May 8, 2008
    

Special Lunch for Friday, May 9
Special Lunch for Friday, May 9 will be from Little Red Hen. It will include a grilled cheese sandwich, chips, fruit and a dessert.     

BOOK DRIVE for WECARE
Used Children's Book Drive For the month of May, the West School Student Council is sponsoring a book drive for Children's Book Week, May 12 - May 16. This is a responsible way to donate your gently used children's books to our brother school, Paul Revere Elementary School in Chicago. So send in those children's books during the week of May 12 and the Student Council will count, pack, and send them to where they are needed the most.     

Teddy Bear Project
The West School Student Council is proud to sponsor the 2008 Teddy Bear Project Give-a-Thon. This project ties in with our We Care theme of Helping Others. This project started after the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. Caroline Zadina, a former student of West School, started this program to give to the children in need. This is the sixth year that West has sponsored the Teddy Bear Project.

Students are asked to donate a "like new" teddy bear. These bears will be cleaned-up and personalized with a card by the student that is sharing this special gift. These bears are thoughtfully delivered to local agencies or shelters for children and families in need. In previous years, bears were given to children through the Su Casa Family shelter, Catholic Charities, Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, Childrens Advocacy Center, and Evanston Shelter for Battered Women. In addition, in 2005, we shipped about 300 bears to the village of Sassier, Haiti, bringing joy to children in one of the poorest countries in the world! Just imagine the happiness that your donations can bring this year.

All Third and Fourth grade students are invited to bring "like new" teddy bears to school between May 9 and May 16. During lunch recess on May 13 and 14, students will gather to clean, fluff, and tie a ribbon onto the bears. The students will personalize a card, which will accompany their bear as it is passed along its way to a needy child.

The Teddy Bears will be collected in each of the 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. If you have questions please ask your child or call the school.     

Kids View On-Line Magazine
Kids View Click Here to Download the Spring Edition     

4th to 5th Grade Parent Orientation
Parents of 4th graders are invited to a 5th grade orientation meeting at Central School on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:15 p.m. in Misner Auditorium. This event is for parents only. Our students will have their own orientation during the day on Tuesday, May 13.     

Family Fitness Week
In celebration of our annual Family Fitness Week, West School parents are invited to join their child's regular gym class any time during the week of May 19-23. Check with your child's teacher for a schedule of gym times.     

Instrument Selection for Fourth Grade Students
It is time for you and your fourth grader to start thinking about a musical instrument selection for fifth grade. The selection of an instrument is an important decision, and one that should be shared between parent and child. To aid families in selecting an instrument, we are scheduling a parent/child informational meeting.

This meeting will be held on Thursday, May 22 from 4 - 7 p.m. in Misner Auditorium at Central School. There will be a short demonstration by current fifth graders on their band and orchestra instruments, information about selecting and obtaining an instrument, and what to expect musically in fifth grade. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call the Music Department at Central School at 835-7629. Download Flyer     

Important Information
Information Downloads
Attendance Regulations
Medication Information     

Come Late and Don't Wait!
To ease traffic congestion during the afternoon pick up, we would like for drivers to come at 3:20 or 3:25 to pick up students. The students will be supervised and accounted for until you arrive. Delaying your pick up by 5 or 10 minutes will result in a much shorter wait for you, and less traffic congestion around West School. Come Late and Don't Wait.

IT IS IMPORTANT that our students take care when walking or riding home from school. Remind your child to obey all directions from our crossing guards and staff members. Please be mindful of our neighbors. Do not block private driveways while waiting for your rider to locate your vehicle. The following instructions will help make the start of school a safe one. Download Pickup Instructions     

West School Visitors
ALL VISITORS SHOULD stop in the office to sign in and receive a nametag. Nametags need to be worn at all times while in the building. This is not a new policy, just one that will be enforced. We thank you in advance for your commitment to keep our school safe.

    

What's Happening at West?
When you are visiting our West School webpage and reading the West Weekly, be sure to also check out the West School Happenings link which is in the green box at the top left side of the page. This link will take you to the stories and the photos of many of the exciting events that have been taking place at West School over the past several weeks. This link is frequently updated, so be sure to check it out on a regular basis!

    

Choose to be Drug Free Parade
The annual Choose to be Drug Free Parade will start in front of Central School immediately following school dismissal on Friday, May 16. This annual parade finishes in downtown Glencoe and has many family friendly events.

    

CHOOSE TO BE DRUG FREE POSTER ASSIGNMENT
Students who wish to participate in the annual poster assignment are to use one of the 5 Affirmations for a healthy, drug-free life as the theme:
1. I am in control of my life. Drugs take away control.
2. I make smart choices. Drugs are a bad choice.
3. I think for myself. I will not let others influence me.
4. I want a strong mind and body. Drugs weaken your mind and body.
5. I will succeed in life. Drugs destroy one's potential.

Students who complete posters should turn them into their school's office by May 12. Posters will be displayed in the windows of area merchants and on the internet at www.goglencoe.com. This is sponsored by the Glencoe Department of Public Safety in partnership with the Glencoe PTO.     

New Trier Facilities Meetings
Learn about New Trier facilities challenges & tour the campus! Community members may tour New Trier's Winnetka campus following each of two remaining Open Community meetings this spring. At each meeting, Superintendent Linda Yonke will update residents on the work of the New Trier Facilities Workshop Committee. In June, possible facilities solutions will be presented to the New Trier school board. You're invited!

May 20: 10:15AM room M-180; repeated 7:30PM room 301
June 11: 10:15AM room M-180; repeated 7:30PM room 301

To learn more about the process, log onto www.newtrier.k12.il.us/facilities.     

2008-2009 Calendar
This one page sheet highlights many of the important dates in the 2008-2009 school year.
Calendar Highlights
    

Bricks, Benches and Trees . . . Oh My!!
With the end of the school year upon us the Glencoe Educational Foundation is is offering several options to honor student, teachers and schools. In addition to the engraved brick program bench and tree options are also available. To learn more about these programs downoad the following flyer. Download GEF Brick, Bench and Tree Flyer Now!
    

Summer Explorations Update
Registration for District 35 Summer Explorations is now closed. Please revisit our webpage on Monday, June 9 ( beginning at 9:00 a.m.) through Friday, June 13 (until 3:00 p.m.) for late registration. First come/first served. Enrollment is limited. Not all classes may be available.

If you have questions regarding Summer Explorations, please contact either Allison Gottlieb at 847.835.7888, voice mailbox 6644, gottliea@glencoeschools.org or Nan Weiss-Ham at 847.835.7888, voice mailbox 8384, weisshan@glencoeschools.org. Summer Explorations Website     

Information Update
If you have changes in your street or email addresses, telephone numbers, emergency contact information, etc., please notify both Denyse Cannon at the Board Office at 835-7812 or cannond@glencoeschools.org and Lisa Imber for the PTO at 835-3756 or rainierrealty@comcast.net.  They will enter the changes into the databases maintained for the school district and PTO directory.  We appreciate your assistance in keeping this important information up to date.     

Transportation Claims May Now be Filed
Parent/Guardian State Pupil Transportation Reimbursement Claims for the 2007-2008 school year are required to be filed by June 30, 2008. In order to complete a claim, please visit our school office to share the necessary information with the office staff. Please be prepared to share the mileage from your home to West School for the reimbursement form. For additional details on qualifications, please download the Transportation Claim information. Download here!     

Board of Education Member Applications Accepted
It is with sadness and gratitude that the school community bids farewell to Dr. Greg Makoul. Dr. Makoul has resigned his position from the Glencoe School District Board of Education and will be moving out of state with his family. One year remains in Dr. Makouls term.

The Board of Education is currently accepting applications and will conduct interviews to fill the vacancy created by Dr. Greg Makouls resignation. One year remains in Dr. Makouls term. The Board will take action to fill this vacancy at the regular monthly meeting scheduled for June 9, 2008. The appointee will begin his/her role as a Board of Education Member at the June 9th meeting.

For more information please contact Cathlene Crawford, Secretary to the Board, at 847-835-7810 or crawforc@glencoeschools.org. Applications can be downloaded now or copies are available at the Glencoe Public Library, Village Hall, and offices of each school.

Applications materials must be completed and filed in the Board of Education by the close of business on May 30, 2008. Download Application

    

PTO Happenings
Enjoy weekly updates and information through the Glencoe PTO website! Click here for the online version of the PTO Happenings.