Talk of the Hawks

Recently our district began using a new and improved spam filter for our school email system. While this is helping to better protect our staff from harmful emails, it has inadvertently caused some communication disruptions with parents and other community members. If you send an email to anyone here at WHI and you don't get a reply within a few days, please consider calling because some parent emails are getting held up in our spam filter and not making it into our inbox. It is not that anyone is ignoring you, we may just not have received your email.

Thank you,

WHI Administration

February 5th @ 7:00 pm -PTO meeting at WHP

February 7th-8th from 4:30 pm-8:30 pm - Book Fair at WHP

February 8th - Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences

February 9th - No School Parent/Teacher Conferences

February 9th from 9:00 am-6:00 pm - Book Fair at WHP

Hello West Hills,

Welcome to February! Maybe by the time you are reading this, the groundhog has made his prediction on the rest of our winter. I love the winter months, so I’m always crossing my fingers for six more weeks! February can be a beautiful month. Get outside, exercise, and enjoy life! I hope everyone has a safe and joyful February.

I had a student approach me since I submitted my last newsletter entry. She said to me, “Mr. Walters, what do I have to do to be a school counselor? You have always helped me, and it has encouraged me to help others the way that you have helped me.” All I could do was exhale and say to myself, “That right there is my purpose.” Now, I certainly am not telling you this story to give myself a “pat on the back.” My point is, that it took a child all of five seconds to make someone feel good inside. To make a positive change. Sometimes we need reminded why we do what we do. It is important for all of us to follow in her direction. How simple and easy it is to put a smile on someone’s face. We all watch the news. We all see the hate and misery in this world. But sometimes we need to look toward our children to show us what kindness really means. Most children don’t have money to buy gifts for others. They show compassion in the simplest forms and children are genuine. Children help make this world so beautiful. It is amazing how impactful young people can be on the adults around them.

I have a challenge for you in February. Take the time today and every day to tell someone how you feel. It doesn’t have to cost you any money or time to make a difference. Tell a friend why they are so important to you. Tell your parents why you love them and thank them for all they do. The possibilities we have to change a life are endless. I know there are many more kind hearts in this world than hurtful. We all just need to do our little part and shine through the hate.

West Hills, I wish nothing but health and happiness throughout the month. Stay safe, continue to work hard in everything you do, and be the best version of you that you can be.

Remember, Always Choose Kindness

Mr. Walters

• Attention 6th Grade Parents: All 6th grade students are required to have the following completed. Please submit documentation to the School Nurse.
• A physical exam
• Tdap and Meningococcal vaccinations

• Attention 5th Grade Parents: It is not too early to start sending in required physical and immunization reports for the next school year.

Meetings: PTO meetings are normally held the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at West Hills Primary. The February meeting will be held on Monday, February 5th.

The West Hills River Hawk Concert Band had their first concert of the year on January 17th at Armstrong High School. It was the annual Band Extravaganza concert where all of the bands in the Armstrong attendance area perform. Our students had an amazing concert and I was super proud of them all.

Now we are working on learning new musical concepts so we can have an outstanding Spring Concert. The Spring concert will take place on April 16th at 7p.m. in the West Hills Intermediate School gym. This concert will feature our West Hills River Hawk Concert Band, West Hills Jazz Band and the West Hills Junior River Hawk Concert Band.

The final performance of the year will be for the Jazz Band only and will take place at Armstrong High School on May 16th at 7:00p.m.

I am excited to see what the kids will become as we continue to move forward to the end of the year concerts.

I hope you will join us for the final 2 concerts of the year.

Mr. C

Happy February! We are excited to announce that the 5th and 6th grade choir have been asked back to sing at the Altoona Curve Minor League Baseball game! Students will be singing the National Anthem and God Bless America at the game on Sunday April 28th at 1:00 pm. Choir students that are participating in the event must provide their own transportation to the Altoona stadium. If you or your family would like discounted tickets to support our choir students, please e-mail Mrs. Bricker at dbricker@asd.k12.pa.us no later than Friday February 9th.

All of our music students will be working with our student teacher Miss Jennifer Struth from IUP this month. We are excited to welcome her to our WHI music classroom!

Finally, please mark your calendars for our spring concert on April 18th, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Armstrong Jr/Sr High School auditorium!

Test anxiety often comes from self-doubt. And it can affect test outcomes. When students don’t think they will succeed, they can’t do their best.

To build your child’s confidence:

• Remove the pressure. Tell your child that tests simply show the teacher what students have learned so far, and what they may need help with.

• Avoid last-minute panic. Your child should begin to study days before the test.

• Teach efficient studying. The focus should be on any material your child has yet to master.

• Encourage positive self-talk. Your child can say things like, “I know this material and I am prepared to do well.”

• Help your child visualize success. With eyes closed, your child should imagine taking the test and knowing all of the answers.

Email: bpetras@asd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://wis.asd.k12.pa.us/
Location: 175 Heritage Park Drive, Kittanning, PA, USA
Phone: (724) 543-1121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/West-Hills-Intermediate-111184674071872