Hello West Woodland community,

In this time of unprecedented uncertainty, we want you to know that we are here for you. While we can not have play dates and be together in the classroom, we can still care for one another, talk and share, and remain a close and caring community even in a time of physical distancing. 

Thank you to the administration, staff, and teachers that are weathering this storm to bring our kids comfort and education. Thank you to all the parents and care givers who are suddenly thrust into new roles with new challenges. Know that taking care of your kids is enough. You are enough. Please reach out if you are struggling and there is any way we can help. 

Below you will find ways you can help our school, ways you can receive help, and ways to stay connected in a time of social distancing. As we regroup, more information will be coming. We are looking forward to a time we can be together again.

• If you haven't already, watch the video message from the West Woodland Staff here. Be on the lookout for requests because the next video might just star YOU!
• Each week, The West Woodland staff is going to provide optional projects to build a sense of school community. This week was posting the West Woodland Wildcat in your home or car window. Have you seen any in your neighborhood?
• Have sidewalk chalk? Brighten your neighborhood with messages of hope. 
• Want to deliver some joy to essential workers in this time of crisis? Be on the lookout for upcoming Letter Writing Campaigns organized by the West Woodland Staff. Information will go out in the Wildcat Chat.
• Classrooms are finding ways to stay connected. Many are using Padlet and Microsoft Teams. If you have more ideas for your class, reach out and coordinate with your room reps.
• During the week of April 20-24th (the week after spring break), we would like to have a school spirit week. Each day, you can show spirit for West Woodland Elementary School by dressing up with other school community members while in the comfort of your own home. As you look at your crazy socks or wacky clothes, you can think of your friends, friends’ parents, teachers, and principal looking like you are in their own home. You can post pictures to your class Padlet, wear your attire to virtual class or peer group meetings, or remember it in your memory as “School Spirit Week During Covid-19 Quarantine.”
• SPIRIT WEEK SCHEDULE:
  • Monday, April 20th Lazy Day (lounge in PJs and sweats all day)
  • Tuesday, April 21st Crazy Sock Day
  • Wednesday, April 22nd Wacky Wednesday (put together the most mismatched/backwards/wacky outfit)
  • Thursday, April 23rd Sports and Clubs Day (wear your favorite sports jersey, club shirt, uniform)
  • Friday, April 24th Wear West Woodland School Colors

The Coronavirus has obviously impacted all of us and our community greatly. While everyone is home social distancing, working, teaching, and being together, the PTA still has business and we are continuing to meet virtually to ensure those we have contracts with this year will continue to be paid, our upcoming scheduled events are cancelled and/or revised, and that our budgeting for next year moves forward. To that end, please read the below message.

Gala and fundraising update
Part of what makes West Woodland so special is our incredibly involved parent and family community that supports our school, staff, and students with lunches, classroom projects, making copies, cleaning classrooms, and really whatever needs to be done. We also support the school through our financial contributions- these contributions are really critical. For a long time we have only asked families to contribute to the school financially at the start of the year through our Annual Appeal campaign. We generally raise about 80% ($334,400 of the $418,000 this year) of our needed budget through our Annual Appeal and we make up the rest at our Gala.

We have to cancel the Gala
This Year, as we are all well aware, we cannot gather in groups and therefore we have to cancel our Gala. It’s a huge bummer that we will not be able to come together and celebrate the year together - not to mention that our children are not in school learning from their teachers and each other and playing with their friends.

Please help: no amount is too small.
We do still have the problem however that we need to raise 20% ($80,000) of our budget. Thus, we are asking that for those who are able, please contribute to our school once again this year. Our suggested donation is $150 for each student. We understand that this is not a good time for everyone to give.
 

If you are able, please click here to donate.