Hello Wildcats!
Happy fair week! Congratulations to everyone for completing our first week of school! All of our Wildcats, big and small, rocked this week!
🎉🐾 Wildcat Shout-Out! 🐾🎉
This week we are thrilled to announce our very first Cat Paw Winners of the school year! 🌟 Wildcats earn golden Cat Paws when they show what it means to be a leader in our school:
P – Positive Attitude
A – Achieving Success
W – Working Together
S – Safe and in Control
👏 Congratulations to this week’s winners:
Kindergarten – Oliver
First Grade – Adler
Second Grade – Maryam
Fourth Grade – Ellie P. and Lily
Fifth Grade – Paige and Dustin
Important Information
Message from Mrs. Watson- Information and Permissions Needed
Superintendent Tiegs has shared that the online registration/forms that need to be completed will be closed on Monday, 9/15. Thank you to everyone who has already completed this requirement for your student. If you have not, please log into PowerSchool to create your Parent Account and complete the forms needed for each student each year. This includes your consent for basic first aid, field trips, photos and internet use. You can also update contact information and any medical information we need.
This process is best completed initially on a laptop or desktop device. If you are having trouble creating your parent account, linking your students to you, or completing the forms, please let us know! We can assist you over the phone or have you come in by appointment.
(If you have already provided us with a birth certificate copy or immunization records, you do not need to upload these - we already have them on file.)
Please follow this link on how to create your parent account in PowerSchool:
If you need your student's unique Access ID and password again, let us know by calling the school or emailing the secretary: watsonk@msd281.org
Barn Dance
This year our Barn Dance will be open Kindergarten through Fifth Grades! The Barn Dance is held at the HIRC (1724 East F Street) All students are expected to ride the bus to and from the Hamilton-Lowe gym and back to West Park. Please do not ask to take your child early.
8:35-9:20- Fifth Grade
9:25-10:10- Third Grade
10:15-11:00-Fourth Grade
12:20-1:05- First Grade
1:10-1:40- Kindergarten
1:45-2:30- Second Grade
Paws Up for Produce
We are thrilled to share that, thanks to the dedication of Kendra Holden, our Food Service Director, along with our wonderful cooks Ms. Sue and Ms. Lori, West Park has been awarded a Fresh Fruits and Veggies Grant! 🎉
This grant provides every single student with a healthy afternoon snack of fresh fruit or vegetables each day. It’s a wonderful way to support wellness, fuel learning, and build healthy habits for life. 💛
Here’s what our Wildcats will enjoy next week:
Monday: 🥕 Carrots – Crunchy and packed with vitamin A for strong eyes and healthy skin.
Tuesday: 🍈 Cantaloupe – Sweet, juicy, and full of vitamin C to boost immunity.
Wednesday: 🍅 Cherry Tomatoes – A burst of flavor, rich in lycopene and nutrients.
Thursday: 🫐 Blackberries – Sweet and tangy, filled with antioxidants for growing minds.
Friday: 🍑 Peaches – Soft, sweet, and the perfect way to wrap up the week!
We are so grateful for this opportunity and for our incredible team who helped make it happen. Here’s to healthy bodies, sharp minds, and happy Wildcats! 🐾
PAT Update
Our West Park PAT is excited to host a cozy, fun-filled evening for our Wildcat families—and we’d love your help! To make this event extra special, we are asking for pumpkin and gourd donations. Donations can be dropped off at West Park Elementary and will be used for our decorating activities.
Then, gather your family and join us for an evening of fall traditions and community fun:
🍴 Dinner: Hot dogs for all
🍎 Drinks: Warm apple cider
🎨 Activity: Pumpkin & gourd decorating—let your creativity shine!
📅 When: Tuesday, October 21st
⏰ Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
📍 Where: West Park Elementary, Front Lawn
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the season together—sharing food, laughter, and memories while celebrating the beauty of fall. We can’t wait to see you there! 💛🐾
Community Schools Update
The HUB, located at 119 N. Adams St. will be open every Tuesdays from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. The Family Resource HUB has free clothing, toiletries, and school supplies for any family in need. For more information, or to arrange an alternate time please reach out to Vanessa Flowers: flowersv@msd281.org or either of our West Park counselors:
Mrs. Hightower: hightowerj@msd281.org Ms. Lyons: lyonsm@msd281.org
Elementary Orchestras
All 3rd-5th graders! Join us September 17th in the Moscow Middle School band room (room 108) at 5:30pm to learn about our elementary orchestras. Learn to play violin, viola, or cello in the beginning orchestra, or continue to play with the intermediate orchestra. For parents who have any questions, email thorsteinsone@msd281.org.
Thank you and I hope to see you there!
Important Dates- Please note this list might not be all inclusive and it changes often.
Wednesday, September 17th
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.- 5th Grade CHAMPS
Wednesday, September 24th
7:00 p.m. - School Board Meeting at Lena Whitmore Elementary
Friday, September 26th
9:20 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.- Third Grade students to the Hartung at UI for push/FOLD dance company-Please see information from your child’s teacher
9:50 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.- Fourth and Fifth Grade students attend the Young People’s Concert at UI- Please see information from your child’s teacher
Wednesday, October 1st
International Walk to School Day!
11:45a.m. - 12:30 p.m.- 5th Grade CHAMPS
Thursday, October 2nd
12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.- Fourth Grade Poetry at Ghormley Park
Tuesday, October 3rd
No School for Students- Professional Development for Teachers
Wednesday, October 8th
Picture Day-Individuals- More information to come
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.- 5th Grade CHAMPS
Monday, October 13th
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.- PAT Meeting- Location TBA
Tuesday, October 21st
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.- Fall Harvest Fest at West Park
Wednesday, October 22nd
7:00 p.m. - School Board Meeting at the District Office
Monday, October 27th
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.- 5th Grade CHAMPS
Tuesday, October 28th
K-5 Barn Dance at the HIRC-See information above
Thursday, October 30th and Friday, October 31st
No School- Parent Teacher Conferences-More information to come
Friday, November 7th
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.- 3rd Grade “Fun” Financial Fitness
Wednesday, November 12th
Picture Day Make Ups- More information to come
Wednesday, November 19th
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 5th Grade CHAMPS
Saturday, November 22nd-Sunday, November 30th
No School- Thanksgiving Break
Monday, December 1st
Back to school!
Wednesday, December 3rd
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.- Third-Fifth Grade UI Women’s Basketball Game
Thursday, December 4th
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Math Night!
Thursday, December 18th
Winter Concerts- More information to come
Saturday, December 20th-Sunday, January 4th
Winter Break
Monday, January 5th, 2026
Welcome Back!
Thank you for always cheering us on and supporting our Wildcats—it makes all the difference!
With gratitude,
Marianne Sletteland, Your Wildcat Principal