Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
September 14, 2022 - Newsletter
See translation information below / Consulte la información de traducción a continuación.
September 14, 2022 - NEWSLETTER
Westwood Families,
We have had a great start to the school year.
Students have been engaged in morning meetings in grades 5-6 to create a safe and positive learning environment in their classrooms each day. Students spend some time greeting each other, participating in a classroom community building activity, talking about CARES (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Responsibility, Self-control) and going over the day.
Similarly, Panther Time for grades 7-8 has focused on working with students on building a safe and positive learning environment on each team. Students in grade 8 did team mascots. Dean of students, Mr. Jillo, has been talking with students about expectations throughout the building.
It is important that all families understand the student expectations for behavior and attendance at Westwood. If you haven’t already, please prioritize reviewing our student expectations for behavior and attendance. We’re asking every family to review and sign these agreements. These are available in Campus with instructions in the newsletter.
Follow along with what students are learning in Schoology. Schoology is the technology platform students use to track and share learning. Parents can follow along and see what students are learning at school. See the newsletter for instructions, including videos, for how to use these tools. On October 10, at 6 p.m. in the Den, we will have a guest presenter at our PTO meeting on the use of Schoology. We have many tips and tricks that will help you.
In addition, our teachers will be providing information about our curriculum for all families. We’ll cover what students are learning, Schoology and how to navigate and see assignments and resources, grading practices and expectations. More information will be available next week.
Have a great week,
Tom Larson
Principal
Reminder: Sign student behavior and attendance expectations agreement
If you haven't done so already, please take a few minutes to complete your review of student behavior and attendance expectations with your student(s).
Log in to Campus Parent Portal with your district username and password.
Select your student in the upper right corner.
On the main menu click on DOCUMENT.
Locate the Parent Documents section.
Click on the 2022-2023 Behavior and Attendance Agreement.
Review the document with your student.
Sign and submit.
Repeat these steps if you have more than one student in the district.
For video directions on how to sign the agreement, watch this screencast. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school's front office.
Parent and guardian access to learning: How to log in to Schoology
Spring Lake Park Schools students use Schoology (grades 3-12) for their learning. Parents/guardians can also access these platforms and follow along with what their children are learning in school. Once a parent or guardian logs on, if you're not sure what you're looking at or where to find something, ask your student to give you a tour!
Schoology - grades 3-12
Schoology is our primary learning management system for students grades 3-12. Schoology embeds course content, videos, assignments, quizzes, links and more. Parents/guardians can access Schoology and have total visibility into what their children are learning at school.
- If you are logging into Schoology from a computer, use this link. Watch this video to learn more.
- If you are logging into Schoology from the app, make sure to select Log In through your School and type in Spring Lake Park Schools. Watch this video to learn more.
- Check your parent settings and preferences for the year to receive Schoology updates. Watch this video to learn more.
Find additional Seesaw and Schoology information, parent password instructions, and so many more tips and video tutorials about our technology tools on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log Ins page.
Band Sign-Up: There is Still Time
There is still time to sign up for 5th grade band for this school year! Please click here to learn more about band and to sign up.
First Weeks Focus
The “knowing each student by name” part of our district’s vision has been on full display across schools, grade levels and classrooms in these first days of school. First graders made name tags that could hold a pencil, stand on their own, and, of course, had their names. Fifth graders were making iMovies about the “top 5 things to know about me.” High school classes were playing name games.
These first moments, days and weeks of school set the tone for the year to come. After two years of disrupted, pandemic learning, concern for academic growth and emotional and mental health is top of mind for parents and educators. That’s why even more intentional efforts to build relationships and create community are a top priority as a new year of learning begins.
Read the full story of our first weeks focus.
Award-winning theater returns with an entertaining and polished line-up for the 2022-2023 season
Mark your calendar and join us for live theater! All performances take place in the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center (1100 81st Ave NE, Spring Lake Park). Tickets can be purchased online or at the door for a dollar more.
2022-2023 theater performances:
- Peter and the Starcatcher, high school fall play
- Einstein's Brains, grades 7-8 fall play
- Snowy Off-White and the 8 Little Dudes, grades 5-6 fall play
- The Private History of a Campaign That Failed, One-Act Play Competition
- Frozen Jr., grades 7-8 spring musical
- Matilda, high school spring musical
Meet Westwood Staff!
We gathered together for our first staff photo of the year. Greetings from our staff!
Westwood Spirit Wear
PTO is excited to offer Westwood themed spirit wear for sale to students, families, and staff. The online store will open Friday, September 16, and all orders should be placed by Friday, October 7. Click here to place your order. There will be a variety of items including sweatshirts, t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, performance shirts, baseball hats, winter hats, and more. If you need any assistance, please contact Westwood PTO.
Fall Fundraiser is coming!
We are excited to team up with Club's Choice again this year to raise funds for our PTO. These fundraising efforts are used for enrichment items or activities for our students throughout the school year.
This year's fundraiser will start on Monday, September 19. Students will received their fundraising packet on this day in their homeroom or Panther time.
Thank you for your support!
PTO Meeting
Thanks to everyone who made it to our PTO meeting Monday. Coming Soon: Check out our Facebook Page for our Top Five Meeting Takeaways! We hope to see you next month for our meeting Monday, October 10 at 6 p.m.
Volunteers Needed- Picture Day
The PTO is in search for parents to volunteer on Picture Day, Thursday, September 22. There are two available time slots. Parents that volunteer, will receive a FREE basic picture package from Lifetouch. If you would like to volunteer please sign-up here.
Parents may order online for an easier process. Go to mylifetouch.com. Have your student School ID or Picture Day ID: EVTG4W4XG
Monday, September 19
- PTO Fundraiser Kick-off
Thursday, September 22
- Picture Day
September 26-30
- Homecoming Week
Tuseday, September 27
- Map Reading
Thursday, September 29
- Map Math
Friday, September 30
- Homecoming Football Game, Panther Stadium, 7 p.m.
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