Principal Corner
Welcome to West Elementary! We are SO glad you're a part of our West Family!
Our school year has gotten off to a wonderful start! As we settle into the first six weeks, we're excited to see you on campus soon! We believe strong partnerships between home and school are the foundation for student success. We value your involvement and encourage you to stay connected through our school newsletter, social media updates and regular communication with your child's teacher. We'd love your input to know how you'd like to engage with us this year! Please fill out this quick 4 question survey to help us best support you!
We are going to learn, grow and achieve great things together this year! Thank you for your support and trusting us with your Knight's education! - Ms. Cannon, Principal (left) and Ms. Smart, Assistant Principal (right)
Please read this newsletter carefully as it shares important updates including:
- Knights of the Round Table
- September Calendar
- Counseling Update
- School Times to Remember
- School Visits
- Clinic Updates
- Volunteers
- Information & Resources
Mandatory Annual Consent for Routine Student Health Services
You received an email today from the District regarding annual consent for routine student health services. As permitted by Texas Senate Bill 12, passed during the 89th Legislative session in Texas, we are requesting your annual consent for your child to receive routine school-based physical and mental health-related services from qualified school staff, including nurses, counselors, and other school personnel, as needed. Please follow that link and submit your response.
A Note from the West Knight's Counseling Castle
Dear West Families
I hope this message finds you well and that your family is enjoying a joyful start ot the school year! I'm excited to share that Counseling Guidance lessons will begin after Labor Day Weekend. These lessons are part of our commitment to support the whole child - academically, socially and emotionally.
For the month of September, our focus will be on the TEA Content area: Intrapersonal Effectiveness. This helps students develop self-awareness, manage their emotions, build confidence and make responsible decisions. Topics include Bullying Prevention for all students PreK-6th Grades and Suicide Prevention for students in 4th-6th Grades. These lessons are designed to be age appropriate, engaging and empowering. They will include interactive activities, discussions and resources to help students recognize their strengths, understand boundaries, and know how to seek help when needed.
Here are a few resources that offer practical advice, conversation starters, and support tools to help you reinforce the guidance topics at home and promote emotional wellness in every day life:
StopBullying.gov - What You Can Do - Offers practical steps for parents to recognize, prevent and respond to bullying
PBS Kids - Feelings Resources - Provides fun and educational tools to help children identify and express their emotions
Mental Health America - Family Resources - Offers articles, toolkids and support for families navigating mental health challenges
Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students grow into strong, kind and resilient individuals. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the guidance curriculum, please feel free to contact me. - Ms. Dora, West School Counselor
School Times to Remember
Morning Arrival
West doors open at 7:45 am. For your child's safety, please do NOT drop them off before 7:45 am. Staff is not available to supervise children until 7:45 am.
Learning starts at 8:10 am. Students will miss learning and are tardy if they arrive at or after 8:10 am.
Afternoon Dismissal
Early dismissal stops at 3 pm to ensure our staff can focus on dismissal safety. Please avoid early dismissal as much as possible so we can ensure our Knights don't miss out on important learning!
Students dismiss at 3:35 pm.
School Visits
All visitors must present a physical ID at check in when they visit West.
Only parents, guardians and others listed on your student's registration will be able to access your student. If you need to add people or update information during the year, you can do so through Parent Portal.
Visitors are not allowed in classrooms during the school day unless an appointment has been previously made with the teacher, to not interrupt teaching and learning.
To help our Knights establish safe lunch routines and cafeteria expectations, visitors will be welcomed at lunch starting September 8th.
Clinic Updates
We want all of our West Knights healthy and ready to learn! It can be hard to know when you keep your Knight at home when they aren't feeling well - please review these reminders:
Keep your child at home when:
- Child has a temperature of 100 or higher
- Child has diarrhea or vomiting
- Child has a rash of unknown origin
- Child has red, runny eyes or wakes up with eyes "glued" shut
- Child complains of ear pain with or without fever
Your child may return when:
- Child is fever free for 24 without the use of TYlenol or other fever reducer
- Child is free of diarrhea and/or vomiting for 24 hours
- Child is free of symptoms or brings a signed release from doctor
- Child has begun taking prescribed treatment or is free of symptoms
If a child has missed 3 or more consecutive days, the child must bring a signed release from the doctor to the Clinic when he/she returns
Medications must be kept in the school clinic with a doctor's and a parent signature authorizing permission for the administration of medication at school. This includes cough drops and other over the counter medications as well as prescription medications.
You know your child best! If they don't seem well, they probably aren't. Keep them home and consult a health care professional if necessary.
We love our Volunteers!
We consider your Knight's education a true partnership. Volunteering is a fantastic way to create a great learning environment and invest in their success. From chaperoning Field Trips to our Rad Dads club to helping us around campus, there is no shortage of opportunities for you to volunteer at West!
Volunteers must submit an online application every year with a copy of your photo ID.