Westwood Pajama Reading Night
On the evening of Thursday, February 12, third grade students and their parents returned to school in their pajamas to take part in pajama reading night.  The event not only encouraged reading, but gave parents the opportunity to take part in the process and find out exactly how the Accelerated Reader program works.  There were door prizes, and everyone was treated to a hotdog supper.  Every six weeks, a different grade level will host the event.

Westwood Elementary students Daniel E., a 4^th grader, and Dillan D., a 5^th grader, both participated in the Louisiana School Board Association’s juried exhibit by K-12 student artists. The theme for the exhibit was “Louisiana.”  

 

Westwood Golden Rule Winner

On Friday, January 23, Westwood 5^th grader Josh J. had a special visitor.  Angela Pierson with the Kiwanis Club of Southwest Contraband surprised Josh with the news that he was the school level Golden Rule winner. The purpose of the program is to educate and encourage elementary students about the importance of living the Golden Rule in all relationships.  Joshua was nominated by his teacher, Mrs. Cindy Pitre.  Here is what Mrs. Pitre had to say about Josh: 

Josh comes to school every day with a positive attitude, eager to learn and please.  He is respectful of adults, and his peers, and is liked by all.  Josh is the kind of student who will do whatever is asked of him without question or complaint.  He doesn’t ask for much and doesn’t expect to be rewarded for the extra things he does.  He always acts unselfishly when it comes to sharing whatever he has with others.  I have never observed Josh treating his peers with anything but kindness and will be the first to help someone in need.  He would never bully or participate in the cruel games that children will play.  He chooses to give instead of receive, understand instead of judge, and forgive instead of holding resentment.  Josh has a true understanding of “the golden rule,” and tries to live by this every single day. 

 Josh received a very nice medal, a bag of surprises and a King cake for his class to enjoy.  He will now advance the final level of the parish-wide competition.  Westwood students and staff are very proud of Josh for this most prestigious award. 
 

Westwood Students win 4-H Honors

Westwood students Alexis B. and Jessica E. participated in the Calcasieu Parish 4-H Contest Day at McNeese State University.  Approximately 200 students from around the parish participated.  Alexis won Honorable Mention in Consumer Decision Making and Honorable Mention in Photography.  Jessica won 1^st place in Seafood Cooking Division and was the Sweepstakes Winner – 1^st place overall winner in Elementary, Middle, and High School.  Jessica will advance to the Regional competition in Crowley, Louisiana. 
 

Westwood Elementary January Principal’s Pals

Each month, every teacher has the opportunity to recognize one student from their classroom by nominating them for the Principal’s Pals bulletin board.  The students below earned this honor for the month of January.  They are to be commended for their hard work, positive attitudes, and kindness to others.

January Principal’s Pals
Javien A. Cami A. Javan A. Mystilynn B. Baylee B. Kayla C. Jesse D. Daniel E. Ben E. Laci G. Kevin H. Tristan H.	Gavin J. Dylan L. Myka L. Nicholas M. Carley M. Brennan M. Evann M. Lexi P. Jonathon P. Irving P. Karlie P.	Rylee P. Victoria R. Madalynn R. Kirstyn S. Trenton S. Gage S. Chase S. Mackenzie S. Tara T. Chloe’ T. Breah W.

 

  3^rd six weeks Honor Roll/Banner Roll

GRADE 1
Honor Roll			Banner Roll
Logan B. Jaiden B. Calie B. Treysten B. Kelsie C. Amanda C. Gavin C. Blayne C. Cole D.	Kameron E. Matthew F. Caleb F. Clay G. Samantha H. Mia H. Cassidy M. Brett N. Garrett P.	Keagan R. Nicholas R. Jonathan S. Piper S. Layne T. Jamey T. Bryleigh W. Kloie W.	Carson A. Zachary B. Emily B. Ava C. Sheb D. Mason D. Reese E. Ben E.	Jillian E. Jasmine J. Jacob L. Tara L. Logan M. William M. Evann M. Katie P.	Rylee P. Riley R. Damien R. Chase R. Graham R. Kayla S. Nevaeh W.

GRADE 2
Honor Roll				Banner Roll
Joseph A. Nicholas B. Victoria B. Galen B. Hailey C. Demondjae C. Kaleb C. Brandon C. Chelsea C. Cade C.	Daija E. Tate F. Laisha F. Layne G. Zavier G. Brandon G. Evan G. Ciara H. Kimber H. Makenah H.	Charlie H. Tyler K. Emily M. Dakota M. Santanna M. Brooke M. Leha M. Colt P. Madalyn P. Josie P.	Cameron Q. Elaine R. Madison R. Benjamin R. Allison V. Hailey W. Garron W. Jakory W. Breah W. Eva Y.	Mark A. Mystilynn B. Hannah C. Kaylae F. Ariadyn G. Maggie G. Josh G. Kyla H. Zoe H. Jenna J. Alyssa J. Myka L.	Jazmine L. Kaytlynn M. Kenedee M. Makenah M. Connor M. Mackenzie P. Hunter Q. Summer R. Tiffany T. Kelcie W. Colby W. Shelby W.

 

GRADE 3
Honor Roll					Banner Roll
Bailey A. Carrington A. Baylee B. Alex C. Sydney C. Cole C. Jade D. Jackson E.	Justin E. Alex E. Jade F. Brett F. DaNaye F. Justin G. Brandon G. Tyler G.	Kayla H. Taylor K. Kristen L. Austin M. Raylen M. Abigail M. Brennan M. Anna N.	Cason P. Katie R. Dylan R. Kelly S. Trenton S. Mandy S. Carolyn S. Claire S.	Emily S. Andrew T. Sarah W. Nicholas W. Haley W. Shelbie W. Hunter W.	Kendall C. Xavier I. Carley P. Lexi P. Ethan P. Grant R.

 

GRADE 4
Honor Roll				Banner Roll
Connor A. Luke B. Breanna B.	Alexis B. Kristen D. Mason D.	Jaydon G. Benjamin N. Christa P.	Reagan R. Bryce S. Nathaniel W.	Abby H.

GRADE 5
Honor Roll					Banner Roll
Carli A. Bethany B. Michael B. Dillan D. Deborah D.	Carlee F. Anna F. Xavier G. Kaylen G. Hailey H.	Megan H. Tristan H. Michael J. Chloie L. Sydney M.	Melanie N. Brittney P. Hunter R. Kirstyn S. Mackenzie S.	Bethany T. Emily T. Skyler Y. Courtlynn W. Alexis C.	Courtney D. Jessica E. Jessica R. Simon R. Cade W.

 

The faculty and staff of Westwood Elementary would like to thank Sasol, our Partner in Education, for the beautiful Poinsettia plants.  We are so fortunate to be partnered with such a thoughtful and caring group of individuals.
 

Westwood Students Receive Special Surprise from Santa!

Mrs. Jill Smith’s first graders received and exciting surprise – a special package from Santa!  He wrote a letter that reminded students to follow all of our school rules and even sent an elf to watch over the class during the day.  Every night the elf reports to Santa to let him know how the day went.  Santa also sent each student a hat to wear.  The students love looking for Elfie in the morning.  There is also a book that tells the story of the elf on the shelf in the classroom library.


 

Westwood Students’ Art Work to be Featured on
Superintendent’s Christmas Cards! 

Each year, the Calcasieu Parish Schools Superintendent holds a parish wide competition to select fifteen works of art to be used as the system’s official Christmas cards.  Out of the many card designs submitted from schools all across our district, two Westwood students were selected as winners.  Congratulations to Dillan D. and Christa P. We are so very proud of these two students and Ms. Harrell for this special honor. 


 

 

Westwood Third Graders’ School Garden

Students in Mrs. JoAnn Winfrey’s third grade class at Westwood Elementary fully maintain a garden outside their classroom doors.  The garden keeps staple plants of mint, rosemary, Mexican heather, and flowers all year.  This fall the class has planted broccoli, carrots, snow peas, strawberries, squash, and basil.  Previous classes have grown Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, and mammoth sunflowers.  The class was excited to discover a tomato plant growing that they had not planted.  Peas will be ready to harvest this week.




 

Westwood students in Mrs. Gen Fullington's class were  given  the  privilege  of  accompanying  Mrs. JoAnn Winfrey's  third grade class  on  an  educational  field  trip  to  the  Westlake  Salt  Water  Barrier (Locks),  The  Port  of  Lake  Charles,  and  a  boat-dock  Marina  in  Westlake.  Students  studied  information  before  and  made  drawings  of  what  they  observed  and  learned  during  the  trip.   Afterwards,  they  reviewed  and   discussed  the  numerous  pictures  of  all  they  learned. 

Westwood Elementary Veteran’s Day Activities

Westwood students remembered the many sacrifices of our veterans throughout the week of November 10-14, 2008. Poster contests and essay contests were held, and the entire school dressed in red, white & blue on Friday.  Students read patriotic excerpts during morning announcements and a “Wall of Honor” is displayed in the school to recognize family members of students who served our country.  Students treated veterans to lunch throughout the week  and collected toiletries for homeless veterans. 

 Poster Contest Winners:
Back row:  Kristen B., Derrell S., Alexis C.
Middle row:  Summer R., Maggie G., Colby W., Makenah H.
Front row:  Sheb D., Cole D., Jacob L., Kyla H.,
Not pictured is Jared L.

 Essay Contest Winners:
Back row:  Kelly S., Kavon P., Sydney M., Simon R.
Middle row:  Trenton S., Bailey A., Hunter W., Luke B., Lexi P.
Front Row:  Alexis B., Reagan R., Bailey D., Jasmine E. 

Love our Veterans:
Dressed in Red, White and Blue!!!
Back Row:  Anna N., Zachary H., Nikki N.
Front Row: J.J. S., Taylor K.

Westwood Students Experience Colonial Life

Ms. Burgin's third grade class at Westwood Elementary read a story this past week about colonial life. They got to taste succotash, one of the foods eaten by the colonists during colonial times. They also visited web sites to view colonial housing, build a colonial house, and dress a colonial child.

Westwood Elementary 4-H Officers Elected

The following students were elected as officers for Westwood 4-H for the 2008-2009 school year.   

Pictured from left to right:  Kirsten S. - Parliamentarian, Emily T. – Reporter, Jessica E.– President, Bethany B. – Secretary, Chelsey M. – Vice President. 

Westwood 4-H Members are Winners! 

Calcasieu Parish 4-H members from Westwood participated in a pet show contest on October 16, 2008 at the Burton Coliseum.  The contestants were awarded ribbons for various categories related their pets.  The winners from Westwood Elementary are as follows: 

Carlee F.- dog with the fluffiest coat
Alexis B. - dog with the sweetest personality
Karlie P. - best dressed dog
Lyndon S. - dog with the longest ears
Reagan R. - dog with the silkiest coat
Caleb F. – dog with the shiniest coat
Xavier G. - most colorful Gecko
Dylan L. – Healthiest chicken

Makenah M., second grade student at Westwood Elementary participated in the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk.  This is Makenah’s second year to participate in the annual event.  Westwood is proud of Makenah for donating her time to this most worthy cause.

Special Visitors at Westwood Elementary

On Tuesday, October 14, Westwood Elementary was one of 14 schools in Calcasieu parish to be visited by members of an AdvancED Quality Assurance review team.  The team spent a half day reviewing school documentation practices, conducting interviews with school administrators, teachers, parents, community and business partners, students and board member. They also toured the school and conducted random classroom observations.  The school was commended for the overall atmosphere, the use of research-based teaching strategies, exemplary student behavior, the use of Quality, PBS (Positive Behavior Support) and exceptional parent/community support.  Westwood was proud to represent Calcasieu Parish School System in the district accreditation process.