Westwood Intermediate/Middle School

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Welcome back to school after our winter break. We typically spend some time after the break to re-establish school wide expectations, routines, and relationships. The new trimester brings new learning and the new year brings an energy for students on new academic and life skills goals.

I spent some time with Team 6C as students set learning goals for the trimester. Goals are in areas they want to practice more such as reading fluency. Students are also identifying three adjectives they aspire to be. In my conversations with students, I learned they aspire to become better readers, learn about animals, be more empathetic, be a better friend, and many other thoughtful and personal goals.

January brings our first set of in-person office hours on January 18, 3:30-5 p.m. Parents can schedule a time to meet with teachers in person, virtual on WebEx, or over a phone call. Teachers may also be reaching out to schedule a time to meet with you.

While there is just a little snow on the ground, check out a few reminders about winter weather as we start a new calendar year.

Happy New Year,

Tom Larson

Principal

There may not be much snow on the ground (yet), but this is a good time of year for a few reminders about how we handle weather:

• Spring Lake Park Schools makes every possible effort to keep schools open, in most weather conditions, if bus travel is safe. Unless we announce otherwise, assume school is in session. We will not send a "Yes, we are open for school" message. School is in session until you hear or see differently from Spring Lake Park Schools.
• Spring Lake Park Schools will communicate any school closures due to weather directly to families and high school students as quickly as possible after the decision is made. Communication is sent via email, text and voicemail based on parent/guardian preferences. To update your contact information, including phone numbers or email addresses, please log in to Campus Parent portal. You may also contact the main office of your child’s school. Emergency alerts are also posted on our website as an emergency alert popup AND shared with local news outlets.
• If school is cancelled for the day, there will be no instruction for the day unless a flexible learning day is communicated. Flexible learning days will only be considered if we have multiple weather-related closures this winter.

The decision to close schools is a difficult one and one we know greatly impacts families. To find more information about how we make weather-related decisions and to see answers to frequently asked questions, visit the School Closings and Alerts page.

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. There will be a parent/guardian information session on January 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the Den at Westwood if you would like more information.

• 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

World Strides trip information and registration link, click here. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Visser .

Attention 8th grade students (and families)! It's time to turn in your adorable baby photos for the yearbook! Please find your favorite baby picture and fill out this form to submit your 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 (see attached). Order forms were also sent home with students. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Powell, kpowel@district16.org.

The 7th and 8th grade A Day choir classes spread winter cheer for all to hear! The singers visited different classrooms and offices through the school as they sang "Let it Snow" and "Jingle Bells." The singers improvised on percussion instruments and dazzled the listeners with their festive cheer and spirit. The singers look forward to making this event an annual tradition at Westwood in the years to come!

Congratulations to the Nordic skiers who competed last night at Elm Creek. The girls team racked up a first place finish in the 6-team meet paced by Milla Erickson in 2nd overall and Julia Zalewski in 7th. The boys placed third, led by Philip Kram in 2nd and Evan Trapp in 13th. Nice skiing, all!

• Tuesday, January 9 - 6th Gr Choir Concert, 7 p.m., SLP High School Fine Arts Center

• Thursday, January 11 – Native American Parent Advisory Committee event, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion School (in the Piña Room), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Monday, January 15 – No School
• Thursday, January 18 - In-person Office Hours, 3:30-5:00 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, 10:00 a.m. in den
• Monday, January 29 - Wind Ensemble 8th grade band concert, 7:00 p.m. at SLPH- Fine Arts Center
• Tuesday, January 30 - 8th grade online family information session: 2024-25 course registration, 6:30 p.m., WebEx
  
• Tuesday, January 30 - 7/8 Gr Choir Concert, 7 p.m., SLP High School Fine Arts Center
• Wednesday, January 31 - 8th grade online family information session: 2024-25 course registration, 9 a.m., WebEx
  
• 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., WI Maker Space
• Family Fun Night, 6-8 p.m., Westwood Cafeteria and Gym
• Friday, February 16 - High school registration closes for the 2024-2025 school year
• February 16-19 - No school
• Tuesday, February 27 - 6th to 7th grade transition online session, 10 a.m. or 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 28 - 7th to 8th grade transition online session, 10 a.m. or 6 p.m.

Westwood PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is starting a new tradition to celebrate the change in trimesters! They will offer a Trimester Treat Table outside the cafeteria on Friday, January 5, where each student / staff member can buy ONE item for $1 on their way into lunch. Please try to have exactly $1 so no change is needed. Any A or B Honor Roll students will receive their treat for free to celebrate by showing their student ID. Volunteers are needed on Friday to help sell treats - sign up on Band or email to let us know what time you can help between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Westwood PTO is getting ready to present a new collection from the Minneapolis Institute of Art and we need your help! Sessions will run January 22 through January 26 during school hours. Get signed up here.

Art Adventure encourages creativity, empathy, critical thinking and global awareness through in-depth explorations of art across cultures and time. For more information, please join us on BAND .

Westwood PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is a group open to all staff and guardians of 5-8th grade students at Westwood. The goal of our PTO is to increase family involvement and enhance student learning and experiences at Westwood. We focus on family enrichment, staff/student support, and community engagement. We have monthly meetings during the school year and there are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, including a need for a board secretary at this tine. We use the BAND app for sign ups and communications, please join here .

You are invited to get out of the cold and meet other families and friends for a fun night on Feb. 9th from 6-8pm. 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. students must have a guardian in attendance.

America’s Everyday Comedian, C. Willi Myles, brings his family-friendly comedy to the Live on 65 stage Thursday, February 8 at 7 p.m.

Come laugh the winter blues away at the latest Live on 65 performance. Thanks to generous sponsorship from the Spring Lake Park Lion's Club, tickets are priced for the whole family to attend. Purchase tickets online or day-of at the box office.

C. Willi Myles is known as America’s Everyday Comedian. After surviving his childhood growing up with nine sisters and one brother in Alabama, Willi moved to Minnesota to attend college and play football. His non-offensive stories and jokes give a unique spin to life's everyday challenges.

We recently caught up with him to learn more.

• Intramurals Basketball (grades 5-8): This Open Gym Basketball session is designed to provide an opportunity for all skill levels to come together, have fun and engage in basketball.
• Intramurals Fencing (grades 5-8): Learn to fence with MN Swordplay.
• Video Game Club (grades 5-8): Join Mr. Bianco for this highly sought after gaming club.

• Reading your child's report card (K-6)
• 1-page handout
• brief video tour
• Multicultural Community Resource Fair - Jan. 11
• Supporting healthy homes . . . learning
• Enrollment is open for the 2024-2025 school year

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