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Westgate Families, I am taking this opportunity to share very special information with you about an upcoming change at Westgate Elementary. I had hoped to send a paper copy of this letter home with students, but winter weather had other ideas. I will send a letter home with students when we return from Winter Break. Please join me in welcoming families from Woodway into our school community! At the December 16, 2008, Edmonds School Board meeting the Board acted to officially close Woodway Elementary School at the end of the current school year. This action has been taken in response to the growing budget challenges facing the District. The closure of Woodway will result in a savings of approximately $750,000. The School Board is continuing a review process for the possible additional closure of Evergreen Elementary. I have had many conversations with parents, community members and staff about the closure of Woodway Elementary and the resulting changes for our school. Most have been aware of the school consolidation plan for some time. I have been both pleased and reassured by the compassion and understanding the Westgate community has shown as this process has moved along. In fact most have expressed concern for Woodway families as they struggle with the closure of their school above any changes in store for Westgate. Students living in the Woodway Elementary attendance area will be reassigned to either Westgate or Sherwood Elementary Schools. Approximately 85 students and their families will be joining the Westgate Elementary community. While our overall enrollment at Westgate will be greater, there will be no change in class size. Class size is determined across the School District by established teacher student ratios. These ratios will continue to apply to Westgate. In turn, as we receive more students we will also be welcoming new teachers to our staff. This spring, special transition activities are planned to welcome new students and their families to our community and to provide opportunities for Westgate students to meet their new classmates. Woodway parents will also have occasions to visit their new school and begin to build connections with parents and staff in the community. I wish you and yours a wonderful and warm Holiday Season. I head out to celebrate Christmas with my family in St. Louis tomorrow morning. Warmly, Rob Baumgartner, Principal
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