Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
Westwood Families,
Last week’s professional learning for our staff is showing up for students this week. Grade 7 and 8 teachers learned about and discussed ways to engage students in learning. I worked with our grade 8 math teachers on Thursday. We talked about having students work with learning partners to share how they each solved the math problem and provide feedback to each other. It was great to students in Ms. Backman’s class yesterday working with their partners as they prepared for a test.
In grade 5 and 6 teachers learned about the components of reading. One of those components is phonics. Today, in grade six, students were learning to segment unknown words they encounter when reading. The students were using the strategy to comprehend their novel.
We have a week of learning before the fall break and conferences next week. Conferences for all of our students and families are:
- October 15, 4-7:30 p.m. – Sign up for grades 5 and 6, drop in for grades 7 and 8
- October 16, 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:15 - 3 p.m. – Sign up for grades 5 and 6, drop in for grades 7 and 8
There is no school for students October 16-18. Because next week is a short one, there will not be a newsletter next Wednesday. If you have questions or need information, please reach out. We look forward to seeing you soon at conferences.
Tom Larson
Principal
Update immunizations by October 31, upcoming flu/COVID vaccine clinic
Students whose immunizations are not up to date by Thursday, October 31 will be excluded from school until their immunizations are current. Minnesota School Immunization Laws currently require all students enrolled in school to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap/Td/Tdap), polio, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox). One dose of the meningococcal (MCV) vaccine is due in 7th grade, and a booster dose at age 16.
The only exceptions are:
1. A student has had the chickenpox virus
2. Medical exemption with paperwork from your provider
3. Conscientious exemption with notarized exemption form
If you have a question about what is required for your child, please contact the school's health office 763.600.5304.
SLP is hosting a flu/COVID vaccine clinic on Wednesday, October 23 in the Westwood Intermediate and Middle School cafeteria from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for adults and children. If you are planning to attend this clinic, you can fill out this consent form ahead of time, or forms will be available on-site.
(Spanish speaking event) Balancing Acts: Navigating the Spectrum of Relationships, Oct. 23
As a reminder, the Balancing Acts: Navigating the Spectrum of Relationships event will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 6-7 p.m. in the Den at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School. This presentation will be in Spanish and will examine the spectrum of relationships, highlighting the importance of recognizing teen dating violence, the five types of abuse, and empowering young people to foster healthy connections and seek help. RSVP for this event.
What does personalized learning really mean?
Designing the experience of school so kids care to learn is at the heart of Spring Lake Park Schools approach to personalized learning. But what does personalized learning really mean?
While a lot of schools talk about personalized learning more generally, we now have a resource that describes in more detail what the K-12 student journey should look and feel like when we are at our best at Spring Lake Park Schools. While no experience is ever perfect, the K-12 Student Journey provides examples of what we are aiming for in each of our Spring Lake Park schools as we work to create a sense of value and belonging, personalize learning and innovate at each grade level.
At the beginning of a new school year, this information provides the most current take on our approach and aspiration. Check out the full piece online.
