WESTGATE WEEKLY

WESTGATE ELEMENTARY 500 S. Dwyer Ave. Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005 847 398-4292

February 28, 2014 Volume VII

WEEKLY CALENDAR Monday, 3/3 Fifth Grade Act Practice until 4:45 Tuesday, 3/4 - PTA Parent to Parent 7:00 pm Wednesday, 3/5 - Band practice - 8:15 am Art Club for 2nd Grade until 5:00 pm Amazing Minds until 4:45 pm - Room 169 Thursday, 3/6 Young Rembrandts until 4:45 pm - Room 118

Last call to order Yearbooks.... Yearbooks are available only through preorder no extras are printed! If you would like one for your student, forms and money ($15.00) must be received in the front office no later than Monday, March 3rd!

Westgate  Electronics  Recycling  Drive Come  out  in  support  of  the  Westgate  PTA  and  Girl  Scout  Troop  40096  with  a   donation  of  your  recyclable  electronic. On  Saturday,  March  1,  from  9am-­12. Acceptable  items  include:                                                                                                                       Computers/laptops                Printers/scanners/fax                                                                           Cell  phones  and  PDA              A/V  equipment                                                                                         Appliances                                                  Batteries For  a  more  comprehensive  list  go  to  www.naerecycling.com If  you  have  a  large  pick  up  or  cannot  make  the  event  call  New  Age  Electronics   Recycling  (800)591-­5697.    They  will  pick  up,  but  be  sure  to  mention  it’s  for  the   Westgate   If  you  have  any  further  questions  email  Daniella  Sents  (PTA  Ecology  Committee  Chair  and   Brownie  Troop  Leader;  40096)  [email protected]

LMC news... Since December, many of our students have been busy reading the nominees for the Illinois Readers' Choice Awards.   Children in grades K-2 are eligible to vote for the Monarch Award, and children in grades 3-5 are eligible to vote for the Bluestem Award. Primary students must have read (or have read to them) at least 3 of the 20 titles, and Intermediate students must have read (or have read to them) at least 4 of the 20 titles. We vote during the lunch periods on

A special thanks to all the Movie Night volunteers! We have had two successful movies nights this year, and it could not have been done without the support of our volunteers. Jill Collins PTA VP Ways and Means

Monday, March 3rd!!

Our Heart of Gold - Tracy Marchetti On Saturday, February 8, 2014, the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce honored citizens who contribute their time and talent to better the world around them. There were eleven honorees and our own Tracy Marchetti, PTA Beautification Chair, was the recipient of the Beautification Heart of Gold! Tracy has spent countless hours working to improve the landscaping at Westgate. We very much appreciate all her efforts and were thrilled to have her recognized by the Village of Arlington Heights. Thank you to Karen Wenzel for beginning the nominating process. It was a heart warming evening of unselfish acts performed by our neighbors to better the community. Congratulations, Tracy, and thank you so much from your Westgate family!

The results are in! The counting of the Boxtops and Campbells soup labels is complete. We collected 6586 boxtops, earning $628.60 for the school to buy cool things. We have collected 3,465 Campbells Labels For Education, which can be redeemed for sports, music and art equipment. We also earned 20 bonus books for our Labels for Education! Well done everyone! The winners of the class competition is Mrs. Jensen's 3rd Grade Class with 1244 points. Congratulations, you have earned a pizza party! Second place goes to Mrs. Gogliotti/Smith's 1st Grade class with 969. Congratulations, you have earned an ice cream party! Well done to Mr. Lamich's 5th grade class, a close 3rd with 819 points. The next closest class had 500 points. Thank-you to all those who sent in labels. You can continue to send them in this year, and remember to keep collecting them over the summer for next October's competition.

And the "Oscar goes to......." All the volunteers that helped out with Westgate's "Goin' Hollywood Fun Fair 2014"! It is such a great experience for me to work with all the volunteers, from planning, set-up, and the clean-up volunteers. Special kudos to my co-chairs, Julie Birenbaum and Karen Erfort for all their efforts with this big undertaking. Thank you to all WE staff for putting in the time and effort helping out after a long school day, or if you attended with your family. I appreciate it and our students love it! Thank you to Daniel Mendoza for all the set up help and our evening custodians for the 'extra' clean up. We appreciate the help of the RMHS & SMS students that came and worked the fair. Fun Fair is a great Westgate tradition! I love being part it and providing a fun family evening and could not do it without ALL of our volunteers! Much thanks & appreciation. Jill Knaack Fun Fair Committee Chair

In  2014-­2015,  Westgate  will  add  3/4  multiage  classrooms.    This  will  complement  our  current  1/2   multiage  con`iguration.    Parents  of  current  kindergarten,  2nd,  and  3rd  grade  students  may  share  their   interest  in  participating  in  a  multiage  environment.    As  a  school,  we  will  work  hard  to  place  all  children  in   the  “best”  learning  environment  while  maintaining  our  philosophical  approach  to  diverse  learning   environments. Please  take  some  time  to  learn  about  multiage  classrooms.    Last  week,  in  the  Westgate  Weekly,  I  shared   some  thoughts  about  Westgate’s  diverse  learning  environment.    I  will  continue  to  share  more  information   about  our  classrooms.     Please  share  your  question  with  me, Caz   Some  Characteristics  of  a  Multiage  classroom... *The  philosophy  that  all  children  learn,  but  at  different  rates  and  learning  is  a  continuous  process-­‐  there  is  no   ceiling! *When  learning  is  developmentally  appropriate  and  individualized,  students  experience  a  greater  level  of  success   and  self-­‐esteem.     *Students  may  feel  secure  and  more  con@ident  to  take  risks  because  they  are  in  the  same  classroom  for  two  years.     *There  is  a  high  level  of  differentiation  to  address  all  student  levels  and  while  multi-­‐age  concept  is  child-­‐centered,   it  is  highly  structured  and  organized. *The  multiage  philosophy  rejects  a  "de@icit  model"  that  focuses  on  what  a  child  doesn't  know,  rather  than  on  what   a  child  does  know.    This  focus  on  success  keeps  the  child  engaged  in  the  learning  process. *Successful  multi-­‐age  classrooms  are  formed  by  placing  together  a  balance  of  numbers  of  students  from  different   age  groups  with  a  range  of  achievement  levels. *Social/emotional  development  is  high  as  there  are  many  opportunities  for  cooperative  learning. *Younger  students  are  exposed  to  material  above  grade  level  and  they  gain  from  this  exposure  and  peer  mentors. *Older  students  bene@it  from  continuing  their  learning  with  a  teacher  that  already  knows  them  and  where  they  are   on  the  learning  continuum.    They  have  the  opportunity  to  develop  their  leadership  skills. *Children  look  to  each  other  and  not  just  to  the  teacher  for  learning  opportunities. Multiage  Education  Is  Not  … *Looping.    Looping  exists  when  a  class  of  students  from  one  grade  advances  to  the  next  grade  with  the  same   teacher.    The  students  have  the  same  entire  set  of  classmates  for  two  years. *Combination,  or  split-­grade  classrooms.    These  classrooms  are  usually  formed  out  of  necessity,  often  for   budgetary  reasons.    Students  from  two  grade  levels  are  within  the  same  classroom,  but  each  set  of  students  is   being  taught  the  curriculum  for  their  particular  grade  level.    The  students  work  with  the  others  who  are  in  the   same  grade,  rather  than  blending  together. *Homogeneously  grouping,  for  example,  the  classes  are  formed  by  intentionally  placing  all  of  the  lower  ability   @ifth-­‐graders  with  all  of  the  higher  ability  fourth-­‐graders. *Less  structured  than  traditional  classrooms.    A  person  could  easily  walk  into  a  multiage  classroom  and  then  a   straight  grade  classroom  and  not  be  able  to  tell  which  was  which.     *Overwhelming  for  the  younger  students.    There  is  a  range  of  ability  levels  across  the  class,  so  the  teacher  is   paying  attention  to  each  individual’s  needs.    It  is  not  at  all  unusual  to  have  a  student  from  the  lower  grade  working   at  a  level  above  a  student  from  the  higher  grade.  

Paul  Solarz  Wins  Illinois  Compu2ng  Educators “2014  Educator  of  the  Year  Award” Paul  Solarz,  Westgate  Elementary  School  teacher  in  Arlington  Heights  School  District  25,  has  been   selected  as  the  2014  winner  of  the  Illinois  CompuFng  Educators  “Educator  of  the  Year”  award.  Mr.   Solarz  will  be  presented  with  his  award  at  the  opening  General  Session  of  the  Illinois  CompuFng   Educators  (ICE)  State  Conference,  held  February  25  –  28,  2014,  at  the  Pheasant  Run  Resort  and   ConvenFon  Center  in  St.  Charles,  Illinois. Each  year  Illinois  CompuFng  Educators  selects  one  educator  in  each  of  two  categories  –  one  teacher   and  one  technology  administrator,  for  this  presFgious  award.  Educators  are  nominated  for  this  award   by  colleagues,  fellow  teachers,  students,  and  school  administrators  who  feel  that  the  nominee  has   made  outstanding  contribuFons  to  the  integraFon  of  technology  and  the  improvement  of  teaching  and   learning  in  their  school  or  district.  Once  nominated,  candidates  must  complete  an  extensive   applicaFon  process  that  is  reviewed,  evaluated,  and  scored  by  members  of  the  ICE  Educator  of  the  Year   CommiVee.  SelecFons  are  then  confirmed  by  the  ICE  ExecuFve  Board  for  final  approval. Mr.  Solarz  is  a  grade  5  teacher  in  Westgate  Elementary  School  in  Arlington  Heights  School  District  25.   Students  in  his  class  use  technology  throughout  their  school  day  to  complete  numerous  acFviFes,  such   as  book  talks,  posFng  reading  discussions  on  TwiVer,  using  Google  Drive  and  Google  PresentaFon  to   work  collaboraFvely  with  each  other,  and  engaging  in  online  global  student  projects.  One  favorite   student  acFvity  is  to  parFcipate  in  Mr.  Solarz’s  Mystery  Skype  sessions.  Mr.  Solarz  states,  “ Technology   is  not  the  reason  for  a  lesson,  but  a  tool  to  help  my  students  learn  beVer.  Technology  can  be  novel,   moFvaFng,  and  can  make  learning  easier!” Mr.  Solarz,  who  has  achieved  NaFonal  Board  Teacher  CerFficaFon,  is  a  very  acFve  member  of  his   school  and  district  professional  development  teams  serving  on  the  district  technology  commiVee,  the   WIRED  VerFcal  Cohort,  and  the  Passion  Time/Genius  Hour  commiVee  and  as  a  pilot  teacher  for  this   program.  At  the  state  and  naFonal/world  level,  he  maintains  a  professional  blog  and  is  very  acFve   using  TwiVer  (@PaulSolarz).  He  was  named  as  one  of  CybaryMan’s  TwiVer  Mavens  for  5th  Grade  and   Genius  Hour.  Paul  has  been  instrumental  in  co-­‐organizing  EdCampChicago  2013  that  had  200  teachers   in  aVendance  this  past  summer.  He  parFcipated  as  a  member  of  the  PennFinn13  Team  that  traveled  to   Finland  to  learn  how  students  are  using  technology  and  learning  21st  Century  skills.  Most  recently  he   was  asked  by  ABC  7  News  Chicago  to  do  a  news  piece  on  his  Mystery  Skype  adventures  in  his   classroom.     About  The  Illinois  Compu2ng  Educators The  mission  of  the  ICE  statewide  organizaFon  is  to  promote  the  development,  growth,  and  use  of   technology  in  all  facets  of  educaFon.  The  Educator  of  the  Year  award  has  been  designed  to  honor  ICE   members  from  throughout  the  state  of  Illinois  who  are  exemplary  educators  and  leaders  at  the  school   or  district  level,  and  who  have  made  significant  contribuFons  leading  to  the  integraFon  of  technology   into  the  educaFonal  process.  ICE  is  truly  grateful  to  the  many  outstanding  nominees  each  year,  and  for   all  they  do  for  children  in  Illinois  schools.  The  true  winners  are  students  in  the  many  school  districts   throughout  the  state  where  these  outstanding  educators  teach  and  work. You  can  learn  more  about  ICE  by  visiFng  www.iceberg.org

Congratulations, Mr. Solarz, from your Westgate family!!!

An Important Reminder: Please be sure your children are equipped for outside recess. Hat, gloves, and boots are essential in this cold weather. Also, with the snow and ice, please be extra cautious when driving and walking in the parking lot and the surrounding school grounds. Drive SLOWLY and keep an eye out for the children!

Save the Date: The Variety Show will be Friday, April 4th, 6:00 pm, at South Middle School.

The 2014-2015 calendar is available on the district website!

Report Cards and Placement Information Due to the snow days we've had thus far, we are not holding our annual spring parent-teacher conferences this year. Report cards will be sent home on Friday, March 14th. As we would do at any other time of the school year, should you have questions or concerns about your child's progress, you can contact your child's teacher at any time. Placement information for the 2014-2015 school year has been sent home through backpack express. Please take the time to review the letter. This is the most appropriate way to participate in the placement process.

Lunch Times 1st & 2nd - 11:35 - 12:35 3rd & 4th - 12:35 - 1:35 5th - 12:05 - 1:05

www.westgate25PTA.org/ Volunteering

REPORTING AN ABSENCE OR TARDY Phone the Attendance Hotline anytime to leave a message: 847- 506- 6999 x- 7400 DAILY SCHEDULE The school day begins at 9:05. The first bell rings at 8:55 and children will enter the building. There is no supervision earlier than 8:50, so please do not drop off your children prior to then. The second bell rings at 9:05 and students arriving after that bell will need to sign in at the office.

Click on the links below to see all the wonderful things going on at Westgate: Art Room Happenings   Coach K's Blog Mac-ski Social Work Blog   Music Happenings Blog   Principal Badynee's Blog

The Westgate PTA has a brand new, on-line volunteer interest form to check out!

This survey shows activities with volunteer needs between now and the end of this school year. Come join the fun! Westgate appreciates any time you can donate to help round out your child’s education. Contact: Dawn Dalton, volunteer chair, with any questions. [email protected]

PTA  Sunshine   Committee...

If  you  would  like  to  help  out  on   occasion  or  if  you  have  a  temporary   need,    please  call  our  Sunshine   Committee  Chair,  Carrie  Galvan  at   (847)  670-­‐1856  or   [email protected].    

Language Stars Schedule Mandarin Thursday after school - K, 1, 2 - Rm. 133 Spanish Monday after school - K, 1, 2 - LMC Thursday before school - K, 1, 2 - LMC Wednesday before school - 3, 4, 5 - Rm. 211 Wednesday 12:35 pm - 3, 4, 5 - LMC