January 9 - Westwood Parent Forum, 6:15pm Media Center

January 11 - Last Day of Semester

January 12 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Learning

January 15 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 18 - Westwood Parent Forum, 6:15pm Media Center

January 22-31 - Student Leadership Application window

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members,

As we find ourselves in the middle of the school year, we wanted to take a moment to connect with you and share some opportunities for collaboration and feedback. Your Input Matters!

At Westwood, we believe that a strong partnership between parents, teachers, and the community is essential for the success of our students. Your insights and perspectives are invaluable in shaping the direction of our school and enhancing the learning experience for all.

We invite you to join one of our Town Hall presentations and feedback opportunities at Westwood on January 9 or January 18 at 6:15, where we'll discuss the progress we've made so far toward our building goals. This will be a great opportunity for you to ask questions, share your thoughts, and engage in open dialogue. Your feedback is crucial in helping us refine our goals and initiatives.

We truly value your partnership in Westwood students' education and our school, and we look forward to working together to create a positive and enriching environment for all students. Thank you for your continued support.

Did you know that Westwood employs various data systems to optimize decision-making?

From student attendance records to district wide assessments (FAST, ISASP, CogATs) and classroom academic performance scores, these systems enable us to gather, analyze, and utilize data for informed decision-making. This data-driven approach supports the continuous improvement of instructional practices and overall school operations, ensuring a well-rounded and effective educational experience.

One piece of data is provided by FAST Screeners. FAST (Formative Assessment System for Teachers) is a universal research-based way for teachers to understand how well your child is doing in school. It is a thorough assessment tool designed to measure a student's academic proficiency and growth (in literacy and math). It provides valuable insights into your child's learning progress, helping teachers tailor instruction to better meet individual needs.

During the FAST screening, your child will engage in short, regular, age-appropriate tests. Some of these assessments are designed to be adaptive, meaning they adjust difficulty based on your child's responses. This ensures a more accurate and personalized measure of their abilities.

The information gathered from FAST allows teachers to identify specific areas where your child excels and areas that may need additional attention. It provides a snapshot of their academic strengths and challenges, enabling educators to make informed decisions about instructional strategies, interventions, and enrichment opportunities.

FAST screeners are conducted as a friendly check-in three times throughout the school year to make sure your child is on the right track in their learning journey, and help teachers plan to best support each student. By assessing progress multiple times and tracking progress with FAST, teachers can celebrate achievements, address areas of concern, provide targeted or enrichment support, to ensure each child reaches their full potential.

These screeners are an essential tool in fostering a collaborative partnership between teachers and parents to support your child's educational journey. If you have any questions or concerns about the FAST screeners, feel free to reach out to your child's teacher for more information.

**Click below to watch a short video to learn more from Ms. Holmes, Instructional Coach.**

Students in the English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program will be taking the ELPA21 Summative test in February. ELPA21 stands for English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century. This is an annual test that shows how the student is progressing in Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening in English. During the month of February, please make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast and gets plenty of sleep at night. The ELPA21 Summative is an online test. Your child's scores will be mailed to you in May. Students scoring at the proficient level of the ELPA21 Summative will exit the ESOL program. Students currently served in the ESOL program and students who have waived ESOL service will both be tested. For questions or concerns, please contact Licia Pettit licia.pettit@ankenyschools.org.

The Leadership Action Team will be accepting the next round of applications for student leadership roles January 22- January 31st. If you are interested in being a leader at Westwood, see your teacher for an application! Applications can also be completed at home using the google form.

4th Graders from Ms. Kelly's class are jumping right back into being proactive with their New Year's Resolutions! Happy 2024, everyone! It is great to see the Leader in Me Habits in action!

Our Leader in Me habit focus for January will be habit 3: Put First Things First. This means to spend time on things that are most important. It also includes setting priorities, making a schedule, and following through on plans. Being organized can also fall under the heading of putting first things first. In addition, by saying,'No,' to things you know you shouldn't do, you are putting first things first. We can all put first things first at school, home, work, and within any activity.

During the school day, smartwatches are to be used only as a watch, not as a communication device. Students may not call, text, or answer messages during the school day. Cell phones should be stored in backpacks.

Please refrain from messaging your students during the school day and remind them of the technology policy. However, if you need to share a message with your student you can call the office at 515.965.9690. Thank you.

The Volunteer Portal takes users to the three steps required to volunteer at any ACSD building. ANY and ALL volunteers who would like to help in a classroom, come to class parties, or act as a field trip chaperone must have an approved account in the Better Impact Portal.

Step 1 - Background check, expires every 5 years.

Step 2 - Handbook Acknowledgement, expires every year.

Step 3 - Create a Better Impact account, no expiration.

Click here for Westwood volunteer portal instructions.

Celebrate your student’s birthday with the library by donating a favorite book in your student’s name to the library. Each book will be sent to the Westwood library and added to the collection. A label with your student's name will be added and they will be the first person to check it out! The book will be enjoyed by Westwood students for many years to come!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/307V2D718LSYG?ref_=wl_share

Reminders that strep and pink eye require a full 24 hours of treatment and to be fever-free (below 100.4 without the use of Tylenol/ibuprofen) before your student can return to school. As always, I'm just an email or phone call away if you have questions about when your child can return after an illness. Please continue to report Covid positive results to the nurse as the return dates can vary and carry restrictions upon return.

If your child has a fever, throwing up, or diarrhea they will need to be picked up as soon as possible. If your schedule does not allow you to pick up your student within an hour of being sent home, we kindly ask that you have a back-up plan/person in place available for pick-up.

Westwood students will go outside for recess as long as the temp/wind chill is 0 or above. Ankeny Schools uses the National Weather Service website to find out the temp/wind chill. Please ensure your student has warm clothes each day this winter! If you need support in finding winter gear, please reach out to the office.

Please visit the Westwood PTO website to view the latest information!

https://www.wearewestwood.org/

2023-2024 yearbooks are now on sale! Paper order forms will be sent home in December.

You can place online orders at https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09895837.

Book cost: $24

Please note that yearbook orders are DUE by MARCH 15. Order yours today!

Summer Adventures Camp: get ready for a summer full of sizzling fun! Registration is open to any student completing grades K-5 during the 2023-24 school year. Camp dates are June 3 - August 16. Each week includes fun, hands-on, theme-based enrichment activities focused on science, arts, technology, and recreation, as well as field trips. Two convenient Ankeny Community School District locations. Space is limited! Check out the details by clicking here! Online registration opens February 1 to current B/ASP students & 2023 Summer Adventures Camp students. Registration opens February 8 to all other students.

Now Hiring! Before & After School Program Teachers & Program Assistants: Do you know someone 16 & older who would be an amazing addition to our B/ASP team? We're hiring for multiple positions! If you know someone who loves working with elementary-aged students; working on an energetic team; and who's a committed, positive role model, encourage them to apply online today: https://ankeny.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx?jcat=BASP!

Questions? Contact the central Before & After School Program office - 515-289-3925 or basp@ankenyschools.org

BackPack Program

Ankeny Schools in a partnership with the Food Bank of Iowa offers school aged students access to the Friday BackPack Program. This program is designed to increase access to easy-to-prepare, single servings of food to support your child over the weekend. If you are interested in your child receiving a sack filled with kid-friendly foods each Friday, please contact Tracey Campo-Westergaard, tracey.westergaard@ankenyschools.org, Westwood School Social Worker.

FREE/REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS

You can apply for free/reduced lunch electronically through School Café by clicking here or using the QR Code. A printable application and fee waiver are also attached. Return completed applications to your school's main office. A new free/reduced meal eligibility application must be completed and submitted each year.

If you have questions or if you would like assistance contact Tracey Campo-Westergaard @ 515 965-9690 ext. 58887 or at tracey.westergaard@ankenyschools.org.

Please click the button below for several Ankeny Resources that are available.

Choose one communication method that you like best!

• Email the office at ww.office@ankenyschools.org (Remember to include the teacher so they are aware!)
• Call the office at 515.965.9690

• Utilize the Infinite Campus Parent Portal Absence Request system.

The Westwood office staff, Laura and Monique, are still able to be emailed if you have any specific questions or concerns.

As a reminder, if your student is absent and you do not notify the school, office staff may reach out to the household contacts on Infinite Campus.

Email: ww.office@ankenyschools.org
Website: https://westwood.ankenyschools.org/
Location: 2920 Northwest 9th Street, Ankeny, IA, USA
Phone: 515.965.9690
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnkenyWestwood/