Good Afternoon Wildcats!
This email is going to be a bit lengthy as we have so many amazing things going on! Please give it a good read through!
🎉🐾 Wildcat Shout-Out! 🐾🎉
Our Wildcats are shining bright this week! 🌟
Students earn golden Cat Paws when they step up as leaders and show what it means to be a true Wildcat:
✨ P – Positive Attitude
✨ A – Achieving Success
✨ W – Working Together
✨ S – Safe and in Control
👏 A big round of applause to this week’s Cat Paw Champions:
Kindergarten – Elena and Daniel
First Grade – Miriam
Second Grade – Anvi and Ian
Third Grade – Misha and Tristen
Fourth Grade – Dylan and Rushant
Fifth Grade – Marissa and Omar
Way to go, Wildcats! Keep leading the way—your pawsitive actions make our school stronger every day! 🐾💛💙
Today we celebrated our first Virtues Assembly of the year! This month’s virtue was Friendliness, and our Wildcats learned the importance of kindness and welcoming others.
🌟 Congratulations to our Friendliest Wildcats! 🌟
Kindergarten – Daniel & Elliette
1st Grade – Gwen
2nd Grade – Alice & Ira
3rd Grade – Misha & Dallas
4th Grade – Ryder & Zach
5th Grade – Dustin & Paige
📢 Important: Construction Impact on Drop-Off/Pick-Up (Sept. 30) 🚧
Please be advised that road work will take place on 3rd Street near the Red Star construction site on Tuesday, September 30. During this time, the section of 3rd Street in front of the construction zone will be reduced to one lane, with flaggers directing traffic.
Construction Schedule
Timeframe: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (estimated completion)
Expected Impact
Increased traffic congestion in the affected area
Potential delays for parent drop-off and pick-up
Possible adjustments to bus schedules
We encourage families and staff to allow extra time for travel and plan accordingly. Please refer to the attached map for additional details.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Adventure Club
Adventure Club will be open on October 3rd at McDonald. Please see their website and flier for more information:
https://www.msd281.org/omsd/page/adventure-club
Picture Day-October 8th
This year West Park is partnering with Archer Photography for all of our school pictures. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Student Nutrition
Important Message from Student Nutrition
The grace period for last year’s free and reduced-price meal benefits will end Thursday, October 10.
Starting Friday, October 11, students who do not have a current eligibility determination (an approved 2025–26 Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application or Direct Certification) will be charged the regular meal price.
What families need to know:
If you think you qualify, please complete and submit a Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application as soon as possible. Same-day submission helps prevent meal charges.
Meal benefits are not retroactive—families are responsible for any charges made before the application is approved.
If you believe your child should be Direct Certified but we don’t show that status, please contact us right away so we can verify.
Questions or help with the application?
Contact:
Kendra Holden, School Nutrition Director
📞 208-892-1123
Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found is overflowing! If your child is missing a jacket, sweatshirt, sock, or water bottle, please have them check the Lost and Found as soon as possible.
To help us return items quickly, please label al belongings with your child’s name.
Unclaimed items will be donated or disposed of after Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 30–31.
🤠 West Park Barn Dance 🎶
We’re excited to announce that this year’s Barn Dance is open to all students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade! Barn Dance will take place on Tuesday, October 28th.
📍 Location: HIRC – 1724 East F Street
🚌 Transportation: All students will ride the bus to and from the Hamilton-Lowe gym. For safety and consistency, please do not request early pick-up.
Schedule by Grade Level:
8:35–9:20 → 5th Grade
9:25–10:10 → 3rd Grade
10:15–11:00 → 4th Grade
12:20–1:00 → 1st Grade
1:10–1:40 → Kindergarten
1:45–2:30 → 2nd Grade
PAT Update
🍂🐾 PAT Fall Family Night! 🐾🍂
Our West Park PAT is thrilled to invite all Wildcat families to a cozy, fun-filled fall evening—and we’d love your help making it extra special!
🎃 Donations Needed: We’re asking for pumpkin and gourd donations to use in our decorating activities. Donations can be dropped off at West Park Elementary anytime before the event.
✨ Join us for an evening of fall traditions and community fun:
🍴 Dinner: Hot dogs for all
🍎 Drinks: Warm, spiced apple cider
🎨 Activity: Pumpkin & gourd decorating—let your creativity shine!
📅 When: Tuesday, October 21st
⏰ Time: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
📍 Where: West Park Elementary, Front Lawn
This event is all about family, food, laughter, and fall fun. Come celebrate the season with us—we can’t wait to see our Wildcat community together! 💛🐾
🐾 West Park Fundraiser Update! 🐾
We are thrilled to share that 81 students are registered and together we’ve raised an incredible $7,950.50! 🎉
👏 We’ve already reached our original goal… and now we’re going BIG—let’s DOUBLE IT! Wildcats have 14 days left to fundraise, and we’re aiming for a new school record of $15,000. Let’s do this together! 💪🐾
✨ Top 5 Teachers – Registered Students
Herrenbruck (3): 10
Lots (3): 10
Walker (4): 10
Vogel (5): 8
Herman (K): 8
💰 Top 5 Teachers – Total Sales
Vogel (5): $1,476.00
Lots (3): $1,263.50
Schneegans (K): $1,232.00
Markley (1): $1,040.00
Michaelis (2): $697.00
🌟 Amazing work, Wildcats! Keep spreading the word and let’s hit that $15,000 goal together!
📅 Upcoming PAT Meeting
Tuesday, November 11th at 6 p.m.
📧 Please contact our PAT for the meeting location and to RSVP: west.park.russell.pat@gmail.com
MSD Free Elementary Active Parenting Classes
Starting this November, parents of children ages 5–12 enrolled in an MSD elementary school are invited to join a free, three-session parenting class designed to provide practical and effective strategies using the Active Parenting video and discussion curriculum. Childcare will be provided for the sessions. Please click on the flyer for more information and the registration link!
🌟 Community Schools Update 🌟
The Family Resource HUB (119 N. Adams St.) is open every Tuesday from 2:00–5:00 p.m. Families can access free clothing, toiletries, and school supplies to support student and family needs.
If you’d like more information or need to arrange a visit at a different time, please reach out to:
📧 Vanessa Flowers: flowersv@msd281.org
📧 Mrs. Hightower (West Park Counselor): hightowerj@msd281.org
📧 Ms. Lyons (West Park Counselor): lyonsm@msd281.org
The HUB is here for you—please don’t hesitate to connect if your family could benefit from these resources. 💛
📢 Stay Connected with West Park!
Your go-to spots for the latest Wildcat updates! 💛🐾
Stay up to date on events, news, and celebrations by following us:
Important Dates- Please note this list might not be all inclusive and it changes often.
Wednesday, October 1st
International Walk to School Day!
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.- 5th Grade CHAMPS
Tuesday, October 3rd
No School for Students- Professional Development for Teachers
Monday, October 6th
3 p.m.-3:40 p.m.- Third-Fifth Grade Game Club
Wednesday, October 8th
Picture Day-Individuals-See information above
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.- 5th Grade CHAMPS
Monday, October 13th
3 p.m.-3:40 p.m.- Third-Fifth Grade Game Club
Friday, October 17th
12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.- Fourth Grade Poetry at Ghormley Park
Monday, October 20th
3 p.m.-3:40 p.m.- Third-Fifth Grade Game Club
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
3 p.m.-3:40 p.m.- Third-Fifth Grade Game Club
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
Monday, November 3rd
3 p.m.-3:40 p.m.- Third-Fifth Grade Game Club
Friday, November 7th
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.- 3rd Grade “Fun” Financial Fitness
Monday, November 10th
3 p.m.-3:40 p.m.- Third-Fifth Grade Game Club
Wednesday, November 12th
Picture Day Make Ups- More information to come
Monday, November 17th
3 p.m.-3:40 p.m.- Third-Fifth Grade Game Club
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!
A big Wildcat ROAR of thanks for your continued support! 🐾💜
With appreciation,
Marianne Sletteland
Wildcat Principal