Westside Elementary School Home

#WestsideBestside in light blue text on a black background.
Group of students sitting at desks in a classroom, engaged in learning.
Ms. Ingwerson's class
Student in a blue jacket holding a book at a classroom table.

Fifth graders reading during the last week of school.

Children playing outdoors, participating in team games on a grassy field.

Field Day Fun!

Children participating in a tug-of-war, laughing and cheering on a field.

Field Day Fun!

Dozens of posters with faces and text on a fenced area in a park.

Field Day Fun!

A close-up of a child wearing a blue and black tie-dye shirt.
A student is writing at a desk with a laptop and colorful calendar in the background.

Mrs. Ferguson's students prepare for their last test on Tuesday! 

Two children working at a table, one drawing while the other smiles.

Making 2D designs in STEM class

Classroom scene with students engaging, teacher standing, and various school supplies visible.

Mrs. Carey's 5th grade science class

Two people at a purple picnic table with others nearby, enjoying an outdoor activity.

Enjoying lunch outside on a beautiful Spring day!

A band performing on stage with a conductor and various instruments under purple lighting.
Four children posing happily with a large fish statue in a zoo setting.

Fun at the zoo!

Four children posing with animal cutouts in a playful outdoor setting.
Classroom scene with students engaged in activities at individual tables.
A woman marking a bingo card on a blue board in an indoor setting.

Great Behavior BINGO Showdown!

A family enjoying a meal together at a table with pizza and drinks.

Great Behavior BINGO Showdown!

A family sitting at a table with food, drinks, and bingo cards, laughing together.

Great Behavior BINGO Showdown!

Person wearing a large red garment, posing in a colorful venue.

Ms. Kesha Smith - Westside's Support Staff Employee of the Year!  🎉🎉🎉

Three people in a colorful venue holding hats and a red sweatshirt amidst fog.

Ms. Kesha Smith - Westside's Support Staff Employee of the Year!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Person taking a selfie in a mirror, wearing an orange shirt and blue jeans.

Ms. McDonald - Rookie Teacher of the Year!!! 💙💙💙

Group of six people celebrating with flowers and smiles.

Ms. McDonald - Rookie Teacher of the Year!!! 🎉🎉

Four children standing together in a gym, smiling and interacting.

Kefi Heads of House at a house meeing

A classroom scene with students engaged at their desks and a teacher at the front.

Ms. Ingwerson's class

Students working collaboratively around desks in a classroom.

Science in Ms. Peterson's 6th grade class

Students and teachers engaged in a classroom setting with desks and educational materials.

Read alouds in Mrs. Markham's class, video-style!

A classroom with several students attentively listening to a lesson at their desks.

Learning in Ms. Sinclair's class

Students engaged in reading and studying in a classroom setting.

Ms. McDonald's 5th grade class hard at work!

One person at a printer and another at a desk in a busy office space.

Our office staff keep the school running!

Two people working in an office with computers and a printer in view.

Our office staff hard at work!

Two children reading on the floor in a classroom with boxes and shelves in the background.

Reading in Ms. Adcock's class!

Smiling woman sitting at a desk with a laptop in a classroom setting.

Ms. Vaughn

Four girls laughing and playing a board game together at a table.

Indoor recess in Mrs. Ferguson's class

A group activity with two children and an adult engaging at a table with games.

Playing games in Mrs. Zwick's class!

A student types on a laptop while viewing colorful digital content on the screen.
A student focused on drawing at a classroom desk, with other students in the background.
Music instructor leading a band practice session with students seated at music stands.

Band class with Mr. Syrell

Music teacher conducting a group lesson with students in a classroom.
Child engrossed in tablet with hand on chin near window.
Child focused on tablet in classroom with beads in hair.
Top Golf

The Young Men of Excellence take on Top Golf!

Top Golf
YME at Top Golf!
Three children holding plush toys and award signs, smiling in front of a decorated wall.

Great Pumpkin Contest Winners!

Two girls in black tops and pink tutus posing with an adult in a matching outfit.

Decades Day!

Two adults in pink-themed outfits, one with a zebra print skirt and leggings, smiling for the camera.
Ms. Hollowell - 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year!!!

🎉 Ms. Hollowell - 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year!!! 🎉

Three students collaborating on a project at a classroom table.

Mrs. Carey's students making qualitative and quantitative observations of mystery samples from planet Earth. 

breast cancer awareness

Westside Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness!

observing properties of matter

Mrs. Carey's science class observes properties of matter!

A group of children wearing safety goggles engaged in a hands-on science activity.
Mrs. Carey's 5th grade science class
Students collaborating around a table filled with papers and a whiteboard sketch.

Mrs. Winkley and Mrs. Carey collaborate on a jigsaw research project on extreme weather! Students each took a turn as the teacher to share the information he or she learned with the group.

Group of six people smiling and wearing colorful shirts with an 'S' on each.

Skittles! Taste the Rainbow during Spirit Week at Westside!

Sketch of a forest scene with large trees and bushes in the background.

6th grade art

Drawing of a woman's face with a serious expression and flowing hair.
Two smiling children at a table displaying products and informational materials.

Imani volunteered to be a representative for the Young Ladies of Excellence at Hardy’s “Farm to School” event! Shout out to Imani! 

Child holding a drawing with various colorful creatures in a school setting.

National Space Society Art Project from Ms. Peterson's class

Two children in a classroom engaged in a hands-on activity, surrounded by educational posters.
Two girls looking at a paper with a pencil in hand, surrounded by classroom materials.

Practicing our Legacy Core Values in Ms. Bradshaw's 5th grade class! 

Two girls holding a paper and standing in a colorful classroom setting.
Students dancing joyfully in a colorful classroom with a screen displaying 'DANCE!!!'

Fact Fluency Freeze Dance in Ms. Pyrtle's classs!

Students exiting vehicles and walking on the sidewalk towards school, smiling and chatting.

Welcome back to school, Eagles!

Students walking on a sidewalk towards a school, chatting and carrying backpacks.

Welcome back to school, Eagles!

Recent News

🦅 Welcome to Family Huddle #1 | Everything You Need for the First Week! 🔑

Westside Families,

Welcome to the first Family Huddle of the 2026–2027 school year! 🦅🩵

Beginning this week, The Family Huddle will be Westside’s weekly family newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Sunday at 12:00 PM. Think of it as your weekly Westside headquarters: one place to find the information you need to make sure you and your Eagle are informed, prepared, and ready for the week ahead, while also giving you a look at important dates, events, and opportunities coming around the corner.

Please make reviewing the Family Huddle part of your Sunday routine. Each edition will include school announcements, upcoming events, reminders, deadlines, opportunities, and quick links to every teacher’s weekly newsletter. You will also find a link to our Student & Family Handbook, your go-to resource for virtually EVERYTHING Westside, including attendance, meals, transportation, schedules, student accountability, school procedures, who to contact, and much more.

And fair warning: Family Huddle #1 is a BIG one! 😃 We have intentionally packed this first edition with everything families need to know to prepare for the first day and first week of school. Take some time to read through each section, explore the links, and keep it handy as questions arise.

If you cannot find the information you need, please reach out to the appropriate Westside or IWCS staff member. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to us anyway. We will make sure your question gets to the right person and that you receive the information you need.

Most importantly, this year is about far more than schedules, procedures, and reminders. You are an important member of the Westside team. The partnership between our families, students, and staff will shape the experience we create for our Eagles.

Our theme this year reminds us that WE HOLD THE KEY. 🔑 Together, we hold the key to unlocking learning, growth, friendships, belonging, House pride, new experiences, challenges, accomplishments, and memories our students will carry long after they leave Westside.

We want 2026–2027 to be more than another school year. We want it to be an experience our Eagles never forget.

So read your Huddle, stay connected, show up, ask questions, celebrate the victories, reinforce our expectations, and join us in building something special.

The doors are about to open. The adventure is about to begin. We hold the key. Now, let’s leave a legacy. 🦅🩵🔑

We cannot wait to welcome our Eagles on Tuesday!

Respectfully,
Mr. Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

🦅📚 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WE SOAR INTO 2026–2027! ✨

Westside families, the new school year is almost here! We’ve put together our **2026–2027 Family Welcome Letter & Guide** with the important information you need to get ready for a great start. From Open House and House assignments to transportation, schedules, school hours, devices, meals, attendance, communication, student expectations, and more, consider this your **start-of-school-year headquarters!**

⭐ OPEN HOUSE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd

Join us to meet your teachers, explore Westside, and kick off the year together!

🏫 **Session 1:** 2:30–4:00 PM
🏫 **Session 2:** 6:30–8:00 PM
🍔 Food trucks will also be on site!

**Before the first day, be sure to open and review the full Family Welcome Guide.** It includes details about Parent Portal updates, student schedules, bus routes, Car Riders Express, supply lists, personal devices, Chromebooks, school hours, communication, attendance, meals, dress code, student expectations, and much more.

📅 **First Day of School: Tuesday, September 8th**

💙 **New year. New opportunities. One Westside. One Community. One Legacy.**

**👉 OPEN THE 2026–2027 FAMILY WELCOME LETTER & GUIDE BELOW FOR ALL THE DETAILS!**

2026-2027 School Supply Lists

📚✨ School Supply Lists for the 2026-2027 School Year Are Here! ✨📚

It's time to start getting ready for an amazing school year! 🎉 Attached are the school supply lists for students entering 4th, 5th, and 6th grade.

🎨🎵🖥️ While you're shopping, we'd love your support for our Encore teachers! If you're able, consider picking up a few of the additional supplies they've requested to help make art, music, PE, STEM, library, and other specials classes even more engaging for our students.

📅 Student schedules will be released later in August, so there's still plenty of time to gather any Encore-specific items before school begins on September 8th.

Thank you for helping us start the year prepared for learning, creativity, and success. We can't wait to welcome our Westside Eagles back soon! 🦅🩵
Schools out for summer

Summer Work Schedules Begin June 19, 2026

All IWCS Schools and Offices will be open 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Thursday. Buildings and offices will be closed on Fridays. IWCS will return to regular hours after Labor Day.

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #38! | Week of June 8th 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: 2025-2026 House Champions will be revealed Monday, 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony Tuesday, Early Dismissal Wednesday and Thursday & more 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**
pink post it reminder

Calendar Reminders

Calendar Reminders:

All IWCS Schools will dismiss 3 hours early on Wednesday, June 10, and Thursday, June 11. High School graduations will occur Friday, June 12. June 12 is also an employee work day.

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #37! | Week of June 1st 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: SOLs Wrap-Up This Week with 4th Grade VA Studies, Encore & Exploratory Forms are Due, Chromebook Collections Begin, Field Day Friday & more 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

🎽🏃🎉 It's still not too late to volunteer for field day - sign-up here: https://forms.gle/4g2fL5F3nPfPBCyh6 🎽🏃🎉

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #36! | Week of May 25th 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: SOLs Continue This Week with 4th & 5th Grade Math along with 5th Grade Science, 6th Grade Legacy Ball Friday (tickets continue to be on sale through Friday morning), information regarding Encore/Exploratory choices for next school year, Chromebook Collections & more 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #35! | Week of May 18th 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: SOLs Continue This Week with 4th & 5th Grade Reading along with 6th Grade Math, PTA Meeting on Thursday & more 🎭📚
Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!
👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #34! | Week of May 11th 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: Interims Issued Monday, PTA Fundraiser Extended One More Week, SOLs Begin This Week & more 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #33! | Week of May 4th 🌟 🦅

Good Afternoon Westside Families!

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: Teacher Appreciation Week, Girls on the Run Lemonade and Popcorn Stand, Last Week for PTA Fundraiser, SOL Family Resources & more 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #32! | Week of April 27th 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: PTA Fundraiser for House Incentives +, Yearbook Ordering Deadlines, BLUE Wednesday, Asynchronous Friday & more 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**
reminder post it note

Friday, May 1, is an Asynchronous Day for Students

(Students do NOT report to school). It is a professional learning day for elementary and middle school staff, and a parent conference day at the high schools. Schools will share additional information with families on the expectations for students on an asynchronous day.

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #31! | Week of April 20th 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: SOL Information, PTA Meeting & Board of Supervisors Meeting & more 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #30! | Week of April 13th 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: Another Fundraiser, Assistant Principal Appreciation Week, Report Cards & More! 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

🌴 Students and Staff Return to School on Monday, April 13th 🌴

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #29! | Week of March 30th 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: Fundraisers, Picture Day, Career Day, Band Concert, Gifted & Talented Night & More! 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

🌴 Spring Break for students begins Friday, April 3rd - students return to school on Monday, April 13th. 🌴

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #28! | Week of March 23rd 🌟 🦅

📰✨ In this week's Westside Weekly Huddle: Family Life Instruction This Week, Yearbooks on Sale, Talent Show this Friday & More! 🎭📚

Stay in the loop with important updates happening at your child’s school this week - don’t miss what’s coming up!

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.**
Zonar MyView: Real-Time Bus Tracking for IWCS Families

🚌 Zonar MyView: Real-Time Bus Tracking for IWCS Families

Isle of Wight County Schools is excited to introduce Zonar MyView, a new bus-tracking app designed to give families greater confidence, convenience, and connection when it comes to student transportation.

This powerful tool allows parents and guardians to stay informed about their child’s bus in real time—helping reduce the uncertainty of pick-up and drop-off times while enhancing overall safety and communication.

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #27! | Week of March 16th 🌟 🦅

Here is this week's Family Huddle: Connected, Informed, and Moving Forward as One.

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.***

Friday, March 20th is Asynchronous Learning Day for students and Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #26! | Week of March 9th 🌟 🦅

Here is this week's Family Huddle: Connected, Informed, and Moving Forward as One.

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.***

Great Behavior BINGO Showdown is Monday @ 6:00 PM - tickets are still on sale until Monday @ 12:00 PM.

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #25! | Week of March 2nd 🌟 🦅

Here is this week's Family Huddle: Connected, Informed, and Moving Forward as One.

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.***

The Great Behavior BINGO Showdown event has been moved from Monday, March 2nd to Monday, March 9th due to the potential for wintry weather Monday evening and still table availability (tickets are on sale all week, until sold out).

If you are unable to attend on March 9th and have already submitted payment, please contact the front office for reimbursement. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s flexibility and understanding.


Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School
literacy with books

Supporting Strong Readers Across IWCS

The Winter Literacy Update offers a snapshot of how Isle of Wight County Schools is implementing our Division Literacy Plan to support student reading growth and strengthen literacy outcomes divisionwide.

🦅 🌟 The Weekly Family Huddle #24! | Week of February 23rd 🌟 🦅

Here is this week's Family Huddle: Connected, Informed, and Moving Forward as One.

👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqtWdyczOmrFEwk4QanUj2QklJaYsD9ewjmIE_42Iz4/edit?usp=sharing

***If you are having trouble loading The Family Huddle, try these steps: try to clear your cookies and cache. If you are using a mobile device, try downloading the Google Docs app and opening it that way.***

Respectfully,
Matthew Johnson
Principal, Westside Elementary School
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Our Mission

Our mission is to develop confident learners, compassionate leaders, and responsible citizens who are prepared to make a positive impact in their school, community, and beyond. We strive to create a learning environment where every student is challenged academically, supported socially and emotionally, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.
 
Our vision is to cultivate a school where students are empowered to lead with courage, grow through perseverance, demonstrate empathy, accept accountability, and recognize that their actions shape the legacy they leave behind. We believe that excellence is achieved through continuous growth, meaningful relationships, and high expectations for every learner.
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