Welcome to the Primary Years Programme!

Dear Families,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Westlake Academy and our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) serving children in grades K-5. We are delighted to have you as part of our learning community, where curiosity, inquiry, and a love of learning are at the heart of everything we do.

At Westlake Academy, we are committed to cultivating internationally minded students who are caring, reflective, and empowered to take meaningful action in the world. Through the PYP framework, our students engage in rich, inquiry-based learning experiences that encourage them to think critically, collaborate effectively, and grow both academically and personally.

We value the strong partnership between school and home, and we look forward to working closely with you throughout the year. Together, we will support your child in becoming a knowledgeable, lifelong learner.

We are excited for the journey ahead and believe the best outcomes happen when we work hard, stay connected, and don’t forget to enjoy the process.

Warm regards,

Beth Hughes

PYP Principal

The Primary Years Experience

2026-2027 Calendar

Uniform Guidelines

Back to School Night Coming Soon!

Ivy uniform provider

Primary Year's Resources

Important Dates

New Family Playdate and Parent Meeting

August 7

8:00-8:45am
Kindergarten playdate on the playground
G1-G5 New Family Meeting (Multipurpose Hall)

8:45- 9:30am
G1-G5 playdate on the playground
Kindergarten New Family Meeting (Multipurpose Hall)

Back to School Night/Meet the Teacher

August 11th

5:00-6:00pm Families with Last Names A-M

6:15-7:15pm Families with Last Names N-Z

This is a time to meet your classroom teacher(s), drop off school supplies, reconnect with friends or make new ones and say hello! You will also receive your car tag for dismissal during this time. Please ensure to have that ready for the first day of school pick up line.

First Day of School

August 13

Lunches

Dining at Westlake Academy

Westlake Academy offers a healthy and delicious hot lunch program. Food is prepared on campus by our food service company, Westlake Cafe. Lunches are served in the dining hall and Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH) on grade level schedules. The lunch period is supervised by faculty and staff members.

Hot Lunch
Hot Lunch is provided daily by the Westlake Cafe. Current monthly menus are posted on their website. Lunches are purchased with cash or with a lunch account. The Westlake Cafe uses a dedicated system for your student's lunch accounts. For initial set-up, please email Walter@westlakecafe.com. Walter Bermudez, our Catering Manager, will contact you to set up a new account.

Once you have set up your accounts, it is easy to manage your student's accounts, add funds, and see how your lunch money is being spent all from one location. You can even transfer funds from one student to another within your family account. If you have any questions please email Walter Bermudez at Walter@westlakecafe.com

Homemade Lunch
As an alternative to our catered cafeteria, Westlake Academy students are allowed to bring lunch from home. We ask that you send your child with packages and containers they can open themselves. Microwaves are available for students if used to warm items, not cook a meal, which could delay other students in line.

Beverages and Snacks

Choice of beverages and snacks are available through the caterer for cash or lunch account deductions.

Primary School Supplies

Primary Years Programme FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are school hours?

Arrival Time:

7:20am Front doors will open to hold students in the PYP Commons.

7:25am school doors officially open and students will go straight to class at this time.

Tardy Bell: At 7:45am Tardy Bell Rings/Instruction Begins at this time if a student is not inside their classroom they are marked tardy.

Dismissal Time: Dismissal begins at 3:20pm.

*Parent early dismissals please arrive by 2:30pm.

When is the first day of school?

The first day of school for students is on Thursday, August 13, 2026. For Kinder students please refer to the email sent to you for their daily schedule the first few weeks of school.

Parents may walk students into the building if they would like the first day of school. After the first day we ask that parents say their goodbyes at the front doors if walking and car line when dropping off.

When will my child be able to meet his or her teacher?

Our Meet the Teacher Night is Tuesday, August 11th.

5:00-6:00pm Families with Last Names A-M

6:15-7:15pm Families with Last Names N-Z

How will I know who my child’s teacher is?

At Meet the Teacher Night, PYP Students in Kinder and 4th will meet all teachers of that grade level as they will rotate through all classes to start the year until their homeroom teacher is finalized. All other grade levels will be able to access their homeroom teacher in Powerschool and they will also be posted in the main lobby on Meet the Teacher Night.

Where can I purchase school supplies?

The deadline for ordering school supplies through EPI has passed. You may use the lists provided HERE to locate your child’s grade level list to purchase before school begins.

Where do I drop off my child in the morning?

The drop off car line is through the lane closest to the building at the front loop of the PYP building. Students must exit independently from the right side of the car if being dropped off by car. Should you need extra time please pull to the front spot so not to block the flow of traffic.

Where do I pick up my child during dismissal?

The same line that is used for drop off will be used for dismissal. It will become two lanes at the front of the building and you will see this occur as you go through the line. Ensure to have your car tag visible when going through the car line or when you are at parent pick up. If you do not have your pick up sign, you will have to come to the front office to check out your student.

Am I allowed to volunteer on campus? (must complete one EACH school year)

We LOVE our volunteers! Volunteers may begin coming in on Monday, August 31st. Please ensure to complete a background check if you will be volunteering for the school year. This will cover chaperoning field trips, helping with classroom parties, and volunteering for campus events such as Field Day! One must be completed each year! It is a simple application that should take no more than 5 mins to complete!

How do I locate school lunch information for the cafeteria?

Please click HERE for more information about our school lunch program.

Can I have lunch with my student on campus?

PYP parents may begin coming for lunch Monday, August 31st. Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch. There are designated visitor tables located in the cafeteria. Only the student of the parent/visitor may join them for lunch with one additional student guest. Oftentimes we have grandparents who come for lunch. We ask that they be on the students emergency contact list and have their driver’s license with them or they will not be permitted into the building.

Can my child have their cell phone with them at school?

Cell phones/watches that have two way access must remain in backpacks during the instructional day.

What do I do if my student is ill and will not be attending school?

Please email the classroom teacher and our attendance clerk at attendance@westlakeacademy.org.

Can my child take medication on campus?

If your student is going to be taking medication (daily or as needed meds) at school, please send Nurse Bugarin at nurse@westlakeacademy.org to set up a time to drop off medications or let her know when you will be able to do this so she can have the proper paperwork ready for you to complete. ALL OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS MUST HAVE A PHYSICIAN'S SIGNATURE (even cough drops). Please check that all medications brought to the clinic are not expired.

Is it my child’s birthday? How can we celebrate them while they are at school?

Our classroom teachers do a wonderful job of recognizing our students. If you would like to bring something for your child to share with the class we prefer non-edible treats so that they are allergy friendly. If bringing food please arrange the date with your child’s classroom teacher so they are aware and can notify you of any classroom specific needs.

What if I need to pick up my student from school early?

If you plan on picking up your student early please do so before 2:30pm. We will not call any students out of instruction for dismissal until the person picking up is in the office.

How can I get involved with the House of Commons (WA-PTA)?

ALL ARE WELCOME! You can learn about our PTA HERE.

How will I be notified of my students progress reports, announcements for Field Trips or updates for their class?

Please ensure to download the Toddle Family App. This will be a tool to locate and find information your child’s teacher will post about what’s happening in class, assignment information as well as where progress reports will be released each nine weeks.

What do I do if my child misplaces or loses an item?

We have a “Lost and Found” bins near the nurse clinic. Our staff will bring any lost items there. You are welcome to check the lost and found if you come up and sign in at the office.

How can I pay for field trips, pizza and ice cream days, technology fees and things of this nature?

Please locate directions HERE on how to log into PowerSchool and be directed to our payment site.

How will I hear about information related to Westlake Academy?

- Our campus website is a great source of information:https://www.westlakeacademy.org/

-Follow us on our Facebook Page “Westlake Academy IB Charter School”

-You will receive a monthly PYP Instructional Newsletter on the last Friday of each month. For your convenience, you may bookmark this site to refer to regularly.

Summer Learning Opportunities

Summer is a time to rest, explore, and make lasting memories - but it's also a wonderful opportunity to keep young minds engaged. Our optional Summer Learning resources are designed to help students maintain important reading, writing, and math skills while fostering curiosity and a love of learning. Activities are flexible, age-appropriate, and intended to be completed at your family's pace. Whether it's reading a favorite book, practicing math through games, or exploring new interests, even a few minutes of learning each week can help students return to school feeling confident and ready for the year ahead. We encourage families to find a healthy balance between learning, play, outdoor activities, and quality time together.

Link to optional Summer Learning Guide

Thoughtful Technology Integration

As a one-to-one campus, every student is assigned an iPad to support learning. In the Primary Years Programme (PYP), iPads remain in the classroom and are used intentionally to enhance instruction, provide access to digital learning platforms, and help students develop the technology skills needed for assessments and future learning.

At Westlake Academy, we believe technology is a tool—not the focus of learning. We are intentional about balancing digital experiences with hands-on exploration, collaborative learning, creative play, reading, writing, and meaningful face-to-face interactions. Screen time is carefully monitored and kept within age-appropriate guidelines, ensuring that technology enhances learning while supporting the healthy development of our youngest learners.