Westwood Intermediate/Middle School

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We hope you stayed warm over the long weekend and our day off yesterday. It is good to be back with students and back to normal temperatures for winter in MN. We never know what the MN weather may bring. If we do need to have a day of school canceled moving forward this year, it will be a distance learning day and students will be working with their teachers online.

Upcoming dates and events for Westwood families:

• January 27
• PTO meeting, 10 a.m.
• 8th grade Band concert, 7 p.m. SLPHS HS Fine Arts Center
• January 28
• 8th grade family online registration info session, 6:30 p.m. | WebEx
• 7th and 8th Choir Concert, 7 p.m. SLPHS Fine Arts Center
• January 29 – 8th grade family online registration info session, 9 a.m. | WebEx

Mark your calendars now for some February fun. The Panther Foundation’s Week of Giving is coming up February 16-22. Join us in participating in a week of fun activities and help the Panther Foundation continue its work to support our students. See details in the newsletter today.

Have a great week,

Tom Larson

Principal

• Monday, January 27

• PTO meeting at 10 a.m.
• Wind Ensemble/8th Grade Band Concert, SLPHS Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, January 28

• High School counselors visit 8th graders at Westwood to discuss registration
• 8th grade family online registration info session, 6:30 p.m. | WebEx
• 7 and 8 grade Choir Concert, SLPHS Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m.

• Wednesday, January 29 - 8th grade family online registration info session, 9 a.m. | WebEx

• February 3 - High school spring athletics registration opens for grades 7-12

• February 4-7 - PTO Book fair open during school hours

• Wednesday, February 5 - Explore your Options event at the high school for grades 8-11, 5-7 p.m.

• Friday, February 7 - PTO Family Night & Book Fair, 6 p.m.

• Tuesday, February 11 - 6th to 7th grade transition online info sessions, 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. | WebEx

• February 13-18 - No school

• Thursday, February 13 - Conference Office Hours, 4-7 p.m. (walk-in ONLY, no scheduled conferences)

• Friday, February 14 - High school registration closes for the 2025-2026 school year

• February 16-22 - Panther Foundation's Panthers for a Purpose Week of Giving

• February 19-27 - ACCESS testing, Grades 5 & 6

• February 22 - Panther Foundation's Panthers for a Purpose Party

• Tuesday, February 25 - 7th to 8th grade transition online info session, 6 p.m. | WebEx

A former professor from the University of Minnesota visited Westwood to co-teach a history unit with Ms. Ehalt's classroom. They engaged with the kids in critical thinking and open discussions.

Two of our Westwood Band students participated and performed in the Minnesota Band Director’s Association Central Region Honor Band festival and concert. There were two ensembles which included 6-8th grade band students and 9-10th grade band students. The ensembles were made up of members nominated from schools all over central Minnesota based on their musical merit. The bands met and rehearsed throughout the day on Saturday (for the first time) and performed a concert on Saturday evening.

Photo

Genevieve (8th Grade) - Clarinet

Reinaldo (7th Grade) - Tuba

Our next PTO meeting is Monday, January 27 at 10 a.m. in the Den. Afterwards, at 10:30 a.m., there will be a presentation about Schoology, competencies, and how competencies look in Schoology. If you are wondering how your student submits work and want to check if they have any missing assignments - this will be a great place to learn! If you have any specific questions, you can submit them in advance by clicking here. To view past meeting minutes, please visit our PTO page.

Our annual book fair will be open during the day from 7:25 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. week of Feb. 4-7. There will be a Family Fun Night Friday, February 7 from 6-8 p.m. Families can play Bingo in the cafeteria, check out some of the games/puzzles or bring their own from home, have open gym time, or play KanJam or Corn Hole.There will be $1 concession snacks/drinks for sale in the cafeteria. The Book Fair will also be open. This is not a drop-off event. Students must have a guardian in attendance. The book fair will also be open for families to shop.

We will need the help of several volunteers to run these events hours are subject to change based on volunteer availability. Volunteers will receive a $5 off coupon for use at the book fair.

• Family Night Volunteers can sign up here.
• Book Fair Volunteers can sign up here.

Art Adventure is like a field trip brought to students right at school. It introduces six pieces from the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection to 5th & 6th grade students, and encourages creative, critical thinking through discussions & explorations of art across various cultures & time periods. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to experience art in a personal way through reproductions and tactile props. Volunteers need no previous art knowledge as they ask students questions about the pieces during their normal art time. We need 4-6 volunteers who can be in the school 4-6 hours to interact with students. Not all hours need to be on the same day. Free training is provided by MIA. More info coming soon!

The Panther Foundation is gearing up for its’ annual fundraising event, Panthers for a Purpose. This year’s Week of Giving is February 16-22, 2025. Proceeds raised directly support Spring Lake Park Schools' students. Everyone is invited to participate in this week of pride-filled fun.

Festivities include spirit days, dine-to-donate opportunities, a topnotch online silent auction and the Panther Party. The concluding party will be held on February 22 at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids featuring a live auction, dessert auction, games, and entertainment by Sweet Keys Dueling Pianos. Get your tickets online.

Each year, the Foundation’s efforts include support for a special Fund-A-Dream project. This year, the focus is on the X Factor — the extras that help a Panther fully become a Panther.

See all the details and plan to participate.

Puzzle Lovers, Assemble! It’s time to put your skills to the test at the 3rd Annual Panther Puzzlemania Jigsaw Competition on Feb. 8! Gather your dream team (up to 4 players) and dive into the ultimate 500-piece puzzle challenge. Register for Puzzlemania.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Minnesota is offering a free virtual half-day conference for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Mental Illness on Saturday, February 9. Here are the details:

• When: Saturday, February 8, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Theme: “Family Roadtrip to Mental Health.” The focus will be three routes to mental health, because parents and caregivers' journeys and destinations are not all the same.
• Conference options: Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Training, Mental Health Crisis Planning for Families, Understanding the Children’s Mental Health System, Advocating for Your Child in Legislation, Mock Parent Support Group, and two Spanish-speaking specific breakouts.
• Registration: Register here by February 7. Contact information can be found in the registration link.

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• Teacher's Union requests SLPTU Teacher of the Year nominations
• It’s time to start planning for the 2025-2026 school year
• Students Bring Big Ideas to Life in ‘Shark Tank’ Style Competition
• From paper plants to community circles
• Now Hiring Paraprofessionals - apply online today

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