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Welcome to West Central Elementary School
By Mrs. Kathy Lafary
Welcome to West Central Elementary School, home to approximately 375 Pre-K through 5th grade students. We have a very dedicated staff that puts the needs of our students first, while upholding our mission statement, “Providing Opportunities, Expecting Excellence.”
Our elementary building promotes positive social/emotional supports, including the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. We do so by recognizing those students who are following the rules and meeting the expectations set forth by the faculty and staff. “HEAT” points can be earned for their “Families” in the classroom, hallway, lunchroom, or even on the bus. It is a great way to encourage good behavior among our students, while working towards our goal of promoting healthy mental, social, and emotional growth for all of our students. We strive to encourage empathetic and caring individuals who are supportive of one another. Our students benefit from lessons within the Second Step curriculum that addresses the Social/Emotional Standards.
Security is an ongoing concern everywhere. Here at West Central, we continue to work towards ensuring the safety of all students and staff members. We have installed a buzzer system on all main entrances. The doors will remain locked throughout the day and visitors will be monitored closely. Visitors will be allowed inside the building after proper clearance from the school staff. It is important that you continue to follow the procedure of signing in at the elementary office where the office staff will be happy to assist you. Additionally, we have installed security cameras in the hallways and parking lots for monitoring purposes.
The elementary teachers participate in weekly team meetings. During these sessions, they share curriculum ideas to assist one another in teaching those key ideas that have been identified at each grade level that need to be mastered by all students. These skills are referred to as essential skills and have been aligned to the Illinois State Standards. We understand that all students learn at different rates and various needs have to be met. Here at WCES, we provide a rigorous curriculum with several support programs in place. These not only challenge but also assist individuals as needed while teaching these standards. The WCES staff continues to implement a math curriculum called enVision Mathematics 2020 Common Core. It challenges their thinking and problem solving abilities. The elementary staff continues to learn more about the Science of Reading. Several staff members have participated in the Orton-Gillingham training. This is a highly structured approach that breaks reading and spelling into smaller skills involving letters and sounds that are built upon over time. It is characterized by a multisensory approach that uses sight, hearing, touch, and movement to help students learn. Additional materials are used at the other grade levels to teach the Learning Standards.
West Central Elementary School likes to recognize students for a job well done. Character Awards are given throughout the year. We encourage positive phone calls home to highlight the successes of our students and individuals can work towards end of the year awards in physical fitness, Accelerated Reader, IXL, and Enrichment. Various individual and team opportunities surface throughout the school year. Our students are very fortunate to be able to participate in the fine arts throughout the week. They have physical education daily. In addition, we offer both music and art on a weekly basis. We feel that our students benefit greatly from these opportunities and we strive to encourage well-balanced, life-long learners.
Here at West Central Elementary School, we understand how important a role the parents play in their child’s education. Communication is a key component. In addition to the monthly menus, a parent bulletin called the “Heat Hub” will be sent home with your child. The teachers will be making regular contacts with you and parents are able to keep informed of classroom activities through online platforms such as Google Classroom, Seesaw and Remind. Another great way to keep informed is to access the Skyward program. As a parent, you are able to view your child’s grades, missing assignments, attendance, and lunch account balances. Parents may also get involved by attending PTC meetings. This organization is made up of parents and teachers who work together to raise money and coordinate activities for the students. Furthermore, messages will be sent out via the Finalsite Connect system. You can select various options such as phone calls, text messages, and email notifications. Be sure to join our West Central Elementary School Facebook page!
West Central Elementary School aims for academic excellence while meeting the needs of individual students. Every staff member looks forward to working with you and your child throughout the year. It is my pleasure to serve as principal of WCES and to work collaboratively to create amazing opportunities for your child. Together, we can foster a community in which all students reach their highest potential.
In Partnership,
Mrs. Kathy Lafary
Elementary School Supply List
2026-2027 School Year
Kindergarten Scissors (Fiskar/round edge) #2 Pencils (Ticonderoga) 1 Plastic Folder 4 Dry Erase Markers 2 Boxes of Regular Crayons Plastic pencil box (NO POUCHES) 4 Large Glue Sticks Eraser Watercolor Paints . . . read more
West Central CUSD #235 School Improvement Plans
Elementary School 2022-2023 School Improvement Plan Elementary School 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan Elementary School 2024-2025 School Improvement Plan Elementary School 2025-2026 School Improvement Plan . . . read more
WCES Heat Hub
Below is a link to West Central Elementary School's monthly newsletter. Within this newsletter is some information you may find valuable as well as some important dates! Please click on each link to access the . . . read more
Accelerated Reader (AR) at Home
Accelerated Reader At Home ( West Central Elementary School only) Accelerated reader is a comprehension and vocabulary based computer program that tests the children’s knowledge of books read. Your child picks a book at . . . read more
WC235 Staff "You Are Awesome" Awards
Want to learn more about the faculty and staff at West Central CUSD #235? Using the link below you can learn more about each staff member, find staff wish lists and nominate any staff member for a "You are Awesome" . . . read more
The Heatwave - Spring 2026 Edition
2025-2026 School Year
Welcome to the Spring 2026 Edition of the Heatwave! This issue highlights the incredible achievements and community spirit of West Central, featuring our students' 1,100+ cereal box donation drive, the progress of our community . . . read more
WCES Summer Reading Postcards Submission
2025-2026 School Year
West Central Elementary Families, Please use the link below to submit your child’s Summer Reading Postcard. Include their first & last name and their grade level for the 2026-2027 school year. Thanks! . . . read more
5th Grade Kindness Club
2025-2026 School Year
The 5th-grade Kindness Club at West Central Elementary School recently completed a meaningful community service project at the Henderson County Health Department. Under the expert organization and guidance of Mrs. Sharon Graham, the . . . read more
March Book Madness 2026
2025-2026 School Year
And the winners are... For West Central Elementary School’s 2026 March Book Madness nonfiction winner, we have Clyde: The True Story of a White Alligator by Emma Smith! And the fiction winner was Negative Cat by Sophie . . . read more
Spring Concerts 2026
2025-2026 School Year
Join us for West Central CUSD #235's spring concerts! Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade = Monday, May 4th @ 6:30 PM 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade = Tuesday, May 5th @ 6:30 PM Middle School, High School = Tuesday, . . . read more
Special Olympics - Spring Games 2026
2025-2026 School Year
On Sunday, April 26th several of our students participated in the Special Olympics Spring Track meet in Galesburg. Here are the results: Elli Majors: 50m Run- 27.56sec- 1st place Elli Majors: Tennis Ball Throw-2.3m-1st place . . . read more
4th/5th Grade Student & Guest Program
2025-2026 School Year
What do detritivores eat? Which animals use camouflage to fool prey and predators? These questions and many others were answered by 4th and 5th grade students and their guests at West Central Elementary’s recent program on February 9, . . . read more
World Read Aloud Day 2026
2025-2026 School Year
On Wednesday, February 3, 2026, West Central Elementary students celebrated World Read Aloud Day with two terrific guest readers from the Henderson County Public Library. Hen-Co’s new library director, Stacy Merry, along with . . . read more
WCES Playground Project
2025-2026 School Year
🔴🔵⚪️West Central PTC is over halfway to their goal of a new elementary playground! ⚪️🔵🔴 Do you want to honor a student, remember a loved one or promote your business in this new space? We have two sponsorship options for you! . . . read more
Whooping Cough Letter to Families
2025-2026 School Year
Dear West Central Families: As you are aware, we have had numerous cases of Influenza A, Influenza B, COVID, Strep Throat and the Common Cold throughout the District. Earlier today we were made aware of a positive case of pertussis . . . read more
Family Reading Week (Follow-Up)
2025-2026 School Year
Students at West Central were Rocking and Rolling and Reading! 75 students and their families took part in Family Reading Week this year. Families shared a book together and sent back a quick form to earn a free book. Student . . . read more
The Heatwave - Fall 2025 Edition
2025-2026 School Year
Hello West Central Community! Welcome to the 2025 Fall Edition of the Heat Wave! We hope you take a few minutes to read this magazine to learn more about all of the great things that are happening at West Central. We know that for many . . . read more
Winter Music Concerts
2025-2026 School Year
Join us for West Central CUSD #235's winter concerts! Middle School, High School = Sunday, December 7th @ 3:00 PM Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade = Monday, December 8th @ 6:30 PM 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade . . . read more
WCES Family Reading Week 2025
2025-2026 School Year
Family Reading Week 2025 will be November 17th-21st. Families, be on the lookout next week for the Family Reading Week 2025 form. Share a story together, have your student fill out the form, have fun coloring the pictures, and . . . read more
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Fall 2025
2025-2026 School Year
West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Parent-Teacher Conferences for the Fall of 2025 are scheduled for Thursday, October 23rd from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. and Friday, October 24th from 8:00 a.m. - noon. To schedule conferences, we ask . . . read more
Registration
2025-2026 School Year
Online registration for the 2025-2026 school year will open in Skyward* on Tuesday, July 22nd. If you have a student returning to the district you will be able to complete the online registration process between July 22nd and . . . read more
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Spring
2025-2026 School Year
West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Parent-Teacher Conferences for the Spring of 2025 are scheduled for Thursday, March 19th from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. and Friday, March 20th from 8:00 a.m. - noon. Parent/Teacher Conferences will . . . read more
Illinois Youth Survey (8th, 10th, 12th Graders)
2025-2026 School Year
During the Spring of the 2025-2026 school year, schools throughout the State of Illinois will have the opportunity to administer the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) with students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades. What is the Illinois . . . read more
5Essentials Survey - Parent Survey
2025-2026 School Year
To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the statewide . . . read more
KG/1st Grade Parent Program 2023
West Central Elementary had their first Parent Program on October 2nd during the late start Monday schedule for kindergarten and 1st grade students and guests. Both programs highlighted the school Math curriculum and activities, as well as . . . read more
West Central Elementary1514 US Route 34Biggsville, IL 61418
(309) 627-2339
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