Westfield Arrow

We hope everyone had a wonderful Winter Break! It was great to see all of our students back in the building this week after the holidays and we enjoyed hearing about their unique experiences.

Winter Weather

We appreciate everyone's patience with bus routes on days that weather and traffic affect the road conditions. We will update parents & guardians as soon as we are notified by the bus company of an extended delay with a specific bus route.

Please assist us in reminding your child to wear appropriate winter clothing to match the temperatures. This is especially important for students who are waiting at bus stops or walking to and from school.

For weather related school closings, please be sure to check the District 13 website at www.sd13.org for any announcements. District 13 will also send out an email to all parents and guardians in the event of a school closing. The decision to close schools for weather related circumstances typically is made around 6:00am on school days.

Parent University

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Parent University on Artificial Intelligence (AI) originally scheduled for January 7th has been rescheduled. The virtual event will now take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

Registration for the original event will automatically transfer, and a Google Meet link will be shared closer to the new date. To accommodate those who could not attend on January 7th, registration has been reopened. Please see the event flyer below for more details and registration information.

Winter MAP Testing on January 22nd & 23rd

• Dates: Wednesday, January 22nd & Thursday, January 23rd
• Testing on both days will take place in the morning between 8:30am and 11:35am.
• Lunch (period 5) remains at the same time, 11:38 - 12:22.
• Afternoon classes on 1/22 will run 1, 2, 3 & 4.
• Afternoon classes on 1/23 will run the normal line-up of 6, 7, 8 & 9
• Information from NWEA MAP that you may find useful: Family FAQ & MAP Growth Fact Sheet

Teachers will provide students with specific details regarding the testing format, times, breaks and locations. If possible, please avoid student absences on testing days. Thank you!

8th Grade Parents - Mark Your Calendar!

Wednesday, January 15th is the Class of 2029: Plan Your Path Night at 6:00pm at Lake Park, East Campus. In addition, counselors from Lake Park will be visiting with our 8th graders on January 17th to review the course selection process and elective options for freshman year.

Thanks again to our School Counselor, Ms. Fenton, who visited with all 8th graders through their Social Studies classes to provide our students with a preview of the high school transition process, the course options available to 9th graders, and to answer questions. It is our hope that Ms. Fenton's presentation not only helped inform our students, but also sparked some questions that students can ask during their visit with the counselors from Lake Park.

Get Ready for the Westfield Talent Show!

Any Westfield student interested in performing in the Talent Show on February 26th, please click this link TALENT SHOW INFO AND PERMISSION SLIP for information on auditions, rehearsals, and to sign-up! Please reach out to Mrs. Marler with any questions at yvonnemarler@sd13.org

Looking ahead

Noon Dismissal for Students on Friday, January 17th and No School on Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Stefan Larsson

Principal

Amanda Vreeland

Assistant Principal

• JANUARY 13 PTO Meeting 4:00PM
• JANUARY 15 8th Grade Plan Your Path Night at LP East 6:00pm
• JANUARY 17 12:00pm Dismissal (no lunch)
• JANUARY 20 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
• JANUARY 21 Begin Quarter 3 - check Explore schedule
• JANUARY 22-23 Winter MAP Testing

The academic teams will be updating the links weekly during the school year with news and any upcoming information.

• 6th GRADE TEAM
• 7th GRADE TEAM
• 8th GRADE TEAM
• EXPLORE TEAM (grades 6, 7, 8)
• P.E. TEAM (grades 6, 7, 8)
• WF SPECIALISTS (grades 6, 7, 8)
• BAND NEWSLETTER

Each week the staff recognizes students for demonstrating outstanding character based on attitudes or actions that follow the Character Counts! Pillars and our WARRIORS Mission and Vision:

''We are W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. Our mission and vision for the future are for all staff and students to be Welcoming, Ambitious, Respectful, Responsible, Innovative, Optimistic, Reflective, and Successful."

The Technology Department is excited to invite Westfield students to join the new Student Technology Team. The Student Technology Team will begin meeting in March during Warrior Time with additional opportunities before and after school.

Opportunities for participants may include:

• Helping the Technology Department make basic chromebook repairs
• Testing new technology that we’re considering deploying
• Making recommendations about improving technology at school
• Helping teachers with classroom technology problems
• Designing and presenting technology lessons for students at DuJardin and Erickson

If you're interested, please use this link to apply: https://forms.gle/yDYFLKeC1NNLL9H39

Any Westfield Student who would like to perform in the Talent Show, please click the link for all the info. There will be auditions for approval, a dress rehearsal, and you're on! The show will happen on February 26th at 6:30pm.

TALENT SHOW INFO AND PERMISSION SLIP

Questions? Email Mrs. Marler yvonnemarler@sd13.org

Are you interested in joining the Westfield Choir? Now is the perfect time to join as we begin to prepare new music for our spring concert. Rehearsals take place on Monday and Wednesday mornings beginning at 7:30 am in the commons. Email Mrs. Krzysiak for more information….. kkrzysiak@sd13.org. We hope to see you at our next rehearsal.

If a student needs Chromebook/Password/Repair/Loaner assistance from the Technology Department, the student must use the link below to request support:

Technology Support TICKET

Yearbooks will be delivered to Westfield in May 2025.

If a passcode is requested: 1014041382501890

ORDER YEARBOOK WITH TREE RING

As a reminder, absences may be considered excused for reasons of 1) personal illness/Dr. appointment/mental health, 2) bereavement, 3) family emergencies, 4) observance of religious holidays, and 5) request in writing, approved in advance by the administration. Please, use the Westfield Attendance Email: wfattendance@sd13.org, or call the Office 630-529-6211-both available 24/7 to report an absence or late arrival. Thank you!

ISBE ABSENTEEISM AND TRUANCY POLICY

This session is an educational opportunity to learn about AI tools and their implications, designed to inform and empower our community with knowledge about this rapidly evolving technology. Please note that this webinar is not a promotion of AI tools nor a statement of practices or policies by any of the sponsoring school districts. Instead, it is an informational session to help participants better understand AI’s role in education and daily life. We look forward to connecting with you on January 30th for this engaging and informative discussion.

This Parent University is sponsored in partnership with the Lake Park Elementary Feeder Districts and Lake Park High School.

ALMA: is used to register students, contains attendance information, grades and progress reports. ALL families have login information for ALMA.

Please utilize this site to view grades, attendance, and for trimester and quarterly progress.

CLICK HERE for Alma Parent Login Instructions at westfield.getalma.com

Hot Lunch needs you! Please sign-up using the link below -- even if you can only offer occasional assistance! Westfield hot lunch happens Wednesdays-Thursdays-Fridays 11:38am-12:22pm.

It's easy, it's quick, plus, you get to see your middle schooler in action!

CLICK HERE to volunteer for hot lunch

On October 30, 2024, the Illinois State Board of Education released the 2024 Illinois Report Card for schools. Westfield received a summative designation of Exemplary for the third year in a row! We would like to congratulate everyone in the Westfield Community, including our students, staff, and parents.

The Exemplary rating is given to schools performing in the top 10% of schools statewide, with no underperforming student groups. Schools are rated on a number of factors, including student scores on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in both ELA & Math, the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA), and the school environment. We are extremely proud of the students and staff at Westfield!

Procedures regarding spectators at Home and Away events.

• Home Games for Basketball and Volleyball this school year will be played in our East Gym (also known as our New Gym or Park District Gym), located in the back of the building. Please enter through Door 20. Spectator seating will be available along the bleacher side of the Gym and restrooms will be available just outside of the gym in our 6th Grade hallway.

• Family members of student athletes are always welcome to attend our athletic competitions, both at Home and Away.

• Westfield students who choose to stay to watch a Home Game after-school must remain in the gym for the duration of their stay. Once a student decides to leave the building, they will not be allowed re-entry to Westfield without a parent or guardian present.

• Westfield students who wish to attend an Away Game at Medinah, Peacock, Roselle, Spring Wood, or Wood Dale, must be accompanied by an adult.

• Spectators are expected to treat all visitors, players, coaches, referees, and staff with respect at all times. No profanity or inappropriate language will be tolerated. Visitors who are unable to follow School District 13 policies will be asked to leave and may risk losing the privilege to attend future events at the school. We encourage all visitors to immediately report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest staff member.

Your child can take IXL with them anywhere with the IXL app for tablets and smartphones! This app is tailor-made for mobile devices to create a fun and immersive experience that learners love.

OTUS: is our District's Data Warehouse (https://my.otus.com/login).This site contains historical (K-8) data and current student assessment data: MAP data, IAR data and CoGat data. Please review this OTUS PARENT LETTER to learn more about accessing your child's information in OTUS. If you are a returning student, you created an OTUS account last year and can view the assessment data.

If you have not paid your 2024-2025 school fees, please sign onto My School Bucks to pay your fees. Detailed instructions to create your account can be found here.

In order to be notified when fees are posted to your student(s) account, you must have an account set up with a valid email address. Payments are due by September 1st of each year.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Please sign into My School Bucks ,then, create an account and attach your student(s).

2. Click on the 'Person Icon' in the upper right hand corner

3. In the drop down that appears, select 'My Students.'
4. On the My Students page, click the blue 'Add Student' button.

>> Once the fees are posted to your student(s) account(s), you will receive an email notification from My School Bucks. If you have not received an email, this means the fees were probably posted prior to you creating an account.

Westfield Families:

• Along with the registration fee, 8th-grade students will have their graduation fee applied to their account.
• Sixth-grade students will have their lock fee applied to their account.

MY SCHOOL BUCKS INSTRUCTIONS

Fee Waiver Application

STEP 1: Download the FirstView ® ParentView App. Go to firstviewapp.com or find FirstView ® in the App Store or Google Play. Follow the instructions to download the app to your smartphone. *You can also access the ParentView in your browser at https://web.firstviewapp.com/login

STEP 2: Set Up Your Profile. Open the FirstView ® app from your home screen and begin the registration process. You’ll be asked to: a) Select State: Illinois b) Select District: D11-12-13-108 c) Enter Student ID You’ll then be prompted to REGISTER*.

STEP 3: Follow a Stop. Once you have confirmed your account, login and select Profile to “Add A Student”. This is specific to your student: 1) Enter Student ID 2) Security Code. Once you select “Done”, you will be able to see stop information in your Profile. The Scheduled Stop times will also appear on your FirstView ® Map. You may track multiple student’s stops.

STEP 4: Set Notifications Go to Settings and select “Notification Recipients” to add email notifications for up to 3 recipients, including yourself. From this screen, you can also edit your Profile or follow another student’s stop. Alerts and notifications from your district or the bus depot will appear under Notifications in the menu.

Dressing Warmly

• Layer Up: When it’s cold, wearing layers of clothes is smart. Start with a shirt, add a warm layer, and then wear a coat that blocks the wind and snow.
• Hat and Gloves: Students can keep their heads and hands warm with a hat, gloves, or mittens. They help keep the body heat in.
• Keep Feet Warm: Wear warm, waterproof boots to keep both feet cozy and dry. Boots with good grips protect against slipping on icy surfaces.

Preventing Frostbite (Frostbite is when the skin and tissues freeze.)

• Stay Dry: Wet clothes and skin can make frostbite worse. Ensure the outside layer is waterproof, and refrain from sitting or standing in snow or puddles for too long.
• Keep Moving: Moving around generates body heat, so try not to stay still for too long when it’s cold outside.
• Watch for Signs: Skin that feels numb or looks pale, waxy, or strange is a sign of frostbite. Finding shelter as soon as possible is the best plan of action.

Safe Winter Activities

• Ice Skating and Sledding: Ensure the area for skating and sledding is safe and that there are adults around to help if needed.
• Walking Safely: Be careful when walking to school or around the neighborhood. Look out for icy sidewalks and streets. Take small steps, walk slowly, and hold onto handrails if available.

Getting Ready for Emergencies

• Emergency Kit: A small kit in a backpack or locker is a good idea. A kit can include things like a flashlight, extra clothes, hand warmers, snacks, and a fully charged cell phone.
• Stay Informed: Pay attention to the weather forecast, school announcements, and emergency alerts. Knowing what the weather is like and following safety advice from schools or local authorities is essential.

• Please note that all PE excuses need to be sent to Mrs. Rider, Westfield's nurse, not the PE teacher. Mrs. Rider will communicate with the PE Department.
• A parent may excuse a student from PE for 3 days. Thereafter, a medical doctor's note is required.
• Extended PE absences require updated MD notes on a monthly basis.

To ALL 7th and 8th GRADE PARENTS re: SPORTS PHYSICAL:

A current, sports-physical exam is required if your 7th or 8th grade student wishes to participate on Westfield, after-school, sports teams -- BEFORE their sport season starts and in time for tryouts. (6th graders already have mandated forms submitted.)

[SPORTS: Cross Country/Basketball/Cheer/Poms/Volleyball/Track & Field]

SPORTS PHYSICAL FORM

Questions? Email Westfield's Nurse: dawnrider@sd13.org

• The district's medication administration policy mandates that all medication administered at school requires a Medical Doctor's order. This includes over-the-counter medications; students may NOT keep over-the-counter meds in their backpacks or in their lockers--including cough drops, Advil, etc. This is an important safety concern!
• If your incoming 6th grader requires an inhaler, Epi-Pen, or any oral medication, please obtain the medication form and appropriate health care plan from your physician when your child has their exam. Forms may also be obtained on the district website.
• Questions? Please contact Mrs. Rider, Westfield Nurse at dawnrider@sd13.org

1. DOCTOR MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM
2. PARENT AUTHORIZATION

The DuPage County Health Department MEDICAL ALERT & FACT SHEET

HEALTH RESOURCE INFORMATION FROM THE CDC

> > ALREADY HAVE A WESTFIELD HOT LUNCH ACCOUNT? CORRECT YOUR STUDENT'S GRADE!

Please remember to update your student's ordering profile here! This information ensures accurate distribution of your student's lunch for the 2024-25 school year.

> > NEW TO WESTFIELD HOT LUNCH?

1. Go to www.wholesomefoodservices.com; select 'Sign Up'

2. Click 'Create Account' and set up a profile for each student by selecting 'Add New Profile' under the 'Profiles' tab

3. Select School name; select 'Order Now' to view menus and place orders

4. Enter your credit/debit card information to pay securely online

ORDER HOT LUNCH HERE

Westfield Parents and Guardians! Sign up to volunteer for the school year 2024-2025:

• Committee Chairpersons still needed: Hot Lunch, Parties/Dances, Teacher Appreciation, Spirit Wear, Social Media, Box Tops
• Questions? Email westfieldmpto@gmail.com for information.

• President: Cynthia Perez
• Vice-President: Melissa Graham
• Treasurer: Agata Rojba
• Secretary: Kavita Maharaj
• Westfield PTO Email: westfieldmpto@gmail.com

Benefits of your $20 membership for all students:

(Please, pay with MySchoolBucks) MEMBERSHIP FORM

• All-School parties and dances
• Classroom 'wish' lists
• Teacher appreciation
• Scholarships
• Field Trips
• Student awards

Westfield Middle School collects Box Tops for Education™.

All you need is your phone!

• Download the Box Tops app
• Use the app to scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase
• The app will identify Box Tops products on your receipt and automatically credit your school’s earnings online

Twice a year, Westfield will receive a check for whatever the school needs!

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact the PTO at westfieldmpto@gmail.com Thanks for your support!!

School Day Hours: 8:30am- 3:30pm.

Students are guided into the building by staff between 8:10 - 8:20am and are expected to be seated in their 1st period class at 8:30am. All classes are 44 min with a 3 min passing period. Lunchtime, Flextime, & Study Hall for all grades are between 11:38 - 12:22pm. Students will be dismissed from school at 3:30pm. All students attend the following courses: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, & Exploratory.

ATTENDANCE EMAIL FOR LATE OR ABSENT STUDENTS: wfattendance@sd13.org

• Standards & Expectations for Student Behavior
• Westfield Student Handbook

• Social Worker, Sheila Zagotta (szagotta@sd13.org)

• School Counselor, Lindsay Fenton (Lfenton@sd13.org)

The Bloomingdale School District has a Virtual Backpack that is filled with flyers and information from District 13 and various organizations located throughout Bloomingdale.

Please click on the link if you are also interested in activities or information from outside organizations.

DISTRICT 13 AND COMMUNITY VIRTUAL BACKPACK FLYERS

We are W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S.

Website: sd13.org > Schools > Westfield Middle School

Location: 149 Fairfield Way, Bloomingdale, IL 60108

Phone: 630-529-6211 Fax: 630-893-9336

We are working with students to create "How-To" Videos to support students and parents. Below are some of the topics we have videos for so far. We will continue to cover different topics as they come up. (*If the video is not linked here it is in the process of being made and edited, but we wanted you to know it is coming!)

Gmail:

• How to delete all email (6th grade)
• How to appropriately write an email
  
• You can only email other sd13.org email addresses
• Creating Bookmarks
• Starring and snoozing Emails

Google Classroom:

• How to Join Classroom(with Code)
• How to Join with Teacher Invite
• Check Stream and classwork page
  
• How to Turn in assignments

FlipGrid:

• Accessing
• Creating
• Responding/Replying

Chromebook:

• Pinning Apps to Chromebook Shelf

• How to set up Google Classroom email summaries for Parents and Guardians