​I will take a different slant with my weekly message – wordier but please listen to the end.

·       On Thursday, we welcomed the Code Mobile to our school as our staff love to give our students opportunities for enrichment.  The coding experts worked with all students in grades 3-5 and the excitement was contagious.   I spent much time taking pictures for our yearbook which is created by staff members outside of school hours.  It was a great day of learning in the Curiosity Commons, a place where I spent many a summer day, going there to install homemade curtains and other things, while my hard-working custodians cleaned in the sweltering days without air conditioning.  By the way, thanks to the many District Leads and WES teachers who organized all of the evening activities at the recent Opening of this cool new learning space that is also open at lunch under my supervision for all students to enjoy.

·       During the assembly on Wednesday, we acknowledged students who will be going to the District Chess Tournament after participating in a lunchtime club and tournament led by two staff members.  Congratulations to those students and we wish them well at the District Tournament.

·       Friday was a Career Day Dress-up event where students were given the opportunity to have fun while discussing future careers, part of the NB You and Your World Curriculum.  Staff even got in on the fun by dressing in career attire showing what they would have liked to be if they were not already living their dream of working with your children on a daily basis. 

·       Tonight at 6:30 Hotel Transylvania 3 will be playing in the gym.  You will be greeted warmly by staff members and parent volunteers who have either brought their families or are donating time to help.  Enjoy popcorn popped and bagged by parent volunteers and myself or choose some other healthy snacks purchased by me last evening.   We would love to see a crowd out to this family event.  Money will be used to buy prizes at the upcoming School Book fair for January’s Literacy Night which the staff will be planning shortly.  The book fair is run by volunteers with organizational help from a couple of staff members so if anyone can help out, let Mrs. Johnson know – even if it is only for an hour in the evening.

·       Be sure to pick up your calendar if you ordered one.  The Parent Volunteer who spent hours creating it will be attending the Movie Night and she will have them there.

Next Week:

·       There is a Home and School meeting on Tuesday night at 6:30.  Mrs. McClure, my teacher representative and I, along with the Home and School Executive would love to see new faces. We understand if you are not able to volunteer during the school day.  I am in the same boat, but I do try and support the HVHS parent group in other ways so that I can show my son that I value school, and appreciate the teachers who work hard on a daily basis so that he can succeed as well as have all the extras outside of academics.  Please come!  Get involved! THIS is the forum for you to contribute ideas, find solutions to challenges, as well as share your talents.  Our motto at Westfield is “Together we Learn” and I am thankful for those Community Members that support their local school and recognize that it takes help from all sides - parents, teachers, EAs and the community businesses – to make Westfield the great school that it is.

·       On November 8 students may choose to wear Poppy colours if they wish.  On this day we will honour veterans, while at the same time teaching our students that we are lucky because we live in a peaceful country where citizens can respectfully voice opinions AND they go to a nice school where they are safe and cared for.  There are others in this world not so fortunate.

·       Remember there is no school on November 9 as teachers will be writing report cards.  Hours are spent on these outside of school time and Mrs. McClure and I read every single report card in our evenings before they go home. This allows us to make sure that our teachers are including all of the ways students are supported in the classrooms AND also to help us have meaningful discussions at our weekly Support Meetings regarding different outside interventions that might benefit struggling students.

Thank you to all my staff members and volunteers who work hard to make Westfield School a great place to work and learn! Too often they are affected by negative comments and I do not think they get told often enough that they are appreciated for ALL they do.  Have a great weekend everyone!​