The WJHS Panther Update
October 13, 2023
Principal's Letter
Greeting Panther Families on this Friday, the 13th of October,
Interesting facts about Friday the 13th. The fear of Friday the 13th is known as "paraskevidekatriaphobia" or "friggatriskaidekaphobia." It's a combination of the Greek word "paraskevi" (Friday), the Norse word "frigg" (referring to the goddess Frigg), and "triskaidekaphobia" (fear of the number 13).
In some cultures, such as in Spain and Greece, Tuesday the 13th is considered an unlucky day, not Friday the 13th.
This year, it is a very important date for us at WJHS because it is Trunk or Treat Day!!
Trunk or Treat - Join us TONIGHT from 6-7 PM for our 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat event! Kona Ice will be present selling snow cones and hot chocolate. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 best decorated trunks. We cannot wait to see all of your creativity!
Red Ribbon Week Guest Speaker - At next Friday's schoolwide assembly, our kick-off to Red Ribbon Week will commence with a presentation by guest speaker, Greg Czaczkowski, of the DEA. Greg's presentation is called “I Choose My Future” and the topic is about how the choices one makes as a young person reflects upon them later on in life; while it’s ok to make mistakes, we need to learn from those mistakes, and make healthy choices. Greg will educate our youth on the dangers of drugs so they can make good choices to achieve their goals and dreams. Please let us know if you would like your child to opt out of this presentation by emailing aquattrone@cusd201.org.
Flag Football Champions! It was an exciting weekend for some of our students. Several WJHS Panthers played in a 7th/8th grade flag football Championship Game. They are the only Westmont team in the league and the Bills won!!!
What an exciting weekend for all of you! Their excitement is obvious and contagious in their picture below! Great job!!
The players include:
7th graders
Maxwell H
Emmett K
Josh S
8th graders
Merrick B
Evy E
Aidan H
Vivian S
Max S
Scholastic Book Fair Volunteers Needed - Be sure to mark your calendar for this year's book fair. We still have quite a few spots open to volunteer. If you are able, please Sign Up Here. As you know, a successful book fair depends on amazing helpers like you. Additional information regarding dates and times, as well as a brand new feature called E-Wallet can be found in the flyer below.
Conferences: Due to unforeseen issues we experienced with Skyward this week, online scheduling for conferences has been pushed back. Parents will be able to sign up starting Tuesday 10/17 at 9:00AM. Please let the school know if you are in need of translation services.
Conferences will be held In Person on Thursday 10/26 from 5PM - 9PM. and Virtual on Fri. 10/27 between 8 - 11AM.
See Detailed instructions on how to sign up online for conferences.
Links to individual teachers conferences will be sent out next week. If you sign up for a virtual conference on Friday, please make certain that you have the correct link prior to your conferences and to enter the virtual waiting room at the exact time of your conferences. This will ensure our conferences are run in a timely manner for all. Students are encouraged to attend the conference with their parent.
Parent/Guardian Book Club: Ms. Quattrone will be hosting a book club for parents/guardians of WJHS students. She is looking forward to building relationships with all of you through your mutual love of reading while talking about all things middle school! The first meeting will be held Nov. 8th, from 6-7 pm (before our PTO Meeting)in the WJHS Media Center to discuss the first 6 chapters. We will then decide on two future dates - one to discuss chapters 7 -13 and another to discuss chapter 14 - end.
The book we will be reading is Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond - and How Parents Can Help. This book can be purchased at bookstores or here on Amazon or Target. Depending upon the number of attendees, we may move the venue, but for now, the first meeting will be held at the Jr. High. Please complete this Google form to RSVP to Ms. Q.
Student Council is kicking off “Socktober.” They are asking for donations of new or gently used socks. There is a collection the box in the front office of WJHS.
Interested in playing Travel Basketball? Click on the Travel Basketball link for information regarding travel teams for both boys and girls in 4th - 8th grade. They are also offering a Boys Skills Camp. Click on the registration link to join.
Three Pillars Donations: Students who display the three pillars of expectations (Safety, Respect, and Responsibility) earn tickets that are entered into our weekly raffle drawings . If you are able to partner with us in this positive behavior initiative and donate a prize, it would be greatly appreciated. Items that have been donated already are snacks, $5 giftcards, teenage items from the Dollar Store (notebooks, gel pens, Etch A Sketch, Rubics Cubes) and monetary donations for us to purchase items. Huge THANK YOU to those of you that have already brought in donations!!
Westmont Chamber - Be sure to check out the Chamber's Trick or Treat Trail for a fun family festivity coming up, as well as all the things they have to offer!
Remember to check the WJHS calendar for up-to-date information on Clubs, Events, & Athletics.
Sincerely,
Amy Quattrone
WJHS Principal