Westwood Intermediate/Middle School

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The cold weather has arrived and students should be prepared each day to go outside. We cancel outdoor recess when the outside temperature is 0° and/or the wind-chill factor is -10 °F.

Yesterday, Tuesday, we had a number of students arriving at school without jackets on and wearing crocs. We did have an indoor day for recess but students are walking to and from bus stops and the buses can run late in the cold weather. Please remind your child to dress for Minnesota winter weather.

Thursday, January 18 is office hours from 3:30 – 5 p.m. All staff are available in the building for parents to drop in, schedule a time, or meet online. Staff will also be reaching out to parents they need to connect with on specific student learning.

Have a great week,

Tom Larson

Principal

Our next Possip plush check is coming your way Thursday, Jan. 18. Once again this month, you will receive a text message and email with a few simple questions asking for feedback on your experience with school. Watch for the messages from Possip and make sure to reply to the brief survey and help keep us updated on your experience. It is helpful when people share contact information for any follow up and you may also choose to remain anonymous. You may also choose to reply in your preferred language. Thank you!

Current 7th graders (students who will be in 8th grade next school year) have the amazing opportunity to attend an optional field trip to Washington, D.C. next year.

• When: 10/12 - 10/15, 2024
• Where: Washington, D.C. and surrounding sites
• Who: Students who will be in 8th grade in 2024-2025
• What: Visit numerous museums, monuments, and other historic sites
• How: Fly both ways--leave early morning 10/12 and return at night 10/15
• Why: Fantastic lifetime memories :-)
• Trip ID# 213720

• Cost: $2,172.00 - If you register by January 30 (The price goes up $125 dollars after that).

  The initial deposit is $99 and the rest can be spread out in payments. We realize the price is significant and that is why we plan the trip a year in advance. There is some financial assistance available. Visit the website with more specific information and the registration options.

• If you have any questions, please email Ms. Visser.

8th graders are being asked to turn in their baby photos for the yearbook. Please find your student's favorite baby picture and fill out this form to submit the photo. Please make sure to only submit one photo per student. All photos must be received by January 31 to be included in the 2024 yearbook. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Powell, kpowel@district16.org.

Orders may be placed online at Balfour or scan the QR code. Order forms were also sent home with students. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Powell, kpowel@district16.org.

• Thursday, January 18 - In-person Office Hours, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Monday, January 22 - Grupo de Padres Hispanohablantes de SLP reunión, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, 5-6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 24 -
• Westwood Welcome for 4th grade families (online session) at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 6 p.m.
• Caregiver Learning Event: Child Development Over Ages, Westwood Intermediate and Middle School (The Den), 6-7 p.m. RSVP
• Monday, January 29 -
• PTO Meeting, 10 a.m. in the den
• Wind Ensemble 8th grade band concert, 7 p.m., SLPHS Fine Arts Center
• Tuesday, January 30 -
• 8th grade online family information session: 2024-25 course registration, 6:30 p.m., WebEx
• 7/8 Gr Choir Concert, 7 p.m., SLPHS Fine Arts Center
• Wednesday, January 31 - 8th grade online family information session: 2024-25 course registration, 9 a.m., WebEx
  

February

• Thursday, February 1 - Westwood Welcome Event for 4th grade families, Westwood Intermediate and Middle School, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 7 - Explore your Options event for grades 8-11, Spring Lake Park High School, 5-7 p.m.
  
• Thursday, February 8 - Live on 65: C. Willi Myles Comedy (Stand-Up Comic), Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m. Purchase tickets
• Friday, February 9 -
• Bookfair, 6-7:30 p.m., Maker Space area on the intermediate side
• Family Fun Night, 6-8 p.m., Westwood Cafeteria and Gym
• February 12-14 - Access Testing, grades 7-8
• Friday, February 16 - High school registration closes for the 2024-2025 school year
• February 15-19 - No school
• Wednesday, February 21 - NAEP testing, Fr. 8
• February 21-23 - Access Testing, grades 5-6
• Thursday, February 22- Office Hours, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Monday, February 26 - PTO meeting, 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, February 27 - 6th to 7th grade transition online session, 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. | WebEx
• Wednesday, February 28 - 7th to 8th grade transition online session, 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. | WebEx
• February 29 - March 2 - Spring Musical "Oliver", SLPHS Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m.

Showing up to school every day has been proven to keep children healthier, help to develop life skills and independence, and promote community. Each month, we will be sharing a reason why it is important for your child to be in school, including tips for how to promote attendance.

Going to school regularly helps students develop important life skills. Effective communication, decision-making and time management are all skills that are taught from an early age. These skills are honed as students make their way through SLP Schools and beyond. In fact, these lessons are carried through all the way to our Transitions Program! Transitions student Sam Alkhulaidi states, "I'm learning to grow vegetables in my backyard garden.” Sam is looking forward to the spring thaw so he can put his new skills he learned from school to use.

As we continue to navigate cold and flu season, we would like to remind families of our attendance policy. Be on the lookout this week for your student bringing home a handy magnet to keep in your home. This serves as a helpful reminder about when to send your child to school and when to stay home when they are sick. One magnet per family will be distributed.

Westwood Middle School Counselors are meeting individually with each 8th grade student to introduce the registration process for high school. Students have shown excitement about the variety of electives offered in their career and college pathways and are excited to hear more details when the high school counselors come to Westwood on January 30.

6th Grade choir concert was a success!

The Panther Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Panthers for a Purpose, is back. Proceeds raised directly support Spring Lake Park Schools' students. 2024 also marks an important milestone - the 20th anniversary of the annual fundraising event. Read more details about this year’s planned festivities including participating in the week of giving, supporting the weekend food pack program and purchasing party tickets.

Join us for our next PTO meeting on January 29 at 10 a.m.

You are invited to get out of the cold and meet other families and friends for a fun night on February 9 from 6-8 p.m. Families can play Bingo in the cafeteria or bring your own game/puzzle from home, have open gym time, or play KanJam or Corn Hole. There will be $1 concession snacks/drinks for sale in the cafeteria. The Book Fair will also be open. This is not a drop off event and students must have a guardian in attendance.

Email us at SLP.westwood.pto@gmail.com or join our group on BAND at https://band.us/@wwpto

• RSVP for “Child Development Over Ages” Event – Jan. 24
• Learn more about the 2024-2025 school year registration and enrollment events
• School closings and alerts reminders

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