Westwood Junior High

As I reflect on the past few months since the beginning of the school year, I am incredibly grateful for the teachers, students and community at Westwood. It is by far the people that make Westwood Junior High so special.

Our wonderful PTA takes such great care in providing support and awesome snacks. Thank you for stocking the lounge, the caramel bar and the fun pumpkin contest!

It is hard to put into words my gratitude for the exceptional faculty and staff at Westwood. Their tireless dedication to every student, every day is inspirational. In all my years of in education, this faculty and staff stands out to me as dedicated to their students and this community. The love for Westwood is evident in each and every classroom. Thank you, teachers and campus staff, for all that you do.

As we prepare for the Road to RHS on November 6th for 8th grade families and Magnet Marketing Night on November 13th for prospective students, I am reminded that our students' time at Westwood is short. The opportunities that our Westwood Wolf pups have once they leave our campus is infinite because of the incredible partnership that we have with you, the community and families. We are grateful for your support and value your collaboration with us in the classroom, on the field, at performances and on the court.

A reminder that Progress Report 3, will arrive in your email box from your child’s Wolf DEN (advisory) teacher by 4pm on Friday November 1st. The progress report will include all of your student's grades, which you can access on a regular basis in FOCUS. Gradebooks are updated regularly by your student's teachers.

If you have any questions, please reach out and ask. We are here to connect with you and your child and value our partnership for your child's learning, growth and success. Please continue to view our newsletters in your email inbox, Westwood Twitter & Facebook pages, school website and PTA platforms.

Sincerely,

Katie Mottram

Westwood Principal

WWJH Parent HUB

• Family Growth Camp - Postponed to Feb.5, 2025
• 10/28 - 11/1 - Red Ribon Week
• 11/1 - Progress reports published
• 11/4 - 11/5 - No School
• 11/6 – Road to RHS (8th grade parents at WWJH @ 6 pm)
  
• 11/7 – MST Ed Talks
  
• 11/13 - Magnet Marketing Night (for incoming 7th grader families)
  
• 11/15 - Fall Pep Rally
• 11/25 - 11/29 - Thanksgiving Holiday / No School
• 12/17-20 – Fall Exam Week

Thank you so much to our amazing PTA for organizing a candy apple bar for our staff on Friday 10/18! It was a delightful treat that the staff enjoyed. If you have not already, please become a member of our wonderful PTA; the link is below.

The Texas Legislature has mandated screening for abnormal spinal curvature for 5th and 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys. Based on this criteria, your child has been identified for spinal screening this school year. The Spinal Screening Program detects abnormal curves of the spine. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. Kyphosis is a rounding of the upper back. Adolescents between the ages of 10 and 16 are especially vulnerable to scoliosis because of their rapid growth. If detected early, these curves can usually be corrected before extensive treatment is required.

The screening process consists of observing the spine from different angles. Another school nurse or staff member is also present to help. In order for the school nurse to observe the spine, it will be necessary for the student to remove their shirt. Girls should wear a shirt and pants/skirt with a swimsuit top or bra under the shirt. Each child will be screened individually to ensure privacy. Following the screening, a letter will be sent only to the parents of children whose results indicate the need for a further evaluation by a physician. Parents with questions about the spinal screening process are welcome to ask their school nurse.

Our school screening will take place on: October 31 and November 1

Sincerely,
RISD Health Services

For current parents of 6th grade students interested in learning about our magnet program.

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.

Eligibility Requirements for Athletics

All students must have an updated physical and all UIL Rank One paperwork completed prior to participating in any tryouts, practices, or games. All UIL information can be found on Westwood, RHS, and RISD Athletics websites. If you have any questions, please contact one of the coaches at Westwood.

Tickets:

Tickets for all RISD Athletic Events can be purchased at the gate or by visiting the link below:

https://richardsonisd.brushfire.com/

High School Football Games:

All students attending Varsity football games must wear their school issued ID for admission.

VOLLEYBALL:
Volleyball teams will compete against West JH at Richardson High School on Monday, October 28th. This will be the final game of the 2024 season for 7B, 7C, and 8B teams. Both 7th and 8th A-teams will participation in the RISD Junior High Volleyball Tournament on Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd. Sites and times will be determined following Monday’s regular season games. Final brackets will be posted on the WWJH website.

FOOTBALL:

The 7th and 8th grade football team will complete the 2024 season against West JH on Tuesday, October 29th at Eagle Mustang Stadium. Seventh grade will play at 5:30 PM followed by 8th grade at 7:00pm. Come out and cheer on the Wolves!

Cross Country:

Cross Country teams are preparing for district championship competition. The girls district meet will take place on Tuesday, October 29th. The boys’ team will compete on Wednesday, October 30th. Huffhines Park will be the site for the district championship. All meets will take place at Huffhines Park at 4:30pm. Both the girls’ and boys’ teams have finished strong each week of competition with several top 10 finishers. LET’S GO WOLVES!

Basketball 2024-2025

BOYS: Open gym and skills times will start on October 30th. Official tryouts will begin on

November 7th. Tryout out packets will be available after October 30th. See Coach Cervantes for

more details.

GIRLS: Open gym and skills will take place on November 7th and 8th. Tryouts will officially begin on

November 11th. Tryout out packets will be available after November 1st. See Coach Lockett for

more details.

Book Club

Our latest Book Club meeting was Wednesday, October 23rd. For this meeting each student read whatever they wanted and then came to share with the group. We all got so many suggestions from each other to add to our TBR list! Our next meeting will be Wednesday, November 20th during lunch. A lunch is reading The Wednesday Wars, B lunch is reading Girl Forgotten, and C lunch is reading Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie.

Spelling Bee

The Westwood Spelling Bee will be December 4th. Students need to sign up by November 1st to be entered. They will receive a list of words to study. The Bee will be during 1st period.

Inktober

Inktober is a drawing exercise the WWJH Library supports each year. Students use the 5 inspiration words each week to draw pictures. Students vote on their favorites and the artwork with the most votes wins a sketchbook and special pen. See the entries from the first two weeks below

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!

We’re also hoping to host a Halloween cookie decorating contest. We are in need of SIX of these kits. Please let Ms. Moore know if you can donate. Thanks so much for your support!

Westwood Junior High PTA needs your help to reach our fundraising goal! Donations will be used to support our students, teachers, and staff with programs like Reflections, Robotics, EdTalks, student dances, quarterly awards, staff appreciation, and more! Please click the link below to donate and share with family, friends, and community partners. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! Let's go Wolves!

Help Richardson ISD Stock the Shelves at Network of Community Ministries. Richardson ISD has a goal to donate 10,000 pounds of canned or boxed goods to support RISD families in need. Donations may be dropped off at any RISD campus or office building from Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 8. Please no glass containers. Any brand is acceptable.

See our Amazon Wish List for guidance on what to donate.

s.risd.org/fooddrive

Help us reach our goal and make an impact in our community!

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.