Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
April 28, 2021 - Newsletter
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Westwood Families,
This Friday, April 30, we will have a Spirit Day at Westwood and across the district. Students and staff are encouraged to wear SLP wear or school colors (red, white, blue) to show our Panther Pride.
Staff appreciation
Next week is staff appreciation week. We are partnering with our PTO to say thank you to our staff. The PTO is seeking support for spreading gratitude! There are several ways you may want to participate:
- Send a personal note or email to say “thank you” to a staff member.
- Have your student write a note or email to say “thank you” to a staff member.
- Sign up to provide a food or drink product for staff appreciation week.
- Donate an item for the “thank you” raffle. Each day, there will be a drawing where staff members may win a “thank you” gift. Ideas include: coffee/tea, chocolate/treat, SLP Fan items (mug, hat, shirt), yard game, a plant, candle, grill/foodie/baker items, stationary, bath/spa, etc. Gift Cards are also greatly appreciated. The office staff provided these suggestions for gift cards: Coffee, Nelson’s Deli, Bob’s Produce, Jimmy Johns, Panera, DoorDash, Old Piper Inn, other local restaurants. Retail options include: Panther Store, Amazon, Target, Barnes and Noble, other local stores.
Donations will be collected at the front office of the school through Monday, May 3. Thank you in advance for helping us recognize our staff.
MCA testing reminders
We continue with Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) for all Westwood grade levels next week.
At-School Learners Testing:
- Grades 7 and 8: May 4 –MCA Reading Test
- Grades 5 and 6: May 5 and 6 – MCA Reading Test
Extended Flexible Learning Testing (located at Westwood):
- Grades 5 and 6: May 5 - Reading MCA. Drop off at 8:35 a.m. and pick up at 11:45 a.m.
- Grade 7 and 8: May 5 - Reading MCA. Drop off at 7:35 a.m. and pick up at 11 a.m.
Have a great week,
Tom Larson
Principal
Fifth Grade Families: Intro to 6th Grade Band
In the sixth grade, students still have the opportunity to take band lessons. Join us for a virtual informational meeting on Tuesday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. to learn more about your student's option to join band in middle school. The meeting will also be recorded and placed on the band website for those unable to attend the meeting.
- Meeting Link: https://meet-springlakeparkschools.webex.com/meet-springlakeparkschools/j.php?MTID=mb7ebf7d0330aa8fa092bf3056996f5ad
- Meeting Code: joinband
Watch this 1-minute introduction video and learn more about band, choosing an instrument and how to register on this Westwood Band webpage. If your student would like to play band in 6th grade, please register by Friday, May 14.
Attention WW Band families!
- Bands 7: 8:30-9 a.m.
- Bands 6: 9:30-10 a.m.
- Bands 8: 12:30-1 p.m.
- Bands 5: 1:30-2 p.m.
Please have your child bring their fold-up music stand. Concert attire will be regular school clothes, with option to dress up. It will be a recorded event and a link will be sent out for later viewing.
Panther Spirit Day is Friday, April 30
Last chance - purchase your "Spamalot" tickets today
High School Registration for 2021-2022: Still time to consider a Co-Created Course
It's not too late for students entering 9-12th grade next year to register for a "Co-Created Course" in English, Science, Math, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Pathways, World Language, Phy. Ed/Health or Music. Through these courses, students spend time pursuing a passion or interest and earn credit by creating their own course with a teacher. Students design the learning experience with a teacher to earn high school credits and connect to their passions and goals. These are project-based courses. They are focused on independent learning through research, reading, listening, viewing, participating, and creating.
Counselors work with each student to ensure any co-created courses translate to their transcript as the specific topic they've designed. For instance, a student may register for a co-created science course and create a physics credit which appears on the transcript as physics. In addition, students can also earn honors credits and AP credits (if they pass the AP exam). Students are encouraged to talk with a counselor to learn more. It's not too late to make an adjustment to registration for next year.
Celebrating Earth Day
Students in Ms. McEntire's Science class were able to finish the butterfly life cycle by watching the ten caterpillars emerge from their chrysalides. They studied how butterflies help plants grow through pollination, and then they studied parts of a butterfly while creating their own colorful ones. During recess, several students chose to pick up trash around the playground to help keep the school clean to celebrate Earth Day. It was an exciting week of learning!
The next Westwood PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 24 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
We are looking forward to working with all of our parents and families this year to support the staff and students at Westwood.
Visit the PTO Facebook page: Westwood Intermediate and Middle School PTO
- Click here to receive email notifications about Westwood PTO.
Matthew 25 Free Food Distribution
Register for Summer 2021 Camps and Clinics
Club Spotlight of the Week:
Youth Volleyball Camp
MS Volleyball Camp
Beginning Band Summer Camp
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
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