Embedded Files
Weekly newsletters will be posted here every Friday!
Friday, November 6th
Friday, November 6th
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
November 11th: Veteran's Day (No School)
November 12th: WCS Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
November 16th-20th: K-8 Parent Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal all week at 1:30 PM)
November 20th: K-8 Spirit Day - Mix and Match Day
November 23rd-27th: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
December 2nd: Chili Cook Off (5:30 PM)
December 4th: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
Conference Scheduler: Our Trimester 1 Conferences are quickly approaching! Conference week will be November 16th-20th, with early dismissal at 1:30pm all week. Canyon Creek, our online conference scheduler, is open! CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler. CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. I look forward to meeting with you!
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: YZ74C. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Library: We will return to our regular Monday library visits next week! If your child has not already returned their book to the classroom, bring it back by Monday to ensure they can check out a new book!
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, reading on Raz Kids, or combination of these!
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 3- Adding and Subtracting within 20
Math: Unit 3- Adding and Subtracting within 20
Phonics: Unit 6- Suffixes
Phonics: Unit 6- Suffixes
Comprehension: Main Idea/Details
Comprehension: Main Idea/Details
Grammar: Plural Nouns
Grammar: Plural Nouns
Writing: Review/Assessments
Writing: Review/Assessments
Thematic Study: Light Waves
Thematic Study: Light Waves
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Our Sound Waves Assessment (P.S. 4.1) will be given next week.
End-of-trimester assessments are being conducted. Results for these assessments will be shared on report cards given out at Trimester 1 Conferences.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: We have been relating counting to addition 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 3 of math.
Writing: Next trimester we are focusing on Opinion Writing. Opinion pieces include stating their opinion, writing 3 details to support their opinion, and ending with a concluding sentence. Please utilize this resource to help your writer distinguish between fact and opinion 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 sounds (am, an), tapping to read words, trick words, spelling trick words, sentence dictation, and Word of the Day(ham) . Please practice tapping out each sound in a word, saying and spelling trick words (from, have, do, does), and dictating words (quick, man, fan, shell, ham). Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 5 of phonics.
Comprehension: This week we reviewed comprehension concepts taught through week 12 of school. Visit the RazKids website to review your skills. Teacher code is achin21.
Grammar: This week we reviewed grammar concepts taught through week 12 of school. Visit the ABCya website and play a game to review your skills.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
Often we can find ourselves noticing things that we don’t like or that we wish were different. Choosing to notice and appreciate things in our life, things in others, and things in the world can be a challenge, but practicing Gratitude will help us to be more confident, calm, and focused. This month's focus for 1st grade is on practicing Gratitude to help with emotion awareness.
We read The Little Book of Joy and discussed how to show gratitude by choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.
Click here to download the Grade 1 Gratitude Newsletter
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
Family Survey: We have a brand new Family Survey that reflects the feedback our communities provided last year during our Strategic Plan development. We want to hear from every family, twice a year, regarding the progress we are making toward our Strategic Plan goals. Please CLICK HERE to complete the Family Survey by Friday, November 20th.
Fall Food Drive: Our Annual Fall Food Drive benefiting Joey’s Food Locker will run through Wednesday, December 2nd, concluding at our Annual Chili Cook-Off. Food collection bins can be found in the reception area of each campus. Thank you for helping us give back to our Natomas community!
Connect, Engage, Contribute: What an incredible launch to the school year! As we begin preparing our charter renewal petition, it's important that we share the story of what makes Westlake Charter School special: the powerful partnership between our school and our community.
Every time you connect, engage, or contribute to WCS, you help bring our mission to life. And every contribution counts! Have you connected, engaged, or contributed your time this year? If so, CLICK HERE to log your hours today!
We want to celebrate and capture all of it! Please take a moment to log your volunteer hours. These moments, big and small, help demonstrate the strength of our WCS community and the incredible things we can accomplish when school and community collaborate.
Thank you for showing up, pitching in, and making Westlake such a special place to learn and grow. We couldn't do it without you!
Mystery Reader Challenge: We value school and community collaboration at WCS. As part of our October and November Mystery Reader Challenge, Westlake would like to welcome our community members into our classrooms to read.
If you have a cool job and would like to come tell us a little bit about your job and read us a book, CLICK HERE to sign up.
If you have a connection to a business or organization in our community and would like to include them in our Mystery Reader Challenge, please CLICK HERE to let us know.
Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL: On Wednesday, November 11th, Westlake Charter School will be observing Veterans Day. There will be no school and our BASE program will be closed.
K-8 Conference Week: Conference week is November 16th - 20th. CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. The online scheduler is available to families through November 17th. We strive to have 100% of our families meet with their teacher! CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler. Remember, during conference week, we will dismiss early to allow time for teachers to meet with each of our families. Kindergarten will dismiss at 1:00 PM, and 1st–8th grade will dismiss at 1:30 PM. Our K-8 BASE program will be open after school until 6:00 PM each day.
K-12 Spirit Day - Mix & Match Day: Mix & Match day will be Friday, November 20th. Dress up in wild colors, mismatched shoes, different colored socks or different patterns (for example, stripes with polka dots, colors that clash, etc.) Don’t forget to show your WCS spirit by posting pictures on all social media platforms and using the hashtag #WCSSpiritDay!
Thanksgiving Break: Both campuses will be closed for Thanksgiving Break Monday, November 23rd through Friday, November 27th. We look forward to welcoming staff and students back on Monday, November 30th. Our BASE program will also be closed during Thanksgiving Break.
Friday, October 30th
Friday, October 30th
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
November 6th: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
November 11th: Veteran's Day (No School)
November 12th: WCS Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
November 16th-20th: K-8 Parent Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal all week at 1:30 PM)
November 20th: K-8 Spirit Day - Mix and Match Day
November 23rd-27th: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
Conference Scheduler: Our Trimester 1 Conferences are quickly approaching! Conference week will be November 16th-20th, with early dismissal at 1:30pm all week. Canyon Creek, our online conference scheduler, is open! CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler. CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. I look forward to meeting with you!
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: YZ74C. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Library: Due to the Book Fair this week, our class did not check out new books at the library on Monday. Students can keep their books or bring them to the classroom to hold until the next time we visit the library.
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, reading on Raz Kids, or combination of these!
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 3- Adding and Subtracting within 20
Math: Unit 3- Adding and Subtracting within 20
Phonics: Unit 5- Glued Sounds
Phonics: Unit 5- Glued Sounds
Comprehension: Review/Assessments
Comprehension: Review/Assessments
Grammar: Review/Assessments
Grammar: Review/Assessments
Writing: Review/Assessments
Writing: Review/Assessments
Thematic Study: Sound Waves
Thematic Study: Sound Waves
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Our Unit 2 math assessment was given this week.
End-of-trimester assessments are being conducted. Results for these assessments will be shared on report cards given out at Trimester 1 Conferences.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: We have been solving equations and story problems in math this week. Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in Unit 2. 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 2 of math.
Writing: This trimester we are focusing on Personal Narrative Writing. Personal Narratives have a Topic Sentence and a sequence of First, Next, and Last. 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 sounds (all, ll, ss, ff), tapping to read words, trick words, spelling trick words, sentence dictation, and Word of the Day(chill, call) . Please practice tapping out each sound in a word, saying and spelling trick words (I, they, you, your, was, one, said), and dictating words (chill, lash, puff, fall, lock). Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 4 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 resource to help your reader at home.
Grammar: We have been focusing on plural nouns to help us make sentences interesting and precise. Please utilize this resource or worksheet to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
This week we continued to learn about Responsibility through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students practiced finding their focus by moving their bodies. We read the book How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe? and discussed the Responsibility we have to keep ourselves and others safe. Click here to download the Grade 1 Responsibility Newsletter
This week we continued to learn about Responsibility through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students practiced finding their focus by moving their bodies. We read the book How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe? and discussed the Responsibility we have to keep ourselves and others safe. Click here to download the Grade 1 Responsibility Newsletter
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
Mystery Reader Challenge: We value school and community collaboration at WCS. As part of our October and November Mystery Reader Challenge, Westlake would like to welcome our community members into our classrooms to read.
If you have a cool job and would like to come tell us a little bit about your job and read us a book, CLICK HERE to sign up.
If you have a connection to a business or organization in our community and would like to include them in our Mystery Reader Challenge, please CLICK HERE to let us know.
Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL: On Wednesday, November 11th, Westlake Charter School will be observing Veterans Day. There will be no school and our BASE program will be closed.
K-8 Conference Week: Conference week is November 16th - 20th. CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. The online scheduler is available to families through November 17th. We strive to have 100% of our families meet with their teacher! CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler. Remember, during conference week, we will dismiss early to allow time for teachers to meet with each of our families. Kindergarten will dismiss at 1:00 PM, and 1st–8th grade will dismiss at 1:30 PM. Our K-8 BASE program will be open after school until 6:00 PM each day.
Friday, October 23rd
Friday, October 23rd
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
October 24th: Fall Festival
October 26th-30th: Red Ribbon Week- Dress Up Days
October 26th: K-8 Spirit Day- Be Brave & Active (Wear Active Wear)
October 27th: K-8 Spirit Day - We Keep Our Paws Off Drugs (Animal Print OR Dress Like An Animal)
October 28th: K-8 Spirit Day - From Head to Toe, I am Drug Free (Silly Hat & Silly Socks)
October 29th: K-8 Spirit Day - Be a Hero (Dress As Your Hero)
October 30th: K-8 Spirit Day - I Am Drug Free (Wear Red)
November 6th: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
November 11th: Veteran's Day (No School)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
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: YZ74C. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Library: Our class checked out new books at the library on Monday! We will not check out new books at the library for two weeks, due to the Book Fair. Check out the Book Fair details below in the "Westlake News" section of our newsletter.
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, reading on Raz Kids, or combination of these!
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Phonics: Unit 4- Bonus Letters
Phonics: Unit 4- Bonus Letters
Comprehension: Nonfiction/Ask and Answer Questions
Comprehension: Nonfiction/Ask and Answer Questions
Grammar: Plural Nouns
Grammar: Plural Nouns
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: Sound Waves
Thematic Study: Sound Waves
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Our American Symbols (SS 1.3) assessment will be given next week.
Our Unit 2 math assessment will be given the week of October 26th.
Click here for a digital copy of the study guide
End-of-trimester assessments are being conducted. Results for these assessments will be shared on report cards given out at Trimester 1 Conferences.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: We have been solving equations with unknowns in math this week. We have been solving equations and story problems in math this week. Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in Unit 2. 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 2 of math.
Writing: This trimester we are focusing on Personal Narrative Writing. Personal Narratives have a Topic Sentence and a sequence of First, Next, and Last. 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 sounds (ff, ll, ss, zz), tapping to read words, trick words, spelling trick words, sentence dictation, and Word of the Day. Please practice tapping out each sound in a word, saying and spelling trick words (you, your, I, they, was, one, said), and dictating words (bill, cuff, quiz, fuzz). Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 4 of phonics.
Comprehension: We have been focusing on comparing and contrasting to help us understand what we read and what is read to us by finding similarities and differences. Use this game to help your reader at home.
Grammar: We have been focusing on common nouns- animals and things, to help us make sentences interesting and precise. Please utilize this resource, game or resource to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
This week we continued to learn about Responsibility through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students learned how to recognize when they are distracted and practiced using Rainbow Breathing to refocus. We read the book My Mouth is a Volcano! and discussed how to take Responsibility and to manage our own thoughts and words. Click here to download the Grade 1 Responsibility Newsletter
This week we continued to learn about Responsibility through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students learned how to recognize when they are distracted and practiced using Rainbow Breathing to refocus. We read the book My Mouth is a Volcano! and discussed how to take Responsibility and to manage our own thoughts and words. Click here to download the Grade 1 Responsibility Newsletter
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
Fall Festival: Join us for an afternoon of fall fun, carnival games & community TOMORROW, Saturday, October 24th from 3:00 - 6:00 PM at our Annual Fall Festival!
CLICK HERE to purchase pre-sale tickets featuring our NEW Unlimited Play Wristband option!
CLICK HERE to volunteer during the festival or donate a dessert for our popular Dessert Walk!
CLICK HERE to learn more about the vendor fair
CLICK HERE for Silent Auction
See the WAVE section of the Westlake Weekly for more information!
Fall Book Fair:Our Scholastic Book Fair opens at the Fall Festival tomorrow, Saturday, October 24th and will continue to run from Monday, October 26th - Friday, October 30th. K-8 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 below. CLICK HERE for the link to set up your student’s e-wallet because cash is not accepted at the book fair. The book fair schedule is as follows:
Saturday, October 24th, 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Monday, October 26th, 3:15 - 4:15 PM
Tuesday, October 27th, 3:15 - 4:15 PM
Wednesday, October 28th, 1:15 - 2:30 PM
Thursday, October 29th, 3:15 - 4:15 PM
Friday, October 30th, 3:15 - 4:15 PM
Red Ribbon Week: We will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 26th through October 30th. This is a national school-centered activity related to making healthy choices by avoiding drugs and alcohol. Parents can team with WCS by talking to their students about what they learn during Red Ribbon Week and opening conversations with students about making positive choices throughout their lives.
Our K-8 Campus will celebrate Red Ribbon Week with the following Spirit Days. Please remember to follow the dress code guidelines in the K-8 Family Handbook for spirit days.
Monday: Be Brave and Active (active wear)
Tuesday: We Keep our Paws off Drugs! (animal print or dress like an animal)
Wednesday: From Head to Toe, I am Drug Free (silly hat and socks)
Thursday: Be a Hero (dress as your hero)
Friday: I am Drug Free (wear red)
Jibe Walktober Challenge: Walktober is here! Challenge yourself to walk to school and have your Trip Card scanned as many times as you can between now and October 30th for a chance to win. All classes with at least 50% participation win a party-in-a-box for the entire class to enjoy! CLICK HERE for the flyer. Don’t have a card yet? No problem, just CLICK HERE to register today.
Mystery Reader Challenge: We value school and community collaboration at WCS. As part of our October and November Mystery Reader Challenge, Westlake would like to welcome our community members into our classrooms to read.
If you have a cool job and would like to come tell us a little bit about your job and read us a book, CLICK HERE to sign up.
If you have a connection to a business or organization in our community and would like to include them in our Mystery Reader Challenge, please CLICK HERE to let us know.
K-8 Conference Week: Conference week is November 16th - 20th. CLICK HERE to schedule your conference. The online scheduler is available to families October 26th through November 17th. We strive to have 100% of our families meet with their teacher! CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online scheduler. Remember, during conference week, we will dismiss early to allow time for teachers to meet with each of our families. Kindergarten will dismiss at 1:00 PM, and 1st–8th grade will dismiss at 1:30 PM. Our K-8 BASE program will be open after school until 6:00 PM each day.
Friday, October 16th
Friday, October 16th
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
October 17th: WAVE Coffee Talk (6:00pm)
October 24th: Fall Festival
October 26th-30th: Red Ribbon Week- Dress Up Days
October 26th: K-8 Spirit Day- Be Brave & Active (Wear Active Wear)
October 27th: K-8 Spirit Day - We Keep Our Paws Off Drugs (Animal Print OR Dress Like An Animal)
October 28th: K-8 Spirit Day - From Head to Toe, I am Drug Free (Silly Hat & Silly Socks)
October 29th: K-8 Spirit Day - Be a Hero (Dress As Your Hero)
October 30th: K-8 Spirit Day - I Am Drug Free (Wear Red)
November 6th: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
November 11th: Veteran's Day (No School)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
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: YZ74C. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Library: We checked out new books on this week! Please remind your child to bring their library book back to school by Monday so they can return it and check out a new book. If students do not return their library book, they are unable to check out a new book for the week.
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, reading on Raz Kids, or combination of these!
Coming Up After Break- What are we learning?
Coming Up After Break- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Phonics: Unit 4- Bonus Letters
Phonics: Unit 4- Bonus Letters
Comprehension: Compare and Contrast
Comprehension: Compare and Contrast
Grammar: Nouns
Grammar: Nouns
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: American Symbols
Thematic Study: American Symbols
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Our American Symbols (SS 1.3) assessment will be given next week, the week of October 19th.
Our Unit 2 math assessment will be given the week of October 26th.
Click here for a digital copy of the study guide.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: We have been comparing addition to subtraction in math this week. We have been solving equations and story problems in math this week. Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in Unit 2. 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 2 of math.
Writing: This trimester we are focusing on Personal Narrative Writing. Personal Narratives have a Topic Sentence and a sequence of First, Next, and Last. 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 sounds (sh, ch, th, wh, ck), tapping to read words, trick words, spelling trick words, sentence dictation, and Word of the Day. Please practice tapping out each sound in a word, saying and spelling trick words (as, has, to, into, we, he, she, be, me, for, or), and dictating words (quick, puck, shock, rack, moth). Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 3 of phonics.
Comprehension: We have been focusing on plot to help us focus in and understand what we read and what is read to us. Use this resource to help your reader at home.
Grammar: We have been focusing on nouns-people and places, to help us make sentences interesting and precise. Please utilize this song, game or resource to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
This week we continued to learn about Responsibility through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students learned what it means to focus and follow directions. We read the book The Girl with Big, Big Questions and discussed the importance of focusing and taking responsibility for our choices. Click here to download the Grade 1 Responsibility Newsletter
This week we continued to learn about Responsibility through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students learned what it means to focus and follow directions. We read the book The Girl with Big, Big Questions and discussed the importance of focusing and taking responsibility for our choices. Click here to download the Grade 1 Responsibility Newsletter
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
Mystery Reader Challenge: October and November are Mystery Reader Months at Westlake Charter School. We are welcoming families into our Kindergarten - 5th grade homeroom classrooms, and Humanities classes in Middle School to encourage family engagement that centers on literacy. We are encouraging families to sign up to be a Mystery Reader in the following ways:
Classic In-person Surprise Mystery Reader:
Recorded Surprise Mystery Reader: Perfect for families who may work different schedules, and long-distance family members.
In-Person or Recorded Surprise Chapter Mystery Reader: Perfect for older classes where teachers are already doing immersive reading activities that include the teacher reading a book aloud and students reading along.
Below is all the information you will need to connect, engage, and contribute during the Mystery Reader Challenge!
CLICK HERE for more information about the Mystery Reader Challenge
CLICK HERE to sign up to be a Mystery Reader
CLICK HERE for some fun ideas about how to be an excellent Mystery Reader
CLICK HERE for our Family Volunteer Process
CLICK HERE for our Classroom Volunteering 101 training in Everest Academy
K-8 Conference Week: Save the date for our K-8 Conference week - Conferences will take place November 16th - 20th. Remember, during conference week, we will dismiss early to allow time to meet with each of our families – 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. The online scheduler will be open from October 26th through November 16th.
Jibe Walktober Challenge: Walktober is here! Challenge yourself to walk to school and have your Trip Card scanned as many times as you can between October 19th and October 30th for a chance to win. All classes with at least 50% participation win a party-in-a-box for the entire class to enjoy! CLICK HERE for the flyer. Don’t have a card yet? No problem, just CLICK HERE to register today.
Jibe Bike Doctor: Bike Doc is North Natomas Jibe's free basic bike repair and tune up service. This basic repair service is offered at no cost to our community. Students and families of Westlake Charter School are invited to register to bring in bicycles on October 24th. CLICK HERE To register for Bike Doc free bike repair.
Friday, October 2nd
Friday, October 2nd
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
October 5th-9th: Fall Break (No School)
October 15th: WCS Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
October 24th: Fall Festival
October 26th-30th: Red Ribbon Week- Dress Up Days
October 26th: K-8 Spirit Day- Be Brave & Active (Wear Active Wear)
October 27th: K-8 Spirit Day - We Keep Our Paws Off Drugs (Animal Print OR Dress Like An Animal)
October 28th: K-8 Spirit Day - From Head to Toe, I am Drug Free (Silly Hat & Silly Socks)
October 29th: K-8 Spirit Day - Be a Hero (Dress As Your Hero)
October 30th: K-8 Spirit Day - I Am Drug Free (Wear Red)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
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: YZ74C. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
October Break- No School: I hope you all have a wonderful October Break from October 5th-October 9th. I look forward to seeing your child back at school on Monday, October 12th!
If you are looking for resources to practice with your child over break, check out the Fall Break Reading Challenge sent home in blue folders! This is optional, but a fun way to encourage students to practice reading at home over the break. In addition to reading every day, using Lexia and Imagine Math are also great things to practice during the time off.
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, or combination of these. Our Fall Break reading challenge is a great way to encourage reading over break!
Coming Up After Break- What are we learning?
Coming Up After Break- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Phonics: Unit 3- Digraphs
Phonics: Unit 3- Digraphs
Comprehension: Story Elements (Plot)
Comprehension: Story Elements (Plot)
Grammar: Nouns
Grammar: Nouns
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: American Symbols
Thematic Study: American Symbols
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: This week we have been solving story problems where we find “how many more” or “how many fewer.” Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in Unit 2. Play Shake and Spill and Shake, Spill, and Cover to further develop these concepts at home. 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 2 of math.
Writing: This trimester we are focusing on Personal Narrative Writing. Personal Narratives have a Topic Sentence and a sequence of First, Next, and Last. 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 sounds (sh, ch, th, wh, ck), tapping to read words, trick words, spelling trick words, sentence dictation, and Word of the Day. Please practice tapping out each sound in a word, saying and spelling trick words (as, has, to, into, we, he, she, be, me, for, or), and dictating words (shop, ship, chin, chat, thud, thin). Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 3 of phonics.
Comprehension: We have been focusing on plot to help us focus in and understand what we read and what is read to us. Use this resource to help your reader at home.
Grammar: We have been focusing on exclamatory sentences to help us make sentences interesting and precise. Please utilize this resource, game or worksheet to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
A big part of Responsibility is how we interact and engage with others. As we work to build healthy relationships, we need to understand that our choices can impact the people around us.
A big part of Responsibility is how we interact and engage with others. As we work to build healthy relationships, we need to understand that our choices can impact the people around us.
This month, our first graders will focus on practicing Responsibility by working on keeping focus. We will learn how staying focused, making good choices, and being aware of how our actions affect others can help us be responsible members of our classroom community.
This month, our first graders will focus on practicing Responsibility by working on keeping focus. We will learn how staying focused, making good choices, and being aware of how our actions affect others can help us be responsible members of our classroom community.
This week we read the book Construction Site: Farming Strong, All Year Long and discussed how responsibility and teamwork go together. Click here to download the Grade 1 Responsibility Newsletter
This week we read the book Construction Site: Farming Strong, All Year Long and discussed how responsibility and teamwork go together. Click here to download the Grade 1 Responsibility Newsletter
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
Fall Break: Both campuses will be closed for Fall Break Monday, October 5th through Friday, October 9th. We look forward to welcoming staff and students back on Monday, October 12th. Our BASE program will be open during Fall Break. Please CLICK HERE to register for the day(s) you plan to have your Explorer attend.
Mystery Reader Challenge: October and November are Mystery Reader Months at Westlake Charter School. We are welcoming families into our Kindergarten - 5th grade homeroom classrooms, and Humanities classes in Middle School to encourage family engagement that centers on literacy. We are encouraging families to sign up to be a Mystery Reader in the following ways:
Classic In-person Surprise Mystery Reader:
Recorded Surprise Mystery Reader: Perfect for families who may work different schedules, and long-distance family members.
In-Person or Recorded Surprise Chapter Mystery Reader: Perfect for older classes where teachers are already doing immersive reading activities that include the teacher reading a book aloud and students reading along.
Below is all the information you will need to connect, engage, and contribute during the Mystery Reader Challenge!
CLICK HERE for more information about the Mystery Reader Challenge
CLICK HERE to sign up to be a Mystery Reader
CLICK HERE for some fun ideas about how to be an excellent Mystery Reader
CLICK HERE for our Family Volunteer Process
CLICK HERE for our Classroom Volunteering 101 training in Everest Academy
Friday, September 29th
Friday, September 29th
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
September 25th: Progress Reports Sent Home
October 1st: Picture Retake Day
October 2nd: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
October 5th-9th: Fall Break (No School)
October 15th: WCS Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
October 24th: Fall Festival
October 26th-30th: Red Ribbon Week- Dress Up Days
October 26th: K-8 Spirit Day- Be Brave & Active (Wear Active Wear)
October 27th: K-8 Spirit Day - We Keep Our Paws Off Drugs (Animal Print OR Dress Like An Animal)
October 28th: K-8 Spirit Day - From Head to Toe, I am Drug Free (Silly Hat & Silly Socks)
October 29th: K-8 Spirit Day - Be a Hero (Dress As Your Hero)
October 30th: K-8 Spirit Day - I Am Drug Free (Wear Red)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
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: YZ74C. Order online at: scholastic.com/bookclubs.
Field Lesson: We had our Life Long Ago field lesson on Tuesday! Students had a blast learning about transportation, school, and home life, as well as playing games from long ago!
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, or combination of these. Our Fall Break reading challenge is a great way to encourage reading over break!
Coming Up After Break- What are we learning?
Coming Up After Break- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Phonics: Unit 3- Digraphs
Phonics: Unit 3- Digraphs
Comprehension: Story Elements (Plot)
Comprehension: Story Elements (Plot)
Grammar: Exclamations
Grammar: Exclamations
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: American Symbols
Thematic Study: American Symbols
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Progress Reports were sent home in blue folders today. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns on your child's progress report!
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: This week we solved put-together/take-apart story problems with missing totals or addends. Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in Unit 2. Play Shake and Spill and Shake, Spill, and Cover to further develop these concepts at home. 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 2 of math.
Writing: TThis trimester we are focusing on Personal Narrative Writing. Personal Narratives have a Topic Sentence and a sequence of First, Next, and Last. 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 tapping to read words, trick words, spelling trick words, sentence dictation, and Word of the Day. Please practice tapping out each sound in a word, saying and spelling trick words (the, a, and, is, his, of), and dictating words (lug, nap, zap, yes, beg, fix, quit, rob, hit, mud). Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 2 of phonics.
Comprehension: We have been focusing on comparing and contrasting to help us understand what we read and what is read to us by finding similarities and differences between texts or within one text. Use this link and video to help your reader at home.
Grammar: We have been focusing on question sentences to help us create sentences that are interesting and precise. Please utilize this video and resource to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
This was our final week learning about Respect! Students explored what respect looks like through kindness, empathy, and caring about others. We learned how to focus on a speaker, follow directions, and show care by using quiet, attentive bodies. We rounded off the week by reading the book Interrupting Chicken.
Click here to download the Grade 1 Respect Newsletter
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
19th Annual Olympic Triathlon: The 19th Annual Olympic Triathlon Event Day on Friday was the highlight of our one big fundraising campaign each year, which runs through Wednesday, September 30th! CLICK HERE to watch the video with more information about the Olympic Triathlon. Then, if you haven’t done so already, CLICK HERE to set up your family donation page on the PledgeStar website - it’s not too late! You can customize it with your student’s name, a photo, and a donation goal. It is easy to quickly request sponsors via email or text, explaining why Westlake is amazing and how they can help us meet our goal this year.
K-12 Picture Retake Day: K-12 Picture Retake Day: Our Picture Retake Day is Thursday, October 1st. See below for who should have their picture taken on October 1st:
Students & staff who are new to our school since the original picture day
Students & staff who were absent on the original picture day
Students & staff who would like to retake their photo
CLICK HERE to order pictures
Fall Break: Both campuses will be closed for Fall Break Monday, October 5th through Friday, October 9th. Our BASE program will be open during Fall Break. Please CLICK HERE to register for the day(s) you plan to have your Explorer attend.
Lost and Found: The Lost & Found at each campus is overflowing with jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles and more! K-8 families: Swing by to check for missing items behind the Admin Building. WCHS students: Look in the Commons during arrival, lunch, and dismissal. All unclaimed items will be donated over Fall Break.
Friday, September 18th
Friday, September 18th
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
September 22nd: Life Long Ago On Campus Experience
September 25th: K-8 School Spirit Day (Sports Day)
September 25th: Olympic Triathlon Event Day
October 1st: Picture Retake Day (Optional)
October 2nd: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
October 5th-9th: Fall Break (No School)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
Life Long Ago On Campus Experience: On Tuesday, September 22nd, first grade will have some visitors from Sutter's Fort! They will be teaching us about many aspects of life long ago. First graders will be traveling in between classrooms for different lessons, experiences, and games!
Library: Please remind your child to bring their library book back to school by Monday so they can return it and check out a new book. If students do not return their library book, they are unable to check out a new book for the week.
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, or combination of these!
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Phonics: Unit 2 - CVC words
Phonics: Unit 2 - CVC words
Comprehension: Compare and Contrast
Comprehension: Compare and Contrast
Grammar: Questions
Grammar: Questions
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: Life Long Ago
Thematic Study: Life Long Ago
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Our Life Long Ago (SS 1.4) assessment will be given next week.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: We recently began Unit 2 in our math curriculum. Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in this unit. We have been writing expressions and equations to solve story problems and showing our thinking with drawings and numbers. Play this addition game and this subtraction game to further develop these concepts at home. 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 2 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 sound review, tapping to read words, tapping to spell words, and reading sentences in the correct order. Please practice tapping out each sound in a word and then tapping to write out a word (lit, lip, lap, rap, rip, nip, sip, sit, set). Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 2 of phonics.
Comprehension: We have been focusing on comparing and contrasting to help us understand what we read and what is read to us by finding similarities and differences between texts or within one text. Use this link and video to help your reader at home.
Grammar: We have been focusing on statement (telling) sentences to help us make our sentences interesting and precise. Please utilize this resource to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
This week we continued to learn about Respect through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. We focused on building and understanding friendship, accepting peers as they are, and connecting pieces of positive social interaction. Students engaged in a Friendship Puzzle lesson to learn how individual actions fit together to build a healthy community. We read the book Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome and students were asked to observe the illustrations throughout the book. They noticed how Lin acts at school (shy and quiet) versus how he acts with his family (expressive and happy) to learn how environment impacts comfort.
Click here to download the Grade 1 Respect Newsletter
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
19th Annual Olympic Triathlon: The 19th Annual Olympic Triathlon, our one big fundraising campaign each year, is in full swing! CLICK HERE to watch the video with more information. CLICK HERE to set up your family donation page on the PledgeStar website. You can customize it with your student’s name, a photo, and a donation goal. It is easy to quickly request sponsors via email or text, explaining why Westlake is amazing and how they can help us meet our goal this year. The more students who hit the $150 goal, the bigger the celebration for our school community! CLICK HERE to sign up to work a shift on Event Day, Friday, September 25th.
K-12 Picture Retake Day: Our Picture Retake Day is Thursday, October 1st. CLICK HERE for the memo. See below for who should have their picture taken on October 1st:
Students & staff who are new to our school since the original picture day
Students & staff who were absent on the original picture day
Students & staff who would like to retake their photo
CLICK HERE to order pictures
Jibe Walk/Bike to School Challenge: The first Jibe Walk and Bike to School Challenge of the year is here. Just walk, bike, or scoot to school and have your Trip Card scanned as many times as you can between now and September 25th for a chance to win. The three classes with the most participation will receive a prize for the entire class! CLICK HERE for the flyer. Don’t have a card yet? No problem, CLICK HERE to register today.
Fall Break: Both campuses will be closed for Fall Break Monday, October 5th through Friday, October 9th. We look forward to welcoming staff and students back on Monday, October 12th.
Friday, September 11th
Friday, September 11th
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
September 18th: Scholastic Book Orders Due (code: YZ74C)
September 22nd: Life Long Ago On Campus Experience
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:
School Dismissal Manager/After School Clubs: With after school clubs getting underway, please make sure your child's School Dismissal Manager is up to date! You can update your child's dismissal preferences on the School Dismissal Manager website using this link: SDM website. I cannot release your child from our classroom at the end of the day, including to an after school club, if their dismissal has not been updated. If you have any questions or trouble updating your School Dismissal Manager, you can also email admin@westlakecharter.com for assistance!
Library: Our class checked out new books at the library last Monday! Please remind your child to bring their library book back to school by Monday so they can return it and check out a new book. If students do not return their library book, they are unable to check out a new book for the week.
Blue Responsibility Folders: Blue Responsibility Folders are sent home with students every Friday! Please review and remove the papers in the "Keep at Home" side of the folder and return the empty folder to school on Monday.
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, or combination of these!
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Math: Unit 2- Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
Phonics: Unit 2- CVC Words
Phonics: Unit 2- CVC Words
Comprehension: Compare and Contrast
Comprehension: Compare and Contrast
Grammar: Statements
Grammar: Statements
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: Life Long Ago
Thematic Study: Life Long Ago
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Our Unit 1 Math Assessment was given this week.
Our Life Long Ago (SS 1.4) assessment will be given next week.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: We have been surveying, looking at data, and answering questions about data 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 z and qu. 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. We have been practicing how to tap to read words. Please practice tapping out each sound in a word (sad, sat, sap, sip, sit, mop, map, mad, mud). Click here for additional information and activities to support your child throughout Unit 1 of phonics.
Comprehension: We have been focusing on setting to help us understand and visualize what we read and what is read to us. Use this resource to help your reader at home.
Grammar: We have been focusing on the telling part of a sentence to help us make sentences interesting and precise. Please utilize this resource to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
This week we continued to learn about Respect through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students learned how to see the value in others, how to treat others with care, and understanding differences. We read the book Big by Vashti Harrison, and discussed how impactful our words are for ourselves and others.
This week we continued to learn about Respect through our Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum. Students learned how to see the value in others, how to treat others with care, and understanding differences. We read the book Big by Vashti Harrison, and discussed how impactful our words are for ourselves and others.
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
Olympic Triathlon: The 19th Annual Olympic Triathlon, our one big fundraising campaign each year, is in full swing! CLICK HERE to watch the video with more information. CLICK HERE to set up your family donation page on the PledgeStar website. You can customize it with your student’s name, a photo, and a donation goal. It is easy to quickly request sponsors via email or text, explaining why Westlake is amazing and how they can help us meet our goal this year. The more students who hit the $150 goal, the bigger the celebration for our school community!
After School Live - Fall Explorer Enrichment: Our fall Explorer Enrichment starts soon! CLICK HERE to see the catalog of Explorer Enrichment course offerings and information about how to sign up. E-mail amayle@westlakecharter.com with scholarship inquiries.
Jibe Walk/Bike to School Challenge: The first Jibe Walk and Bike to School Challenge of the year is here. Just walk, bike, or scoot to school and have your Trip Card scanned as many times as you can between September 14th and September 25th for a chance to win. The three classes with the most participation will receive a prize for the entire class! CLICK HERE for the flyer. Don’t have a card yet? No problem, CLICK HERE to register today.
Friday, September 4th
Friday, September 4th
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
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 18th: Scholastic Book Orders Due (code: YZ74C)
October 2nd: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
October 5th-9th: Fall Break (No School)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
No School: There will be no school on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. I look forward to seeing students back at school on Tuesday, September 8th!
Library: Our class had the opportunity to check out library books for the first time this week! Students were able to check out a book if all of their library books from last year had been returned. If you have any library books at home from last year, please return them ASAP! Students had the choice to keep their new book at school or bring it home. If your child brought their book home, please remind them to bring it back by (next) Monday so we can return our old books and check out new ones!
Blue Responsibility Folders: Blue Responsibility Folders are sent home with students every Friday! Please review and remove the papers in the "Keep at Home" side of the folder and return the empty folder to school on Monday.
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, or combination of these!
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working with Data
Math: Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working with Data
Phonics: Unit 1- Letter Review
Phonics: Unit 1- Letter Review
Comprehension: Story Elements (Characters)
Comprehension: Story Elements (Characters)
Grammar: Sentences (Naming Part)
Grammar: Sentences (Naming Part)
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: Life Long Ago
Thematic Study: Life Long Ago
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
Our Unit 1 Math Assessment will be given next week.
Click here for a digital copy of the Unit 1 Study Guide sent home in responsibility folders this week.
BPST and Sight Words (Trick Words) are being assessed during the first few weeks of school to gather baseline data for students.
NWEA assessments were completed this week. Students did an awesome job on both their Math and Reading Assessments! Make up assessments will be completed next week.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Math: We have been surveying and looking at data in math this week. Watch this video to learn more about the concepts covered in this unit. 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 e, r, p, j, l, h, k. 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 story elements to help us understand the different aspects of what we read and what is read to us. Use this resource to help your reader at home.
Grammar: We have been focusing on the naming part of a sentence to help us make sentences interesting and precise. Please utilize this resource to help your child at home.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
Friendships can have a major impact on your health and well-being. When each friend feels valued, accepted, and loved, they feel respected. Friendships that share Respect allow us to build trust, feelings of safety, and well-being. This month's focus for 1st grade is on practicing Respect with our friendships. Click here to download the Grade 1 Respect Newsletter
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
Olympic Triathlon: The 19th Annual Olympic Triathlon, our one big fundraising campaign each year, is in full swing! CLICK HERE to set up your family donation page on the PledgeStar website. You can customize it with your student’s name, a photo, and a donation goal. It is easy to quickly request sponsors via email or text, explaining why Westlake is amazing and how they can help us meet our goal this year. The more students who hit the $150 goal, the bigger the celebration for our school community!
Labor Day - NO SCHOOL: Westlake Charter School and our BASE program will be closed on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day.
After School Live - Fall Explorer Enrichment: Our fall Explorer Enrichment starts soon! CLICK HERE to see the catalog of Explorer Enrichment course offerings and information about how to sign up. E-mail amayle@westlakecharter.com with scholarship inquiries.
Friday, August 28th
Friday, August 28th
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
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 18th: Scholastic Book Orders Due (code: YZ74C)
October 2nd: WAVE Coffee Talk (8:30 AM)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
Back to School Night: It was wonderful seeing so many of you at Back to School Night! Click here to view the slide deck presentation. Feel free to look it over and let me know if you have any additional questions.
Fall Picture Day: Fall Picture Day is Tuesday, September 1st. All students will be photographed for the yearbook and student IDs. This will be a uniform picture day. Please see the "Westlake News" section below for more information on Fall Picture Day.
Blue Responsibility Folders: Blue Responsibility Folders are sent home with students every Friday! Please review and remove the papers in the "Keep at Home" side of the folder and return the empty folder to school on Monday.
Family Survey: Please click here to fill out a short family survey so I can learn a little more about your child and your family. I look forward to partnering with you throughout this school year to make your child's year a success!
Nightly Reading: To support reading development in first grade, I encourage students to read for 15-20 minutes every night. This can be your child reading independently, reading to someone, someone reading to your child, or combination of these! RazKids is a great online resource to find books at your child's level.
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working with Data
Math: Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working with Data
Phonics: Unit 1- Letter Review
Phonics: Unit 1- Letter Review
Comprehension: Story Elements (Characters)
Comprehension: Story Elements (Characters)
Grammar: Sentences (Naming Part)
Grammar: Sentences (Naming Part)
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: Friendship and Citizenship Wrap Up/Begin Life Long Ago
Thematic Study: Friendship and Citizenship Wrap Up/Begin Life Long Ago
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
BPST and Sight Words (Trick Words) will be assessed during the first few weeks of school to gather baseline data for students.
Our Citizenship (SS 1.1) Assessment was given this week.
Over the next two weeks, students will be completing their fall NWEA MAP assessments in class on Chromebooks. The MAP Math Assessment will be given on Tuesday, September 1st and the MAP Math Assessment will be given on Thursday, September 3rd.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework 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:
Social-Emotional:
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.
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 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 News:
Westlake News:
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!
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.
Friday, August 21st
Friday, August 21st
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)
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)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
Blue Responsibility Folders: Blue Responsibility Folders (Friday Folders) went home with students today! Please review and remove the papers in the "Keep at Home" side of the folder and return the empty folder to school on Monday.
Fall Picture Day: Fall Picture Day is Tuesday, September 1st. All students will be photographed for the yearbook and student IDs. This will be a uniform picture day. Please see the "Westlake News" section below for more information on Fall Picture Day.
Back to School Night: I hope to see you at our Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 26th at either 6:00pm for Session One or 6:40pm for Session Two in our classroom, C-107! Please see the "Westlake News" section below for more information on Back to School Night.
Family Survey: Please click here to fill out a short family survey so I can learn a little more about your child and your family. I look forward to partnering with you throughout this school year to make your child's year a success!
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working with Data
Math: Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working with Data
Phonics: Unit 1- Letter Review
Phonics: Unit 1- Letter Review
Comprehension: Ask and Answer Questions
Comprehension: Ask and Answer Questions
Grammar: Sentences
Grammar: Sentences
Writing: Narrative Writing
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: Friendship and Citizenship
Thematic Study: Friendship and Citizenship
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
BPST and Sight Words (Trick Words) will be assessed during the first few weeks of school to gather baseline data for students.
Our Citizenship (SS 1.1) Assessment will be given next week.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework 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:
Social-Emotional:
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!
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 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 News:
Westlake News:
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.
Friday, August 14th
Friday, August 14th
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)
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)
Classroom Content:
Classroom Content:
We had a wonderful first week of first grade! We spent time learning each other's names, building classroom community, and exploring spaces in our classroom and around campus. We reviewed our numbers to 20 in math and spent time familiarizing ourselves with our Fundations phonics curriculum. We will start reviewing our letters more in depth next week. It has been great getting to know you and your children this first week of school. I look forward to collaborating with you for a wonderful first grade year!
Family Survey: Please click here to fill out a short family survey so I can learn a little more about your child and your family. I look forward to partnering with you throughout this school year to make your child's year a success!
School Dismissal Manager: At Westlake, we use School Dismissal Manager to safely dismiss students to the appropriate location each day. If you haven't already, please update your child's School Dismissal Manager for this school year to indicate how your child will be getting home each day. If you need any support with updating your child's dismissal preferences, please email admin@westlakecharter.com.
PLEASE NOTE: Every Thursday I will have carline duty. This means that I will be outside at the first grade area of the carline ensuring your students are safe as they wait for your car. On these days, if you will be picking your child up from the classroom, and you do not see me or your child, your child will be waiting for you outside of Ms. Myer’s room right next door at C106.
Specialty Classes: Our specialty classes began this week! Our class is very excited for Spanish, Art, and PE! Our class will be going to Art on Monday, PE on Tuesday and Thursday, then they will visit Spanish on Friday! You can also view that schedule here!
Coming Up Next Week- What are we learning?
Math: Unit 1- Adding, Subtracting, and Working with Data
Phonics: Unit 1- Letter Review
Comprehension: Making Predictions
Grammar: Sentences
Writing: Narrative Writing
Thematic Study: Friendship and Citizenship
Assessment Information:
Assessment Information:
BPST and Sight Words (Trick Words) will be assessed during the first few weeks of school to gather baseline data for students.
Schoolwork/Homework Resources:
Schoolwork/Homework 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).
Phonics: This week in phonics we focused on letter review. Use this link to help your reader improve their letter sound knowledge.
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.
Social-Emotional:
Social-Emotional:
This week, we focused on getting to know our classmates and learning their names. We will continue to work on building classroom community and learning about our classmates in the following weeks.
This week, we focused on getting to know our classmates and learning their names. We will continue to work on building classroom community and learning about our classmates in the following weeks.
Specialty Class Information:
Specialty Class Information:
See 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 News:
Westlake News:
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.
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!
Our Grade Level is off to a great start! School just started and we are already at 23.96% of our goal. This week the grade level with the highest growth over last week will win a prize! Let’s go families, let’s make sure First Grade wins big!
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.
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