Westwood Junior High

With just 8 more days until the end of the semester, it is with gratitude for your support of our faculty, staff, and administration that we wish all of you a healthy, safe, and happy holiday.

We are very proud of the work that has been accomplished here during the first semester at Westwood in the classrooms, at performances, on the field, on the court, and in the community. We continue to be very honored to serve this community and the students.

Thank You to Our PTA

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible PTA for their dedication and hard work. From organizing the fall dance to providing meals and showing genuine care for our school community, your efforts have made a tremendous difference. Your support is deeply appreciated.

Exam Schedule and Reminders

Before all is finalized, your students will be taking exams, beginning Tuesday, December 16th, for which they are well-prepared by their teachers and the high-quality instructional environments they have created.

Please do not forget to send your student with a fully charged Chromebook and charger each day, as the semester exams are online.

Additionally, please mark your calendars for the change to school hours on Thursday, December 19th, and Friday, December 20th, from 8:15 AM to 12:00 PM. A bagged lunch will be provided to-go for students who would like one.

If you have any questions, please reach out as we work to collaborate and engage with parents to meet our goal of communication that is proactive, timely, and relevant. You can access our newsletters in your email inbox, Westwood Twitter & Facebook pages, school website, and PTA platforms. If there is additional information you would like to receive in our newsletters, please let us know.

It is an honor to serve the Westwood community and work with your children every day. Their achievements, both big and small, inspire us to continue striving for excellence. Thank you for entrusting us with their growth and education. Together, we’re building a bright future.

Sincerely,

Katie Mottram

Principal

kathryn.mottram@risd.org

• December 17-20: Fall Exam Week - bell schedule
• December 20 - January 6: Winter Break / No School
• January 7: First Day of Second Semester
• January 13-15: MOY MAP Test
• February 5: Family Growth Camp at 6 PM

We want to give a special shout-out to our amazing PTA! They treated our staff with some delightful treats, spreading joy and appreciation. Thank you to our PTA for their generosity and for always supporting our school community. If you have not already, please become a member of our wonderful PTA; the link is below.

Send in your best photos of athletes, cheerleaders, or any great moments to include in the 24-25 yearbook.📸 Email or share your pictures with hgodinez@g.risd.org.

Thank you,

Heriberto Godinez

Dear RISD Family,

Even though we are not quite finished with the fall semester, soon, it will be time to consider courses and options for students entering 9th grade in Fall 2025. We want to inform you of an educational opportunity available to all RISD students, the Richardson Arts, Law & Science Magnet. Enclosed is a flyer listing each magnet program and the requirements for applying to those programs.

On January 10th, Richardson High School will host an event for students interested in our Magnet programs. This is a field trip to Richardson High School, where students can tour three Magnet programs. In addition, parents and students are invited to our annual Eagle Celebration (open house) on January 14th, which will showcase our Magnet programs and RHS clubs and organizations.

Additional information regarding these events will be posted online at www.rhsmagnet.org.

Field trip permission forms are included in this letter and can also be picked up at the junior high counseling offices. They are due to your junior high counseling office by Friday, December 13th.

If you have any questions regarding the magnet programs, please do not hesitate to call us at 469-593-3038.

Thank you.

- Dr. Parker

Hello 8th grade Westwood Wolves,

As we bring the summer to a close and homework is piling up and sports and fine arts events are starting to populate our calendars, we wanted to remind every one of the great opportunities to explore, in the safety of group school travel, one of the most dynamic, energetic and historical cities in the world - London, England.

Spring break offers us the opportunity to visit Stonehenge, Oxford, the Tower of London, travel the London Eye, enjoy a Westend Musical, perform in a workshop with trained Shakespearean actors, visit and learn at London museums, try new foods and snacks, and experience a new city, culture and country. All with friends from school.

Last year's trip was an overwhelming success, and you have an opportunity to join us this year. Do you have a friend that you want to travel with? If so, share this email, pass along the website and sign-up information and help build out the trip.

To sign-up, visit our website: CLICK HERE

To view last year’s itinerary: CLICK HERE (we have added Stonehenge this year)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Coach Lockett (beverly.lockett@risd.org).

Travel expands the educational understanding of the world and hits directly the goal of RISD to develop global thinkers across their schools. Westwood happens to get a head start on this.

Spelling Bee!

The Spelling Bee this year lasted the longest we’ve had in years! The final 3 battled for 13 rounds and we finally came up with our winner, 8th grader Mina Gondi and our runner up and last year’s winner, Fatimah Kashif. Congratulations to these girls and everyone who participated! Mina will compete in the district Spelling Bee on January 15th. Wish her luck!

Library Info!

Library Events calendar – attached

Richardson Reads Day was a huge success! Students read for the first 20 minutes of each period. So many books were checked out and read. Teachers participated as well! Check out the pictures of some of our Library Ambassadors reading in our display window between classes Friday to promote RRD!

Our next Book Club meeting is December 17th during lunch. Everyone is tasked with reading a new book and coming to Book Club ready to give a 2 minute booktalk about their book, so hopefully everyone can leave with a new list of books to add to their TBR.

The library is always open! Databases are available 24/7. The Database of the Month for December is Learn360. Learn360 is a multisubject, easy-to-use K–12 media library (videos, interactives,

articles, songs, games, images, and more). Students can use Learn360 independently for research, homework help, or self-directed learning; to enhance projects and assignments; or even just for fun. To learn more about this database, click HERE.

Want to support the library? Check out our Amazon Wishlist of items we need to pull off these library events. Thank you so much to those who have already granted some of our wishes!

Thanks so much for your support!

We have met 65% of our fundraising goal and need your financial support to get to the finish line. Your donations allow all the fun things for our students and staff – parties and treats for our teachers, quarterly student award gifts, teacher of the month awards, school dances (PAR-TAY!), and the end of school luncheon for teachers. Here are ways you can help:

Attend a Sign & Go Party

Our next WWJH PTA fundraiser party, Deck the Halls with Pickleballs, is 4-7 pm on December 15 at Spring Creek Tennis and Pool (adults only, please). You can either participate in the tournament (PRIZES!), play for fun, or just come for the pizza, drinks and entertainment as a spectator. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased here.

Donate to the General Fund

If pickleball, parties or Spirit Night aren't your thing, we would greatly appreciate a donation. Donate online here.

In this session, parents will gain an understanding of the positive behavior supports and behavior threat assessments used in RISD, when they are implemented, and how they impact their students' academic journey. If you're having trouble registering, please contact us at (469) 593-0334.

RISD recognizes the work our teachers perform to support every child, every day. And we believe there is an opportunity EVERY day to show our appreciation for all they do to ensure student success. Click here to learn more about the Thank a Teacher program and how to sign up, and we will connect you with a campus.