Mission Statement

It is our mission at Westhills Elementary School to produce responsible, self-motivated students with  the skills and attitudes necessary for success as life long learners. As a dedicated and knowledgeable staff teaching an age appropriate  and motivating curriculum, and with the cooperation of parents and the community, we will accomplish this goal.

School Nurse

We have a nurse on campus.  The phone number is 432-3521.

http://www.jcdh.org/ ( Link to Jefferson County Department of Health)

Computer Lab

We have a computer lab equipped with 18 Dell computers. We have a variety of programs that teachers may choose from (Accelerated Reading, STAR, SRI, Orchard). The internet is available for research as well as accessing various web sites. Teachers may  schedule a time to bring their classes weekly.  Mrs. Sandra Cooper is the lab manager.

Character Development and Patriotism

Each morning, students are given the opportunity to lead the school in saying the "Pledge of Allegiance". They also repeat the mission statement. A word that deals with character development is also discussed daily. We repeat our school motto on a daily basis. Everyone knows "WE EXPECT SUCCESS!"  "NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS THAN YOUR BEST!"

ESL Classes

English As A Second Language

Grace Triutt and Krista Whatley

 8 students in grades K-6

Gifted and Talented Class

Mrs.  Jo E. Alexander-Dale works with 30 students from the 3rd through 6th grade in a pull-out program. She works with them a minimum of 3 hours per week. She is responsible for the 2nd grade students  being screened for the program. Their unit of study this year has been personal growth and change.They have focused on the little things they can do to make the world a better place.

Guidance and Counseling

Our counselor is Mrs. Valerie Simmons. She works with the students helping to build their character. She is developing future leaders through her various programs and projects.

Speech and Language Classes

Speech and Language

Mrs. Beverly Graham services Westhills, Davis Middle School, Dunams' Private School and St. Aloysius Catholic School. She works with 42 students from preschool through 8th grade. She also teaches SFA reading for the speech students and the special needs students from the LD and autistic population.

Accelerated Reading Program

Students read books that have an AR quiz. Students take the quiz on a computer. The quiz is scored. Students receive a grade for the quiz based on the number of questions answered correctly. The student is also given points based on the number of questions answered correctly. Books can be worth from 0.5 (1/2) point and up. Longer, more difficult books are worth more points. The program keeps track of which books the student has tested on. It keeps track of their total points for the year

Incentives are given for the AR program. Students earn and accumulate points all year. We have 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 point clubs.

Students may also eat lunch in the library with the librarian each month. Students must earn 10 AR points during the month and have an average of 80% or higher.

With the combined efforts of the classroom teacher and the librarian, and the students, we have almost tripled the number of AR points earned this year.

PTA

Our PTA is invaluable to Westhills. They are involved in many projects and programs within our school.

Character Building and Leadership Roles

Our students are encouraged to participate in character building and leadership roles. They may participate in a variety of activities throughout the school year. Peer helpers and mentors are just a few of the programs available at Westhills to empower the students with the tools they need to become productive citizens.

Character Building Opportunities Peer Helpers are selected students from the 4th- 6th grade who assist students with their academic studies. They help students in grades K-6. Mentors are selected students from the 5th and 6th grades. They are matched with a "buddy" who is in Kindergarten or 1st grade.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters partner with Westhills in the mentoring program. Tameka Askew is our school based coordinator. Students in grades 4-6 work with younger students in Kindergarten and 1st grade throughout the year.

The Beta Club members are selected from the 6th grade. Mr. Elliott and Mrs. Simmons are the sponsors. These students serve as ambassadors for Westhills. They  assist with service projects.

The Bessemer Police Department partners with Westhills in our basketball program.  We have a boys and girls team made up of 5th and 6th grade students.  Mr. McKisson is the liaison from the police department  and one of the coaches. Our other coaches are Mr. Richey, Mr. Cook, Mr. Caffe and Mr. Aikerson. The cheerleaders are 5th and 6th grade girls. They cheer at every Westhills game. Mrs. Gentry and Ms. McPherson are the cheerleader sponsors.

Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts meet at Westhills.

Community Service Projects and Programs Our students give back to the community though various service projects each year. Westhills assisted several "Katrina victims" with various school supplies. During November, Thanksgiving baskets of food were given out to families. We adopted Meadow Wood Nursing Home during Christmas. Students made over 200 care bags for the residents. We are assisting Enterprise schools with the rebuilding of their school supply store. Our students are collecting school supplies to send to Enterprise.