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THE WESTLAKE EAGLE EYE E-NEWSLETTER
Volume 14  Issue 7                                              October 9, 2008
PRINCIPAL'S NOTE
Dear Westlake families,
 
I want to take this opportunity to say "Thank You!" to our PAC Fall Fundraising committee.  They are doing a tremendous job spearheading this wonderful event for the Westlake community.  It was awesome to see so many of our students supporting the fundraiser by wearing their shirts last Friday.  I am also seeing a steady stream of auction prizes and gift baskets coming into the office - I am just blown away by the generosity of our families and local businesses! 
 
Now it's time to take the next step and commit to support the Fall Fundraiser by participating in the Golf or Tennis Tournament and attending the Gala Banquet on November 1st.  Recruit your friends and join us for an afternoon of friendly competition and prizes at either tournament.  Recruit your family and join us for dinner and the final auctions that evening.
 
Know that all the funds that we raise will be used to enhance the learning environment at Westlake.  There are lots of great projects - with immediate benefits to our students - that we are hoping to complete if we can raise sufficient funds.  We would like to continue funding technology initiatives which include installing more SMARTBOARDS on campus, funding professional development for teachers, and possibly adding a new laptop computer lab that would be available to all grade levels.  We are also exploring a variety of capital improvements to the campus - an upgrade to or communication system, shade structures, and gymnasium improvements.  We would love to fund programming, community events, and curricular enhancements in the fine and performing arts.  Finally, we would like to raise funds for our spiritual initiatives - including Spiritual Emphasis Week and special events that help grow our students morally and spiritually. 
 
Hopefully, as you read this list, you were connected to something near and dear to your heart.  Use that connection to fuel your enthusiasm and jump into the Fall Fundraiser with both feet!
 
Be blessed this week!
 
Rick Pucci
 
SCHOOL NEWS
BREAKING NEWS!!!         IT'S TAMPA BAY RAYS DAY TOMORROW!!!!
 
tampa bay raysAs a way of showing support to our awesome Tampa Bay Rays, as they start the next leg of their post-season journey, Westlake students will be able to wear a RAYS t-shirt or sweatshirt with jeans tomorrow.
 
 
FALL FUNDRAISER INFORMATION AND GOLF/TENNIS REGISTRATION
All the information for the Fall Fundraiser, including golf and tennis tournament registration, silent auction information, and sponsorship forms are available on the website.  Please click HERE to access the information.
 
FALL BOX TOP CHALLENGE OCTOBER 3-30th
It's time for the Fall 2008 Box Tops Challenge and BAM! -- we're taking it up a notch!  This Fall's challenge will have 2 parts - an individual challenge and a class challenge.
Every student who brings in at least 30 Box Tops will receive a No Uniform pass to be redeemed in November - yes, you read it correctly 30 Box Tops equals a non-uniform pass.
 
Westlake's Top Class will have the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of fun and games culminating with the silly stringing of Mr. Pucci. Let the Challenge begin!
 
Please note: you will be a huge help to us you could trim the box tops and make sure you place them in an envelope with your student's name. Let the collecting begin!!!
 
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD BEGINS NEXT MONTH
While it's always busy, we have decided to push back the Shoebox collection until after the Fall Fundraiser.  We will kick-off the 2008 project with a chapel presentation on November 3rd and collect shoeboxes until November 13th.  Start collecting small items and plan to participate!
 
ELEMENTARY VIRTUE OF THE MONTH - DETERMINATION
 
"Keep doing what God says even if others don't"
 
Elementary Memory Verse for next week:
The God of heaven will give us success.  We will serve Him. So we will start
rebuilding the walls.  Nehemiah 2:20
SCHOOL EVENTS
 
ALL-PRO DADS TOMORROW AT 7:15am
OK guys it's our turn.  The WCS chapter of All-Pro Dads begins its 2008-2009 season tomorrow morning October 10th.   It all starts at 7:15 am in the Activity Room with an awesome Chick-Fil-A breakfast.  Following breakfast is a short program and an activity.  
  
FAMILY FUN NIGHTfamily skate
We hope you've reserved the date and plan to attend WCS Family Skate Night on Tuesday, October 21st from 6:00-8:00 pm at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs.  It will be a great opportunity for fun and fellowship with other WCS families.  Admission is $6 and includes skate rental.  Don't be square - be there! 
 

GET READY FOR THE GREAT WESTLAKE COFFEE CONTEST ON WEDNESDAY, 10/22
The PAC Social Committee will be hosting a morning coffee on Wednesday October 22nd in the School Cafeteria.  In addition to great conversation and fellowship, moms will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite coffee - it'll be Starbucks vs. Dunkin Donuts.  Don't miss this opportunity to make your preference known!
 
K-2nd GRADE MUSIC PROGRAM SET FOR THURSDAY 10/23WCS Calendar Sponsors
Get ready to come to a good old fashioned circus tight here in our Sanctuary!  Our littlest Eagles will be performing "CIRCUS! CIRCUS!"  In addition to great music and fellowship, there will be popcorn, carnival games, and even a special surprise performer - you will not want to miss this event!
 
EARLY DISMISSAL SET FOR THURSDAY 10/30 - NOTE NEW TIME!
In order to help accommodate our goal of conferencing with every elementary family in October, we are making Thursday 10/30 a half-day of school. School will dismiss at 11:45 am.  WCS will not be serving lunch that day.
 
THE YEARBOOK IS COMING!
The 2008-2009 edition of Westlake's yearbook will be on sale soon.  Start gathering photos for dedication pages.  Remember that you need a photographer's release if you are using professional portraits.
 
MOMS IN TOUCH
All parents are invited to pray for our school, our staff, and our students at this weekly gathering.   Come to Room A-212 at 8:45 am and get your prayer on!
 

EAGLE ATHLETICS - FALL 2008
5th-8th GRADE BOYS SOCCER CLINIC
Soccer season is right around the corner and the last pre-season Soccer Clinic will be held this Friday from 3:15 to 4:30 pm on Westlake's field.  Bring your cleats and water and join us as we begin training for the 2008 season.

LOCAL UPWARD BASKETBALL SIGN-UPS END FRIDAY OCTOBER 10
1st through 4th grade students who would like to play Upward Basketball can still sign up this Friday night at First United Methodist Church in Tarpon Springs from 6pm - 8pm.  Upward offers a wonderful instructional program that promotes teamwork and success for all players.  Click the following link download the form http://www.upwardleaguesite.org/pdf/BRC21763.pdf
 
school pop logoNEW FALL SPORTS SEASON
One season behind us, three more in front of us!  Practices for Girls Basketball and Boys Soccer begin next week.  Check the WCS Athletics page on the website for more information.


 
OPPORTUNITIES AT WESTLAKE
WESTLAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BUSINESS DIRECTORY
We are blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit here at Westlake.  To celebrate that fact, we are looking to produce a WCS Business Directory where our community can connect themselves to services and businesses run by other Westlake families. The Directory will be a simple listing guide and it will be sent home to each family and be available on-line.  All parents who own a business are invited to participate.
 
Please click HERE to complete the form that needs to be emailed to Rick Pucci by October 24, 2008.  If you have any questions please contact Mr. Pucci at 727-781-3808.
 
SCRIP IS BACK FOR 2008-2009
We are pleased to announce that the 2008-2009 scrip (gift-card) program is up and running.  We are happy to announce that PAC has upgraded the program to become web-based.  Click here to access the order form online.
 
GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL COACH
Westlake has an opening for our Girls Varsity Basketball Coach.  If you have the time and talent to invest, we would love to have you lead our Lady Eagles this season.  Email Mr. Pucci if you would like more information or are interested in the position.
 
FREE EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT AT SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER
Sylvan Learning Center of Palm Harbor is offering a free reading or math skills assessment on Friday October 17th at 9:00am.  Call 727-787-7323 or email [email protected] for more details. 
 
BLESS MRS. PAYNE!
Jan Payne, who taught at WCS for 12 years, retired last year.  PAC is putting together a commemorative photo album and needs your help gathering pictures.  If you have a photo of Mrs. Payne we would like you to bring it to the school office.  If you would like to email a photo please attach it and email it to Mrs. Miller in the school office - [email protected].
 
HELPING HANDS
Take a look at the new section of the website dedicated to the Helping Hands Meals Ministry.  Posted in this section will be current needs for meals to be prepared for WCS families.  Heidi Slayton is willing to assist other Helping Hands coordinators post calendars for other families who could use assistance.  Heidi's contact information is posted on the webpage.

SILENT AUCTION FOR RUTH ECKERD HALL TICKETS
Parents have the opportunity to bid on tickets to upcoming performances at Ruth Eckerd Hall.  Proceeds benefit WCS activities and classroom enhancements.  Experience a blast from the past with upcoming performances which include:
  1. Peter Frampton - October 24 (bids accepted until 2:00 on 10/21)
  2. Gallagher - November 22 (bids accepted until 2:00 on 11/19)

Stop by the office to sign the bid sheets.  Ask about how you can also bid by proxy.  The minimum opening bid for two tickets is $25.  Increases must be in at least $5 increments.  

WESTLAKE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
This section of the newsletter is designed to celebrate our Westlake students and their special gifts, talents, and experiences. If your child has accomplished something outside of school or had a unique experience, we would love to share it with our WCS family.  We would also love to hear from our Alumni and share their school and out of school accomplishments.  Please email Mr. Pucci with any information or pictures you would like us to share with the Westlake Family.
 
This week the spotlight falls on our 2008 7th grade Duke University Talent Identification Participants.  To qualify in this prestigious program Westlake students had to score in the 95th percentile or above on last year's Stanford Achievement Test.  We are proud to report that 85% of Westlake's 7th grade students qualified for this honor.  This extraordinarily high percentage of qualifiers places Westlake Christian School in the top 5% of all schools nationwide!  Congratulations to our 7th grade scholars!!!!

SOS - SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL
 
 We are in the midst of a Box Tops Challenge begins this week - see above for the details! 
 
WCS receives $$ back on all charges - start shopping!
 
Let WCS recycle your used ink and toner cartridges from home and/or work for cash! 
 school pop logo
 
If you shop the internet for deals go to www.schoolpop.com, register as a WCS parent, and help your school.  Click here to go to the School Pop website.