Westview Wildcat Weekly

Wildcat Family Newsletter - Friday, October 25, 2024

Principal's Message

Hello, Westview Parents/Guardians! We are extremely proud of our students and staff! Students have been doing a great job overall of being respectful, arriving on time and prepared to learn, and wearing their student IDs. This week, district staff joined campus administrators and instructional coaches for Fidelity Walks. At Westview MS, we are focusing on teachers moving around the classroom, recognizing/reinforcing participation and positive behavior, and giving students time to write and process their thinking. During our Fidelity Walks, we observed very high levels of student-teacher relationships, students participating in High Quality Instructional Materials, and students engaging in peer-to-peer dialogue as it relates to the content. We are very pleased with the teaching and learning taking place in Westview classrooms across the campus!

We also want to reward students for positive behavior and making good choices. Students who have been on time to class, do not have any referrals, and wear their IDs daily have been able to participate in Fun Time Den Time! Students are reminded to bring and wear their IDs daily, which is also for campus safety, and to arrive to all classes on time. We also award students PBIS points for following our campus expectations. Our PBIS store is set up on Fridays during breakfast and lunch, so that students can redeem their points for prizes.

At Westview, we adhere to being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. Student who are reminded that when they "See or hear something concerning, to SAY SOMETHING." Students can always notify an staff member directly or report anonymously: https://www.anonymousalerts.com/pfisd/

Westview is committed to the success of all students and we live through our mission and vision! We truly appreciate all your support!

Vision: Success for ALL students means equity in instruction and SEL for ALL students! Achievement is they ALL CAN by any means necessary.

Mission: Westview students will be equitably empowered with the academic, social, and emotional knowledge and skills to live choice-filled lives and be successful contributors of society.

Early Release October 31st / No School Nov. 1st

Parents, this is a friendly reminder that next Thursday, October 31st is a half day:

Start Time: 8:20 a.m. (1st period starts at 8:20 a.m. as usual)
Release Time: 12:45 p.m. - students will be released to go home at 12:45 p.m.

Please know that bus transportation IS still provided. Car riders should be picked up at 12:45 p.m.

Student/Staff Holiday: Friday, November 1st (NO CLASSES)

STAAR Interims

Students have already taken the Science and Social Studies STAAR Interim assessments and will be taking the Language Arts and Math Interim assessments next week! These assessments mirror the STAAR test but has fewer questions. Teachers use this data to identify priority skills to focus on instructionally as well as to identify student projections for the spring STAAR assessment.

Resources:

STAAR Parent Portal: Parents can review their student's prior STAAR results by visiting: https://www.texasassessment.gov/
Parents will need the student's Unique Access Code to login to the portal.
STAAR Online Practice Tests: Students can visit the STAAR Practice Test and click on "Sign In" to access prior STAAR exams as well as practice tests. This is a great way for students to practice STAAR questions before the spring administration.

Veterans Day Assembly - Nov. 11th

Westview Middle School will be hosting a Veteran's Day assembly on Monday, November 11th from 8:15 a.m. - 10 a.m. This is a very special occasion in which we honor active duty and veterans for their service.

Active duty members and veterans who will attend are asked to RSVP using our Google Form to enter their name, military branch, and any other information you would like us to know.

Westview Homecoming Week

Our staff and students have had a great time with our Homecoming dress up themes this week! This has definitely brought positive energy and spirit to the campus!

Red Ribbon Week

Our counselors have spoken to students about drug awareness and prevention. Next week is Red Ribbon week, and we have dress up themes each day to counter the possession and use of drugs.

Report Cards & UIL Eligibility

The 1st Nine Weeks ended last Friday, October 18th. Teachers submitted report card grades yesterday, 10/23, at 4:30 p.m. Please know that report cards will be published tomorrow, 10/25. Please check Skyward to review your student's grades and attendance.

This 1st Nine Weeks report card will be used to determine UIL eligibility, starting tomorrow, 10/25. This means that students will regain or lose UIL eligibility based on their grades: students who have all passing grades and were previously ineligible will regain UIL eligibility. Students with a failing grade will remain/become UIL ineligible.

WMS Pep Rally

We had an AMAZING pep rally today! Students enjoyed performances from dance, choir, band, and our staff step team as well as the competitions! During our pep rally, we were also able to celebrate football and volleyball on their season!

Our pep rally brought great energy, and we look forward to future pep rallies here at WMS!

Halloween Dance - October 30th

Our Westview MS Halloween dance is:

next Wednesday, October 30th
from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
in the cafeteria
for Westview MS students only

Students must be in good standing with wearing the ID, being on time to class, and discipline. Tickets will be sold in the cafeteria for $5 all next week during lunches. Students who attend should also bring extra money for food/snacks.

PBIS Rewards

Here at Westview MS, we award students PBIS Reward points for following campus expectations and rules. Students can redeem their points on Friday for prizes such as chips, wristbands, candy, stickers, and other rewards.

PBIS Rewards is a system to recognize and reward positive behavior. This system helps us focus on positive actions instead of punitive responses.

Student IDs

Our students have been doing a great job wearing their student IDs during the school day. Students who wear their ID daily will receive PBIS points and remain eligible for school function (i.e., dances, fall fest).

Consequences are in place for students who do not wear their ID more than 3 times, and parents will be contacted.

Lost IDs cost $5 and can be paid in the main office or online.

Wildcat Spirit Teachers of the Week

At Westview, it is important for us to regularly celebrate our teachers and the great things happening across the campus! The Wildcat Spirit Award winners are: Mrs. Puentes, Ms. Pennington, and Ms. O'Jack!!!

Congratulations!! Below are some kudos from colleagues!

Ms. Coutino:

Ms. Coutino is an exemplar teacher! She utilizes high impact teaching strategies that hold students to rigor and high expectations for learning! She believes that all of her students can achieve, and she gives her best every day! We are extremely grateful to have Ms. Coutino here at Westview MS!

Mr. Treadwell:

Mr. Treadwell has stepped up as the Social Studies department chair this year and has done a phenomenal job! He is also an outstanding teacher who works hard to build positive relationships with his students and make lessons that engage students. We are very thankful to have Mr. Treadwell as a Wildcat teacher!!

Thank you for being amazing and for all you do for Westview, Ms. Coutino and Mr. Treadwell!!

Picture Day Make-Ups

Did your student miss our October picture day? If so, make up pictures are scheduled for Wednesday, November 13th.

Tardy Tracking

Each week, we run a tardy report. Students with more than 5 tardies in a week or excessive tardies overall are assigned to Thursday after school detentions to make-up the missed instructional time. Make-up detention is held on Thursdays from 3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Students who are reporting to class on time regularly will receive PBIS rewards and other incentives. Students who are repeatedly tardy will lose opportunities for campus events (i.e., dances, Westfest, etc.).

Student Attendance

Regular school attendance is very important for student learning. Students who miss school more frequently are more likely to struggle with learning the concepts and may also struggle as they proceed to future grades/courses. Students are expected to be at school 90% of the time, per state law.

Westview uses EveryDay Pro to track student attendance and identify students who are excessively absent. Students with repeated or excessive absences will receive a phone call and/or text message regarding the concerns. Letters will also be mailed home per guidelines, and the campus may do regular home visits to help your student attend school. Please know that campus administrators will monitor student attendance to identify chronically absent students and truant students.

If your student must miss school, it is very important that your student bring a note to excuse the absence. Please also check your student's attendance regularly through Skyward to ensure regular attendance and that absences are noted as 'excused.'

Students who attend school regularly will be eligible to attend school events (i.e., dances, Westfest, etc.) and other celebrations. Students with perfect attendance will receive an award at the end of the 9-weeks.

Chronic absenteeism and truancy will result in meetings with an administrator to discuss absences, create a plan, and provide resources. Excessive absences can also impact a student's ability to proceed to the next grade level.

Cell Phone Policy

Per PfISD policy, cell phones must be turned off during the instructional day (start of 1st period until the end of the last period). We prioritize a focus on instruction, and cell phones cannot disrupt the learning or school environment.

Westview is adopting a new cell phone policy. Students will place their cell phone in the clear pocket chart next to the teacher’s desk to ensure it is not used during class. Teachers will have a system for how students will place and pick up their cell phones. Please know that if a cell phone is seen, it will be collected and turned in to the office.

1st Offense: Warning/Parent picks up the phone

2 or More Offenses: $15 fee/Parent picks up the phone

We understand that parents may need to reach their student. If a parent needs to contact their student, we ask that they call the front office at (512)594-2200. We will then call your student down to the office to speak with you. Similarly, students can use the front office phone to call a parent.

As noted above, cell phones can cause a disruptions and distractions in hallways, classrooms, restrooms, the cafeteria, and other spaces. We want to ensure our students are focused on learning and engaged at all times. Teachers for core classes will have Chromebook sets in the classroom, so students will be able to engage in learning using Chromebooks and do not need their cell phone.

Student Behavior Expectations

Westview adheres to the PfISD Student Code of Conduct and expects students to follow our school rules at all times: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible.

We believe in building positive relationships and recognizing students for positive behavior through Restorative Practices. Additionally, Westview Middle School uses the PBIS Reward System to reward and reinforce positive behavior.

Students who have significant/repeated infractions may be assigned to the Opportunity Center as well as lose privileges to participate in campus activities/events.

Stuffed Animals

As a friendly reminder, students are not permitted to bring stuffed animals to school. These will be confiscated and returned to students at the end of the school day. Thank you for your assistance with this process.

Meal Deliveries

Please know that meal deliveries to the campus are not permitted (i.e., Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.). If a meal is delivered the student will be allowed to pick it up at the end of the school day.

Westview PTO

The Westview Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meets monthly to hear a principal's update, discuss the PTO budget, and review other campus agenda items. The PTO also helps tremendously with campus events, concession stand sales at athletic events, and providing food/treats for staff throughout the year.

Please join our Westview PTO! You can sign up using any options copied below.

Form Sign Up

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