Westport Mission & Vision
Mission: Leverage the strengths of the Westport community to ensure academic growth for ALL!
Vision: Westport will be a venue for academic success!
Westport’s Collective Commitments: Our Team will:
Make decisions which are student-centered and aligned to our WHY!
Be present to model consistent processes and expectations!
Leverage learning opportunities to increase instructional minutes!
Presume positive intent in order to maintain positive mindsets!
Click On
Reminder to pay attention to the clickable links to the right and along the top. As we continue to add sections making the BLOG a one-stop-shop for all Westport information. We still have several sections UNDER CONSTRUCTION…This means the link may be there, but there is nothing to see yet.
Key Spots for the Start of the Month:
Cooperative Learning Corner
Westport Social Committee
Instructional Coaches
Monthly Instructional Highlights
Staff & Student Spotlight
Social Committee
PBIS Lessons located in PBIS (ELEM)
Attendance Information
Key Spots for the Start of the Week:
Week at a Glance - WAAG
Must Do/May Do
Nurses Notes
Counselors Notes
Elementary Events Page
Student Jobs
Middle School Student Jobs: Elementary teachers please sign up to host a few middle school student workers in your classroom; these students have graduated from strategic classes, have applied and been hired for specific jobs! (action required by Wednesday 2/5)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QDjEBEgq0EI2xyFYR9iXxQ0x3SK3NhcEwaoZnYIfVVU/edit?usp=sharing
Westport Cleaning
Disinfectant Procedures - Last week we communicated a need for staff to frequently spray, clean surfaces within their classroom to ensure we are disinfecting surfaces as our community deals with illness. Please continue these practices throughout the illness seasons, so we can continue to protect ourselves and others.
Additionally, the custodial team will begin disinfecting Westport using a stronger sanitary spray, QT5. They will be applying the solution with a misting gun to all high-contact surfaces, including door handles, seating and tables, restrooms, and any sleeping areas, focus rooms, and serving lines for Nutrition Services. Please note that this spray will not be used on any food or drink items.
Parental Contact
Please REMEMBER!!!!
Any illness or medical concerns MUST come from SCHOOL NURSES. Many parents are upset that students are being marked elective absent when picking up their children because the nurses have not even assessed them for illness.
We are having an increase in the number of parent pick-ups when not medically needed or a miscommunication between nurses and parents. Due to this, we cannot monitor illnesses, speak to parents regarding symptoms, or keep accurate logs.
Before referring students for minor behavior, call/text/email parents to enlist their support and help with improving the behavior.
Teach Forward - MARCH 14
All SPS-certified staff members will participate in 2 hours of professional learning on Friday, March 14. This is a professional learning opportunity with your grade level in mind! The session description includes:
Reveal Math: This session will immerse teachers into a grade-level specific Reveal Math model classroom experience. Teachers will have an opportunity to compare the routines and structures from Reveal Math to the current resource and the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice. We will explore the new Instructional Framework and SIG as we prepare for implementation this fall.
Benchmark Advance: This hands-on session is designed to support educators in maximizing the potential of the Benchmark Advance curriculum. The training provides a focused exploration of three key areas to enhance teaching practices and improve student outcomes. Participants will:
Gain a clear understanding of the arc of a unit and how each lesson builds toward mastery.
Explore the components of a lesson within the curriculum and how they interconnect.
Identify engagement opportunities that foster collaboration, spark curiosity, and encourage deeper connections to the content.
So that we can guarantee a comfortable and consistent, grade-level experience, teachers will attend an AM or PM session by site. Please make note of the location and plan to arrive at your session for an 8 AM or 12:45 PM start. With sessions spread out across the district to accommodate enrollments, plan to bring your own drink(s), snacks, and a charged device.
AM 8:00-9:45
Please register for your designated Teach Forward session in Kickup and bring your Unit 7/8 Teacher Manual (TRS) to the session.
Keep a lookout for additional communication via KickUp announcements leading up to March 14th. We look forward to seeing you in March!
Read to Succeed
Read to Succeed: February Read to Succeed Literacy Tool Kits:
MAP REQUIRED TEST PREPARATION
As we approach the time when teachers are looking to begin preparing for the MAP, we wanted to begin sharing information on how to begin ensuring students are prepared for the assessment processes and staples of questions. As educators, we know that these are not things we share just one time, but something we must share multiple times so students build muscle memory for the expectations of testing.
3rd-5th Grades Only
New resource from DESE: Missouri Instructional Testlets (MITs). These are short, formative assessments designed to measure a student’s understanding of specific academic skills aligned with the Missouri Learning Standards—think CFA: a short targeted skill assessment.
These testlets provide an additional opportunity for practice beyond the current released items, and they come with important guidelines from DESE. To ensure a smooth implementation, please watch this Loom video and view the slidedeck to better understand how these testlets can support instruction.
MS Grades Only
For Middle School, the week of February 10, during PLTs, there will be examples and discussion around MAP Test preparation for students. Those discussions will include MO LEAP, Testlets (MS), Online Tools Training, Released Items (Practice Forms), and Reteach Lessons (MS).
One AMAZING resource that will be shared is MO LEAP. This online drive has lesson plans, articles, questions, answer keys, AND even explanations for why certain answers are the most correct! These are a great option for a substitute as it is nearly all written out for them. It has been suggested that we use these materials in our Emergency Sub Binder as well. MO LEAP items are exactly like the MAP test and will expose students to similar verbiage, vocabulary, formatting, etc. Did I mention answer keys???? Perfect for bell ringers, class competitions, additional practice, reteaching, mini-lessons, etc.
Middle School: another resource that you should have received from your Curriculum Coordinator this past week are the MAP testlets (see links below).
READ ALL RESTRICTIONS BEFORE USE!
Testlets are considered "secure resources" which are copyrighted and cannot be posted in Canvas or any other general access area.
Below is a list of what you CAN and CANNOT do with the Testlets.
You CAN print them and use them in class with your students.
You CANNOT send them home.
You CANNOT put them in Canvas.
You CANNOT publish them anywhere online.
You CANNOT screenshot any part of them.
If you want to project any of the questions, you will need to either show the pdf I've shared with you in this email, download a copy to your computer and project that version, or print it and put it under a document camera.
You CANNOT screenshot questions or parts of questions and put them into Slides, for example.
You CAN use the Testlets as a formative check any way you choose within your classroom.
You CAN gain inspiration from Testlet questions.
Other Things to Remember:
Do NOT teach these testlets. Our students will likely see MAP questions that are not represented on the Testlets.
Remember that the Testlets in PDF form do not have any tech component. Students may be able to answer a question correctly on the pdf version but miss the same question when they have to drag and drop on the real MAP test.
School Deliveries
Friendship Parties: please add in the time of your party for 2/14 (action required)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-I2Fu0W21kI5l6WXCQ1Q5y_eOfztsXQOpjuNnomQpyo/edit?usp=sharing
Please remember - we will not accept deliveries for students-including Valentines Day.
We are offering Candy Grams through the school however!
Surprise someone special (students or teachers) with a sweet treat for Valentine's Day!
Parents to students
Students to students
Students to teacher
Students to guardians
All orders are due by 2/12 and will be ready for pick up, or delivered, on 2/14!
Order forms can be picked up during lunch, copies will be sent home with envelopes, or extras can be picked up in the front office; total cost must be paid for at the time of the order.
*continue to communicate this with parents via SeeSaw and Remind
Yearbook Information
Please share out with students frequently and in your Seesaw & Remind App communications.
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARBOOKS on sale now! 🧡🐯💙
ELE Link to order: https://www.yearbookforever.com/school-store/vpq1M33fyab5BAGwpetMQS90
MS Link to order: https://www.yearbookforever.com/school-store/3m7jr6X9FBdImyTYY0wNx1Rv
Attendance Challenge:
Elementary Memory Book Ad Purchase:
Own a business, or know someone who owns a business and would like to buy an advertisement in the elementary school memory book? Please share the information below!
Middle School Yearbook Ad Purchase:
Own a business, or know someone who owns a business and would like to buy an advertisement in the Middle School Yearbook?
Please share the information below!
Friday 2/21: Middle School Dance
