Mrs. Traci's first graders are spelling "r" blend words and brushing them clean.
Reminder that the deadline to sign up for Gallery X is this Friday! There is a $10 entry fee as a fundraiser for the journalism club, and the winnings are up to $75 as of now! Email Faith Gray for more information.
The West Side High School Book Club participated in Blackout Poetry; an activity where students printed the first page of their book and blacked out words to create a poem. Students are reading their choice of Coraline or The Ruins of Gorlan.
Mrs. Amy Gentry had guest speaker, Tracy Starks, from the Department of Health, speak to our students about tobacco, drug, and alcohol dangers as well as hygiene and germs. #UnlockingGreatness
Game Day! Let's Go West Side!! 💚🤍🦅🏀
Throw on your PJs and join Dr. Erickson, the elementary Principal, for our first nightly Christmas Read Aloud! Check back nightly until Christmas Eve for a new read aloud!
Congratulations to Mr. Caleb Long, a fifth grade teacher at West Side Elementary, for earning his National Board Certification in Social Studies-History/Early Adolescence! We are so proud of you and your dedication to our school and students!
Santa's Eagles are preparing the student's stockings first thing this morning!
West Side Elementary is launching a new and exciting Christmas event this year with Christmas Read Alouds! Tune in to the school's Facebook page next week for a new read aloud each evening from someone special in our school or community! #UnlockingGreatness
In December, the student body voted coach Keith Cornett as the staff member of the month. Students said that Cornett is funny, always positive, and one of the nicest staff members on campus.
Cornett has been coaching for 29 years. He says that he had always loved sports, and that love and knowledge was something he wanted to pass on to others. In doing so, he has had many memorable moments. Cornett said some of the most memorable were winning the state championships in 2014 while coaching his nephew and again last year in 2025 while coaching his daughter, as well as making sure not to give up on players that most coaches would.
Cornett said if he is to be remembered by one thing, he hopes it is by how much he cares.
“I care, not that they are good, but about their well-being,” said Cornett. “I want all kids to be successful and make it in life.”
Interview by Carey Bunton
Cornett has been coaching for 29 years. He says that he had always loved sports, and that love and knowledge was something he wanted to pass on to others. In doing so, he has had many memorable moments. Cornett said some of the most memorable were winning the state championships in 2014 while coaching his nephew and again last year in 2025 while coaching his daughter, as well as making sure not to give up on players that most coaches would.
Cornett said if he is to be remembered by one thing, he hopes it is by how much he cares.
“I care, not that they are good, but about their well-being,” said Cornett. “I want all kids to be successful and make it in life.”
Interview by Carey Bunton
Congratulations to our Eagles of the Week! Not pictured, Mia Branch and JD Smith. #UnlockingGreatness
It's a tie!!! The catapult and snowball challenge in Mrs. Howell and Mrs. Rose's science classes were a STEAM challenge for the Christmas labs. Newton's Laws and fake snow chemistry were the focus. Students built catapults and launched fake snowballs at targets for points.
The West Side Yearbook Staff would like to thank Greers Ferry Vet Clinic for their donation to the 2025-26 yearbook!
West Side Elementary will have Cookies with Santa next Thursday, December 18th! If you would like to purchase a picture with your child for $5, please return the form attached, or that is being sent home with your child. #UnlockingGreatness
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Staff of the Month is meant to make teachers and staff feel honored and appreciated. In the month of November, Mrs. Katy Stark was voted by students as Staff of the Month.
She said, “I feel honored, that is a very important award and I love to hear that I am helping students.”
When asked what made her become a teacher, she answered, “I've always known I was supposed to help people, I’ve always helped adults, and then I figured out maybe I should be intervening with kids that are a younger age and help them make better choices and not end up in the system like adults did.”
Overall, she really enjoys helping people of all ages and loves helping them make better choices in life.
Story by Addison Terrell
She said, “I feel honored, that is a very important award and I love to hear that I am helping students.”
When asked what made her become a teacher, she answered, “I've always known I was supposed to help people, I’ve always helped adults, and then I figured out maybe I should be intervening with kids that are a younger age and help them make better choices and not end up in the system like adults did.”
Overall, she really enjoys helping people of all ages and loves helping them make better choices in life.
Story by Addison Terrell
More critter fun in Mrs. Traci's room this week! Mrs. Sallie shared her sugar gliders with the first graders as part of their Creature Feature unit!
First Priority had the privilege of hearing from alum Matthew Keeton today! Keeton told students about the importance of making the most of where you are at in the moment. Thank you, Matthew, for speaking to the club!
Remember that West Side Elementary has dress up days next week!
Mrs. Teresa's K-2 Whole Group Enrichment students made Grinch punch last week to learn about the three states of matter.
Let's Go!! 💚🤍🦅🏀
