Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
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January 25, 2023 - NEWSLETTER
Westwood Families,
This week is paraprofessional recognition week. We have paras who work each day to know our students’ talents, interests, and strengths and help support them to achieve in school. Our office staff work to help our families navigate Westwood and assist them with their needs. The paraprofessionals in our building make a difference for our students and community. We are grateful for each of them!
Next week, 8th graders will get an introduction to the high school and start to explore classes for next year. Families can begin exploring now as all the registration materials are online.
Today, Kate Gladdin, our guest speaker, spoke with our seventh and eighth graders on resiliency. Her message focused on working through what each day may bring you with a commitment to facing the day one step at a time, one attitude at a time, with gratitude and to create the good. Tomorrow, Thursday, at Spring Lake Park High School at 6 p.m. Kate will share this same message in an event open to the community. If you can make it, I know you will enjoy her talk and find her message uplifting and filled with hope just as our students did.
Choose to make your days great,
Tom Larson
Principal
Families of 8th graders: High school registration materials available online
High School registration materials for the 2023-2024 school year are now available online. Browse the online, interactive catalog, view presentations and more. Students will meet high school counselors and get an introduction to high school on Wednesday, February 1.
See the upcoming events for several opportunities for families to learn more, including online events on Jan. 31 and Feb. 2 and an in-person high school kickoff event for families of 8th graders on Feb. 9.
Start your new year with a new gig! Now hiring paraprofessionals
Paraprofessionals are an essential part of our educational system. A number of roles are available including office paras, behavior paras, special education, supervision and more. Part-time and full-time opportunities are available at all of our locations, ranging from early childhood to high school. Competitive pay starting at $16.30 and up, depending on experience. View open positions here.
WESTWOOD YEARBOOKS LAST CALL!
Orders may be placed online at https://tinyurl.com/westwoodyearbook or scan the QR code. Order forms were also sent home with students. Questions may be directed to Kristine Powell at kpowel@district16.org.
Opening the doors to SLP
Spring Lake Park Schools haven’t just been busy with learning this year, buildings are back to hosting all kinds of visitors. Families, community and industry partners, education leaders from other school districts, and prospective families are coming by to experience and engage in the Spring Lake Park Schools approach to learning. What are they doing and seeing? Read the full story.
Scholastic Book Fair: Feb 6-9
To volunteer, Join our bookfair band: https://band.us/@wwptobookfair
Or check out the sign up genius here: https://bit.ly/wwbookfair2023
5th/6th Grade Art Adventure
We still need volunteers in order to ensure all classes can attend! Volunteer times are during the school day during March. For more infomation and complete schedule, join our BAND: https://band.us/@wwptoartadventure
PTO is now on Band
We have great news! WW PTO is now on Band, and we would like everyone to join. Band is an app that provides a space where we can post sign-ups, conduct polls, have calendars that can link to your Google or Apple calendar, and have text/chat space for committees...all in one place! You can download the app to your phone or use a web browser.
To join the main PTO group, go to https://band.us/@wwpto
Please also join any committee "band" that you are interested in to get more details about it. There will be specific sign ups created as needs arise, this is just to keep you in the know about activities you care about most. There is a list of QR codes and descriptions of the committees attached.
Current committees include:
- https://band.us/@8thgradesendoff
- https://band.us/@wwptoartadventure
- https://band.us/@wwptobookfair
- https://band.us/@wwptocommunityengage
- https://band.us/@wwptocommunitycoffee
- https://band.us/@wwptofallfamilyevent
- https://band.us/@wwptogreenteam
- https://band.us/@wwptoliteracy
- https://band.us/@wwptomileageclub
- https://band.us/@wwptorecess
- https://band.us/@wwptospiritwear
- https://band.us/@wwptospringlockin
- https://band.us/@wwptostaffappreciate
- https://band.us/@wwptogrants
- https://band.us/@wwptosunshine
Half-Way There!
Team 6C had a “Half-Way There” party. The students and teachers celebrated the students being half way to graduation from high school. 6 ½ years down and 6 ½ years to go! We wore crowns, had a sweet treat, and played games in celebration!
A Winter of Peace
On January 10, the Westwood 5th Grade Choir and SLPHS Parkairs Choir joined together for a wonderful evening of winter music! After being postponed due to a previous December blizzard the theme became "A Winter of Peace!" "This is Me" from the hit musical The Greatest Showman and "Thula Klizeo," a South African number were two of the combined 5th grade and HS choral selections. The students all had a wonderful experience, and they are excited to make more music yet this year! The next 5th Grade Choir concert is on Thursday, May 11.
- Thursday, January 26: Kate Gladdin, Resiliency Speaker talk at the SLPHS Fine Arts Center, 6 p.m.
- Friday, January 27: 8th grade band go to high school - 7:45-10:50 a.m.
- Monday, January 30: High School registration opens
- January 31 and February 2: 8th grade families, join an online family information session for a general registration overview. Choose a date that works best for your schedule. Recordings will be available following the event.
- Tuesday, January 31, 5:30 p.m. | WebEx Link
- Thursday, February 2, 10 a.m. | WebEx Link
- Wednesday, February 1: High school and middle school counselors will be working directly with 8th graders to introduce them to the high school and create their first 4-year plan. This will be the first step toward registration for next year.
- Thursday, February 9: High School Kickoff and Registration event for current 8th grade students and families at the high school, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Watch school communication for more info.
February 16-20: No school
- February 18-25: Panthers for a Purpose Week of Giving
- Saturday, February 25: Panthers for a Purpose Party
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