What's Up @ West

• Principal's Message
• Important Dates
  
• Shout Outs
• Annie Jr. Performing now
  
• Counselor's Corner

• Literacy Acceleration: Power UP
• Student Early Release
• West Supply Needs
• Caregiver Group
• Mental Health Groups
• Winter Weather Reminders
• lots more
  

Dec 6: No School (PD)

Dec. 12: Early Release

Dec. 16: Choir Concrt

Dec. 18: Orchestra Concert

Dec 23 - Jan 3: No School (Winter break)

A big shout out to Westies for all of your food/item donations to the food shelf during Spirit Week. In total we collected:

• 216 pounds donated to our school’s food market
  
• 323 pounds donated to ICA Food Shelf
  
• Last year we donated around 200 pounds total
  

ICA was SOOOOOO thankful when the items were delivered to them.

This was a huge success because Westies rock!!

7th grade Digital Design students were given the opportunity to design this year's Lunar New Year shirt, in celebration of the Year of the Snake, for XinXing Academy. They were given particular text and graphic design parameters to follow when creating their own unique t-shirt design. Congratulations to our two finalists!

Please consider joining us to cheer on our incredible students during one of the Annie performances. If you’re interested in volunteering during a performance, please take a moment to check out our sign-up form.

Tickets are on sale for Annie Jr! Remaining shows are:

• 12/6 at 7p
• 12/7 at 2p
  

If you’re interested in helping, sign up here.

We have been hearing about an uptick in students at West participating in self-harming behaviors. While we are actively working with students and families who have come to our attention, we want to open this conversation as an opportunity for families to check in with their students as we all work together to support kids.

It is important to know that self-harm behaviors are not suicidal behaviors. Self-harm behaviors (cutting, burning, scratching) can lead to temporary relief from emotional pain and need to be replaced with more positive coping skills.

Our Counselor Corner this month is focused on how to best keep open lines of communication with your student. Please read the attached flyer for more info, and check out these links for further information about self-harm.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/when-children-and-teens-self-harm.aspx

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/help-cutting.html

https://calmharm.stem4.org.uk/

This year all students will be using a digital app on their iPad called Lexia PowerUp. This program is designed to accelerate literacy skills through a personalized online experience that tailors instruction to your students' specific skills and prepares them to meet the demands of secondary curriculum. The activities in PowerUp support and build on our Language & Literature curriculum and focuses on three areas: word study, grammar, and comprehension.

Here is how PowerUp works:

• Students take the placement assessment.

• Students engage in 60-135 minutes of learning a week within the lessons.

• Students earn streaks and set goals.

• Language & Literature teachers track student progress and assign ATL grades.

• Parents can support students by setting PowerUp homework expectations.

This targeted approach allows each student to make literacy gains quickly and supports overall academic success.

If you are wondering how to support your child with Power Up at home click on the link below or reach out to Amber Kloster at amber.kloster@hopkinsschools.org.

Lexia Power Up Tips for Home Use

On Thursday, December 12, 2024 ALL West students will be dismissed at 12 pm. Early release days are an opportunity for our teachers to engage in collaborative professional learning, enhancing their skills and strategies to better support our students. Please take a look at the truncated early release day schedule HERE. All students will be picked up by buses or parents no later than 12 pm.

Additional early release dates will be February 20, 2025 and April 17, 2025.

We are in need of the following supplies and hope that families can help:

• White board eraser refills
  
• white board cleaner
  
• reams of copy paper
• Scotch tape refill rolls
  
• Facial tissues
  

You can find our List on Amazon and donations can be dropped in the Administration office with Miss Joyce.

Thank you!

We are doing a panel discussion for our December Caregivers of Gender Expansive Kids Group! Young adults share their perspectives and experiences of identifying as gender fluid, non-binary or gender queer. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, family members and kids are all welcome.

Smudge has been busy working in classrooms and loving every minute of it. In Ms. Ireland's class, Smudge got to show off her artistic side and completed her first painting! She even picked the colors herself. Smudge hopes everyone has a safe and relaxing break!

A big thank you for all your donations so far for Smudge's treats and gear! Your generosity is greatly appreciated by dog and humans alike!🐶"

Smudge Wishlist

WMS is fortunate to work with Relate Counseling Center to provide opportunities for growth for our students! Please see the attached flyers and connect with your students' counselor or social worker if you are interested in your student participating in a small group on one of these topics.

As winter approaches, Hopkins Public Schools wants to ensure families are prepared for potential weather-related adjustments to our learning plans. When severe weather occurs, we prioritize safety while striving to minimize disruptions to learning through eLearning days, late starts, and early releases.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to review our Inclement Weather Plan, available on our website. The plan outlines:

• eLearning Days: PreK-12 students will learn virtually when schools close due to hazardous weather. Teachers will provide support via Google Meet, email, and phone.

• Late Starts: Buses will run on a two-hour delay, and specific adjustments will be made to preschool and extended day programs.

• Early closures primarily impact secondary schools, while we aim to keep elementary schools on their regular schedule.

Families will receive notifications about weather-related changes through email, text, and phone calls, as well as updates on the Hopkins Schools website, social media, and local TV stations. Please ensure your contact information is up to date in Infinite Campus.

Click the link below for information about how to access the market at West Middle School.

West Middle School Market and Resources info.docx

Please do not hesitate to contact West Middle School Counselors, Social Workers or Administration if you have any questions about accessing the Market on site.

Is your scholar part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or an ally looking for a way to get involved with advocacy? Recommend that your scholar signs up for GSA to learn more! GSA will meet once per week during What I Need time (students sign up during CREW for these sessions each week) - students can sign up to attend for just one week, or can attend weekly for the rest of the year.

Concept-based learning is not new or exclusive to the International Baccalaureate (IB)). It's a teaching approach used to deepen students' understanding and help them apply their knowledge in different areas.

Concept-based inquiry combines two approaches: inquiry-based learning and concept-based learning. This method supports student agency (the ability for students to take control of their learning), develops important skills for the 21st century, and encourages deeper understanding that can be transferred to various subjects. For example, instead of simply memorizing historical facts about World War II, students might explore the concept of "conflict" and apply it to different historical and current events. This helps students understand the patterns and causes of conflict, allowing them to make connections across time periods and topics.

In contrast to traditional learning, which focuses mainly on memorizing

For more information, check out this video, which WMS students viewed at the beginning of the school year, or contact Jen Poncelet, our IB coordinator (jennifer.poncelet@hopkinsschools.org).

Read here for the most recent details from the email sent by the Athletics Department.

Alpine Ski Club: For scholars grades 3-6, No race experience is needed, all you need is the ability to ski in control and our coaches will teach you the foundations of racing. Community education sign up is now open, so please use this link: Hopkins Alpine Community Education Program - Hopkins Community Education.

Questions? Contact coaches Jason Langlie (JasonLanglie@gmail.com) or Maria Eaton (Mariachristine2@gmail.com)

• Open-enrolled families (families who live outside the Hopkins School District): if you have a fall 2025 kindergartner, you will need to complete an Open Enrollment Application for your child by January 15, 2025.
• Hopkins School District resident families: please submit a K-12 Student Enrollment form for your fall 2025 kindergartner — even if you are already attending Hopkins Preschool.
• Find enrollment forms online, visit HopkinsSchools.org/enroll.

Are you the caregiver of a child who transcends traditional binary gender roles?

We are offering a supportive, ongoing group for parents and caregivers to ask questions, share ideas, and support one another. Some children may identify as transgender, gender fluid, non-binary, gender queer, gender expansive, or simply move through the world in a much more gender free type of way.

This is for all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school, and beyond). Laura Jensen, Hopkins Schools LGBTQ+ Community Liaison will facilitate the meetings. This is not a group to debate the issue, rather for parents looking to support their child.

Questions? Email Laura.Jensen@hopkinsschools.org

Dates for Remainder of 24-25 School Year:

Dec. 19; Jan. 23; Feb. 27; Mar. 27; Apr. 24; May 22; June 26. 5-6:30 p.m

North Middle School, 5-6:30 p.m. Room 506 (use side parking lot, Door R)

Questions? Email Laura.Jensen@hopkinsschools.org

Items or activities not administered or sponsored by the district but might be of interest to your family.

Hello!

My name is Erika Manley. I am the parent of a 5th grade student at Glen Lake Elementary and 7th grade student at West Middle School. If you are the parent or caregiver of a child with a disability, we wholeheartedly welcome you to our next coffee event.

ALL families at any educational stage in The Hopkins School District (pre-school to high school) are welcome.

Date: Friday, December 13

Time: 9-10:30am

Place: Basecamp Coffee & Provisions

14635 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka

Topic(s): “Surviving” The Holiday Break

Principal email: serita.mattei@hopkinsschools.org

Website: https://west.hopkinsschools.org/
Location: 3830 Baker Road, Minnetonka, MN, USA
Phone: (952) 988-4400
Facebook: facebook.com/hopkinswjh/