Welcome to December, Westbrook! I just have to say, you all rock! Thursday's paint night was so much fun. There was so much laughing and well, joy. We were the first staff to do a paint night at MoJoe's and it was the largest paint night group they ever hosted. Leave it up to us to be the first! Many of you commented on how much fun it was and some even asked why more staffs do not do it? Well, to be completely honest, I want all of you to think about the staffs you came from and ask yourself if there would have been so many people at an event like this? In my experience not many would have shown up or it would have been the same few who always come. Is it the same for you? This is one of the million reasons we are so fortunate at Westbrook. We all enjoy spending time with each other and we make the time to do fun things like this together. We are so lucky! I challenge you to keep this going. I never want there to be a time when we say 'remember when.' This is simply how we do things at Westbrook and don't be afraid to say it to others!!
On a slightly related note, paint night was really uncomfortable for me. I do not like doing things I am not good at and I am NOT good at painting. But, our guide said we have to do this more in order to get more comfortable with it, so there WILL be more!!
And finally, one big lesson I got out of the evening. Comparison really is the killer of joy. (At least, that is my version of the quote.) As I compared my painting to others, I felt terrible about my painting. Everyone else's was better. But when I look at it here at home, all by itself, it actually is a cute painting. So, in anything you do- DON'T compare yourself to others!! You may not be at the same point as someone else, but if you are putting in the work and improving, you are winning!! If you did your best, you did great! Looks like I needed to paint something in order to bring that home! Ha!
After the assemblies on Friday, a group of kids loaded up and delivered our toy donations! We were even featured on TV!! I will share the link this week.There are several people I would like to thank for the success of this event! Thank you to Lara for leading the K-Kids and making this happen. A HUGE thank you to Rori who led this drive from behind the scenes. In addition to many things, she made signs and coordinated the delivery. And to Jenn Ngo, who pretty much helps with everything, but she also helped get boxes, make signs and load the toys. Thank you to all of you!!
See's Candies to support K-Kids: If you are going to buy See's Candies for the holidays this year support our K-Kids Club while you are at it. K-Kids/Kiwanis Club See's Candy Store is open daily from 10-6, at the corner of Pleasant Grove and Foothills. It is behind the ARCO gas station, in the back of the center, next to Beach Hut Deli. Tell your friends and family!
Attendance request and clarification: Please do not input your attendance before 7:45am. I know this may impact your morning routine, but we are running into some issues and this would be very helpful. If you have a prep right away, you can enter your attendance when the students return. In the morning, we are closing the gate as close to 7:40 as possible. We do let students through the gate who are there within a minute or so. If a student comes to your class late, without a pass, you do not have to send them back for a pass. Those students who do not make it through the gate, go through the office and get a pass. The pass is simply for tracking. The office does not enter them as tardy. You do not have to enter them as tardy either. One of the issues we have is when students arrive late but have already been entered as absent and the office does not know. Then, a call goes home and people get nervous. The other issue is differences in teachers' procedures among siblings. That causes problems in the office. In a nutshell, if you can input your attendance at 7:45 or after, and accept late students in your classroom, that would be awesome.
All of that to say, I know that late students are an interruption and not good. Let me know if you have repeat offenders so I can reach out to the families. I am not always privy to attendance issues.
Silver Wars for Lahaina fundraiser (see slideshow link below)... Mrs. Starr's friend was victim to the Lahaina wildfires and her students need our help! Our Westbrook students will be coming around this morning to drop your coin tub. If you do NOT want the interruption, please let me know. Jesse Bennett Assembly: Jesse Bennett, a local author and friend, will be reading her book and leading an assembly on December 12. She has written 3 books that she will be donating to our library.
Please sign up for a time slot- Assembly Sign Up
Visit from the Gingerbread Man!
My son, Ian, is going to make a special visit to Westbrook on December 19 as the Gingerbread Man!
Sign up on this document for this special visit. It should only last about 10-15 minutes...enough for a quick greeting, photo op and then on the run so the little old lady doesn't catch him. If your students have seen Shrek, he's pretty spot on with that act. 
December Staff Potluck!
Sign up here for our December 14th Potluck: Baked Potato Bar The elves of the office/custodial staff have another staff treat surprise up their sleeves for a cozy treat the week of December 18-20.
All School Sing-A-Long: On December 20: We are going to do a school sing a long on December 20. It will be in two groups like our assemblies. the assembly times will be 8:00am and 8:30am. On this day, we will have a whole school pajama day and the kids will come to the multi where Marc will lead the students through the songs they have learned in music. We got a preview at the choir assembly and it will be so fun! Sign up here: Sing-A-Long Sign Up
December Dress Up Days: So, you can plan your wardrobe accordingly, these will be our December dress up days. December 13: Skate Night 6-8pm
December 14: Neighborhood Santa and Small Business Craft Fair
Coming Up This Week:
Monday, 12/4:
Tuesday, 12/5: K-Kids Meeting at Lunch
Wednesday, 12/6: Brooks off site AM; SSP meeting (By invitation only) at 2:20pm
Thursday, 12/7: PLC Leadership Meeting at 2:20pm;
Friday, 12/8: Flag Salute at 7:50am
Happy Birthday 🎉
12/4: Bunny Castle
12/4: Sarah Donohue
Of all the quotes, this is the one I chose. IYKYK😉
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