Dear Westview Hills Families,

We are excited to announce two school-wide incentives to support our students in following expectations and attending school regularly.

When students follow classroom expectations, they are rewarded with a PAW, which they can place in the PAW tower. When the tower is full, we will dedicate the last hour of the day to fun activities. As a reminder, our expectations are:

Be Responsible
Be Respectful
Be Ready to Learn

By following these expectations, we focus on being better today than we were yesterday.

Every day of school attendance counts. We are tracking each day of attendance by grade level, and when a grade reaches 3,500 total days of attendance, they will enjoy popcorn at lunch!

Upcoming in October

October 9 - Parent Coffee - Join us as we discuss attendance and developmentally appropriate behavior at 6 p.m. at Holmes School

October 7 - 11 - The Behavior and Emotional Screening System (BESS) - BESS is an instrument designed to assist school teams to determine the behavioral and emotional strengths and needs within the classroom. For grades K-3, teachers will be utilizing an online rating scale to measure four dimensions of behavioral and social emotional functioning: adaptive skills; externalizing behaviors; internalizing behaviors; and behaviors that promote school engagement. For grades 4-8, both students and staff will participate in the screening process via online scales.

October 14 - Non-Attendance Day

October 15 - School Physicals Due

October 17 - Picture Retake Day

November 5 - Non-Attendance Day

November 8 - Spooky Dance

November 11 - Veterans Day Assembly

Attendance

Thank you for supporting our students to be at Westview Hills, our average attendance rate for the September was 96.4%

Thinking about staying home? Research shows that students that miss more than 10 days a year are 20% less likely to graduate on time. By coming to school each day they aren’t sick, your students is staying on track for graduation.

Spooky Dance

Parent Coffee 10/9

Here in Maercker School District 60, we are committed to improving our student attendance and the means by which we respond to student behaviors. At our next parent coffee, scheduled for Wednesday, October 9th at 6:00PM at Holmes School, we will be sharing some district and building-wide commitments around student attendance and behavior.

Perhaps you’re curious how you might be able to support at home, so we wanted to share a few ideas that might surprise you as to how best to support our student attendance and behaviors:

Handwashing - It’s true! Handwashing, or a lack thereof, is linked to student illness, and of course student attendance. Whether your child is in Pre-K or 7th grade, there’s no better time than now to remind and review proper handwashing;

Bedtime - Yes, even in middle school! A consistent, age-appropriate (tech free) bedtime routine is critical to our student’s attendance AND behaviors;

Feelings - Our students are learning tools to talk about their feelings and regulate their emotions. And on most days, they’re better than adults! So, if you’re not sure how to do this, or you’re looking for ways to improve the space in your home to talk safely about our feelings/emotions, join us at our parent coffee!

Chromebook Information

We encourage all families to establish a supervised location for students to charge their Chromebooks when not in use for homework. Families can use the GoGuardian app to monitor students' usage while at home. Access the app here. When prompted for an email, use the one you provided in Family Access.

News from the Health Office

Dear Parent or Guardian,

All sixth graders and new students are required to have a physical and immunizations (Tdap and Meningococcal). This physical can be dated as early as August 22, 2023, and must be turned in by October 15, 2024. Prior to turning it in, be sure to complete and sign the top of the front page! The form can be downloaded and printed here: Physical Form

SPORTS PHYSICALS

• If your child will be trying out for any sport, they must have a sports physical on file prior to tryouts. A school physical exam may be used in lieu of a sports physical, HOWEVER, a sports physical CANNOT be accepted as proof of a physical exam for a mandated grade level physical exam. A School physical is valid for 365 days from date issued and Sports physical is valid for 395 days from date issued.

*Tip: Have the Doctor complete both the school physical exam form and sports exam form and you’re covered for school and sport requirements!

The completed forms can be dropped off to the school office, mailed, or emailed to the school nurse.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out!
Thank you,

Maercker D60 Health Office

Recognize a Staff Member for meeting the Gold Standard

We are excited to launch a new way for members of our community to recognize and celebrate the incredible teachers and support staff that make Maercker D60 a safe, inclusive community that empowers and inspires life-long curiosity for learning!

The Gold Standard is a way to show your appreciation and pride in members of our staff. Anyone in our community can submit a recognition for staff members who go above and beyond to shine in the areas of our Core Values and Staff Portrait.

Learn more and recognize someone for meeting or exceeding the D60 Gold Standard

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Let's all work together to have a great school year full of learning, collaboration, and growth!

Dr. Allister Scott
Principal Westview Hills Middle School
(630) 515 4884