Grizzly Gazette- 04/01/2024
Following a three-day week, it's time to get back to focusing on high quality instruction every day of the week. Because we are encouraging Teachers to utilize as much class time as possible for learning, we are not having Advocacy again this week and will proceed with our regular schedule each day of the week.
This week is our Math Department is presenting the ➕ WBMS Math Night- Wednesday at 5pm- in the Cafeteria. Parents are encouraged to join their student(s) with student laptops to participate in a variety of Math activities. This event will allow parents to understand what students are learning in class and give students an opportunity to win fun prizes. The WBMS Math Night is going to be a fun event for all- come join in the fun!
West Briar Counselors will be holding Course Selection for our 6th & 7th grade students soon. Students will be presented with the Course Selection card, instructions for completing, and then will have time to have their parents review it before turning in. Parents/Students can review our Course Selection Page from last school year and we will send out updated information this week.
Laptop Special Note- please see the article below regarding the collection of Student Laptops beginning Monday, April 8th.
Let's make it a great start to the last two months of this school year!
💙 #GrizzlyValues 💛
Calendar Notes
- Wed, Apr 3- WBMS Math Night (flyer below)- 5:00pm-6:00pm
- Wed, Apr 3- Course Selection Roundup- (for incoming 6th gr)- 6:00pm-7:30pm
- Thu, Apr 4- Japan Trip Interest Meeting (flyer below)
- Fri, Apr 5- College/Career Presentations- Afternoon (by grade level)
- Fri, Apr 5- WHS Incoming 9th Course Selection Due Date
- Mon, Apr 8- Solar Eclipse (see article)
- Tue, Apr 9- Nat'l Jr. Honor Society Induction Ceremony- 7:00pm
- Wed, Apr 10- 🌹 Spring Holiday
- Tue, Apr 16- STAAR Testing - Reading/Language Arts (RLA)
- Thu, Apr 18- STAAR Testing- Science (8th only)
- Sat, Apr 20 - HISD Special Education Parent Summit- Westbury HS- (time TBA)
- Wed, Apr 24- STAAR Testing- Social Studies (8th only)
- Wed, May 1- STAAR Testing- Math
- Fri, May 31- 8th gr Formal Dance- 6:30pm-9:00pm
AM Announcements Bulletin Board
(Morning announcements are shared on this board. Students are able to view in the Grizzly Den 23-24 Canvas Course.)
🎶 Congrats Choir!
Congratulations to all Choir students who participated in the Region Honor Choir Auditions!
👏Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding perrformance and earning a spot in the Region Choir:
- Mia Moussa (Soprano 2)
- Nicole Williams-Ekechi (Soprano 2)
- Christine Cleveland (Alto)
- Mathias Caceres Enciso (Tenor 1)
- Edward Auyerdemot (Tenor 1)
As members of the Region Honor Choir, they will have the opportunity to collabroate with some of hte most talented singers in the Region on Saturday, April 13th.
Great work to all students & Mr. Phillips (Choir Director) who demonstrated passion and integrity in representing West Briar at these Regional Choir Auditions!!
❗ Student Laptop Collection
ATTN: Student Laptop Collection will begin Monday, April 8th.
Due to laptop requirements for upcoming STAAR and MAP EOY (end-of-year) tests, we must ensure there are enough functioning laptops for all students to test. Beginning April 16th, there will be a STAAR test per week and then the MAP EOY test is in June in which all students must take a Math, Reading, and Science test. Each test requires over 950 laptops with the correct software, being fully charged, and being in front of each student to test. Therefore, we have devised a plan to collect all student laptops and ensure that each core classroom keeps a classroom set of laptops for instruction on non-testing days. Teachers understand this means that some students may not have access to a laptop at home after laptops are collected and therefore will only require digital coursework for class activities.
Students will bring their laptop and charger to their first period class on Monday, April 8th. More details on this plan will be emailed out before the end of the week.
😎 April 8: Solar Eclipse
Regarding viewing the Solar Eclipse, please be aware of the following:
- Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.
- Students will not be permitted to look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through unfiltered cameras, telescopes, binoculars, or other optical devices.
- Students who wear glasses, should keep them on and place the solar eclipse glasses on top of their prescription glasses.
8th Gr: Westside Course Selection Information
Westside HS visited all 8th gr Social Studies classes last week and presented information about High School Course Selection. Though students received a paper copy of the course selection form (also shared below this article), students can enter/edit their selections in the School Links program. Deans explained this to students and presented the information shared on the course selection page below. {Please note that even if your student is not attending Westside HS, School Links will be utilized at all HISD campuses for the 24-25 SY. It would be beneficial for you and your student to familiarize yourself with School Links- selecting career pathway and selecting courses.}
Westside HS Course Selection Page
- Includes incoming 9th grade presentation
- Westside HS Contacts
Here is a School Links Video to help you review your student's selections.
April 5th- deadline for students to enter course selections into School Links
📲 HISD: POSSIP Surveys
You will occasionally receive POSSIP Surveys for Parents. These POSSIP Pulse Checks help our school by allowing parents to share input about West Briar. Parent input from this survey goes directly to Principal MIshlan and is reviewed by the administrative staff. We are able to reach out to those who include their contact information or sometimes the input is anonymous.
Keep an eye out for these monthly POSSIP surveys that are sent via text and email.
We appreciate your input and help to continuously improve our school!
