Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
October 13, 2021 - Newsletter
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Westwood Families,
Westwood students had a great Homecoming week. Many students participated in our homecoming dress-up days and even more showed their SLP Panther Pride on Friday with SLP wear. These activities were great for building community in our school, and it was great to see so many of our community at the Homecoming game on Friday.
Westwood choir students had a special event this week sponsored by MPR. Each year, YourClassical Minnesota Public Radio reaches tens of thousands of students across Minnesota through the Class Notes Concerts program. Designed to engage and inspire students through live musical performances, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of music.
Our sixth, seventh and eighth grade choir members were able to see the premier Twin Cities vocal ensemble “Cantus.” Our students experienced a great variety of interesting songs and learned about the importance of working together and celebrating diversity. It was a fantastic performance! More information about “Cantus” can be found on their website.
Picture day was on Monday. You can still order pictures at MyLifetouch.com with code: EVT7R2FCM. Make-up day will be on November 16.
Conferences begin next week. Westwood staff look forward to connecting with families and checking in on learning progress. Sign up for a time to meet with their child’s teaching using this conference sign-up form. WebEx links can be found on Schoology and or in the conference communication through Schoology from teachers. If you need to change your conference time the best way to accomplish this is to email your child’s teacher to set up another time. The schedule is:
- Tuesday, October 19, 4:20-8 p.m., scheduled WebEx conferences for grades 5-8
- Wednesday, October 20, 8-11 a.m., drop-in, in-person conferences for grades 7-8 (Parent and student only; Masks required for parent visitors.), and 12:30-3:30 p.m. scheduled WebEx Conferences for grades 5-8
- Tuesday, October 26, 4:20-8 p.m., scheduled WebEx conferences for grades 5-8
In these first weeks of school, we’ve heard from many of you with offers to do anything you can to help during this time of the ongoing pandemic. You may be hearing about how many local businesses are short of staff. The same is true of our schools. We’d welcome your help in recruiting for critical positions. Or, if you are interested yourself, please consider applying. We need paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, people to help with COVID testing, and others.
Finally, next week is fall break. There is no school for students October 18-22 (and no newsletter next Wednesday). I hope you and your family have a great week. We’ll see you back at school after fall break on Monday, Oct. 25.
Tom Larson
Principal
Optional, rapid COVID-19 testing to begin this week
This week, school nurses are piloting a new COVID-19 testing option, Cue Test, that provides reliable results in about 30 minutes. In-district rapid testing is one way we can limit school absences for those who are symptomatic or have had close contacts with a positive case in school or outside of school.
Nurses will pilot the test for people who choose it and meet these criteria - become symptomatic at school OR are close contacts of a positive case and within their testing window. Nurses will identify eligible individuals and communicate the option directly with families. After fall break, we will be working to broaden this testing option to others who may benefit from rapid testing to stay at school.
We also continue to offer optional, free COVID-19 testing kits to take home. Students can pick up the saliva testing kits in the health office, complete the test at home and return their completed test the following school day. School nurses submit the tests for processing.
Apply Now: the Free or Reduced-Price Meal and Education Benefits Deadline is Approaching
If your family received Free or Reduced-Priced Meal and education benefits for the 2020-2021 school year, the deadline to apply again is Monday, October 25, 2021. A new application must be completed each school year. Families who have not applied for these benefits before should apply right away.
Please take a few minutes to complete and submit the application - even if you don't think you will qualify. It's about much more than meals.
You could be eligible for:
- P-EBT benefits that have provided direct dollars to families during the pandemic
- Reduced fares on Metro Transit through the Transit Assistance Program
- Reduced fees for athletics and activities
- Reduced fees for in-home internet access
- And more!
Questions? Contact the Nutrition Services Department at 763-600-5041.
WESTWOOD YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW!
Auditions for Ice Queen coming for Grades 5 and 6
Ice Queen Description
A class field trip to the Winter Carnival Ice Palace turns into an amazing adventure as the kids are transported to a magical world where they’re drawn into a dispute between two feuding kingdoms. In order to make it back home they’ll need to use their collective wits to help the rulers solve their differences and bring peace to the land. Chock full of good humor and catchy songs, this musical will delight the whole family!Auditions
- 5th Grade: Tuesday, October 26 after school in the cafeteria, 3:20 – 5:15 p.m.
- 6th Grade: Wednesday, October 27 after school in the cafeteria, 3:20-5:15 p.m.
Please see this flyer with additional details.
If you plan on auditioning, please bring this form with you or pick one up at Westwood's main office. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Dutcher at kdutch@district16.org.
Grupo de Padres Hispanohablantes de SLP
SLP Experience - A look into life at Spring Lake Park Schools
SLP Experience is a new print and electronic publication produced several times each year that offers a look into life at Spring Lake Park Schools across school buildings and grade levels. Watch for the bigger stories of Panther pride and purpose arriving in your home mail soon or visit the SLP Experience online.
Included in the fall issue:
- Feature stories: Back together, back to school; Getting ready for the first days in K; and, Set to Soar: Preparing for life after high school
- A message from our superintendent, Jeff Ronneberg
- Opportunities for the community
- SLP by the numbers
- Student spotlight
- Reasons why we're #SLPPantherProud
We want to hear from you!
Do you have stories ideas you think we should cover or pictures you'd like to share with us for a chance to be featured? Email us at communications@district16.org.
Two seniors join school board for the 2021-22 year
Seniors Ellie Jeppson and Bella Sciara are this year's student representatives on the Spring Lake Park Schools school board. Each year, the board welcomes two student representatives from the high school’s student council to join their board meetings and update members on student life and the SLP experience.
This year, both student representatives come with long-time Spring Lake Park Schools experience. Their SLP journey began nearly 12 years ago in kindergarten at Northpoint Elementary. Since then, both have discovered their passions and interests. Learn more about Ellie and Bella.
First Panther Pride Sweepstakes a success
With 1,200 student submissions and 217 submissions, the first Panther Pride Sweepstakes was a success! Last week, 10 students and 10 staff representing each of our schools/programs were drawn from the pool of submissions. The students won a $50 Panther Store gift card and the opportunity to direct a $500 mini-grant to a project of their choice at their school. Staff won a $50 Panther Store gift card.
This event was a great opportunity for the community to engage with the Panther Foundation, learn more about the district and provide funds for our schools. Thanks to all who participated and congratulations to our winners!
View the full story and find out who the winners of each school are.
Westwood enrichment offerings - register now!
- Pokémon TCG Club - Grades 5-8 - Test your trainer skills against your friends at WW Pokemon Trading Card Game Club. The focus of this club will be playing the game. Trading will not be allowed.
- Chess Club – Grades 5-8 - Join us for open chess play. Improve your skills and hang out with friends.
- Animation Club – Grades 5-8 - A student-led club that works together on animation projects.
- Register here
Adult Programs:
Indoor Walking Club
- Saturday mornings, starting November 6, 9-10:30 a.m. at Spring Lake Park High School
- Register here
North Metro TV - Movie Man Eric Presentations
- James Bond 50 Years of 007
- Star Wars: Creating a Galaxy Far, Far, Away
- Register here
Upcoming Spring Lake Park Lions Community Breakfast
Mark your calendars for the SLP Lions Community Breakfast on Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 8 a.m.-noon at Spring Lake Park High School.
There will be an all you can eat breakfast as well as:
- Free eye screenings for children six month-six years, face painting, a balloon artist and other activities
- A baked goods sale, big coloring books and crafts
- A free wellness fair - flu shots and COVID vaccines provided by HyVee
If able, please bring food donations for the food shelf, unwanted cell phones, eyeglasses, hearing aids and ink cartridges.
We hope to see you there!
Purchase tickets for “Shakespeare in Hollywood” theater production
We are just weeks away from the opening night of the fall production "Shakespeare in Hollywood," presented by our talented SLPHS theater students. You don't want to miss out on this amazing show as our students take the stage for the first time this school year. Purchase your tickets online or at the Fine Arts Center for a dollar more on the day of the production.
Performance description:
It's 1934, and Shakespeare's most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, have magically materialized on the Warner Bros. Hollywood set of Max Reinhardt's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Instantly smitten by the glitz and glamour of show biz, the two are ushered onto the silver screen to play (who else?) themselves. The mischievous magic of moviedom sparkles in this hilarious comic romp.
Performance dates:
- Friday, October 29, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 30, 7 p.m.
- Friday, November 5, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 6, 2 p.m.
Building Catapults in 5B!
The next Westwood PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 25 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
We are looking forward to working with all of our parents and families this 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.
Fall Fundraiser is here!
We are excited to team up with Club's Choice again this year to raise funds for our PTO. These fundraising efforts are used for enrichment items or activities for our students throughout the school year. Please see our fundraiser flyer here.
This year's fundraiser started today, October 13. Please, note that this is a change from the date previously communicated. Students will received their fundraising packet on this day in their homeroom or Panther time.
Thank you for your support!
- Wednesday, October 13 - PTO Fundraiser starts
- Tuesday, October 19 - Evening conferences using WebEx
- Wednesday, October 20 - Daytime conferences
- Tuesday, October 26 - Evening conferences using WebEx
October 18-22 - Fall Break, no school
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
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