The Westlake Update
The Westlake Update vol. III August 22 - 28, 2021
Westlake High School
Vision: To be recognized as a top-performing high school in academics, athletics, and the arts. #OperationA
Mision: To produce global citizens by developing the passions of students through inquiry-based learning, conceptual understanding, and service. #OneWestake
Email: adamsji@fultonschools.org
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/westlakehs
Location: 2400 Union Road Southwest, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 470.254.6400
The Week at a Glance
Good Evening Westlake Families,
Due to the increase in student enrollment, Westlake High School is now the largest school in the Fulton County School District. In the next few weeks, Westlake will earn additional teacher allotments, but that will not immediately solve our overcrowding problems because the fastest hiring process usually takes 2 -3 weeks. Currently, many teachers are managing classes of 40 or more students.
In addition to finding and hiring new staff, we will begin removing students that attend Westlake under false documentation. Recently, we ran a report identifying hundreds of families that potentially used falsified documentation to register their students to Westlake High School. All questionable residency situations shall be referred to FCS' residency verification staff for further investigation. This may sound harsh, but we cannot compromise the education of the students that attend Westlake under the proper means.
As a reminder, making false statements or submitting false documentation to the Fulton County School System is a violation of O.C.G.A. §16-9-2 (forgery), §16-10-20 (fraud), and/or §16-10-71 (perjury/false witness) of the criminal laws of the State of Georgia and punishable by a fine and/or by imprisonment. Questions regarding Student Transfers and Hardships processes should be directed to the Student Assignment office.
I want to give a few shout-outs this week:
Shout-out #1:Our Teachers and Assistant Principals are working beyond the call of duty to make our students feel welcome and safe in an overcrowded school. Too many teachers are dealing with classrooms with more than 40 students. Many teachers and assistant principals are caregivers of elderly parents and/or small children and work under the fear of bringing Covid-19 into their homes. Thank you, teachers and assistant principals, for your dedication and commitment to ensuring our students receive a world-class education.
Shout-out #2: Our male students have adjusted very well with the no head covering policy. Although we are not at 100% compliance, we are approaching 100%. The few male students that need a reminder to remove their head-covering typically comply and remain very respectful. We have only had to confiscate three hats. Thank you, gentleman, for conducted yourselves appropriately.
Shout-out #3: Westlake Volleyball has transformed into a viable program at Westlake High School. The program has three levels of teams: Varsity, junior varsity, and developmental team. The student-athletes are playing well, and the future looks very promising for Westlake Volleyball. Great job, ladies and Coach Ross!!!
Shout-out #4: The Lake Show includes the Westlake Football program, the Westlake Band, and the Westlake Cheerleaders. This past Thursday, "The Lake Show" traveled to Dacula and demolished the Tigers of Archer High School. Our students were not only dominant in competition but carry themselves as outstanding global citizens.
Tutorials and club meetings will begin after September 6th. Connect with your teacher and sponsors for tutorial and club meeting days, times, and locations. Students are not permitted to enter the building before 7:30 am, and all students not in an after-school activity must be off campus by 4:15 pm. Buses depart at 3:37 pm.
There will be two parent meetings this week:n
- Engineering Parent Meeting "The State of Westlake Engineering," Wednesday, August 25th at 6:00
- Senior Parent Meeting, Thursday, August 26th at 6:00 pm
Should you have any questions or concerns at any point this school year, please do not hesitate to call, email, or come in to see me.
Kind Regards,
Jarvis I. Adams, Principal
Teen Day - Tuesday, August 24th
August 24th, Westlake will host Venture Capital Teen Day, with Fearless Fund.
Westlake students interested in pitching their business to Venture Capitalist specialists can register for this competition.
ATTENTION WESTLAKE SCHOLARS!!!!!!
Did you hear that Fearless Fund in partnership with UPS is awarding a $10,000 grant to a Westlake student business owner?
Did you apply yet? Don’t miss your chance! Time is running out!
During Black Business Month, in partnership with Fearless Fund, UPS, which was founded by a teenager, is working specifically with teens to provide resources, tools, access, and capital for under-resourced communities to learn about Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship. Applications close August 13, 2021, apply here NOW.
WHS Band has a chance to win $10K!!
Westlake High School Band is nominated to be crowned the Best Band In Atlanta by winning the “Great Atlanta High School Band Challenge.” We need your vote every hour on the hour https://ul.ink/Z8S4-QWZ2 for a chance to win $10,000!
Winners will be announced during halftime of the Cricket Wireless MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Saturday, August 28th at Centre Parc Stadium.
From the desk of Athletic Director Coach Green
What a winning week for Westlake Athletics!! This was a great week for the athletes in the Westlake Community. Our JV and Varsity Volleyball teams had their first home matches this past Wednesday vs Maynard Jackson. Both of our teams were successful and brought home the wins against Maynard Jackson. On Thursday our Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Carver and brought home the win against them. Our Mighty Lion football team with support from the Mighty Marching Lions and Cheer Babes traveled to Dacula High School Thursday for the Corky Kell Classic vs Archer High School. The Mighty Lions were triumphant and brought home the victory in their first appearance in the Corky Kell Classic. This was a great week and we can’t wait to see the accomplishments of the Lions next week.
Athletics for the Week of August 23rd
Thank you for all of the support towards our Westlake Athletics teams. Please continue supporting our athletics teams. Tickets for Westlake High School athletic events can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/school/GA5381. As a reminder spectators MUST wear a mask at all indoor Westlake Sporting Events.
Please stay connected with Westlake Athletics by visiting our website https://westlakelionsathletics.com/ and following us on Twitter @WestlakeSports1.
A Letter to the Fresh Class from Athletic Director Coach Green
Greetings Class of 2025,
I would like to personally welcome you to the Westlake High School Athletics Program. We recognize the importance of athletic activities in providing students with important opportunities for a total education. These activities teach students core values such as commitment, discipline, hard work, leadership, teamwork, and physical fitness; all of which are the foundation for academic success. Participation in athletic activities contributes to the physical, as well as, emotional and social health of our students. It also promotes a sense of unity and cooperation among athletes, the student body, and the Westlake community.
Westlake High School is a member of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Region 4 of 6A classification. Our vision is to be a nationally recognized brand of student-athletes with global success. Westlake offers students the opportunities to participate in over 19 sports, which are all sanctioned by the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS). Interscholastic programs are an important part of supporting students’ matriculation at Westlake High School. The athletics department at Westlake High School strives to produce well-rounded student-athletes with a drive for success. With a rich athletic tradition, such as a plethora of region and state championships, Westlake High School has graduated a multitude of student-athletes who have extended their talents at various collegiate and professional levels. Also, we recently won 2021 Geico National Championship in Girls’ Basketball. Westlake is the premier high school for interscholastic activities in the state of Georgia. We welcome our new Lions with P.R.I.D.E., and feel confident you will continue our rich tradition.
With kind regards,
Mr. Carl Green
Director of Athletics
Westlake High School
ESPN at Westlake High School, August 26th!!
Email Your Counselor
Dr. Owens OwensS@fultonschools.org (A – DA)
Mrs. Crawford Crawforda4@fultonschools.org (DB – I)
Ms. Harrison HarrisonT1@fultonschools.org (J – N)
Mrs. Jackson ReeseS@fultonschools.org (O – SE)
Ms. Perry PerryDB@fultonschools.org (SF – Z)
WHS Counselor's Twitter Page: @whsdenkeepers
COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates
At Fulton County Schools, we work daily to ensure the health and well-being of our students and staff in the midst of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Here is the key info you need to know:
Student Discipline Update
The most prevalent infractions of last week were: 11b Drug Paraphernalia (mainly lighters) and 13a: Improper Dress (mostly female students).
As we strive to provide the most conducive learning space, parental support is needed to ensure that students enter Westlake High School, not in possession of any drug paraphernalia, and follow the FCS student dress code.
Consequences for acts of misconduct regarding drugs/alcohol/controlled substances may include out-of-school suspension (up to 10 days) and a Disciplinary Hearing Referral with a recommendation for further actions such as long-term suspension, expulsion, and/or assignment to an alternative education program.
Improper Dress Rule 13a: Students in the school system are expected to dress and groom themselves in such a way as to reflect neatness, cleanliness, and safety. All students shall dress appropriately so as not to disrupt or interfere with the educational program or the orderly operation of the school. Examples of inappropriate dress and grooming include lack of cleanliness in person or dress; shoe lessness; "short-short" clothing; bare midriffs; "tank tops"; "see-through" clothing or apparel which designates gangs or similar organizations, head coverings for non-religious purposes (i.e. hat, hood, bonnet, bandanna, etc), or any dress that is disruptive to the educational process. Westlake High School administration shall determine whether any particular mode of dress or grooming results in a violation of the spirit and/or the intent of this rule. Consequences for Improper Dress range from a verbal warning to 5 days of In-School suspension.
Please click the link to read the Fulton County Schools Student Code of Conduct and Discipline Handbook: https://www.fultonschools.org/studentdiscipline