Westview Wildcat Weekly

Wildcat Family Newsletter - Saturday, December 7, 2024

Principal's Message

Vision: Success for ALL students means equity in instruction and SEL for ALL students! Achievement is they ALL CAN by any means necessary.

Mission: Westview students will be equitably empowered with the academic, social, and emotional knowledge and skills to live choice-filled lives and be successful contributors of society.

Hello, Westview Parents/Guardians! I cannot believe we are already in December! We only have nine and a half school days until we are out for our Winter break! This semester has gone by quickly, and has been filled with many successes!

Westview Instruction:

Earlier this school year, we had district Fidelity Walks. District staff joined campus staff to observe classrooms from various departments and grade levels. During the classroom walkthroughs, we observed the majority of classrooms using our High Quality Instructional Materials (math uses Agile Mind, and Language Arts uses StudySync) and following the district's scope and sequence. 80% of teachers used tools to check for understanding to ensure students were learning the material.

What was most notable was the classroom environment! Through the learning walks, we observed that 88% of classrooms were inviting and engaging, and classrooms had resources and charts to help students learn. We observed 100% positive relationships between students and teachers!

Westview Collaboration:

Our Westview Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) continue to operate in full stride. During a recent visit to a Language Arts PLC, our 6th grade teachers, Ms. Puentes and Ms. Jones, shared a reading tool and brough artifacts of student interactive notebooks! The notebooks and presentation were clear evidence of high expectations for learning and giving students access to tools that support their reading and writing skills! Way to go Language Arts!

Our math team also shared evidence of student work and writing to problem situations! The work they shared was truly phenomenal - we observed evidence of students using academic math vocabulary and showing their steps when solving math problems. Our newcomer students (1st and 2nd year in the country) were also writing in complete sentences and using academic vocabulary in their writing.

Westview Safety:

Westview modified school systems to improve student behavior and safety, such as adding hallway, cafeteria, restroom, and classroom expectations that are posted and regularly reviewed. We also adjusted morning routines - students either stay in the cafeteria or remain in their designated grade level hallway to reduce movement and increase safety.

We have also shifted to more positive rewards. While we continue to recognize our students of the month at our grade level ceremonies and also use our PBIS reward system, we have also added 9 weeks' award ceremonies for honor roll and perfect attendance and we have monthly Fun Time Den Time for students in good standing with attendance and discipline. It is important to use that we recognize and reward positive behavior, especially when our expectations are met!

This year, we have see a 39% reduction in referrals from the 23-24 school year to the 24-25 school year, especially for our 7th grade student group. Parents, your assistance is vital in the academic and behavior success of our students. Please continue to have conversations with your student(s) about being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. If students need any support, we have many staff resources on campus, including a School Resource Officer (SRO), counselors, Integral Care therapist, social worker, and administrators. Student who are reminded that when they "See or hear something concerning, to SAY SOMETHING." Students can always notify an staff member directly or report anonymously: https://www.anonymousalerts.com/pfisd/

Westview is committed to the success of all students and we live through our mission and vision! We truly appreciate all your support!

Early Release December 19th

Parents, this is a friendly reminder that the last day of school for the first semester is Thursday, December 19th. This is a half day:

Start Time: 8:20 a.m. (1st period starts at 8:20 a.m. as usual)
Release Time: 12:45 p.m. - students will be released to go home at 12:45 p.m.

Please know that bus transportation IS still provided and will take students home at 12:45 p.m. Buses will follow their normal bus routes. Car riders should be picked up at 12:45 p.m.

WMS Yearbook Sales

You can use this link to begin ordering your Westview Middle School yearbook! Mr. Barriga and the yearbook class have been working hard on making this year's yearbook look great!

Westview Winter Dance - Friday, December 13th

Students enjoyed our previous school dances, and we are ready to host our Winter student dance this Friday, December 13th from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Students should bring extra cash for snacks and drinks. Students must also have their student ID to enter. Students will not be allowed to enter without an ID, even if they purchase a ticket. There are no refunds.

Westview Holiday Market

Westview is hosting our 1st annual Holiday Market next Saturday, December 14th from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Westview Middle School. All are welcome to this event where vendors will sale holiday crafts and ornaments.

December Dress Up Themes

P. Terry's Spirit Night

We are encouraging families and staff to participate in Spirit Night at P. Terry's on Tuesday, December 10th from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Be sure to let them know you are affiliated with Westview Middle School! 10% of the sales will go directly to our campus!

PfISD Student Led Conference

Report Cards & UIL Eligibility

The 4th 9 Weeks' Progress Reports were due yesterday, December 6th. Students can regain eligibility for this Progress Report on Friday, December 13th.

Please also know that the 2nd Nine Weeks ends on Thursday, December 19th. Final grades are due on Monday, January 6th.

PBIS Rewards

Here at Westview MS, we award students PBIS Reward points for following campus expectations and rules. Students can redeem their points on Friday for prizes such as chips, wristbands, candy, stickers, and other rewards.

PBIS Rewards is a system to recognize and reward positive behavior. This system helps us focus on positive actions instead of punitive responses.

Student IDs

Our students have been doing a great job wearing their student IDs during the school day. Students who wear their ID daily will receive PBIS points and remain eligible for school function (i.e., dances, fall fest).

Consequences are in place for students who do not wear their ID more than 3 times, and parents will be contacted.

Lost IDs cost $5 and can be paid in the main office or online.

Wildcat Spirit Teachers of the Week

At Westview, it is important for us to regularly celebrate our teachers and the great things happening across the campus! The Wildcat Spirit Award winners are: Mr. Gross, Mr. Evans, and Mrs. Begum!

Congratulations!! Below are some kudos from colleagues!

Ms. Begum:

Ms. Begum has grown tremendously as a teacher! She has such a big heart for teaching, and she brings a bright smile to work everyday. She uses amazing teaching strategies that have helped her students learn how to speak, read, and write English! We are so thankful to have Ms. Begum as a Westview teacher!

Mr. Evans and Mr. Gross:

Mr. Evans and Mr. Gross are remarkable band instructors. Our campus sees how much band positively influences students' academics and behavior. Mr. Evans and Mr. Gross go beyond their classroom - they both organized our Veterans Day Ceremony last month! We have seen huge success in band this year, which is attributed to our band teacher! Thank you for all you do for our students and community!

Thank you for being amazing and for all you do for Westview, Ms. Begum, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Gross!!

Tardy Tracking

Each week, we run a tardy report. Students with more than 5 tardies in a week or excessive tardies overall are assigned to Thursday after school detentions to make-up the missed instructional time. Make-up detention is held on Thursdays from 3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Students who are reporting to class on time regularly will receive PBIS rewards and other incentives. Students who are repeatedly tardy will lose opportunities for campus events (i.e., dances, Westfest, etc.).

Student Attendance

Regular school attendance is very important for student learning. Students who miss school more frequently are more likely to struggle with learning the concepts and may also struggle as they proceed to future grades/courses. Students are expected to be at school 90% of the time, per state law.

Westview uses EveryDay Pro to track student attendance and identify students who are excessively absent. Students with repeated or excessive absences will receive a phone call and/or text message regarding the concerns. Letters will also be mailed home per guidelines, and the campus may do regular home visits to help your student attend school. Please know that campus administrators will monitor student attendance to identify chronically absent students and truant students.

If your student must miss school, it is very important that your student bring a note to excuse the absence. Please also check your student's attendance regularly through Skyward to ensure regular attendance and that absences are noted as 'excused.'

Students who attend school regularly will be eligible to attend school events (i.e., dances, Westfest, etc.) and other celebrations. Students with perfect attendance will receive an award at the end of the 9-weeks.

Chronic absenteeism and truancy will result in meetings with an administrator to discuss absences, create a plan, and provide resources. Excessive absences can also impact a student's ability to proceed to the next grade level.

Cell Phone Policy

Per PfISD policy, cell phones must be turned off during the instructional day (start of 1st period until the end of the last period). We prioritize a focus on instruction, and cell phones cannot disrupt the learning or school environment.

Westview is adopting a new cell phone policy. Students will place their cell phone in the clear pocket chart next to the teacher’s desk to ensure it is not used during class. Teachers will have a system for how students will place and pick up their cell phones. Please know that if a cell phone is seen, it will be collected and turned in to the office.

1st Offense: Warning/Parent picks up the phone

2 or More Offenses: $15 fee/Parent picks up the phone

We understand that parents may need to reach their student. If a parent needs to contact their student, we ask that they call the front office at (512)594-2200. We will then call your student down to the office to speak with you. Similarly, students can use the front office phone to call a parent.

As noted above, cell phones can cause a disruptions and distractions in hallways, classrooms, restrooms, the cafeteria, and other spaces. We want to ensure our students are focused on learning and engaged at all times. Teachers for core classes will have Chromebook sets in the classroom, so students will be able to engage in learning using Chromebooks and do not need their cell phone.

Meal Deliveries

Please know that meal deliveries to the campus are not permitted (i.e., Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.). If a meal is delivered the student will be allowed to pick it up at the end of the school day.

Westview PTO

The Westview Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meets monthly to hear a principal's update, discuss the PTO budget, and review other campus agenda items. The PTO also helps tremendously with campus events, concession stand sales at athletic events, and providing food/treats for staff throughout the year.

Please join our Westview PTO! You can sign up using any options copied below.

Form Sign Up

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