From movie stars strollingbrdown the red carpet to a lively New Year's party, Westlake Academy's first day of school activities were a huge success, evident by smiles on the faces ofbrstudents and staff as they participated in the fun. There were a few tears,brhowever. As parents of kindergarteners dropped off their child for the big day,brthey stopped by a Tears and Cheers breakfast to take photos and give theirbrchildren last-minute hugs before sending them off to the classrooms.
Wearing sunglasses,brstudents in the Primary Years Programme (GK-5) walked to their classrooms on abrHollywood-style red carpet. Teachers are using the Hollywood theme to share thebrpolicies and procedures in a fun way showing children their “role” in thebrscript. They also have trophies for team-building activities.
In the gym, the MiddlebrYears Programme (G6-10) started off the year with a countdown to kick off theirbrNew Year's celebration, complete with a DJ, dancing, photo opportunities, andbrsnacks while the Diploma Programme (G11-12) students were treated to a nicebrbreakfast in the Dining Hall. After the celebration, students boarded a bus andbrheaded out to Group Dynamix for some fun team-building activities.
Mayor Laura Wheat saidbrseeing all of the activities and smiles on student's faces during the fun madebrit a truly memorial first day. “I've never seen anything like it,” Wheat saidbrin a press release. “This is just another reason why I'm so proud to be a partbrof Westlake Academy.”
Mechelle Bryson, executivebrprincipal/director of education, said activities like these help build abrfoundation for an outstanding new year. “There is no doubt that there is greatbrwork being done at Westlake Academy,” Bryson said. “Our quest to become ‘thebrbest place for teachers to teach and for students to learn' is at the forefrontbrof our preparation for the 2015/2016 school year.”
About 830 students startedbrschool at Westlake Academy and more than 2,500 are on a waiting list to attendbrthis successful public charter school.