School of Choice & Open Enrollment
School of Choice and Open Enrollment forms have gone home to those families that need to fill them out. If your student is open enrolled at Westwoods, please make sure you have completed the form and returned it to the office. Thank you!

The North Stars & Westwoods
Throughout the school year, Ms. Bonne’s 4th Grade class has been very fortunate to have outstanding members of our community volunteer in their classroom. Several players from the local Junior-A NAHL Hokey Team, Traverse City North Stars, have been assisting with math and social skills development. “They made recess and math fun for everyone,” said Cody Fewins from Ms. Bonne’s class.

The North Stars also sponsored a Westwoods/North Star evening. Over 15 students and the their families attended a game and were able to go out on the ice and into the locker room for autographs after the game. Madison Wahl, a Westwoods student, said, “My favorite part was going into the locker room.”

Westwoods Elementary and Ms. Bonne’s 4th Grade class would like to thank the local celebrities for their helpfulness and enthusiasm to support our learning!

Let's All Do the BBQ!
NMC BBQ tickets are now available in our school office. Let's all do the BBQ! The 57th Annual NMC Barbecue will be held Sunday, May 20th, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM on the NMC Main Campus. Advance purchased tickets are $6 - a savings of $2. Westwoods earns $1 of every ticket sold. We hope you will join us for a special family day! Thank you for supporting your school and the NMC BBQ!

WW Cafeteria News
The last day for students and adults to charge meals will be May 11, 2012.

World Language News
Estimadas Familias,

¡Buenos(as)! It seems amazing we are wrapping up the school year already! The students have soaked up so much Spanish it has been fun to watch them! They have a great number of questions that they can ask and answer, such as:

¿Cuál es tu nacionalidad? (What is your nationality?)

¿Dónde vives? (Where do you live?)

¿Te gusta Michigan State? (Do you like State?)

¿Cuál es tu numero de teléfono? (What’s your phone number?)

¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (What’s your favorite color?)

¿Qué es esto?  (What’s this?)

¿Qué color son las uñas? (What color are the fingernails?)

¿Qué te duele? (What hurts?)

They students have wrapped up their work with La Entrevista and many of them even memorized it! Some third graders performed it for the whole school on the morning news. You can share it with your child by going to Moodle lesson 15 together.

The fifth graders have learned how to use a headset and record their voices on Moodle. Energy levels were high as they spoke into the microphones and subsequently listened to themselves speak Spanish. There is one more CAAP test this year for the students and the speaking and listening part will be done at school, on the laptops with Moodle- an exciting technological application for World Language.

The students have enjoyed their writing activities in “El Diario.” It has given them an opportunity to write simple sentences and to express themselves in Spanish- something they do proudly. They even had a chance to report “Nieve” (snow) as the weather in mid-April!

Thank you to all the families who supported our La Senorita fundraiser on April 18th!-what a night! The children enjoyed preparing for their performances.

If you have any questions regarding la clase de Español, please email me: koskika@tcaps.net.

Sinceramente,

Señora Koski

Westwoods Grill Out Days
The wonderful Westwoods Grill Out Days are back! Bring your blanket or lawn chair and join us for a delicious grill out picnic featuring a hot dog or hamburger on a bun. Grill out picnic days are: May 11th, May 18th, and May 25th.

The Bullycide Project - May 22, 6:00 PM

The Bullycide Project is a play based on the book Bullycide in America, written by mothers who have lost a child to suicide due to excessive bullying. The play chronicles stories of bullycide, as well as additional stories from the perspectives of the bully, the bystander, the person who stands up to bullying, and the parents.

The play is showing at Lars Hockstad Auditorium, Central Grade School, 301 W. 7th Street. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Show starts at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Orchard Creek Assisted Living on Cherry Bend Road, The Copy Shop on 8th Street, and Floor Covering B rokers on South Airport Road.

Proceeds from this event will benefit TCAPS anti-bullying initiatives. Contact Dale Chilcote at dale@orchardcreektc.com or visit www.thebullycideproject.com for more information.

Grand Slam for TCAPS – 1st Annual Wuerfel Park Fundraiser for TCAPS K-12 Sports: Saturday, July 28, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Come join the fun at Wuerfel Park on Saturday, July 28th, and help raise funds for TCAPS sports programs. Enjoy carnival games, sports clinics, and a silent auction at this rain or shine event. Tickets are only $5.00. Every ticket is an entry for the Grand Slam Grand Prize! A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to TCAPS K-12 sports as well as 100% of the silent auction proceeds. Call 231.943.0100 for more information or to order your tickets today! Click here to view event flier.

Way to Grow Playgroup
The next playgroup at Westwoods will be in the gym on the following date:

Tuesday, May 22, 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Way to Grow is open to all families who have children birth to 5 years old.

If you would like more information about the Way to Grow program, please call Kathy Nester-Pohlman at 342-9772.

World Language News
Feliz Primavera. Happy Spring, it is hard to believe we are at the 2/3 mark to the end of the school year...time flies when you are having fun! Before Spring Break we were working on La Entrevista (the interview) with a partner and performing in front of the class (some of those words are challenging!) They are also beginning to write in Mi Diario (my diary) on a regular basis. Please check it out in your child's Spanish folder. You'll find we are learning weather and how to write the date. We are introducing new conversation starters with questions like ¿Qué es esto? (what is this?) and ¿Qué necesitas? (what do you need?). It is great how the kids are incorporating the Spanish words they are comfortable with into their daily routines. We finished up with the body parts. Did you get a chance to hear them singing the song? It’s a really fun one pointing to the body parts along with the song.

CAAP II Scores: The second CAAP assessment was given at the end of February and this time you received a letter from the World Language Department with your children’s II CAAP scores.

SOL on Moodle: I encourage the children to review the Spanish learned in the classroom by accessing SOL (Spanish on Line) lessons on Moodle. SOL lessons are assigned the second meeting day of each week. Students are encouraged to review prior lessons after they have completed the assigned lesson for the week. The songs and vocabulary clips at the top of the page are a helpful review tool. If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, time is provided at school to access the site. We plan to continue to use one class per month to work on these lessons at school.

If you have any questions regarding la clase de Español, please email me: koskika@tcaps.net.

Saludos,
Señora Koski

Westwoods Penny Wars for the Red Cross
Westwoods' Penny Wars for the Red Cross was a huge success! We made over $600+ for the American Red Cross. Mrs. McMellen and Ms. Bonne's classes were the winners! Classroom winners will each receive an extra 1/2 hour special recess with Mr. Scott.

Thanks to everyone who brought in their pennies!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

 
In March, students celebrated St. Patrick's Day with lots of green, lots of stories, and lots of fun! Many classrooms were visited by Westwood's very own leprechaun- Mr. Scott!

Noteworthy News
It's CONCERT TIME! 1st and 2nd Grade Westwoods students are are excited to be sharing their General Music Class activities with family and friends on THURSDAY, May 3rd. The concerts will be held in the gym at 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM. The performance will include songs, dances, creative movement, and a Sing-Along. Please plan to join us for this special May Day program. For more information, please contact Mrs. Pierson at 933-5720.

Spring "Fun Day" Pictures
Mark your calendars. Timeless Image will be here Thursday, April 19th, for spring "fun day" pictures! Flyers with order forms will be sent home two weeks before picture day.

Overflowing Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found tables are full! Before you put away the winter clothes, make sure your student isn't missing anything. Next time you are at school take a look in the Lost and Found to see if anything looks familiar to you.

End of the Day Changes
Our office can get very hectic the last 45 minutes of the school day. We need your help! Whenever possible, please send a note in the morning if your child's end of the day routine will be changed and remind your student to give the note to his/her teacher or the office at the beginning of the day. If you must call with a last minute change, please try to do so before 3:00 p.m. Thank you for your assistance!

Way to Grow Playgroup
The next playgroups at Westwoods will be in the gym on the following dates:

• Tuesday, April 24
• Tuesday, May 22
• 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Way to Grow is open to all families who have children birth to 5 years old. If you would like more information about the Way to Grow program, please call Kathy Nester-Pohlman at 342-9772.

LEAP Update
Registration for Grades 2-5 Co-ed Spring Tennis is now open. Sign up by Friday, April 13.

Grades 2-3 Tennis will begin Friday, May 4. Cost is $25 Practices run after school on Friday afternoons for the month of May with a “City Championship” in early June. Visit the Web site for more details.

Grades 4-5 Tennis will begin Wednesday, May 2. Cost is $60. Practices run after school on Wednesday afternoons for the month of May. Matches will be held on three Fridays in May with a “City Championship” in early June. Visit the Web site for more details.

To register, pay online, or for additional information for any LEAP program, please visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP. Registration deadlines are final. No late registrations will be accepted. Scholarships are available to those with specific financial needs. For additional questions please contact the LEAP office at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722.

Please Update the Office
Please email or stop into the office and share any new addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses so we can contact you with important information!

Where is Your Favorite Place to Read?

In honor of March Reading Month, we asked Westwoods teachers where some of their favorite (and most unusual) places to read are!

Watch for Mrs. McMellen at the beach! She likes to read at the beach, in a chair half in the water so her feet can be cool, with a diet Pepsi and a good book in hand! The most unusual place she has ever read a book was on the ferry to Bainbridge Island from Seattle.

Look on the beach for Mrs. Reno Walter too! She says nothing is more relaxing than the sound of families having a blast and diving into a great book!

Mrs. Johnson's favorite place to read is snuggled between her two boys on the couch!

Mrs. Wright enjoys reading under the shade of a tree in the summer or on one of our wonderful Lake Michigan beaches!

Mrs. Morrow's favorite reading place is at her family cottage on Lake Charlevoix.

Mrs. Thompson's favorite place to read during the summer is outside in the shade of a tree in her back yard.

Ms. McCain has read on a cliff overlooking the ocean in San Francisco. (pictured above) She says it was great listening to the HUGE waves crash onto the rocks below her while she was reading!

Mrs. Kaberle (pictured above) loves reading books! She has read in Hawaii, Mexico, and lots of other places. Here is a photo of her in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota fishing and reading a book. She says reading the books was MORE fun than the fishing!

Spring "Fun Day" Pictures
Mark your calendars. Timeless Image will be here Thursday, April 19th, for spring "fun day" pictures! Flyers with order forms will be sent home two weeks before picture day.

Tenth Annual Teacher and Parent Education Series
On March 6, Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services will deliver a presentation on “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents” from Dr. Sander Weckstein, Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist. The presentation will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Library Media Center, 1150 Milliken Drive, All presentations are open to the public and are free of charge. Please call Northern Michigan Psychiatric Service, P.C. at 231-935-0355 for more information.

When Should I Keep My Child Home from School?
Whenever a child complains of not feeling well on a school day, parents are faced with the decision of whether or not to send the youngster to school. Generally speaking, if a child is sick, he/she should NOT come to school. If your child is vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, has a rash, sore throat or running a fever of 100 degrees or greater, please keep your child home for at least 24 hours after these symptoms are resolved. See the communicable disease chart in Healthy Learner’s section on page 27 of the Handbook for further information.

Way to Grow Playgroup
The next playgroup at Westwoods will be in the gym on the following dates:

Tuesday, March 20
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Way to Grow is open to all families who have children birth to 5 years old.

If you would like more information about the Way to Grow program, please call Kathy Nester-Pohlman at 342-9772.

District LEAP Updates
4th & 5th Grade Track & Field: Elementary Track & Field begins Monday, April 2nd. Cost is $50 per student. Registration and payment deadline is Thursday, March 22nd.

For all LEAP programs visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP for more information, to register, and to make online payments.

Please feel free to contact LEAP Director Scott Robertson at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722 for more information or questions.

Student Count Day – February 8th
Every school day is important to your child’s learning! Count Day on Wednesday, February 8th, determines funding amounts, based on student attendance, that help schools pay for many academic programs and services. Help your school by being in school on Count Day. In the event school is closed on Feb. 8th, then count day will take place on the following school day.

Searching for the Kindergarten Class of 2012-13
We are looking for any boy or girl who will be 5 years old on or before December 1, 2012. If you, or someone you know, has a neighbor, family member, or friend with a child entering Westwoods Kindergarten in September of 2012, please click here and complete this form. A registration packet will be sent to you in the spring.

Kindergarten Class of 2012-13 Dinner & Parent Meeting
If you have a student who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, please plan on attending the Kindergarten Dinner & Parent Meeting. The dinner and meeting for all new 2012-13 Kindergarten students will be Wednesday, February 8th. Spaghetti dinner begins at 5:45 p.m. in the cafeteria and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Westwoods Library. For more information, please call Hilary at 933-7970.

Noteworthy News
It's Concert Time! Westwoods Elementary School's Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students will be sharing their exciting musical activities in performances for family and friends on Thursday, February 16th, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Westwoods Elementary School Gym.

There will be songs, dances, instruments, and fun creative movement-even a sing along! Please come join us for this Winter Celebration!

Mrs. Pierson (933-5720) and Mrs. Wiliford (933-7979)

Westwoods Wonderful Westside Carnival
This year, as in years past, the carnival promises to be a great night for the Westwoods community. The carnival will be held Friday, February 10th.

Carnival Dinner: Dinner will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. Continuing with a great Westwoods tradition, the fifth graders will be in charge of the carnival kitchen. All profits from the kitchen will be used to pay for LOC camp that fifth graders attend in the spring. This camp has long been a tradition at Westwoods and is a super experience for the students. Please help our 5th graders get to camp!

Popcorn Sale: New this year, we will have popcorn for sale. It is a great chance for parents to get a taste of our tasty school popcorn!

Carnival Games: Carnival games will begin at 6:00 p.m. This year, we will have two distinct hallways for games; in the preschool hallway will be games designed for our younger audience (duck pond, lollipop tree, etc.). The difficulty level will jump up a notch in the other hallway. The traditional cake walk and cookie walk will be back as well.

Overflowing Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found items are piling up! Next time you are at school take a look to see if anything looks familiar to you! The Lost and Found Tables are located in the hallway outside the cafeteria.

Spring "Fun Day" Pictures
Mark your calendars. Timeless Image will be here Thursday, April 19th, for spring "fun day" pictures! Flyers with order forms will be sent home two weeks before picture day.

Scholastic Book Fair
Scholastic Book Fair will be at Westwoods, February 20-27, in the Library. Stock up on some good books in preparation for the Reading Month of March and help support the Westwoods Library.

Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration
It's Dr. Seuss' birthday in March and we're celebrating this special day here at Westwoods on March 1st! Known for his funny rhymes for children, Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated nearly 50 books of quirky children's verse during his lifetime.

At Westwoods, we invite all students and staff to dress up on March 1st as your favorite whimsical character from any Dr. Seuss books such as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, or many more! We'll be reading Dr. Seuss books, eating green eggs and ham, and enjoying many other fun Dr. Seuss activities throughout the day!

When Should I Keep My Child Home from School?
Whenever a child complains of not feeling well on a school day, parents are faced with the decision of whether or not to send the youngster to school. Generally speaking, if a child is sick, he/she should NOT come to school. If your child is vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, has a rash, sore throat or running a fever of 100 degrees or greater, please keep your child home for at least 24 hours after these symptoms are resolved. See the communicable disease chart in Healthy Learner’s section on page 27 of the Handbook for further information.

District LEAP Updates
4th & 5th Grade Co-Ed Volleyball practice begins Monday, February 6th.

Baseball Pitching Clinics available for students in Grades 2-12. Clinics begin Saturday, January 28, and are offered Saturday and Sunday afternoons through March 18. Students can participate anytime throughout the clinic dates, however parents should register prior to students attending their first clinic.

For all LEAP programs visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP for more information, to register, and to make online payments.

Please feel free to contact LEAP Director Scott Robertson at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722 for more information or questions.

Tenth Annual Teacher and Parent Education Series
Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services will deliver presentations from Dr. Sander Weckstein, Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist. Presentations will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Library Media Center, 1150 Milliken Drive, on the following dates:

February 7, 2012 “Depression and Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents”

March 6, 2012 “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents"

All presentations are open to the public and are free of charge. Please call Northern Michigan Psychiatric Service, P.C. at 231-935-0355 for more information.

Searching for the Kindergarten Class of 2012-13
We are looking for any boy or girl who will be 5 years old on or before December 1, 2012. If you, or someone you know, has a neighbor, family member, or friend with a child entering Westwoods Kindergarten in September of 2012, please complete the form below.

Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays to our Wonderful Westwoods Community!

Westwoods Welcome
Our new administrative assistant is Hilary Gessner. Welcome Hilary to our Westwoods Family!

All-City Girls and Boys Choir
Congratulations to the following Westwoods students who were selected to participate in the All-City Girls and Boys Choir. These students auditioned and were selected to be a part of this 6-week program, which concluded with a concert at Lars Hockstad Auditorium on November 19, 2011.

Congratulations to: Atlas Rosenburg, Breanne Canning, Cassie Iadeluca, Abigail Krohn, Samantha Kubesh, Megan Mead, Katie Mikowski, Priya Phifer, Kylie Redmond, Brooke Robinson, and Madelynn Shepherd.

Westwoods Way to Grow Playgroup
The next playgroup at Westwoods will be on Tuesday, December 13, from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM in the gym.

Way to Grow is open to all families who have children birth to 5 years old. If you would like more information about the Way to Grow program, please call Kathy Nester-Pohlman at 342-9772.

Sweet Rolls with the Jolly Old Fellow
Santa is accepting lists and taking notes! Come for coffee, juice, and something delicious to eat on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at the Long Lake Fire Station, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. There is no charge but we will have a boot for donations for the needs of the firefighters of Battalion 10 in Long Lake Township. $750 is needed to replace 2 blood pressure devices.

World Language News
¡Hola Westwoods Familias! We have had another busy month in Spanish class. We have finished our first unit of study by introducing shapes, emotions, learning correct pronunciation, and stating likes and dislikes. Later this month, we will be discussing the Hispanic holiday of Las Posadas and studying "The Legend of the Poinsettia." Here is a link to a page with some poinsettia projects and facts: http://www.first-school.ws/activities/crafts/holiday/poinsettia.htm.

CAAP Assessment: In the middle of November students completed the first CAAP for Spanish class. The children were given random colors, letters, and numbers to tell a teacher. They were also asked two greeting questions. They LOVED to show off all the Spanish they know! Look for El Passaporte (the passport) to be coming home with your child's CAAP score. If your child has scored low on an area, SOL would be a great way to gain practice!

Report Cards: You will find your child's grade for Spanish class on the Classroom Report Card. Please take note, that at this early stage of second language learning, it is very common for MOST children to be at a "developing and learning" level. We are just getting started, after all!

Moodle: SOL (Spanish On-Line) assignments have included lessons 1-7. These lessons can be done at least twice a week for extra practice. Remember that lessons will usually be assigned on the last day of your child's weekly Spanish class (barring days off, snow days, field trips, and similar occurrences). As one of the third grade teachers recently pointed out, if you haven't done each step of the Moodle lesson, you haven't completed the lesson. Thank you for helping to be certain students are taking full advantage of their online practice.

I wish you and your family love and peace this holiday season!
~Señora Koski

Facebook Page
Are you "friends" with Westwoods? Our Facebook page is a great way to stay up-to-date and in touch with the Westwoods Community this year! Please visit us today at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Westwoods-Elementary/263449585758.

Winter Weather Clothing
All students are expected to take advantage of the fresh air and movement opportunities during outdoor play, and to be dressed appropriately for the current weather. Please make sure your student has appropriate winter clothing for recess. Students need boots, snow pants, warm coat, mittens, and hats each day.

Winter Weather Reminders
The time of year for school closings and delays is here. The Bus Hotline number is 933-1955 and is updated by 6:00 a.m. If TCAPS has a snow day ALL AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELLED. Occasionally, the school district will cancel activities if bad weather develops during the school day. If this happens, students are expected to go to their normal after school location.It may be helpful to talk with your children regularly and remind them where they should go if there is a change in their normal routine. Helpful questions include: Where do they go if school is let out early? Where do they need to go on 1/2 days? Do they need to stay after school for special meetings or activities? These reminders help alleviate any anxiety and ensure their school day is a productive and enjoyable one.

School of Choice & Open Enrollment
School of Choice and Open Enrollment forms have gone home to those families that need to fill them out. If your student is open enrolled at Westwoods, please make sure you have completed the form and returned it to the office. Thank you!

The North Stars & Westwoods
Throughout the school year, Ms. Bonne’s 4th Grade class has been very fortunate to have outstanding members of our community volunteer in their classroom. Several players from the local Junior-A NAHL Hokey Team, Traverse City North Stars, have been assisting with math and social skills development. “They made recess and math fun for everyone,” said Cody Fewins from Ms. Bonne’s class.

The North Stars also sponsored a Westwoods/North Star evening. Over 15 students and the their families attended a game and were able to go out on the ice and into the locker room for autographs after the game. Madison Wahl, a Westwoods student, said, “My favorite part was going into the locker room.”

Westwoods Elementary and Ms. Bonne’s 4th Grade class would like to thank the local celebrities for their helpfulness and enthusiasm to support our learning!

Let's All Do the BBQ!
NMC BBQ tickets are now available in our school office. Let's all do the BBQ! The 57th Annual NMC Barbecue will be held Sunday, May 20th, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM on the NMC Main Campus. Advance purchased tickets are $6 - a savings of $2. Westwoods earns $1 of every ticket sold. We hope you will join us for a special family day! Thank you for supporting your school and the NMC BBQ!

WW Cafeteria News
The last day for students and adults to charge meals will be May 11, 2012.

World Language News
Estimadas Familias,

¡Buenos(as)! It seems amazing we are wrapping up the school year already! The students have soaked up so much Spanish it has been fun to watch them! They have a great number of questions that they can ask and answer, such as:

¿Cuál es tu nacionalidad? (What is your nationality?)

¿Dónde vives? (Where do you live?)

¿Te gusta Michigan State? (Do you like State?)

¿Cuál es tu numero de teléfono? (What’s your phone number?)

¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (What’s your favorite color?)

¿Qué es esto?  (What’s this?)

¿Qué color son las uñas? (What color are the fingernails?)

¿Qué te duele? (What hurts?)

They students have wrapped up their work with La Entrevista and many of them even memorized it! Some third graders performed it for the whole school on the morning news. You can share it with your child by going to Moodle lesson 15 together.

The fifth graders have learned how to use a headset and record their voices on Moodle. Energy levels were high as they spoke into the microphones and subsequently listened to themselves speak Spanish. There is one more CAAP test this year for the students and the speaking and listening part will be done at school, on the laptops with Moodle- an exciting technological application for World Language.

The students have enjoyed their writing activities in “El Diario.” It has given them an opportunity to write simple sentences and to express themselves in Spanish- something they do proudly. They even had a chance to report “Nieve” (snow) as the weather in mid-April!

Thank you to all the families who supported our La Senorita fundraiser on April 18th!-what a night! The children enjoyed preparing for their performances.

If you have any questions regarding la clase de Español, please email me: koskika@tcaps.net.

Sinceramente,

Señora Koski

Westwoods Grill Out Days
The wonderful Westwoods Grill Out Days are back! Bring your blanket or lawn chair and join us for a delicious grill out picnic featuring a hot dog or hamburger on a bun. Grill out picnic days are: May 11th, May 18th, and May 25th.

The Bullycide Project - May 22, 6:00 PM

The Bullycide Project is a play based on the book Bullycide in America, written by mothers who have lost a child to suicide due to excessive bullying. The play chronicles stories of bullycide, as well as additional stories from the perspectives of the bully, the bystander, the person who stands up to bullying, and the parents.

The play is showing at Lars Hockstad Auditorium, Central Grade School, 301 W. 7th Street. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Show starts at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Orchard Creek Assisted Living on Cherry Bend Road, The Copy Shop on 8th Street, and Floor Covering B rokers on South Airport Road.

Proceeds from this event will benefit TCAPS anti-bullying initiatives. Contact Dale Chilcote at dale@orchardcreektc.com or visit www.thebullycideproject.com for more information.

Grand Slam for TCAPS – 1st Annual Wuerfel Park Fundraiser for TCAPS K-12 Sports: Saturday, July 28, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Come join the fun at Wuerfel Park on Saturday, July 28th, and help raise funds for TCAPS sports programs. Enjoy carnival games, sports clinics, and a silent auction at this rain or shine event. Tickets are only $5.00. Every ticket is an entry for the Grand Slam Grand Prize! A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to TCAPS K-12 sports as well as 100% of the silent auction proceeds. Call 231.943.0100 for more information or to order your tickets today! Click here to view event flier.

Way to Grow Playgroup
The next playgroup at Westwoods will be in the gym on the following date:

Tuesday, May 22, 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Way to Grow is open to all families who have children birth to 5 years old.

If you would like more information about the Way to Grow program, please call Kathy Nester-Pohlman at 342-9772.

World Language News
Feliz Primavera. Happy Spring, it is hard to believe we are at the 2/3 mark to the end of the school year...time flies when you are having fun! Before Spring Break we were working on La Entrevista (the interview) with a partner and performing in front of the class (some of those words are challenging!) They are also beginning to write in Mi Diario (my diary) on a regular basis. Please check it out in your child's Spanish folder. You'll find we are learning weather and how to write the date. We are introducing new conversation starters with questions like ¿Qué es esto? (what is this?) and ¿Qué necesitas? (what do you need?). It is great how the kids are incorporating the Spanish words they are comfortable with into their daily routines. We finished up with the body parts. Did you get a chance to hear them singing the song? It’s a really fun one pointing to the body parts along with the song.

CAAP II Scores: The second CAAP assessment was given at the end of February and this time you received a letter from the World Language Department with your children’s II CAAP scores.

SOL on Moodle: I encourage the children to review the Spanish learned in the classroom by accessing SOL (Spanish on Line) lessons on Moodle. SOL lessons are assigned the second meeting day of each week. Students are encouraged to review prior lessons after they have completed the assigned lesson for the week. The songs and vocabulary clips at the top of the page are a helpful review tool. If your child does not have access to the Internet at home, time is provided at school to access the site. We plan to continue to use one class per month to work on these lessons at school.

If you have any questions regarding la clase de Español, please email me: koskika@tcaps.net.

Saludos,
Señora Koski

Westwoods Penny Wars for the Red Cross
Westwoods' Penny Wars for the Red Cross was a huge success! We made over $600+ for the American Red Cross. Mrs. McMellen and Ms. Bonne's classes were the winners! Classroom winners will each receive an extra 1/2 hour special recess with Mr. Scott.

Thanks to everyone who brought in their pennies!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

 
In March, students celebrated St. Patrick's Day with lots of green, lots of stories, and lots of fun! Many classrooms were visited by Westwood's very own leprechaun- Mr. Scott!

Noteworthy News
It's CONCERT TIME! 1st and 2nd Grade Westwoods students are are excited to be sharing their General Music Class activities with family and friends on THURSDAY, May 3rd. The concerts will be held in the gym at 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM. The performance will include songs, dances, creative movement, and a Sing-Along. Please plan to join us for this special May Day program. For more information, please contact Mrs. Pierson at 933-5720.

Spring "Fun Day" Pictures
Mark your calendars. Timeless Image will be here Thursday, April 19th, for spring "fun day" pictures! Flyers with order forms will be sent home two weeks before picture day.

Overflowing Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found tables are full! Before you put away the winter clothes, make sure your student isn't missing anything. Next time you are at school take a look in the Lost and Found to see if anything looks familiar to you.

End of the Day Changes
Our office can get very hectic the last 45 minutes of the school day. We need your help! Whenever possible, please send a note in the morning if your child's end of the day routine will be changed and remind your student to give the note to his/her teacher or the office at the beginning of the day. If you must call with a last minute change, please try to do so before 3:00 p.m. Thank you for your assistance!

Way to Grow Playgroup
The next playgroups at Westwoods will be in the gym on the following dates:

• Tuesday, April 24
• Tuesday, May 22
• 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Way to Grow is open to all families who have children birth to 5 years old. If you would like more information about the Way to Grow program, please call Kathy Nester-Pohlman at 342-9772.

LEAP Update
Registration for Grades 2-5 Co-ed Spring Tennis is now open. Sign up by Friday, April 13.

Grades 2-3 Tennis will begin Friday, May 4. Cost is $25 Practices run after school on Friday afternoons for the month of May with a “City Championship” in early June. Visit the Web site for more details.

Grades 4-5 Tennis will begin Wednesday, May 2. Cost is $60. Practices run after school on Wednesday afternoons for the month of May. Matches will be held on three Fridays in May with a “City Championship” in early June. Visit the Web site for more details.

To register, pay online, or for additional information for any LEAP program, please visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP. Registration deadlines are final. No late registrations will be accepted. Scholarships are available to those with specific financial needs. For additional questions please contact the LEAP office at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722.

Please Update the Office
Please email or stop into the office and share any new addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses so we can contact you with important information!

Where is Your Favorite Place to Read?

In honor of March Reading Month, we asked Westwoods teachers where some of their favorite (and most unusual) places to read are!

Watch for Mrs. McMellen at the beach! She likes to read at the beach, in a chair half in the water so her feet can be cool, with a diet Pepsi and a good book in hand! The most unusual place she has ever read a book was on the ferry to Bainbridge Island from Seattle.

Look on the beach for Mrs. Reno Walter too! She says nothing is more relaxing than the sound of families having a blast and diving into a great book!

Mrs. Johnson's favorite place to read is snuggled between her two boys on the couch!

Mrs. Wright enjoys reading under the shade of a tree in the summer or on one of our wonderful Lake Michigan beaches!

Mrs. Morrow's favorite reading place is at her family cottage on Lake Charlevoix.

Mrs. Thompson's favorite place to read during the summer is outside in the shade of a tree in her back yard.

Ms. McCain has read on a cliff overlooking the ocean in San Francisco. (pictured above) She says it was great listening to the HUGE waves crash onto the rocks below her while she was reading!

Mrs. Kaberle (pictured above) loves reading books! She has read in Hawaii, Mexico, and lots of other places. Here is a photo of her in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota fishing and reading a book. She says reading the books was MORE fun than the fishing!

Spring "Fun Day" Pictures
Mark your calendars. Timeless Image will be here Thursday, April 19th, for spring "fun day" pictures! Flyers with order forms will be sent home two weeks before picture day.

Tenth Annual Teacher and Parent Education Series
On March 6, Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services will deliver a presentation on “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents” from Dr. Sander Weckstein, Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist. The presentation will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Library Media Center, 1150 Milliken Drive, All presentations are open to the public and are free of charge. Please call Northern Michigan Psychiatric Service, P.C. at 231-935-0355 for more information.

When Should I Keep My Child Home from School?
Whenever a child complains of not feeling well on a school day, parents are faced with the decision of whether or not to send the youngster to school. Generally speaking, if a child is sick, he/she should NOT come to school. If your child is vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, has a rash, sore throat or running a fever of 100 degrees or greater, please keep your child home for at least 24 hours after these symptoms are resolved. See the communicable disease chart in Healthy Learner’s section on page 27 of the Handbook for further information.

Way to Grow Playgroup
The next playgroup at Westwoods will be in the gym on the following dates:

Tuesday, March 20
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Way to Grow is open to all families who have children birth to 5 years old.

If you would like more information about the Way to Grow program, please call Kathy Nester-Pohlman at 342-9772.

District LEAP Updates
4th & 5th Grade Track & Field: Elementary Track & Field begins Monday, April 2nd. Cost is $50 per student. Registration and payment deadline is Thursday, March 22nd.

For all LEAP programs visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP for more information, to register, and to make online payments.

Please feel free to contact LEAP Director Scott Robertson at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722 for more information or questions.

Student Count Day – February 8th
Every school day is important to your child’s learning! Count Day on Wednesday, February 8th, determines funding amounts, based on student attendance, that help schools pay for many academic programs and services. Help your school by being in school on Count Day. In the event school is closed on Feb. 8th, then count day will take place on the following school day.

Searching for the Kindergarten Class of 2012-13
We are looking for any boy or girl who will be 5 years old on or before December 1, 2012. If you, or someone you know, has a neighbor, family member, or friend with a child entering Westwoods Kindergarten in September of 2012, please click here and complete this form. A registration packet will be sent to you in the spring.

Kindergarten Class of 2012-13 Dinner & Parent Meeting
If you have a student who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, please plan on attending the Kindergarten Dinner & Parent Meeting. The dinner and meeting for all new 2012-13 Kindergarten students will be Wednesday, February 8th. Spaghetti dinner begins at 5:45 p.m. in the cafeteria and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Westwoods Library. For more information, please call Hilary at 933-7970.

Noteworthy News
It's Concert Time! Westwoods Elementary School's Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students will be sharing their exciting musical activities in performances for family and friends on Thursday, February 16th, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Westwoods Elementary School Gym.

There will be songs, dances, instruments, and fun creative movement-even a sing along! Please come join us for this Winter Celebration!

Mrs. Pierson (933-5720) and Mrs. Wiliford (933-7979)

Westwoods Wonderful Westside Carnival
This year, as in years past, the carnival promises to be a great night for the Westwoods community. The carnival will be held Friday, February 10th.

Carnival Dinner: Dinner will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. Continuing with a great Westwoods tradition, the fifth graders will be in charge of the carnival kitchen. All profits from the kitchen will be used to pay for LOC camp that fifth graders attend in the spring. This camp has long been a tradition at Westwoods and is a super experience for the students. Please help our 5th graders get to camp!

Popcorn Sale: New this year, we will have popcorn for sale. It is a great chance for parents to get a taste of our tasty school popcorn!

Carnival Games: Carnival games will begin at 6:00 p.m. This year, we will have two distinct hallways for games; in the preschool hallway will be games designed for our younger audience (duck pond, lollipop tree, etc.). The difficulty level will jump up a notch in the other hallway. The traditional cake walk and cookie walk will be back as well.

Overflowing Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found items are piling up! Next time you are at school take a look to see if anything looks familiar to you! The Lost and Found Tables are located in the hallway outside the cafeteria.

Spring "Fun Day" Pictures
Mark your calendars. Timeless Image will be here Thursday, April 19th, for spring "fun day" pictures! Flyers with order forms will be sent home two weeks before picture day.

Scholastic Book Fair
Scholastic Book Fair will be at Westwoods, February 20-27, in the Library. Stock up on some good books in preparation for the Reading Month of March and help support the Westwoods Library.

Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration
It's Dr. Seuss' birthday in March and we're celebrating this special day here at Westwoods on March 1st! Known for his funny rhymes for children, Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated nearly 50 books of quirky children's verse during his lifetime.

At Westwoods, we invite all students and staff to dress up on March 1st as your favorite whimsical character from any Dr. Seuss books such as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, or many more! We'll be reading Dr. Seuss books, eating green eggs and ham, and enjoying many other fun Dr. Seuss activities throughout the day!

When Should I Keep My Child Home from School?
Whenever a child complains of not feeling well on a school day, parents are faced with the decision of whether or not to send the youngster to school. Generally speaking, if a child is sick, he/she should NOT come to school. If your child is vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, has a rash, sore throat or running a fever of 100 degrees or greater, please keep your child home for at least 24 hours after these symptoms are resolved. See the communicable disease chart in Healthy Learner’s section on page 27 of the Handbook for further information.

District LEAP Updates
4th & 5th Grade Co-Ed Volleyball practice begins Monday, February 6th.

Baseball Pitching Clinics available for students in Grades 2-12. Clinics begin Saturday, January 28, and are offered Saturday and Sunday afternoons through March 18. Students can participate anytime throughout the clinic dates, however parents should register prior to students attending their first clinic.

For all LEAP programs visit www.tcaps.net/LEAP for more information, to register, and to make online payments.

Please feel free to contact LEAP Director Scott Robertson at 231-933-1758 or 231-933-1722 for more information or questions.

Tenth Annual Teacher and Parent Education Series
Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services will deliver presentations from Dr. Sander Weckstein, Board Certified Child, Adolescent, and General Psychiatrist. Presentations will run from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Library Media Center, 1150 Milliken Drive, on the following dates:

February 7, 2012 “Depression and Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents”

March 6, 2012 “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents"

All presentations are open to the public and are free of charge. Please call Northern Michigan Psychiatric Service, P.C. at 231-935-0355 for more information.

Searching for the Kindergarten Class of 2012-13
We are looking for any boy or girl who will be 5 years old on or before December 1, 2012. If you, or someone you know, has a neighbor, family member, or friend with a child entering Westwoods Kindergarten in September of 2012, please complete the form below.

Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays to our Wonderful Westwoods Community!

Westwoods Welcome
Our new administrative assistant is Hilary Gessner. Welcome Hilary to our Westwoods Family!

All-City Girls and Boys Choir
Congratulations to the following Westwoods students who were selected to participate in the All-City Girls and Boys Choir. These students auditioned and were selected to be a part of this 6-week program, which concluded with a concert at Lars Hockstad Auditorium on November 19, 2011.

Congratulations to: Atlas Rosenburg, Breanne Canning, Cassie Iadeluca, Abigail Krohn, Samantha Kubesh, Megan Mead, Katie Mikowski, Priya Phifer, Kylie Redmond, Brooke Robinson, and Madelynn Shepherd.

Westwoods Way to Grow Playgroup
The next playgroup at Westwoods will be on Tuesday, December 13, from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM in the gym.

Way to Grow is open to all families who have children birth to 5 years old. If you would like more information about the Way to Grow program, please call Kathy Nester-Pohlman at 342-9772.

Sweet Rolls with the Jolly Old Fellow
Santa is accepting lists and taking notes! Come for coffee, juice, and something delicious to eat on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at the Long Lake Fire Station, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. There is no charge but we will have a boot for donations for the needs of the firefighters of Battalion 10 in Long Lake Township. $750 is needed to replace 2 blood pressure devices.

World Language News
¡Hola Westwoods Familias! We have had another busy month in Spanish class. We have finished our first unit of study by introducing shapes, emotions, learning correct pronunciation, and stating likes and dislikes. Later this month, we will be discussing the Hispanic holiday of Las Posadas and studying "The Legend of the Poinsettia." Here is a link to a page with some poinsettia projects and facts: http://www.first-school.ws/activities/crafts/holiday/poinsettia.htm.

CAAP Assessment: In the middle of November students completed the first CAAP for Spanish class. The children were given random colors, letters, and numbers to tell a teacher. They were also asked two greeting questions. They LOVED to show off all the Spanish they know! Look for El Passaporte (the passport) to be coming home with your child's CAAP score. If your child has scored low on an area, SOL would be a great way to gain practice!

Report Cards: You will find your child's grade for Spanish class on the Classroom Report Card. Please take note, that at this early stage of second language learning, it is very common for MOST children to be at a "developing and learning" level. We are just getting started, after all!

Moodle: SOL (Spanish On-Line) assignments have included lessons 1-7. These lessons can be done at least twice a week for extra practice. Remember that lessons will usually be assigned on the last day of your child's weekly Spanish class (barring days off, snow days, field trips, and similar occurrences). As one of the third grade teachers recently pointed out, if you haven't done each step of the Moodle lesson, you haven't completed the lesson. Thank you for helping to be certain students are taking full advantage of their online practice.

I wish you and your family love and peace this holiday season!
~Señora Koski

Facebook Page
Are you "friends" with Westwoods? Our Facebook page is a great way to stay up-to-date and in touch with the Westwoods Community this year! Please visit us today at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Westwoods-Elementary/263449585758.

Winter Weather Clothing
All students are expected to take advantage of the fresh air and movement opportunities during outdoor play, and to be dressed appropriately for the current weather. Please make sure your student has appropriate winter clothing for recess. Students need boots, snow pants, warm coat, mittens, and hats each day.

Winter Weather Reminders
The time of year for school closings and delays is here. The Bus Hotline number is 933-1955 and is updated by 6:00 a.m. If TCAPS has a snow day ALL AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELLED. Occasionally, the school district will cancel activities if bad weather develops during the school day. If this happens, students are expected to go to their normal after school location.It may be helpful to talk with your children regularly and remind them where they should go if there is a change in their normal routine. Helpful questions include: Where do they go if school is let out early? Where do they need to go on 1/2 days? Do they need to stay after school for special meetings or activities? These reminders help alleviate any anxiety and ensure their school day is a productive and enjoyable one.