Parent Newsletter
Westmeade Elementary
Westmeade Elementary earned a level 5 out of 5 composite score in the Tennessee Value Added Assessment Systems (TVAAS) based on the TCAP Assessment 3rd and 4th grade students took in the spring 2023. For the past several years Westmeade has earned a 3 out of 5. An instructional focus and goal set last year was to increase achievement and growth. And, we did that!!
We will continue to double down on what we know is working well so that we can maintain our progress and continue to close gaps.
I am so proud of all of our students and teachers, and I am honored to be your leader.
Westmeade continues to be recognized as one of the top schools in the district for outstanding attendance, and this year, our innovative STRIVE FOR 5 Attendance Campaign was selected as the winning theme for the 2023-24 school year for the entire MNPS District! A Westmeade student and our dedicated Attendance Leader, 5th grade student Ryan Johnson, was selected as a district winner for the poster contest, bringing two well-deserved wins to Westmeade! Ryan has also been recognized for his exemplary student leadership, helping to recognize Westmeade students for their commitment to attendance.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow #WEStriveForFive is our commitment to fostering a culture of exceptional school attendance. Regular attendance means coming to school on time and staying all day, every day, which is key to every child's success. We encourage all students and families to set attendance goals and participate in our exciting incentive programs to help make every day a school day!
On September 12th, Westmeade Elementary School buzzed with excitement as students in grades 3-5 welcomed Meg Medina, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. The visit at Lipscomb University, facilitated by a winning proposal from librarian Katharine Dieckmann and partnered with Nashville Public Library, materialized Medina's "Cuéntame! Let's Talk Books!" platform into a vibrant, community-building experience. Each student received a personal copy of one of Medina's award-winning novels, eagerly clutching their personalized treasures.
Christopher, a young voice from Westmeade, took center stage as the chosen "cuentista," delivering two captivating book talks alongside Medina. His infectious enthusiasm and insightful remarks resonated with the audience, a testament to the power of sharing stories. Christopher's performance even resonated with Lindsey Kimery, director of MNPS Library Services, who invited him and Ms. Dieckmann to share their "Cuentame!" experience on her podcast, "Librarians in Music City."
Westmeade Elementary proudly celebrates its very own Elise DeTrude, nominated as a Blue Ribbon Teacher for the 2023-2024 School Year! In her fourth year at Westmeade and eighth with MNPS, Ms. DeTrude embodies excellence in leadership, as evidenced by her innovative "Fall in Love with Math Night" last February.
Ms. DeTrude's dedicated approach paid off – the event received an overwhelming outpouring of positive feedback from Westmeade families and staff. Parents reported feeling more confident in supporting their children's math learning, and students returned to class with a newfound enthusiasm for the subject. Ms. DeTrude's hope is to turn this into an annual tradition, further cementing her legacy as a leader who fosters a love of learning in both students and their families.
This fall, Westmeade partnered with the District 23 Beautification Commissioner and her team. They planted around 80 daffodil bulbs, added several bird houses, and a few bat houses to our school campus. We cannot wait to see the flowers bloom and have enjoyed our new bird and bat houses.
In addition, several Eagle Scouts have started planning projects at our school as well. Stay tuned for what's in store!
Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year nominee, Ms. Veronica Sepulveda. Ms. Sepulveda is an English Language Learner teacher at Westmeade working with students in grades 3-5 who speak English as a second language.
Ms. Sepulveda connects with our families and the greater community. She collaborates with teachers to ensure students have the best learning experiences. Ms. Sepulveda goes above and beyond and helps translates information to Spanish speaking families which allows them to participate in school activities and engage in their child's education at Westmeade. While in the classroom, Ms. Sepulveda works to create connections between students' learning and the real world to develop the whole child and world wide citizens.
Westmeade Elementary Wolf Pack
At Westmeade, we strive to uphold the district's vision of “delivering a great public education to every student, everyday." We meet this goal by building a solid academic and social foundation to build life-long learners. We prepare our students with the skills to think critically and independently so they can become active members of their community. We believe academic and social growth go hand-in-hand and we are committed to developing responsible citizens.
We are thrilled to welcome you and your family to Westmeade Elementary. Westmeade has a tradition of excellence in education and is home to highly qualified, professional teachers. Our teachers are dedicated to every child they serve. Westmeade teachers uphold our school’s mission and vision by delivering a great education to every student, every day.
Parents are such a huge part of the success of Westmeade. Parents are not only supportive of our enriched curriculum, but they also have ample opportunity to participate in the learning. Westmeade has a variety of PTA committees for parents and enthusiastically encourages parents to volunteer. We value each and every parent as their child’s first educator, and we value the trust they place in us to educate their child through the elementary school experience.
Westmeade is more than just a school; it's a family. We encourage you to discover what makes us a 'gem' for learning. Schedule a tour today to witness our classrooms buzzing with creativity, explore our website to learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, and join us in making Westmeade an even more amazing place for students to learn and grow.
If you are interested in learning more about Westmeade, scheduling a school tour, or support our students and school please don't hesitate to reach out.
Best,
Dr. Mattie Crumbo
615-353-2066
