WESTLAKE WILDCATS PTA
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Looking for a little something extra to add to your toolbox?
​Below are some tried and true resources to support you and your family.


Have a resource you love? Let's add it to the list!
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Parent Support for Eureka Math
This site provides a suite of resources to help parents support their children in becoming proficient in math. 

Testing at Westlake
​Westlake Testing Overview

Santa Cruz City Schools
See the SCCS website's What's Happening section for updates on SCCS bonds.


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From the National PTA Website: Check out PTA Connected - Events, Toolkits, Modules to help kids act safely, responsibly and thoughtfully online. 
PTA Connect Resource
Description
Partnering with...
PTA Connected
What does it mean to be PTA Connected?
--
The SmartTalk
 The time to have a digital safety conversation with your kids is before they get their first device.
National PTA + LifeLock
Be Internet Awesome
Learn about being Internet Awesome: Smart, Alert, Strong, Kind and Brave. 
National PTA + Google
Digital Families
interactive presentation on social media and technology use and takeaways for families to respond to real life online interactions
National PTA + Facebook
Access
With Summer Learning Session Tookits, and information about connecting to affordable internet
National PTA + Access from AT&T​
Parenting Go Guide
Life360 brings families closer with a wide range of smart features, like real-time location notifications and advanced driving safety features, designed to protect and connect the people who matter most.
National PTA + Life360
Social Video & Teens
Educating families on video app sharing responsibility
National PTA + TikTok

National PTA Resources

The Parents’ Guides to Student Success 
http://www.pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2583

​The Parents’ Guides to Student Success were developed by teachers, parents and education experts in response to the Common Core State Standards that more than 45 states have adopted.

Created for grades K-8 high school English language arts/literacy and mathematics the guides provide clear, consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career.
Parent Guides
  • Parents' Guide to Success Booklet
  • Two-page Parents' Guides (Color)
  • Four-page Parents' Guides (BW)
  • Four-page Parents' Guides (Color)
  • Parents’ Guides to Student Success—Frequently Asked Questions
  • State Education Agencies

The guides include:
  • Key items children should be learning in English language arts and mathematics in each grade, once Common Core
  • Standards are fully implemented.
  • Activities that parents can do at home to support their child's learning.
  • Methods for helping parents build stronger relationships with their child's teacher. 
  • Tips for planning for college and career (high school only).

California PTA Education Edition
http://capta.org/resource/pta-in-california/

This California PTA “Education Edition” has information to answer questions about the new assessment score reports. Pages 6-10 specifically focus on assessment reports and other issues such as:
  • What will the new score reports look like?
  • What do the scores mean?
  • What are the new assessments and what do they measure?
  • What questions should I ask my child’s teacher and school administration about the new assessments?
  • Where can I learn more?

Multiple Subject Resources
​
​California Department of Education- Common Core State Standards:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/

Educational standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade. In California, the State Board of Education decides on the standards for all students, from kindergarten through high school.
Since 2010, California adopted a national set of standards called the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Having the same standards helps all students get an equal education, even if they change schools or move to a different state.
Resource
Description
Ages
Cost
Khan Academy
Grade level math lessons and more.
7+
free
Khan Academy Kids
App for TK- 1st grade that includes reading, writing, social emotional activities and more.
4-6
free
PBS Kids
Learning games, crafts, printable resources and more.
4-10
free
Scholastic Learn at Home
Printable resources across all subject areas
4-10
$6 a month
Reading, Writing & Literacy
Resource
Description
Ages
Cost
Lexia
Leveled reading lessons.  Access through Clever.
5+
free
Epic
Large amount of digital, audio and read-to-me books.
​ Access through Clever or ask your teacher for a code.
all
free
Hoopla
Borrow 5 digital or audio books a month with a SC public library card.
Download the app.

all
free
Libby
Borrow digital and audio books with a SC public library card.
​Download the app.
all
free
Open Library
Digital and audio books to borrow
all
free
Math, Computer Science and Coding

​Santa Cruz Education Foundation
The SCEF website includes information on the new Computer Science for All grant.
Resource
Description
Ages
Cost
Prodigy
Standards based gamified math challenges. Website and app.
6+
free
Dream Box
Gamified math problems in an adventure world
5+
1 month free then $12/mo
Beast Academy
Comic book style math curriculum
8-13
$15/month or $100/ year
Code.org
Learn to code simple games, apps and computer drawings.
4+
free
Science, Nature and Outdoors
Resource
Description
Ages
Cost
Mystery Science
Grade level, standards based science lessons
5-11
$59/ year
Kids National Geographic
Articles, videos, games and more.
5-11
free
Kids In Nature
LOCAL Outdoor/ nature education program
5+
paid
Art, Music and Dance
Resource
Description
Ages
Cost
Studio Sprout
LOCAL kids studio.  Pick-up craft kits for at home projects.
3+
varies
Aree Chung
Online kids art classes
4-10
varies
Dallas Museum of Art 
​Family Program
Kids art activities and projects
8-13
free
Seven Directions
LOCAL: Art and STEM virtual classes
4+
varies
Physical, Yoga & Mindfulness
Resource
Description
Ages
Cost
Cosmic Kids
Fun, engaging yoga and mindfulness meditations on YouTube channel
3+
free
Go Noodle
Dances, songs and games to keep kids moving indoors.
4+
free
Learn to Type
Resource
Description
Ages
Cost
Typing.com
Learn to type program with embedded games but no countdown timers for a relaxed learn to type experience.
6+
free
Typetastic
Learn to type program starting with the very basics.  
​Includes timed activities.
6+
free
Turtle Diaries
Typing games including two player games to play against friends.
6+
free
Virtual Fieldtrips: Museums, Zoos etc.
Museums
Description
Ages
Cost
The Smithsonian
Variety of engaging kids activities
5+
free
National Museum of Natural History
Virtually walk through the museum exibits including the dinosaur exibit
5+
free
Zoos
Description
Ages
Cost
National Zoo
Meet the animals at the National Zoo
all
free
Other
Description
Ages
Cost
PORTS
(State Parks Online)
Virtual fieldtrips both on-demand and live from CA State Parks.
all
free
Other Fun Stuff
Resources
Description
Ages
Cost
Gjon Feinstein
LOCAL: Learn to play chess or improve your game
6+
varies

Articles and Additional Reading

Talking to Kids About Race
  • "Talking to Young Children about Bias and Prejudice," from the Anti-Defamation League
  • "Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice," from Teaching Tolerance
  • "How to talk to your kids about the violence in Charlottesville," from the L.A. Times

How To Weave Growth Mindset Into School Culture (KQED News, October, 2015) http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/10/02/how-to-weave-growth-mindset-into-school-culture/
While this article focuses on a high school, the concept of the “growth mindset” is helpful for parents to know and understand. Based on Carol Dweck’s book, “Mindset,” this concept asserts that, “understanding the first time you hear something isn’t the goal,” and “smart isn’t being right fast. It’s working through things and understanding things eventually.” 

New Healthy Media Habits for Young Kids, by Caroline Knorr on the Common Sense Media Blog
This article includes links to further resources and information about studies about media and children, as well as a short list of tips.

Updated October 2020

Westlake Elementary School
1000 High Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060

​Westlake Elementary School PTA | PTA Board & Leadership |
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  • Home
  • About
    • PTA Meeting Agendas and Minutes
    • PTA Calendar
    • PTA Weekly News
    • PTA Board Leadership
    • FAQ & Forms
    • PTA/CAPTA Perks & Advocacy
  • For Parents
    • SCCS Westlake Page
    • Volunteer!
    • Resources
    • UCSC Student Parents
    • Yearbook
  • Programs
    • The Arts >
      • 5th Grade Art Project
      • Day of Dance
    • Enrichment Programs >
      • Chess Club
      • Science Fair
      • Math Night
      • Math Mondays
    • Community Events >
      • Coffee&Community
      • Back to School BBQ
      • Commute Culture Counts
      • Movie Nights
      • Under the Stars
      • Bake Sale
      • Spooky Story Night
      • Popcorn&Popsicles
      • Family Arts Night
  • Giving
    • Donate
    • Local Sponsors
    • Fundraising Progams >
      • Drive for Schools
      • Farm Fresh CSA
      • Minted Giving
      • Artsonia Gifts
      • Box Tops
      • Dining for Dollars
      • Walk-A-Thon
    • Your Donations Support
    • Corporate Matching
    • Spring Auction >
      • Auction
      • Auction Prize Donations
  • Store
    • Spirit Wear
  • Link Page