The Westwood and Lindsey Building Leadership Teams (BLTs) recently met jointly to review building needs and goals in order to align reading practices and programs across both buildings to ensure a consistent, rigorous student experience.
Leadership Teams Focus on Reading
The Westwood and Lindsey Building Leadership Teams (BLTs) recently met jointly to review building needs and goals in order to align reading practices and programs across both buildings to ensure a consistent, rigorous student experience. The teachers are charged with identifying needs and recommending resources.
Director of Pupil Personnel Amy Davis said, “We are working with teacher leaders in grades K-8 to audit our current reading practices to ensure that they align with what we know are evidence based instructional components necessary for a top notch reading program. Both elementary schools and the middle school leadership teams conducted an audit last year and are working to fill any identified gaps in programs and practices.”
The leadership teams will meet again later this year for more collaboration on these topics.
Hillcrest Insurance Students of the Month
Josh Irwin and Lindsey Kulp were named the Hillcrest Insurance Students of the Month for December.
Josh Irwin, a sophomore, is a two-year starter for the West G boys varsity basketball team.
Coach Javorek said, “Last season he was selected as the CVC MVP as a freshman, which was the first time it’s ever been done in the Chagrin Valley Conference.”
Josh plans to play college basketball and has received verbal offers from Bowling Green and Miami University (Ohio).
Lindsey Kulp, co-captain of the swim team, is not only heavily involved in her sport, but in student life as well. Carrying a 4.47 academic average, Kulp is a member of the National Honor Society, president of the senior class and has earned three letters in swimming as well as letters in gymnastics, track and as a Wolverette.
Science Exploration with Penguins
Westwood’s first-graders have been involved in researching all things penguin over the last few weeks, complete with wearing their winter gear for a kickoff and donning Penguin Explorer Badges.
Studying the wildlife and climate of Antarctica gives young students a framework where they can explore geography, biology and meteorology by focusing on their love of penguins.
First grade teacher Beth Phillips said, “During the unit we incorporated so many different skill areas. We measured and compared heights of penguins. We took a look at the world map and located all the places south of the equator where penguins live. The students got to study about penguin adaptations, predators and the life cycle. In language arts, we worked on finding text evidence in nonfiction resources about penguins.”
This creative approach is just one way that the curriculum has been adapted to create interest in young children.
