Westside K-8 School

• Paso a Paso Como Crear una Cuenta de Observador Para Padres (dispositivo movil)
• Paso a Paso Como Crear una Cuenta de Observador Para Padres (Computadora de Escritorio)

• Adding Additional Students to Canvas Parent Observer Accounts
• Step by Step How to Create a Parent Observer Account (Desktop)

This page will be added when available.

• Student Code of Conduct

• Iris Cianciola 407-870-4897

• Before and After School Care

• Bus Transportation

We have several ways to communicate with parents.  The primary mode of communication is using the Remind App.  Please be sure you have updated contact information with the school to ensure you will receive important information.  Your child's teacher will use the planner to communicate with you daily and email is always available.  Westside also has an active Facebook page that can be found here in their Westside Warriors Facebook page. 

Follow us for current events and important information as well.  

Q: Is Westside my zoned school?

A: You can check the zone by entering your address on our Bus Planner page.

Q: I am not zoned for Westside but I would like my child(ren) to attend.  Is that possible?

A: Osceola County is a Choice District, which means you have the ability to apply to attend any of our schools.  You will be required to provide your own transportation.  More information can be found here clik on link Osceola Choice School Infomation

WHAT IS GIFTEDNESS?

The state of Florida recognizes "giftedness" as "students who have superior intellectual development and are capable of high performance". Osceola County identifies these students through a variety of methods, including teacher identification, screening, and test data evaluation.

Students who are identified as gifted may qualify for support services for their giftedness which can range from being grouped in classes with other gifted students, to being placed with teachers who understand their special needs, to having consulting teachers who meet with them on a regular basis.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD MIGHT BE GIFTED?

• Gifted students will often ask “why?” to every thing
• Gifted students will be heavily committed to a task they are interested in (this may not be school related…)
• Gifted students may be very emotionally mature, expressing concerns for world issues at a young age or wondering about their place in the world.

OSCEOLA COUNTY'S GIFTED PROGRAM

In Osceola County, gifted students are served based on their individual needs at each individual school. While every school may serve gifted students differently, here are a few common programs found in our county:

Elementary - Students in Elementary are often served through what is called a "cluster model". This means that students are placed in a classroom with other gifted students who can have challenging conversations with your gifted student and keep pace with them on activities. These classes are led by a Gifted Endorsed Teacher who has taken classes to help understand what giftedness is and how it is best served. Classrooms should provide "differentiated instruction" that offers classwork for your student that is challenging to them and encourages productive struggle.

Middle - Students in Middle Schools are often offered either the cluster model or a form of a gifted elective course. This course often focuses on supporting gifted students in their academic endeavors and providing social-emotional affective support to help your students with their gifted asynchrony. Teachers of these courses are gifted endorsed and trained in understanding the talents and traps of giftedness.

High - High Schools in Osceola County offer what is called the "Consultation Model". Gifted students on this model will be provided with a minimum of a 15 minute consultation on their giftedness and academics each month with a gifted endorsed teacher. These consultations can serve your student in topics from academic to social-emotional to collegiate support. Students can request help with scheduling, finding challenging opportunities, and getting enrichment during the school day.

Odyssey of the Mind - Most schools also offer the "Odyssey of the Mind" enrichment program that is great for helping your gifted student grow their creativity and enriching their learning. Students in this club are given problems that require a range of skills and creativity to accurately solve over the course of many months without adult help. Team participate in a tournament in February. For more information on Odyssey, contact an administrator at your student's school, or visit the Osceola County Odyssey of the Mind page.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Gifted Contact: Kris Rodgers, kris.rodgers@osceolaschools.net

IMPORTANT LINKS

Information on the Universal Gifted Screener: Universal Gifted Screener Information

• National Association of Gifted
• Florida Association of Gifted
• Davidson Academy's Gifted Page
• FL Department of Education Gifted Page

Parent Info for Gifted

• You Know Your Child is Gifted When

• OASIS Parent Volunteer Link

• How to Create an account in Parent Portal
• Link to Focus Parent Portal

We do not tolerate bullying and take incidences of bullying very seriously at Westside.  We have worked to minimize bullying at our school through the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) as well as work with our guidance counselors.  Please contact the school 407-390-1748 and ask to speak to the dean for your child's grade level for the quickest response to the safety of your child.  Use the chart below to help guide your conversation.

• Report a Bullying Incident

What is Remind?

Remind is a computer program that will allow us to send information to your phone through a one-way broadcasting system.

• Download the Remind App

Is Remind Safe?

Yes! Messages are sent via an anonymous phone number issued when you sign up for an account.  Your personal cell phone number and carrier are in no way connected to your messages.  Remind will also keep a log of all message history, which can never be edited or deleted for you to   review at any time.

How do you sign up for our school remind?

Text to 81010

text this code: @wsk8s

• Bus Transportation Information

• District Uniform Policy

What is VPK?

VPK stands for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. If you live in Florida, and your
child turns four years of age by September 1st, your child is eligible to participate in Florida's
FREE Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK). The School District of Osceola County, offers a Voluntary Prekindergarten Program at selected schools with limited enrollment.

A new state law effective July 1, 2016, extends VPK eligibility for 4-year-olds with birthdays from February 2nd through September 1st in a calendar year.

If a child's birthday falls between February 2nd through September 1st in a calendar year, parents may post pone enrolling their child in VPK until the following year when the child is 5-years-old.

The extension is intended to allow parents of younger 4-year-olds to postpone the year their child begins VPK, in turn enabling the child to begin kindergarten and first grade as a slightly older, more mature student. Children may participate in the VPK program one time only.

Who do I contact for more information?

Phone: 407-870-4911 / Fax: 407-870-4971

Office Hours 7:30am-4:30pm

William Hennessy - Director

• How to enroll in VPK