Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
January 20, 2021 - Newsletter
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Westwood Families,
Welcome back to all of our in-school learners and our distance learners in grades 5 and 6. After the short break, we were able to adjust classes and teachers have reached out to their new students. There are some schedule shifts to the day for both distance and in-school learners. Your child’s teacher will provide you with information on schedules.
For grade 5 and grade 6 families with learners returning to the building tomorrow, please check out important reminders in the newsletter today about:
- Health screening
- Drop off and pick up information
- When to call the attendance line
- Other important information for our return to the building
We ask for your patience and understanding. This will be the first time a majority of our fifth and sixth grade students are in the building at the same time this year and we can expect growing pains in these first days back. We appreciate your partnership and patience.
For grades 7 and 8, we will offer expanded in-person opportunities for services that cannot be offered meaningfully through distance learning. We’ll bring students into school by invitation, with transportation provided, starting Monday, January 25. There are three categories for these at-school learning opportunities to provide:
- Additional support for learners who need it, this may include students receiving special education services, English learners and students who have identified interventions to support their learning needs. Families of students who meet criteria will hear from us with what the plan is for your student’s support by the end of the day Friday, January 22.
- Learning experiences that can’t be provided at a distance, including some labs, music, art, assessments, and others. Students and families should check weekly overviews from their teacher(s) each Friday. Overviews will include when/if a student has an invitation for an in-person component in their next week’s schedule.
- Access to additional support outside of the curriculum, including the continuation of mental health services and counseling for students receiving this support as well as providing learning space and access for students whose home environment presents challenges to learning.
Staff will be letting students and parents know by the end of the week for those who are invited in starting on Monday, January 25 and on a weekly basis for specific learning experiences or support outside of the curriculum categories.
Finally, we had some other good news this week. On Monday, Spring Lake Park Schools received notification from the state about our first doses of COVID-19 vaccine for school staff. Spring Lake Park Schools were allocated 13 doses (about 1.5% of staff) for this first round of vaccinations which will begin this week. We are prioritizing vaccinations for those at highest risk following guidance from the state. While state supply is limited and our first allocation is small, this is an encouraging step forward in this pandemic year.
Have a great week,
Tom Larson
Principal
Pick up and drop off at Westwood
Daily Health Self-Screening
Staff, students, parents and visitors of Spring Lake Park Schools must self-screen for symptoms at home daily before coming to school (also called passive screening) using the Daily Health Self-Screening Checklist. If a person is sick or exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they MAY NOT come to school.
Procedures for Close Contact, Illness and Notification Fact Sheet
Attendance and Health Line Reminders
- Parents are asked to call the attendance line at their child's school, 763-600-5309, to report a student absence when a student is unable to attend school in person.
- Parents are asked to call the health line at their child's school, 763-600-5304, to report COVID-19 positive cases.
iPads will go between school and home each day
Options for yearbook pictures
Make sure your child's immunization records are up-to-date by February 1
All students in Spring Lake Park Schools, both in-person and extended flexible learning (distance), must comply with Minnesota Immunization Laws. All immunizations need to be up-to-date by Monday, February 1. Students who are not up-to-date on immunizations by Monday, February 1 will not be able to come to school. Minnesota School Immunization Laws require ALL students enrolled in school to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, hepatitis B, meningitis and varicella.
The only exceptions are:
- A student has had the chickenpox virus
- Medical exemption with paperwork from your provider
- Conscientious exemption with notarized exemption form
If you believe your child's records need to be updated with proof of immunizations, please bring or send these to your school nurse or call for verification. Learn more about immunizations at SLP and find a downloadable immunization form.
Collect pennies and food donations for Panther Challenge #1
Panther Challenge #1 is in full swing with the 'Pennies for Packs' and Community Food Drive challenge. Grab your spare change and food donations and be ready to drop off the items on collections days, January 26-27. Collection sites include the front office at each school and the District Services Center (DSC).
As you collect pennies and food donations for Panther Challenges, we want to see your efforts. Email your photos and videos to pantherfoundation@district16.org. All submissions you share will be entered into a drawing for prizes!
A birthday story for Ms. Anderson
Ms. Anderson says: "The icing on the proverbial cake here is that I was able to share my love of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series with my students and more than a few started reading it!"
The next Westwood PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 25 at 9:30 a.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.
Sign-up for virtual Community Education programs!
Community Education is excited to offer a variety of virtual programs for adults and children in the community this winter. From Instant Pot, fitness and internet safety programs for adults to coding, acting and sport programs for children, there is something for everyone in your family to enjoy! Visit the website to view all programs and sign up or call Community Education at 763-600-5050.
Theater Programs for 5th-8th Graders
Visit the website to view full details and sign up or call Community Education at 763-600-5050.
For Grades 5-6
For Grades 7-8
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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