Wildcat Update
for Families
Week of October 28th
Family Engagement Night
Westridge will host Johnson County Mental Health to share information with parents about teen suicide prevention: warning signs, ways to start a conversation about suicide, questions you can ask, and what you can say that helps. Johnson County Mental Health will present to Westridge students on Friday, Nov. 1stabout suicide prevention and mental wellness. 7th grade students will hear the same presentation as 10/30 – so this is your chance to preview the material. The presentation for 8th graders will be geared toward self-care, coping, and resilience.
Parents will also have the opportunity to learn about and get support with Skyward and Google Classroom. We will have some resources available for parents - mental health, academic, clubs, etc.
An exciting addition to Family Engagement Night – Big Brothers Big Sisters KC will be present to take applications and provide the required orientation for parents and students to get matched with a Big – this will before Family Engagement Night from 5:30-6pm! Big Brothers Big Sisters is a community based one-on-one mentoring program that matches a child to a mentor. They spend time together 2 to 3 times a month, building friendships and spending time together. If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Amy Nine at 913-993-1200. For more information about BBBS of KC visit https://www.bbbskc.org. A separate flyer is attached.
RSVP: http://bit.ly/FENRSVP
SMW Marching Band Craft Fair
Please see the attachment flyer for information regarding the Shawnee Mission West Marching Band Craft Fair fundraiser. It will be on Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM in the gym, bridge & cafeteria at SM West. The event is free to attend.
Chris Cakes will be selling pancakes/breakfast from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM for $7.00. Other concessions will be available for purchase throughout the day as well.
Several groups will be performing:
- 9:30 AM – Freshman Concert Band
- 10:30 AM – Jazz Lab
- 11:30 AM – Color Guard
- 12:30 PM – Drum Line
- 1:30 PM – Westridge 8th grade jazz band (that’s us!)
- 3:00 PM – Overland Express Jazz Band
Come listen to some music, eat some food, do some shopping, and mingle with other West Area Families!
What you need to know about vaping and the new marijuana
Upcoming #GiveHope Event
A community event Westridge hosts is #givehope Thanksgiving Outreach. Please consider signing up to help. The City Center Church supports our staff, students and community in a variety of ways. This is one way we can give back to them.
On Monday, November 25th Westridge is hosting the #givehope Thanksgiving Outreach to provide all the groceries families need for a nice Thanksgiving meal. We will also have a general store with hygiene items, household items, clothing, etc. We hope to serve 400 families in the West area.
If families are interested in signing up to pick up items on Nov. 25th, they can contact their grade level counselor or Amy Nine, school social worker.
If families are interested in volunteering at the event, they can sign up at https://sugeni.us/cVT3
If you have a business and would like to get involved or make a donation, please contact Alisha Dahl at City Center ChurchAlisha@citycenterchurch.com.
AAA 1st Quarter Winners (Excellence in Academics, Attendance, and Attitude)
7th Grade 1st Quarter Honor Roll
8th Grade 1st Quarter Honor Roll
The Westridge Den
They have worked hard and we are so proud of them!
Holiday Cards
Contact Barb Trousdale at BarbaraTrousdale@smsd.org
Clubs
- Heart of Wildcat Club - Heart of a Wildcat Club, is a volunteer group serving our WMS family and our community. Hope to see you there. For information, please contact Barb Trousdale at BarbaraTrousdale@smsd.org
- Chess Club - will be every WEDNESDAY after school in ROOM 10. Come learn how to play and play CHESS! Any questions? See Mrs. Holder in room 10.
- Bible Club - will meet on Tuesdays until 4:30 in Room 106. Come join us on Tuesdays for Bible fun! Games! Snacks! parties! Everyone is welcome!
- GSA Club - Do you want to lead the way to a more inclusive world? By speaking up for what you believe is right, you can advocate for the wellbeing of all students at our school. The GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) will have their first meeting Tuesday, September 10th, right after school in room 157. Late bus is available. See Mr. Bellotti with any questions.
- Girls Club - Would you like to have time to spend with other young women? Join girls club! We will meet beginning Wednesday, September 11 in room 131 with Mrs. Brewster. If you have any questions, please stop by and see her or send her an email.
Have you joined PTSA?
Meet Your PTSA!
Gwyn Dill
Maria Purviance
Marie Pittmon
Erin Herren
Kristi Nersesian
Julie Eisentrager
Darci Robinsion
Deanna Cox
Christina Middleton
Kristy Campion
Anne Perigi
Rivers Partin
Viking Community Night
Free Turkeys, Coats & Flu Shots!
Industrial Tech Fair
Kansas Assisters Network
Free and Reduced Meals
Free and reduced priced breakfast and lunches are available for students who qualify. A new application (per family) must be completed each year. For more information about SMSD food services and Free and Reduced Meals visit: https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/food-service The application for Free and Reduced meals can be completed at https://www.schoolcafe.com/
CLOTHING CENTER is OPEN!
We have many resources in our area that can help families who have clothing needs. Please visit https://www.smac-pta.org/clothing-exchange! And see the information below.
The Clothing Exchange offers gently used clothing and shoes to those within the SMSD boundaries. All items are clean. Donations are made possible by SMSD residents. Racks are sorted by item and by size, with seasonal and holiday themed items throughout the year. Formal wear and interview attire is also available. All residents are welcome!
WEST IS BEST
Are after-school activities like sports and scouts breaking your bank? West is Best Scholarship Fund can help! West is Best is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to helping students (including elementary and middle school students) in the SM West attendance area participate in after school activities. West is Best provides scholarships for up to 75% of the cost of equipment, uniforms, and some registration fees for boys or girls to participate in sports and scouts.
Want to make a difference in your community? Since 2012, West is Best has provided over $51,000 in scholarships to West area kids in grades K-12. We couldn’t have done it without the help of hundreds of donors. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship, donate to West is Best Scholarship Fund, or for more information about West is Best Scholarship Fund, click the following link: www.westisbestscholarshipfund.com
Other Important Numbers:
- SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER: Officer Dana Harrison 913 993-1206
- DS BUSING: 913 384-1190
- BOOKKEEPER: Ms. Lourdes Morales 913 993-1201
- NURSE: Ms. Christine Uhrmacher 913 993-1207
WESTRIDGE WAY & GOALS FOR LIFE
The Westridge Way is to be respectful, safe, and responsible. Please reinforce The Westridge Way with your student at home in daily interactions and with laptops.
Goals for Life:
- I can make good choices even when I am mad.
- I can be okay (do the right thing) even if others are not okay.
- I can do something even when I don’t want to or it’s hard.
Westridge Middle School Contact Info
Website: https://westridge.smsd.org/
Location: 9300 Nieman Road, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.mcdonnell.927
Twitter: @WRidgeMS
Twitter Handler:
@WRidgeMS
Many of your student's teachers/classrooms also have a Twitter account! It is great to see all the great things happening at Westridge!
Follow us on Instagram:
@WRidgeMS