Westfield Arrow

Next week, the Cross Country Conference Meet will be held on Tuesday, September 24th at Lake Park East HS at 4:00pm. Westfield runners will compete against athletes from Medinah, Peacock, Roselle, Spring Wood, and Wood Dale. We hope you have the chance to attend and help cheer on our students!

The Girls Basketball season is up next, with tryouts for the 7th Grade Girls team starting on Wednesday, September 25th and tryouts for the 8th Grade Girls team starting on Monday, September 30th.

Auditions for our Fall Play, Twice Upon A Time, will also take place next week on Wednesday, September 25th. Please see the flyer in today's Arrow for more information.

Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15th to October 15th

Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on Sunday, September 15th, is an annual celebration recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Although students at Westfield learn about the achievements and history of Hispanic Americans throughout the school year, we also believe it is important to use this period of time to encourage students and families to learn more about the contributions made by Hispanic Americans throughout the history of the United States. The following links from History.com, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian have wonderful resources.

Hot Lunch has started!
The Westfield PTO is excited to announce plans to offer Hot Lunch on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays this year. Please note: Hot lunch will not be offered on early dismissal days. Information from Wholesome Food Services on how to create or update your account is included on this flyer. Please be sure to check your account to ensure your student(s)’ grade level is accurate.

Food Drive - Go Orange for Hunger Action in September

Please join us in supporting the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Bloomingdale Food Pantry by dropping off much needed food items at Westfield. For more information on the Go Orange for Hunger Action food drive please visit www.SolveHungerToday.org/HAM

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stefan Larsson

Principal

Amanda Vreeland

Assistant Principal

• SEPTEMBER 23 D13 Board of Ed. Meeting - 7pm
• SEPTEMBER 24 Cross Country Conference Meet 4:00pm at Lake Park HS EAST
• SEPTEMBER 25 Dine-Out Fundraiser at Portillo's - info below
• SEPTEMBER 27 Wear GOLD, Cal's Angels Fundraiser - info below
• SEPTEMBER 30 Last Day to Donate Food Items - Hunger Action Month

The teams will be updating the links weekly during the school year with news and any upcoming information.

• 6th GRADE TEAM
• 7th GRADE TEAM
• 8th GRADE TEAM
• EXPLORE TEAM (grades 6, 7, 8)
• P.E. TEAM (grades 6, 7, 8)
• WF SPECIALISTS (grades 6, 7, 8)

Each week the staff recognizes students for demonstrating outstanding character based on attitudes or actions that follow the Character Counts Pillars and our WARRIORS Mission and Vision:

''We are W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S.; our mission and vision for the future are for all staff and students to be Welcoming, Ambitious, Respectful, Responsible, Innovative, Optimistic, Reflective, and Successful."

Now through Friday, October 18th, submit your flag design artwork to Mrs. Matt, Westfield Art Teacher to enter the Illinois' State Flag Redesign Contest. If students need any supplies, see Mrs. Matt.

FLAG DESIGN DETAILS & REQUIREMENTS

>> REQUIRED: CURRENT PHYSICAL ON FILE WITH THE NURSE BEFORE TRYOUTS

GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUT SIGN UP FORM

The Westfield Art Room is in need of empty cereal or cracker boxes (really any box made from thin cardboard) for an upcoming student 3D Art Sculpture Project.

Please save all thin empty cereal boxes and bring them to Westfield!

Thank you in advance for giving your empty boxes a second use!

If a student needs Chromebook/Password/Repair assistance from the Technology Department, the student must use the link below to request support:

Technology Support TICKET

Westfield is a food collection site for non-perishable food donations during Hunger Action Month.

Parents and students may drop off donations in the big, orange box at Westfield's Main Entrance.

Thank you!

ALMA: is used to register students, contains attendance information, grades and progress reports. ALL families have login information for ALMA. Please utilize this site to view grades, attendance information, and the trimester progress reports.

CLICK HERE for Alma Parent Login Instructions

OTUS: is our District's Data Warehouse (https://my.otus.com/login).This site contains historical (K-8) data and current student assessment data: MAP data, IAR data and CoGat data. Please review this OTUS PARENT LETTER to learn more about accessing your child's information in OTUS. If you are a returning student, you created an OTUS account last year and can view the assessment data.

Parents/Guardians: please, sign up for one day, some days, or all the days to volunteer at Westfield 11:30AM-12:30PM Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, AND you also get to watch your middle schooler in action!

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR HOT LUNCH

Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year! - Summer Sale 10% Off Lunches through September 30th 2024.

> > RETURNING FAMILY

Please remember to update your student's ordering profile here! This information ensures accurate distribution of your student's lunches for the new school year.

> > NEW TO THE PROGRAM

1. Go to www.wholesomefoodservices.com; select 'Sign Up'

2. Click 'Create Account' and set up a profile for each student by selecting 'Add New Profile' under the 'Profiles' tab

3. Select School name; select 'Order Now' to view menus and place orders

4. Enter your credit/debit card information to pay securely online

ORDER HOT LUNCH HERE

As a reminder, absences may be considered excused for reasons of 1) personal illness/Dr. appointment, 2) quarantine, 3) bereavement, 4) family emergencies, 5) observance of religious holidays, 6) mental health, and 7) request in writing, approved in advance by the administration.

Please, use the Westfield Attendance Email: wfattendance@sd13.org, or call the Westfield Main Office available 24/7 at 630-529-6211 with an absence or late arrival.

Parents can expect to see charges for some Chromebook repairs.

District 13 will absorb the first $50.00 of the Chromebook repair annually.

These repair costs will be charged through My School Bucks.

Parents/Guardians:

• You received an invoice email of fees for 2024-25 on August 16th. If it is not in the inbox, please check the spam folder.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Please sign into My School Bucks and create an account and attach your student(s).

2. Click on the Person Icon in the upper right hand corner

3. In the drop down that appears select "My Students"
4. On the My Students page click the blue "Add Student" button

>> Once the fees are posted to your student(s) account(s), you will receive an email notification from My School Bucks. If you have not received an email, this means the fees were probably posted prior to you creating an account

>> The payment deadline has been extended to October 1, 2024.

Westfield Families:

• Along with the registration fee, 8th-grade students will have their graduation fee applied to their account to be paid at the beginning of the school year.
• Sixth-grade students will have their lock fee applied to their account to be paid at the beginning of the school year.

MY SCHOOL BUCKS INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: Download the FirstView ® ParentView App. Go to firstviewapp.com or find FirstView ® in the App Store or Google Play. Follow the instructions to download the app to your smartphone. *You can also access the ParentView in your browser at https://web.firstviewapp.com/login

STEP 2: Set Up Your Profile. Open the FirstView ® app from your home screen and begin the registration process. You’ll be asked to: a) Select State: Illinois b) Select District: D11-12-13-108 c) Enter Student ID You’ll then be prompted to REGISTER*.

STEP 3: Follow a Stop. Once you have confirmed your account, login and select Profile to “Add A Student”. This is specific to your student: 1) Enter Student ID 2) Security Code. Once you select “Done”, you will be able to see stop information in your Profile. The Scheduled Stop times will also appear on your FirstView ® Map. You may track multiple student’s stops.

STEP 4: Set Notifications Go to Settings and select “Notification Recipients” to add email notifications for up to 3 recipients, including yourself. From this screen, you can also edit your Profile or follow another student’s stop. Alerts and notifications from your district or the bus depot will appear under Notifications in the menu.

As we approach the fall season, allergy season begins. Please, give the over-the-counter. non-drowsy medications to your student in the morning prior to leaving for school.

If your student is in need of a second dose after their lunch, have them stop at the Nurse Office, and a parent will be contacted to bring the medication to school for the parent to administer.

Email Mrs. RIder, Westfield Nurse

• The district's medication administration policy mandates that all medication administered at school requires a Medical Doctor's order. This includes over-the-counter medications; students may NOT keep over-the-counter meds in their backpacks or in their lockers--including cough drops, Advil, etc. This is an important safety concern!
• If your incoming 6th grader requires an inhaler, Epi-Pen, or any oral medication, please obtain the medication form and appropriate health care plan from your physician when your child has their exam. Forms may also be obtained on the district website.
• Questions? Please contact Mrs. Rider, Westfield Nurse at dawnrider@sd13.org
• DOCTOR MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM
• PARENT AUTHORIZATION

1. Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases: wash before and after eating, using the restroom, being outdoors.

2. Get fresh air from outside: open a window.

3. Sanitize surfaces.

4. Keep up to date on immunizations: Vaccines & Immunizations

5. Do not share personal belongings: brushes, makeup, food, drinks.

6. Keep a sick child home.

>> TO ALL INCOMING 6th GRADE PARENTS re: FULL HEALTH PHYSICAL before OCTOBER 15th
A current, physical examination is required by the Illinois Department of Public Health for all children entering 6th grade -- completed by a Physician and signed by a parent/guardian. [Students in 6th Grade will be excluded from school after OCTOBER 15th without a current physical form on file.]
STATE OF ILLINOIS HEALTH EXAM FORM

>> TO ALL 7th and 8th GRADE PARENTS re: SPORTS PHYSICAL
A current, sports-physical exam is required if your 7th or 8th grade student wishes to participate in sports -- BEFORE their sport season starts and in time for tryouts.
SPORTS PHYSICAL FORM

Questions? Email Westfield's Nurse: dawnrider@sd13.org

On WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th from 5:00pm-8:00pm, order online and use the code PORTILLOS8 before checkout in the "Coupon Code" field.

Eating in? Just show this flyer to the cashier and it will benefit Westfield.

It's valid on drive thru, pickup, Kiosk, and in-restaurant orders.

Thank you!

Westfield Parents and Guardians! Sign up to volunteer for the school year 2024-2025:

• Committee Chairpersons still needed: Hot Lunch, Parties/Dances, Teacher Appreciation, Spirit Wear, Social Media, Box Tops
• Questions? Email westfieldmpto@gmail.com for information.

• President: Cynthia Perez
• Vice-President: Melissa Graham
• Treasurer: Agata Rojba
• Secretary: Kavita Maharaj

Benefits of your $20 membership for all students:

(Please, pay with MySchoolBucks) MEMBERSHIP FORM

• All-School parties and dances
• Classroom 'wish' lists
• Teacher appreciation
• Scholarships
• Field Trips
• Student awards

Westfield Middle School collects Box Tops for Education™.

All you need is your phone!

• Download the Box Tops app
• Use the app to scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase
• The app will identify Box Tops products on your receipt and automatically credit your school’s earnings online

Twice a year, Westfield will receive a check for whatever the school needs!

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact the PTO at westfieldmpto@gmail.com Thanks for your support!!

Buy 1, earn 10! Win Box Tops items for Westfield NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30th.

Just scan your receipt within 14 days of purchase, and win for Westfield!

The Bloomingdale School District has a Virtual Backpack that is filled with flyers and information from District 13 and various organizations located throughout Bloomingdale.

Please click on the link if you are also interested in activities or information from outside organizations.

DISTRICT 13 AND COMMUNITY VIRTUAL BACKPACK FLYERS

School Day Hours: 8:30am- 3:30pm.

Students are guided into the building by staff between 8:10 - 8:20am and are expected to be seated in their 1st period class at 8:30am. All classes are 44 min with a 3 min passing period. Lunchtime, Flextime, & Study Hall for all grades are between 11:38 - 12:22pm. Students will be dismissed from school at 3:30pm. All students attend the following courses: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, & Exploratory.

ATTENDANCE EMAIL FOR LATE OR ABSENT STUDENTS: wfattendance@sd13.org

• Standards & Expectations for Student Behavior
• Westfield Student Handbook

• Social Worker, Sheila Zagotta (szagotta@sd13.org)

• School Counselor, Lindsay Fenton (Lfenton@sd13.org)

Your child can take IXL with them anywhere with the IXL app for tablets and smartphones! This app is tailor-made for mobile devices to create a fun and immersive experience that learners love.

On October 30, 2023, the Illinois State Board of Education released the 2023 Illinois Report Card for schools. Westfield received a summative designation of Exemplary for 2023. The Exemplary rating is given to schools performing in the top 10% of schools statewide, with no underperforming student groups. This is the second year in a row that Westfield has received the Exemplary rating. We would like to congratulate everyone in the Westfield Community, including our students, staff, and parents. We are extremely proud of the students and staff at Westfield!

Schools are rated on a number of factors, including student scores on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in both ELA & Math and on the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). This year the School Report Card also included the percentage of students who showed growth on IAR in ELA & Math. For a quick comparable, here are some scores from Lake Park feeder schools showing the percentages of students who Met & Exceeded on IAR and ISA along with the growth of students relative to other students in the state in ELA & Math.

We are W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S.

Website: sd13.org > Schools > Westfield Middle School

Location: 149 Fairfield Way, Bloomingdale, IL 60108

Phone: 630-529-6211 Fax: 630-893-9336

We are working with students to create "How-To" Videos to support students and parents. Below are some of the topics we have videos for so far. We will continue to cover different topics as they come up. (*If the video is not linked here it is in the process of being made and edited, but we wanted you to know it is coming!)

Gmail:

• How to delete all email (6th grade)
• How to appropriately write an email
  
• You can only email other sd13.org email addresses
• Creating Bookmarks
• Starring and snoozing Emails

Google Classroom:

• How to Join Classroom(with Code)
• How to Join with Teacher Invite
• Check Stream and classwork page
  
• How to Turn in assignments

FlipGrid:

• Accessing
• Creating
• Responding/Replying

Chromebook:

• Pinning Apps to Chromebook Shelf

• How to set up Google Classroom email summaries for Parents and Guardians