Message from the PTG President:
Dear West Side Families,
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the WSTA play, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. The performance was outstanding! Special thanks to all the parents, family members, staff and friends who came down to see the play and show their support!
At our PTG meeting on April 9 we announced our slate for next year’s PTG Board. The slate is as follows: President – Lolita Reichbach, VP Communications – Jenny Sheridan, VP Committees – Ana Shammah, Treasurer – Ingrid Wright, Class Parent Liaison – Melissa Newman, Hospitality – Kari Schulsinger, Special Purchases – Lorena Munyak and Secretary – Christiane Franzese.
Many thanks to our Nominating Committee and to our volunteers.
Thank you to all who came out in support of the CSH Library and voted in the new budget!
The 6th grade Get Together was held on April 14th at Syosset Bowl and everyone had a lot of fun. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers!
NYS Math Testing will take place on April 24-26 for Grades 3-8. Please make sure children are well rested, have a good breakfast and get to school on time during these testing days.
Our WS Run will be on April 28th, please get your run registrations in!
If you have time, stop by the DNA Learning Center this weekend for DNA day. Also, when you have a moment, please LIKE us on our new Facebook page!
6th grade parents, please come to the Jr. High School orientation being held next Tuesday at the PAC.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the Run!!!
YEARBOOK:
YEARBOOK SALE EXTENDED: ORDER YOUR WEST SIDE YEARBOOK TODAY! LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!
Each yearbook costs $28.00. Order forms were sent home via your child’s backpack and are attached to the Brief and Friday Notes.
This year’s COLOR/HARDCOVER yearbook stars students throughout our school in grades 2 through 6!!! It truly is a beautiful yearbook and a great memento for all families to own.
You will find hundreds of photos featuring all the WSS kids: class photos and individual photos of every WS child! Halloween Party: Daddy and Me; Skate Night; WSS Kids Care; Orchestra and Band; Talent Show; Seasonal Concerts; WSSTA; Ellis Island; Field Trips; an Autograph Page and countless candid photos of all the children and much, much more!
WS GARDEN:
The West Side Garden is up and ready for planting thanks to all the children’s help weeding and turning the soil. Last week we had many participants take time to collect fruit peels and cores and add them to our compost bin and to make recyclable planters to start our vegetable seeds. We learned about the importance of recycling and how to make compost in order for our soil to be rich with nutrients. For our Earth Day/Birthday project on April 19th, the children will plant various vegetable seeds in the recycled planters that they made last week. On Monday, May 13th (rain date of Thursday May 16) we will assist the children in planting the planters directly into the garden. We urge all children to participate in this exciting activity. We will also need parents to volunteer during this activity which will take place during recess (11:20 AM -12:40 PM). Please contact me at suzi@seattlebergs.com or 425-894-2874 if you are interested in helping out.
DNA DAY:
National DNA Day Scavenger Hunt in Cold Spring Harbor Village:
An afternoon of fun for elementary school children and their families!
April 20, 2013
12:00 – 4:00 PM
Take your kids and grandkids on a scavenger hunt to discover the rich history of Cold Spring Harbor Village and its special connection to DNA. The hunt will guide you through village landmarks including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center (DNALC), Whaling Museum, Firehouse Museum, and The Cold Spring Harbor Library and Environmental Center. In addition to hands-on activities at these locations, clues will be hidden around the village.
The DNA Day Scavenger Hunt starts at the DNA Learning Center (334 Main Street) where you may pick up your map and questions – and take part in your first hands-on activity and ends at the Cold Spring Harbor Library (95 Harbor Road).
Along the way, stop, shop and snack at the stores throughout the village. Parking is available along Main Street, in the parking lot in Cold Spring Harbor Village and at the public library. This event is free to the public.
WS RUN:
Our 21st annual WS RUN will be held on Sunday, April 28th. Run the one mile and/or 5k race and be a part of this great and exciting school event! We are still accepting family sponsors. It is a wonderful way to help West Side. All forms can be found on the website and in the main office.
***New this year*** Every Wednesday until the race join our “Training Club”. Get ready for the run after school from 3-4 PM and train together. Children must be accompanied by an adult parent.
In order to have a successful event we NEED VOLUNTEERS! We need: high school students to help out on the day of the race (they will receive community service hours) and 4-5 adult volunteers to assist at barricades. We also need healthy baked goods/healthy snacks and fruit for the day of race. Please contact Connie Robins at connierobins@verizon.net
Saturday April 27th – Pick up your t-shirts and run numbers from 6-8 PM. Come down for a pasta dinner (carb load) provided in the cafeteria when you pick up your t-shirt!
FOCUS:
The process of forming next year’s FOCUS board is starting. Please consider nominating yourself or someone else for a position. This is a very worthwhile organization and we need your time!
FOCUS (Families of the Community United through Schools) is a district-wide organization that involves families, schools and the community. The purpose of FOCUS is to promote the skills and environment necessary for our children to make healthy and responsible decisions. This is accomplished through parent education and discussion on issues that are important to the community. This year’s FOCUS theme was “Empowering Ourselves Through Information, Education and Collaboration.” Our panels have often included authors, professors, lecturers as well as school administration, teachers, counselors and parents
There are five positions on the board:
President, VP, Treasurer, Communications Coordinator and Secretary.
To self-nominate or nominate another individual, please submit the candidate’s name, contact information and the proposed position to Gail Burns at gailmburns@gmail.com byWednesday, April 24th.
WEST SIDE KIDS CARE:
View the thank you video from Uncle Pat and the troops to the kids here
The U.S. Air Force Care Package for Uncle Pat and his squadron has been a huge success! Our thanks to Gillian Drexler who introduced this project and spoke about her uncle at morning assembly last week. Thanks to Uncle Pat for sending a video from Qatar which really brought things to life for the kids. Thank you to Kim Drexler for putting together a great storyboard of photos and for her unending enthusiasm. She has been collecting and packing the tremendous amount of donations and has really made this project personal for the West Side community. Finally, thanks to all of the West Side families for your donations and to the many children who made cards for inclusion in the care package during recess last week.
In honor of Earth Month, the Reuse-A-Shoe Sneaker Recycling Campaign will begin next week. Old, worn-out athletic shoes of any brand will be transformed into Nike Grind, a material used in creating athletic and playground surfaces. No sandals, flip-flops, dress shoes, boots or shoes containing metal (cleats or spikes). A drop box will be located in the airplane wing from Monday, April 22nd through Monday, April 29th. You will also be able to donate at the West Side Run. Get training and then give us your sneakers!
Thanks to Joan Emmanuel who delivered another round of donations from the West Side Food Pantry to the Tri Community Youth Agency in Huntington Station. Please continue to donate to these local children in need. Healthy after-school snacks are always appreciated.
If you have any questions or ideas for West Side Kids Care, or would like to help out, please contact Dana Lynch.
STAFF APPRECIATION DAY:
Attention all parents who want to cook or “cook” to appreciate our teachers and WSS Staff on MAY 7th! We need Parents to donate their culinary efforts or the culinary talents of others. We need donations of assorted salads, wraps, and desserts for a luncheon buffet. Our WSS Staff appreciate this luncheon each year and we continue the tradition. Please sign up to volunteer a dish (disposable dishes preferred), drinks, ice or desserts. If you leave your own dish, please label your name with tape below the dish. Please contact CATHY PATERSON at cslp@optonline.net She will gratefully appreciate your culinary talents. Cathy would love company the morning of the event to set up as well!!
ELLIS ISLAND:
ATTENTION ALL FIFTH GRADE PARENTS AND FAMILIES ELLIS ISLAND RE-ENACTMENT MAY 17TH
Do you know what the immigrants wore when they came into Ellis Island?
What was the process the immigrants endured before they arrived in America?
This is your chance to re-enact a part of history. Come and participate in the Ellis Island Re-enactment.
Please contact Melissa Marasciullo – melissny@aol.com to participate.
COLD SPRING HARBOR LIBRARY:
Thanks to all who took the time to come out and vote! The Library budget has passed!!!
WEST SIDE CAMP OUT:
Save the date:
WSS Camp Out- Saturday June 1st- Sunday June 2nd
Enjoy quality time with family and friends while playing games, having dinner, warming by a campfire with s’mores, and creating life-long memories. There will also be breakfast on Sunday morning! If you have any questions or to volunteer, please contact Rachel Miller at rmsunset@gmail.com.
West Side School Parent Teacher Group 
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