“Work Hard, Be Kind, We are all Wonders of Westwood” These are the words that every student says as they start their day at Westwood Elementary.
The Oxford Dictionary describes a wonder as "a feeling of surprise, mingled with admiration or curiosity, caused by something beautiful, unfamiliar or unexpected." Westwood is building ample opportunities for students to become Wonders with new curriculum and programs. Over the past few years, Westwood Elementary has become a Leader in Me School. Leader in Me promotes the development of leadership, responsibility, and a positive school culture based on the Franklin Covey book, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
Leader in Me has strengthened student leadership skills by promoting confidence and responsibility. Westwood has 3 different teams: Culture, Academics, and Leadership. Counselor Rachel Crabtree Mentioned, "All 3 teams focus on the goals within the building and the community, whether that be community outreach activities, being in charge of activities happening in the building, or academic buddies to help students build confidence in themselves. Every goal fosters positive relationships."
The Culture Team helping hand out awards for Honors Day
Every day Westwood highlights students through Student Spotlights, recognizing those students who exemplify the "7 Habits" through actions and interactions. Principal Kelley Cox said, “Each month, we celebrate Students of the Month, focusing on those who best demonstrate the Habit of the Month, reinforcing positive character traits and leadership skills.”
One December student of the month, Cece Dicken
In the next year there are many things coming for Westwood's Leader In Me journey! There will be student-led conferences, empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Also next year, the elementary will host their first Leadership Day, where students can showcase the amazing leadership skills they are developing.
Furthermore, Westwood Elementary is constantly working hard to make school a better place and making it more exciting. Attendance has been a big part of the growth at Westwood. The class with the best weekly attendance gets a special visit from the Attendance Cart, filled with all kinds of fun rewards. There are also quarterly attendance incentives encouraging students to be at school everyday, ready to learn. Students have earned a Glow Party and Tropical Shaved Ice, and later on this year they can earn a Donut Party and a surprise field trip!
Westwood has also given students the power to create their own academic and attendance goals. Lynae Amman, Instructional Coach at Westwood, helps students attain their WIGS for the school, Wildly Important Goals. Academic achievement and effort is recognized with A/B honor roll, all A’s recognition, and Best Effort awards. Students are celebrated when they push themselves to grow and succeed. On top of this, each teacher has their own unique way of recognizing students through classroom shout outs, special privileges, fun activities, and more.
“These celebrations create a culture where students feel valued, motivated, and excited to do their best every day,” said Mrs. Cox
New changes also mean a new curriculum. New Castle School Corporation has implemented three new curriculums: Fundations, Geodes, and CKLA, Core Knowledge Language Arts. These new programs have provided a more structured, research-based approach to literacy, creating a stronger foundation for the students.
In Kindergarten through second grade, Fundations and Geodes have allowed students to develop strong reading skills and gives them a chance to foster a love for meaningful literature. For Kindergarten through fifth grade, CKLA has been a significant change, integrating both foundational reading skills and deep knowledge across science, social studies, and and reading.
New faces and old are seen all over Westwood. There are several veteran teachers at Westwood, as well as new ones. Mrs. Amman said that Westwood has implemented mentor programs for the newer teachers. They have a mentor for two years and get extra support when they need it. This helps new teachers get acclimated into the classroom. One new teacher we have at Westwood is Kindergarten teacher Miss Macy Bell. Though it is her first year teaching, she is familiar with the elementary atmosphere because of her mom, fourth grade teacher, Lisa Bell, has been teaching at Westwood for the past twenty-nine years. Whether related or not, Westwood is like a big family. All of the teachers, staff, and students have worked together to make Westwood Elementary a WONDERful place.
A note from the Principal:
"This is my sixth year as principal at Westwood, and I truly love our school and the incredible community that surrounds it. It’s an honor to work alongside such dedicated teachers, staff, students, and families who make this school such a special place.
Our school continues to grow and evolve, and I am grateful to be a part of a community that believes in supporting and celebrating our students every step of the way."
- Mrs. Cox