Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
February 16, 2022 - Newsletter
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Westwood Families,
These three school days this week went fast. Please remember there is no school tomorrow, Friday or Monday. We return to school Tuesday, February 22. I have been hearing from students how excited they are for the long break to sleep . . . and play basketball.
As students return to Westwood on Tuesday, February 22, face masks will be strongly recommended but no longer required at Westwood for all students. We continue to see declining COVID-19 activity and have been working through just a handful of requests from families to change learning models – to in-person or to online for grades 5 and 6. Any requests from families for grades 7 and 8 will be made at the end of the trimester.
As communicated last week, because of the low number of requests and because our COVID-19 absences are at a low 1 percent, we are able to implement the revised Face Mask Decision-Making Guide early. We will continue to monitor COVID activity and respond as needed in alignment with the guidance that is in place.
Next week, the Panther Foundation is leading a spirit week and week of giving. There’s fun planned for all including four days of spirit wear. And of course, the week concludes with a Panther party. Check out the newsletter for more information. I hope to see a white out (without the snow) on Tuesday when we return to school.
Please also be sure to check out the messages from our PTO.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Tom Larson
Principal
Substitute Hiring Event - Tomorrow, February 17
Nominate a teacher for the 2022 SLP Teacher of the Year by February 25
There is still time to nominate a teacher for the SLP Teacher of the Year award. This is a great opportunity to recognize the amazing educators we have in Spring Lake Park Schools!
Please download and complete a Nomination Form below and email or return the form to Spring Lake Park High School to the attention of Maria Ahrndt. Nominations are due by Friday, February 25, 2022.
In case you missed it, view the nominee criteria and learn more.
8th Grade Baby Photos for the Yearbook
Attention 8th grade students and families! Please look for an email in your inbox for directions to upload a baby photo of your student for the yearbook.
Questions may be directed to Mrs. Powell.
Get Panther pumped — Spirit week, Week of Giving is Feb. 21-26
We’re getting in the spirit and supporting Spring Lake Park Schools. The Panther Foundation is gearing up for a week of fun next week. Leading up to the Panthers for a Purpose party on Saturday, February 26, the Panther Foundation will host a "Week of Giving" Fundraising and Pride Week from February 21-26. The Week of Giving is open to the entire SLP community and has some amazing opportunities for everyone to get involved and support our students at each milestone.
Week of Giving Opportunities:
- Show your spirit: Plan now to dress head to toe in our school colors all week long. Send in photos (pantherfoundation@district16.org) to be entered into a drawing to win a gift card to the Panther Store:
- Tuesday, February 22 – White Out
- Wednesday, February 23 – Red Out
- Thursday, February 24 – Blue Out
- Friday, February 25 – Panther Spirit Day!
- Browse and bid: The Silent Auction will be open to the entire community again this year! With over 200+ packages featuring trips, artisan pieces, Panther gear, restaurant gift cards, adult libations, unique experiences and MORE! Watch for the Silent Auction preview in the coming week on the Panthers for a Purpose Event Website. Register now to bid on the Silent Auction.
- Dine to Donate: See a schedule of community restaurants who are partnering with us during the Week of Giving. Dine at one of the four locations during the week, mention the Panther Foundation/SLP and a portion of your sales will go to the Panther Foundation.
Panther Foundation Party:
There’s still time to purchase your tickets for the biggest Panther Party of the year on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids. The party will close out the fundraising week with the silent auction and will feature the band Good for Gary, a Twin Cities favorite.
Learn everything you need to know on the Panthers for a Purpose event page.
Valentine's day at Westwood
Westwood Intermediate & Middle School’s PTO Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in person!
Please join your 2021-2022 PTO Executive Board for our first in-person meeting since 2020! We are excited to get back into the swing of in-person meetings and look forward to meeting, connecting and collaborating with you. You won’t want to miss our new featured spotlight called: “IN THE KNOW!”Each month, we are committed to bringing you the most authentic and up-to-date understanding and insight regarding the daily school life of our students, teachers and staff at Westwood! If you are unable to attend in person, we will have a virtual option for attendance as well!
February's “IN THE KNOW” spotlight:
Westwood Counselor’s insight on Student Mental Health and current partnership with Thumb’s Up for Mental Health.
- When: Monday, February 28, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Join us in the Intermediate Side’s Maker Space.
- Virtual Option: Zoom Meeting ID: 394 558 1961 Passcode: WWPTO
- Zoom Meeting Link
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
- March 28 - 9:30 a.m. Zoom and in Person
- April 25 - 6:30 p.m. Zoom and in Person
- May 23 - 9:30 a.m. Zoom and in Person
2021-2022 Student Experience Grants
Westwood Intermediate & Middle School’s PTO would like to announce the "2021-2022 Student Experience Grants!”
The Student Experience Grants are an annual line item on the Westwood PTO budget to be used by students, teachers, specialists and staff that will support the education of children at Westwood Intermediate & Middle School. All students, teachers, specialists and staff at Westwood are eligible to apply for a grant.
Application criteria is as follows: *Applicant(s) are:
- Teacher(s) & Specialist(s) of Westwood Intermediate & Middle School
- Staff of Westwood Intermediate & Middle School
- Student(s) of Westwood Intermediate & Middle School working together with teacher/specialist/staff of WW
Money will be used to positively impact Westwood Intermediate & Middle School's learning goals, student experiences, and community. Funding resources for the proposed project, experience, event, or materials are not available in school or district budgets. Memories and/or materials are fun, high-impact and/or long-lasting contributions to Westwood Intermediate & Middle Schools culture, property, and legacy.
Timeline:
- Application drafts are due by Friday, February 18.
- Final Grant Applications are due by Wednesday, February 23
- Grant Awards will be announced at the February PTO meeting on Monday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Ways to access the virtual grand application:
- Click here for the Virtual Grant Application
- Stop by the main office to pick up a paper application
- Scan the QR code with your smartphone or device camera
Email all questions to slp.westwood.pto@gmail.com.
Huge Thank You to our Westwood families!
Westwood's Scholastic Book Fair was last week. Classrooms had a chance to shop together during the school day and families came to support us during the evening hours last Thursday. Thanks to your incredible support, our PTO had over $9,000 in sales during our Scholastic Book Fair!
If you would like to order any more items, there is still time! You can order online until February 20. Please use this link for your online purchase.
- Thursday, February 17 - Monday, February 21 - No School
- Saturday, February 26 - Panthers for a Purpose event, 7 p.m.
- March 11-21 - Spring 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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