Parent Participation
Westland believes in a cooperative educational environment and depends on a high level of parent participation in school activities.
At Westland, school life is shaped by people working, playing, sharing, and learning together. We place a strong value on family participation, with shared contributions through Hot Lunch, committee work, the Fair, and community work hours. The vibrant community that grows from this involvement is at the heart of the school and serves as an anchor for a deeply enriching experience for both children and families.
Hot Lunch
Each family agrees to participate in our Hot Lunch program as either a cook or baker. On Fridays, one of nine parent-teams meets in the kitchen to prepare a hot lunch for the entire school. A benefit for the parents is a chance to meet and work beside parents of other groups. Alternately, parents can participate by being bakers who are given recipes for desserts that can be prepared at home and sent to school on their assigned Fridays.
Events / Fair
Each year parents and students participate in such fundraising events as book fairs and farmers’ markets, plus our annual Fair in May, when the entire Westland community comes together for great food, homemade games, and lots of fun.
Field Trips and Classroom Participation
Field trips are an integral part of the Westland curriculum, bringing the classroom into the outside world. Families are often invited to join in these experiences and to participate in classroom life through shares and community moments. Participation is optional and coordinated at the classroom level.
Parent Committees
Westland thrives from the collective efforts of its entire community. Because parent committee work sustains a number of important functions on campus, one member of each family is required to serve on at least one ongoing parent committee. Committee examples include Library, Buildings and Grounds, Eand Westland Fair. This committee work brings parents together.