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Home > breadcrumbs: Schools > breadcrumbs: West Central Elementary School >
Welcome to West Central Elementary
By Mrs. Kathy Lafary
West Central Elementary
Welcome to West Central Elementary, 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 WCE, 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 WCE staff recently began implementing a new math curriculum called enVision Mathematics 2020 Common Core. It challenges their thinking and problem solving abilities. In 2018, we implemented guided reading groups using the Fountas and Pinnell curriculum in grades one and two. Additional materials are used at the other grade levels to teach the Learning Standards.
West Central Elementary 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, 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 Connect-Ed/Blackboard system. You can select various options such as phone calls, text messages, and email notifications. Be sure to join our West Central Elementary Facebook page!
West Central Elementary 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 WCE 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
WCEL 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
Winter Music Concerts 2023
Join us for West Central CUSD #235's winter concerts! Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade = Tuesday, December 5th @ 6:30 PM 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade = Wednesday, December 6th @ 6:30 PM Middle School, High School = . . . read more
2nd/3rd Grade Parent Program 2023
The 2nd and 3rd grade students had a wonderful time at the Parent Program on Monday, November 13, 2023! Parents learned about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and how staff at the school incorporate it with other academic subjects. . . . read more
WCES Summer Reading Postcards
West Central Elementary School had a fantastic response from our students with summer reading postcards. There were 52 students who shared their reading with teachers and staff over the summer. Students read or listened to 10 books, . . . 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
KG/1st Grade Parent Program - 2023
Upcoming Parent Program Information for Kindergarten and 1st Grade Families These activities will be during our Late Start Monday, so parents will need to provide transportation to the events. No food will be served during . . . read more
FOCC Backpack Program
The Family Outreach Community Center (FOCC) in Stronghurst will once again be offering weekend food assistance. Through their backpack program, they will send home a bag of food to supplement your groceries for the weekend. . . . read more
Back to School Night 2023-2024
Our annual Back to School Nights will be held on Tuesday, August 15th. The Elementary and High School events will be from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. The Middle School event will be from 6:00 – 7:30 pm (part of that time is for Club . . . read more
Spring Music Concerts 2022-2023
Join us for West Central CUSD #235's Spring concerts! Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade = Monday, April 17th @ 6:30 PM 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade = Tuesday, April 18th @ 6:30 PM Middle School, High School = . . . read more
Family Reading Week - Read Beyond the Beaten Path
The WCE students celebrated this special week from November 14-18. Students shared “What they Book” (their favorite books and authors) and “Where they Book” (where they like to read). Student forms were displayed in . . . read more
Winter Music Concerts 2022
Join us for West Central CUSD #235's winter concerts! Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade = Tuesday, December 6th @ 6:30 PM 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade = Wednesday, December 7th @ 6:30 PM Middle School, High School = . . . read more
Cold & Flu Season
Cold and flu season has arrived! We are seeing an increase in illnesses such as: strep throat, influenza, and RSV. Below is West Central’s policy regarding exclusion periods for sick students as well as some preventative tips. . . . read more
KG/1st Grade Parent Program
On the morning of October 3rd, 2022, K and 1st grade parents were invited to participate with their child in an event involving Nursery Rhymes and STEM activities (Science, Technology, . . . read more
2020-21 WCEL Virtual Art Show
The link below will give you access to the show. Enjoy! 2020-2021 WCEL Virtual Art Show read more
Point Challenge Fall 2020
Congratulations to our WCE students for meeting the challenge of earning 50,000 Heat Points! As a reward, Mrs. Frieden and Mrs. Lafary wore silly costumes all day! The students got to vote on three categories: food, school supplies and . . . read more
2020 WCEL Virtual Locker Night
Click on the link below and then explore by clicking on icons you want to learn more about. 2020 WCEL Virtual Locker Night read more
Fifth Grade Virtual Talent Show of 2020
We are proud to present some of our wonderful 5th graders demonstrating various skills, knowledge, and talents. With the mandated closure caused by Co-Vid 19, students missed out on some fun end-of-the-year activities. But, as the . . . read more
Mama Donkey Gets A Kiss
West Central Elementary students stepped up to the challenge during our remote learning days. From the beginning of April through May 8th they passed 1,197 Accelerated Reader tests. The students were updated regularly on their progress and . . . read more
Kindergarten Transition
Families of Future Kindergarten Students, We have created a video to help as your child transitions to Kindergarten. Please review the video and join us virtually through Zoom on Thursday, May 7th at 7:30pm The video . . . read more
AR at Home
WC Elementary
West Central Elementary School is proud to announce the arrival of: Accelerated Reader At Home Accelerated reader is a comprehension and vocabulary based computer program that tests the children’s knowledge of books . . . read more
New Fish At WCEL
A big thanks to Mr. Buss for his continued support. Take a look at the new arrivals to the tank. read more
2019 ILMEA Music Festival
Twenty-six West Central students were selected to participate in a day of music at the 2019 ILMEA District 2 Elementary Music Festival. Throughout the day students got to experience Creative Music, where they made their own song using . . . read more
Donuts With Dad 2019 - Iggy Peck
Iggy Peck would have been proud of all the towers that were built at West Central Elementary on Friday, November 1st during our Donuts with Dad event. Iggy Peck is the main character of the book, Iggy Peck, Architect by . . . read more
Donuts With Dad 2019
We would like to invite all “Dads” and their K-2nd Grade children to a relaxing morning of breakfast and a STEM/literature activity! Come and enjoy some donuts and juice with your child. You will hear a short . . . read more
Muffins with Mom 2019
Rosie Revere took center stage this year at Muffins with Mom. Rosie is the inventive, engineering main character of the book, Rosie Revere, Engineer written by Andrea Beaty. After the students and their guests enjoyed muffins and . . . read more
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun?
Mrs. Johnston's 5th grade class recently read the book, Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are . Students were tasked with building a standing tower, hopefully the tallest, using spaghetti noodles . . . read more
WCEL Back to School Night
West Central Elementary will be hosting their Open House/School Kick Off on Thursday, August 15 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Students and their families will be able to bring in their school supplies and put them in their lockers or in their rooms. . . . read more
WCEL Awards Day 2019
WCEL celebrated the successes of students in Grades PreK - 5. It was a great way to spend part of the morning celebrating all of these student accomplishments! Great job, everyone! read more
Graduation Walk 2019
Following Graduation practice on Friday, May 17, the Class of 2019 walked the halls of WCEL. This gives students and teachers the opportunity to congratulate the class. It is also a good time for younger students to have a visual . . . read more
Hatching Chicks in Kindergarten
If you hear some "peeping" as you walk down the elementary hallways, don't be surprised! All three Kindergarten classes are successfully hatching baby chicks this week. While learning about oviparous animals and the life cycle . . . read more
AWESOME!
We "reeled" in several more awesome behaviors this past week and these lucky "catches" earned some extra fun in the lab! Every Friday we reach into the fishbowl to pull out names of students that have randomly been . . . read more
"Caught Being Awesome"
WC Elementary staff members have been "fishing" to "catch" students doing awesome things! 11 Lucky "Catches" were drawn for an extra recess! read more
Thanks for Your Good Work!
Our 1st and 2nd Grade Girl Scouts picked up trash at the middle school and planted flowers and delivered them to the Oak Lane Assisted Living Residents! read more
Boredom Busters!
While we want the kids to enjoy these snow days, we understand that some may be getting a little stir crazy! Here is a list of ideas of things you can do to make these cold winter days go by and still keep those brains active! . . . read more
WCEL Book Club
These students have been giving up their recess to read the book Ruby on the Outside . They are led by Ms. Lewis. read more
Gifts for the Animal Shelter
The third graders at West Central Elementary voted to collect goodies for the Almost Home Animal Shelter in Henderson County instead of having a gift exchange this year! We were extremely proud of their decision to donate and their tremendous . . . read more
Stronghurst Hustlers 4H complete service project at West Central Elementary School
Members of the Stronghurst Hustlers 4H group volunteered to spread tire chips on the preschool playground on Sunday, November 11th. Volunteers included Addison, Max, Nolan, Emerson, Peyton, Spencer, . . . read more
Nursery Rhyme STEM Challenge
Congratulations to Makayla and Roland for participating in the “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater” Contest. Both students completed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math ) activities with their . . . read more
5th Graders to BizTown
Our 5th grade students worked hard in the classroom for 4 weeks to prepare and learn how to run a successful business at JA BizTown in Davenport. They really enjoyed this day and have learned so much about how to handle finances, write . . . read more
Donuts for Dad
We would like to invite all Dads and their K-2nd Grade children to a relaxing morning of breakfast and STEM activities!! Come and enjoy some donuts and juice with your child. You will hear a short explanation of . . . read more
Making Lemonade!
Students were making homemade lemonade and working on reading and math skills. read more
Thinking Like A Scientist!
Fourth grade has been learning to think like scientists! During the first quarter, we will be learning all about the Scientific Method, and later this quarter we will also be studying engineering. To practice the hypothesis . . . read more
WCE Welcome From Our Dean of Students
Hello! My name is Andrea Frieden. I am very excited to join your team this year as the dean of students. I look forward to getting to know every member of the WCE family and I am ready for the first day of school to arrive! During my . . . read more
Soil Can Be Very Interesting
The 4th Grade RTI group spent some time examining the properties of soil. read more
West Central 3rd Grade Donates at Christmas
Students at West Central 3rd grade have been learning the theme “Choose Kind” this school year. This year, instead of doing a Christmas gift exchange, the 3rd grade students brought in items to donate to the Oak Lane Nursing . . . read more
Polar Express at WCEL
On Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, the students of West Central Elementary were able to take a trip on the Polar Express. In their pajamas, they boarded the train about 2:15 pm. Conductor Stewart greeted them and began to tell . . . read more
Happy Holidays from WCEL
Each classroom decorated a piece of the poster to display in our Lobby! read more
Enrichment Hour of Code 2017
The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week . The 2017 Computer Science Education Week was December 4-10. Computer Science Education Week is held annually in recognition of the birthday of . . . read more
Donuts for Dad 2017
On November 4th, West Central staff invited kindergarten through second grade students along with Dads and other guests to use various kitchen staples in new ways with Kitchen Chemistry activities. Mrs. Lafary began the . . . read more
Muffins with Mom 2017
Building balloon towers, making aluminum foil boats, creating marble runs, constructing straw rockets - these activities and many more were part of the fun during the Muffins with Mom program. Kindergarten . . . read more
WCEL Red Ribbon Week 2017
Each elementary classroom decorated a square of our Red Ribbon Week Poster! The 2017 theme is "Your Future is Key, so stay Drug Free!" Dress up days for Red Ribbon Week: Mon. 10/23 - . . . read more
New Art Teacher Leigh Erlandson
My name is Leigh Erlandson and I am the West Central Elementary and West Central High School Art Teacher for the 2017-2018 school year. In 2010 I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from the Illinois Institute of Art . . . read more
NEW PE Teacher at WCEL
Hi my name is Taylor Tucker. This will be my first year of teaching. I will be teaching Physical Education at the elementary. I attended college at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. I currently live in Burlington, Iowa . . . read more
Fun at Basketball Camp!
Can you figure out what fundamentals they are learning about? read more
West Central Elementary1514 US Route 34Biggsville, IL 61418
(309) 627-2339
© 2023 West Central C.U.S.D. #235
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