week as well as what a democracy is.  Next week, they will dive into how different countries' democracies work.

Upcoming Assessments:

Math will be re-assessed throughout our current unit.


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Our final field trip of the year is approaching! We will be going to the Sacramento Zoo on Monday, May 20th.  After our trip, students will craft a narrative piece based on their experience.  If you are interested in chaperoning, please know there will be a fee of $9 cash or check that will be collected the day of the field trip.

Westlake News:

19th Annual International Festival:

Our 19th Annual International Festival is just around the corner on Saturday, April 27th!  This community event is a family favorite that helps celebrate Westlake’s diversity.  In order to continue to host this spectacular event, we need your support.  It’s not too late to sign up to plan,  volunteer at the event, donate equipment, bake or purchase desserts for the Dessert Walk, or host a cultural booth.




Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week in art class, your children will have the opportunity to enhance their fine motor skills as they engage in a fun activity. They will be practicing using glue sticks and scissors to cut out and assemble their own robots. 



PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

April 12, 2024


Hello families!

Here is what we will be working on in class when we return!

Math:

I am pleased to say every student in class did a stellar job on their Unit 8 math test!  Students will begin Unit 9 - Wrapping It All Up!  This unit will review everything they have been taught previously.

Phonics:

Students will work on "ou" and "ow" vowel teams.

Reading:

Students will begin an author study on Kevin Henkes.

Writing:

We will begin Narrative Writing and craft stories based on their real-life experiences.


Thematic:

Students will begin our new unit on Government!

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

I have been noticing many students have been needing extra snacks at the end of the day.  While we have many (thank you to those who have donated!), it may be wise to pack an extra snack in students' lunches for last recess so we can keep our classroom snacks available for emergencies throughout the day.

Westlake News:

19th Annual International Festival:

Our 19th Annual International Festival is just around the corner on Saturday, April 27th!  This community event is a family favorite that helps celebrate Westlake’s diversity.  In order to continue to host this spectacular event, we need your support.  It’s not too late to sign up to plan,  volunteer at the event, donate equipment, bake or purchase desserts for the Dessert Walk, or host a cultural booth.




Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will be undertaking the creation of a mural made entirely from paper! This project will allow them to explore their creativity by cutting out various shapes and designs, which they will then piece together on a large wall to form a beautiful, collaborative mural. 



PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

April 5, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week:

Math:

Students are currently learning about arrays.  HERE is a helpful video that explains what they are learning.  They are working on building equal groups and how to represent arrays with expressions.

Phonics:

Students are working on the long "o" sound this week and next.  We are focusing on "oe," "oa," "ow," and "o_e."

Reading:

Students will continue our Fairytales unit and work on building grammar and comprehension skills.

Writing:

Students are crafting their own Fractured Fairytales, following each step of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising & editing, and publishing).


Thematic:

Students have wrapped our unit on Matter!  We will be pausing thematic studies next week and will resume with Government when we return from Spring Break.

Upcoming Assessments:

Unit 8 Math test will be given on Friday, April 12th.

Students will complete a reading comprehension test throughout next week that involves writing summaries as well as comparing and contrasting a story.


Westlake News:

19th Annual International Festival:

Our 19th Annual International Festival is just around the corner on Saturday, April 27th!  This community event is a family favorite that helps celebrate Westlake’s diversity.  In order to continue to host this spectacular event, we need your support.  It’s not too late to sign up to plan,  volunteer at the event, donate equipment, bake or purchase desserts for the Dessert Walk, or host a cultural booth.




Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will explore the fascinating phenomenon of solar eclipses. They will have the opportunity to express their creativity by drawing the Earth and the Sun in art class, using markers as their medium. Enhancing their understanding of the solar system and inspiring their artistic talents through the vibrant and dynamic use of color. 



PE - Morales

Gymnastics Performances. In case you missed our gynmanstics post a couple weeks ago, here is the link to our performances. We are still in our soccer/dribbling unit, and dribbling assessments start next week.


Spanish - Montes

Students will finish their fruit and vegetable unit this week, playing loteria using vocabulary they've learned in class. 


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

March 29, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week:

Math:

Students have started Unit 8 this week.  HERE is a helpful video that explains what they are learning.  Family support materials were sent home in Friday Folders.  We are focusing on the patterns between even and odd numbers.

Phonics:

Students will continue reviewing the "oi" and "oy" vowel teams.

Reading:

Students will continue our Fairytales unit and work on building grammar and comprehension skills.

Writing:

Students are crafting their own Fractured Fairytales, following each step of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising & editing, and publishing).


Thematic:

A continued thank you for donating materials for our Matter unit! Students have been learning about properties of matter and how they can describe and sort objects based on matter and are diving deep into hands-on experimentation and taking various assessments throughout the unit as they move along with each experiment.

Upcoming Assessments:

Thematic assessments woven throughout unit.


Westlake News:

Community Giving - Used Book Drive:

The Community Giving Middle School elective students are partnering with the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library.  From March 25th - April 5th, they will be accepting donations of undamaged, gently used books to be distributed to kids and organizations in need. Students may place books in the book bin in their grade level flex space, the front office, or Mrs. Hubbard’s classroom (G106).  If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Hubbard at shubbard@westlakecharter.com.


K-8 Spring Picture Day:

Spring picture day is Friday, April 5th.  All students will have free dress. Only students who have prepaid AND filled out the form will be sent to the photographer to have their picture taken. Forms were sent home on Friday. CLICK HERE if you would like to have your student’s spring picture taken, please fill out the form above AND prepay online or send payment in the packet. All 8th grade students should dress to impress - pictures for promotion certificates will be taken that day.



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

No update yet.



PE - Morales

Students will be practicing foot dribbling skills in various activities. 


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

March 22, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week:

Math:

Students will begin Unit 8 next week.  HERE is a helpful video that explains what they will be learning.  Family support materials have been sent hom in Friday Folders.


Phonics:

Students will begin reviewing the "oi" and "oy" vowel teams.

Reading:

Students will begin our Fairytales unit and work on building grammar and comprehension skills.

Writing:

Students will engage in various "Roll-A-Story" activities throughout the coming weeks to build a fairytale and work through the writing process each day of the week.


Thematic:

Thank you for donating materials for our Matter unit! Students have been learning about properties of matter and how they can describe and sort objects based on matter.  Next week, they will begin experimenting and taking various assessments throughout the unit as they move along with each experiment.

Upcoming Assessments:

Thematic assessments woven throughout unit.


Westlake News:

Community Giving - Used Book Drive:

The Community Giving Middle School elective students are partnering with the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library.  From March 25th - April 5th, they will be accepting donations of undamaged, gently used books to be distributed to kids and organizations in need. Students may place books in the book bin in their grade level flex space, the front office, or Mrs. Hubbard’s classroom (G106).  If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Hubbard at shubbard@westlakecharter.com.


K-8 Spring Picture Day:

Spring picture day is Friday, April 5th.  All students will have free dress. Only students who have prepaid AND filled out the form will be sent to the photographer to have their picture taken. Forms were sent home on Friday. CLICK HERE if you would like to have your student’s spring picture taken, please fill out the form above AND prepay online or send payment in the packet. All 8th grade students should dress to impress - pictures for promotion certificates will be taken that day.



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will be embarking on a creative journey through the art of origami! We will be focusing on creating origami frogs. This activity is designed to enhance their fine motor skills, introduce them to the cultural significance of origami in Japanese art, and foster a fun and interactive learning environment. 



PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

Students will be presenting their conversations in class this week. As I will be out for ELPAC assessments, my guest teacher will record some student responses so I can give students feedback on my return. 


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

March 15, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week:

Math:

Students will continue our unit on adding and subtracting numbers to 1,000.  Students will take their Unit 7 test next Friday 3/22.

Phonics:

Students will continue reviewing the long e vowel teams "ea," "ee," and "ey."

Reading:

Students will begin our Fairytales unit and work on building grammar and comprehension skills.

Writing:

Students will engage in various "Roll-A-Story" activities throughout the coming weeks to build a fairytale and work through the writing process each day of the week.


Thematic:

Students will begin our new unit on Properties of Matter on Monday!  They will be able to describe and classify different materials based on their observable properties and conduct a variety of experiments in the coming weeks.  Many supplies are needed for these experiments and 2nd Grade would be so appreciative if any parents/guardians are able to donate these supplies.

Upcoming Assessments:

Math Unit 7 Test - Friday 3/22


Notes from Ms. Kleinman

Please review the science supplies needed for our new thematic unit and donate if you are able!


Westlake News:

K-8 Spring Picture Day:

Spring picture day is Friday, April 5th.  All students will have free dress. Only students who have prepaid AND filled out the form will be sent to the photographer to have their picture taken. Forms were sent home on Friday. CLICK HERE if you would like to have your student’s spring picture taken, please fill out the form above AND prepay online or send payment in the packet. All 8th grade students should dress to impress - pictures for promotion certificates will be taken that day.



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will dive into watercolor painting, capturing the beauty of sunsets. They'll explore color gradients and light, blending colors to bring evening skies to life. It's a chance to learn and have fun with watercolors!



PE - Morales

Gymnastics performances


Spanish - Montes

I am now back in the classroom after two weeks of ELPAC assessments. Students in the Green cohort will present their fruit presentations to me and begin to study vegetables. Other cohorts will begin their vegetable unit. 


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

March 8, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week:

Math:

Students will continue our unit on adding and subtracting numbers to 1,000.

Phonics:

Students will start reviewing the long e vowel teams "ea," "ee," and "ey."

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

Writing will continue to be integrated into our Thematic studies on difference makers.


Thematic:

Students are currently practicing their speeches for their Difference Makers Showcase.  They are working so hard to memorize their speeches, but it is not a requirement.  They will have their speeches with them in case they need support while presenting.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman

Our Difference Makers Showcase will take place on March 13th at 9am!  Families are welcome to attend and see their Difference Maker in action!  Students are encouraged to dress up as their Difference Maker and have fun with it!


Thank you to all families for scheduling and attending our conference this week! Any support materials that were discussed for your student were sent home in Friday Folders.



Westlake News:

Pedestrian Safety Campaign:

Thank you for supporting our pedestrian safety campaign and returning the pledge! Our Westlake community did a great job staying safe by using the crosswalk, using Walking School Bus, and getting in and out of vehicles that were parked safely! Class and grade level winners will be announced Monday, March 11th! Continue to talk to your child about continuing safe behaviors during arrival and dismissal!


K-8 Yearbook Orders: 

CLICK HERE to order your K-8 yearbook directly through TreeRing and get two pages to personalize with your own pictures! Use code 101667583471473 or see the email with the link to purchase. Order by May 1st for guaranteed delivery the last week of school. Need help? Contact: Mrs. Liechti at  kliechti@westlakecharter.com.



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will be engaging in a creative art project using oil pastels. They'll be drawing bright, colorful butterflies that stand out against a dark background. This project is designed to allow students to explore the contrast and beauty of colors, as well as to develop their skills in using oil pastels, a versatile and vibrant art medium.



PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

March 1, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week:

Math:

Students will continue our unit on adding and subtracting numbers to 1,000.

Phonics:

Students will still be reviewing the long a syllable "ai" and "ay," including "a_e" and practicing working with homophones.

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

Writing will continue to be integrated into our Thematic studies on difference makers.


Thematic:

Students are currently practicing their speeches for their Difference Makers Showcase.  They are working so hard to memorize their speeches, but it is not a requirement.  They will have their speeches with them in case they need support while presenting.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman

Our Difference Makers Showcase will take place on March 13th at 9am!  Families are welcome to attend and see their Difference Maker in action!  Students are encouraged to dress up as their Difference Maker and have fun with it!


Please click here to sign up for a conference, if you haven't already. Click here for directions on how to use our online scheduler. 


Trimester 2 report cards will be given out at conferences!


Westlake News:

K-12 Conference Week:

Conference week is March 4th-8th.  CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. The online scheduler is available February 12th - March 3rd so reserve your conference time now. CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler.


Pedestrian Safety Campaign Launch:

From March 4th-8th, we're launching a Pedestrian Safety Campaign! Look for safety pledge forms in your child's backpack for both you and your students to sign and return. We will also have class and grade level competitions where students will receive tickets as rewards when observed using crosswalks, participating in the walking school bus, or safely entering and exiting cars. These tickets contribute to exciting competitions for classroom and grade level prizes. Let's prioritize safety and make pedestrian awareness a fun and rewarding experience for all! We need your help to make this a success. CLICK HERE to sign up to help.


Missoula Children’s Theater Company:
On Monday, March  4th at 1:45 PM, all K-8 students are welcome to audition for Missoula Theater Company's production of Peter & Wendy. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be in a professional show. CLICK HERE for details.  CLICK HERE to RSVP to audition.


K-8 Yearbook Orders: 

CLICK HERE to order your 2023-24 K-8 yearbook directly through TreeRing and get two pages to personalize with your own pictures! Use code 101667583471473 or see the email with the link to purchase. Order by May 1st for guaranteed delivery the last week of school. Need help? Contact: Mrs. Liechti at kliechti@westlakecharter.com.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will embark on a collaborative art project, working in groups to decorate a quarter of a figure on poster paper. At the end of the class, we'll combine all pieces to unveil a complete, uniquely styled figure. This activity offers a great chance for students to showcase their creativity and learn about the beauty of collective art!



PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

February 16, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover upon returning from February Break:

Math:

Students will begin our unit on adding and subtracting numbers to 1,000.

Phonics:

Students will spend work on the long a syllable "ai" and "ay."

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

Writing will continue to be integrated into our Thematic studies on difference makers.


Thematic:

Students will continue learning about difference makers!  They have began drafting a speech and will work on revising and editing their speech in preparation for our Difference Makers Showcase.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman

Thank you for parent volunteers for an amazing field trip this week to B Street Theatre!  I hope everyone has a wonderful week off!


Our Difference Makers Showcase will take place on March 13th at 9am!  Families are welcome to attend and see their Difference Maker in action!  Flyers were sent home last week in Friday Folders containing more information.


GATE Permission Slips were due today, February 16th.  Please check your students' backpacks and return the permission slip signed if you have not yet when we return.

Westlake News:

K-12 Conference Week:

Conference week is March 4th-8th.  CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. The online scheduler is available February 12th - March 3rd so reserve your conference time now. CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler.


Pedestrian Safety Campaign Launch:

From March 4th-8th, we're launching a Pedestrian Safety Campaign! Look for safety pledge forms in your child's backpack for both you and your students to sign and return. We will also have class and grade level competitions where students will receive tickets as rewards when observed using crosswalks, participating in the walking school bus, or safely entering and exiting cars. These tickets contribute to exciting competitions for classroom and grade level prizes. Let's prioritize safety and make pedestrian awareness a fun and rewarding experience for all! We need your help to make this a success. CLICK HERE to sign up to help.


Missoula Children’s Theater Company:
On Monday, March  4th at 1:45 PM, all K-8 students are welcome to audition for Missoula Theater Company's production of Peter & Wendy. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be in a professional show. CLICK HERE for details.  CLICK HERE to RSVP to audition.



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will celebrate the last week of Black history month by learning about famous Black artists. They will then follow the lesson up by doing some coloring pages that reflect each artists' style.


PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.




Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

February 9, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Before beginning our unit on adding and subtracting numbers to 1,000, students spent this week learning about money (value of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars).  We will finish this unit next week and then move on to adding and subtracting.

Phonics:

Students will spend next week combining the r-controlled sounds of "er," "ir," and "ur" with other syllable types

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

Writing will continue to be integrated into our Thematic studies on difference makers.


Thematic:

Students have started learning about difference makers this week!  They will choose a difference maker today and begin researching them through non-fiction resources (biographies or digital research).  This will tie into our field trip coming up where students will learn about Nikola Tesla.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman

Emails have been sent regarding chaperones based on who indicated their interest.  If you are not yet cleared through the front office, please refer to our note below to begin the process.


From the Second Grade Team:

Our 2nd field trip in 2nd grade is coming! We will be fieldtripping to B Street Theatre on 2/15 from 10:00-1:30pm to watch The Prince of Lightning:The Story of Nikola Tesla.  Permission slips have been sent home in Friday Folders.  Email and designate on the permission slip if you would like to chaperone. Due to limited seating, each class is allotted only 5 chaperones. If you would like to chaperone, contact frontdesk@westlakecharter.com asap because all chaperones must be fingerprinted and have necessary paperwork (code of conduct & volunteer flier) on file. They will also need to pay $16 on site for their ticket via cash or a check made out to B Street Theatre (no credit/debit cards). Second graders - wear your spirit shirts and bring a sack lunch!  Parents - please designate on the permission slip if you need the school cafeteria to provide one for your child. It’s going to be a great field lesson as we learn about Difference Makers!


Westlake News:

K-12 Talent Show:

You are invited!  Join us in the K-8 gymnasium on Friday, February 16th @ 6:00 PM for our K-12 Talent Show! Come show your WCS spirit by supporting our performers! Don’t miss this year’s staff dance!  The event is free.


NASA Hunch Judging: 

We are excited that WCHS will be hosting a preliminary round of the NASA Hunch Culinary Challenge.  The competition will take place in WCHS’s Commons on Wednesday, February 28th from 4:30 - 5:30 PM.  Do you or someone you know have a culinary background?  Would you be interested in being a judge for this event?  Please reach out to Lila McIver at lmciver@westlakecharter.com to express your interest in being a NASA Hunch Judge.


Field Trip:

On Thursday, February 15th, our 2nd Grade classes will be going to B Street Theater. As of January 31st, we have only received 38% of our grade level goal. Help us to continue to host these engaging field lessons to extend our Explorers’ learning! Please access the QR code on the field lesson permission slip coming home soon or CLICK HERE to donate for grade level field lessons.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Our class will be embracing the spirit of love by crafting personalized cards. Using scissors, colorful paper, and crayons, each child will have the opportunity to create a special card to spread their love and appreciation to the person of their choosing. 


PE - Morales

Students will use all of this week to practice their gymnastics routines to prepare for next weeks assessment. Assessment requires students to perform two balance poses and two types of gymnastics rolls.


Spanish - Montes

This week students will continue to study for their upcoming 2nd trimester assessment. We will review colors, family and body parts so the students feel prepared. 


Upcoming Assessments: Assessments will begin next week. Students who have demonstrated mastery during class will be exempt from the assessment and participate in an alternative assignment during testing. 


Home Resources: Students may study for their upcoming assessment by reviewing materials in Google Classroom. If your student needs to join Google Classroom still, my classroom code is tptg6iu




Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

February 2, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Before beginning our unit on adding and subtracting numbers to 1,000, students spent this week learning about money (value of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars).  We will finish this unit next week and then move on to adding and subtracting.

Phonics:

Students will spend next week combining the r-controlled sounds of "er," "ir," and "ur" with other syllable types

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

Writing will continue to be integrated into our Thematic studies on difference makers.


Thematic:

Students have started learning about difference makers this week!  They will choose a difference maker today and begin researching them through non-fiction resources (biographies or digital research).  This will tie into our field trip coming up where students will learn about Nikola Tesla.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman

Emails have been sent regarding chaperones based on who indicated their interest.  If you are not yet cleared through the front office, please refer to our note below to begin the process.


From the Second Grade Team:

Our 2nd field trip in 2nd grade is coming! We will be fieldtripping to B Street Theatre on 2/15 from 10:00-1:30pm to watch The Prince of Lightning:The Story of Nikola Tesla.  Permission slips have been sent home in Friday Folders.  Email and designate on the permission slip if you would like to chaperone. Due to limited seating, each class is allotted only 5 chaperones. If you would like to chaperone, contact frontdesk@westlakecharter.com asap because all chaperones must be fingerprinted and have necessary paperwork (code of conduct & volunteer flier) on file. They will also need to pay $16 on site for their ticket via cash or a check made out to B Street Theatre (no credit/debit cards). Second graders - wear your spirit shirts and bring a sack lunch!  Parents - please designate on the permission slip if you need the school cafeteria to provide one for your child. It’s going to be a great field lesson as we learn about Difference Makers!


Westlake News:

K-12 Talent Show:

You are invited!  Join us in the K-8 gymnasium on Friday, February 16th @ 6:00 PM for our K-12 Talent Show! Come show your WCS spirit by supporting our performers! Don’t miss this year’s staff dance!  The event is free.


NASA Hunch Judging: 

We are excited that WCHS will be hosting a preliminary round of the NASA Hunch Culinary Challenge.  The competition will take place in WCHS’s Commons on Wednesday, February 28th from 4:30 - 5:30 PM.  Do you or someone you know have a culinary background?  Would you be interested in being a judge for this event?  Please reach out to Lila McIver at lmciver@westlakecharter.com to express your interest in being a NASA Hunch Judge.


Field Trip:

On Thursday, February 15th, our 2nd Grade classes will be going to B Street Theater. As of January 31st, we have only received 38% of our grade level goal. Help us to continue to host these engaging field lessons to extend our Explorers’ learning! Please access the QR code on the field lesson permission slip coming home soon or CLICK HERE to donate for grade level field lessons.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Our class will be embracing the spirit of love by crafting personalized cards. Using scissors, colorful paper, and crayons, each child will have the opportunity to create a special card to spread their love and appreciation to the person of their choosing. 


PE - Morales

Students will use all of this week to practice their gymnastics routines to prepare for next weeks assessment. Assessment requires students to perform two balance poses and two types of gymnastics rolls.


Spanish - Montes

This week students will continue to study for their upcoming 2nd trimester assessment. We will review colors, family and body parts so the students feel prepared. 


Upcoming Assessments: Assessments will begin next week. Students who have demonstrated mastery during class will be exempt from the assessment and participate in an alternative assignment during testing. 


Home Resources: Students may study for their upcoming assessment by reviewing materials in Google Classroom. If your student needs to join Google Classroom still, my classroom code is tptg6iu




Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

January 26, 2024


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students spent this week learning about partitioning shapes into halves, thirds, and fourths and relating this to telling time using terms like "o'clock, quarter past, half past, and quarter til."  Next week we will be adding and subtracting numbers within 1,000.  Please take some time to practice addition and subtraction skills with your students at home!

Phonics:

Students will spend next week focusing on the r-controlled sounds of "er," "ir," and "ur."

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

Writing will continue to be integrated into our Thematic studies on difference makers.


Thematic:

Students wrapped up their habitat projects this week and will begin learning about difference makers next week!  This will tie into our field trip coming up where students will learn about Nikola Tesla.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman

I have so many parents who volunteered to chaperone for our upcoming field trip to B Street Theatre!  Thank you so much for volunteering.  I will be in touch shortly to communicate who is cleared and has been chosen to chaperone.  Since there are so many volunteers, I will try my best to choose parents who have not yet had the opportunity to chaperone based on fingerprint clearance!



From the Second Grade Team:

Our 2nd field trip in 2nd grade is coming! We will be fieldtripping to B Street Theatre on 2/15 from 10:00-1:30pm to watch The Prince of Lightning:The Story of Nikola Tesla.  Permission slips have been sent home in Friday Folders.  Email and designate on the permission slip if you would like to chaperone. Due to limited seating, each class is allotted only 5 chaperones. If you would like to chaperone, contact frontdesk@westlakecharter.com asap because all chaperones must be fingerprinted and have necessary paperwork (code of conduct & volunteer flier) on file. They will also need to pay $16 on site for their ticket via cash or a check made out to B Street Theatre (no credit/debit cards). Second graders - wear your spirit shirts and bring a sack lunch!  Parents - please designate on the permission slip if you need the school cafeteria to provide one for your child. It’s going to be a great field lesson as we learn about Difference Makers!


Westlake News:

K-12 Talent Show:

The K-12 Talent Show Performance will be on Friday, February 16th @ 6:00 PM.



K-5 Family Dance: 

Join us for WAVE’s Inaugural K-5 Family Dance entitled “Enchanted Evening”  held on Saturday, February 3rd at 5:30 PM. Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased as follows until the event is sold out:



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students are about to embark on an artistic journey with a guided drawing session. They'll learn to draw a detailed chameleon, enhancing their observation skills and attention to detail. This guided activity is a fantastic way to develop their drawing abilities and appreciate the beauty of wildlife.


PE - Morales

No update yet


Spanish - Montes

This week students will continue to study for their upcoming 2nd trimester assessment. We will review colors, family and body parts so the students feel prepared. 


Upcoming Assessments: Assessments will begin next week. Students who have demonstrated mastery during class will be exempt from the assessment and participate in an alternative assignment during testing. 


Home Resources: Students may study for their upcoming assessment by reviewing materials in Google Classroom. If your student needs to join Google Classroom still, my classroom code is tptg6iu




Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

January 19, 2024


Hello families!

Happy New Year! Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students will spend next week learning about partitioning shapes into halves, thirds, and fourths.

Phonics:

Students will spend next week focusing on the r-controlled sounds of "ar" and "or."

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

Writing has been integrated into our Thematic studies on habitats.


Thematic:

Students have learned about the grasslands, desert, frozen tundra, jungle, aquatic, and forest habitats.  Next week, students will choose their favorite habitat and begin researching on their own to write an informational piece.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


From the Second Grade Team:

Our 2nd field trip in 2nd grade is coming! We will be fieldtripping to B Street Theatre on 2/15 from 10:00-1:30pm to watch The Prince of Lightning:The Story of Nikola Tesla.  Permission slips have been sent home in Friday Folders.  Email and designate on the permission slip if you would like to chaperone. Due to limited seating, each class is allotted only 5 chaperones. If you would like to chaperone, contact frontdesk@westlakecharter.com asap because all chaperones must be fingerprinted and have necessary paperwork (code of conduct & volunteer flier) on file. They will also need to pay $16 on site for their ticket via cash or a check made out to B Street Theatre (no credit/debit cards). Second graders - wear your spirit shirts and bring a sack lunch!  Parents - please designate on the permission slip if you need the school cafeteria to provide one for your child. It’s going to be a great field lesson as we learn about Difference Makers!


Westlake News:

K-12 Talent Show Sign-Up Deadline: NEXT Tuesday, January 23rd:

CLICK HERE to sign up to audition to be a host, perform a talent, or be part of the stage crew team! Audition sign ups are due Tuesday, January 23, 2024.



K-5 Family Dance: 

Join us for WAVE’s Inaugural K-5 Family Dance entitled “Enchanted Evening”  held on Saturday, February 3rd at 5:30 PM. Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased as follows until the event is sold out:



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will tap into what makes them happy! They will pick one special thing to share and depict that it in a drawing. Students will use crayons to draw out the subject of their choice, using lots of colors and details to showcase the subject that brings them the most joy.


PE - Morales

No update yet


Spanish - Montes

Students are reviewing for their upcoming assessment in two weeks. I will be assessing their understanding of vocabulary around family (the names for mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, etc), color identification in Spanish, as well as the body. As we review, we will also be exploring weather and how to describe it. 


Upcoming Assessments: Students will have their 2nd trimester assessment beginning the first week in February. It will include the body, colors and family. 


Home Resources: Refer to the class website for updated materials. Students should know the parts of the body from "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Spanish, their colors, as well as the names for people in their immediate family (parents, grandparents, siblings, aunt/uncle, cousin). More study materials are accessible via Google Classroom as well.



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

January 12, 2024


Hello families!

Happy New Year! Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We have started our Geometry unit and students will continue this next week.  Family support materials were sent home in Friday Folders.

Phonics:

Students are continuing working on open and closed syllables, adjectives, and how the letter "y" can sound like a long "i" or "e."  we have also been revisiting prefixes and how they change meanings of words.

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

Writing has been integrated into our Thematic studies on habitats.


Thematic:

Students began learning about various habitats and later choose a habitat to conduct research on and write an informational report.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


From the Second Grade Team:

Our team is committed to ensuring that all of our students are always in a classroom where learning is prioritized as well as student safety.  With this in mind, in the event of an unexpected absence by one of our teammates our team and administration may elect to split that teachers class between the remaining four classes. This allows for those students to continue with our grade level curriculum while being taught by another 2nd grade teacher.  


It is the goal of our team and administration to minimize confusion in the rare occurrences where this may be necessary.  Therefore, we will post a list on the classroom door with  the alternate classroom for your child that day. This provides peace of mind, assuring you of your child's location and the quality instruction they'll receive from our experienced team.


If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us or the administration.


Westlake News:

Learning Lab:

We want to invite 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to the Learning Lab after school.  The Learning Lab is staffed by an instructional aide to assist Middle School students with their classwork and homework.  Families can sign up their Middle School student(s) by using School Dismissal Manager.  The Learning Lab is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:15 - 3:45 PM.


K-12 Talent Show Sign-Ups – Due Tuesday, January 23rd:

CLICK HERE to sign up to audition to be a host, perform a talent, or be part of the stage crew team! Audition sign ups are due Tuesday, January 23, 2024.



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

I have returned! This week, students will tell me all about what I missed while I was gone. Instead of a verbal or written story, they will draw it! They will choose one event, either from break or from my week of absence, and use crayons to illustrate it.


PE - Morales

Students will review last weeks basketball shooting game and build on aiming to their target while shooting with accuracy.


Spanish - Montes

Students are reviewing for their upcoming assessment in two weeks. I will be assessing their understanding of vocabulary around family (the names for mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, etc), color identification in Spanish, as well as the body. As we review, we will also be exploring weather and how to describe it. 


Upcoming Assessments: Students will have their 2nd trimester assessment beginning the first week in February. It will include the body, colors and family. 


Home Resources: Refer to the class website for updated materials. Students should know the parts of the body from "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Spanish, their colors, as well as the names for people in their immediate family (parents, grandparents, siblings, aunt/uncle, cousin). More study materials are accessible via Google Classroom as well.



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

December 21, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students are wrapping up Unit 5: Numbers to 1,000.  Upon returning from Winter Break, students will begin Unit 6: Geometry, Money, and Time.

Phonics:

Students will continue working on open and closed syllables, adjectives, and how the letter "y" can sound like a long "i" or "e."

Reading:

Students will continue to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

When we return, students will be weaving thematic studies into their writing as we learn about habitats.  Students will learn how to research and take notes.


Thematic:

Students will be learning about various habitats and later choose a habitat to conduct research on and write an informational report.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A

Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

We have made it to Winter Break!  Students have been working so hard in class each day and were able to relax after thier math test with a movie, popcorn, and hot cocoa/apple cider party.

Westlake News:

Attendance:

Our First and Eighth grade classes are  in the lead! The final winners will be announced in the next Westlake Weekly and will receive a Hot Cocoa Party after Winter Break!!


Family Survey:

The Family Survey is taken three times a year. CLICK HERE to answer six questions to rate your family's experience at Westlake Charter School during the 2023-24 school year. The deadline is Tuesday, January 9th.


K-12 Talent Show Sign-Ups – Due Tuesday, January 23rd:

CLICK HERE to sign up to audition to be a host, perform a talent, or be part of the stage crew team! Audition sign ups are due Tuesday, January 23, 2024.


Volleyball Interest 6th - 8th Grade Students:

Our 6-8 volleyball season will start the week of January 1/22. Teams are co-ed and open to all ability levels. CLICK HERE to sign your middle schooler up to play. Athlete participant packets are required for all student athletes. CLICK HERE for the digital version or pick up a hard copy from the front office. Reach out to Coach Sterling with any questions at swynne@westlakecharter.com.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Welcome back! Students will have a substitute for the first week back. I will be out of state for my MFA. During this time, they will warm up those little artists minds with "complete the comic" activity. They will choose which comic starter they want and use their creative freedom to illustrate how to the story ends. 


PE - Morales

When students return from break they will participate in various fitness activities and beging their gymnastics unit the following week. 


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

December 15, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students are continuing Unit 5: Numbers to 1,000.  They will be learning about place value and relating them back to number line skills next week.

Phonics:

Students will be working on open and closed syllables, adjectives, and how the letter "y" can sound like a long "i" or "e."

Reading:

Students are continuing to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

To continue informational writing, students learned about how to conduct research this week and began animal reports to introduce our new thematic unit we will begin after returning from Winter Break.


Thematic:

Students are pausing on thematic studies to learn about non-fiction text features.

Upcoming Assessments:

Math - Unit 5 test will be given on Thursday, December 21st

Students will be assessed on non-fiction text features throughout next week.


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Students reviewed place value skills in class this week and will have their work in Friday Folders.  Please check to see if they did not finish their worksheets and use this as valuable practice before our assessment on Thursday, 12/21!

Westlake News:

Family Survey:

The Family Survey is taken three times a year. CLICK HERE to answer six questions to rate your family's experience at Westlake Charter School during the 2023-24 school year. The deadline is Thursday, December 21st.


Attendance:

Our “HERE FOR THE HOT COCOA!” competition is in full swing!  Our 3rd graders continue to lead the challenge but 1st graders are hot on their heels for the hot cocoa!  The grade levels with the highest average attendance from 11/27 to 12/21 will receive an exclusive Hot Cocoa party after Winter Break. Let's make attendance a fun thing together!


Spirit Day - Pajama Day:

Thursday, December 21st is pajama day! Students and staff can show their spirit by wearing pajamas. Please remember to follow the dress code guidelines below for spirit day:


K-12 Talent Show Sign-Ups – Due Tuesday, January 23rd:

CLICK HERE to sign up to audition to be a host, perform a talent, or be part of the stage crew team! Audition sign ups are due: Tuesday, January 23, 2024


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will be given their clay cups to take home! We will spend the class making any repairs to cups who suffer damage during the creation process. At the end of class, we will place them safetly in paper bags to make them easily transportable.


PE - Morales

Days 5 and 6 of our basketball unit will be spent doing various exercise activities along with shooting games.


Spanish - Montes

Students will do a mini lesson on indigenous peoples of South America and their traditions. 



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

December 8, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students have begun Unit 5: Numbers to 1,000.  They will be learning place value skills.

Phonics:

Students are working on adding the suffix "s" to words and how it can sound like "s" or "z" as well as the silent e and long vowels.

Reading:

Students are continuing to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

This week, students were introduced to informational writing and created some "how to" essays.  We will continue working on writing informational essays and will soon learn how to begin the research process.


Thematic:

Students are wrapping up our Economy/Farm to Fork unit and examine how the scarcity of resources affect production and consumption.  We have focused on the "Journey of a Strawberry" from the first step as a seed planted to how it ends up on our plate.

Upcoming Assessments:

Math - Unit 5 test will be given on Thursday, December 21st

Thematic - Journey of a Strawberry test will be given on Monday, December 11th


Westlake News:

2024-25  Lottery Application Window Open Now:

Our 2024-25  lottery is open now through January 31st, including our freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes at Westlake Charter High School! Current students do not need to fill out an application to continue their enrollment at WCS; however, siblings do need to fill out lottery applications to attend.  The enrolled sibling preference applies to students currently enrolled in any of our K-12 grades. Spread the word and encourage friends and family to visit JoinWestlake.com to apply today.


Attendance:

Our “HERE FOR THE HOT COCOA!” competition is in full swing!  Our 3rd and 8th grade Explorers are now  in the lead!!  The grade levels with the highest average attendance from 11/27 to 12/21 will receive an exclusive Hot Cocoa party after Winter Break. Let's make attendance a fun thing together!


Spirit Day - Pajama Day: Thursday, December 21st is pajama day! Students and staff can show their spirit by wearing pajamas. Please remember to follow the dress code guidelines below for spirit day:


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will continue their clay tea cup project! This week they will recieve their dried clay cups to paint. Using acrylic paint to color and decorate their cups to their liking. They will leave their cups here to dry.


PE - Morales

On day 3 of our dribbling unit, students will continue to work on skills in dribbling activities and games. On day 4 students will spend half the class working on dribbling games and the second half we will go over some basic shooting activities.


Spanish - Montes

Students will continue in their unit on family, focusing on descriptions (age, height, etc).



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

December 1, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students are continuing to practice addition and subtraction skills with a number line.  We are finishing lots of review opportunities before our test on Wednesday.

Phonics:

Students are working on adding the suffix "s" to words and how it can sound like "s" or "z" as well as the silent e and long vowels.

Reading:

Students are continuing to work in reading rotations and meet with Ms. Kleinman for targeted reading and phonics practice.

Writing:

This week, students were introduced to informational writing and created some "how to" essays.  We will continue working on writing informational essays and will soon learn how to begin the research process.


Thematic:

Students began our Economy/Farm to Fork unit and examine how the scarcity of resources affect production and consumption.  We have focused on the "Journey of a Strawberry" from the first step as a seed planted to how it ends up on our plate.

Upcoming Assessments:

Math test on Wednesday, 12/6.  Practice packets were sent home over November break!



Westlake News:

Exciting Opportunity to help Build our High School!

NUSD is asking for feedback from the community about which future construction projects are the highest priority.  Please make sure your voice is heard.  


We encourage you to share your feelings about the need for a permanent high school campus for our students. You can describe why a permanent high school campus is important and what types of features you would like to see. For example, modern safety features, access to high quality athletics facilities, access to green space, and more. 


Please take 3-5 minutes to share your thoughts for future construction projects using this NUSD Thought Exchange, before December 9, 2023. You can also “upvote” ideas and feedback left by others to help the district understand what is most important to you.


2024-25  Lottery Application Window Opens December 1st:

Our 2024-25  lottery is now open, including our freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes at Westlake Charter High School! Current students do not need to fill out an application to continue their enrollment at WCS; however, siblings do need to fill out lottery applications to attend. Spread the word and encourage friends and family to visit JoinWestlake.com to apply today.


Toy Drive:

We have partnered with the Natomas Chamber of Commerce for their annual Toy Drive.  Drop off new, unwrapped toys in either of our Front Offices by Friday, December 8th.  No time to shop? CLICK HERE for the Amazon Wish List that has been set up by the Natomas Chamber of Commerce and items will be delivered directly to them.


Attendance:

We have kicked off our “HERE FOR THE HOT COCOA!” competition!  So far, our 5th and 8th grade Explorers are in the lead with 96% attendance!!  The grade levels with the highest average attendance from 11/27 to 12/21 will receive an exclusive Hot Cocoa party after Winter Break. Let's make attendance a fun thing together!


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will continue their clay tea cup project! This week they will recieve and shape their clay. Using their creative freedom to add any unique decorations, shapes, and themes to the cups. They will leave their clay here, in class, to dry/harden. 


PE - Morales

Students will begin gymnastics unit.


Spanish - Montes

Students are continuing their body unit, and beginning a vocabulary unit on family. They will be learning to describe people using colors, size and titles. 



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

November 17, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students are continuing to practice addition and subtraction skills with a number line.

Phonics:

Students are working on how to read and spell multisyllabic words, consonant suffixes (-ness, -less, -ment, -full), vowel suffixes (-able, -ish, -en).

Reading:

Students are working on building stamina with silent reading and using websites such as Lexia and Epic! to practice reading skills and comprehension.  We will begin small guided reading groups when we return from November Break.

Writing:

After November Break, students will dive into informational writing and learning about text features.


Thematic:

Students wrapped up their Plant unit this week.  When we return from November Break, we will begin our unit on Economy and examine how the scarcity of resources affect production and consumption.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

It has been lovely to meet with families this week.  Thank you for scheduling and attending your conferences.  


I have included a supplemental math practice packet aligned with our current unit (adding and subtracting on a number line) in Friday Folders today.  Please use this at your discretion over the break.  


I hope you have a wonderful November Break with your families!

Westlake News:

Attendance:

We hope you all have a fantastic break! As we gear up to return from Thanksgiving break, we want to give you a heads-up about a crucial time for attendance.


For our K-8 kiddos, this marks the kick-off of the second trimester of learning. We can't stress enough how vital it is for your student to be in school, especially if they're healthy. Missing out can have a ripple effect on their academics and social-emotional well-being. It could even impact their journey to graduating on time from High School.


To add some fun to December, we're turning attendance into a celebration! Introducing "Here for the Hot Cocoa!" The grade levels with the highest average attendance from 11/27 to 12/21 will receive an exclusive Hot Cocoa party after Winter Break. Let's make attendance a fun thing together!


Chili Cook-Off:

We are excited for the upcoming and always popular Chili Cook-Off on Wednesday, November 29th from 5:30 - 7:00 PM on our  K-8 campus. We invite every family to come sample chili and vote for their favorite!  All of our families are a part of making the Chili Cook Off a success.  See below for details about how each grade level is participating.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will begin their clay tea cup project! This first week will be used to draft their ideas. Drawing out all the ways they may want to shape and decorate their clay cups.


PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

We are continuing our new unit on the body, including how to say states of being questions like "I'm thirsty" and "I'm hungry."



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

November 9, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students are practicing addition and subtraction skills with a number line this week and next.

Phonics:

Students are working on how to read and spell multisyllabic words, consonant suffixes (-ness, -less, -ment, -full), vowel suffixes (-able, -ish, -en), and be introduced to two new vowel teams (au, aw).

Reading:

Students are working on building stamina with silent reading and using websites such as Lexia and Epic! to practice reading skills and comprehension.  We will begin small guided reading groups at the start of Trimester 2.

Writing:

We have been integrating our thematic studies into writing this week and learning what informational writing is.  Next week, students will be reviewing their plant unit by writing facts about a plant's life cycle.


Thematic:

Students have learned about the plant life cycle, examining how seeds germinate and grow, what plants need to grow and how they make food, seed dispersal and plant adaptations.

Upcoming Assessments:

Plant Assessment will be given on Friday, 11/17.


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

If you have not yet signed up for a conference, please click here to sign up for a conference, if you haven't already. Click here for directions on how to use our online scheduler. 


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

K-8 Conference Week:

Our goal is for 100% of families to attend their Parent-Teacher Conference this week! CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. As of November 8th, 74% of families had signed up. The online scheduler is available through November 12th, so reserve your conference time now! CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler.  Remember, during Conference Week, Kindergarten will dismiss at 1:00 PM and 1st–8th grade will dismiss at 1:30 PM. Our BASE program will be open after school until 6:00 PM each day. 


Supporting Your Student and Their Academic Habits, K-12:

On Wednesday, November 15th, from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, our counselors will be facilitating a workshop for parents/guardians geared towards building student academic habits. Topics such as time management, study habits, perseverance, and advocacy will be covered. Come for an evening of learning and collaboration!  CLICK HERE to RSVP, which is encouraged but not mandatory to attend.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

No update yet.


PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

No update yet.



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

November 3, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We have concluded our Measurement unit.  Next week, we will revisit addition and subtraction using a number line.

Phonics:

Students will work on how to read and spell multisyllabic words, consonant suffixes (-ness, -less, -ment, -full), vowel suffixes (-able, -ish, -en), and be introduced to two new vowel teams (au, aw).

Reading:

Students are working on building stamina with silent reading and using websites such as Lexia and Epic! to practice reading skills and comprehension.  We will begin small guided reading groups at the start of Trimester 2.

Writing:

Students completed a cold write on how to carve a jack-o-lantern.  Next week, we will dive into the structure of Informational Writing.


Thematic:

Students have learned about the plant life cycle, examining how seeds germinate and grow, what plants need to grow and how they make food.  Next week, they will learn about seed dispersal and plant adaptations.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A


Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Thank you to families who donated non-perishables for our Food Drive! It is so appreciated in our community.  Also, our class won a Party-in-a-Box for having so many Walktober steps!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Supporting Your Student and Their Academic Habits, K-12:

On Wednesday, November 15th, from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, our counselors will be facilitating a workshop for parents/guardians geared towards building student academic habits. Topics such as time management, study habits, perseverance, and advocacy will be covered. Come for an evening of learning and collaboration!  CLICK HERE to RSVP, which is encouraged but not mandatory to attend.


Fall Food Drive: 

Our annual Fall Food Drive benefiting Joey’s Food Locker, and in partnership with the Natomas Chamber of Commerce, is in full swing and runs through November 13th. CLICK HERE for more information about our K-8 Competition.


K-8 Conference Week:

Conference week is November 13th - 17th. CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. The online scheduler is available through November 12th, so reserve your conference time now. CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler.  Kindergarten will dismiss at 1:00 PM and 1st–8th grade will dismiss at 1:30 PM. Our BASE program will be open after school until 6:00 PM each day. 


Supply/Field Lesson Donations:

Families, we need a little help! We have paid for all of our field lessons and school supplies in advance, but parent donations have not all come in!  We know the start of the school year can be a whirlwind, so we are sending out a reminder to please CLICK HERE to donate to the student supplies and field lesson campaigns. There are options for one time, or monthly donations.  Without your support, we are not able to send our students on field lessons, nor design such engaging in-class learning opportunities, so thank you for any support you can offer! 




Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week students will have a substitute for art. Students will be using their choice of colored pencils, markers, and crayons to fill in various coloring pages while I am away. 


PE - Morales

No update yet.


Spanish - Montes

Students have finished their assessments and will be beginning a unit on bodies and states of being, ie I'm hungry, my head hurts, etc.


As always, please refer to our class website for extra practice. For further practice, students can access our Google Classroom (which is linked through our class website if they are not yet signed up.)



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

October 27, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We are continuing our Measurement unit! Students have been learning to measure, estimate, and compare measurements in centimeters.  We will continue this next week as well as learning about line plots.

Phonics:

Students are continuing to learn about glued sounds and vowel teams.  We began studying suffixes and will learn new vowel teams (ou, oo, ue, ew) next week.

Reading:

Students are working on building stamina with silent reading and using websites such as Lexia and Epic! to practice reading skills and comprehension.  We will begin small guided reading groups at the start of Trimester 2.

Writing:

Students wrapped up Opinion Writing this week by writing about what animal they think would make the best pet!  They had to provide their opinion, give three reasons, and end with a concluding sentence.  This class is full of strong writers!  Next week, we will slowly move into Informational Writing.


Thematic:

We have started learning about plants this week!  Students have been discussing facts they know about plants and what they would like to learn as we move through this unit.  We have talked about the plant life cycle and are currently examining how seeds germinate and grow.

Upcoming Assessments:

Unit 3 Measurement test will be given on Friday, 11/3.  A practice packet has been sent home in Friday Folders to give students additional opportunities to prepare.



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Thank you to all the family members who joined us at Dave's Pumpkin Patch this week!  I have never seen such high levels of attendance from families on a field trip.  Students had a blast and we are looking forward to using our class pumpkin for a counting seeds math activity next week!


On Tuesday, October 31, we will be having a "Spooky Day" in class!  The room will be decorated with some spider webs and we will have black lights on to make everything glow.  Students will be working on fun, educational, STEM activities throughout the day such as pumpkin seed counting, building marshmallow towers, using oil pastels and watercolors, and a dissolving pumpkin experiment!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Fall Food Drive: 

Our annual Fall Food Drive benefiting Joey’s Food Locker, and in partnership with the Natomas Chamber of Commerce, has begun and will run through November 13th. Next week, October 30th - November 3rd, our K-8 students will participate in a competition to see which grade level (K-5th) or Advisory class or (6-8th) can bring in the most donations! At the end of the week the winning classes win a popsicle party! CLICK HERE for more information.


K-8 Conference Week:

Conference week is November 13th - 17th. The online scheduler is available to families on October 30th - November 12th so reserve your conference time now. CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler.



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Children will finish using pastels to draw scenes inspired by autumn, like colorful leaves falling from trees or cozy pumpkins. This activity allows them to express their creativity, improve their drawing skills, and celebrate the beauty of the season.


PE - Morales

Students will start an introduction to "Uball" working on basic strategies of offense and deffense.


Spanish - Montes

This week will be assessment. I'll be using the study guide as an anchor chart in our small groups for assessment.



Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

October 20, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We are continuing our Measurement unit! Students have been learning to measure, estimate, and compare measurements in centimeters.  We will continue this next week as well as learning about line plots.

Phonics:

Students are continuing to learn about glued sounds and vowel teams.  We began studying suffixes and will learn new vowel teams (ou, oo, ue, ew) next week.

Reading:

Students are working on building stamina with silent reading and using websites such as Lexia and Epic! to practice reading skills and comprehension.  We will begin small guided reading groups at the start of Trimester 2.

Writing:

Students are working through cycles of the writing process (i.e., Brainstorm, Draft, Revise, Edit, and Publish) each day of the week.  They will complete their first Opinion Writing assessment next week before we move on to Informational Writing.


Thematic:

We concluded our Landform Unit today and will begin our next unit on Plants/Farm to Fork Economy next week!

Upcoming Assessments:

Opinion writing assessment will be given next week.



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Our first field trip is approaching!  We will be going to Dave's Pumpkin Patch on October 24th. If you were not chosen as a chaperone, but would still like to attend our field trip, you are more than welcome to meet us at Dave's Pumpkin Patch!  Information was sent out in an email yesterday with the subject: "Field Trip Information."


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Book Fair:

Our Scholastic Book Fair opens this Saturday, October 21st at the Fall Festival and will end Thursday, October 26th. The schedule is as follows:


Saturday, October 21st from 3:00 - 6:00 PM: Opening Day at the Fall Festival

Monday, October 23rd from 3:00 - 4:30 PM: Parent Shopping

Tuesday, October 24th from 3:00 - 4:30 PM: Parent Shopping

Wednesday, October 25th from 1:30 - 3:30 PM: Parent Shopping

Thursday, October 26th from 3:00 - 6:00 PM: Parent Shopping


CLICK HERE to set up your student’s e-wallet as cash is not accepted at the book fair.

Students will have the opportunity to visit the book fair during their regularly scheduled library visit and/or after school with a parent/guardian at the times listed above.  


Fall Festival:

Our 11th Annual Fall Festival is TOMORROW, Saturday, October 21st from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. This family event is open to the entire community with games suitable for all ages! The Fall Festival features food, a treat walk, games, and the ever popular silent auction baskets where all proceeds go directly to the classrooms.


Fall Food Drive: 

Our annual Fall Food Drive benefiting Joey’s Food Locker, and in partnership with the Natomas Chamber of Commerce  has begun and will run through November 13th. Our students will participate in a competition the week of October 30th to see what advisory class or grade level can bring in the most donations! At the end of the week the winning classes win a popsicle party! CLICK HERE for more information.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Children will use oil pastels to draw scenes inspired by autumn, like colorful leaves falling from trees or cozy pumpkins. This activity allows them to express their creativity, improve their drawing skills, and celebrate the beauty of the season with a new medium. 


PE - Morales

This week students will touch on an introduction to level one defense. Their game will focus on finding open space, running, catching and throwing skills. 


Spanish - Montes

This week during assessment the students will be working on a brief Día de muertos unit, which will continue next week.


I've linked the assessment blooket for students to review. This is the same material I will be using for their assessment, so there will not be surprises. 


1st Trimester Study Guide


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

October 13, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We have started our Measurement unit! Students have been learning to measure, estimate, and compare measurements in centimeters.  We will continue this next week using inches.

Phonics:

Students have been learning about glued sounds and vowel teams this week.  Next week, students will begin learning about suffixes.

Reading:

Students are working on building stamina with silent reading and using websites such as Lexia and Epic! to practice reading skills and comprehension.  We will begin small guided reading groups in the near future.

Writing:

Students are working through cycles of the writing process (i.e., Brainstorm, Draft, Revise, Edit, and Publish) each day of the week.


Thematic:

This week, students have continued learning about landforms and what geologists do!  Students have an assessment next week to conclude our Landform Unit.

Upcoming Assessments:

Thematic Assessment will be given on 10/20.



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Progress reports went home in Friday Folders before Fall Break!  If your student was absent or left early, they were sent home today.  Please make sure Friday Folders come back to class on Monday morning!  


Our first field trip is approaching!  We will be going to Dave's Pumpkin Patch on October 24th.  Permission slips were sent home this week.  If your student has not returned their permission slip, please make sure it returned by Wednesday, October 18th!  We are still in need of two chaperones!  If you would like to volunteer, please email me or indicate on the permission slip that you would like to chaperone.  This is a first come, first serve basis.  If you are not chosen as a chaperone, but would still like to attend our field trip, you are more than welcome to meet us at Dave's Pumpkin Patch!


We are in need of a few donations for an experiment next week!  Here is what we need:

-Paper plates

-Dixie cups

-Plastic spoons

-Solo cups


We need these items by Monday, 10/16. If you are able to donate, PLEASE email me so I can let you know if someone has already taken care of donating an item!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Book Fair:

Our Scholastic Book Fair opens Saturday, October 21st at the Fall Festival and will end Thursday, October 26th. The schedule is as follows:


Saturday, October 21st from 3:00 - 6:00 PM: Opening Day at the Fall Festival

Monday, October 23rd from 3:00 - 4:30 PM: Parent Shopping

Tuesday, October 24th from 3:00 - 4:30 PM: Parent Shopping

Wednesday, October 25th from 1:30 - 3:30 PM: Parent Shopping

Thursday, October 26th from 3:00 - 6:00 PM: Parent Shopping


CLICK HERE to set up your student’s e-wallet as cash is not accepted at the book fair.

Students will have the opportunity to visit the book fair during their regularly scheduled library visit and/or after school with a parent/guardian at the times listed above.  


Fall Festival:

Our 11th Annual Fall Festival is just over a week away on Saturday, October 21st from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. This family event is open to the entire community with games suitable for all ages! The Fall Festival features food, a treat walk, games, and the ever popular silent auction baskets where all proceeds go directly to the classrooms.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will do Rubbings! A wonderful way to explore nature's beauty in the fall. Children will collect different leaves, place them under a sheet of paper, and gently rub crayons over the paper. This reveals the intricate patterns and details of the leaves. It's a creative and educational autumn activity!


PE - Morales

Students will practice conflict resolution strategies during game play and learn a new PE game involving catching, throwing, dodging and fleeing.


Spanish - Montes

Students are working on their number recognition 1-50, high frequency words and vowel sounds (mpsl and aeiou will be assessed), calendar vocabulary (days of the week, months of the year, seasons)


Students will begin assessments next week. Students who receive a 2 or lower will receive an email home from me so they can arrange a retake if desired. 


1st Trimester Study Guide


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

September 29, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

When students return from Fall Break, we will begin our Measurement unit.

Phonics:

Students have been learning about glued sounds this week.  We will be continuing vowel teams such as ai, ay, ea, ee, ey, oi, and oy.

Reading:

Students are working on building stamina with silent reading and using websites such as Lexia and Epic! to practice reading skills and comprehension.

Writing:

Students are working through cycles of the writing process (i.e., Brainstorm, Draft, Revise, Edit, and Publish) each day of the week.


Thematic:

This week, students have continued learning about landforms and what geologists do!  We will continue our landforms unit after we return from Fall Break.

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Progress reports went home in Friday Folders today!  If your student was absent or left early, they will be sent home when we return from Fall Break.  Please make sure Friday Folders come back to class on Monday morning!  Have a wonderful Fall Break!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Fall Break:

Both campuses will be closed for Fall Break Monday, October 2nd through Friday, October 6th. We look forward to welcoming staff and students back on Monday, October 9th. Our BASE program will also be closed during Fall Break.


Fall Festival:

Our 11th Annual Fall Festival is approaching quickly on Saturday, October 21st from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. This family event is open to the entire community with games suitable for all ages! The Fall Festival features food, a treat walk, games, and the ever popular silent auction baskets where all proceeds go directly to the classrooms.


Picture Retake Day – Thursday, October 12th:

Our Picture Retake Day is Thursday, October 12th. Retakes are for the following:


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will be crafting paper pumpkins! A fun way for them to celebrate fall. They will use scissors and tape to piece together orange paper and green paper stem. Folding them to create 3D pumpkins! It's a creative activity that encourages artistic expression and fine motor skills development


PE - Morales

No update yet


Spanish - Montes

Students are working on their number recognition 1-50, high frequency words and vowel sounds, calendar vocabulary (days of the week, months of the year, seasons)


Students will be assessed in class on their recognition and use of greetings, numbers 1-50 and calendar terms. 


Refer to home resources linked on my class website, including Google Classroom


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

September 22, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We have been learning about subtraction strategies this week.  Next week, we will focus on how to solve story problems.

Phonics:

Students have been learning about glued sounds this week.  Next week, we will be focusing on vowel teams such as ai, ay, ea, ee, ey, oi, and oy.

Reading:

We are still practicing and making sure we know how to find a book that we are able to read at our level.  Students were introduced to Epic!, to practice working in Reading Rotations.  Small groups to practice reading will begin after October break!

Writing:

Students have completed one cycle of the writing process.  Today, we shared our final draft of "Our Favorite Candy." Next week, students will complete a new cycle of the writing process (i.e., Brainstorm, Draft, Revise, Edit, and Publish).


Thematic:

This week, students have been learning about landforms and what geologists do!  Next week, we will continue diving into our Erosion unit and complete our first experiment to learn about weathering.

Upcoming Assessments:

Students will complete our Math: Unit 2 assessment next Friday, 9/29.



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Please make sure Friday Folders come back to class on Monday morning!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Olympic Triathlon:

We are so excited for our Olympic Triathlon event day on Friday, September 29th! Be sure to create your family’s website or prepare for our in-person drop off days! We have one week left until event day and have raised 34% of our fundraising goal.


K-8 Yearbooks:

CLICK HERE to order your K-8 yearbook directly through TreeRing and get two pages to personalize with your own pictures! Use code 101667583471473 or see the email with the link to purchase. Get 10% off your purchase until 10/31. Need help? Contact: Mrs. Liechti, kliechti@westlakecharter.com.


Fall Break:

Both campuses will be closed for Fall Break Monday, October 2nd through Friday, October 6th. We look forward to welcoming staff and students back on Monday, October 9th. Our BASE program will also be closed during Fall Break. 


Picture Retake Day – Thursday, October 12th:

Our Picture Retake Day is Thursday, October 12th. Retakes are for the following:


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will finish using clay! They will finish molding and decorating their miniture, animal figurines. 


PE - Morales

This week students will continue catching and throwing games with partners and small groups. Students will also continue with assessments for report cards. 


Spanish - Montes

Students are working on their number recognition 1-50, high frequency words and vowel sounds, calendar vocabulary (days of the week, months of the year, seasons)


Upcoming Assessments: Students will be assessed in class on their recognition and use of greetings, numbers 1-50 and vocabulary for Mexican Independence Day.


Refer to home resources linked on my class website, including Google Classroom


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

September 15, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We have started Unit 2: Adding and Subtracting within 100.  This week, students practiced their addition skills.  Next week, we will focus on subtracting.

Phonics:

We are still working on Unit 2- focusing on bonus letters, glued sounds, segmenting, and reading fluency.  

Reading:

We are still practicing and making sure we know how to find a book that we are able to read at our level.  Students were introduced to Lexia to practice working in Reading Rotations.

Writing:

Students have been working on the brainstorming phase of the writing process.  Next week, we will begin drafting an opinion piece so that we can start revising.


Thematic:

Students did a wonderful job interviewing grandparents on Wednesday!  They collected lots of wonderful information and that wraps up our Life Long Ago unit.  Next up, we begin learning about Earth's Systems and how to prevent erosion!

Upcoming Assessments:

Apologies for forgetting to include this last week: Students completed a Thematic assessment yesterday to conclude our Life Long Ago unit.



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Please make sure Friday Folders come back to class on Monday morning!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Olympic Triathlon:

We are so excited for our Olympic Triathlon event day on Friday, September 29th! Be sure to create your family’s website or prepare for our in-person drop off days! We have two weeks left until event day and have raised 26% of our fundraising goal.


Classroom Ambassadors:

We are looking for one or two family members from each K-5 class and Middle School Advisory class to act as a liaison between the school and families. Ambassadors will help in ensuring important information gets to every family and help volunteer needs get met. CLICK HERE to sign up.


K-8 Yearbooks:

CLICK HERE to order your K-8 yearbook directly through TreeRing and get two pages to personalize with your own pictures! Use code 101667583471473 or see the email with the link to purchase. Get 10% off your purchase until 10/31. Need help? Contact: Mrs. Liechti, kliechti@westlakecharter.com.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will learn how to use clay! They will each get to pick what color clay they wish to use. They will then use this color (along with their best sharing skills to trade colors with others) to mold a miniture, animal figurine. 


PE - Morales

No update


Spanish - Montes

We will be reviewing numbers 1-50, comparing Mexican Independence Day and America's traditions, as well as beginning a unit on high frequency words.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

September 8, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Students worked so hard on their first Math test this morning!  Next week, we will dive into Unit 2: Adding and Subtracting within 100.

Phonics:

We have continues Unit 2 this week focusing on bonus letters, glued sounds, segmenting, and reading fluency.  

Reading:

We are still practicing and making sure we know how to find a book that we are able to read at our level.  Students were introduced to Lexia to practice working in Reading Rotations.

Writing:

Students participated in a candy taste test activity last week and have started learning the writing process so they can write about which candy was their favorite.  They have also been learning about how to structure an Opinion piece.  We will continue this writing activity next week!


Thematic:

Students have learned about artifacts, and brainstorm questions that they can use to interview Grandparents for Grandparent's Day! (See my notes below for more info)

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Grandparent's Day is coming soon!  Flyers went home in Friday Folders last week.  This is a wonderful opportunity for community collaboration where students' grandparents are welcomed into our classroom to share their life experiences with students.  


This event will be held on Wednesday, September 13th from 8:30AM-10:00AM.  (Grandparents just need to sign in at the front office - no fingerprinting or volunteer paperwork is necessary)


Students will bring home a math resource packet filled with additional practice problems in Friday Folders.  Please have your students practice these to ensure they are successful on their test next week!


Please make sure Friday Folders come back to class on Monday morning!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Olympic Triathlon:

We are so excited for our Olympic Triathlon event day on Friday, September 29th! Be sure to create your family’s website or prepare for our in-person drop off days!


Middle School Dance:

Our student leadership team is preparing for our first Middle School dance of the year! The music, food, and photo booth fun will take place on Friday, September 22nd from 3:30 - 5:00 PM in the gym. We need families to volunteer for this event. Please CLICK HERE to sign up if you are able to help set up, chaperone, clean up or donate food/drinks. Thanks for your support!


Classroom Ambassadors:

We are looking for one or two family members from each K-5 class and Middle School Advisory class to act as a liaison between the school and families. Ambassadors will help in ensuring important information gets to every family  and help volunteer needs get met. CLICK HERE to sign up.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will fill in coloring pages! They will use markers, pencils, and crayons to color a picture of their own choosing.


PE - Morales

No update


Spanish - Montes

We will be reviewing numbers 1-50, comparing Mexican Independence Day and America's traditions, as well as beginning a unit on high frequency words.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

September 1, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We have looked at diagrams to compare information this week.  Next week, we will finish comparing and begin adding and subtracting within 100.

Phonics:

We have started Unit 2 this week focusing on bonus letters, glued sounds, segmenting, and reading fluency.  This will continue next week.

Reading:

We are still practicing and making sure we know how to find a book that we are able to read at our level.  Students were introduced to Lexia to practice working in Reading Rotations.

Writing:

This week has been filled with fun activities related to opinions vs facts.  Next week, we will begin talking about each stage of the writing process.


Thematic:

Students have learned about artifacts, and brainstorm questions that they can use to interview Grandparents for Grandparent's Day! (See my notes below for more info)

Upcoming Assessments:

Students have their first math assessment on Thursday, 9/7.



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Grandparent's Day is coming soon!  Flyers went home in Friday Folders today.  This is a wonderful opportunity for community collaboration where students' grandparents are welcomed into our classroom to share their life experiences with students.  


This event will be held on Wednesday, September 13th from 8:30AM-10:00AM.  (Grandparents just need to sign in at the front office - no fingerprinting or volunteer paperwork is necessary)


Students will bring home a math resource packet filled with additional practice problems in Friday Folders.  Please have your students practice these to ensure they are successful on their test next week!


Please make sure Friday Folders come back to class on Monday morning!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Supply Donations:

CLICK HERE to make your donation today! Great News! 2nd grade has already reached 28% of our School Supplies goal. Note: When you make a monthly donation, our grade level campaigns are credited for the entire year in advance on our goal thermometer!


Olympic Triathlon:

We are so excited for our Olympic Triathlon event day on Friday, September 29th! Be sure to create your family’s website or prepare for our in-person drop off days!


Middle School Dance:

Our student leadership team is preparing for our first Middle School dance of the year! The music, food, and photo booth fun will take place on Friday, September 22nd from 3:30 - 5:00 PM in the gym. We need families to volunteer for this event. Please CLICK HERE to sign up if you are able to help set up, chaperone, clean up or donate food/drinks. Thanks for your support!


Enrichment Sign-ups:

Our fall Explorer Enrichment programs are starting soon! CLICK HERE to see the catalog of course offerings and information about how to sign up. Email achavez@westlakecharter.com with scholarship inquiries.


Middle School Explorer Athletics:

HOOPS are here! All 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Explorers are invited to come play basketball! The season starts the week of September 5th. Athlete packets, including a doctor’s physical clearance, are required for participation.

Email swynne@westlakecharter.com with any questions and check back next week for schedules and more information!


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will finish their collages! They will use contruction paper, glue sticks, scissors, and pencils to finish their collage self-portraits. 


PE - Morales

No update


Spanish - Montes

This week we will be going over class expectations, practicing our hellos and goodbyes, and enjoying some music in Spanish.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

August 25, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

We have been collecting and representing data and analyzing picture graphs.  Next week, we will continue to look at diagrams and compare information.

Phonics:

We are still in Unit 1: review digraphs and blends.  Next week, we will begin Unit 2: bonus letters, glued sounds, segmenting, and reading fluency.

Reading:

We are still practicing and making sure we know how to find a book that we are able to read at our level.  Next week, we will practice working in Reading Rotations.

Writing:

We talked about the importance of writing in complete sentences with capitals and punctuation.  Please have students practice this important skill at home!  Next week we will begin learning the difference between facts and opinions by playing different games and writing activities.


Thematic:

Students finished our first thematic unit today! They have worked so hard this week! Next week, we will begin our unit: Life Long Ago.  Students will learn about artifacts, and brainstorm questions that they can use to interview Grandparents for Grandparent's Day! (See my notes below for more info)

Upcoming Assessments:

No assessments coming next week



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Grandparent's Day is coming soon!  Flyers went home in Friday Folders today.  This is a wonderful opportunity for community collaboration where students' grandparents are welcomed into our classroom to share their life experiences with students.  


This event will be held on Wednesday, September 13th from 8:30AM-10:00AM.  (Grandparents just need to sign in at the front office - no fingerprinting or volunteer paperwork is necessary)


Please make sure Friday Folders come back to class on Monday morning!


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Olympic Triathlon:

We are so excited for our Olympic Triathlon event day on Friday, September 29th! Be sure to create your family’s website or prepare for our in-person drop off days!


Enrichment sign-ups:

Our fall Explorer Enrichment programs are starting soon! CLICK HERE to see the catalog of course offerings and information about how to sign up. Email achavez@westlakecharter.com with scholarship inquiries.


Middle School Explorer Athletics:

HOOPS are here! All 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Explorers are invited to come play basketball! The season starts the week of September 5th. Athlete packets, including a doctor’s physical clearance, are required for participation.

Email swynne@westlakecharter.com with any questions and check back next week for schedules and more information!



Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week, students will learn about collages! They will use contruction paper, glue sticks, scissors, and pencils to create their very own collage self-portraits. 


PE - Morales

No update


Spanish - Montes

No update


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

August 18, 2023


Hello families!

Here's what we have been working on in class this week and what we will cover next week:

Math:

Adding and subtracting within 10, 20 and 50!  Next week we will be collecting and representing data and analyzing picture graphs.

Phonics:

Introduction to Unit 1: review digraphs and blends.  This will continue next week!

Reading:

Students were able to sustain silent reading for up to 20 minutes this week! We will continue practicing and making sure we know how to find a book that we are able to read at our level.

Writing:

We talked about the importance of writing in complete sentences with capitals and punctuation.  Please have students practice this important skill at home!  Next week we will continue practicing writing in our journals before beginning our first official Opinion Writing unit on the 28th.


Thematic:

We will learn about different kinds of communities and why maps are important!  Students completed their first experiment today by creating a model of a mountain to discover how rivers work!

Upcoming Assessments:

Next week, students will complete a Thematic assessment on Friday, 8/25 by labeling parts of North America.



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

I can tell we are going to have a wonderful year together.  Students have already made so many friends in class and show copious amounts of joy each and every day.  


We are always in need of healthy, non-perishable snacks that we can keep in our classroom in case some students do not have anything to eat at school.  


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Back To School Night: 

Our K-8 Back to School Night is on Wednesday, August 23rd. To the best of our ability, we would like to keep this event distraction free by encouraging families to make this a non-student event. This will allow for teachers and families to connect in a distraction-free environment. For families that need supervision, our BASE program will be available to help, however, space is potentially limited. If you know that you will need childcare to attend this event, please CLICK HERE to RSVP for BASE as soon as possible so that we can properly prepare..


Fall Picture Day:

Kindergarten-11th grade picture day will be on Tuesday, August 22nd at both campuses. This is a uniform picture day for our K-8 campus. All students will have their picture taken for the yearbook and student IDs, even if they don’t purchase a picture package. CLICK HERE to pre-purchase your pictures online. Group pictures will be available to add to your package for Kindergarten to 5th grade classes only. 


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

This week students will learn about primary colors! They will use primary color contruction paper, scissors, and glue sticks to create color wheel daisies. 


PE - Morales

We will continue practicing class expectations and PE safety. Classes will begin group activities that focus on SEL and teamwork.


Spanish - Montes

The next two weeks we will be reviewing class expectations, social emotional learning, and reviewing our colors in Spanish through the lens of "Isabel and Her Colores Go To School" by Alexandra Allesandri.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!

August 11, 2023


Hello families!

We've had a great start to the school year this week!  Here's what we have been working on in class this week:

Students have been introducing themselves to each other and making connections through common interests.  We have learned about the Zones of Regulation: How to identify emotions we feel and tools we can use to feel better!  We explored our classroom library, met the Book Buddies, and talked about our hopes and dreams for 2nd grade!  Students created community agreements that will help everyone accomplish their hope and dream for the school year.

Next week, we will jump into curriculum!  Here's what we have planned:

Math:

Adding and subtracting within 10

Phonics:

Introduction to Unit 1: review digraphs and blends

Reading:

Practice silent reading procedures, finding a "Good Fit Book" at their current level

Writing:

Introduce Writer's Workshop: Students will get to know their journals and practice handwriting


Thematic:

We will learn about different kinds of communities and why maps are important!

Upcoming Assessments:

N/A



Notes from Ms. Kleinman:

Students have shown so much joy each morning as they arrive to class and it has been lovely getting to know each and every classmate in our room!  Thank you for sending students with water bottles and a snack.  Please make sure students have these every day.  Student work and announcements will begin going home with students next Friday in their "Friday Folders."  These should be returned every Monday morning!


We are always in need of healthy, non-perishable snacks that we can keep in our classroom in case some students do not have anything to eat at school.  


If you have not already, feel free to join us on ClassDojo!


Westlake News:

Fall Picture Day:

Kindergarten-11th grade picture day will be on Tuesday, August 22nd at both campuses. This is a uniform picture day for our K-8 campus. All students will have their picture taken for the yearbook and student IDs, even if they don’t purchase a picture package. CLICK HERE to pre-purchase your pictures online. Group pictures will be available to add to your package for Kindergarten to 5th grade classes only. We are looking for six volunteers to help with picture day. Email admin@westlakecharter.com if you are available to be at either campus from 8:00 AM - 2:00 pm on August 22nd - volunteers receive a free picture package. 


Free and Reduced Price Meals:

Families, each year it is incredibly important to our school that we are able to account for every student during this form collection process. We are authorized by the Natomas Unified School District and as a part of our partnership, we commit to collecting these forms from every family. So, please, complete this form for every student in your family. While meals remain free for all students this school year, this is important data for our Charter authorization.


Specialty Information:

Art - Sandefur

Students will use contruction paper and markers to make thank you cards to the WCS staff of their choice.


PE - Morales

During the next two weeks we will be practicing PE safety and class procedures.


Spanish - Montes

The next two weeks we will be reviewing class expectations, social emotional learning, and reviewing our colors in Spanish through the lens of "Isabel and Her Colores Go To School" by Alexandra Allesandri.


Please contact our specialty teachers for any questions!