Westwood Wire
January 19, 2021
Dear Westwood Parents,
We have experienced a successful start to 2021 at Westwood Junior High. With the new year comes reflection and fresh ideas which have led us to develop this new version of the Westwood Wire. Our goal is for parent communication to be proactive, timely and relevant. Please expect this newsletter in your email inbox as well as the Westwood Twitter page, school website and PTA platforms on February 2nd, February 23rd, March 23rd, April 13th, May 4th and May 25th. In addition to a message from me, the topics will include academics, athletics, counseling and fine arts. We hope to continue our collaboration with you by compiling our communication in a way that is meaningful to you and allows you to best engage with the wonderful work being done at Westwood Junior High.
With 62% of our students back on campus, we continue to be vigilant about our campus and district safety and risk mitigation measures. Please help us to make sure that your student’s face mask fits properly as they continue to grow. Additionally, we have noticed an increase in students wearing gator face masks which are sometimes too big for their face. Both proper face coverings and social distancing are enforced at Westwood Junior High and we appreciate your continued support.
While 38% of our students are learning remotely, our teachers continue to refine and master digital learning to best connect and instruct your students. We are also onboarding Ms. Abouado as our new digital coach to help support and engage our teachers in meaningful and ongoing professional learning to best meet the needs of all students.
Sincerely,
Katie Mottram
Westwood Junior High Principal
To change the language/ Para cambiar el idioma de esta carta
BrightBytes Technology Survey
RISD is once again using BrightBytes.net to survey parents, students and teachers about the use of technology in education. Parents can help by taking 5-10 minutes to complete the survey.
The survey link below is only for parents of students attending WWJH. Your input is very important for instructional technology planning at RISD. There are no right or wrong answers to the survey questions, and everyone will have a different set of responses, depending on their experiences. All survey responses will be kept strictly confidential.
The survey will close on February 22nd, please provide your input by that time at the link below.
2021 BrightBytes Technology Survey: ONLY FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS AT WWJH
RISD Meal Program
Each year students must apply or reapply for the RISD free and reduced meal program. If a student was on the meal program at the end of the 19-20 school year, the benefits were carried over and ended on October 1, 2020. A new application must be submitted to continue benefits for the 20-21 school year.
You may not know, but students who have older brothers and sisters, that are approved for the meal program, can receive extra benefits while in high school.
Juniors and Seniors could receive waivers for free NCAA and college applications as well as free ACT and SAT tests.
2020-2021 AP exam price is $95 per test. Students eligible for the meal program receive a drastic price reduction of only $18 per test.
UT OnRamps course price is reduced from $149 to $99 per college semester. EX: Algebra I- is one college semester and the cost is $99. US History- is two college semesters and the cost is $198.
Students must apply now for the 20-21 meal program. Applications can be completed online and only one completed application is needed for all family members at www.schoolunchapp.com and additional information can be found at https://www.smore.com/5zn3s.
Mascot Update
At the beginning of this school year, our Westwood community began work with mascot committee focus groups to determine viable options for the Westwood mascot. The reason for this is that the Native American imagery in the school and associated with the mascot was removed before the start of the school year as the use of Native American sports mascots, logos and symbols perpetuates stereotypes of American Indians that are very harmful.
The focus groups included over 30 participants including teachers, parents, students, community members and Richardson ISD personnel. Thank you to each participant, as their valuable and honest contribution has helped develop 4 viable options for the Westwood Junior High mascot and logo.
Students, teachers and staff at Westwood Junior High along with 6th graders at our feeder schools, Hamilton Park Pacesetter, Northwood Hills Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary and Spring Valley Elementary were given the opportunity to cast their vote for the WWJH mascot. Dr. Stone will announce the choice for the mascot at the February 8th, 2021 Board meeting.
Safety & Security
We continue to practice our monthly fire drills with an emphasis on exiting the building quickly and silently. While we release students in staggered groups for social distancing purposes, it is important that students understand that in the event of a real emergency, students and staff will respond to the greatest threat and exit the building as a whole group. Thank you for taking the time to talk with your child at home about the importance of our drills. The safety and security of WWJH students and staff remains the top priority for us.
Coming up: Safety Week- January 25-29 (LEAD Academy, All drills reviewed)
Districtwide I Know What To Do Day- January 25, 2021
Students will participate in activities during LEAD Academy this semester to reinforce the SRP (Standard Response Protocols) program utilized in RISD. For more information, please visit the website at iloveuguys.org.
2020-2021 Yearbooks
The LAST DAY to purchase your student’s 2021 Westwood yearbook is Friday, January 29 at midnight.
We are not ordering extras for May Delivery. If you want one, you must purchase now.
You can purchase online at jostensyearbooks.com or click on the link below (note: by purchasing online you can pay in 3 installments).
National School Board Appreciation Month
Grade Reporting
To set up a Partent Focus account please visit https://web.risd.org/focus/#information
A parent Focus account will allow you to monitor your students grades and attendance online.
For assistance with the sign-up process, please email FocusParent@g.risd.org or call 469-593-0811.
8th Grade
It’s time to already start planning for the 2021-22 school year. Mrs. Ruttenburg and Mrs. Scoggins have been busy helping 8th graders create their Personalized Graduation Plans. The 9th grade classes students selected during PGP meetings will be put into Focus. 8th graders will get a chance to make changes to their 9th grade classes in February and again in March. The Richardson High School Magnet Application is open now. Students and Parents interested in a magnet program should attend the Virtual Parent meeting on January 21st. Please go to www.rhsmagnet.org for information and application. Applications are due January 29th.
7th Grade
MLK Essay & Art Contest
The Richardson City Council, in partnership with RISD, PISD and UT Dallas is sponsoring a Martin Luther King, Jr. essay and art contest. The flyer for this event can be found HERE.
In an effort to support and encourage participation for those who chose in this contest, students learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. in LEAD Academy on Friday January 15th. Additionally, our social studies teachers have prepared a lesson to allow students to explore more about him, his teachings and contributions in our country’s history. In LEAD Academy on Thursday January 21st and 22nd, students will pre-write and write their first draft of the essay that will be given to their English teacher who will provide feedback on the writing process. The final draft will be completed in English class before the January 29th contest deadline.
The art teachers have also been working on incorporating the art contest into their lessons and students who are not currently enrolled in an art class at WWJH, are also welcome and encouraged to participate and submit their project by the February 26th deadline.
We are excited to see and hear about what our students write and create and encourage submissions, if they choose by the deadlines, as this is a fun and competitive way to celebrate the value of our diversity and inclusion.
MAPS Assessment
Both 7th and 8th grade students took the middle of the year MAPS assessment in their math classes during the week of Jan. 11-15. Students will take the reading assessment the week of Jan. 19-22. The Family Map report will be sent home the week of Feb. 1-5.
Upcoming QSA Testing Dates
WWJH Basketball Teams
Westwood Junior High Math, Science & Leadership Magnet
Email: kathryn.mottram@risd.org
Website: https://schools.risd.org/WestwoodJH
Location: 7630 Arapaho Road, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 469-593-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/WestWoodJH/
Twitter: @WestwoodJH_RISD