Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
August 25, 2021 - Newsletter
See translation information below / Consulte la información de traducción a continuación.
Westwood Families,
The staff at Westwood are excited to welcome students to a new school year. As a school, we will continue to create a community where we support one another.
Our success is based on ensuring our students feel valued, inspired and have a sense of belonging as we personalize learning for our students. This is what has and will continue to define our goal to be world-class. As we return to school, each staff member is committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming, positive, and engaging experience for our students.
Welcoming new staff
This week, we took the time to work with our new staff. They are an amazing group of educators who are ready to meet the needs of our students at Westwood. Welcome to our new staff:
- Heather Bartoszewski – Math Teacher
- Daniel Bianco – English Language Arts Teacher
- Mary Ehmke – Health Care Specialist
- Kortney Formanek – Art Teacher
- Aiden Graese – Academic Specialist
- Mariah Grams – Speech Language Pathologist
- Andrea Grange – Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Evelyn Hernandez – EPIC Game Design
- Kathy Johnston - Behavior para
- Alex Karie – Behavior Specialist
- Angela Klein – Special Ed Case Manager
- Olivia Lang – Grade 6 Teacher
- Greta Mack – Developmental Cognitive Disabilities para
- Meg Olson – School Psychologist
- Gerald Rehder – Physical Education Teacher
- Dayna Rivard – Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Jessica Rodriguez – Grade 5
- Angel Swartz – Autism Spectrum Disorder para
- Jon Zimmerman – STEM Teacher
- Jackie Mcintosh – Liaison Officer
- Paige Ybarra – Behavior Para
- Drew Hansen – Behavior Para
Students in grades 5-6 should bring supplies during Meet and Greet or on the first day of school. Students in grades 7 and 8 will be using a backpack during the school year for any needed supplies and materials.
On Tuesday evening, the Spring Lake Park School Board took action and updated the health and safety requirements and recommendations for the school year. Due to high virus transmission in Anoka County, Westwood fifth and sixth graders will be starting the school year with face masks. Refer to the message sent earlier today explaining the plan and process. By federal requirement, all students on buses will need to wear masks.
SLP Schools Online continues to be an option for families in all grade levels. A trimester commitment is required and enrollment is open until the end of the day Sunday, August 29.
Enjoy your last few weeks of summer. We are excited for the first day of school on Tuesday, September 7.
Tom Larson
Principal
Teachers assignments, student schedules, Meet and Greet
On Monday, August 30 at 3 p.m., homeroom teachers for grades 5 and 6 and schedules for grade 7 and 8 students will be available through Campus Parent Portal. Please note, this is a change from previous communications. This will provide you with your classrooms to visit and teachers to meet for the great Westwood get together, Meet and Greet, – Tuesday, August 31:
- 3–3:30 p.m. – WebEx Meet and Greet: Grade 5 and 6 Homeroom links and Grade 7 and 8 Teams links
- 4-4:30 p.m. - Student last name A-D
- 4:30-5 p.m. - Student last name E-H
- 5-5:30 p.m. - Student last name I-L
- 5:30-6 p.m. - Student last name M-P
- 6-6:30 p.m. - Student last name Q-T
- 6:30-7 p.m. - Student last name U-Z
Drop off and pick up procedures
If you are picking up or dropping off your child at school, please pull up to the curb. We do not want students crossing through traffic to enter/exit your vehicle. Students will be waiting for parents along the North side of the parent drop off lanes. When dropping off your child in the morning, students can enter the main entrance. Please follow the flow of traffic by using the following map.
Back to School Hub
The Back-to-School Hub contains information and resources for families as we prepare for the 2021-2022 school year. Within the hub, you’ll find:
- School supply lists
- Free and Reduced-Price Meal and Education Benefits application
- Health Services – immunization forms, nut aware classroom guidelines and more
- Staff directory information
- Technology support and resources
- First Day of School Signs
- And more!
First Day of School Signs
We love to see students on the first day of school, so we created first day of school photo signs for each grade that families can print or pull up on their iPad and use in their first day of school photos. Don't forget to tag us and use #SLPPantherProud when you post your photos!
Enroll for voluntary supplemental student accident insurance
Accidents aren’t supposed to happen, but they do. School recess, one-day field trips and general day-to-day activities can all lead to injuries. Having coverage during school hours, or around the clock can ensure students get the care they need without financial hardship to their families. This program is completely voluntary and any enrolled student is eligible for coverage. Parents or guardians of students are responsible for enrollment and premium payment.
Learn more and explore a variety of Supplemental Student Accident Insurance options.
We are looking forward to working with all of our parents and families next year to support the staff and students at Westwood.
Visit the PTO Facebook page: Westwood Intermediate and Middle School PTO
- Click here to receive email notifications about Westwood PTO.
- Monday, August 30, 3 p.m. – Student schedules and class placements available in Campus Parent Portal
- Tuesday, August 31, 3-3:30 p.m.– virtual “Meet and Greet” (see above)
- Tuesday, August 31, 4-7 p.m. — in-person “Meet and Greet” (see above)
- Tuesday, September 7 – First day of school
- Monday, September 20, 9:30 a.m. – First PTO meeting, via Zoom
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