Westside sixth-grade students were recently given a demonstration of various orchestral instruments. The purpose of this presentation was motivate them to join the orchestra program that is offered through the school district. Many students signed up for the program, which involves them coming to school two-three times per week throughout the school year.
Club sign ups will take place this Friday from 8-10 a.m. for grades 1-6. You must sign up online but may do so at home or in the learning lab here at Westside. After 10 a.m., you may sign up for additional classes if space is available.
Registering online simply holds your spot. Between Friday, August 31 and Friday, September 7, you must fill out a 4H registration sheet as well as pay the club fee ($5/club) and 4H registration for the year ($5). If this is not done by Friday, September 7, spots will be held with children from the waiting list.
Because the last week of school can be a hard time to focus, the sixth-grade students participated in an activity to help them stay focused. Students were given a small set of materials including tape, string, popsicle sticks and rubber bands. With these materials, students were to design and build a contraption to keep an egg protected from a six foot drop. After all of the students were done, they met and tested their creations to see how they worked.
Having Dutch Hall, and his farm, right across the street from Westside, has proven to be a great resource. Recently sixth-graders were given a tour of the farm and were able to recite a poem to him from memory. Resource students, and students of all ages have benefitted from visits to the farm.
On May 22, Westside fourth-grade students had the opportunity to bring their pets to school. Students brought their pets to the field area behind the school, and shared something about their pet with their classmates and teachers.
Julie Beckham, a Special Education teacher at Westside, recently received an Excellence in Mentoring Award given through the Department of Counseling and Psychology and Special Education at Brigham Young University. This award is given to exemplary teachers who convey a positive attitude toward the profession and have demonstrated a strong commitment to helping teacher candidates in the Special Education program acquire the skills necessary to become effective special educators. Julie's service as a cooperating teacher has aided in the preparation of several BYU student teachers
Although the weather did not cooperate, Westside fifth-grade students attempted to reach nine miles on their hike up to Kelly's Grove last week. Although they had to cut their trip short, they were still able to hike 5+ miles. This hike is an annual activity the fifth-grade students look forward to.
On May 18th, students, parents and faculty gathered to honor students who participated in the Mathletes program at Westside. This program is designed to give students who excel in math, another opportunity to develop their math skills.
Last week, kindergarten students at Westside donned their graduation robes, and performed for their parents and teachers. This year-end program was a culmination of songs related to what the students learned in Kindergarten throughout the year.
Recently, fourth-grade students at Westside displayed their county floats they created. This project was a representation of the research students came up with after learning about a particular county in Utah. Students decorated their floats with objects related to the county they chose to study.
