West is committed to making sure all of our students learn and achieve. 
To do that, we set goals for instruction and progress. 
That is critical to success.  It is also critical that children learn to set goals for themselves, too. 
It helps them to learn responsibility and how to break tasks into manageable steps, how to work with others,
and how to decide what is realistic and what is not. 
The following tips are offered by Susan Bosak on how to help your child learn to set goals.

v      Have your child identify a goal and what steps need to be taken to achieve it.

v      Create an education contract that your child signs that deals with items such as listening better in class, double-checking homework or studying early for a test.

v      Help them create a “better me” list.  Things they can do on a regular basis to improve themselves, like reading a new book or helping siblings with homework.

v      Make a dream chest to motivate them.  Have children fill it with articles, images, cartoons and quotations that inspire or interest them and relate to their dreams and goals.

v      Make “to do” list and prioritize them.

v      Teach them how to take small steps in time you have available.  Set rewards for them if they take a small step.

v      Focus on being positive.  Realize that everything we plan doesn’t always turn out, but feel good about what has been accomplished.

                       Nancy Brletic