WHS Family Newsletter
August 14, 2023
ROCKS Spotlight
First Week
We LOVE having our new and returning students back in the building! We look forward to our first full week this week and a very successful 2023-2024 school year!
We are thrilled to announce that the WHS Library is up and running! Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. Naas and Mrs. McComb will be assisting students discover their passion for reading!
*Student hours are 8:15am-8:39am, during all 3 lunches and from 3:39pm-4:00pm. The library is located behind the Learning Center stairs.
Attendance Nook
Technology Update
Chromebooks
ALL students will be required to use school issued devices during the school year. Students should bring charged Chromebooks on the first day of school.
For more information on WWS chromebook guidelines, please click HERE.
Message from WWSD:
Like many school districts, we have a 1:1 program in place where every student is provided their own device by the school system. We do this for many reasons. One is security. The less devices we have coming in from the outside, the less chances of a security incident. We can no longer allow personal devices on our network due to our insurance company's cybersecurity requirements.
We also do it for testing purposes. We can't install the many testing packages on personal devices and it makes it very hard to find devices to test on when all of the computer labs are used for classrooms and are not available to be reserved. This also speaks to our ability to have all of these Chromebooks reside in our management console. We can approve and block software, remotely install software, filter Internet content even when a student isn't on campus, push our security updates and patches, etc.
Another important reason we decided on the 1:1 option is the equity of access issue with students. We decided to provide the device to all students based on data collected during a pilot period for a program where we allowed students to bring their own device or rent from the schools. We did this in seventh and eighth grades when we started the BYOD program. We found that many students who brought a device to school were not on equal footing with the students who rented from the district. They were the students checking out loaner devices 95% of the time. They would often have to go without a device and they would have to use a lesser netbook when testing. These students couldn't afford to rent from the schools and didn't have a device they could bring from home or they had to share with siblings.
Protection Plan
The district will be using a third party to offer protection plans for parents with kids who have school-issued Chromebooks. There will be a fixed cost of $23.00. It will be incredibly important that every student uses the protective case that is provided with the Chromebook. Failure to do so, will result in the device not being covered if it's damaged.
Click HERE to sign up. We highly recommend parents sign up for this program as costs for repairs without the program range from $60-$169.00.
Cell Phone Policy
No cell phones bell to bell.
Phones will be in the classroom caddy or zipped up in a backpack during class (including CORE). They should not be stored in a pocket or on a desk.
Teachers may incorporate the use of cell phones for instructional purposes only when a Chromebook cannot adequately accomplish the task.
No headphones/earbuds in during instructional time.
During independent work time, students may listen to music through their chromebook with teacher permission.
*Parents, please use passing periods or lunch for any type of communication with your student as they will not have access to their phones during instructional time.
Upcoming Events
Meet the Teacher Night, August 17th
School Picture Days: August 17th & 18th
August 17th:
9th & 10th graders
August 18th:
11th & 12th graders
* Lifetouch School Photography, known for capturing school pictures from K-12 nationwide, will take our school photos this year. Use our School ID: EVTVSDGPZ on this website to order.
*SENIORS:
Senior yearbook and commencement program pictures will be on Friday, August 18th. Seniors need to dress PROFESSIONALLY on this day.
If your senior photo is not taken by Lifetouch, it will NOT be included in the graduation program.
*Photo files are sent directly from LifeTouch to the program printer.
Yearbooks on SALE
Yearbook sales are open for the 2023-24 school year. Books can be purchased HERE.
*If you still need to pick up or purchase a 2022-23 book see Mr. Sterling in room 1240.
2023-24 ROCKS AP Advanced Placement Info
Early Dismissal Information
Absent from School
Transportation
Buses
Bus information is now available!
Click this LINK below (from a computer only) and follow the instructions to find out your child(ren)'s bus stop, pickup time, bus number and more.
Have you down loaded the Here Comes the Bus app?
Sign Up Instructions For Parents:
1. Download Here Comes the Bus app or visit herecomesthebus.com
2. Click the “Sign Up” button
3. Enter school code 29956 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
4. Complete the “User Profile” box
5. Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number
6. Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin
Car Pick Up & Drop Off
2023-2024 Parking Permit Information
2023-2024 Parking Permit registration is OPEN.
Students who wish to drive to school and park on school grounds must have a valid parking permit on file and display the 2023-2024 parking permit on their car at all times while on school property.
Students are required to purchase a new permit each year. This registration form is for all drivers and must be completed prior to in-person payment and a permit being issued.
After completing this online registration form, parking permits will be issued by Mrs. Zaichek at the Information Desk in the Main Office. Please bring your valid Driver’s license and payment (cash or check only). The cost of parking permits is $25.
Parking permits can be picked up on Monday, August 14th and August 15th, in the main lunch room during all 3 lunch times. We will be set up at the door #2 entrance. We will continue to set up daily in the lunch room until we get the last of our drivers their permits.
Parking Areas
Students are allowed to park in the high school student parking areas or at the Westfield Middle School overflow parking lot. *The parking permit is required to be displayed on your vehicle.
Any parking questions should be directed to Mr. Scanlon at scanlonk@wws.k12.in.us or Mr. Harris at harrisd@wws.k12.in.us
Weekly Athletic Calendar
Athletic Season Passes & Cashless Gate
FUNDRAISERS
Band Sign Fundraiser
Support your Westfield Senior or Westfield Band and Guard Member by honoring them with a sign in your yard! Signs are $20, 18 x 24 inches, double sided and digitally printed. Metal yard stakes are included. Please click HERE to order.
Band Coffee Fundraiser
We are super excited to once again partner with DRIVEN Coffee for a fundraiser! Coffee, cocoa, and snacks, too - all shipped directly to you, our Westfield Band friends and family, anywhere nationwide! Choose your "favorite" Band and Guard member at checkout, and they will get a portion of the sale deposited in their student account!
Click HERE to order!
Fundraisers like these support the day to day operations of the band and guard programs, keeping our program fees as low as possible. Thank you for your support!
WHS Softball Youth Camp
ROCK STRONG Award
Westfield Washington Schools is proud to announce a new staff appreciation initiative: the Rock Strong Award presented by the Westfield Education Foundation!
Westfield Education Foundation will present the award winners with a commemorative plaque and a $50 Amazon gift card as a way to show appreciation for all that they do.
Click here to nominate someone now. It only takes a minute!
Purposity
Want to help Westfield families with the click of a button? The Purposity app allows you to anonymously purchase clothing and home essentials for students that were identified by our school counselors.
About Us
Email: webmaster@wws.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.wws.k12.in.us/whs
Location: 18250 North Union Street, Westfield, IN, USA
Phone: (317)867-6800
Facebook: facebook.com/westfieldhighschool
Twitter: @WWSWHS