Westfield Arrow

The Westfield Cheerleading Team will be competing in the annual Cheer Competition tomorrow, February 1st, at Lake Park West Campus. Doors open at 1:45 PM for audience members and the Westfield team is the first to perform at 2:30 PM. The awards ceremony will take place at 4:00 PM. Admission is $5. The team has been practicing extremely hard throughout the season and they would love your support at the competition. We hope to see you there. Go Warriors!

Volleyball Tryouts

Tryouts for girls and boys volleyball start next week. Tryouts for the 6th/7th and 8th grade girls teams will be held on February 5th and 6th. Tryouts for the 6th/7th and 8th grade boys teams will be on February 10th and 11th. All students that plan on attending tryouts should sign-up on the Google Form posted in their PE Google Classroom and have a current physical on file with the nurse. Please reach out to the coaches, Mrs. Andrews (6th/7th grade girls), Ms. Miller (8th grade girls) and Mr. Gabriel (6th/7th and 8th grade boys) with any questions.

Celebrate Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements and contributions made by African Americans throughout U.S. history. Although students at Westfield learn about the achievements and history of African Americans throughout the school year, we also believe it is important to use the month of February to encourage students and families to learn more. We encourage students to have conversations at home about the contributions made by African Americans throughout the history of the United States. The links below from History.com and the Smithsonian have wonderful resources. History.com: Black History Month & National Museum of African American History & Culture

Attention 6th grade Parents & Guardians - CogAT Assessment

In February, Bloomingdale School District 13 schools will administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to students grades 1-6. At Westfield, 6th graders will be taking the test during the week of February 3rd. Click here to view a letter from our Director of Teaching & Learning for more information about the assessment.

Groundhog Day - 2/2/25

On Sunday, February 2nd, also known as Groundhog Day, the “Prognosticator of prognosticators” Punxsutawney Phil will reveal whether he thinks we will have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. How accurate is Phil? Check out the farmersalmanac for more information.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stefan Larsson

Principal

Amanda Vreeland

Assistant Principal

• FEBRUARY 4 NEW DATE for 'Shrek Jr' Auditions 3:30-5:15pm
• FEBRUARY 10 PTO Meeting 4:00pm
• FEBRUARY 17 No School - President's Day
• FEBRUARY 21 Early Student Dismissal at 1:40pm
• FEBRUARY 26 8th Grade Graduation Pictures (see info below)

The academic 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)
• BAND NEWSLETTER

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."

THE SCOOP

• All 8th grade students will have their picture taken on FEBRUARY 26th during the school day. [No payment is required to take a picture.]
• On Feb. 26, time cards will be given to students during 1st period Warrior Time.
• Students will go to the photographer at the time on their card and take pictures in a provided graduation gown and outfit of their choice; students may change in/out of clothes. See flyer for more suggestions.
• Proofs will be distributed to students in a few weeks, with an individual code, from which parents may order prints from Color Portraits.

On Monday, February 24 at 3:40-4:50pm, paint a 'Galaxy Night Sky' Watercolor with Cyndi Bringer, former Westfield Teacher. Use your own color choices and create a masterpiece.

Just fill out the form, pay the $10 fee, and you're in!

Questions? Email Art Teacher, Mrs. Matt at dmatt@sd13.org

Extended>>>Permission slip now due on JANUARY 31st.

Any Westfield Student who would like to perform in the Talent Show, please click the link for all the info. There will be auditions for approval, a dress rehearsal, and you're on! The show will happen on February 26th at 6:30pm.

TALENT SHOW INFO AND PERMISSION SLIP

Questions? Email Mrs. Marler yvonnemarler@sd13.org

Author, Lindsay Currie, visiting Westfield on February 20th.

More information to follow from Mrs. Arimura!

Westfield Librarian: amieearimura@sd13.org

The Technology Department is excited to invite Westfield students to join the new Student Technology Team. The Student Technology Team will begin meeting in March during Warrior Time with additional opportunities before and after school.

Opportunities for participants may include:

• Helping the Technology Department make basic chromebook repairs
• Testing new technology that we’re considering deploying
• Making recommendations about improving technology at school
• Helping teachers with classroom technology problems
• Designing and presenting technology lessons for students at DuJardin and Erickson

If you're interested, please use this link to apply: https://forms.gle/yDYFLKeC1NNLL9H39

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

Technology Support TICKET

Yearbooks will be delivered to Westfield in May 2025.

If a passcode is requested: 1014041382501890

ORDER YEARBOOK WITH TREE RING

As a reminder, absences may be considered excused for reasons of 1) personal illness/Dr. appointment/mental health, 2) bereavement, 3) family emergencies, 4) observance of religious holidays, and 5) request in writing, approved in advance by the administration. Please, use the Westfield Attendance Email: wfattendance@sd13.org, or call the Office 630-529-6211-both available 24/7 to report an absence or late arrival. Thank you!

ISBE ABSENTEEISM AND TRUANCY POLICY

Procedures regarding spectators at Home and Away events.

• Home Games for Basketball and Volleyball this school year will be played in our East Gym (also known as our New Gym or Park District Gym), located in the back of the building. Please enter through Door 20. Spectator seating will be available along the bleacher side of the Gym and restrooms will be available just outside of the gym in our 6th Grade hallway.

• Family members of student athletes are always welcome to attend our athletic competitions, both at Home and Away.

• Westfield students who choose to stay to watch a Home Game after-school must remain in the gym for the duration of their stay. Once a student decides to leave the building, they will not be allowed re-entry to Westfield without a parent or guardian present.

• Westfield students who wish to attend an Away Game at Medinah, Peacock, Roselle, Spring Wood, or Wood Dale, must be accompanied by an adult.

• Spectators are expected to treat all visitors, players, coaches, referees, and staff with respect at all times. No profanity or inappropriate language will be tolerated. Visitors who are unable to follow School District 13 policies will be asked to leave and may risk losing the privilege to attend future events at the school. We encourage all visitors to immediately report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest staff member.

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, and for trimester and quarterly progress.

CLICK HERE for Alma Parent Login Instructions at westfield.getalma.com

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.

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.

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, 2024, the Illinois State Board of Education released the 2024 Illinois Report Card for schools. Westfield received a summative designation of Exemplary for the third year in a row! We would like to congratulate everyone in the Westfield Community, including our students, staff, and parents.

The Exemplary rating is given to schools performing in the top 10% of schools statewide, with no underperforming student groups. Schools are rated on a number of factors, including student scores on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in both ELA & Math, the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA), and the school environment. We are extremely proud of the students and staff at Westfield!

If you have not paid your 2024-2025 school fees, please sign onto My School Bucks to pay your fees. Detailed instructions to create your account can be found here.

In order to be notified when fees are posted to your student(s) account, you must have an account set up with a valid email address. Payments are due by September 1st of each year.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Please sign into My School Bucks ,then, 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.

Westfield Families:

• Along with the registration fee, 8th-grade students will have their graduation fee applied to their account.
• Sixth-grade students will have their lock fee applied to their account.

MY SCHOOL BUCKS INSTRUCTIONS

Fee Waiver Application

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 on Westfield, after-school, sports teams -- BEFORE their sport season starts and in time for tryouts. (6th graders already have mandated forms submitted.)

[SPORTS: Cross Country/Basketball/Cheer/Poms/Volleyball/Track & Field]

SPORTS PHYSICAL FORM

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

1. Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends.
2. Get some exercise every day. But not close to bedtime.
3. Go outside. Try to get natural sunlight for at least 30 minutes every day.
4. Avoid caffeine. Both are stimulants that keep you awake. Caffeine can take 6–8 hours to wear off completely.
5. Don’t take naps after mid-afternoon. And keep them short.
6. Avoid large meals before bedtime. Both can prevent deep, restorative sleep.
7. Limit electronics before bed. Try reading a book, listening to soothing music, or another relaxing activity instead.
8. Create a good sleeping environment. Keep the temperature cool if possible. Get rid of sound and light distractions. Make it dark. Silence your cell phone.
9. Don’t lie in bed awake. If you can’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get up and do a relaxing activity until you feel sleepy again.
10. See your health care provider if nothing you try helps. They can determine if you need further testing. They can also help you learn new ways to manage stress.

• Please note that all PE excuses need to be sent to Mrs. Rider, Westfield's nurse, not the PE teacher. Mrs. Rider will communicate with the PE Department.
• A parent may excuse a student from PE for 3 days. Thereafter, a medical doctor's note is required.
• Extended PE absences require updated MD notes on a monthly basis.

• 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

1. DOCTOR MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM
2. PARENT AUTHORIZATION

The DuPage County Health Department MEDICAL ALERT & FACT SHEET

HEALTH RESOURCE INFORMATION FROM THE CDC

Hot Lunch needs you! Please sign-up using the link below -- even if you can only offer occasional assistance! Westfield hot lunch happens Wednesdays-Thursdays-Fridays 11:38am-12:22pm.

It's easy, it's quick, plus, you get to see your middle schooler in action!

CLICK HERE to volunteer for hot lunch

> > ALREADY HAVE A WESTFIELD HOT LUNCH ACCOUNT? CORRECT YOUR STUDENT'S GRADE!

Please remember to update your student's ordering profile here! This information ensures accurate distribution of your student's lunch for the 2024-25 school year.

> > NEW TO WESTFIELD HOT LUNCH?

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

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.

This week only, save $10 on all sweat pants, including open-bottom and joggers. Shop at https://1stplace.sale/31131

Upcoming Promotions:

1/20 - 1/26 Quarter-Zips $10 Off

1/27 - 2/2 Crewnecks $10 Off

2/3 - 2/9 Pajama Pants 25% Off

• President: Cynthia Perez
• Vice-President: Melissa Graham
• Treasurer: Agata Rojba
• Secretary: Kavita Maharaj
• Westfield PTO Email: westfieldmpto@gmail.com

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!!

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)

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS Registration is open for all events!

1. SHADOW at SFHS – 7th grade students see classes with a student host, have lunch, and experience college prep with a Franciscan spirit.

• Select days, Monday-Friday

1. CAMPUS TOURS (Talk & Tour) – Visit for a tour during school hours.

• Select days, Monday-Friday

Register for events at https://www.sfhscollegeprep.org/admissions/visit-st-francis-high-school

St. Francis High School, a co-educational Catholic institution in Wheaton, Illinois, is dedicated to college preparation and has been fostering students' spiritual, academic, physical, and social growth for over 65 years.

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

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