Westwood Intermediate/Middle School

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It’s week two and our first full week of school. We have been partnering with our PTO to bring the Westwood community together with a focus on being kind. We have many opportunities for students to get involved and make a difference. Even small actions go a long way. Watch for more detailed information on classroom kindness activities, family school events, and more from the PTO in the newsletter, and from your classroom and team of teachers.

I have quite a few updates today. Please take five minutes to review these important topics.

Learn about the curriculum: Each team is putting together a curriculum presentation. The presentation will cover units of study, parent communication, team expectations, and grading and reporting. The presentations will be available online and teachers will host live WebEx session on Thursday, September 19 to answer questions. Next week’s newsletter will include links to the presentations and the Schedule for WebEx meetings and details for next Thursday evening.

Backpacks and other bags at grades 7-8: This year, our seventh and eighth graders are required to have their backpacks in their lockers. We are returning to pre-COVID procedures for backpacks to address some challenges we’ve observed in the classroom. Over the past few years, we’ve noticed students bringing various non-essential items in their backpacks leading to distractions during class time. Examples include wireless speakers, large bags of food, make up, cologne, and other items. By limiting the access to these items, we aim to create a more focused and effective learning environment. Our schedule has become increasing flexible with our approach to teams. We are adjusting time and space to allow for additional passing times and or breaks for students during their core subjects. Important details to know:

• Students can go to their lockers between classes and during their team time breaks
• Teachers are working with students on what they will need for their classrooms and providing a place to store things like science notebooks, sketch pads and other materials in their classrooms to limit the amount of items they need to carry.
• Many curricular resources and student work is digital and on a student’s school-issued iPad. Additional curricular resources and things like novels, are available in classrooms and there is ample space to store necessary supplies.
• Fanny packs or crossbody bags are allowed for personal care items and other items that may be needed during the day.
• Students may carry water bottles, which has been a longstanding practice.

These first weeks of school are critical for building routines that support effective learning, a welcoming environment for all and a community grounded in kindness. We appreciate the support of our families in helping us build and maintain a strong learning community for this year.

Have a wonderful week,

Tom Larson

Principal

Competencies are the most critical and enduring concepts from each content area (such as Math and Language Arts) and the skills and mindsets needed to be successful in school and beyond. Competencies align to state standards and are embedded in our students' learning experiences.

You'll likely hear more about competencies from your child's teacher(s) in the coming weeks and months. To review some basics, check out this brief Competency-Based Learning - Fact Sheet. This fact sheet and additional information can be found on our Personalized Learning webpage which can be translated into multiple languages.

Watch for more information from your child's teacher(s) as we get into the year and feel welcome to reach out with questions at any time.

Each year, we ask students and families to review student behavior and attendance expectations. After reviewing together, we ask families to acknowledge they have done so. This process helps set the tone for students as they begin the year and clarifies for students how we all expect them to conduct themselves each day at school.

Please take five minutes to log into Campus Parent Portal and review these expectations with your student.

1. Log in to Campus with your district username and password.
2. Select your student in the upper right corner.
3. On the main menu click on DOCUMENT.
4. Locate the Parent Documents section.
5. Click on the 2024-2025 Behavior and Attendance Agreement.
6. Review the document with your student.
7. Sign and submit.
8. Repeat these steps if you have more than one student in the district.

If you haven't done so already, please review at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions about these expectations, reach out to your school principal.

As sporting events get underway and we gear up for Homecoming Week, September 23-27, please remember that students 8th grade and younger MUST be accompanied by a supervising adult at all Spring Lake Park High School athletics and activities events. No Backpacks, Balls, Skateboards/Bikes, Inappropriate Signs are allowed.

In this ensemble, we will learn about our beginning singing voices in a healthy, fun, and active environment. Students will learn how to sing in unison and two-part harmonies along with basic sight singing, music theory, reading sheet music, cultural perspectives, and more! This is an active ensemble where we will use games, dance, and movement to get students singing music from around the world. Concert will be December 18. Click here to register.

Come and sing! This ensemble is specifically for 6th grade students who wish to take band and still sing in the 6th grade choir. In this group we will learn how to sing in two-part harmonies from music around the world. This is an active ensemble where we will dance, sing, and add movement to our singing work to engage students in a fun, interactive way. Students will increase their knowledge of sight-singing, reading sheet music, and participating in a full ensemble. Students in this choir will have the opportunity to sing in the 6th grade choir concert on December 17. Click here to register.

This past week, 5th graders were introduced to the band instruments! Over the next month students will have the opportunity to try some of the instruments before band registration opens. See the timeline and more information about band here.

Mrs. Golmen’s class worked on collaboration and fun during a Pringles Challenge STEM project. Students were tasked with the challenge to create a ring using only Pringles – no glue or tape! The ring needed to go up in the air like a Ferris wheel.

S.T.E.M. projects give students the opportunity to learn through exploration and discovery. By following the engineering process, they develop critical and creative thinking skills, and have a lot of fun at the same time!

• Saturday, September 14 - "Start your Engines" Community Event, Spring Lake Park High School, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Monday, September 16
• PTO - Fundraiser kick-off
• Grupo de Padres Hispanohablantes de SLP reunion, 5 p.m., Woodcrest Spanish Immersion School
• Thursday, September 19
• Curriculum Preview and Presentation
• Picture Day
• Friday, September 20 - PTO Family Kindness Night, 6-8 p.m., Westwood cafeteria
• Saturday, September 21 - PTO Feed My Starving Children event. See PTO section for details.
• September 23-27 - Homecoming Week and Panther Foundation Sweepstakes
• Friday, September 27 - Homecoming Football Game, Panther Stadium, 7 p.m.
• Monday, September 30 - PTO Meeting at 6 p.m., Westwood Den
• Wednesday, October 2 - Live on 65: After Hours Big Band – Buy tickets

• October 3-4 - No school

• Monday, October 7 - High school winter athletics registration opens (grades 7-12)
  

Our annual fundraising starts next Monday, September 16! Your student(s) should bring flyers home. Funds raised supports Community Building, Mileage Club, Art Adventure, Book Fair, Recess Gear, All School Lock-In, 5th Grade Welcome Experience, 8th Grade Celebration, Trimester Treat Tables, Family Nights, and more!

This year we have multiple ways to participate! All orders/donations will be due Monday, September 30th.

1. Direct Donations by cash or check written to SLP Westwood PTO

• PAYPAL Account @SLPWestwoodPTO
• VENMO @SLPWestwoodPTO

3. Club Choice Annual Fundraiser :

• Limo Lunch Ride awarded to students who have sold 25 items or more
• Club Choice Fundraiser
• With code WES384

Don't forget - as part of our acts of kindness we have two events families are encouraged to attend.

• Friday September 20th from 6-8pm, come to our Family Kindness Night in the Westwood cafeteria.
• Saturday, September 21st volunteer to pack food with other Westwood families at Feed My Starving Children located at 401 93rd Ave NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.

Click here to reserve your family's spot(s) now!

• 9:30-11:15 a.m. (45 spots): join code VBYN7Y
• 5-6:30 p.m. (100 spots): join code DD4LGL
• 7-8:30 p.m. (100 spots): join code 78V16L

The Spring Lake Park Schools Theater is excited to announce performances for the 2024-2025 school year! Full of entertaining and polished shows, audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy this year's productions.

"Thanks to our talented students, our theater program is thriving. Our students are the heart of everything we do, and I’m excited to see the amazing creativity they always bring both onstage and behind the scenes. We warmly invite you to attend our shows and experience their outstanding work while joining our vibrant theater community!" - Kevin Dutcher, theater director

This year's world-class performances:

• Spring Lake Park High School fall play - "Puffs (for Young Wizards)" | October 25-26 and November 1-2 | Purchase tickets
• Westwood Intermediate play - "Lost Boys!" | December 6-7 | Purchase tickets
• Spring Lake Park High School One-Act play | January 17-18
• Westwood Intermediate and Middle School play - "High School Musical" | February 27-March 1 | Purchase tickets
• Spring Lake Park High School spring musical - "Hello, Dolly!" | April 25-26 and May 2-4 | Purchase tickets

Read show synopsis and messages from the director.

The 3rd Annual "Start Your Engines" Big Trucks, Food Trucks & Automobiles event is Saturday, September 14, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. at Spring Lake Park High School. This family/community event will feature a variety of exhibits with engines – think big trucks, automobiles, and recreational vehicles. Lunch from the food trucks will be available for purchase. The event is free to attend, and no registration is required - just show up.

Win $500 for your school and $50 Panther Store gift card for you! Starting Sunday, September 22, visit the sweepstakes page to enter the daily Panther Pride Sweepstakes. Show your Panther Pride by answering a trivia question daily, September 22-25. Families can enter one time each day and can include all students in the family. A student winner and a staff winner for each school will be drawn on Thursday, September 26 and winners will be acknowledged at the Spring Lake Park High School Homecoming game on Friday, September 27. Good luck!

Families of Early Childhood students are invited to attend free virtual training workshops to learn more about managing screen time and mental health in our youngest learners. The workshops take place September 25, October 23 and November 20. Learn more and register.

Registration is open for the 2024 boys and girls SLP Youth Basketball season. This program gives young athletes, grades 2-8, the opportunity to play the game of basketball at fun and competitive levels. Learn more and register.

• Smiles, Fist bumps, Endless Possibilities
• Safety and Security at SLP
• Attendance Matters!
• Live on 65 - After Hours Big Band on Oct. 2

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