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Welcome to West Central Elementary School
By Mrs. Kathy Lafary
Welcome to West Central Elementary School, home to approximately 375 Pre-K through 5th grade students. We have a very dedicated staff that puts the needs of our students first, while upholding our mission statement, “Providing Opportunities, Expecting Excellence.”
Our elementary building promotes positive social/emotional supports, including the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. We do so by recognizing those students who are following the rules and meeting the expectations set forth by the faculty and staff. “HEAT” points can be earned for their “Families” in the classroom, hallway, lunchroom, or even on the bus. It is a great way to encourage good behavior among our students, while working towards our goal of promoting healthy mental, social, and emotional growth for all of our students. We strive to encourage empathetic and caring individuals who are supportive of one another. Our students benefit from lessons within the Second Step curriculum that addresses the Social/Emotional Standards.
Security is an ongoing concern everywhere. Here at West Central, we continue to work towards ensuring the safety of all students and staff members. We have installed a buzzer system on all main entrances. The doors will remain locked throughout the day and visitors will be monitored closely. Visitors will be allowed inside the building after proper clearance from the school staff. It is important that you continue to follow the procedure of signing in at the elementary office where the office staff will be happy to assist you. Additionally, we have installed security cameras in the hallways and parking lots for monitoring purposes.
The elementary teachers participate in weekly team meetings. During these sessions, they share curriculum ideas to assist one another in teaching those key ideas that have been identified at each grade level that need to be mastered by all students. These skills are referred to as essential skills and have been aligned to the Illinois State Standards. We understand that all students learn at different rates and various needs have to be met. Here at WCES, we provide a rigorous curriculum with several support programs in place. These not only challenge but also assist individuals as needed while teaching these standards. The WCES staff continues to implement a math curriculum called enVision Mathematics 2020 Common Core. It challenges their thinking and problem solving abilities. The elementary staff continues to learn more about the Science of Reading. Several staff members have participated in the Orton-Gillingham training. This is a highly structured approach that breaks reading and spelling into smaller skills involving letters and sounds that are built upon over time. It is characterized by a multisensory approach that uses sight, hearing, touch, and movement to help students learn. Additional materials are used at the other grade levels to teach the Learning Standards.
West Central Elementary School likes to recognize students for a job well done. Character Awards are given throughout the year. We encourage positive phone calls home to highlight the successes of our students and individuals can work towards end of the year awards in physical fitness, Accelerated Reader, IXL, and Enrichment. Various individual and team opportunities surface throughout the school year. Our students are very fortunate to be able to participate in the fine arts throughout the week. They have physical education daily. In addition, we offer both music and art on a weekly basis. We feel that our students benefit greatly from these opportunities and we strive to encourage well-balanced, life-long learners.
Here at West Central Elementary School, we understand how important a role the parents play in their child’s education. Communication is a key component. In addition to the monthly menus, a parent bulletin called the “Heat Hub” will be sent home with your child. The teachers will be making regular contacts with you and parents are able to keep informed of classroom activities through online platforms such as Google Classroom, Seesaw and Remind. Another great way to keep informed is to access the Skyward program. As a parent, you are able to view your child’s grades, missing assignments, attendance, and lunch account balances. Parents may also get involved by attending PTC meetings. This organization is made up of parents and teachers who work together to raise money and coordinate activities for the students. Furthermore, messages will be sent out via the Finalsite Connect system. You can select various options such as phone calls, text messages, and email notifications. Be sure to join our West Central Elementary School Facebook page!
West Central Elementary School aims for academic excellence while meeting the needs of individual students. Every staff member looks forward to working with you and your child throughout the year. It is my pleasure to serve as principal of WCES and to work collaboratively to create amazing opportunities for your child. Together, we can foster a community in which all students reach their highest potential.
In Partnership,
Mrs. Kathy Lafary
WCES Heat Hub
Below is a link to West Central Elementary School's monthly newsletter. Within this newsletter is some information you may find valuable as well as some important dates! Please click on each link to access the . . . read more
West Central CUSD #235 School Improvement Plans
Elementary School 2022-2023 School Improvement Plan Elementary School 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan Elementary School 2024-2025 School Improvement Plan Middle School 2022-2023 School . . . read more
Accelerated Reader (AR) at Home
Accelerated Reader At Home ( West Central Elementary School only) Accelerated reader is a comprehension and vocabulary based computer program that tests the children’s knowledge of books read. Your child picks a book at . . . read more
WC235 Staff "You Are Awesome" Awards
Want to learn more about the faculty and staff at West Central CUSD #235? Using the link below you can learn more about each staff member, find staff wish lists and nominate any staff member for a "You are Awesome" . . . read more
WCES Summer Reading Postcards Submission
West Central Elementary Families, Please use the link below to submit your child’s Summer Reading Postcard. Include their first & last name and their grade level for the 2025-2026 school year. Thanks! . . . read more
March Book Madness 2025
2024-2025 School Year
The 2025 March Book Madness Competition was a slam dunk! Students were introduced to 8 awesome fiction and 8 terrific non-fiction books which were part of this year’s Illinois Monarch Book List. Students read/listened to the books . . . read more
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Spring
2024-2025 School Year
West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Parent-Teacher Conferences for the Spring of 2025 are scheduled for Thursday, March 20th from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. and Friday, March 21st from 8:00 a.m. - noon. Parent/Teacher Conferences will . . . read more
Family Reading Week
2024-2025 School Year
There was a sea of Family Reading Week forms in the entryway of West Central Elementary! Thanks to the 80 students who participated by returning their forms. So many wonderful books were read by WC students for this event. . . . read more
WCES Canned Food Drive
2024-2025 School Year
5th Graders from West Central Elementary School are sponsoring a canned food drive to benefit families in our community. Items can be dropped off at the Winter Music Concerts (December 9th and December 10th). The . . . read more
Winter Music Concerts
2024-2025 School Year
Join us for West Central CUSD #235's winter concerts! Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade = Monday, December 9th @ 6:30 PM 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade = Tuesday, December 10th @ 6:30 PM Middle School, High . . . read more
2nd/3rd Grade Parent Program 2024
2024-2025 School Year
West Central students and families had to “break out” of their classrooms during this year’s 2nd and 3rd grade parent escape room program. 2nd graders and families had to answer butterfly fact questions and solve . . . read more
KG/1st Grade Parent Program 2024
2024-2025 School Year
Kindergarten and 1st grade families were invited to West Central on the morning of October 7th for our first parent program of 2024. Parents and students listened to a fantastic story titled, Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea . . . read more
PTC Fall Festival
2024-2025 School Year
We want to invite everyone to our PTC Fall Festival, which will be held at West Central Elementary School from 5:30-7:00 pm on Friday, October 11th. 💸 Free admission! 🚗 Trunk or Treat Style! 🥸 Costumes welcome! . . . read more
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Fall 2024
2024-2025 School Year
West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Parent-Teacher Conferences for the Fall of 2024 are scheduled for Thursday, October 24th from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. and Friday, October 25th from 8:00 a.m. - noon. Parent/Teacher Conferences will be . . . read more
WCES Summer Reading Postcards
2024-2025 School Year
West Central staff were happy to hand out 40 free books to students in September! These students returned the Summer Reading Postcard to their teachers over the summer. This is a great way for staff and students to connect over the . . . read more
Transportation Survey
2024-2025 School Year
As we get ready for the new school year, we are taking a look at our bus routes and will be making changes. If you have an email address connected to your Skyward account, there is a link to a Google Form that we are asking you to . . . read more
Registration & Bus Survey
2024-2025 School Year
Online registration for the 24-25 school year will open in Skyward* on Monday, July 22. If you have a student returning to the district you will be able to complete the online registration process between July 22 and August 9. . . . read more
KG/1st Grade Parent Program 2023
West Central Elementary had their first Parent Program on October 2nd during the late start Monday schedule for kindergarten and 1st grade students and guests. Both programs highlighted the school Math curriculum and activities, as well as . . . read more
West Central Elementary1514 US Route 34Biggsville, IL 61418
(309) 627-2339
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