Celebrations

Our 21st Annual International Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture and community! From lively performances to delicious food and colorful displays, the event showcased the rich diversity and spirit of our school. This year also featured our first-ever art show, adding another exciting dimension to the festivities. A big thank you to our WAVE team for organizing such a memorable event, and to all the families whose participation made it truly special!

Prom Spirit Week filled campus with energy and creativity as students showed off their school pride! Each themed day—from Marigold Monday’s bright yellows and oranges to Lotería Tuesday, Western Wednesday, and colorful Papel Picado Thursday—brought fun and flair. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Our 6th Grade Explorers, along with our dedicated staff, spent three memorable days at Sierra Outdoor School. One of the highlights was a visit to the Raptor Center, where students had the unique opportunity to observe live birds of prey up close. We extend our gratitude to our teachers and chaperones for making this enriching overnight learning experience possible.
Announcements
K-12 Announcements
Staff Appreciation Week: We’re excited to celebrate Staff Appreciation Week next week, May 4th – 8th! We are partnering with WAVE to put together an amazing week of gratitude and celebration for our incredible staff. Each year, we invite families and students to share messages of appreciation by completing a quick Staff Gratitude Form. These messages mean so much to our team!
Please take a moment to submit as many entries as you would like by Wednesday, May 6th. Thank you for helping us recognize and celebrate the amazing people who make our school community so special! CLICK HERE to access the Staff Gratitude Form.
Westlake & WAVE Strategic Alignment Workshops: Westlake Charter School (WCS) and the Westlake Association of Volunteer Explorers (WAVE) have begun to come together for three Westlake & WAVE Strategic Alignment Workshops. As WCS prepares to launch its next Strategic Plan, we are using these workshops to create excitement and alignment about what comes next for Westlake and WAVE in the coming years.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our second Workshop to engage in thoughtful and energizing conversation about Fundraising at Westlake! Together, we discussed the meaningful ways we fundraise in our community. A few shared beliefs and commitments that emerged were:
- WCS and WAVE can work together to help clarify ways to fundraise and create clarity about why it is so important.
- WCS fundraising is critical to ensure all Explorers have access to opportunities like Field Trips, Sports, School Supplies, Events and more.
We’re excited to carry these shared commitments forward as we continue this important work together! Join us at our final Workshop to help envision how Volunteerism helps our students and community thrive!
- Wednesday, May 20th @ 5:30 PM – Workshop Topic: Volunteerism
*Workshops will be held on our K-8 Campus or attend via Google Meet (CLICK HERE to join virtually). To support participation, BASE will remain open free of charge for currently enrolled Westlake Charter School students whose families attend the event. Please CLICK HERE to pre-register.
K-8 Announcements
Third – Eighth Grade CAASPP: Our 3rd-8th grade Explorers will continue CAASPP testing next week. It’s essential that students are present and on time for each testing day. This is an important opportunity for our students to demonstrate all they’ve learned. Please make sure they get plenty of rest the night before and are on time to begin testing.
Let’s work together to set our students up for success—encourage your student to give their best effort, stay focused, and take pride in showing what they know.
Fourth – Eighth Grade Explorer Hoops Basketball Academy 5/16 and 5/17: Our WCHS Varsity Basketball coaches and players are hosting basketball clinics for our 4th-8th graders! CLICK HERE for the flyer containing all of the details. CLICK HERE to register. Proceeds support our WCHS basketball players in attending summer training camps.
Jibe Bike Month Pledge: North Natomas students are invited to take the Jibe Bike Month Pledge to complete at least five 10-minute rides this May – and feel the freedom that comes with every trip. North Natomas students that take the pledge by May 8th earn bragging rights AND a Bike Month T-shirt. Families are also invited to participate in our first ever Passport Pedal Challenge – a bike scavenger hunt around North Natomas! CLICK HERE to take the pledge!
9-12 Announcements
Upcoming Home Athletics:
- *Tentative* Wednesday, May 6th @ 6:00 PM: Home – Boys Varsity Volleyball SemiFinals vs. TBD
- *Tentative* Saturday, May 9th @ 10:00 AM: Away – Boys Varsity Volleyball Section Finals vs. TBD
Ninth Grade Field Lesson — Sonoma State University: Our 9th grade students will be visiting Sonoma State University on Tuesday, May 5th. During the field lesson, students will tour the campus and have the opportunity to eat in the dining hall, giving them a firsthand look at the college experience. Permission slips have been distributed and should be returned as soon as possible to ensure your student can attend. CLICK HERE for a digital copy of the permission slip We’re looking forward to this opportunity for our students!
Eleventh Grade — CAASPP Testing Continues: We’re off to a strong start with CAASPP testing this week. Thank you to our 11th graders for a focused and positive launch on Wednesday. Testing continues over the next two weeks on Wednesdays: May 6th (Math) and May 13th (Science). These assessments are an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and help us better understand how to support their continued growth. We encourage all juniors to arrive on time, well-rested, and with a fully charged Chromebook on each testing day. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Save the Date:
- Monday, May 4th – Friday, May 8th: Staff Appreciation Week
- Wednesday, May 20th @ 5:30 PM: Westlake & WAVE Strategic Alignment Workshop – K-8 Campus & via Google Meet
- Thursday, May 28th @ 7:00 & 8:00 PM: WAVE Planning & Board Meetings (via Zoom)
WAVE Board Elections Results: Thank you to everyone who voted and showed their support for our Westlake community! We’re excited to officially welcome our newly elected WAVE Board for the 2026–2027 school year:
- President – Felix Flores
- Vice President, Parent Participation – Whitney Browning
- Vice President, Business Affairs – Sandra Crowell
- Secretary – Amy Wall
- Middle School Lead – Allyson Broner
- Website/Tech Lead – Dave Edwards
We’re so grateful for these parent leaders who are stepping up to help build connection, support our staff and students, and make this upcoming school year the best one yet!
If anyone is still interested in the vacant positions (Treasurer, K-5 Lead, HS Lead, or Comms/Marketing), feel free to email us at [email protected].
Support Staff Appreciation Week: Next week, May 4th – 8th, is Staff Appreciation Week at Westlake, and we have the best opportunity to say thank you to the teachers and staff who pour their hearts into our students every single day. Here’s how our Westlake families can show some love:
- Volunteer your time — Sign up for one of our appreciation slots and be part of making our staff feel celebrated and seen. We could use your help to fill these slots before Monday.
- Donate goods — A small contribution goes a long way in showing big appreciation.
These incredible people show up for our kids — now let’s show up for them. CLICK HERE for all the info. Let’s make this the most memorable Staff Appreciation Week Westlake has ever had!
Westlake & WAVE Strategic Alignment Workshops: Westlake Charter School (WCS) and the Westlake Association of Volunteer Explorers (WAVE) have begun to come together for three Westlake & WAVE Strategic Alignment Workshops. As WCS prepares to launch its next Strategic Plan, we are using these workshops to create excitement and alignment about what comes next for Westlake and WAVE in the coming years.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our second Workshop to engage in thoughtful and energizing conversation about Fundraising at Westlake! Together, we discussed the meaningful ways we fundraise in our community. A few shared beliefs and commitments that emerged were:
- WCS and WAVE can work together to help clarify ways to fundraise and create clarity about why it is so important.
- WCS fundraising is critical to ensure all Explorers have access to opportunities like Field Trips, Sports, School Supplies, Events and more.
We’re excited to carry these shared commitments forward as we continue this important work together! Join us at our final Workshop to help envision how Volunteerism helps our students and community thrive!
- Wednesday, May 20th @ 5:30 PM – Workshop Topic: Volunteerism
*Workshops will be held on our K-8 Campus or attend via Google Meet (CLICK HERE to join virtually). To support participation, BASE will remain open free of charge for currently enrolled Westlake Charter School students whose families attend the event. Please CLICK HERE to pre-register.
Kudos: A huge shoutout to our Coffee Talk regulars! This year, our dedicated group of a dozen-plus parents has shown up monthly for an insider look at everything happening at Westlake — from Positive Behavior to the History of our school and beyond. Your curiosity, questions, and presence have helped shape what our community feels like from the inside out. Thank you for investing your time and making Coffee Talks something truly special! ☕

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