Families are encouraged to set a time with teachers to visit their child’s classroom and discuss their child’s progress at Westside Academy. Teachers send progress reports to parents and guardians and hold annual conferences. Teachers can support families with extra meetings or reports as necessary.

Join your child for Westside Academy events and activities. We love getting to know our (Westside Academy) Phoenix families by collaborating and celebrating together at school events.

Westside Academy is fortunate to have a dedicated parent coordinator, Tjuna Eggson, on staff to answer questions about parent engagement, family events, and school resources. You may contact her at eggsontc@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or (414) 934-5012.

Westside Academy Family Events

• Homework Diners – First Wednesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., combining free dinner, family activities, and a chance to connect with Westside Academy teachers and staff.
• Community School Leadership Team – Open meetings every fourth Thursday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. This diverse team identifies local strategies and makes decisions for how to best ensure student and school success. For more information, contact Jennifer Langoehr, Westside Academy community school coordinator at langojl@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
• Annual Family Resource Fair – This May!

Supporting Our Families

Westside Academy provides school-based resources to support our students and families, and staff can refer families to community organizations as needed. Our Parent Resource Center is open during school hours. Please stop in the main office to sign in and ask for directions.

Supporting Your Student

Family involvement leads to better grades, better attendance, improved test scores, higher self-esteem, and better behavior for children. Supporting your child’s success at Westside Academy includes practices and priorities like:

• Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day (7:25 a.m.).
• Call the attendance line when your child will be absent – (414) 934-5000. We must be sure every student has arrived safely and follow up with any who are absent. We must also record absences correctly.
• Ensure that your child gets at least nine hours of sleep every night.
• Dress your child appropriately for the weather. Please tell us if your student needs a coat or other outerwear.
• Check your child’s bookbag every day for homework or important messages.
• Help your child with homework. At home, have a quiet time and place for homework.
• Read with your child every day.
• Ask how you can join our field trips.
• Volunteer in the classroom. Learn more about volunteering with MPS.

Helping with Homework

At home, be sure to provide a quiet time and place for your child to do homework. At home, your child has access to the same online programs they use in class. Have your student log in through Clever to find learning programs like Smarty Ants, My Path, Discovery Education, Flocabulary, and others.

Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher

Stay in touch with your child’s teacher and stay up to date on their academic goals and accomplishments. Students feel extra motivated when they see teachers and parents working as a team to reinforce high expectations and positive learning strategies. Here are some tips for building a strong parent-teacher relationship to support your child.

• Collect current school/teacher contact information at the beginning of each school year. You can gather this information from teacher handouts, during open-house events, or visit our staff directory.
• Join digital communication apps like ClassDojo, Remind, or SchoolMessenger. Teachers and coaches use these apps to communicate easily and directly with families. Your child’s teacher should provide you with log-in information at the beginning of the school year or sports season.
• Attend parent-teacher conferences in person or virtually. Students are proud to “show off” their school and feel supported when teachers and caregivers make time to meet at a conference or school event.
• If a scheduled conference time does not work for you, contact the teacher to choose a different time. Or schedule a virtual appointment or phone call with the teacher. Ask if your child should attend.
• Send your child to school with a bookbag every day and check the bookbag when they come home at night. Lots of important paperwork travels from school to your home – and back again – in your child’s bookbag: assignments, permission slips, classroom updates, and school calendars.