We want to hear your story of why Westlake means so much to you! Please record a short video and submit it by April 20th so that we can all “see” each other during the online Celebrate Westlake event.

In order to get the best quality video, please follow these guidelines:

General:

• Videos should be horizontal orientation, not vertical (if recording on a phone, turn it sideways).
• Whatever you choose to record with (computer, cell phone, iPad, camera) please be sure it is resting on something stable. DO NOT HOLD THE DEVICE, as in a selfie video, as that will have lots of shake. Position the camera to be at face-height (it’s the most flattering angle), not below you or above you.
• When possible, stand facing near a window - this will give you the best possible lighting. If that’s not possible, stand somewhere with the least background distraction - a blank wall or an area of your home which doesn’t have clutter or too many “lines”
• Follow the rule of thirds — pretend your screen is cut in 3s, both vertically and horizontally. Whoever is recording, should make sure the subjects face is in the top third of the screen whether on the right or left.
• Wear simple clothing - no crazy stripes or patterns (sometimes these get distracting or the video will distort it).
• Please speak clearly, make sure there are no background noises, and speak slightly louder than you think necessary. We can always adjust the volume down, but increasing volume isn’t possible.
• Videos can be individuals or families.

Recording:

• Stand or sit up straight — no slouching.
• Smile!
• Press record and take a deep breath, looking straight at the camera, count to two in your mind, then begin speaking. At the end of your video, please do the same (look at the camera, smile, and count to two) before ending the video.
• Start by introducing yourself and tell us your grade and how long you have been part of Westlake.
• You can just say “hi” to all of your friends at Westlake, or you can take an extra minute to let us know how Westlake has impacted your life.
• Each video should between 30 seconds and two minutes.

Send your completed videos to [email protected]. Thank you!

Hey Westlake family!

We’re all adjusting to being stuck at home and figuring out this Remote Learning thing. I’m so grateful for technology these days and how we’re able to adapt and figure out school from home.  I’m also incredibly grateful for our greater community. So many different companies have stepped up to offer FREE resources for families who are stuck at home.  We wanted to make a (non-exhaustive) list of resources we’ve seen online. As a school, Westlake does not endorse any of these sites - we haven’t vetted them all, so please use wisdom and caution before you just let your child freely roam these sites.

If you encounter a site that you love that you’d like for us to share here as well, please email me (Erica Adkins) and I’ll consider adding your recommendation to this list.

Educational Resources

Internet Access Resources

If you’re struggling to get access to internet (as many coffee shops and libraries will be closed through the social-distancing) Comcast has offered free internet for low-income families (normally $9.95/mo). They’ve also increased the access speeds to make it easier for families to do what they need from home.

• Comcast Internet Essentials - 60-day free internet access for low-income families

Westlake students experience education in an environment where they are loved, challenged, and encouraged to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. YOU make that possible through your prayers and financial support!

Feed My Starving Children

During Spiritual Emphasis Week, our students in grades 7-12 spent time volunteering at Feed My Starving Children. While working at a station with 7th-8th grade boys, a student who is new to Westlake this year began telling another volunteer about how much he liked his new school. He shared that the kids are actually nice, and the teachers really care. He said that for the first time in his life he actually had friends at school. Westlake Christian Academy is very intentional about teaching students how to love God and love others.

Seed Nursery

This year the 9th grade biology class has spent a little time each quarter helping at the Lake County Forest Preserve Seed Nursery. The students plant seedlings, harvest seeds and sort seeds that have already been gathered. This is part of our effort to help our students become good stewards of the environment.

It gives them an opportunity to serve our community, work hard, and gain an understanding of the work that goes into following the creation mandate by caring for the earth.

4th Grade Chapel

Recently, our 4th graders presented a skit in chapel about two doctors who spent all their time learning, but never actually helping the sick people. They made the point that if we just learn about God, but don’t tell others, then we are not following Jesus’ direction to go and make disciples. At Westlake our students are not just taught the truth, but they are equipped to share it with others. In fact, one of our 4th graders shared her testimony at her church the following week as part of her decision to be baptized.

The annual tradition to build a majestic maze continues this year at Lakeland Church in Gurnee. If you haven’t been to the Lakeland “Box Maze” as it’s been endearingly named, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

On Saturday, March 7th, they will open the fair to Westlake friends and families as a fundraiser for our senior class’ mission trip. The maze will be open all day, but Westlake’s time slot is from 8:30 - 10:30 am. Children and parents are welcome to crawl through the maze.

Pricing is as follows:

• $2 per trip through (If you only have 10 minutes to play, this is your best option)
• $5 unlimited trips per person (If you’re going to stick around for the full two hours, this is a great deal)
• $20 per family max (Have a family of 5? You’ve just saved yourself some money!)
• As always, additional donations will be accepted!

Light refreshments will also be for sale with all proceeds going toward the senior class.

We hope to see you there!
Where to enter?  Park on the west-side of the building and look for a door with the maze sign on it.

Writing Across Curriculum PLC

In a continued effort to challenge our students and help them grow academically, several of our elementary and secondary teachers have been working collaboratively to improve our writing curriculum on a school-wide scale. The goal is to create a set of standards that are designed to establish a cohesive, unified, and consistent approach to research and writing that can be implemented in all subject areas, across all grade levels. 

To this end, the teachers have been working to:

• Identify grade-specific writing skills currently being taught.
• Establish a list of research and writing skills each student should have mastered by the time they graduate.
• Create a dynamic and useful tool that can be utilized from 1st - 12th grade.
• Develop a writing workshop that will be part of our February faculty in-service day.

You made it! You watched through the entire What’s Up @ Westlake Digital 2020 edition!

By filling out this form, you’re confirming that you watched the entirety of the video. You will also be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a set of Apple AirPods! If you would like for your student(s) to receive a free Dress Down Pass, please be sure to provide their name and grade below. (Dress Down Passes are only available for students in K - 12th grade.)

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed with everything happening at Westlake!

This year’s spiritual emphasis theme is Take the Towel - choosing to serve others out of the overflow of our love for God. Next week is our Spiritual Emphasis Week and our junior high and high school students will have two opportunities to walk out that theme.

On Monday, January 27, students will be going to Bernie’s Book Bank in Lake Bluff. This will be our first time as a large group partnering with this organization. Bernie’s Book Bank sources, processes and distributes quality new and gently used children’s books to significantly increase book ownership among at-risk infants, toddlers, and school-age children throughout Chicagoland. 2019 was their 10th anniversary and 17 million books have been distributed through them since their inception.

If you would like to donate new or gently used children’s books (sorry, no spiritual themes allowed) for us to bring on January 27, please bring them to the office. If you’d like to be a driver for this trip, please contact the office.

Then on Thursday, January 30, they will all head out to Feed My Starving Children’s (FMSC) Libertyville packing warehouse and serve there. Help fund our Feed-My-Starving-Children service project on Thursday, January 30.

Here are a few interesting statistics from FMSC:

• $88 feeds a child for a year; a dollar a day (or $365) feeds an entire family
• $52 is the average value of food produced/packed per person in a two-hour service period
• $3600 is the approximate value of food Westlake will pack on January 30

Would you consider contributing to support FMSC’s efforts?

• Fast for lunch on January 30 and contribute the cost of your lunch
• Give out of your own resources
• Adults: we’d love to have you join us in transporting and/or packing. If you are available, please contact the office.

Donations are tax-deductible and checks can be made to Feed My Starving Children. We would like to bring our donation with us on that day, so if you are planning on giving and give ahead of time that would make it convenient for us to include it on our service project day. Donations can be dropped off in the office.

Arrival and Dismissal

Westlake has an established traffic flow for arrival and dismissal for the purpose of safety and efficiency. Maps are provided for families and additional ones can be acquired at the office. The arrival traffic flow is somewhat different from the dismissal traffic flow.

Drivers should drive slowly (no more than 5mph) and not double park. Please remain in the line and do not try and pass vehicles that are still stopped in front of you. Watch for children, especially in the parking lot. If you have students in both elementary and our Early Learning Center, please first drop off your elementary student at the front door then pull around the building and park in the spots along the ELC building to walk your child in. Please don’t allow your young child to run across the parking lot to get into the building.

Please watch this short video:

Please note: Grayslake Police may ticket anyone who parks on any portion of a municipal sidewalk.

Illinois law prohibits driver use of cell phones in school zones, including dropping off or picking up students.

Arrival

Dismissal

Elementary School ends at 3:10 p.m. Students are to be picked up no later than 3:25 p.m. Any elementary school students remaining after 3:25 p.m. will be escorted to the After School Care program. Required fees will be assessed.

Junior and Senior High School ends at 3:20 p.m. Students are expected to leave the building no later than 3:40 p.m., unless they are participating in a Westlake activity or responsibility. Junior and Senior High students remaining after 3:30 p.m. must report to a supervised area.

Half-day dismissal is 11:30 am. Except on Late Start Fridays, when it is 12:00 pm.

Due to legal and liability issues, students are not allowed in the building before or after designated school hours, unless they are participating in a school-sponsored activity, assignment or event.