Embedded Files
Adventures in Mrs. Harold-Jones's Jungle
Adventures in Mrs. Harold-Jones's Jungle
August 28th, 2026
August 28th, 2026
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
August 27th: WAVE Beach Social (6:00 PM- 7:30 PM)
September 1st: K-8 School Picture Day (Uniform Dress)
September 1st: K-8 School Picture Day (Uniform Dress)
September 4th: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
September 4th: WAVE BINGO Night (6:00-8:00 PM)
September 7th: Labor Day (No School)
September 10th: WCS Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
September 25th: K-8 School Spirit Day (Sports Day)
September 25th: Olympic Triathlon Event Day
October 2nd: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
October 5th-9th: Fall Break (No School)
Classroom Content
Classroom Content
We had an eventful third week in 1st Grade! During the third week of 1st Grade, we had an action-packed time crafting questions to ask each other, we started Reader's Workshop rotations, we practiced addition to 10, we had some Phonics fun with Baby Echo, we learned what it means to be a good citizen (respectful, responsible, really safe, and ready to learn), and as always we participated in Fun Friday!
We had an eventful third week in 1st Grade! During the third week of 1st Grade, we had an action-packed time crafting questions to ask each other, we started Reader's Workshop rotations, we practiced addition to 10, we had some Phonics fun with Baby Echo, we learned what it means to be a good citizen (respectful, responsible, really safe, and ready to learn), and as always we participated in Fun Friday!
Fall Picture Day: K-8 Picture Day will be on Tuesday, September 1st. 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 taken for Kindergarten through 5th grade classes only.
Back To School Night: It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School Night on Wednesday! I am excited to embark on this school year as partners in your child's education. As I stated at Back to School Night, I am including the presentation, for your reference.
Labor Day - NO SCHOOL: Westlake Charter School and our BASE program will be closed on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day.
Dismissal: Every Monday, I will have Carline Duty. This means that I will be out at the 1st Grade area for Carline ensuring that those students are safe as they wait for their car. As a result, if you are picking up your child from the classroom and you do not see me or your child in our classroom that means I have gone out to Carline duty and your child is in Mrs. Weiner's classroom, C 109. On Mondays, if we are not in our classroom, please pick up your child from classroom C 109.
Dismissal: Every Monday, I will have Carline Duty. This means that I will be out at the 1st Grade area for Carline ensuring that those students are safe as they wait for their car. As a result, if you are picking up your child from the classroom and you do not see me or your child in our classroom that means I have gone out to Carline duty and your child is in Mrs. Weiner's classroom, C 109. On Mondays, if we are not in our classroom, please pick up your child from classroom C 109.
Library: We will have Library every Wednesday. We began our weekly Library visits this week! Please be sure to have your child return their Library book on or before Wednesday each week, so that they may check out a new book. Thank you for your help with this!
Specialty Classes: Our Specialty Classes began last week! I know all of your children are very excited for Spanish, Art, and PE! A change from last year, students will be in cohorts (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green). They will go to Specialty Classes with their assigned cohort color on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please be sure to refer to your child's Specialty Class schedule on the back of their Blue Responsibility Folder.
Specialty Classes: Our Specialty Classes began last week! I know all of your children are very excited for Spanish, Art, and PE! A change from last year, students will be in cohorts (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green). They will go to Specialty Classes with their assigned cohort color on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please be sure to refer to your child's Specialty Class schedule on the back of their Blue Responsibility Folder.
Scholastic Book Orders: Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home each month. If you are interested in purchasing books from this book order, our class code is: NBNXY. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Scholastic Book Orders: Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home each month. If you are interested in purchasing books from this book order, our class code is: NBNXY. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Nightly Reading: I highly encourage your child to read for at least 15-20 minutes nightly. This can be your child reading independently, to someone, or someone reading to your child. RAZKids, Epic Books, and the local library are great resources for your child to utilize.
Nightly Reading: I highly encourage your child to read for at least 15-20 minutes nightly. This can be your child reading independently, to someone, or someone reading to your child. RAZKids, Epic Books, and the local library are great resources for your child to utilize.
Blue Responsibility Folders: Please have your child bring their blue Responsibility Folder to school by Friday each week. I will fill it on Fridays with their work as well as other important papers from our class and from the school.
Blue Responsibility Folders: Please have your child bring their blue Responsibility Folder to school by Friday each week. I will fill it on Fridays with their work as well as other important papers from our class and from the school.
Coming Up Next Week
Coming Up Next Week
Math: Illustrative Math Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working With Data
Math: Illustrative Math Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working With Data
Phonics: Letter Tapping Words, Writing Words, Reading Words
Phonics: Letter Tapping Words, Writing Words, Reading Words
Comprehension: Story Elements (Characters)
Comprehension: Story Elements (Characters)
Grammar: Naming Part of a Sentence
Grammar: Naming Part of a Sentence
Writing: Personal Narrative (First, Next, Last)
Writing: Personal Narrative (First, Next, Last)
Thematic Study: Life Long Ago (Social Studies 1.4)
Thematic Study: Life Long Ago (Social Studies 1.4)
Assessment Information
Assessment Information
🟢 NWEA Reading Test will be given on September 1st.
🟢 NWEA Reading Test will be given on September 1st.
🟢 NWEA Math Test will be given on September 3rd.
🟢 NWEA Math Test will be given on September 3rd.
🟢 Math Unit 1 will be assessed the week of September 7th.
🟢 Math Unit 1 will be assessed the week of September 7th.
Homework/Schoolwork Resources
Homework/Schoolwork Resources
Math
We recently began Unit 1 in our math curriculum. Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in this unit. We have been exploring addition and subtraction in math this week. Students may log into Imagine Math at home to practice their math facts and skills (access Imagine Math through Clever). Click here for additional information to support your child throughout Unit 1 of math.
Writing
This trimester we are focusing on Personal Narrative Writing. Personal Narratives have a Topic Sentence, First, Next, Last, and a Closing Sentence. Please utilize this resource to help your writer at home. Click here to access the documents we will use to organize our writing this trimester.
Phonics
This week in phonics we focused on the letters c, o, a, g, d, s. We learned about correct letter formation and which line to write a letter, how to grip our pencil, and how to extend the vowels. Please practice writing, saying, and using these letters in things you write, read, and see. Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 1 of phonics.
Comprehension
We have been focusing on asking questions to help us understand what we read and what is read to us. Use this link to support your reader at home.
Grammar
We have been focusing on the different parts of a sentence to help us make sentences interesting and precise. Please utilize this resource to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional Learning
Social-Emotional Learning
This week we continued to learn about kindness through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students are having fun practicing kindness, learning new coping strategies, and discovering how even the smallest act of kindness can make a BIG difference. We read the book Enemy Pie and discussed how showing kindness can lead to an unexpected new friend.
Specialty Class Information
Specialty Class Information
See the weekly email for information on what your children are learning in Specialty Classes, upcoming assessments, and resources to practice at home.
Click here for Specialty teachers' websites and contact information.
Westlake Weekly Information
Westlake Weekly Information
Fall Picture Day:
K-8 picture day will be on Tuesday, September 1st. 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 taken for Kindergarten through 5th grade classes only.
Free and Reduced Priced Meals:
Good news! This year, we qualify to complete the SHORT form for Free and Reduced Priced Meals (FRPM). 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. This quick form plays an important role in determining how much funding our schools receive. Every completed form helps ensure Natomas Unified receives the full funding our students deserve. When forms are not submitted, schools can miss out on valuable resources. Even if you believe your family may not qualify, your response still makes a difference. CLICK HERE to complete the 2026-2027 Educational Benefit Form.
Grade Level Field Lesson & School Supplies Donations Competition:
First Grade families: In the first 30 days of school, we’d like to raise at least 50% of our Field Lessons and School Supplies fundraising goal! Every dollar raised goes to pay for our First Grade Explorers to travel to Field Lessons and pays for school supplies so you don’t have to run around Target looking for “just the right” glue stick!
Using the links below, you can,
Donate to our grade level using this link!
Fundraise by posting our grade level link on Social Media, or send the link to friends and family asking for contributions to your students’ grade level!
New Way to Contribute: CLICK HERE to refer a business that may be interested in sponsoring an Explorer! Our Explorer Partners team will reach out to every business that is referred by a family member and help the business to sponsor an Explorer! When they do, they will become a part of our Explorer Partners Program!
We’ve now reached 33.96% of our goal and our families have referred three businesses! Let’s go families, let’s make sure First Grade wins big by hitting 50% of our goal!
August 21st, 2026
August 21st, 2026
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
August 26th: K-8 Back To School Night (6:00 PM- 6:30 PM OR 6:40 PM- 7:10 PM)
August 27th: WAVE Beach Social (6:00 PM- 7:30 PM)
September 1st: K-8 School Picture Day (Uniform Dress)
September 1st: K-8 School Picture Day (Uniform Dress)
September 4th: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
September 4th: WAVE BINGO Night (6:00-8:00 PM)
September 7th: Labor Day (No School)
September 10th: WCS Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
October 2nd: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
October 5th-9th: Fall Break (No School)
Classroom Content
Classroom Content
We had an exciting second week in 1st Grade! During the second week of 1st Grade, we had an eventful time making predictions about books we read as well as about each other, we explored what makes up a sentence (noun, verb, capital letters, end punctuation), we discussed numbers and applied what we know to make number sentences, we began our FUNdations Phonics Curriculum, and as always we participated in Fun Friday!
We had an exciting second week in 1st Grade! During the second week of 1st Grade, we had an eventful time making predictions about books we read as well as about each other, we explored what makes up a sentence (noun, verb, capital letters, end punctuation), we discussed numbers and applied what we know to make number sentences, we began our FUNdations Phonics Curriculum, and as always we participated in Fun Friday!
School Dismissal Manager/ Dismissal: It is incredibly important that we know how your child is getting home after school. CLICK HERE to log in to School Dismissal Manager to update your child’s Dismissal option. If you forgot your password, please use the Forgot Password option. All students without a Dismissal option will be sent to BASE. Please email admin@westlakecharter.com with questions you may have.
School Dismissal Manager/ Dismissal: It is incredibly important that we know how your child is getting home after school. CLICK HERE to log in to School Dismissal Manager to update your child’s Dismissal option. If you forgot your password, please use the Forgot Password option. All students without a Dismissal option will be sent to BASE. Please email admin@westlakecharter.com with questions you may have.
***Please note: Every Monday, I will have Carline Duty. This means that I will be out at the 1st Grade area for Carline ensuring that those students are safe as they wait for their car. As a result, if you are picking up your child from the classroom and you do not see me or your child in our classroom that means I have gone out to Carline duty and your child is in Mrs. Weiner's classroom, C 109. On Mondays, if we are not in our classroom, please pick up your child from classroom C 109.
***Please note: Every Monday, I will have Carline Duty. This means that I will be out at the 1st Grade area for Carline ensuring that those students are safe as they wait for their car. As a result, if you are picking up your child from the classroom and you do not see me or your child in our classroom that means I have gone out to Carline duty and your child is in Mrs. Weiner's classroom, C 109. On Mondays, if we are not in our classroom, please pick up your child from classroom C 109.
K-8 Back to School Night: Our K-8 Back to School Night is NEXT Wednesday, August 26th. 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.
Kindergarten through 5th Grade Families: We have two identical sessions, you only need to attend one. Session One is 6:00 - 6:30 PM, Session Two is 6:40 - 7:10 PM. A video from your child's Specialty teacher(s) will be available.
Fall Picture Day: K-8 Picture Day will be on Tuesday, September 1st. 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 taken for Kindergarten through 5th grade classes only.
V.I.P: Each student in our class will have the opportunity to be V.I.P for a week this school year! I will send home a V.I.P poster for your child to complete the week before it is their scheduled V.I.P week. During their V.I.P week, your child will share their V.I.P “All About Me” poster with the class (Monday) as well as participate in "Hot Seat" so we can get to know the V.I.P better. Your child may also bring in their favorite book to share. Your child (or Mrs. Harold-Jones) will read it to the class (Wednesday). Your child may bring a favorite toy/ object from home to share with the class (Friday). I will provide more information about this at Back To School Night.
Library: We will have Library every Wednesday. We will begin our weekly Library visits next week! Please be sure to have your child return their Library book on or before Wednesday each week, so that they may check out a new book. Thank you for your help with this!
Specialty Classes: Our Specialty Classes began last week! I know all of your children are very excited for Spanish, Art, and PE! A change from last year, students will be in cohorts (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green). They will go to Specialty Classes with their assigned cohort color on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please be sure to refer to your child's Specialty Class schedule on the back of their Blue Responsibility Folder.
Specialty Classes: Our Specialty Classes began last week! I know all of your children are very excited for Spanish, Art, and PE! A change from last year, students will be in cohorts (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green). They will go to Specialty Classes with their assigned cohort color on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please be sure to refer to your child's Specialty Class schedule on the back of their Blue Responsibility Folder.
Scholastic Book Orders: Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home each month. If you are interested in purchasing books from this book order, our class code is: NBNXY. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Scholastic Book Orders: Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home each month. If you are interested in purchasing books from this book order, our class code is: NBNXY. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Nightly Reading: I highly encourage your child to read for at least 15-20 minutes nightly. This can be your child reading independently, to someone, or someone reading to your child. RAZKids, Epic Books, and the local library are great resources for your child to utilize.
Nightly Reading: I highly encourage your child to read for at least 15-20 minutes nightly. This can be your child reading independently, to someone, or someone reading to your child. RAZKids, Epic Books, and the local library are great resources for your child to utilize.
Blue Responsibility Folders: Please have your child bring their blue Responsibility Folder to school by Friday each week. I will fill it on Fridays with their work as well as other important papers from our class and from the school.
Blue Responsibility Folders: Please have your child bring their blue Responsibility Folder to school by Friday each week. I will fill it on Fridays with their work as well as other important papers from our class and from the school.
Coming Up Next Week
Coming Up Next Week
Math: Illustrative Math Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working With Data
Math: Illustrative Math Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working With Data
Phonics: Letter Tapping Words, Writing Words, Reading Words
Phonics: Letter Tapping Words, Writing Words, Reading Words
Comprehension: Ask and Answer Questions
Comprehension: Ask and Answer Questions
Grammar: Sentences (What is a complete sentence?)
Grammar: Sentences (What is a complete sentence?)
Writing: Personal Narrative (First, Next, Last)
Writing: Personal Narrative (First, Next, Last)
Thematic Study: Let's Be Friends and Citizenship (Social Studies 1.1)
Thematic Study: Let's Be Friends and Citizenship (Social Studies 1.1)
Assessment Information
Assessment Information
🟢 BPST will be assessed during the first few weeks of school.
🟢 BPST will be assessed during the first few weeks of school.
🟢 Sight Words (Trick Words) will be assessed during the first few weeks of school.
🟢 Sight Words (Trick Words) will be assessed during the first few weeks of school.
Homework/Schoolwork Resources
Homework/Schoolwork Resources
Math
We recently began Unit 1 in our math curriculum. Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in this unit. We have been exploring expressions and sums in math this week. Students may log into Imagine Math at home to practice their math facts and skills (access Imagine Math through Clever). Click here for additional information to support your child throughout Unit 1 of math.
Writing
This trimester we are focusing on Personal Narrative Writing. Personal Narratives have a Topic Sentence, First, Next, Last, and a Closing Sentence. Please utilize this resource to help your writer at home. Click here to access the documents we will use to organize our writing this trimester.
Phonics
This week in phonics we focused on the letters t, b, f, m, n, i, u. We learned about correct letter formation and which line to write a letter, how to grip our pencil, and how to extend the vowels. Please practice writing, saying, and using these letters in things you write, read, and see. Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 1 of phonics.
Comprehension
We have been focusing on making predictions while reading. Good readers make predictions to help them better understand a text. Use this poster to help your reader at home.
Grammar
This week we focused on the components of complete sentences.
Social-Emotional Learning
Social-Emotional Learning
We’re excited to kick off the new school year by talking about Kindness. Our definition of Kindness is acting with understanding, generosity, and care. We believe developing skills around Kindness will help us build a strong foundation for a great year of learning, connecting, and growing together. Check out our Family Letter for more information about PurposeFull People and some fun ways you can join us in kicking off our most Kind year yet!
Specialty Class Information
Specialty Class Information
See the weekly email for information on what your children are learning in Specialty Classes, upcoming assessments, and resources to practice at home.
Click here for Specialty teachers' websites and contact information.
Westlake Weekly Information
Westlake Weekly Information
Grade Level Field Lesson & School Supplies Donations Competition:
First Grade families: In the first 30 days of school, we’d like to raise at least 50% of our Field Lessons and School Supplies fundraising goal! Every dollar raised goes to pay for our First Grade Explorers to travel to Field Lessons and pays for school supplies so you don’t have to run around Target looking for “just the right” glue stick!
Using the links below, you can,
Donate to our grade level using this link!
Fundraise by posting our grade level link on Social Media, or send the link to friends and family asking for contributions to your students’ grade level!
New Way to Contribute: CLICK HERE to refer a business that may be interested in sponsoring an Explorer! Our Explorer Partners team will reach out to every business that is referred by a family member and help the business to sponsor an Explorer! When they do, they will become a part of our Explorer Partners Program!
We’ve now reached 32.24% of our goal. This week the grade level with the most business referrals will win a prize! Let’s go families, let’s make sure First Grade wins big!
K-8 Back to School Night:
Our K-8 Back to School Night is on Wednesday, August 26th. 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.
Town Hall Sessions: We have three identical sessions, you only need to attend one. Session One is 5:30 - 5:50 PM, Session Two is 6:45 - 7:05 PM, Session Three is 7:15 - 7:35 PM. Dr. Eick will share our vision for the year and engage our community in some exciting announcements about our future.
Kindergarten through 5th Grade Families: We have two identical sessions, you only need to attend one. Session One is 6:00 - 6:30 PM, Session Two is 6:40 - 7:10 PM. A video from your child's specialty teacher(s) will be available.
6th-8th Grade Families: We have two identical sessions, you only need to attend one. Session One is 5:00 - 5:40 PM, Session Two is 6:00 - 6:40 PM. During these sessions, you will meet with your student’s core teachers and specialty teachers. Your students are creating your schedule for the evening.
Fall Picture Day:
K-8 picture day will be on Tuesday, September 1st. 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 taken for Kindergarten through 5th grade classes only.
Free and Reduced Priced Meals:
Good news! This year, we qualify to complete the SHORT form for Free and Reduced Priced Meals (FRPM). 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. This quick form plays an important role in determining how much funding our schools receive. Every completed form helps ensure Natomas Unified receives the full funding our students deserve. When forms are not submitted, schools can miss out on valuable resources. Even if you believe your family may not qualify, your response still makes a difference. CLICK HERE to complete the 2026-2027 Educational Benefit Form.
Learning Lab:
The Learning Lab is now open to Middle School Explorers after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:15 - 3:45 PM. The Learning Lab is staffed by an Instructional Aide to assist Middle School students with their classwork and homework. Families should sign up their Middle School student(s) using School Dismissal Manager.
Jibe Walk and Bike to School Program:
The Jibe Walk and Bike to School Program is back! Students earn prizes and rewards for walking, biking, or scooting to school while parents skip the drop-off line and gain peace of mind knowing they will be notified when their student is scanned in at the school’s entrance. If your student already has a card, they can simply find an adult in an orange apron when arriving on campus to get scanned in. Need a card? Please CLICK HERE to register.
August 14th, 2026
August 14th, 2026
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
August 13th: WCS Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
August 14th: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
August 26th: K-8 Back To School Night (6:00 PM- 6:30 PM OR 6:40 PM- 7:10 PM)
September 1st: K-8 School Picture Day (Uniform Dress)
September 1st: K-8 School Picture Day (Uniform Dress)
September 4th: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
September 4th: WAVE BINGO Night (6:00-8:00 PM)
September 7th: Labor Day (No School)
September 10th: WCS Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
October 2nd: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
October 5th-9th: Fall Break (No School)
Classroom Content
Classroom Content
During the first week of 1st Grade, we had a fun time focusing on What's In A Name and Friendship, we began to get to know our classmates, we explored numbers to 120, we brainstormed for our Classroom Community Agreements, and we participated in our first Fun Friday of 1st Grade!
During the first week of 1st Grade, we had a fun time focusing on What's In A Name and Friendship, we began to get to know our classmates, we explored numbers to 120, we brainstormed for our Classroom Community Agreements, and we participated in our first Fun Friday of 1st Grade!
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your child this week, and I am excited to learn more about them as the year progresses. During the first three weeks of school, we will be learning about every student in our class as well as learning about classroom routines and procedures to create a safe and positive classroom community.
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your child this week, and I am excited to learn more about them as the year progresses. During the first three weeks of school, we will be learning about every student in our class as well as learning about classroom routines and procedures to create a safe and positive classroom community.
School Dismissal Manager/ Dismissal: It is incredibly important that we know how your child is getting home after school. CLICK HERE to log in to School Dismissal Manager to update your child’s Dismissal option. If you forgot your password, please use the Forgot Password option. All students without a Dismissal option will be sent to BASE. Please email admin@westlakecharter.com with questions you may have.
School Dismissal Manager/ Dismissal: It is incredibly important that we know how your child is getting home after school. CLICK HERE to log in to School Dismissal Manager to update your child’s Dismissal option. If you forgot your password, please use the Forgot Password option. All students without a Dismissal option will be sent to BASE. Please email admin@westlakecharter.com with questions you may have.
***Please note: Every Monday, I will have Carline Duty. This means that I will be out at the 1st Grade area for Carline ensuring that those students are safe as they wait for their car. As a result, if you are picking up your child from the classroom and you do not see me or your child in our classroom that means I have gone out to Carline duty and your child is in Mrs. Weiner's classroom, C 109. On Mondays, if we are not in our classroom, please pick up your child from classroom C 109.
***Please note: Every Monday, I will have Carline Duty. This means that I will be out at the 1st Grade area for Carline ensuring that those students are safe as they wait for their car. As a result, if you are picking up your child from the classroom and you do not see me or your child in our classroom that means I have gone out to Carline duty and your child is in Mrs. Weiner's classroom, C 109. On Mondays, if we are not in our classroom, please pick up your child from classroom C 109.
Specialty Classes: Our Specialty Classes began this week! I know all of your children are very excited for Spanish, Art, and PE! A change from last year, students will be in cohorts (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green). They will go to Specialty Classes with their assigned cohort color on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. As a school we value social emotional growth and have changed our cohort model for Specialities to create a more stable school community for our Explorers. A stable school community reduces stress levels in students, fosters greater teamwork, creates deepened friendships, and ultimately leads to deeper learning. Please be sure to refer to your child's Specialty Class schedule on the back of their Blue Responsibility Folder.
Specialty Classes: Our Specialty Classes began this week! I know all of your children are very excited for Spanish, Art, and PE! A change from last year, students will be in cohorts (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green). They will go to Specialty Classes with their assigned cohort color on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. As a school we value social emotional growth and have changed our cohort model for Specialities to create a more stable school community for our Explorers. A stable school community reduces stress levels in students, fosters greater teamwork, creates deepened friendships, and ultimately leads to deeper learning. Please be sure to refer to your child's Specialty Class schedule on the back of their Blue Responsibility Folder.
Beginning of the Year Survey: If you have not had the opportunity to do so, I am requesting that families take a few minutes to fill out a brief Beginning of the Year survey. CLICK HERE for the Beginning of the Year survey.
Beginning of the Year Survey: If you have not had the opportunity to do so, I am requesting that families take a few minutes to fill out a brief Beginning of the Year survey. CLICK HERE for the Beginning of the Year survey.
Scholastic Book Orders: Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home each month. If you are interested in purchasing books from this book order, our class code is: NBNXY. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Scholastic Book Orders: Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home each month. If you are interested in purchasing books from this book order, our class code is: NBNXY. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Nightly Reading: I highly encourage your child to read for at least 15-20 minutes nightly. This can be your child reading independently, to someone, or someone reading to your child. RAZKids, Epic Books, and the local library are great resources for your child to utilize.
Nightly Reading: I highly encourage your child to read for at least 15-20 minutes nightly. This can be your child reading independently, to someone, or someone reading to your child. RAZKids, Epic Books, and the local library are great resources for your child to utilize.
Blue Responsibility Folders: Please have your child bring their blue Responsibility Folder to school by Friday each week. I will fill it on Fridays with their work as well as other important papers from our class and from the school.
Blue Responsibility Folders: Please have your child bring their blue Responsibility Folder to school by Friday each week. I will fill it on Fridays with their work as well as other important papers from our class and from the school.
Coming Up Next Week
Coming Up Next Week
Math: Illustrative Math Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working With Data
Math: Illustrative Math Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working With Data
Phonics: Letter Tapping Words, Writing Words, Reading Words
Phonics: Letter Tapping Words, Writing Words, Reading Words
Comprehension: Making Predictions
Comprehension: Making Predictions
Grammar: Sentences (What is a complete sentence?)
Grammar: Sentences (What is a complete sentence?)
Writing: Personal Narrative (First, Next, Last)
Writing: Personal Narrative (First, Next, Last)
Thematic Study: Let's Be Friends and Citizenship (Social Studies 1.1)
Thematic Study: Let's Be Friends and Citizenship (Social Studies 1.1)
Assessment Information
Assessment Information
🟢 BPST will be assessed during the first few weeks of school.
🟢 BPST will be assessed during the first few weeks of school.
🟢 Sight Words (Trick Words) will be assessed during the first few weeks of school.
🟢 Sight Words (Trick Words) will be assessed during the first few weeks of school.
Homework/Schoolwork Resources
Homework/Schoolwork Resources
Math
We have been focusing on number writing in math this week. Practice writing your numbers to 20 at home! Students may log into Imagine Math at home to practice their math facts and skills (access Imagine Math through Clever).
Writing
This trimester we are focusing on Personal Narrative Writing. Personal Narratives have a Topic Sentence, Sequence of Events (First, Next, Last), and a Closing Sentence. Please utilize this resource to help your writer at home.
Phonics
This week in phonics we focused on letter review. Use this link to help your reader improve their letter sound knowledge.
Social-Emotional Learning
Social-Emotional Learning
This week, we focused on getting to know our classmates and learning each other's names. We will continue to work on building classroom community and learning about our classmates in the coming weeks.
We will begin our brand new Social Emotional Learning curriculum next week! Check out this welcome video for the program we will be using!
Specialty Class Information
Specialty Class Information
See the weekly email for information on what your children are learning in Specialty Classes, upcoming assessments, and resources to practice at home.
Click here for Specialty teachers' websites and contact information.
Westlake Weekly Information
Westlake Weekly Information
K-8 Back to School Night:
Our K-8 Back to School Night is on Wednesday, August 26th. 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.
Kindergarten through 5th Grade Families: We have two identical sessions, you only need to attend one. Session one is 6:00 - 6:30 PM, session two is 6:40 - 7:10 PM. A video from your child's specialty teacher(s) will be available.
6th-8th Grade Families: We have two identical sessions, you only need to attend one. Session one is 5:00 - 5:40 PM, session two is 6:00 - 6:40 PM. During these sessions, you will meet with your student’s core teachers and specialty teachers. Your students are creating your schedule for the evening.
Fall Picture Day:
K-8 picture day will be on Tuesday, September 1st. 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 taken for Kindergarten through 5th grade classes only.
Free and Reduced Priced Meals:
Good news! This year, we qualify to complete the SHORT form for Free and Reduced Priced Meals (FRPM). 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. This quick form plays an important role in determining how much funding our schools receive. Every completed form helps ensure Natomas Unified receives the full funding our students deserve. When forms are not submitted, schools can miss out on valuable resources. Even if you believe your family may not qualify, your response still makes a difference. CLICK HERE to complete the 2026-2027 Educational Benefit Form.
Learning Lab:
The Learning Lab will open to Middle School Explorers after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:15 - 3:45 PM beginning Monday, August 17th. The Learning Lab is staffed by an Instructional Aide to assist Middle School students with their classwork and homework. Families should sign up their Middle School student(s) using School Dismissal Manager.
Jibe Walk and Bike to School Program:
The Jibe Walk and Bike to School Program is back! Students earn prizes and rewards for walking, biking, or scooting to school while parents skip the drop-off line and gain peace of mind knowing they will be notified when their student is scanned in at the school’s entrance. If your student already has a card, they can simply find an adult in an orange apron when arriving on campus to get scanned in. Need a card? Please CLICK HERE to register.
August 11th, 2026
August 11th, 2026
Welcome to our 1st Grade Class!
I hope you had a wonderful Summer Break! I, myself, enjoyed lots of snuggles with my puppy, reading, relaxing, traveling, and connecting with my loved ones and friends!
Speaking of connecting, I will be sending out weekly newsletters to you every Friday at 4:00 PM via email! You can expect to find important dates, class announcements and reminders, curriculum highlights, upcoming assessments, resources, Specialty Class information, and school news within each weekly newsletter. You may also email me at rharoldjones@westlakecharter.com with any questions, concerns, comments, celebrations, etc.
I look forward to partnering with you this school year to make your child's 1st Grade year an exciting success!
Farewell, Summer! Hello, Funtimes in 1st Grade!
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