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August 2024 Newsletter

August 2024Newsletter

From the Principal

Mid-Summer Updates from Westwood High School

Dear WHS students and families,


I hope you’re having an amazing summer! Here are a few reminders as you think about August and the coming school year:


Student Schedules

Student schedules will be available by the end of the day Friday, August 16th. You may access the portal using the following link: https://ma-westwood.myfollett.com. To see your schedule, you can download a PDF copy in the section titled "Published Reports," or click on the "Family" (parents) or "My Info" (students) top tab, then the "Schedule" side tab.


You may want to take time between now and then to log in to Aspen so you don’t encounter any delays when you are seeking schedule information later this week. If you cannot remember your Aspen login credentials, please use the Aspen “I forgot my password feature,” or email the Aspen Support Desk at aspen@westwood.k12.ma.us. For any questions about Aspen or problems with your account, please access WPS Aspen Support.


If you notice errors—a missing core academic class or a double-booked block, for example—please contact your guidance counselor as soon as possible so that we can resolve the issue.


Summer Reading

We are excited for this year’s Summer Reading Initiative. This summer, all WHS students and staff are reading one memoir of their choosing. If you have not already done so, please review your student's selection and complete this form ASAP to indicate your permission to read their chosen text.


In the fall, the WHS community will participate in activities related to their books, and attend an all-school assembly about the power of storytelling with author Jennifer De Leon on September 19th. A variety of memoirs are available in the WHS library, on Sora, at the Westwood Public Library, throughout the Minuteman Library Network, and at your local bookstore. Please contact high school librarian Ms. Theresa Fisher with any questions.


Save These Dates:

A few key dates you might want to make a note of now are below:

  • New Student Orientation: August 20 & 21, 11:30 - 3:00 PM

  • First Day of School: August 28, follows the traditional Day 1 schedule for all students The school day begins at 8:15 AM and ends at 2:55 PM.

  • New Parent/Caretaker Orientation: September 4, 6:00 - 7:00 PM, WHS Little Theatre

  • Curriculum Night: Tuesday, October 1, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

  • Prom: Friday, May 9, 2025

  • Class Day for the Class of 2025: Friday, May 30, 2025

  • Graduation: Sunday, June 1, 2025


If you need in-person support this summer, our building hours are Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM, and 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Fridays. For the fastest response to your questions, email Ms. Kinsman, or check out the WHS website.


I look forward to seeing you later this month. Enjoy the rest of the summer!


Sincerely,

Amy L. Davenport

Principal, Westwood High School

Annual Sign-Offs and Permissions

Families are asked to login to their account on our Aspen family portal to submit annual permissions, verify contact information for each student, and confirm parent/guardian contact information. This task is required annually, even if no information changed from last year, as the process includes the student handbook acknowledgement, media permissions, permission to be included in the school directory, and other questions. To complete the process, please click here.

If you cannot remember your Aspen login credentials, please use the “I forgot my password feature,” or email the Aspen Support Desk at aspen@westwood.k12.ma.us.

If you are a new family, you should have received an email with your login credentials and instructions for setting up your account. If you did not receive this email, please email the Aspen Support Desk at aspen@westwood.k12.ma.us.

If you are interested in learning more about other features of Aspen or need assistance with browser settings, please click here.

If you have any questions about your Aspen account, please email the Aspen Support Desk at aspen@westwood.k12.ma.us.

Technology Contract
All students in the district are issued a device to facilitate learning. Please review the Technology Contract for Students and Families as it contains important expectations. As part of the process of reviewing and updating student information in our Aspen family portal, you will need to consent to the technology expectations.

News from the Health Office

Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year!


Emergency/Action Plans (Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Seizure, Diabetes, etc)

Asthma plans, Allergy/Anaphylaxis plans, seizure action plans, medical orders, and physicals can be submitted to the health office via email, mail, or fax (781-326-2695).


Most provider offices provide their own physical forms, Seizure, Asthma, Allergy Action/Emergency plans, and medical orders. These are acceptable forms and should be submitted to WHS. If your child’s office does not have a standard form, you can download one HERE.


Please submit forms annually following an appointment or if any changes in the medication or plan occurs. Forms are valid for one year from the appointment date.


Over the Counter Medications

Tylenol (acetaminophen), motrin (ibuprofen), tums, and cough drops are available to students in the health office with parental/guardian consent. You can complete the attached form and submit it. One form per student, and forms need to be completed annually.

2024-25 Parent over the counter consent


Physical Exams

All students entering Grade 9 and transfer/newly enrolled students must provide a recent physical per MA State Law. Physicals should be dated 2/1/2024 or later. For students with upcoming Fall/Winter physicals, please contact the health office and submit after the exam.


Health Screenings

Information regarding health screenings for students in grades 9 and 10 can be found here

A physical exam with the appropriate screenings will exempt students or parents can opt-out here


Illness

Students with fever or acute illness should remain home. The link to guidance regarding common illnesses is HERE


Injury/PE excusals

A provider note is required for accommodations or excusals from PE/Wellness class due to student injury or surgery. All paperwork should be submitted to the health office.


Information delivery

All emergency action plans (asthma, allergy/anaphylaxis, diabetes, seizure) and physicals can be submitted to the health office in person, via email, mail, or fax (781-326-2695).


Please feel free to call or email the health office if you have any questions or concerns.
Dawnmarie Shu RN, MSN and Laura Cucchi RN, BSN
(781)326-7500 x3353
WHS Health office

News from Athletics

Please remember to register your student for fall sports if they are interested participating in any of the sports listed below. While the deadline for registration was July 31, the registration is still available by clicking WHS FALL REGISTRATION. Please check WHS ATHLETICS for further details. Registration with a valid physical uploaded is required in order to participate and/or try out for any sport.



High School Fall Sports

Unified Basketball

Football

Soccer (boys & girls)

Field Hockey

Volleyball (girls)

Cheer

Cross Country (boys & girls)

Golf


Questions?
Matthew Gillis, mgillis@westwood.k12.ma.us ~ Athletic Director
Paul Lilla, plilla@westwood.k12.ma.us ~ Athletic Trainer
Martha Laughna, mlaughna@westwood.k12.ma.us ~ Athletic Department Administrator

Important Dates

  • August 20 & 21: New Student Orientation (details emailed to families 8/16/24)
  • August 28: First Day of School
  • August 30: No School
  • September 2: No School
  • September 4: Early Release
  • September 16: Picture Day
  • September 18: Early Release
  • October 2: Early Release
  • October 3: No School
  • October 14: No School
  • October 16: Early Release
  • October 30: Early Dismissal
  • November 5: No School (In Service Day)
  • November 11: No School
  • November 13: Early Release
  • November 27: Early Dismissal (Time TBD)
  • November 28 & 29: No School
  • December 11: Early Release
  • December 20: Early Release
  • December 23 - 31: Vacation
  • January 1: No School

Reports to Families

TERM 1 (44 days) Last day of term: November 1st


Progress Reports Grades due: Friday, September 27th at 12:00 PM

Available to students: Friday, September 27th at 3:30 PM


SPED Progress Reports Due: Wednesday, November 20th


Report Cards Grades due: Friday, November 8th at 12:00 PM

Available to students: Friday, November 8th at 3:30 PM


TERM 2 (43 days) Last day of term: January 17th


Progress Reports: Grades due: Friday, December 6th at 12:00 PM

Available to students: Friday, December 6th at 3:30 PM


SPED Progress Reports Due: Friday, February 7th


Report Cards: Grades due: Friday, January 24th at 12:00 PM

Available to students: Friday, January 24th at 3:30 PM


TERM 3 (44 days) Last day of term: March 28th


Progress Reports: Grades due: Friday, February 28th at 12:00 PM

Available to students: Friday, February 28th at 3:30 PM


SPED Progress Reports Due: Friday, April 11th


Report Cards: Grades due: Friday, April 4th at 12:00 PM

Available to students: Friday, April 4th at 3:30 PM


TERM 4 (44 days) Last day of term: June 9th


Progress Reports: Grades due: Friday, May 2nd at 12:00 PM

Available to students: Friday, May 2nd at 3:30 PM


SPED Progress Reports Due: Friday, June 13th


Report Cards Grades due: Monday, June 17th at 12:00 PM

Available to students: Monday, June 17th at 3:30 PM


J-TERM (5 days): June 10th - 13th, June 16th

Important Dates for Seniors

Last day of senior classes: May 23rd

Grades Available to Students: Wednesday, May 28th, at 3:30 PM

Class Night: May 30th

Graduation: June 1st (Time TBD)

Westwood High School
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