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Dear <<First Name>>,
By my calculations, I have two more Administrator Updates to write before my time at Westlake draws to a close. I am so thankful for all of our stakeholders who take the time every two weeks to read these communication pieces. I think you will be very pleased with some of the things I have to report in this one!
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Celebrating Westlake
 I am grateful for all who attended last Friday evening’s Celebrate Westlake event. We had close to 200 people attending, plus the children in the nursery. That was certainly one of our best-attended Celebrate Westlake events! Many thanks to all who had a hand in the program, decorations, food, and planning. It was a wonderful night of celebration.
As of this morning, we've calculated that $28,000 came in from our stakeholders on Friday, with more likely to arrive in the days ahead. Praise God with us for his abundant blessing and continue to petition him to close the gap of our current need.
If you'd like to give to the Celebrate Westlake Year End Fund, please click here.
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New Teachers
 We have kept before you in previous months that veteran teacher Mrs. Krass is retiring from full time teaching at Westlake after 26 years, and we have been searching for her replacement. After many applicants and interviews, even watching teaching demonstrations, we are pleased to announce that Mrs. Heather Beckman will be joining our staff in the fall as our new 2nd grade teacher.
A graduate of Missouri State University (BS in elementary education), Mrs. Beckman is no stranger to many of our families. Prior to and during her college years, she served faithfully as a head camp counselor for Fun-N-Sun Day Camp. During the application process, she demonstrated exceptional skill as a classroom teacher. Mrs. DeReus is especially pleased and looks forward to working with her in the future. Our first grade parents will get a chance to meet her this Wednesday morning before the first grade Chapel.
 No doubt many have wondered how we would replace Mrs. DeReus in the classroom now that she is moving up to become Westlake’s new Administrator.
Last fall, we expanded our Kindergarten program to add an afternoon enrichment component and asked our elementary music teacher, Mrs. Katherine Culbertson, to head it up, becoming our afternoon Kindergarten teacher. Her previous experience, in addition to K-8 music instruction, includes being a classroom teacher for several lower elementary grades at three other Christian schools.
During the past year, she has shown a high degree of professionalism and gentleness with our Kindergarten enrichment class. It is with pleasure that I present to our families our new full-day Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Culbertson.
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All-School Meeting
 On Monday, May 13, the Board will host its semi-annual all-school meeting. During that meeting, the Board will present a recap of the current year’s activities, progress, and finances. They will also cast a vision for next school year.
Stakeholders will get a chance to hear from Mrs. DeReus as she shares her heart for the future of Westlake. The senior class will also share some highlights of their recent mission trip to Panama, which I am especially looking forward to. Please mark your calendars and take the time to show our Board and our next Administrator how much you care for this ministry by being in attendance. As usual, there will be a time for questions and interaction.
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May is a Packed Month!
Please be aware of the many programs and activities coming up in the weeks ahead as we end the school year strong. Mrs. Adkins will keep you posted on What’s Up @ Westlake weekly emails, but as the administrator, I don’t want anyone to miss something.
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- Make sure you take advantage of the $30 savings by registering your child for Fun-N-Sun Day camp by May 1 for the early bird registration rate of only $45! We're so glad to partner with FNS!
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- This week on Thursday, 7 pm, our students in grades 1-6 will present their Elementary Spring Concert at Westlake. In addition to the wonderful music, we have something special we are planning that evening, so come and find out!
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- This Friday, May 3, there is no school for students; our teachers will be involved in all-day professional development activities aimed at improving Westlake.
- This Saturday at 3 pm will be our first Mother-Son Bowling Event. Reach out to our Parents' Association Leadership with any questions.
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- Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and the Parents' Association has some great things planned (thank you!). Click here to see different ways you can honor our teachers.
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- We will host a seminar, FINANCIAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE COLLEGE COSTS, on Monday, May 6, at 7PM, here at school.
- On Thursday, May 9, the Concert Choir, Concert Band, Intermediate Band, and our Leadership & Worship team will present their Spring Concert at the Secondary Fine Arts Evening & Art Exhibit. The art exhibit begins at 6:30 with the concert starting at 7.
That’s enough for now! I’ll mention more in my next Administrator Update.
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Prayer
“Prayer is the greatest work.” -Oswald Chambers
- Pray every day, fervently, for the enrollment. Specifically pray for 50 new students. Are you praying for “50 at 5pm”?
- Pray for Westlake’s finances. Pray especially that we will end the fiscal year in June with no outstanding bills to bring into the next school year.
- Praise for God’s working during the recent Celebrate Westlake event!
- Pray for God’s leading in staffing decisions for next school year. We still need a preschool teacher, an elementary music teacher, and an elementary physical education teacher.
- Praise for new teachers, Mrs. Beckman (grade 2) and Mrs. Culbertson (Kindergarten)!
- Pray for the continued smooth transition as Mrs. DeReus prepares to assume her new role.
- Praise for a very productive senior mission trip to Panama!
- Pray that our students, teachers, staff, and administration would finish this school year strong. Especially pray that our 16 seniors would be greatly used by God as they graduate and go on from Westlake.
 Updating you for God's glory,
Dr. Michael Healan
Administrator
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