Westwood Intermediate/Middle School

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Welcome back from fall break. We were able to visit with many families last week on Tuesday and Wednesday. We will continue to have conferences this Thursday via WebEx. If you have not had the opportunity to talk with your child’s teachers, please take the time to sign up for a WebEx conference time. If options don’t work for your schedule, please reach out to your child’s teacher to find another time to connect.

Fall is a wonderful time of year. . . for mice. We are ready with our mousetraps. Students in STEM are using the design process to make a mousetrap car. Mr. Gable has challenged the students to design cars to out trap (run) the cars our staff design. I know the office staff is looking forward to this race.

Congratulations to the 8th grade Panther Blue Football Team for a remarkable season. They are undefeated. This is a tribute to their ability to work together as a team and support each of their teammates both on the field and at school.

Next week, Halloween (Tuesday) is a typical school day and the same student schedules for all Westwood students.

Have a great week,

Tom Larson

Principal

Did you miss the PTO meeting where we covered what's happening with competency-based learning? Check out a recording of the overview to learn about the basics and plans for this year for grades K-6.

This year, we're sending monthly text messages and emails with a few simple questions asking for feedback on your experience with school. You will receive these messages from Possip, an organization we have partnered with to learn your needs. The next pulse check is tomorrow, Thursday, October 26. Make sure to reply to the brief survey and help keep us updated on your experience. Your responses remain confidential if you choose and you can choose to reply in your preferred language. Thank you!

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 Kristine Powell.

If you missed the information meeting last week, you can view a recording of the meeting click here. You can also find the recording and slideshow on the “Join Band” website, along with other information, click here. 5th grade band registration will go live on November 10!

As tragic and violent events in Israel and Gaza fill our our news and social media feeds, many in our community may be experiencing a variety of emotions and responses. In our schools, we have a full continuum of supports available to help students navigate challenges including those related to this international conflict.

In addition to support available at school, the National Association of School Psychologists has published a helpful resource for families and educators: Supporting Youth Affected by the Violence in Israel and Gaza. You may find this resource helpful for guiding age-appropriate conversations with your child about these current events.

As you talk with your children, please remind them there are many people at school ready to help them each day. Students are encouraged to talk with a teacher, counselor, social worker, principal or other school staff at any time. Parents and guardians are encouraged to be in contact with our main office for requests for support or questions.

• Thursday, October 26 - Evening WebEx Conferences, 4-7:30 p.m.

• Friday, October 27 - SLPHS Fall Play - "Letters to Sala," 7 p.m., FAC

• Saturday, October 28 - SLPHS Fall Play - "Letters to Sala," 7 p.m., FAC

• Monday, October 30 - PTO Meeting, 10 a.m.

• Friday, November 3 - SLPHS Fall Play - "Letters to Sala," 7 p.m., FAC

• Saturday, November 4 - SLPHS Fall Play - "Letters to Sala," 2 p.m., FAC

• Monday, November 6 - Grupo de Padres Hispanohablantes de SLP reunión, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, 5-6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, November 8 - CogAT testing (5th grade only)

• Thursday, November 9 - Fundraiser pick-up, WW Cafeteria, 2:30-5:30 p.m.

• Thursday, November 9 - Native American Parent Advisory Committee event, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion School (in the Piña Room), 5:30-6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, November 16 - Teacher Office Hours, 3:30-5 p.m. via Phone Conferences ONLY

• Monday, November 20 - Grupo de Padres Hispanohablantes de SLP reunión, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, 5-6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, November 23-Friday, November 24 – No school, Thanksgiving Break

• Monday, November 27 - PTO Meeting, 6 p.m.

• Thursday, November 30 – End of Tri 1

Red Team students competed in games of spoons to practice team building, communication, and observation skills.

"I am super proud of the work and effort that went into becoming the number one rated team out of 40 regional teams. I believe football is the truest team game there is and it is the best sport for preparing a young adult to work as part of a whole and if everyone performs their individual role the team will see the maximum team success." - Coach Meyer

8th Grade - Panther Blue Team -

Anders Klose (15); Andrew Lach (19); Blake Meyer (22); Charlie DeBoer (82); Dylan Johnson (50); Elijah Mercer (30); Ethan Ly (14); Evan Wigert (02); Grayson Otto (28); Jakob Helget (26); Joseph Williams, Jr. (99); Joshua Fannemel (08); Julien Buchanan (32); Kaden Konkler (02); Kyan Labansky (25); Logan Hamilton (17); Mason Bergstrom (36); Mason Heffele (10); Musab Abdirahman (45); Palwinderpal Singh (9); Radwan Galata (07); Sam Christopherson (00); Sawyer Julkowski (18); Victor Watson (12).

2nd and 3rd hour Red Team science students met with Dr. Kari Price, a fruit fry and jellyfish biologist investigating cell division during reproduction. Dr. Price shared her work, gave a tour of her lab and answered student questions about her projects and how she became a PhD at Yale University.

Westwood celebrated unity day and our students participated by wearing orange for kindness, acceptance and inclusion!

Please join us for our PTO meeting next week on Monday, October 30 at 10 a.m. at Westwood. We will be learning about Schoology, volunteer opportunities, meeting other parents and getting reports from the principal and PTO board.

Thank you to everyone for coming together to support our teachers! They enjoyed a variety of pork and chicken sandwiches as well as salads and other goodies!

Save the date for fundraiser pickup after school on Thursday, November 9 from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Senior Maria Mora-Pena has discovered a passion for medicine and wants to pursue a career in healthcare after she graduates high school next spring. To help her achieve this goal, she has gone deep into the Health and Human Services Pathway at Spring Lake Park High School, taking many courses that align with her emerging interests.

Through her courses, after-school activities and in working as an Emergency Medical Responder at school events, Maria is gaining real experience and developing the skills needed for her future.

We recently caught up with Maria to learn more about her experiences at Spring Lake Park High School and how they have prepared her for her future.

Have Panther gear you are no longer wearing in your home. Donate it to the Panther Thrift Shop and get a coupon to use in the Panther Store for future purchase! Gently used Panther gear with the current SLP logo will be re-sold at thrifty prices to students, staff and families at the Winter Market in December. Contact the team at PantherStore@district16.org for drop off information and to get your coupon. Note we will be unable to accept previous SLP logo gear. We will accept sport and school specific gear with the current SLP Branding. Question, please contact us at CommEd@district16.org or 763-600-5050.

It's showtime for "Letters to Sala!" This play tells a remarkable story of a young girl’s survival during wartime Germany. Sala Kirschner kept her secret for over fifty years, concealing her painful history in a box full of letters. See the show in the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center on Friday, October 27, 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 28, 7 p.m.; Friday, November 3, 7 p.m.; or. Saturday, November 4, 2 p.m. Purchase tickets today.

Check out a sneak peek:

• Practice Makes Proficient
• Winter athletics registration now open
• Getting to Know You
• Finding joy at school
• SLP alum gains apprenticeship opportunity through Pathways
• Competency-Based Learning - Fact Sheet
• Safety and security update: 2023-2024

Lions Community Pancake Breakfast (All you can eat, wellness fair, donations, free activities and more) - October 29, 8 a.m.-noon at Spring Lake Park High School

WishMania event (Live pro wrestling) – November 4, 6 p.m. at Spring Lake Park High School

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