Westwood Junior High

There are just eight short days left in the 2024–2025 school year, and what a year it has been! From the very first day to now, it has been a wonderful time to be a Westwood Wolf. I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished together, and I know we’ll finish this year just as strong as we started.

In this final Wire of the year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate our retiree, Mrs. McFarlin. After 30 years of dedicated service in RISD, she is closing this chapter of her career—and what an impact she has made. Her commitment to both math and special education has left a lasting and positive mark on Westwood. The students she has supported over the years will carry with them the memory of someone who truly believed in them and cared deeply about their success. She will be missed.

As we look ahead to the final days, we still have much to look forward to:

• May 14 – Athletics Fun Day

• May 16 – 8th Grade Dance

• May 19 – NWEA MAP Growth Celebration

• May 20 – Final Exams Begin

• May 21 – Wolf Walks

As a reminder, student participation in these events is tied to good grades and behavior. Please encourage your students to finish the year strong!

To our outgoing 8th graders—you are ready. We are confident in your ability to take on the challenges and opportunities of high school with pride and purpose. You will always be part of the Westwood Wolf pack, and you leave behind a legacy that is both meaningful and cherished.

Thank you, students, teachers, families, and community members for your unwavering support throughout the year. It is because of your partnership that Westwood continues to thrive.

Sincerely,

Katie Mottram

Principal

kathryn.mottram@risd.org

• May 12-16: 8th Grade Spirit Week
• May 13: Band and Orchestra Concert at 6 PM @ RHS Auditorium
• May 14: 6th Grade Band Spring Concert at 6 PM
• May 15: Choir Spring Concert at 6 PM
• May 16: 8th Grade Dance at 6 PM
• May 20-23: Spring Semester Exams
• May 21: Wolf Walks

There is a dangerous trend on TikTok where students intentionally damage district-issued laptops by inserting items like paper clips or foil into ports to cause electrical shorts. This can lead to fires or explosions and poses a serious safety risk.

Engaging in this behavior may result in disciplinary action, potential criminal charges, and financial liability for damages.

Please talk to your child about the dangers of this trend and check their device for any signs of tampering. We appreciate your help in keeping our students and schools safe.

Last week, we rolled out the red carpet for our amazing teachers with a fun movie-themed celebration! From classroom stars to behind-the-scenes heroes, we’re recognizing all the hard work, creativity, and care our teachers bring to their students each day.

Our cafeteria staff are true heroes who nourish our students with healthy meals and warm smiles. We took time this week to say a big THANK YOU for all they do to keep our kids fueled and ready to learn!

A special shoutout to our compassionate and dedicated school nurse! From bumps and bruises to kind words and care, our nurse keeps our students safe and supported every day.

We’re thrilled to share that our recent Howlight Awards Ceremony was a wonderful success! This special event gave us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our students.

Our amazing future 7th graders in the 6th Grade Orchestra truly impressed at the Eagle Fest Performance!

They earned top 1 ratings from the judges, who praised their musicality with comments like:

"The only 6th grade ensemble that has played with dynamics"
"Impressive rhythm"
"I really like how you give each piece its own musical style"
"Very good balance"

These students have come such a long way—starting at Level 0 in August and finishing the year with a trophy in May! Thank you for supporting these awesome kids. When given opportunities, they can do awesome things.

Our talented choir students recently participated in the Superior Music Festival at Hawaiian Waters—and they did a phenomenal job! After their outstanding performance, students celebrated with some well-deserved fun at the waterpark, making memories both on and off the stage.

A huge thank you to Coach Shelmon, Coach Robison, Coach Schroeder and Coach Beahm for their dedication and hard work in supporting our athletes!

Soccer:

• 7th Grade Boys: The team won their first playoff game against West on a rainy night at Berkner! Although they faced a tough loss in overtime to Forest Meadow, their determination shone through.

• 8th Grade Boys: The boys experienced a heartbreaker on Friday afternoon. They bounced back to secure a victory in the consolation bracket on Saturday and claimed the title of RISD 2025 Soccer Consolation Champions.

• 7th Grade Girls: The team defeated Apollo JH and Lake Highlands MS on Saturday and claimed the title of RISD 2025 Soccer Consolation Champions.

• 8th Grade Girls: The girls achieved victories against Liberty and Forest Meadow on Saturday and claimed the title of RISD 2025 Soccer Consolation Champions.

On Saturday, Coach Neese was celebrated at the PROM 2025 hosted by the Richardson ISD Foundation. She was selected as the Secondary STARS Teacher representing the Richardson Learning Community! It was a special evening celebrating her incredible impact.

We’re thrilled to highlight the incredible mural recently completed by our NJHS students under the thoughtful guidance of Ms. Pearce. This mural is not only a beautiful piece of art but also a powerful symbol of student leadership and community spirit. Bravo to everyone involved!

Your time and thoughtful participation are appreciated, and help RISD make decisions to best serve all students.

Richardson ISD is in the early stages of planning for a potential construction project at Westwood Junior High to increase capacity at the campus. This construction project is part of RISD’s plan to transform all remaining junior highs into middle schools. To obtain stakeholder input on the Westwood Middle School project, Richardson ISD formed a Program Planning Committee (PPC). The Westwood MS PPC is comprised of Westwood JH administrators, staff, community members, and other district personnel. We are in the middle of this exciting endeavor and more information is available on the Westwoodl JH website at: https://schools.risd.org/WestwoodJH/construction-planning/

Since Westwood is located in the City of Dallas, the planning process for this project includes working with the City of Dallas to change the planned development amendment for Westwood Middle School. Please note that the City of Dallas has lengthy processes and we are wanting to give you all an advanced notice - we are still very early in design for this campus. As an HOA member or neighbor who resides in proximity to the school, you may receive an early notice from the City of Dallas regarding this zoning case. RISD has scheduled an informational meeting at 7:00pm on Monday, May 19, 2025. The meeting will be held at the Westwood Junior High library. We look forward to seeing you there as we go through this exciting process and design the new Westwood Middle School!

The UIL and RISD require that student athletes receive a physical examination prior to participation in any sport. The RISD offers low cost physical exams for junior high students each spring. This includes current 6th graders who will be participating in athletics next year. These are basic physical exams that meet the requirements set forth by the UIL. If parents wish, they may take their children to their own physician. However, the doctor must complete the UIL physical form. If you did not receive a physical form, one may be picked up at any junior high, middles school, high school, or downloaded from the UIL website: http://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/forms and select “Athletic and Marching Band pre-participation physical evaluation form” under the Medical Forms.

https://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/PrePhysFormRvsd2024.pdf

The following schedule for physical examinations has been set up through local doctors and will be given at the RISD Support Center. Due to the large fluctuation in numbers of athletes each year, a short wait may be necessary. Examinations are available for both boys and girls. Students should wear shorts, T-shirt and tennis shoes. If parents are unable to attend with their child, students must bring permission letter with parent signatures. The Head Coach (or his/her designee) will be present at the time the physicals are given to assist the clinic staff. Please have the front page of the physical form (Medical History) filled out prior to arriving for your physical.

If you have any questions regarding physicals, please email Jessica Nelson, (Athletic Trainer at LHHS) at jessica.nelson@risd.org. If necessary, she may be reached at 469-593-1088. Jessica will be at the RISD Support Center on the exam date, therefore if you have questions, please contact her before May 16th. There will be nobody available to answer questions in her office on the exam date.

When:Saturday, May 17, 2025

Where:RISD Support Center 900 S. Greenville Ave. Richardson, Texas 75081

Cost: $20.00 per physical - No checks Only cash or money order will be accepted.

Richardson Attendance Area 9:45-10:30 AM

All student library books were due Friday, May 9th! Please check with your child and ask if they have turned their books in!

Want to support the library? Check out our Amazon Wishlist of items we need to pull off these library events. Thank you so much to those who have already granted some of our wishes!

Thanks so much for your support!

We have met 65% of our fundraising goal and need your financial support to get to the finish line. Your donations allow all the fun things for our students and staff – parties and treats for our teachers, quarterly student award gifts, teacher of the month awards, school dances (PAR-TAY!), and the end of school luncheon for teachers, we would greatly appreciate it. Donate online here.

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming 2025 Community STEM Day at Collins Aerospace! This is your chance to join us for an engaging, fun-filled day dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Event Overview:

• Who: K-12 future scientists and engineers

• What: Hands-on activities, interactive booths, and the opportunity to meet real engineers!

• Where: Collins Aerospace, 3200 E. Renner Rd. (Outside in the north parking lot)

• When: Friday, June 6, from 3-6 PM

What to Expect:

• Hands-on STEM activities

• Interactive booths

• Exciting giveaways

• Meet-and-greets with real Collins Aerospace engineers

This FREE, in-person, outdoor event is designed to inspire and engage individuals of all ages in the wonders of STEM. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore, learn, and have fun!

How to Participate:

• Save the Date: Mark your calendars for June 6!

• Register: Please register at the Eventbrite link to help us plan for activities and giveaways.

This family-friendly event is all about creativity, curiosity, and connection. It offers students and families an inside look at the amazing world of STEM through play, exploration, and real-world innovation. Whether you’re dreaming of building rockets, designing robots, or simply curious about how things work, there’s something here for everyone!

We look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Zaire Silvia.

#STEMDay2025 #CommunitySTEMDay #CollinsAerospace

Dear Westwood Families,

We’re excited to announce that enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! As we prepare for another year of academic excellence, we encourage all families to complete their student’s enrollment as early as possible to ensure a smooth and timely start to the year.

To make the process easier, simply visit www.risd.org/enrollonline and follow the steps to complete your registration. If you need assistance or have questions, feel free to contact the Westwood JH enrollment office at 469-593-3510 or via email at Paulina.Ochoa@risd.org.

We look forward to welcoming your child to Westwood next school year!

RISD recognizes the work our teachers perform to support every child, every day. And we believe there is an opportunity EVERY day to show our appreciation for all they do to ensure student success. Click here to learn more about the Thank a Teacher program and how to sign up, and we will connect you with a campus.