Author Visit at Westlake Elementary School | |
WES welcomed local children's and young adult author, Tricia Springstubb for K-4 student assemblies. The students were engaged and asked thoughtful questions. Some parents shared that their students came home excited and couldn't stop talking about it. | |
|
Thank you for your support! | |
2023 Demon Derby
The annual Demon Derby fundraiser is here. Tickets to the April 1 event are sold out, but you can still support the Boosters and Westlake student athletes.
Click here to purchase raffle tickets and win prizes. You do not need to be present to win.
| | |
Important People at WES
Recently at Westlake Elementary School, Mrs. Jewell, Ms. Mustafa, and Mrs. Wagner's class wrapped up their Kindness initiative by delivering opinion writing pieces to some carefully chosen staff members.
Students were given the prompt "Who do you think is the most important person that works at WES?". Students then wrote an opinion piece about their chosen staff member and went through the writing cycle to make their writing the best that it could be.
To conclude, students drew a picture of the staff member and delivered their published piece!
| |
|
|
The Health & PE Team is excited to announce that the fundraising efforts netted a total of $29,811, which not only exceeded any previous total raised by our district, but also made us the top fundraising school in the State of Ohio for the 2022-23 school year.
Pictured with her PE teacher Mrs. Brittany Pratt, and displaying the gold medal of achievement is our top fundraiser for the year Victoria Peterson, who is a 2nd grader in Mrs d’Acunzo’s class.
| |
|
WES Kids Heart Challenge
February was American Heart Awareness month, during which people were encouraged to educate themselves on the risk factors for heart disease and understand the health benefits of living a heart healthy lifestyle. To mark this important health initiative, Westlake Elementary students participated in the American Heart Association's annual Kids Heart Challenge.
During PE and Health class students participated in fun learning activities that promoted heart healthy exercise and taught the wellness benefits to making healthy food and drink choices. One goal of the learning process was to dispel the belief that heart disease affects only the adult population, but can also impact children who choose a sedentary lifestyle and make poor nutritional choices.
Additionally, students were invited to visit our school Kids Heart Challenge webpage and complete various cardio fitness challenges while raising money to help the American Heart Association carry out research into childhood heart disease and advocate for community awareness.
The WES HPE department is incredibly proud of this achievement and would like to recognize and applaud the hard work of the students as well as the generosity of all those in the community who donated to this worthy cause.
| | |
|
Dover Intermediate School
At DIS, Rob Pace will be leading the American Heart Association fundraising campaign.
They kicked off 3/15 with 2 assemblies during WIN & Flex in order to cover both grades separately. It coincides with NCAA March Madness, so they will have a basketball theme. The campaign will end 4/6 with a 3 vs 3 basketball tournament.
The purpose is to raise awareness about heart health, heart healthy behaviors, CPR, and to raise funds for the AHA.
| | |
The Shamrock Dance Returns
Approximately 75 students from Westlake, Bay Village, North Ridgeville, and Avon Lake participated in the 2023 Shamrock Dance. This event began in 2008 and is organized by Katie McGlynn and Rachael Kane. It is a sensory-friendly, inclusive dance. Everyone shared their favorite dance moves and fun was had by all. Plans have begun for 2024 dance.
LBMS Includes!
With the goal of supporting inclusion for students will all abilities, LBMS will celebrate the week of April 3 with pledge signing, selfies, and being part of the school community.
In preparation, Mrs. McHugh and our Unified Sports team made the AMAZING VIDEO linked below.
| |
|
Did you know that DIS runs a modified schedule on Wednesdays to facilitate an intervention/enrichment program? They call it WIN ... What I Need Wednesdays. | |
|
WIN at DIS
During WIN, students engage in a number of different activities to support their academic, social/emotional, organizational, or behavioral needs. Activities can change each week and include coding, STEM, Yoga, drones, Reader's Theater, math & reading enrichment, organization support, social skills groups, and many more.
WIN is designed to offer students a variety of opportunities throughout the school year to ensure growth and a well-rounded school experience.
| | |
Science Olympiad
We are proud to announce that our Westlake Science Olympiad Teams BOTH Division B (grades 6-9) and Division C (grades 10-12) are the REGIONAL Science Olympiad CHAMPIONS! This is a huge accomplishment and the result of the dedicated preparation by the students, studying, building, and rebuilding for months. All of this would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of Coach Laura Lathem.
They will compete on the State level on April 29 at The Ohio State University.
Go Demons!
| | |
|
The Westlake Alumni Association Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Distinguished: Mark Deierhoi (1970) and John Kurowkawa (1990)
Athletic: Scott Reynolds (1971), Kevin Quigley (1972), Paul Hanna (1978), Nicholas Lawrence (2010), Kalpana Beach (2011), the 1983 Football Team
Honorary: Gary Simpson - Retired Teacher, Coach, Mentor (1977-2007)
Save the Date: HOF Induction Ceremony 10/05/2023
| | |
Dollars for Scholars
In the annual Dollars for Scholars fundraising competition, the Teachers emerged victorious over the Students with a score of 59-58. Over $7000 was raised for scholarships.
Mr. Harris was the Teacher MVP and Cael Cipollone was the Student MVP.
| |
|
Congratulations to Westlake High School Senior Yehyun Choi for qualifying to take the USA Physics Olympiad exam. Only the top 400 physics students in the country qualify for this honor and the chance to compete for the U.S. Physics Team in international competition. | |  |
Congratulations to Yikun Zhou for winning the Coca Cola Scholars Program Scholarship! Only 150 out of 91,000 applicants received this prestigious $20,000 scholarship. | | |
Operation Smile and the Pulsera Project Partnerships Exemplify the Core Value - Empathy | |
|
Katie Beachler's 6th grade students organized and completed a fundraiser to benefit children who need cleft palate surgery.
They researched and wrote essays about the difference surgery makes for kids born into poverty. Then, they created and sold bookmarks to collect donations for Operation Smile. They raised over $1600 which pays for 7 children to have surgery.
| |
The WHS Spanish Club is partnering with the Pulsera Project. They are selling handmade bracelets from Nicaragua and Guatemala for $7 each. Proceeds will support the community needs in the areas of education, health care, employment, and housing. | | |
|
World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day is marked each year on March 21, beginning in 2007. The 21st day of March was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which is how Down Syndrome is identified.
Westlake Elementary and Lee Burneson Middle School students decorated paper socks then arranged them to demonstrate what chromosomes look like . "Lots of Socks" is a celebration of everything that makes all of us different, and yet the same. In addition, students were invited to "Rock Their Socks" by wearing their most eye-catching socks in order to in order to stimulate conversation and awareness about Downs Syndrome.
Pictured above are Mrs. Fortuna with Griffin, James, Mrs. Meecha, and Gabe.
Pictured below are Kathryn Stephens, Mahmud Elkot, and Phoebe Pagano, LBMS Down Syndrome Superheroes with some of the socks posted behind them.
| | |
|
Hidden In Plain Sight
Hidden In Plain Sight is an interactive presentation for parents who may be confused or concerned by changes in their child’s behavior. Are they hiding something? Maybe. The program educates parents about how teens and preteens use everyday items to hide evidence of risky behaviors. The presentation is a mock setup of a teenager's bedroom and items are hidden in plain sight all around the room. Our facilitator teaches parents how to become more curious, observant and involved—and how to respond when they uncover something that is hidden in plain sight.
The Westlake Council of PTAs is sponsoring this event. It will be held Saturday, April 22 from 10am to noon at Achievement Centers for Children (24211 Center Ridge). Registration is required. To register, click here.
| |
WHS Penny Wars
The Westlake High School language department hosted a Penny Wars challenge between the ESL classes and Spanish, French, and Latin Clubs. The groups competed by bringing money with the ultimate goal of sending a donation to an earthquake relief organization in Turkey. Our students raised a collective $509.00 which they donated to All Hearts and Hands. The donation will help in the aftermath of the February 6th natural disaster.
| |
| |
|
Congratulations Mr. Ranallo
WCSD Athletic Director, Nick Ranallo, will be presented with the Tim Flannery Horizon Award.
Each year, the Northeast Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association selects athletic administrators or other professionals who have contributed outstanding service to interscholastic athletics in NE Ohio.
Mr. Ranallo will be honored in April at the NEOIAAA conference in Geneva.
| | |
New WHS Assistant Principal
Cory Rojeck will move from his role as middle school teacher and girls basketball coach to Assistant Principal at Westlake High School.
Cory came to Westlake from Arizona where he was named Arizona coach of the year three times. For teaching, Cory has earned the Silver Apple (2010), the Gold Apple (2013), and the Crystal Apple (2015) along with the Spirit of Agua Fria (2018).
These awards recognize Cory for his excellence, dedication and impactful performance in teaching and coaching.
| |
| |
|
Congratulations
Shanti' Coaston is a Computer Science Teacher. She brought her gifts and talents to WHS this school year and has made an immediate impact. She is being recognized with the following accolades:
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing 2023 Educator Award (Ohio Affiliate)
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2023 State Finalist)
2023 Computer Science Teaching Excellence Award Finalist.
| | | |
|
|
Westlake High School Demon Drama Club rocked their spring performance of Legally Blonde the musical. Congratulations to all who prepared and participated. | |
A special thank you to the PTA for assisting with donations and refreshments. | |
Gals and Guys Dance
As a follow-up to the Lads and Ladies Dance, fun was had by all at the WES Gals and Guys Dance on March 24. The elementary school cafeteria was opened up for girls in grades kindergarten, 2, and 4 to invite a special guy and enjoy the festivities.
| | |
Bridget Royce (Grade 5 Math) and Angie Germano (Grade 5 Science) | |
|
In partnership with the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Fund for Teachers announced Bridget and Angie as Fund for Teachers Fellows. They are now part of a cohort of over 9500 preschool - grade 12 teachers from across the country.
Fund for Teachers said, "A commitment to crafting a learning experience that simultaneously informs your curiosity and impacts your students has resulted in a $3250.00 grant to Explore and film 360 videos of regional ecosystems represented in state and national parks of Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia to expand students' awareness of the outdoor world and how they can enjoy and protect it -- starting with the school's natural environment -- through student designed projects."
| |
Mr. Kraft said it was "a wonderful morning." He had a lot of fun and hopes to visit again. | |
The Place To Be
The Place To Be is a functional daily living apartment. It is a classroom at WHS furnished with donated household items and furniture. The apartment provides real life opportunities for students and is designed to provide job skills so students can put into practice what they learn.
Board Member, Joe Kraft, was a special guest and the students had a great visit ... and not just because he brought donuts. The students shared with Mr. Kraft their "What I did at home" sheets. Mr. Kraft was very engaged with each student. Then, he shared about his job, being a member of the Board, and activities he enjoys.
| | |
|
The Westlake City School District welcomes the opportunity for non-profit, local organizations to post electronic flyers on the district website, providing the purpose of the organization complements the educational mission of the Westlake City School District. Furthermore, the District recognizes the value in providing information to our families and students about opportunities within our community that promote the intellectual, physical, personal and social development of our students.
Flyer Connection
Westlake City School District | www.wlake.org
| | | | |
