Parking Lot Changes Effective 9/2/13

Changes are coming to the Westpark parking lot effective tomorrow morning!

Most Irvine schools, including Westpark, were initially designed for families to walk to school, not drive.  Therefore the parking lot was not initially designed to handle the large amount of traffic that we see every day.  Add to that the fact that the parking area at the end of the lot (next to the park and tennis courts) doesn't belong to the school, it belongs to the city, means that we have a large amount of traffic congestion especially at drop off and pick up time.  In order to better manage the flow of traffic and keep the lot safe for our students, Westpark is implementing changes to our parking lot starting tomorrow. 

From Mrs. Simmons:

Beginning on September 2, 2013 cars parked in the far end of the parking lot will not be allowed to exit that area until after 8:25 AM and 2:50 PM to prevent cars from backing up into the flow of the Drop-Off/Pick Up traffic.  If you are in need of special arrangements to park, please let us know so we can assist you.

When you do use the Drop-Off Valet/Pick-Up, please consider having your child exit and enter from the rear passenger (right-side) of the car.  The Valets are available to assist younger students with their things.

Please remember that there are no left-hand turns into the Westpark Parking lot from 7:30-8:30 AM and 1:00-3:00 PM.  Between the hours 7:45-8:25 AM the only cars in the parking lot are those that are using the Valet drop-off.   In the afternoon from 2:20-2:50 PM (Except Wed 1:00-1:35 PM), only cars that are picking up children in the Pick-Up Zone are allowed in the parking lot. 

Please remember there is a stop sign before you exit the parking lot.  If you are unclear about the parking lot’s flow of traffic you may have a Valet Parent Volunteer or a Teacher approach you.  They are there to help teach the rules of the parking lot.  We all set the examples of AIR behavior J

Our parking lot is monitored by the Irvine Police Department and tickets are issued for traffic violations.

Thank you very much to Grade 6 Valets, Grade 6 Teachers and the Parent Volunteers who organize this program! 

Changes to Worlds of Westpark

Some of you may be wondering why we haven't planned our traditional Worlds of Westpark event for the fall.  We took a look at the popular event and decided we wanted to make it even better.  We are so excited about this opportunity to celebrate the many heritages we have at Westpark and also celebrate the end of our school year with a carnival-type celebration!  Worlds of Westpark (WoW) will be held on Friday, June 13, 2014 from 4-8pm.

This year’s event will serve to highlight the vast array of cultures represented within our school’s student population, as well as celebrate the conclusion of a successful academic year.

The WoW event will host several family-friendly features, including:

·      Cultural booths with parent volunteers showcasing artifacts, traditions, and activities specific to the countries of their ancestry.

·      Student artwork from representing countries they’ve studied throughout the year.

·      Carnival-type amusements for the students, their families, and the community.

·      Food trucks/vendors who will sell international cuisine for dinner and dessert.

·      Raffle prizes and Silent Auction baskets from local vendors.

Please stay tuned as we will be unveiling additional details about the 2014 Worlds of Westpark.

* If you would like to volunteer to help organize WoW OR if you or your company would like to donate a gift certificate(s) and/or items for a gift basket, please email Jodie Hoffman@lujodie@yahoo.com

**If you would like to work with other parents to host a cultural booth, please contact Tatiana Holness-Evans at tatianaholness@gmail.com.

New SpiritWear!

One of the highlights of the General Assembly meeting on Tuesday was the big reveal of our NEW SpiritWear!  We have found a local company who uses high quality, soft, pre-shrunk shirts and organic, non-toxic ink.  They are so soft!  Keep watching for details on how and when you can order these beautiful shirts, sweatshirts, hats & more!

Tuesday General Assembly Meeting

We hope to see you at the PTA General Assembly Meeting this Tuesday, August 27th.  We will be holding the meeting at San Carlo Park next to the school.  On the agenda - a special reveal of the NEW spirit wear, Dinner & A Movie Night Details and more.  And we are excited to announce that IUSD School Board Member Paul Bokota will be our guest speaker.

See you Tuesday after drop off!

Shoe Drive Instructions - Westpark Cares

Some of you might be wondering what the heck "Westpark Cares" is all about. It's simple - Westpark Cares is the Westpark PTA's way to give back to the community. The first Westpark Cares event is a shoe drive with Angel Bins. This program collects shoes that are then recycled (and kept out of landfills) or shipped to third world countries to be given out to those in need.

This is also a fundraiser for the PTA - if we collect 5,000 lbs of shoes we will get $3,500 that will be used for programs for our students!

You can drop off your gently used and outgrown shoes at the valet lane in the mornings or at the popsicle stand after school. Please follow the instructions below when you bring them in. Please do not give them to your child's teacher.

Time to clean out those closets, canvas the neighborhood, call friends and family and let's get to that 5000 lb mark! Let's show everyone what Westpark Cares is all about!

SHOE DRIVE

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Please pair your shoes with rubber bands or tied laces. Shoes with tapes around them with will not be accepted.

2.  We will not accept unpaired shoes.

3.  The shoes should be in clean and useable condition.

4.  Do not drop off shoes in your child’s classrooms.

5.  The shoes can only be dropped off in the morning by the valet to the parent in charge and after school at the lunch tables by the popsicle stand.

6.  There will be a volunteer parent in charge at both shoe drop-off places.  They will ask you for child’s class to keep track of shoes received by grade level.

Our goal is to collect 5000 pairs of useable shoes. With your help, we can reach and surpass it! 

Thank you for your support!

Westpark PTA